Minutes because thats theyll be focusing not only 17 victims in parkland, but the 13 victims in columbine that were killed in that 1999 shooting that really sparked this sort of awareness across the country. Andrea. Thank you, steve paterson. And the students at North High School in denver. We go to chicago, which is an hour earlier, rather an hour later, so they have already been out for an hour. Ron mott, a city rocked almost every day by violence in various neighborhoods but all reacting to what happened in florida. Ron . Reporter yeah, absolutely, andrea, good day to you. Im with young man from Leo High School here on the south side. You mention this is a daily problem here in chicago, gun violence. So these students who came out today, this rally wrapped up 10 minutes ago, those rally not just for those folks lost at parkland but all the people lost daily basis in chicago to gun violence. Cash a, senior, what brought you out today and whats your message . I wanted to promote peace within the africanamerican community. Reporter dealing with ram i had gun violence. Fortunately we got new numbers as of tuesday down so far with number of homicides and shooting incidents in the city of chicago. So thats a step in the right direction. Kevin. You a junior. Whats your message today . You met with other schools . Pretty much to promote peace and show all kids in chicago arent bad and we dont go for violence. We just show them that peace can be in all our communities hand just up to us to keep it. Reporter and you can see here, show off the shirt here. This is a walkout for peace from reporter thats a great question. Ill pose to cash here. Andrea mitchell is asking the fact that klum Brian Williams th columbine happened 20 years ago before you were born, did not seem to awaken people as parkland did. Are you dispointsed it took all of those years and all those School Shootings for this to reach this point where young people are walking out of schools asking for ta change . Absolutely. Its a shame it had to get this far when it happened. But as you said before, the numbers are down, but still not enough. We have to continue with those numbers. Reporter what is it like going to School Every Day on south side of chicago where there is a lot of violence . Leo provided us with a safe place every day. We dont have problems of violence. When we do, we come together as brothers, and pretty much its like neighborhood keeps us safe. Leo, everyone knows leo is school for brotherhood, peace and pride. So as kids we dont suffer from problems of violence. Reporter so unique perspective, this is generation grown up with School Shootings that have become, sadly, regular and normal in this country. But with this Parkland Shooting something seems to be different. Andrea. Thank you so much. Thank to cash and the other student there with you in the south side of chicago. And as we also keep looking at columbine and the memorial there of the students walking, im joined by shawn henry former assistants phish and Nbc National Security analyst. Shawn, this is a moment, we dont know if its going to lead to action. We still see resistance in the white house and on chiapitol hi. But the kids are creating new generation debate. They certainly are, andrea. Im inspired by a lot of what i see. I just came down fifth avenue just about 30 minutes ago and i saw hundreds of students outside protesting outside trump tower. Clearly, what we look at across the nation today at what i this i is a galvanizing moment to see entire generation of kids standing up and saying this cant happen anymore. This is really referendum against gun violence, not just School Shootings. But in listening to some of those young men talking about chicago, since what we saw in parkland occur back on february 14th, there have been over 100 people shot in the city of chicago alone, many more across the country. And this is going to require a widespread reform. And a comprehensive plan. I think that to listen to these young people talking to legislators, talking to the leaders, the civic and community leaders, it really is about coming together in holistic way. And there are a number of this ings that need to be done. The Law Enforcement response is one component, but certainly a lot more across the program, andrea. You know, shawn, it also occurs that the president initially was talking about raising the age limit, also responses now. Now he has retreated after a dinner with nra and retreated to Mental Health, bromides if you will, not that it needs to be done, but those resisting change. And also talking about Arming Teachers. What is your view about Arming Teachers . Well, i saw a piece on the news armed in a school accidental discharge. Fortunately nobody was injured. Shot went into the ceiling. But there needs to be a lot of thought put into that. I dont know that thats the answer. There is a lot that needs to be done to identify the threat and stop the threat. Part of it is the access to guns by people who shouldnt have them. There are lawful citizens who have a right to weapons. But a lot of people that have hands on weapons that shouldnt have access to them. That is going to require some legislation. That is absolutely require thorough vetting for any one who wants to have a weapon. I think its going to require some more efforts from the Health Care Community and educational community. And quite honestly, andrea, from a societal prpic tierspective. Kids can play games and kill people online using virtual reality. I think its going to require comprehensive review and change the culture and really get some action that is going to have a widespread impact. Andrea. Shawn henry, thank you so much. And as we watch in columbine, the students are releasing balloons one at a time. Obviously, in memory of victims of the gun violence. I want to bring in mariana In Washington d. C. Reporter andrea, here in front of capitol hill. And you can see thousands of students out here listening to the speakers, poets, lawmakers. I just spoke to one Law Enforcement official who told me there are at least 3500 students here participating in this rally today. They want to see change. They held their 17moinute momet of silence in the white house, turning their backs to the white house, and marched over here to Pressure Lawmakers in enacting the kind of change they want to see. Here are a few girls from National Cathedral school. Tell me what have you heard from lawmakers here . What do you want to hear . I want to hear what we as students can do going further. Not just coming to protest. Not just going to the march for our lives on the 24th. What we can really do going further. I this i thnk the energy is gre here. But whats next . I think another important thing we heard today is they are listening to us. And some people stud up there, senators, saying you are the future and being heard. I know change is coming but to know they are listening and this makes an impact is really important for us. Reporter and dree pa as we were listening to you, they started listening among themselves receives with other protesters what more they can do. And you are actually from a different school. Im from Walter Johnson high school. Reporter and you chimed in and said this is what we can do. Yeah. So two things i was talking about, first, not only do we need to influence our politicians, what we need to influence corporations that we support financially. For example im so sorry for example, through walmart and dicks sporting good, just because of the past few weeks they no longer sell guns in their stores. Based off of that if we have this many em showing support, Astronomically Higher Showing Support at the march, so many more corporations will follow. Reporter but following not only leg lislators, but also corporations. We have seen congress men, bernie sanders, they were excitesed excited to see. And all of these girls were excited to be on live with you, andrea. I love you. Thank you. Thanks to them. To the girls and Walter Johnson as well. I really love the fact that they are out there. And in parkland, florida, joining me now. We have listening to students in front of the capital. They are talking about hearing from democrats. But republicans have not been speaking out for the most part. And the democrats are also today celebrating the likely election, a parent winner in the Pennsylvania 18th District which as you know is a democrat who Sports Gun Rights but is backgrounds checks. The lessons they feel candidates are more mainstream and red america, that could diminish support on capitol hill for tightening gun laws where relevan. Reporter well, andrea, i think some of the future for washington is standing right here. Good point. Reporter they are all freshman in the school. And we are standing in front of what has become a memorial if you will. You see statues of angels, 17 of them representing 17 people who were murdered here just a month ago. I asked this young man what his thoughts were about even going back into the school. And what did you say . I didnt feel safe. Whenever i get out of school, i feel safer than i in school. Reporter and we were just talking about what does it mean beyond today in terms of legislative action . Do you expects leg lay shuislatl make a change as far as gun safety . I do think there is. But the parties dont agree on stuff, as you can see, our nation is very divided at this moment. And i feel like we should all get together. Because this isnt matter of parties, its just people, and as people we should all come together during this because this could be anybody that gets killed. Reporter and, andrea, the students have been saying that these were freshman. But you dont feel that that means you dont have a voice. Is that correct . Yes. Reporter you do have a voice . Yes, we have a voice. Reporter is it a voice that your legislatures should be listening to . Yes. Reporter does it matter if democrat or republican . Flo. Reporter what do you want them to hear from you . We want them to hear that things need to change. Things need to change. Reporter is that what you are saying as well . Yeah. I do not feel safe in school at all. Like, think about it, he had a bunch of other bullets that could have been a bunch of other lives taken. All these 17 people were so innocent. They didnt deserve this. None of us need to have, to like feel unsafe anywhere that we go. We are all kids. We go to school for just trying to get an education, just trying to live our normal lives that we have. Its parkland. You would never have expected it would have been our school. Reporter but it was your school. Exactly. Reporter now what are you saying . Does it go beyond today . Can you sustain this kind of energy into some legislative action . We wont stop fighting until something changes. Legislatures need to do their job. They work for us and not doing what we want them to do. 97 of americans believe in universal background checks. Its in the error of margin. We are to this point universally agree we need to do something in our nation, but none of our legislatures are going to do something. So well start until they do something. Reporter in florida your legislatures have done something. They passed a gun reform, measure that said they changed the age requirement for when someone can get a gun to 21 instead of 18. How does this make you feel quickly . Thats a start. Thats a step in the right direction. But i dont think that really is as effective. Because the man in the poll shooting he was much older. I dont think its as much of age that matters. I think its who the person is, mentally, and like just the fact they are allowed to get a gun, like an assault rifle. And school is supposed to feel safe. Reporter every kid here, not just here, all they want to do is feel safe. And they are asking for the adults to make that possible. Back to you, andrea. In parkland. Thank you so much to all the young people joining you today. And joining me now to talk about the political fallout of this new movement, former pennsylvania governor, and Democrat National Committee Chairman ed randle. And former republican National Committee chair. Welcome, both. As we continue to look at the pictures of this national out pouring. First to you, ed rendle, overnight, an election in the pennsylvania 18th a parent election. Winner is someone in favor of gun rights. First campaign i covered in pennsylvania. 1968 saw the democratic very powerful incumbent senator joe clark defeated because he was calling for gun laws. If the democrats cant field a Candidate Calling for some controls on guns in red parts of your state, of pennsylvania, how is this ever going to get passed . Well, andrea, i think he is for universal background checks. Step in the right direction. I disagree with him with assault rifles. I disagree with him on high capacity magazines. What in gods name does someone need a magazine that has 50 bullets in a clip . Thats for killing in large numbers. And we have to make those against the law and enforce that law very strongly and carefully. But what i remind my Progress Friends and what i remind our students is unless a party that is bound and determined to bring up gun legislation, significant gun legislation, unless we are in the majority, we cant get anything through the house or senate floor. We have to be in a position of control. So if conor lamb election makes it more likely well control the house, if thats the case, good step for Gun Rightsment because if we vote on in the congress, if imagine a bill that didnt get enough votes in the senate and probably would have failed in the house, if that bill is brought to the floor today, it passes. It passes in might judgment by significant margins. Both the senate and the house. So thats a big step. Thats not a small step. Thats a big step. So we have to be in a position to control what gets voted on. Before i finish that thought and bring in Michael Steel as well, governor rendle, paul ryan is saying that the lessen to republicans, that its a warning sign, sure, that the lesson is you have to field candidates that the democrats have had to field candidate who was really spouting republican policies here and that it was not a clear win for certainly not for the Progress Wing of the democrat party. Account democrats pull together and bridge these divides coming up . What do you think real lessons are . I thought paul ryan has reputation of being smart guy. Thats one of the stupidest things ive heard. They are going to say most important vote lamb will make is the vote to have a new speaker who will control the democrat agenda and bring it to the floor and a new Majority Leader in the not who will do the same thing. Doesnt matter. We need democrats to be in control of the agenda so these kids can get real relief so people who will stand up and cast a vote against assault weapons, weapons of war, vote of high capacity magazines. Vote maybe to only limit sales of guns one a month, 12 a year, thats plenty. Thats what we need. And conor lamb will deliver it, joe donnelly will deliver it, so i dont care if they are conservative democrats, this he are good that believe in lawful the message. Not necessarily all the things but believe in the core message. Thank you very much. And Michael Steel h republicans answer to conor lamb surprising victory. 20 point swing, 2016 election where that district went so favorably for donald trump. It was a massive wake up call. Two very important takeaways from my assessment having done this dance in 2010 and various other times. Midterms are tricky. Midterms are tricky, thats a very key point to make. And the thing about last night, the two lessons i think the republican neither meads to it be aware of. One is republican voted against the republican nominee for the office. That attributes to the 20 point swing you are talking about. What does that say when base republicans are voting against the president s choice . The president himself maybe his agenda, whatever their political narrative may be, that clearly is something that needs to get addressed. And i dont think they are in a position to address it very clearly between now and november because of all the variables, firing of Secretary Of States, disrupp shuns here and there, all of that muddles the conversation. The second thing was how the democrats stayed out of their own way. They let Conor Lamb Run the arrest he wanted to run. Eave been saying 20 years in this business. Particularly the republican party, let them run in the distribdi districts where you find them because they best reflect the people in that district. You cannot take someone from the northeast and run like from alabama and nor alabama from maryland. You saw that play out in pennsylvania last night in this district where conor lamb, yes, he was with republicans on certain issues. But he best reflected that district. And thats an important lessons for democrats and as wakeup call for republicans across the country now as long as democrats stay out of their own way. The president could not do more than going on saturday, giving one of his rip roaring rallies, Peter Alexander at the white house, many could argue he also did the aluminum and steel tariffs deliberately timed to help him in that district. And none of that worked. Reporter thats right. I hear from those in the white house and close to the president the way they are framing this, the spin from the west wing as it were today, it would have been a wap op if the president hadnt been involved. That it was a five or six point loss for saccone before the president went out and made it matter of hundreds of votes. Remember that the president won 17 months ago, won this district by 20 points. So you have to imagine if the president wasnt in office, that it certainly wouldnt have been what turned out to be a 20point swing at the time. But thats the way they are viewing it. Bottom line for the white house president is on losing streak when you consider what happened in alabama, doug jones defeating roy moore. Obviously roy moore had a lot of challenges but president put his might behind that considering what happened in virginia with ralph northam, and now in pennsylvania. So the people close to the president ive been speaking to the last 12 hours, its a bad indication and omen, but well have to find good candidates that could be a blood bath coming up in november. And peter and michael, if you want to hang on for a moment. Steve paterson is with a School Principal at high school in north denver. Lets listen in. Steve . Reporter andrea im joined by principal scott wolf at the high school. Weve just had 17 minutes. Do you think this is a big awakening from the students here . Talk about this moment. Ive been here last five years. This year i see more sense of our students being alive and wanting to engage in whats happening right now compared to in the future. All put together by the students who wanted to do something and make sure we are part of something thats happening nationally. Because our students are itching not just to talk about it, but actually see change. Because they recognize that Current System is broken and we want to make sure everyone is safe. Reporter we saw some of the planning meetings of the Student Leaders before they mashrched o here. Can you talk about their Leadership Skills . Yeah, it was pretty cool. They came and said mr. Wolf i want to do this i said great we want to make this the best possible. So make it clear what the outcomes are. Then i had end to make sure they have a good understanding what are all the things we have to think about in terms of coordinating the event, making sure everybody is safe. But i try not to have a voice. I didnt get up there to say anything chblt i wanted that something that the students are like hey we lead this and made that happen this is where there is power. Reporter this is reality students grow up, talked to student in leadership classroom, Middle School where student brought a gun to school, ten miles south is columbine. Can you talk about briefly what this community has gone through since then to progress to where we are today . Yeah. Its real for our kids. They have seen it whether in a school or they have this sense our society is not predictable and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to make it safe. Making sure kids understand Mental Health issues to making sure we have the right regulations in terms of weapons that can cause harm. Reporter thank you so much for joining us. And dr andrea, send it back to you. Thank you to you all. You can see it, its so exciting. Its exciting and see consistency of effort. They have not backed down from the negative impact who people say this is bigger than you. Nra is bigger than you. They are showing they are bigger than anything right here on this country on this issue. And a lot of elected officials in capitol hill and state legislatures, wake up, they are coming up. This he a they are coming for you. Thank you to the whole team. We have a lot of stories coming up. Next, brexit, what is next. Stay with us. You are watching Andrea Mitchell on msnbc. Last years ad campaign was a success for choicehotels. Com badda book. Badda boom. This year, were taking it up a notch. So in this commercial we see two travelers at a comfort inn with a glow around them, so people watching will be like, wow, maybe ill glow too if i book direct at choicehotels. Com. Who glows . Just say, badda book. Badda boom. Nobody glows. He gets it. Always the lowest price, guaranteed. Book now at choicehotels. Com ill now return to private life as a private citizen. As a proud american, proud to serve my country. Rex tillersons exit. Oust steer from the State Department. Unsermon usually fired on twitter. That now shifts the pfocus to nw cia director. Now, Global Affairs analyst and former under Secretary Of State and former cia Chief Of Staff. Wendy, first to you, from your long experience at the State Department, What Happens Next . Its a s lets assume that mike pompeo gets past this. Brian hook from the State Department attending from the United States. What is the signal that brian hook can stand what donald trump will do on the next iran deal . And how will the iran deal Decision Effect what kim jongun as far as how to handle his supposedly may meeting with President Trump . All extraordinarily and right on questions. Indeed, i think Brian Hook Will Go To Vienna to meet with all of those who negotiated the Comprehensive Plan Of Action with no real authority. Nobody new whether the europeans whether anything he negotiated would be upheld by the president of the United States. They will now be certain they wont be. So hes going as a place holder rather than a real negotiator. But more importantly as you point out the president has to make a decision about the iran deal in the middle of may. That may be about the time that he goes to north korea for very tough negotiations. And if he pulls out of the iran deal, which he seemed to indicate one of the main differences with Rex Tillerson was on iran, then well say that the u. S. Is negotiating partner has no credibility. You cant count on them to continue on agreement once theyve made it. But knowing this president he may say to north korea im going to rip up this deal because ill never negotiate a deal like this. Its going to be the best, the greatest ever, and well have two Nuclear Crisis on our plate at the same time. Jeremy bash, as former Chief Of Staff at cia, youve worked with gina haskell, post 9 11, with i then according to Diane Feinstein went well beyond the parameters described to congress. What happens to gina, well regarded by many people, including your former boss, pan , leon panetta. Shes highly credible. Right person to lead the agency because she has the backing of the workforce and knows the issues and not a partisan political figure. I think it actually can be advantageous for the agency to have someone like a Career Officer in one of the two top jobs there. Its true, andrea, she did play a role in Counter Terrorism operations after 9 11, 16 years ago, and i know she will have to answer questions by Diane Feinstein. Im fairly confident she will be able to answer the questions thoroughly and good leader for the agency. What about mike pompeo is he going to stand up to donald trump having seen exactly what happened to Rex Tillerson because he stood up at least occasionally to donald trump . Well, look, andrea, youve been covering this agency for decades. You know better than i do, the most important relationship they have is with the president. They basically have no power unless they are seen to represent the president at all times, to speak for him. And, you know, i dont think it really matters whether you fundamentally agree with the policy. You have to somehow make it plain to the president youve got to give him your best advice, but then you have to follow the president s lead and execute his strategy, and not sort of disagree with him in a way that the president finds disagreeable. You know, Rex Tillerson couldnt really find that balance. Mike pompeo apparently has. They, as the president has said they are very much sym pat co. And i think there is a real hunger in the State Department for mike pompeos leadership. Look, as others have said, the State Department will follow the devil into hell as long as they use the deposiplomats though ar there. They arent about creating policy. Theyll give you their best advice in years of experience. They are a tool that wants to be used. Most of these people could be making more in the private sector. See themselves as patriots. They want to be involved in World Affairs and in executing u. S. Strategy. And an according to most sources, pompeo understood that. He had the building behind him in langley. So i this i that, you know, this past year with Rex Tillerson was a very difficult year because Rex Tillerson really put himself in opposition to the building, opposition to people who worked for him, even in his goodbye speech, the heart felt part of this speech when he was talking about the pentagon, not really talking about the State Department. There was just a fundamental disconnect between Rex Tillerson and the people who work for him. And i think there is real hope that thats not going to be true for mike pompeo. John mccain, among others, is asking for a really tough examination, though, of gina haskell. Does that give you pause, jeremy . Mccain has been absolutely clear that the Communication Techniques were immoral. And given his moral standing on the issue, i dont think anyone can question his point of view. I think the broader issue is we ended these in 2009 when obama came in. She has been serving with distinction. And i this i she will answer the questions. But at the end of the day the committee will realize shes the right leader for the agency. And wendy, you deal with students, are we going to recover the way the State Department future generations dont want to take the Foreign Service exam . Well, im wearing orange today in solidarity. The reason is they represent what democracy is about. Where we have president s and institutions around the world trying to undermine democracy. These are kids that show Democracy Matters and voices count. I think we can recover. I think it was Director Pompeo said in his remarks that he looked forward to working with the Foreign Service and that they had served well and fine with him. I think if he walks in and he reaffirms them, he takes off the hex on the backs of all of those who served under secretary clinton ankerry, i want your expertise, well have fewer people retiring, well have their service and institutional memory and expertise at the service of Americas National security. And thats what we need. Wendy sherman, thank you all so much. And another big issue front and center, british Prime Minister accusing russia attempting to kill a russian spy and his daughter with a nerve agent. Onto the, they will dispel 23 Russian Diplomats identified as undeclared in till against officers. They have just one week to leave. This will be the single biggest expulsion over 30 years and reflect the fact that the russian state has acted against our country. May said that the u. N. Security council will now hold an emergency center. Later today to talk about the Nerve Agent Attack and the u. K. Will push for Robust International response. Nbc kerr joins me from london. What next will they do russian has not given any information as demanded in response to accusations . Well, you no he, itsknow, i question, because it suggests britain hasnt been able to do that much. Expelling 23 Russian Diplomats tit for tat where they will expel some. It is a significant act in the sense that what Britt Tain Effectually does it cuts off their own ability to get information on russia. Because they know President Putin will expand. There are other things Prime Minister announce, ministers of royal family will not attend Soccer World Cup later 0en in russia. But that under scores the challenges that the u. K. Faces. And, andrea, i think really putting back from all of this, the Real Question facing the west, and facing the u. S. , is what to do. Because britain of course is americas closest ally. Britain has now seen an an attempted assassination on its own soil. They have to respond. The question is whether the white house will follow the u. K. In that tough action. In fact, white house response so far has been what you might call weak tea, other than secretary tillersons comments on his way back from africa. And we saw where that helped land him. So what do you think, i guess we should all be reporting how nikki haley or the white house response today at the Security Council . Yeah, thats right. We should be, i think. And i think, also, another way to look at this, because one of the questions that everyone is asking themselves, this was brazen, some british ministers have described it as u. K. Prime minister describing russia treating u. K. With disdain. Looks as if this attempted assassination was so brazen they must have known it would be discovered. So people are asking themselves the question, well, why would russia do that . And perhaps there is something of an answer in that all of that politics. Because if the u. K. s relationship with russia is going into a deep freeze the way even more frozen than if you like than it already was, then that puts a distance between the u. S. Position on russia and british position on russia in terms of europe, you know, andrea, you know all too well europe is divided particularly with brexit, for example. Parts of the southern europe, the public there quite pro russia. So you can see the way an event like this, and President Putin perhaps, hes a smart guy would have known this, you can see event like this is causing more friction between Western Allies and maybe thats what russia wants. Kerr, just to switch gears for a moment. Because you did an extraordinary tribute to steven hawking overnight. Youve been very busy correspondent overnight. I wanted to play one part of that from the big bang theory, their guest cami owe with stephen hawking. Professor hawking, its an honor and a privilege to meet you, sir. I know. I mean, i learned so much from your report. If you can talk for a moment about steven hawking. Diagnosed with als at 21 kwh he was at cambridge, i believe, and long life, and incredible contributions to the world. Yeah, i love that you play that clip, because it brings out something that people may not know, he had a tremendous sense of humor. But so much in his life. You mention the Crip Blink Illness that led to him in wheelchair. He was told at 21 he would not have long to live. He explored time and universe from wheelchair and became someone that inspired people not just with science, but with the way that he viewed life, andrea. He would say look up at the stars, not down at your shoes. And i think thats a message in these difficult times that we can all learn something from. Kerr simonds always wonderful to talk to you. I always learn something. You bet. Who is the next cabinet member to hear youre fired from President Trump. Stay here. Youll have those next with Andrea Mitchell. 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Com and for a real inside scoop, the washington posts White House Reporter Ashley Parker now confirming larry kudlow will replace gary cohn. Also join us, jonathan capehart. From the Reagan White House Administration Treasury official, since then on a number of broadcasts including most importantly of course our Sister Network cnbc. Ashley, a very different presence than gary cohn, of course. Yeah, thats exactly right. My colleagues robert costa just confirmed that. Larry kudlow is a free trader but someone who the president has a Good Relationship with, was often in the president s ear, talking on the phone with him throughout this administration, and someone who the president saw on tv a lot and liked. This is a president , were seeing, who is remaking his west wing and his white house in his own image and getting rid of people that didnt quite work, although that wasnt quite the case with gary cohn departing. Hes bringing in people he feels comfortable with and larry kudlow is one of them. He was in favor of the carveouts, so perhaps youll see more carveouts from the tariffs, including the european union. Its a good question. What weve seen on every issue is two things are sort of both true. One is that the president is often quite impressionable or can be persuaded by the last person he talked to or someone hes seen frequently or someone hes chatted with at night. On a few core issues, like trade and immigration, the president s gut has never wavered for decades. No matter how much hes maneu r maneuvered or staved off from making a decision, he often aligns to where his gut is. Jonathan, one of the things thats impressive that jeh johnson said on morning joe, when you have this turmoil at the contact level, you cant get things done. It takes so long to get confirmed, get staffed up, change the immediate office. You cant do any initiatives. No. And one of the big complaints about washington is that nothing gets done at the capitol, theres so much gridlock between the house and the senate, the congress cant do any of the big things because they cant get their acts together. You take that and you add to that this incredible dysfunction at the white house, inside the west wing with this constant churning. Things have come to a complete stand stil standstill. For the president to now have to get a Senate Confirmed Secretary Of State, a Senate Confirmed head of the cia and whoever he also he might kick to the curb in order to get this cabinet in his own imagining, in his own shaping, thats going to take a lot of time. The big danger in all of this is that the president is getting rid of people and replacing people who will not tell him no, who will not have the guts, the fortitude, to stand there and say, mr. President , you cannot do this, you should not do this, you should rethink this particular action. Here are the consequences. It doesnt sound like theres going to be anyone who will be able to to do that. The big problem is we have a president of the United States who if someone were to say those things to him he either will not hear it or hell discount it. Ashley parker, one of the side effects of this, maybe one of the most important effects, as jonathan was just alluding to, you have people coming in who may not have the backbone to say no to him, but also may not have the experience or the knowledge base, because hes turning to people who dont have the whole experience that either diplomatically or in economics, that others have had in the past. Yeah, thats exactly right. And one of the things with this president in talking to people, both in the white house, about the people hes now bringing in and the people hes pushing out, its often less about disagreeing on policy or someone with a lot of experience having a policy disagreement, but its really about personality. So when you talk about Secretary Of State or former Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson, for instance, people say, yes, they disagreed on some policies, and the president was frustrated that he believed tillerson was, quote unquote, too establishment in his thinking. But the real issue was that it was just a bad personality match, when were Hearing Rumors of h. R. Mcmaster leaving the white house, people say, yes, they werent always aligned on issues but the real issue is they just didnt have Good Chemistry, they didnt click. When you have a president bringing in people not based on ideology and not based on expertise or decades of experience, but sort of who he has a Good Chemistry with, who he likes, who he enjoys watching on tv, who he thinks is out of central casting, you dont often get or you dont always get, at least, maybe some of the benefits that come from someone who has been working in this field for decades. And ashley, joining us now, miraculously, is ali velshi, my colleague, my partner, host of course of the 11 00, the 3 00, and a lot of other oclocks. Your take on larry kudlow to replace gary cohn as weve been reporting. I think ashley is right, larry kudlow is a great performer. There are two distinct problems with the larry kudlow equation. If gary cohn left because of tariffs, larry kudlow is as big a free trader as they come. Hell have to work that out with the president. Larry kudlow has been out there pushing this idea that the economy can grow at 4 or 5 or 6 and that these tax cuts help you get there. A lot of people know thats fantastical thinking. And larry kudlow is now going to be in a position where he can encourage the president to continue telling people that thats going to happen when in fact our economy is more mature and its more stable and you cant just do this. So what theyve done is theyve sold tax cuts on the rich to the American Public on the expectation that it will increase economic growth, it wont increase the deficit, and somehow everybodys going to be happier. Apparently last night in pennsylvania, not everybody bought that message. And that is going to be a problem, because you dont have somebody telling the president the truth if its larry kudlow, because larry kudlow has been selling that message for over a year now, two years. Those are the kinds of Economic Projections we read in the completely madeup chinese or russian gdps. Right. It just seems to me that that creates an enormous problem, a burden on the one Economic Policymaker who doesnt have to salute, which is jay powell. Correct. And thats the problem, because the fed cant fix everything. Weve gotten into a habit of thinking, particularly after the financial crisis, that the fed came to the rescue, they were being the adults in the room and could fix that. But they cant make up for bad Economic Policy and bad fiscal policy. Thats part of the problem, if you continue to say that this is going to happen, for some period of time voters may believe it, theyll say a little more in their checks. But this concept that well grow ourselves out of this debt, grow ourselves out of these big, some would say unnecessary tax cuts, its problematic. The whole conversation that youve been happening about whether mike pompeo will stand up to the president and tell him things he doesnt want to hear, its now the same issue, is larry kudlow going to tell the president things he doesnt want to hear . I dont know about that. Hes filling a job that technically was supposed to be the equivalent of the nsc. Its supposed to be the job of bringing together disparate viewpoints and presenting them to the president , the way bob rubin and bill clinton envisioned it in 1993. Thats correct. Larry kudlow has his own views on things and hell be pleased to let you know what they are. Disparate viewpoints are not what this president wants