Sentencing memorandum that shows flynn has been extremely use to feel muellers investigation. Crediting flynn with substantially assisting the government. Prosecutors recommended little to no jail time saying a sentence does that does not impose a term of incarceration is appropriate and warranted. The special counsel praised the timeliness saying it likely affected the decisions of related firsthand witnesses to be forthcoming with the special counsels office. It was partially sealed due to the sensitivity of the investigations which are described as ongoing. That means the pages that could provide key answers to the central questions of the russia probe are largely redacted from the public report that was released last night. But we have learned flynn participated in 19 interviews with the special counsel and that he provided firsthand information about the content and context of interactions between the Trump Transition Team and russian government officials. Most surprisingly, it reveals flynn was assisted with several ongoing investigations, including two outside the special counsels probe, that includes a previously unknown criminal investigation in another inquiry, both of which are almost entirely redacted in this report. Im joined by ben wittes, editorinchief of law fair. Susan del percio, republican strategist and mike quigley, a democratic congressman from illinois who sits on the house intelligence committee. I want to go to ben. What do you make on this . Last night we expected a bombshell, instead we got a big teasing document with a lot of reacteded material that tells u this guy is a canary, telling mueller everything he needs to know about the relationship between trump and the Russian Ambassador and all that stuff that went on yet we have to figure out whats going on between the lines here. Everything so clearly what mueller decided to do here was he needed to communicate to the court what recommendation he was going to make with respect to flynn. He needed to communicate that flynn had given him everything that he could reasonably want from him. And he didnt want, yet, to tell the public what he knows, what hes found, what hes planning to do. So the document is a very careful, as you say, tease in which it outlines sort of the mechanics of what flynn has done. 19 interviews, substantially assisting in multiple investigations and encouraged other witnesses by his example to come forward. But doesnt actually say anything that he said. So it leaves all of that to another day. Congressman quigley, thanks for joining us. Could you use this report as a flashlight, the point forward as to what muellers got here . Where hes headed . I think whats striking is, what . 17 months into the investigation were still learning the width and depth of what the special counsel is looking into. And why does flynn matter . For those who forget, lets just remember what director comey told us. That the president himself asked him to go easy on flynn or the what would it take to let it go. Obviously theres a lot of stake here and we have to remember when what general flynn was accused of. It was lying to the Justice Department or the fbi about his meeting with the russians on lifting sanctions. News stories all day long, all week long, about what those sanctions matter ed to the president about. So ill say this, theres no coincidences in the Russian Investigation and everything is tied together. Well, the president has been characteristically silent on the memo since its release yesterday. His lawyer, Rudy Giuliani said of flynn, if he had information to share with mueller that hurt the president , you would know it by now. He added, theres a yiddish toward that fitz, they dont have bupkis. Let me go to susan. You worked with rudy. Hes using yiddish. He doesnt have anything to say so hes using yiddish. He gave us bupkis. I think hes meshugennah. The president s only legal strategy right now is deflection so of course Rudy Giuliani says that will make the president happy because thats what theyve been doing all along and thats what the fundamental problem with the white house is in handling this investigation is they speak when they dont know what theyre talking about, and i think this is going to lead them to digging themselves a bigger grave than what they ha have. Elaine, we know the story of the possible obstruction of justice began when the president went to the head of the fbi and said lay off flynn, let him go. Now flynn has been let go. Hes walking scotfree right now. What do you think he had to give him to get that get out of jail card . From what were told 70 hours or so of interviews with the special counsel about his time and conversations you would have to think with the president during the transition, during the campaign. So that can detail we dont know what the nature of those conversations are yet. Quelwell, we know they must asked about what about your relations with kislyak, who were the deals you were make ining . The fact that this report is redacted says there are a lot of shoes left to fall in this investigation. The president and people around him have been telling themselves and the public that this is about to wrap up for some time, almost to make themselves feel like they can engineer it by saying it. Thats not the case and this sentencing memo seems to be an indication that this is not anywhere close to being over just yet. There are possibly more indictments, possibly more big developments. Tell me what else do you think is going on here . According to the document, its not just the russia investigation, theres other criminal investigations, other civil actions, something going on perhaps. Theyre working this guy flynn for information. Flynn was involved in a lot of stuff. He was involved in the transition that is of interest to the special counsel. He was involved with russia stuff from before that, right . He was involved you saw him in the dinner over there. Exactly. He was also involved in some very weird activities as a private lobbyist for turkey. So i think theres a variety of matters that the special counsel and the Justice Department would be interesting in talking to him about. Now you can see where they are in the document, a criminal matter and a big blank spot. You can see where it is but what those consist of, nobody knows. Bob mueller doesnt want us to know yet and he runs a really tight ship and we dont know yet. Congressman, im wondering about how much information has fled already to the president through whitaker, his acting ag. If whitaker got ahold of this stuff, he could walk it over the the president and say guess what, donald, here wheres theyre working. Does whitaker know whats on this redaction . Obviously the appointment of mr. Whitaker was meant to, at the very least, slow or hinder the investigation if not obstruct or end the investigation so the fact that hes there and potentially, we just dont know, has access to the redacted words in this document is particularly of concern. If he turned it over to the president , at the very least they would be wildly unethical if not violation of the department of justice regulations. And we have to ask ourselves and Congress Needs to find out did he do this and has the president asked for this information . What communication is taking place and obviously if the president asks for it it would be another one of his abuse of powers. Right, but hes not been recused himself, whitaker, at all. Why wouldnt he just ask muellers team . Let me look at that unredacted, i want to know whats in there. Thats been his behavior. Because its unethical. Thats what trump has done. Hes tried to paper over things and made the situation a whole lot worse at different points. Were talking about the situation in terms of what conversations flynn had with kislyak during the transition and the question being whether he was directed by trump, did trump know about these things . Trump was at maralago when flynn was having these conversations but trump, after russia decided not to respond to obama expelling the russian diplomats, trump tweeted i knew putin was very smart. So hes already put information out there into the public realm already that is at the very least suspicious. Speaking of suspicious, former trump adviser roger stone, who may be muellers next target, is declining to cooperate with a Senate Investigation by asserting his fifth amendment right not to incriminate himself. Heres what stone said about the scrutiny hes been frurunder fr the special counsel and the congress. I think few americans could withstand the kind of legal proctological Mister Mueller has had me on. I wont stop defending myself. When people accuse you of wrongdoing and youre silent theres an assumption youre guilty of something. I think its incumbent to defend yourself. Youll plead the fifth if you get called by the senate . Im going to assert my fifth amendment rights. Stones decision to plead the fifth is especially notable because of what trump said after the fbis investigation of Hillary Clintons emails. Heres trump on the fifth amendment. Her staffers taking the fifth amendme amendment. How about that . Five people taking the fifth amendment, like you see on the mob, right . You see the mob takes the fifth. If youre innocent, why are you taking the fifth amendment . Stones decision to stay silent and take the fifth also comes after the president on monday praised roger stone on twitter for promising not to testify against him. Susan, lets talk about this here because why would roger stone take the fifth if he says ive got nothing to use in prosecuting trump, anything i say will be honest, it wont hurt him. Who is he protecting . Himself, i guess. That and the president to some extent in that every time the president is under major scrutiny as in we saw in the document yesterday with flynn roger stone pops up and makes more noise as to detract from the real scrutiny the president is under so i think this is a political tactic by roger stone who likes to get his name out there and cause a diversion. Up with of the things im more concerned about is looking back at flynn and Michael Cohen because they have one new person that they both have in common which is don mcgahn. And he sat there for 30 hours giving testimony. Michael cohens statement says he kept white House Counsel apprised of what he was doing and we also know that sally yates went to don mcgahn on Michael Flynn. Id be focused on those 30 hours because it seems don mcgahn is the one who can verify and not be a tainted witness for mueller. I think thats where we should keep our focus on, not roger stone who likes to show up and make noise. Well, he is fascinating. Thank you ben wittes, eli skokol. Coming up, democrats in wisconsin are calling it a power grab. Overnight the Republicanled Legislature passed several bills to take power away from the newly elected democratic governor and state attorney general. Well talk to a wisconsin state senator about this power grab by the lame duck republicans. Plus, it was an emotional day of celebration and remembrance for the 41st president , George Herbert walker bush. Well have the highlights coming up. And much of special counsel Robert Muellers probe remains a mystery and the Michael Flynn filing didnt clear things up, just teased a lot. What does it mean for trump and those close to him . Plus, let me finish with a strong suggestion for beto orourke. Youll know what it is. This is hardball where the action is. At booking. Com, we cant guarantee youll find gold on your wild west vacation. But we can guarantee the best price on that thar rental cabin or any hotel, home, boat, yurt, whatever. Just dont get carried away with the wild west thing. Hey guys. Get the best price on homes, hotels and so much more. Booking. Com, booking. Yeah well, not because it was easy. I mean, the game is all i know. You think back to your draft. It felt like a fantasy. But the second you know you cant compete anymore, you owe it to yourself, to your team, to find a fresh start. So, yeah, thats why i did it. Thats why i walked away. From my fantasy league. announcer redeem your season on fanduel. Play free until you win. Fanduel. More ways to win. Ybut life. Can throw them off bbalance. Of bacteria, vo realign yourself with align probiotic. And try align gummies with prebiotics and probiotics to help support digestive health. I am a techie dad. N. I believe the best technology should feel effortless. Like magic. At comcast, its my job to develop, apps and tools that simplify your experience. My name is mike, im in Product Development at comcast. Were working to make things simple, easy and awesome. Welcome back to hardball. In the dark of night the republicancontrolled Wisconsin Legislature approved a sweeping package of bills weakening the powers of the Incoming Democratic governor and the Incoming Democratic attorney general of the state. Republicans spent much of last night working behind closed doors until roughly 4 00 in the morning when they unveiled their final bill. The lame duck legislation, among other things, will limit early voting, thereby suppressing the vote. It also gives lawmakers new power to block the governor to make rules to enact laws and puts lawmakers, not the attorney general, in charge of litigation allowing them to keep alive a lawsuit to overturn, guess what, the correct . The bill passed both chambers amid cries of shame from outraged onlookers and state residents. Lets watch. Lets face it, the republicans this year are very poor losers. The people spoke, walker lost, and now we are here to change the law so that you can claim some sort of victory. Claiming a victory that you do not have by changing law top accomplish the things that are completely contrary to what the winners campaigned on is disgraceful. I have been sick to my stomach this entire time and weak in the knees and i find it pretty telling that not a Single Member of the majority has spoken on any of these bills. Ahead of the vote, the Republican Assembly speaker robin voss defended the lead for legislation. We dont believe any one individual should have the opportunity to come in and with a stroke of the pen eliminate laws that have been passed by our legislature. Any individual. Hes talking about the new governor. The new bill heads to outgoing Governor Scott walkers desk who signal head would support the bill. Senate republicans in michigan are include advancing similar legislation during the lameduck session. Im joined by wisconsin state senator and assistant minority leader janet buehle and charlie psychs from the weekley standard. I always look to wisconsin as one of the clean states, at least historically. It was progressive, it believed in good government, clean elections, honest votes, all the good stuff. About 20 years ago it started to get corrupted by a hard right faction coming in there. Is there something wrong with wisconsin now that theyre crewing around in this lame duck session . Whats going on . First of all, thank you for having me on. Its great to be joined by charlie as well. Let me state that wisconsin is a wonderful state and there are many people in our state who are working hard like i am to make sure that the will of the people is heard. We have seen the actions of the republican majority. I wish i could say theyre acting according to the will of the people but theyre not. Theyre sore losers and they want to change the law so they can continue to be involved and we are listening, the democrats and i very clearly to the will of the people to make sure their will is heard and followed throu through. Well, some of this is the usual suspects, a cap on early voting so less people can show up. The other thing about making it harder to protect obamacare, it looks like theyre going through everything they care about and acting like they won the election by pulling these legislative tricks. Its likely the restriction on early voting will be thrown out by a federal judge. Napoleon once said it was worse than a crime, it was a blunder. And what the republicans have done is really been selfinflicted wounds because this comes off as petty, vin dickive the, and i think it will backfire. And im hoping scott walker will step back and take a moment of reflection and veto this legislation. The argument that i would make to him, if he ever listened to me anymore, would be look, look at the way george h. W. Bush is being remembered and the way that he handled his transition after his very, very bitter defeat by bill clinton. The grace with there he handed over power. Governor walker needs to reflect on the kind of legacy he wants to leave because this is a power grab and its either going to be thrown out by the courts or its relatively minor stuff. The advantage they gain is not worth what they look like to the rest of the country and i dont think he grasps how bad this looks. What it will mean for his image and legacy and if he wants to step back and say having watched the funeral of president bush, this would be a moment to celebrate democracy which is to celebrate the norms and the peaceful and reasonable transition of power and if he did that i think there would be a tremendous amount of good will gain. So youre hoping hell skip the mickey mouse stuff. Last month during the Midterm Election in november wisconsin democrats won all five of the statewide offices which were up for grabs. All five. Democrats won 53 of the popular vote for the Wisconsin State Assembly but due to political gerrymandering they won 36 of the seats. Thats a problem. Tell me what its like for them to basically distort the will of the people and use trick what is they want done against what the democrats ran on. Well, if you look at this extraordinary session alone, it is a lameduck session but it was called before the november 6 election. And you have an issue which was kimberlyclark. Nothing was done about that. So they changed it so they were able to get through these issues that they wanted to address at the last minute and there are two things to keep in mind. One, people were not included in any of this. They had no idea this was going to happen until the last minute. We received bills that were fresh off the printer and not only that once these bills are enacted into law if the governor chooses not to veto them we have great expenses. The amount of money that the lawyers who can be hired now by the legislature and the senate, any time the attorney general does something they dont want they can intervene and the amount of money they can spend is endless. These are private law firms they will be allowed to hire when we have in place an attorney general, a Constitutional Office to protect law and order in our state yet the republicans can go out and hire private attorneys with a limitless checking account. Charlie, what do you think of 2020 in wisconsin . You talk to people out all the time. What is your sense of wisconsin being in play . It was one of the trump states but not by so much, like michigan and pennsylvania. Is wisconsin winnable by a democrat . Yes it is, the kicker, the buried lede of what happened in the dark of night is that having pushed through this legislation, the Republican Legislature killed the bill they had promised to pass protecting preexisting conditions. That was a huge issue in this campaign and Governor Walker and almost every elected official running in wisconsin, recognizing how important that was said we will pass legislation protecting preexisting conditions so on top of everything were talking about that, i think is going to hang on their hang on them. This energizes the Democratic Base no question about it. Wisconsin remains a purple state and nothing the republicans have done in the last 48 hours has strengthened their hand in 2020. Thank you so much. Wisconsin state senator janet bewley, thank you. Please come back to the program. Up next, wisconsin is clearly in play. Up next, the current and former president s gathered in washington to celebrate the life of their own. This is hardball where the action is. This is your wakeup call. If you have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, month after month, the clock is ticking on irreversible joint damage. Ongoing pain and stiffness are signs of joint erosion. 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Because each job in energy creates many more in this town. honking when your craving strikes, you need your wing nut. no one can totally satisfy a craving, quite like your wing nut. No one can totally satisfy a craving, [deep breath] i receive travel rewards. I visualize travel rewards. Going new places going out for a bite going anytime. Rewarded learn more at the explorer card dot com. Welcome back to hardball. Today in washington and across the country was a someday of celebration and remembrance of the life of president George Herbert walker bush. The casket carrying the body of the 41st president left the u. S. Capitol in the morning where tens of thousands had paid their final respects. The motorcade made one final drive down pennsylvania avenue, passing the white house, the place bush once called home. The Washington National cathedral was filled by family, friends and dignitaries from home and abroad. Theres prince charles, you can see him talking with colin powell and german chancellor Angela Merkel with senator bob corker, there she is on the right. Also were all the living former president s, along with President Trump and first lady melania. Theyre all together. The tributes were paid to the man that once held the highest office in the land. Lets watch. George Herbert Walker bush was americas last great soldier statesman. A 20th century founding father. I believe it will be said that no occupant of the oval office was more courageous, more principled, and more honorable than George Herbert walker bush. He often said when the really tough choices come, its the country, not me, its not about democrats or republicans, its for our country that i fought for. Wow, former president george w. Bush offered a solemn and poignant sendoff not just to a fallen president but, of course, to his dad. Last friday when i was told he had minutes to live i called him. The guy who answered the phone said i think he can hear you but he hasnt said anything for most of the day. I said requested ddad i, love have been a wonderful father. And the last words he would ever say on earth were i love you, too. So through our tears let us know the blessings of loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have. And in our grief, let us smile knowing that dad is hugging robin and holding moms hand again. Im joined by former senator john warner of virginia. I had to have you on. Youre a world war ii guy, korea guy. You know bob dole. Oh, yes. You saw he stood up yesterday for his old colleague. That was a moving site. Hes a marvelous american, i know him well. Im humbled to be in his presence. Bob dole . Yes. I was having lunch with him the other day. We reminisced about the old times and he finds it, as much as i do, tough to understand a what happens to all that wonderful political structure we once had in this country, be it republican or democrat and how we got along and got things done. But the key to it, chris, is that in the period dole and i were in the senate together, which was about 30 years i was the there, 70 of the senators were veterans and they were taught either in the army, navy, or the air force or whatever, the marine corps duty, honor, country was tattooed on their heart. And you never get over there and you know that youve got to do things and get things done to move forward and you know youve got to learn how to respect the man or woman on your right or left because if they fail to do their job someday it could be your life. Those are the fundamentals. I think you world war ii guys knew how to work together. We did but generations of young men and women now in service what was it like in the National Cathedral . Was there a mood . It was quietly serene and dignified. Just a little chatter, people waiting for ceremony to start by you got absorbed the moment the organ struck its first notes. Were you surprised how bipartisan today was . No, it doesnt surprise me. I think that bipartisanship, we saw it with the president s and first lady there is. There was a few tense moments, not that i saw all of it but you did, perhaps. Im looking for it. Well, they were there and they were very dignified about it. Well, its hard for someone like mrs. Clinton. Oh, its terribly hard for her. The way hes been trashing her. Not only that. But theres a question of how it was done. Its not a proud chapter in our history, this race and i think fortunately our democratic system is working and were going to get to the bottom of this thing, how and what did happen and did not, im confident of that. Lets talk about George Herbert walker bush, what do you think he wants to be remembered by . To be a man owing everything to pay back to this country. In his final moments i knew him reasonably well. I say that humility. He saved my butt when i was in political trouble, the hard right was going to bearry me but hed straighten up. You know, he he exemplified that generation of world war ii, the greatest generation. He andry two or three years apart in age, we saw america as youngsters suffering from depression. People didnt have enough to eat, they didnt have homes or jobs. Hed seen this transition and took it through his own courage. Three world war ii and into Public Service and i bet he said to himself as he rolled over, ive been a patriot, soldier warrior, everything and maybe i had something to make things better today. I have to tell you, i saw you stand up against some of the crazies in your party like oliver north, i saw you stand up for womens rights and health, you made tough decisions in your party. Youre smiling because you know you stood up for them and you had the guts to take on the crazies and a lot of progressives would look up to you and say theres a man i can respect even if hes a conservative. I always used to say country first, state second, okay politics, im here third. I went and gave a 50th anniversary of the college and we got it done. Senator john warner, thank you so much. Up next, more of what the flynn sentencing memo means for trump and his family, his kids. Theyre all in trouble now. What it tells us about Robert Muellers approach to the whole investigation. Hes taking it slow but getting it all. Youre watching hardball. For your brain. With an ingredient originally discovered in jellyfish, prevagen has been shown in Clinical Trials to improve shortterm memory. Prevagen. 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Jiel muwhile much of the fl sentencing memo is behind public view, but in requesting no prison time for Flynn Mueller wrote flynns recordover military and Public Service distinguish him from every other person who has been charged as part of the special counsel investigation. However, senior government leaders should be held to the highest standards. Well, im joined by the hardball round table. Yamiche alcindor is correspondent for the hour in, Jonathan Capehart is opinion writer for the Washington Post, ruth marcus is Editorial Page Editor of the Washington Post. Ruth, i was kidding during the break there. Its like wheel of fortune, you see some but not all of the words. You have to fill them in. Id like to buy a redacted line now if i may, were reading tea leave bus theyre blacked out. It tells us probably that flynn has provided significant, important and trustworthy information to the special counsel because basically flynn got what President Trump asked for all along which is for the special counsel to go easy on him. No prison time. He got it through a different route, yamiche. Trump was going to get him sprung. Anything on sanctions, trump knows all about it, he knows where hes vulnerable now. If youre President Trump you should be worried because Michael Flynn got a cad lock deal idea that you have mooufl who everyone thought he would be easy to prosecute. Early on he was pointed out as someone who would be in danger. He sat down for substantial interviewings, hes gotten information to them and if i feel in is lying weve seeing Robert Mueller has no problem reeling back the agreement so Michael Flynn is probably feeling like he wants to tell the truth. There was a number of scenes at this morning et Funeral Service for george h. W. Bush. All five current and former living president s attended. A gathering of what is commonly called the president s club. President trump shook hands with former president obama and then right there, very dutifully with Michelle Obama but did not engage with the clintons whatever. They were 90 degrees from him. Hillary clinton, his 2016 opponent and target of his taunts to this day stared straight ahead not even glancing in his direction. Trump hasnt spoken to the obamas or the clintons since around this time at his inauguration. Jonathan, i saved this for you. What do you make of what we saw and how just was it . Thats interesting, how just was it. President trump in that crowd was persona nongrat. A all of those people, particularly the democrats sitting there had been targeted for assassination by pipe bomb and when asked have you fall it had obamas or the clintons he said no, ill pass. Hes out there at rallies in the leadup to the Midterm Elections saying i want to prosecute Hillary Clinton. The people sitting there and he was trying to prosecutor. It wasnt rhetoric. No, it wasnt rhetoric. He was trying to do it so the idea the fact that the obamas reached their hands out to him to shake to shake his hand, they are living what they their mantra, when they go low, we go high. They kept it civil, good morning and moved on. The clip you schroeder Hillary Clinton staring straight ahead not engaging with donald trump but before that as they were coming into the row when melania, the first lady, came into the row, mrs. Clinton was looking at her and nodding, acknowledging her, then she turned and then she ignored the president. And with good reason. I agree. I think its awkward city. Theres no other way to put it. Its cringe worthy not only because theres Political Tension but barack obama just in the midterms was clearly criticizing President Trump. Then you have Michelle Obama doing this tour where shes opening up about the danger she feels donald trump specifically put her family in so its not just that its political history, theres recent history of these people not liking each other. What a club, huh . I wouldnt call it a club. A club that might not want all the members in the club. Theres been tension between president s before, among expresident s and between incumbents and their predecessors but there has never been a scene like this that i can recall. There it is, we caught the picture of hillary shaking her head rather theyre so obviously uncomfortable with the sitting president of the united states. Thats extraordinary and to say that shaking hands is going high im not criticizing the obamas behavior by any means, but that shows you how low a benchmark we have. There werent going to be embracing. Finally one member of the president s club has been making the rounds with several democrats eyeing a 2020 run for president. The Washington Post reports beto orourke met with obama in washington last month. Andrew gillum, the guy running for governor in florida, met with obama just yesterday and the enthusiasm orourke and gillum generated has led to speculation about their president ial prospects in a year when the democratic field could number who put 20 . A lot more than 20. The Washington Post reports the dnc is finalizing a debate plan to, quote, give lesserknown candidates a chance to share the same stage as the partys frontrunners avoiding the twotier kiddy table approach that divided the republican field in the last president ial election. I hope they dont have debates during nfl big games. Lets have when people are watching like weekday nights. What do you make of the fact that yamiche, no more kiddy tables, that ill makes up the big guys with the little people. You might have started with me because im sometimes at the kiddy table. I think theyre trying to learn the lesson that republicans learn. You mean you moderate. Right. The fact that you had 17 republicans and ended up with donald trump. Theyre trying to figure out if we have to 20people, we dont want to end up of what their version of donald trump might be. Theyre dealing with well known senators and political people but they could be dealing with Silicon Valley techs, a really popular mayor. They used to have a percentage of, you have to have 5 . How do you keep somebody with a lot of money and no name i. D. Out of there. And how do you do percentages when you have this number of potential people. I think getting rid of the kiddy table, mix it up, have random selection and different panels of people doing it, its not just the democrats are not wanting to repeat the mistakes of the republicans last time around but also not wanting to repeat their mistakes where they were accused of scheduling things in a way that favored Hillary Clinton. So this seems like a better way. Well watch. However you do the debates, fine. However many people are on the stage, thats fine, too. I remember democrats in 2008 going oh, my god, there are 10 people on the stage. It was one of the best moments in the Democratic Party. There might be 30 this time. The party has to figure it out. The bigger issue for the Democratic Party isnt how they arrange the people on the stage, chris, its what do the Party Faithful do when their favorite candidate isnt the one who has the nomination . They have to start acting like republicans, circle the wig gones around the nominee and make sure that person wins. I want you to write a column about that 20 times between now and next year. Ive already written. It if that party doesnt think like that, they will not win. Up next, these three will tell me something i dont know. Theyre very impressive so far. Thats hardball. Maria ramirez mom maria Maria Ramirez. Mcdonalds is committing 150 Million Dollars in tuition assistance, education, and career advising programs. 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Because when you know where you stand, things are just clearer. Just remember what i said about a little bit o soul tell me something i dont know. Becoming a Police Officer has plummeted in this country. The starting salary is 79,000 in seattle, and applications have dropped by 59 . Has to do with the National Conversation about whos signing up ethnically . Africanamericans less, whites less . Depends which city. If youre the nypd, there are a lot of officers of color, in seattle its a whiter police force. Depends on what city. What do you think the it is . Hard a tell, it might be the conversation weve been having about criminalization of africanamericans and the role Police Officers have been playing in killing people in unjustified shootings. Those headlines every time kill me, every time. Jonathan . I interviewed senator doug jones for my podcast at the post and its the oneyear anniversary of his election. Hes a former federal prosecutor and i asked him with the Mueller Investigation and the talk about the possibility of the president pardoning flynn or cohen or anyone, he issued a good reminder, a pardon only gets you so far. Once you have the pardon, mueller could still compel them to testify. They no longer have the right to waive their fifth amendment invoke the fifth amendment. You cant use them. If you dont testify you could go to jail. If you lie you are still you could be held for perjury. So part of me is like, go ahead, pardon manafort. Go ahead and do it. Manafort is still what stops him from pardoning him again . I mean, okay, we are in that other world. Also, state prosecutions. Weve been remembering george h. W. Bush today, i want to remember an a Washington Post writer who covered george h. W. Bush, but she received a beautiful letter talking about a inevitable tension that clouded, strangely, wonderfully, i feel close to you now. I want a fare thee well for you to see through your fight. That was george bush at his finest. So well, thank you to my panel. When we return, let me finish tonight with a strong recommendation from me for a potential 2020 contender. Im talking about the presidency, taking on trump. Youre watching hardball. [narrator] the typical vacuum head has its limitations, so shark invented duo clean. While deep cleaning carpets, the added soft brush roll picks up large particles, gives floors a polished look, and fearlessly devours piles. Duo clean technology, corded and cordfree. And fearlessly devours piles. And just like you, the further into winter we go, the heavier i get. And while your pants struggle to support the heavier you, your roof struggles to support the heavier me. Crash and your cutrate insurance might not pay for this. So get allstate, you could save money and be better protected from mayhem like me. Mayhem is everywhere. So get an allstate agent. Are you in good hands . Let me finish tonight with a strong suggestion. Its that beto orourke should run for president. I got a good look at his race for senate when we hosted the Hardball College Tour at the university of houston. There was magic in that room like when we hosted a Hardball College Tour at West Chester University up in pennsylvania in 2008 for senator obama. Democrats respond to magic. I have a reason for urging a beto run. I believe elections should be about the future. To those who say beto cant win a senate race in texas, let me remind you of George Herbert walker bush who lost two races for the senate in texas. Thats hardball for not. Thanks for being with us. All in with chris hayes starts right now. Tonight on all in. He did something right. One day after the flynn memo. Damn right. What were learning about what was redacted. You guys were good. And why the memo should worry donald trump and jared kushner. The untold saudi spending at President Trumps hotel. Then, republicans follow through with the vote to grab power from democrats in wisconsin. Lets face it, the republicans this year are very