is right now, democrats know it is a real harbinger for what could happen next year given biden s continually sinking numbers in the polls. if mcauliffe loses, you will see democrats hitting the panic button very quickly. arthel: even with his sinking poll numbers, president biden went to virginia to campaign for mcauliffe. meanwhile, youngkin is keeping former president trump who runs the republican party at arm s length. i mean, he s only going to do a telerally for youngkin tomorrow, a bunch of phone calls to supporters. is there anything on the line more that you want to say in terms of the 2024 presidential race? what are the indicators? do you feel, you know, that if in fact because i mean, you know how this is going to play out in the immediate aftermath. if youngkin wins, and former president trump is going to say, you know, i kind of gave him some endorsements in my distant way, so that s why he won. if youngkin loses, president trump goes this guy s a loser. i m the winne
understand, but it occurs to me from a distance, larry, that youngkin has created the playbook. even if he loses in a tight race, he s created a playbook for how you appeal to the trump base but still maintain a distance from the former president. my view is that trump wants to be close enough to lay claim for the victory if it happens. but far enough away to say well, wasn t me, because youngkin never allowed me to come into virginia. talk to me about the trump factor. sure. it worries me, michael, that you do understand how trump s mind works. what you just said is exactly right. he comes in, not physically, but he comes in to make, i think the fifth or sixth endorsement of glenn youngkin, the day before the election. so if he wins he can say, look at the difference i made, they elected a trump republican. and if youngkin loses, he s going to say did you see how youngkin avoided me?