This election has already been branded, like a building with his name on it. Unemployment, gdp, immigration, mueller, russia, china, north korea, the supreme court. They arent issues with differing views, so much as as a source of dialogue from the very foundation to the roof, about the influence of one person, dch trump. Other democrats have spoken of their credentials and vision for the future. But its fanciful to suggest that because voters dont bring up trump on the campaign trail, its sufficient for candidates to only speak of their vision for america. Yes, Democratic Candidates need to have a compelling vision for america, but to win, they must also win the tugofwar for the president for the swing voters and to motivate others who dont vote to get off the sideline. Races with incumbents are usually a referendum on the incumbent. This time, especially so. And each democratic candidate must initially convince the primary electorate, why theyre best suited to beat the president. Joe biden was right to frame the election as a binary choice, for or against one man, donald trump. I want to know what you think this hour. Go to my website at smerconish. Com, answer todays survey question, do you agree, more than anything else the 2020 election is a referendum on donald trump . As biden continues to use the president s charlottesville comments as a jumping off point for his candidacy, President Trump defended his very fine people on both sides answer. That question was answered perfectly. And i was talking about people that went, because they felt very strongly about the monument to robert e. L lee. A great general, people were there protesting the taking down of the monument of robert e. Lee. A great general. Joining me now, kellyanne conway. Welcome. Give my best to my hometown philly. I have zapruderd the tape on what the president said on charlottesville. I get to what he said he did not explicitly refer to White Supremacists as fine people. I get that he did not condemnee neonazis but who are the fine people. Well, im going to read what the president said at the time rather than have a lot of people pontificate and smear what the president actually said. He said, you have people in that group to protest the taking down of a very important statue of robert e. Lee. He said, quote, im not talking about the neonazis and nationalists because they should be condemned. He goes on about the death of heather hieyeheyer. And the president said, quote, racism is evil. And those who call violence in his name are thugs, including kkk and other hate groups. These are the statements of the president of the United States at the time. And anybody who just says gives the slur and the statement fine people and says that he meant the neonazis are lying about what he actually said at the time. Thats important because he has made that clear im sorry steve cortez wrote a terrific people on politics that lays this out. I read it. I read it. Listen, on sirius xm radio, im afforded the opportunity because we dont have commercials to lay the whole thing out like we dont have on television. But, listen, no fine person would stand alongside torchbearers who are chanting jews will not replace us. Well, theres no question those people are the ones the president is condemning. You want to revisit this the way joe biden wants to revisit 2 respectfully. I found his announcement video to be unfortunate, certainly a missed opportunity. But also just very dark and spooky, in that he doesnt have a vision for the future. He doesnt mention president obama, the popular president who he has refused to endorse him. He doesnt lay out the future. And 2020 is a referendum on President Trump as far as every election is a referendum on the incumbent president. Donald trump has to argue against the monster breathe numbers, 3. 2 gdp. Im going to get to that. Defying expectations well, but thats important because thats what most people are talking about around the kitchen tables. Let me slows go ahead you want to talk about the achievements of President Trump no, no, im going to get to the economy. One last thought on charlottesville. It was not the perfect answer, because the perfect answer would have left no room for ambiguity or sberginterpretation. You get the final word. Let me make it clear, there is no room for ambiguity and interpretation. The president specifically called out kkk, neonationalists, White Supremacists. And ill say it, if it werent true, i wouldnt work in the white house. While people use charlottesville shorthand for many different things, theyre letting it fly. Its very disappointing that the former Vice President would do that when hes stuck having to apologize and account for what anita hill herself and other people in his Democratic Party where hes running for the nomination think its insuffer wait he mistreated her and lack of an apology. Including just yesterday. He needs to first get past democratic primary voters who are incredibly skeptical, if not cynical, about his past. His lack of record. What he did or did not have to do with president Obamas Administration i have to interrupt. I dont want to run out of time. Nine years ago after obamacare passed. But you see the polls show him hes readily beating donald trump in the polls. Morning console among them just this week. All of those polls show donald trump losing up to election which is why he was on the network, cnn, all of the other cable stations that he was going to win. That Hillary Clinton had not gotten 50 in any of those swing states that president obama carried twice. I have a question about that. I have a question about that. When do we get the question of unity, its seems that its often one of walls instead of bridges. Im hardpressed. And acknowledge that i didnt see the trump train coming last time around. As i look at that map from 2016. Im hardpressed to identify a single state that he lost. It hasnt been grown nor has there been a discernible effort. Give me one state that you think donald trump can win in 2020 that he didnt win in 2016 . Obviously, it has smomething to do with where they sit. I think the bubble, in the corridor or the News Business or those on politics on either side of the aisle see things through a very flair row prism that america doesnt see. This president in this election, november 9th said i will be the president of all americans even the ones who dont support me. And there were more than a few of them. An he chuckled. There is great unity in the comedy that works for all americans. 7. 3 million american jobs in record low unemployment rates for africanamericans, hispanic, asians, 60 record for women. For teens. Youve got deregulation that has saved us 33 billion and unleashed prosperity for Property Owners and taxpayers and Small Business owners. Youve got the president , including said with Prime Minister shinzo abe of japan trying to broker improving relations all around the globe. That we have better relations like the folks you and i grew up with around the delaware valley. Dgdp the 500,000 new manufacturing jobs is unifying. Ill tell what else is unifying, more people in drug Addiction Treatment im going to get to drugs. More people in drug treatment. Thats nonpartisan. Okay. The economy. The gdp numbers, tremendous. The unemployment numbers, great. I think its wonderful that those numbers are where they are. What about the deficit . Because i know that we hit a 234 billion number. We put that on the screen as well. A record in february. It seems like, you know, the fiscal conservatism that used to be part and parcel of the Republican Party is not a part and parcel of this white house. Respond to that issue. There is great concern about the deficit and ill tell you why. This country has become addicted to spending particularly in the previous two administrations. I believe the deficit near but doubled over the eight years that president obama was there but you had other republicans spending a ton of money, too. I would like to see, personally, more fiscal responsibility. What happens is, the moment you try to restructure or eliminates programs that arent working, everybody screams, youre cutting this, youre starving people, throwing grandma out of the wheelchair off the cliff all of which is hyperbolic and hysterical and cwill be used fo political purposes, of course. But the president , through his first 2 1 2 years in office, michael, practically has reduced taxes, reduced regulations. Unleashed energy. Is rebalancing his trade deals and has focused on job creation that we were told flat on their backs, go ago broad. Manufacturing, mining, warehousing. Construction, all of those are way up. I personally would like forever the Republican Party and this president to get back to what he has. Hes tried to invest in the military and trying to eliminate programs that dont work and people scream bloody murder when he does. I want to get to an important subject to you. You lead the white house antidrug effort. You were with the president and the first lady on opioids in atlanta this week. I applaud the president trying to counter the scourge of opioid addiction. Why not try to get over the divide that exists between state and federal law and make it easier for the opioid addicted to have access to medical marijuana as an alternative, will he champion that effort . Let me say this about, today is National Takeback day means that you can take your unused, unneeded expired pills, prescription medication, michael to police stations, community centers, hospitals. There are 5500 location thats have been identified by google. If you type into the search bar, return my medication or unused pills, google will provide a number of locations. This is just a Brilliant Service theyre providing americans. Well, what about pot . Well, i want to Say Something to you, because of this president s leadership, because of hr6 which was overwhelmin y ly bipartisan when signed into law last year, a 64 increase of americans on medicalassisted treatment, we have more teens getting treatment than they did previously. This is important because the president has allowed the states to free up their medicaid dollars to pay for the medicationassisted treatment. There are many therapies out there that dont involve marijuana. I think you want to have a whole marijuana debate under the guys of opioids. We would be remiss the media doesnt like to cover this, local Media Coverage thats not true. I talk about opioids here on a regular basis and constantly in on my regular show. Its time to end the divide. I think you actually said you actually said well, the federal law will be discussed over time. But not every state agrees with you. And lets just make clear, too, that for all of the folks that talk about the benefits and the legality of marijuana, there are many Health Professionals and employers increasingly concerned that this is not your grandfather or your fathers marijuana. The tch components are mump stronger. Understanood. People are failing drug tests because theyre overusing or abusing prescription opioids and chronically abusing marijuana. We cant say its all good for everyone. Were concerned about the brains. Anyway, ill come back another day for that. Today that tiny little bottle, michael, is tricky. Its legally prescribed to help you with temporary pain. But if you no longer need it and its sitting around in grandmas medicine cabinet or dads gym bag, get rid of it today. Done it. Todays the day. Okay. Get rid of it. Come back, and thank you. Can i Say Something else . The president and first lady have tackled this as a signature issue. They went through not promises and platitudes in atlanta. They went through a progress report. And im very happy to leave you with this, that hr6 passed with every single democratic vote in the house and senate, including every democrat in the house and senate currently running for president. Its a great mess afternoon of unit and a great example of working together for the greater good of america. Thank you, kellyanne. Thank you, mike. I want to know what you think, go to my website smerconish. Com. More than anything else, the 2020 election is a donald trump. Joe biden focusing on a crucial state, right here in pennsylvania. What are his chances . And kate smiths songs have been scrubbed from a song she sang 75 years ago. Critics are rethinking an image of here during a speech she gave in world war ii. Plus, you know how meter maids chalk your tires . Well, a Landmark Court decision rules thats unconstitutional. Hi im joan lunden. Todays Senior Living communities have never been better, with amazing amenities like movie theaters, exercise rooms and swimming pools, public cafes, bars and bistros even pet care services. And theres never been an easier way to get great advice. A place for mom is a free service that pairs you with a local advisor to help you sort through your options and find a perfect place. A place for mom. You know your family we know Senior Living. Together well make the right choice. Forget about vacuuming for weeks. The new roomba i7 with Clean Base Automatic dirt disposal empties the roomba bin for you. So dirt is off your hands. If its not from irobot, its not a roomba. Ten detailed acts of obstruction of justice. Robert muellers report lays out a roadmap for impeachment proceedings against this president and challenges congress to do its job. Im tom steyer and we cant let this president destroy the public trust, break his oath of office and get away with it. Congress has to do its job and hold him accountable. Please call them at this number. Tell them to get going. only tylenol® rapid release gels have laser drilled holes. They release medicine fast, for fast pain relief. Tylenol®. Our mission is to provide complete, balanced nutrition for strength and energy whoohoo greattasting ensure. With nine grams of protein and twentysix vitamins and minerals. Ensure, for strength and energy. After months of teasing, joe biden has officially jumped in the race for president. The former Vice President s first fundraiser was in pennsylvan pennsylvania thursday, monday, hes doing a union event in pittsburgh. The First Official event will be in philadelphia on may 18th. The focus on the state after what became painfully apparent in 2016, all eyes go to the keystone state. Joining me man, the man on the fundraiser thursday, and david urban who ran the campaign in 2016. David, they said theres alarm belling piece sounded among the trump intelligentsia. They all came on thursday. I think you were in that room. Whats the level of concern . So, michael, that article was completely, completely wrong. There were no alarm bells ringing. We were having an early meeting to get the teams together, to establish connectivity as you do early on in the campaign. The report was completely erroneous on every level. You know hes upside down in the numbers in a lot of these rust belt states. Youve got to be troubled about that . No, michael, as you know, as the president knows, winning in pennsylvania is not easy. Its why it hasnt been done in 30 years but i like our chances. Look, as long as the democrats are talking about allowing terrorists to vote while still in incarcerated. Killing cows. Governmentrun health care. Free college stipends for people who work and dont work, lots of crazy leftwing ideas. While this president and this administration can churn out incredible numbers in terms. Economy and growth. Look, the department of Labor Industry in pennsylvania as youre probably well aware said march unemployment in pennsylvania alltime low. Alltime low, historic. Yeah, ive got in fact, were going to respond to that. I have graphs on unemployment in pennsylvania. Kathryn, put them up. Unemployment way down. Wages on the rise. The manufacturing yeah, the manufacturing numbers have come back. Thats annual wages. Mayor nutter, he is upside down in the polls, meaning pennsylvanians thursday far, the majority, saying they wont vote for donald trump. But the economic numbers are in this corner, agreed . Well, michael, depends on where you live. We know unemployment only counts for people who are working or who are looking for work. Does not count the folks who have basically given up or basically dropped out. So if youre in the middle of northern philadelphia or west philadelphia, or some places im sure in pittsburgh or other places in pennsylvania, those numbers are not true in any circumstance. And so, you know, theres national numbers. Theres state numbers, and then theres on the ground where real people live and are struggling in many, many communities across pennsylvania and across the United States of america. You know, the concept of either lowering the cost of college or, in some instances for some, possibly even free, thats not a wild idea. No, mr. Mayor, please not lowering the costs, please, please. David, david, you got to give your speech. Okay. Let me make a few points here. You know, trying to deal with Climate Change, and the real issues, unlike, of course, the current occupant of the white house a Climate Change denier. You know, those are all distractions. The fact of the matter, michael smerconish, when you had miss conway on earlier, she actually could not name a new state that was lost in 2016. Yeah, urban, david, whats your i found that stand very interesting. Ill give you two. Mr. Mayor, what do you say about virginia where you have a racism democratic governor who wore black face . You have a Lieutenant Governor understand siege for alleged, you know, sexual assault. And yet the Democratic Party hasnt forced them out . What do you say to that . Whats your answer to voters in virginia saying we lost virginia by f