Basil Smikle

Anthony Fisher, MSNOW senior editor, offers media and political context. Basil Smikle, Democratic strategist and Columbia professor, brings political strategy. Philip Bump, columnist, analyzes polling and AI policy. Christy Greenberg, former federal prosecutor, provides legal perspective. They debate Clinton testimony, Trump's ties to Epstein, Texas primary fights, Anthropic vs OpenAI, and FCC calls for “patriotic programming.”

In this discussion, Sue Gordon, a former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, delves into the legality of military actions in the Caribbean and the mismatch with drug strategy. Basil Smikle, a political strategist, highlights the troubling trend of cruelty as a political tool, while Rick Stengel examines the erosion of asylum protections and its human costs. The panel addresses the economic implications of current policies, linking the struggles of rising costs to voter behavior and demand for universal supports.

Scott Stringer, former NYC Comptroller, dives into the implications of Mayor Eric Adams' indictment, emphasizing the need for strong leadership amid political turmoil. Dr. Basil Smikle offers insights on how this scandal affects community trust and governance. Tom Orlik shifts gears to discuss China's economic interventions, revealing concerns about sustainability amidst short-term market gains. The conversation rounds out with a look at OpenAI's shift to profit and Wells Fargo's regulatory hurdles, showcasing the complex landscape of business and politics.