Welcome to another edition of Ringside Politics with Jeff Crouere
Today’s Hot Topics:
1) Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, who won a runoff earlier this month to represent Louisiana's northeastern 5th District, died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19.
Letlow was set to be sworn in as U.S. representative on Jan. 3.
"The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time," Andrew Bautsch, Letlow's spokesman, said in a statement announcing his death. "A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time."
Letlow announced on Dec. 18 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized a day later. He kept his followers updated of his condition on social media. Days before his death, he was in intensive care at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, La., and was later transferred to Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport on Dec. 22.
2) U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, who frequently notes and praises the massive military presence in his Northwest Florida district, has voted against the $741 billion federal military spending and policy bill for the current fiscal year.
In a Tuesday speech on the floor of the House explaining his vote on what he called a "good bill," Gaetz said he specifically opposed provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that limit efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to reduce U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan from 4,500 personnel to 2,500 personnel and to bring home as many as 12,000 of the 36,000 U.S. military personnel in Germany.
3) Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez received the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine on Friday, sharing the process live with her 8.2 million followers on Instagram.
“The Covid vaccine became available to members of Congress last night and we are urged to take it as part of a continuity of governance plan so I’m heading on my way there (sic),” Ms Ocasio-Cortez, 31, said, as she opened the conversation allowing the followers to send in their questions related to the vaccination process.
“Just like wearing a mask, I’d never advise you to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself,” she wrote in the post.The New York lawmaker shared a photo of the medical history questionnaire she was asked to fill out beforehand, then a video showing the injection into her upper arm. It was the first of two rounds of the Pfizer vaccine, each administered 21 days apart.
4) Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received the first dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine live on television on Tuesday in Washington, DC, and urged Americans to get vaccinated for the virus.
"That was easy," Harris said after receiving the shot in her left arm. "Thank you. I barely felt it." "I want to encourage everyone to get the vaccine. It is relatively painless. It happens really quickly. It is safe," Harris said. "It's literally about saving lives," Harris said. "I trust the scientists. And it is the scientists who created and approved this vaccine. So I urge everyone, when it is your turn, get vaccinated."Today’s Guests:
1) Casey Mulligan, Author of "You’re Hired! Untold Successes and Failures of a Populist President" - joins the first hour to talk about the past four years of Trump's presidency.
2) Dr. Richard Kradin, Author of "Breakdown; How Progressive Ideology Is Eroding Morality and Redefining Mental Health in America" - calls in to talk about the problems with America's current zeitgeist.
3) Doug Schexnayder, Conservative Crawgator – Calls in to discuss the results of the election and the next steps for the American people. He also sticks around to opine with callers.
4) Bruce Smith; Author of "Soul Storm: Finding God Amidst Disaster - Reflections from a Hurricane Katrina Survivor"
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