Ask a Pol politics

Who?

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

LISTEN: Laslo & Collins

Ask a Pol asks:

Any thoughts on the recent New York Times article on Chief Justice John Roberts’s involvement in the Jan. 6 criminal case?

Key Collins: 

“Even without having read it, I think extremely highly of him,” Sen. Susan Collins exclusively told Ask a Pol. “[I] believe him to be a person of the utmost integrity and dedicated to the independence of the courts.”

This interview was first included in Matt Laslo’s Raw Story feature, “From moderate to manipulator: Behind the unmasking of Chief Justice John Roberts”

Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), slightly edited for clarity.

TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Susan Collins

SCENE: Sen. Susan Collins is walking through the Senate basement — near some loud trams — alone when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo briefly catches her thoughts on the Roberts Court.

Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you, ma'am? Did you catch that New York Times piece on Justice Roberts on the weekend?”

Susan Collins: “I didn’t.”

ML: “A lot of your colleagues didn't as well.”

Laslo laughs.

SC: “I mean, I know of some people who have read it. I think…”

ML: “Any takeaways from what you heard? Yeah?”

SC: “I will tell you that even without having read it, I think extremely highly of him and believe him to be a person of the utmost integrity and dedicated to the independence of the courts.”

ML: “Yeah, right? Way he strikes me too.”

SC: “Yeah.”

ML: “Yeah? Good to see you, ma'am.”

ICYMI — Dems worry about "radical redirection" of SCOTUS

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Who?

Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT)

LISTEN: Laslo & Welch

Ask a Pol asks:

What do you make of the recent New York Times article on Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts’s involvement in the Jan. 6 criminal cases?

Key Welch: 

“He's been the major force in the erosion of the credibility of the Court,” Sen. Peter Welch exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “You know, he's a skillful backroom operator, but he has played a major role in the radical redirection of the Court.”

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ICYMI — Laslo’s full reporting on the Roberts Court

This interview was first included in Matt Laslo’s Raw Story feature, “From moderate to manipulator: Behind the unmasking of Chief Justice John Roberts”

Caught our ear per ‘court packing’ barbs from the right:

“We're not gonna get expansion. And there's a lot of downside to expansion: we expand, they expand and it politicizes it,” Welch told us. “The merit of an 18-year term is, first of all, that's a very substantial term, and they're insulated so they have the benefit of protection. And then number two, every president is gonna have an opportunity to appoint two members. So that means the American people get to weigh in indirectly by choosing the president.”

Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), slightly edited for clarity.

TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Peter Welch

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches Sen. Welch as he exits an underground tram and heads to the US Capitol to vote on the Senate floor.

Matt Laslo: “No cap today?”

Peter Welch: “What?”

ML: “No cap today?”

The day before Laslo covered an IVF event on the Capitol steps where Welch wore a cap with his suit.

PW: “Well, I walked underneath. Forgot my hat, yeah.”

They go off mic briefly…

ML: “Did you see that New York Times piece on Justice Roberts?”

PW: “I did.”

ML: “What do you make of that?”

PW: “It said what we all know. I mean, he's been the major force in the erosion of the credibility of the Court. You know, he's a skillful backroom operator, but he has played a major role in the radical redirection of the Court.”

ML: “Yeah. Does this — like, seeing that…”

PW: “What?”

ML: “Seeing that article — because many of you [Democrats] kinda have looked at him as the backstop on certain cases…”

PW: “I didn't look at him like that.”

ML: “You didn't, no?”

PW: “Well, he did Citizens United.”

ML: “Yeah. Which upended everything?”

PW: “That was just a seminal wrong turn. You know, he's very skillful and, unfortunately, a driving force in, I think, the radical redirection of the Court.”

ML: “Knowing that a lot of Republicans have kinda used the ethics code that he put out there, does this change that or was that never good enough?”

PW: “Hey, Angus.”

Welch greets Sen. Angus King (I-ME).

PW: “You know, I'm not sure…

Welch greets — “Hey, Tina, how are you?” — Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN).

PW: “I'm not sure how — I'm not quite sure I understand your question. I mean, the Court has got an extreme and radical majority. It's lost public respect. It’s a Court that passed — that equated money with speech. It’s a Court that took away the woman’s constitutional right to make her own decisions. And he’s a major part of all of that.”

ML: “How does your party change that? Some, like, [Sen. Ed] Markey (D-MA)calls for expanding the size of the Court?”

PW: “We can’t. We can’t. I mean, you know, I'm for term limits and then you take the politics out of it. It will take time. But…”

ICYMI — Susan Collins defends Justice Roberts

ML: “Anything that’s gonna happen is gonna take time?”

PW: “We're not gonna get expansion. And there's a lot of downside to expansion: we expand, they expand and it politicizes it. What I think the merit of an 18-year term is, first of all, that's a very substantial term, and they're insulated so they have the benefit of protection. And then number two, every president is gonna have an opportunity to appoint two members. So that means the American people get to weigh in indirectly by choosing the president. So…”

ML: “So you think that would be a significant change?”

PW: “I do. No, I do. I think it would take probably some extreme politics out of the Court.”

ML: “Yeah, take it out the Court — thank you, sir — take some of the extreme politics out of the Court.”

Laslo repeats the last phrase of the interview to ensure it’s captured on his mic.

Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe

Who?

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, House Freedom Caucus

LISTEN: Laslo & Harris

Ask a Pol asks:

Are you gonna be reading former First Lady Melania Trump's new book?

Key Harris: 

“I have kind of a lot of stuff on my plate right now to read that,” Rep. Andy Harris exclusively told Ask a Pol. 

ICYMI — Matt Laslo’s full article

This interview was first included in Matt Laslo’s Raw Story feature, Melania Trump’s nude modeling makes Republicans blush — and threaten reporters

Caught our ear:

As a Maryland state senator you tried to defund the University of Maryland over a fraternity showing a porno?

“It wasn't a fraternity, it was actually in the student union,” Harris told us. “It's a tax-rated movement, correct. So it's actually in a different funding facility.”

ICYMI — Laslo also asked Romney about Melania…

Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), slightly edited for clarity.

TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Andy Harris

SCENE: After voting on the House floor, Rep. Andy Harris passes a mob of television cameras, producers, reporters and photographers when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo — followed by another reporter — catches up with him as he heads to his office across the street.

Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you? Congrats on the chairmanship.”

Harris was just elected chair of the House Freedom Caucus the previous day.

Andy Harris: “Thanks.”

ML: “Are you gonna be reading Melania Trump's book?”

AH: “I have kind of a lot of stuff on my plate right now to read that.”

ML: “Fair, fair. Did you hear about her call, though, on Instagram? She asked the media if we appreciate the human body over her nude photos. Have you seen that?”

AH: “I have my plate as plenty full without worrying about that.”

Harris turns to another reporter to drop subject.

AH: “Yeah?”

ML: “Well, I was curious, because with UMD [University of Maryland], you tried to ban that fraternity for pornography.”

Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo stays nearby as Harris answers budget questions while traversing heavy duty — and loud — security barriers . When they’re done, Laslo slides back in to ask Harris a follow-up about the famous former First Lady.

ML: “I was curious, [Rep.] Jaime Raskin (D-MD) mentioned when you guys served in the legislature…”

AH: “Right.”

ML: “…you tried to defund UMD [University of Maryland] cause one of the fraternities showed porn?”

AH: “It wasn't a fraternity. It was actually in the student union.”

ML: “Oh yeah?”

AH: “It was an X-rated movie. Correct.”

ML: “And so…”

AH: “And it was actually in a government funded facility.”

ML: “Yeah?”

AH: “Yes.”

ML: “But is there any correlation or is that just apples and oranges to Melania Trump and her career?”

AH: “I have no idea what you’re talking about with Melania Trump. I mean, I just told you — I have no idea.”

ML: “You don't?”

AH: “You don't believe me? Don't ask the same question twice. Come on. I have so much better things to do.”

Harris keeps walking but Laslo’s stopped by a Members Only sign outside the entrance to the Longworth House Office building. What Harris says as he gets further from the mic is hard to hear, which Laslo foresaw so he repeated what he heard Rep. Harris say verbatim into his mic.

AH: “It might be the last time I speak to you if you ask stupid things.”

ICYMI — Melania makes ‘Coach’ Tommy Tuberville blush

ML: “Preciate ya.”

Laslo speaks to himself, well, his microphone, as he walks back towards the Capitol.

ML: “It might be the last time I speak to you if you ask stupid things.”

Laslo chuckles.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe

Who?

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT)

LISTEN: Laslo & Romney

Ask a Pol asks:

Are you gonna read former First Lady Melania Trump's new book?

Key Romney: 

“Oh no, probably won't be able to fit that one in, I'm afraid,” Sen. Mitt Romney exclusively tells Ask a Pol through a hearty laugh. 

Screengrab: former First Lady Melania Trump’s Instagram Sept. 18, 2024. 

Caught her Instagram post?

“I heard about that, I didn't see it,” Romney told us.

Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), slightly edited for clarity.

TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Mitt Romney

SCENE: After voting in the US Capitol, Mitt Romney and an aide are rushing to his awaiting car so the senator can catch a train when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches him briefly.

Matt Laslo: “Are you gonna read Melania Trump's book?”

Mitt Romney: “Oh no, probably won't be able to fit that one in, I'm afraid.”

Romney’s aide: “We’ve got a train to ride.”

ML: “How much — did you catch her Instagram?”

MR: “Pardon me?”

ML: “Did you catch her Instagram about her former nude modeling?”

MR: “I heard about that, I didn't see it.”

ML: “No?”

Both laugh.

ML: “She called the media out for not appreciating the human body. Have a good one.”

Laslo repeats: “I didn't see it.”

Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe

Who?

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

LISTEN: Laslo & Tuberville

Ask a Pol asks:

How much do you ‘appreciate the beauty of the human body?’

Key Tuberville: 

“I guess a lot of people — I don’t know,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “I don't know how to answer that.”

That's a question Melania Trump asks…

Caught our ear:

Have you seen her new book?

“Nuh-uh,” Tuberville tells us.

Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), slightly edited for clarity.

TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Tommy Tuberville

SCENE: Sen. Tuberville’s exiting the tram underneath the US Capitol on his way to a Senate vote when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo greets him and then accompanies him as he rides an escalator up to the Capitol itself before hopping an elevator up to the Senate floor.

Tommy Tuberville: “…alright, remember that. Smarter, young man.”

Laslo laughs.

Matt Laslo: “How you doing, boss?”

TT: “Another beautiful day….”

ML: “Hey, how much do you ‘appreciate the beauty of the human body?’ That's a question Melania Trump asks.”

TT: “The human body?”

ML: “Have you seen her new book?”

TT: “Nuh-uh.”

ML: “I guess it's her biography, but she goes out on Instagram and defends her nude modeling in the past.”

TT: “I guess a lot of people — I don’t know, I don't know how to answer that.”

ML: “I know, right?”

Laslo laughs.

ML: “I know. But she calls out the media for it.”

Tuberville smiles.

ML: “Good to see you, sir.”

Laslo repeats the last phrase from the interview.

Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe

Who?

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) — House Majority Leader 

LISTEN: Laslo & Scalise 

Ask a Pol asks:

Was former President Donald Trump correct in his presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris when he blamed former Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not securing the US Capitol ahead of the failed insurrection on January 6, 2021? 

Key Scalise: 

“Apparently, she's not denied that she's the one who turned down the extra security, which is a major issue,” Scalise exclusively tells Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo. “The Capitol would have been secured in a completely different way if that didn’t happen.” 

ICYMI — Read Matt Laslo’s full reporting on Trump’s J6 claim 

This interview was first included in Matt Laslo’s Raw Story feature, 'Hugely offensive': Dems blast 'crazy' Trump's new J6 debate claims

TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Steve Scalise 

SCENE: Steve Scalise and his security detail arrive at the US Capitol in the middle of a House vote. As the majority leader makes his way through the door of the US Capitol, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo takes the opportunity to ask him a quick question about the presidential debate the night before. 

Matt Laslo: “Sir, Jan. 6 — does that fall all on Nancy Pelosi, like Trump claimed last night?” 

Steve Scalise: “Apparently, she's not denied that she's the one who turned down the extra security, which is a major issue.” 

ML: “Yeah?”

SS: “The Capitol would have been secured in a completely different way if that didn’t happen.” 

ML: “Thank you, sir.” 

Scalise and his entourage proceed to breeze past the security checkpoint. 

Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe

Who?

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) — Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security

LISTEN: Laslo & Thompson

Ask a Pol asks:

What do you think about House Majority Leader Steve Scalise saying that the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol would have gone differently if then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi hadn’t rejected the National Guard?

Key Thompson: 

“I’m not aware she rejected the National Guard,” Rep. Bennie Thompson exclusively tells Ask a Pol politics. 

ICYMI — Laslo’s full reporting on Trump’s J6 claim in debate

This interview was first included in Matt Laslo’s Raw Story feature, 'Hugely offensive': Dems blast 'crazy' Trump's new J6 debate claims

Caught our ear: 

“When did that happen? You know, at that point, the Guard has to get permission to come on the Capitol grounds,” Thompson tells us. 

Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), slightly edited for clarity.

TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Bennie Thompson

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo waits in the wings with a young journalist as Rep. Bennie Thompson greets and poses for some pics with visitors on the US Capitol’s steps. His kind colleague lets him ask his question first. Cheers, new friend!

Matt Laslo: “This young lady needs you, but I just gotta tell you what Mr. [Majority Leader Steve] Scalise told me.”

Bennie Thompson: “Uh-huh.”

ML: “He says, and I quote, ‘The Capitol would have been secured in a completely different way if [then-Speaker Nancy] Pelosi didn’t do what she did in rejecting National Guard.’”

BT: “I’m not aware she rejected the National Guard.”

ML: “That’s what I thought, right?”

Thompson laughs.

BT: “Yeah, when did that happen? You know, at that point, the Guard has to get permission to come on the Capitol grounds.”

ML: “Yeah? So they’re just recreating history?”

BT: “Revisionist history.”

ML: “‘Revisionist history’?”

Thompson nods.

ML: “I’m gonna leave you to my colleague. Have a good one, sir.”

Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe