RINGSIDE POLITICS – FEBRUARY 4, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome to another edition of Ringside Politics with Jeff Crouere

Today’s Hot Topics:

1) There is growing pressure on California leaders to reopen schools. During a news conference on Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wants public schools to reopen, but in a safe way. At the same time, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says vaccinating teachers is not necessary for schools to reopen.

Wednesday, the head of the CDC said teachers don’t need to get vaccinated before schools can safely reopen.

The CDC hasn’t released any official guidance yet, but a recent study published by the agency found little evidence of the virus spreading at schools.

“There’s increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen and that that safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated in order to reopen safely,” CDC Director Dr. Roshelle Wilensky said.

2) President Joe Biden on Monday offered his most extensive comments since taking office on former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, telling CNN, “I think it has to happen.”

3) Democrats are using the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump as a political “weapon” to bar the former president from seeking office again and are pursuing a case that is “undemocratic” and unconstitutional, one of his lawyers says.

Trump faces trial next week on accusations that he incited a harrowing and deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, when loyalists in town for a rally supporting the president overran the police and violently stormed the building. The House passed a single article of impeachment against Trump one week before he left office, triggering a trial that Democrats say is necessary to hold Trump publicly accountable for the attack. If Trump is convicted, Congress could bar him from holding public office again.

4) Michael Regan, President Biden’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, told lawmakers Wednesday that he would “restore” science and transparency at the agency, focus on marginalized communities and move “with a sense of urgency” to combat climate change.

Today’s Guests:

1)  Col. Allen West, Chairman of the Texas Republican Party – calls in the first hour to discuss Biden’s dizzying first days in office.

2) Doug Schexnayder, Conservative Crawgator – calls in to discuss the latest events surrounding Washington and takes calls from guests.

3) Josh Bernstein, Ringside All-Star – joins the show to opine with callers and discuss the events of the week.

4) John Lohrenz, Author, The Prosperity Project: Building Abundance and A Map for A Life Well Lived – squeezes into the last hour to discuss his latest work.