I’m Nicholas Perrin.

Adam (00:30.392):  

So on today’s episode, we’re covering a few topics: Biden’s final address to the UN General Assembly this week, which includes a look at US foreign policy over the last few months and where it might be headed, and how the House avoided a government shutdown with just a few days to spare. We’ll get into how that happened and what it means. Plus, some recent comments made by the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina. Let’s start with Biden’s speech. He gave his last address to the UN General Assembly during their annual meeting of global leaders. He covered a range of topics, including global cooperation, climate change, and support for Ukraine. One standout moment was when he emphasized that some things are more important than staying in power, possibly nodding to the importance of democracy for countries like Hungary, where it’s under threat. He called for unity among allies, reaffirmed US support for Ukraine, and stressed the need for climate action and diplomatic efforts with China. So, Nicholas, do you think his decision to step aside might impact his foreign policy approach going forward?

Nicholas (02:15.745):  

I mean, since he won’t be seeking reelection, he might take bolder steps that he believes are right, without worrying about electoral consequences. He mentioned in his speech that a diplomatic solution is still possible for the current Lebanon-Israel tensions, and that no one wants a full-scale war. He was vague on some other Middle East issues, especially regarding the Israel-Gaza situation, but we could see more from him in the coming months.

Adam (03:21.11):  

Right. The Middle East is definitely in a tense state right now with conflicts in Gaza and increased action from Iranian proxies like the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel’s operations in Lebanon have raised concerns about a wider conflict. If Biden was previously holding back due to concerns about reelection, that’s probably no longer a factor. He might now focus entirely on what he believes is best for the US and global security.

Ukraine was present at the UN, and one controversial issue has been whether Biden will allow them to use long-range missiles on Russian territory. Right now, they’re allowed to use them in a small area that Russia has been using as a staging ground for attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine wants the freedom to strike more broadly within Russia, but Biden has hesitated, fearing escalation. Historically, US and NATO red lines on Ukraine aid have shifted over time, and what’s off-limits now might not be in a few months.

Okay, moving on to how the House avoided a government shutdown.

Adam (05:45.876):  

With just days to spare, the House passed a temporary funding bill to avert a government shutdown. It was then sent to the Senate, where it quickly passed. This bill funds the government until December 20th, giving more time for budget negotiations. Some controversial elements, like the SAVE Act—which would require proof of citizenship to vote—were left out to ensure its passage. The SAVE Act would require voters to show proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate or other documentation, in addition to an ID. Democrats opposed this because it’s already illegal for non-citizens to vote, and they felt it could unfairly impact citizens’ ability to vote.

The House passed the bill 341-82, and the Senate passed it 78-18. Speaker Mike Johnson, like his predecessor Kevin McCarthy, faced pressure from the far-right faction of his party and had to work with Democrats to get this through. Nicholas, what are your thoughts on this funding bill and its potential impact?

Nicholas (07:48.488):  

I think the cooperation between Republican and Democrat representatives is a good sign, but we shouldn’t be too optimistic. This was a basic issue that should have been an easy win. I don’t know enough to predict long-term effects, though, so I’ll let you take it from here.

Adam (08:15.138):  

Right. You mentioned cooperation, but it also highlights the extreme partisanship right now. The Republican majority is so slim that they had to rely on Democrats to pass something as fundamental as this. It’s been one of the least effective Congresses since the Great Depression, largely due to this gridlock. Biden signed the bill, avoiding a shutdown that would have started Tuesday. It also includes $231 million for the Secret Service, who’ve faced challenges with two recent attempts on Donald Trump. We’ll have to see how the election plays out, as that will significantly affect what kind of budget deal we see when this temporary funding expires in December.

Okay, let’s move on to our final topic: the North Carolina governor’s race. The race is between Democrat Josh Stein and Republican Mark Robinson, who is currently the Lieutenant Governor.

Adam (10:37.45):  

Last week, Robinson faced backlash over controversial comments made on an online forum. While he denies it was him, there’s evidence suggesting it was. He allegedly referred to himself as a “black Nazi” and expressed support for reinstating slavery, saying, “I’d buy some.” These are serious allegations. Nicholas, how do you think this could impact not only the governor’s race but also Republicans in North Carolina and beyond?

Nicholas (11:36.963):  

This is a terrible situation for Republicans in North Carolina and possibly elsewhere. If these comments were a joke, they’re still bad, and if they weren’t, they’re worse. It could influence views on Republicans at both the state and national levels, though the impact might be limited since it’s still alleged and open to interpretation.

Adam (12:37.868):  

Right, and it’s getting worse for Robinson. The Republican Governors Association has cut off funding for his campaign, and many staffers have resigned. Most Republicans have condemned the comments because, joke or not, they’re unacceptable. This could significantly impact the presidential election, too. Trump called Robinson “Martin Luther King Jr. times two.” He and JD Vance haven’t distanced themselves from Robinson, and this could hurt them in North Carolina, where margins are tight. If just 10,000 people stay home because of this, it could change the outcome of the presidential race. What do you think?

Nicholas (14:18.779):  

Actually, the quote was “Martin Luther King on steroids.”

Adam (14:27.284):  

Okay, thanks for clarifying. What’s your take?

Nicholas (14:33.409):  

I think this could impact the presidential election if it stays in the spotlight, but given how quickly people move on, it might not make a big difference. People might forget about it in a month or two.

Adam (15:02.19):  

Right, but we’re just about 30 days out from the election, so it could still have an impact, even with the public’s short attention span. 

Thanks for listening to Simplifying the State. We’ll be back next week with a new episode, so stay tuned. Talk to you then!