Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision to retire after this year and endorse Kevin McCarthy as his successor normally would mean that the California Republican would be the odds-on favorite to become either the next speaker or the next House minority leader (depending how the GOP does in November). But Seung Min Kim of the Washington Post says with the election of the next Republican leader coming after the elections, many surprises may yet be in store for the party.
Brian Ellison of station KCUR in Kansas City talks about the collapsing of political support for Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, who is under pressure to resign (or get impeached) from his fellow Republicans, for his role in a pre-election sex scandal.
Ron Hansen of the Arizona Republic profiles next Tuesday’s special congressional race in Arizona for the seat vacated by Trent Franks. Franks was pressured to resign his seat in December after two female staffers complained he approached them about being surrogate mothers because he and his wife were having fertility problems.
And we also remember former First Lady Barbara Bush and former NPR newscaster and friend Carl Kasell, two people who died this week and who touched everyone who knew them.
Music used in this podcast:
When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge
Against All Odds by Phil Collins
Tiptoe Through the Tulips by Tiny Tim