Friday mailbag

You've got questions.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

It’s time for the latest edition of our Friday mailbag. This is a somewhat special mailbag because I asked you all to share some experiences you had with youth sports — following on the piece I wrote about my own struggles with them here.

So, in addition to answering some questions I am also going to intersperse the newsletter with some personal remembrances from folks.

Ok, let’s do it!

Q: Bigger risk: Dems nominating Biden or GOP nominating Trump

A: I think at this point it’s a bigger risk for Republicans to nominate Trump. While both mens’ poll numbers are bad, Trump’s are worse — especially among electorally-critical independents.

The real risk Democrats are taking with Biden is his age/health. At 80, there are real concerns that a) he can withstand the rigors of a campaign and b) he can serve out his entire term if he wins. I think both of those are open questions at the moment.

The problem for Republicans is that by nominating Trump, they complicate their own ability to make the 2024 election a referendum on Biden. Trump attracts so much attention that there’s no chance the general election will be just about Biden. Which is a bad thing for Republicans.

Q: I know you have written about how MSM is in a bind that Trump does need to be covered. I see your point but, respectfully disagree at this point. I know CNN is your former employer but I don’t see how they can square the circle of having Trump on for a town hall.

A: Well, you have every right to disagree with me!

I may sound like a broken record here so, if so, I apologize in advance. But, my argument is this: Trump is the CLEAR Republican frontrunner. When you have a chance to talk to him in a town hall format (or any format), you take it.

Do you also put in as many guardrails as possible to ensure that Trump can’t lie with impunity or filibuster every answer? Absolutely. Will he do some of that anyway? Probably.

But, I still believe that the public gets something from the interactions between a serious and credible mainstream media journalist and Trump. Which makes the opportunity to ask hard questions of a former president who is heavily favored to win the GOP nomination again un-pass-up-able. (Not a word but you get my point.)

Q: Tim Scott is a bachelor. How much do you think that will impact his campaign, if at all? Does a presidential candidate (male or female) need the smiling wife and adoring children to be successful?

A: This is a GREAT question that I have wondered about myself.

Let’s go through a little history. Three single men have been elected president: James Buchanan, John Tyler and Grover Cleveland.

Cleveland got married in the White House during his term. Tyler also got married during his time in the White House — although the ceremony was not in the White House itself. Of the three, only Buchanan never married.

Obviously, we haven’t elected a bachelor president since the 19th century, which would suggest that you have a better chance of winning if you are married as opposed to single.

I am interested to see how Scott handles his lack of a significant other on the campaign trail, in ads and the like.

Q: Why are bills in Congress so insanely large? Why not break things up so they are easier to pass? Imagine Democrats proposing a standalone bill to raise the top tax rate by 1% with all of that money earmarked towards homeless veterans. Would Republicans vote against it?

A: Well, there are definitely votes like the ones you are talking about — designed to be used in the coming political campaigns. So, it does happen.

But there’s also the legislative filibuster in the Senate. Meaning that you need 60 votes to end debate and force a vote on anything. And to do that, Democrats need a whole bunch of Republicans to sign onto it — which would never happen with the sort of legislation you are proposing.

As for the size of bills, it’s largely due to the fact that Congress puts off doing much of anything — particularly on the spending/appropriation front — until the last minute, necessitating these monster bills that spend trillions (and that no one reads).

It’s not a good way of doing business. But it’s our present reality.

Q: You’ve written two books now, both of which I own — yes, I remember The Gospel According to The Fix. What part of writing a book comes easiest to you? Hardest?

A: The Gospel According to The Fix! Old school!

The actual writing comes the easiest for me. I have always been able to just write — and write quickly — which is a huge blessing when you have a job like mine.

The hardest part is knowing a) who to interview and then b) trying to convince them to talk to you. I always struggle, too, with knowing if I have done enough interviews or if I need to do more.

I found this book easier to do than the last one even though it was much more labor intensive. I think that may be because I wrote the first book in my mid 30s and this one in my mid 40s — experience brings wisdom!

And now for a few reflections on youth sports — the good and the bad.

Steve Woods: I absolutely loved coaching my kids. I always tried my best to treat them like all the other kids. There are just so many life lessons in youth sports and I cherish those years. If it wasn’t for the parents, it would have been pure bliss.

Jocelyn Grayson: My advice is to support what your child wants and make them feel good about whatever skill level they are at. FWIW, I was told by both my son and my daughter that my exhortations on the sidelines made them nervous. I never said a word when they had the ball. Always tried to encourage them after the game was over. My daughter is 5’2” and played basketball on an adult team last summer. Guess we succeeded in building her confidence.

dscott: I have a couple kids who were decent athletes (one recruited D1, one D3, but neither pursued college sports) and I coached a bit, but mostly I just watched literally hundreds of games. I have great memories and I developed some great friendships -- as did my kids -- but by far the worst part of all those years was that minority of parents who became obnoxious. I've got stories, as does every other parent who watched more than a couple games. You're in good company.

Ian Mark Sirota: I’ll give the perspective of a dad who helped coach all of his kids through various sports (mainly soccer, but also some baseball): At the time, it was a colossal pain in the tuchus, but now that those years are in my rear view mirror, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My kids learned teamwork and got lifelong memories and hopefully, I’ll be a small part of those memories.