Today on AirTalk, we discuss the ongoing protests in Hong Kong as the People's Republic of China celebrates their 70th anniversary. We also have a chat with Andrew Yang on his presidential campaign; talk about why young voters are considering leaving California; and more.
The Potential Ripple Effect After Hong Kong Police Shoot Protester With Live Round
In a fearsome escalation of violence, Hong Kong police shot a protester at close range in the chest Tuesday, leaving the teenager bleeding and howling on the ground.
Tens of thousands joined anti-government demonstrations that spread across the semi-autonomous Chinese territory even as Communist leaders in Beijing celebrated 70 years in power.
The single pistol shot fired by the officer as protesters swarmed toward him hit the 18-year-old on the left side of his chest, police spokeswoman Yolanda Yu said. She described the protesters as "rioters" and said the officer had feared for his life. Hong Kong's hospital authority said the teen was one of two people in critical condition, with a total of 51 people injured as fierce clashes between protesters and police wracked China's freest and most international city.
While officers have previously fired warning shots in the air on multiple occasions during months of demonstrations in Hong Kong, this was the first time a protester is known to have been shot. There were other instances Tuesday when officers also drew their weapons, including two with bloodied faces who pointed pistols, as protesters determined to spoil the Oct. 1 anniversary of Communist rule fought pitched battles with riot police. The shooting marked a dramatic escalation in violence that spread chaos to multiple areas. Widespread fighting and destruction prompted an ominous warning Tuesday evening from Hong Kong's embattled police force, now widely decried for heavy-handed tactics, that rioters posed "a serious threat to public peace and order." Protesters used power tools to fashion bricks into missiles and came armed with gas bombs.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll hear the latest on the clashes between protesters and police, and what it means amid the backdrop of the 70th anniversary of Communist rule in China.
With files from the Associated Press
With guest host Libby Denkmann.
Guest:
Victoria Tin-bor Hui, associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame specializing in Hong Kong politics; she is a native Hong Konger
Impeachment Inquiry Slow Burn Continues As Mike Pompeo, William Barr & Australia’s Prime Minister Enter The Discussion
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday declared that House Democrats are trying to "intimidate, bully and treat improperly" five current and former career officials in demanding depositions providing Ukraine matter.
Pompeo said in a letter to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as part of the chamber's impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, that the requested dates for the officials to voluntarily appear are "not feasible." In issuing a separate subpoena last week as part of the inquiry, the chairmen of three House committees made it clear that stonewalling their investigation would be considered obstruction of Congress in its investigation. It's unclear whether Pompeo will comply with the committee's request for documents by Friday.
Meanwhile, the circle of officials with knowledge of Trump's phone call to Ukraine's president widened with the revelation that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listened in on the July 25 conversation. Several media outlets are also reporting that officials with knowledge of the call say the president pushed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisson to help U.S. Attorney General William Barr review an inquiry into the Mueller probe in the hopes of discrediting it. Democrats on Monday subpoenaed Rudy Giuliani, the president's personal lawyer who was at the heart of Trump's efforts to get Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden's family. That was after one of Trump's staunchest defenders, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, said he would have "no choice" but to consider articles of impeachment if the House approved them.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll recap everything that’s happened over the last 48 hours and put it in some political context for how the impeachment inquiry will proceed.
With files from the Associated Press
With guest host Libby Denkmann.
Guests:
Sadie Gurman, justice department reporter for the Wall Street Journal; she tweets
Ron Elving, senior editor and correspondent on the Washington Desk for NPR News; he tweets
Young People And Conservatives Most Likely To Consider Saying Goodbye To The Golden State
We all know that lack of affordable housing is a driving force of migration out of California, but political alienation may be a factor as well.
That’s according to a recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, which found that conservative voters were about three times more likely as their liberal counterparts to say they are strongly considering leaving the state due to political culture clash. High taxes were another factor mentioned by Republican voters.
Meanwhile, younger voters said that lack of affordable housing was the main driver of their doubts about staying in the Golden State.
We break down the poll numbers, as well as the methodology of the survey. Plus, if you’ve considered leaving California or did leave, what were your reasons? If you’re a conservative in California, how have you been faring as the state gets more and more blue? Call us at 866-893-5722.
With guest host Libby Denkmann.
Guests:
Fernando Guerra, professor and director of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University; he is a member of the Southern California Public Radio Board of Trustees
Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, his focus includes economic forecasting, employment and labor markets and economic policy
A Conversation With 2020 Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang
Today, Democratic candidate Andrew Yang joins guest host Libby Denkmann to discuss free money, online campaigning and SNL impressions.
An entrepreneur who’s never held elected office, Yang has surpassed big name politicians in polls, including U.S. Senator Cory Booker and former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke. In one recent poll, he came in at fourth place.
Yang’s campaign promises one thousand dollars each month to every American citizen over 18, which he calls a “Freedom Dividend.” Some of his other platforms include medicare for all, ranked choice voting, and Supreme Court term limits. Do you have questions for Andrew Yang? Call 866-893-5722 to share your thoughts on the candidate.
With guest host Libby Denkmann.
Guest:
Andrew Yang, democratic presidential candidate and entrepreneur; he tweets
RIP GOP: Why One Dem Pollster Thinks Trump Will Lose
Author and Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg thinks the Republican party's end is near.
In his new book, R.I.P. G.O.P. How the New America is Dooming the Republicans, Greenberg lays out data from focus groups and polls to suggest that President Trump and Republicans may be defeated in 2020. He traces the G.O.P.'s trajectory back to the rise of the Tea Party, or as he sees it, the beginning of the end.
Today on AirTalk, bestselling author, Stanley Greenberg, talks with guest host Libby Denkmann about the evidence supporting his political predictions.
With guest host Libby Denkmann.
Stan Greenberg will be at USC at 5pm this afternoon to talk about his book, as part of the “Political Conversations” series at the school’s Center For the Political Future. For more info, click here.
Guest:
Stanley Greenberg, political strategist and Democratic pollster who’s worked with many political candidates, including the Presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton and Al Gore; his new book is RIP GOP: How the New America Is Dooming the Republicans (2019, Thomas Dunne Books)