<p><em><strong>Jeff Greenfield</strong></em> remembers how Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush consoled the nation during crisis and trauma, and compares their actions to those of Donald Trump, whose response to a deadly plane crash was one of blame and nastiness.</p>
<p><em><strong>Rick Pluta</strong></em> of <em>Michigan Public Radio</em> discusses the retirement of Sen. Gary Peters (D) and the battle in 2026 to succeed him — a battle that could include Pete Buttigieg.</p>
<p>And <em><strong>Kathie Obradovich</strong></em> of <em>Iowa Capital Dispatch</em> talks of the pressures back home that may have forced Sen. Joni Ernst, a rape victim during college, to vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, despite the sexual assault allegations against him.</p>
<p><strong>PLUS</strong>: A look at the first two weeks of Trump.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Music in this episode:</strong></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqc-tDSBSbE">It’s My Party by Lesley Gore</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMarHac3VpQ">Mean Mr Mustard by The Beatles</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo2ZsAOlvEM">America by Simon & Garfunkel</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I">Under Pressure by Queen</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-421-the-consoler-in-chief/">Episode #421: The Consoler In Chief</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin's Political Junkie</a>.</p>
