Michael Barbaro

I think the redistricting in some of these states are resisting Trump, even though, you know, there's like we're trying to do it.

You're talking about, for example, Indiana.

Where the president went to them and said, OK, it's your turn.

Right, that lame duckness would be obsolete.

Right, that he's never gonna be a lame duck because of his use of the bully pulpit as a real bully, right?

I think, you know, this is just the beginnings and Trump is still a real powerhouse, especially among Republicans, but I do think there's real cracks in this coalition.

And once the cracks,

of lame duckery, whatever we want to call it, lame duckism, start to show, I wonder how much

It can't be papered over.

And people want to start poking their hole in it and testing it.

And it just kind of creates an opening that has to be exploited.

And if they see that Trump is weakening, they're going to make the moves they think are going to help themselves.

And it's true.

Trump is not going to be around forever.

Right.

And for the longest time, self-preservation for a congressional Republican meant only one thing.

It meant doing what Trump wanted.

And now what you're describing is self-preservation starting to necessitate breaking with him.

Well, Carl, as ever, thank you very much.

Thanks for coming on site.