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Secretary Pete ButtigiegPhoto: Shutterstock

Oh, God, that guy.

That was Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigiegs reaction to the news a former campaign aide would be joining Jon Lovett on his politico podcast Lovett or Leave It.

Former Mayor Pete has sat with Lovett for two interviews since joining the Biden Administration, both of which featured some unusual questioning from the comedian and former Obama speechwriter.

For the shows pause and replay segment, OK, stop, Lis Smith, a senior advisor on Buttigiegs presidential campaign, dropped by to break down the interviews and see where Lovett went wrong.

On the segment, Smith recounts how shed seen Buttigieg the day before in Los Angeles at an event announcing new infrastructure spending and had shared the news shed be auditing his two fraught interviews with Lovett.

We are going to analyze his interviews with you,' she told the former mayor, and I stop and get to tell him when he really f*cked up, you know? And Petes like, Wow, I didnt know Jon had that sort of level of self-awareness to know how those interviews went. That gives me a new level of respect for him.'

I dont know how many of you know Mayor Pete, Smith explained to the audience, but thats like Petes Midwestern way, and like the Mayor Pete way of saying, Bless his heart, and I hope he chokes in his sleep tonight.'

Lovett then rolled tape on interview No. 1.

After Buttigieg explains strategies for distributing newly allocated funding for transportation infrastructure, Lovett deadpans, You are saying its not the size of the infrastructure package, its how you use it.

Buttigieg doesnt blink, and continues explaining stakeholders and negotiating positions.

Smith then OK, stops the tape.

I feel so much secondhand embarrassment for you right now, she says to Lovett over audience laughter. Did Lovett ask any of his colleagues, Hey, when I have an interview with a cabinet secretary, should I lead with a f*cking dick size joke?

Lovett thinks he acquitted himself fine, and resumes the tape.

Im sorry, Im offended, Lovett says to Buttigieg. I made a reference to a package. It is Pride. There was an innuendo there. And you ignored it.

Buttigieg replies, I tried to be oblivious.

Frank Kameny did not protest in front of the White House so that you can ignore my jokes during Pride, Secretary Pete.

Lovett also rolled tape on a second interview, leading with a vaguely transportation-related question.

Is Adam Driver hot?

Smith stops the tape. When you look at his face, you just see the disappointment. Hes like, God-f*cking damn. And I thought I was sitting down with Jon Favreau. Favreau was widely considered to be the hot one of the Obama speechwriting duo.

Lovett hits play on a follow up question: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Chris Pine or Chris Hemsworth?

Buttigieg: Chris Pine was in Star Trek, right? Oh, wait. Chris Pratt was in Parks and Recreation, right? Indiana connection, gotta go with him.

Lovett: Alright, for the record, he said he would f*ck Chris Pratt.

Smith OK, stops again. I think youve just got to ease in the questions a little more and maybe be like a little cliche, less cliched like about dick size, and which Chris he wants to f*ck.

Those are cliches interviewing a Secretary of Transportation? Lovett asks defensively. I dont think Norman Mineta got a lot of these questions, referring to George W. Bushs longtime (and straight) transportation secretary.

Smith suggested, If I were asking questions of a cabinet secretary, and its like, Who would you rather? I would ask about the other members of the cabinet, she goaded. Im not saying you should.

Lovetts Crooked Media podcast Lovett or Leave It drops weekly.

Continued here:
Former Obama speechwriter breaks down the gay-baiting questions he's thrown at Pete Buttigieg - LGBTQ Nation

Dennis Rodman is probably most known for being the original bad boy of the NBA. However, after his retirement, The Worm became a social pioneer. Acting as an unofficial diplomat for the USA, his first visit to North Korea in 2013 set things in motion. Becoming friends with the Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, he visited the country multiple times.

Rodman was also a big supporter of having Donald Trump become the next president of the USA. Co-signing on the tagline Make America Great Again, he became an advocate for the 45th President of the United States. After Trump assumed his role as president, the talks between North Korea and the Land of The Free began to take shape. In 2018, a historic summit took place in Singapore where the two leaders met for a discussion. The two-time Defensive Player of The Year also traveled to show his support.

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However, this wasnt the first time Rodman made efforts to initiate peace between the two countries. Speaking from his heart, the Chicago Bulls star opened up about former president, Barack Obama not giving him the needed time.

In 2013, the political world shook to its core. The eccentric Dennis Rodman took yet another insane step when he traveled to North Korea in 2013 to promote basketball. But in the process, he became good friends with the leader of the country, Kim Jong-un. Speaking to CNN, The Worm spoke of a conversation where the Supreme Leader of North Korea suggested an open mind to negotiations between the countries under certain caveats. However, Rodmans try to reach Obama failed. And the five-time champion also spoke about his journey to the historic 2018 summit.

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Hes Forced to Be in This Position: NBA Legend Dennis Rodman Broke the Plightof North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un

1 day ago

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As it turns out, Kim Jong-un promised Rodman that he would be open to discussions under certain specific conditions. However, Rodman was ignored when he conveyed those messages to the White House. And I tried to do that to Obama, and Obama didnt even give me the time of the day. he told CNN. I asked him I said I have something to say from North Korea. He just brushed me off.

Despite the rejection, Rodman claims to never have stopped believing. He transferred his hope to Trump and the two countries finally met up.

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WATCH THIS STORY:Michael Jordans 5 rumored affairs after his divorce with Juanita.

Do you think Rodman played a part in the establishment of the Singapore summit? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Barack Obama Brushed Off Donald Trump Supporter Dennis Rodman, Forcing The Worm to Call Him Out on Live TV - EssentiallySports

As part of CODEPINK's campaign to end the U.S. blockade of Cuba, over 10,000 people and 30 organizations signed an open letter calling on Biden to abandon Trumps failed policies towards Cuba and return to Obamas diplomatic approach. While the letter commends Bidens easing of travel restrictions to Cuba, it points out that it is not enough. US policies towards Cuba continue to worsen the humanitarian situation for people living in Cuba.

Biden made a campaign promise to review Cubas designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, but has yet to fulfill that promise. Removal from the list requires an inquiry into any terrorism-sponsored activity before providing a rescission request to Congress. The signers of the petition request Bidens administration immediately complete that review and initiate proceedings to remove Cuba from the list.

Trumps listing of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism subjectsthe island nation to a series of sanctions and international financial restrictions that limits Cubas ability to carry out critical financial transactions, including those needed to advance its efforts to combat the pandemic. The economic deprivations to which U.S. sanctions contribute have resulted in the mass migration of Cubans, which is currently a major challenge to U.S. interests in border security, as well as causing a humanitarian crisis for the Cuban people that Bidens administration claims to support.

Removing Cuba from the list would facilitate Cubas ability to access critical foreign assistance and humanitarian aid. It would also advance legitimate U.S. security and humanitarian interests and help the future of the Cuban people.

CODEPINK plans on delivering this letter to various progressive congress members throughout the week including Jim McGovern, Bernie Sanders and Ilhan Omar. The group will also deliver the letter to opposition figures that continue to advocate for hostility towards Cuba including Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Menendez and Maria Elvira Salazar.

Excerpt from:
Calls for Biden to return to Obama policy and delist Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism grow louder - Common Dreams

LONDON, ENGLAND: The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be held on September 19 at Westminster Abbey, London, and some of the top world leaders will be marking their attendance. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Japan's Emperor Naruhito, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan are some of the leaders who will be seen at the Queens funeral. However, there will be a few who wont be seen at the state honor of the Queen. According to reports, former US President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former US President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reportedly not got an invite to the Queens funeral. The royal fans will also keep an eye on whether Meghan Markle will make an appearance at Queens funeral or not. For the unversed, the Queen will lie-in-state in Westminster Hall for four days to allow the common public to pay their respects. The Queen died on September 8 at the age of 96. READ MOREQueen Elizabeth II funeral details: Buckingham Palace reveals date, time, and monarchs final resting place

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Medical treatments delayed as hospitals cancel appointments for Queen Elizabeth's funeral

The former President Barack Obama and the former first lady Michelle Obama might not make it to the state funeral of the Queen. According to USA Today, the Obamas have not received an official invite for D-Day. Baracks close pal and US President Joe Biden will be marking his attendance with his wife Jill Biden. The Daily Beast reported that the UK government has decided only to extend invites to current heads of state and their spouses or partners, as opposed to letting each country send a delegation featuring members of their own choosing. Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W Bush have also not got the invitation.

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Donald Trump is another former world leader who might not be seen at the Queens funeral. Rumors are rife that he has been expecting an invite since he paid his condolences to the Queen after she died on September 8. However, just like other former US presidents, Trump too may not get an invitation.On his website, he wrote, as reported by the New York Post, Queen Elizabeths historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain. Her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world.

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The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September.

Prior to the State Funeral, The Queen will Lie-in-State in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects.

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It is not official whether Putin has been extended an invite for the Queens funeral or not, but he is likely to miss it due to Russia being at war with Ukraine since February 2022. Also, there have been reports of him facing severe health issues.

As for UK leaders, PM Liz Truss and Labour party leader Keir Starmer are expected to attend. The state funeral will also include members of the royal families of Spain, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

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An expert via Fox News shared that Meghan Markle might not attend the Queens funeral. Prince Harry and Meghan were already in the UK when the Queen died and Harry rushed to be with the rest of his family at Balmoral Castle. The royal expert believes that Meghan may return to California ahead of the funeral to be with their children, Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1. "Harry will likely stay in the UK until the funeral. I cant imagine Meghan wont attend, but again from a human perspective, Meghan was expecting to leave the kids for six days, not weeks, so [it] may not be possible for her to stay the whole time," said the expert.

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According to Sky News, the adorable corgis of the late Queen Elizabeth wont be able to attend the funeral to be held on September 19. Unfortunately, the 'no-dog' rule at Westminster Abbey will not allow the adorable pets to bid their Queen the final goodbye. It has been reported that dogs at the event will not be even permitted to walk on the grounds.

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Speaking of the Queens funeral, King Charles III will host a reception for all the overseas leaders on the evening before the funeral services at Buckingham Palace. The leaders of the state will be able to attend the lying-in-state of the queens body and sign the condolence book at Lancaster House. Leaders and their spouses have been advised to arrive on commercial flights. They are banned from using private state vehicles due to high security.

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Obamas, Trump, Putin and Queen's beloved corgis may not make it to the funeral, here's why - MEAWW

As expected, state Attorney General Maura Healey won the Democratic nomination for Massachusetts governor Tuesday, months after she effectively cleared the field and strode one step closer to making history as the first woman elected to lead the commonwealth and potentially break another ceiling as the first lesbian in the country elected to the corner office in a statehouse.

Big? Sure. And more on what Healeys political future might look like below. But her win was not the real Democratic headline coming out of Boston on Tuesday.

Instead, it was the slow-boil drama about Healeys running mate that kept Bay State insiders humming with the slightest uncertainty. Thats because one candidate in the lieutenant governor race had the states party leaders behind her, and the other had the clear backing of Barack Obama.

It was scarcely a secret that the Massachusetts Democratic Party favored Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll as a running mate for Healey, over state senator Eric Lesser, a 30-something idealist who got his start working on Obamas first campaign even before graduating from college.

Both candidates had their own appeals to the party base in Massachusetts, even if there wasnt a ton of daylight between them, or with state Rep. Tami Gouveia who placed a distant third. Driscoll campaigned as a steady insider, an even-handed figure who would help Healey shore up her support among female voters; the Healey-Driscoll ticket is the first time Massachusetts voters picked an all-female team for governor and lieutenant governor. Lesser, meanwhile, was a technocrats dream candidate, a former West Wing aide who worked on economic policy after graduating from his roles as human answering machine and one-man luggage manager.

[A needed disclosure and background: I have been friendly with Lesser for 15 years, dating to our mutual days traipsing through New Hampshire at the start of Obamas nascent bid. I am not unique in that regard among the press corps. In the White House, Lesser was the gatekeeper for Obama alter-ego David Axelrod, who hosted fundraisers for his former aide.]

Healey, of course, kept publicly neutral. But Driscoll won the endorsement at the state party convention in June and immediately became the person to beat. Lesser had seen the play before; after all, the unofficial posture of the Democratic Party in 2008 was that it was Hillary Clintons nomination to lose, until Obamas team short-circuited that conventional wisdom.

Still, an Obamaesque come-from-behind campaign is a once-in-a-generation accomplishment. And while the Obama alumni network came out in force and helped Lesser stay competitive in the money race, it couldnt match the power of a state political machine or an outside super PAC powered, in part, with Republican developers dollars. Even Lesser landing the coveted status symbol of a photo-op walking and chatting with his former top boss in Marthas Vineyard wasnt enough to spook the state party.

But while the lieutenant governor race stoked plenty of drama, Healeys glide path to her partys nomination is teeing up different conversations.

Massachusetts has an open race for governor this year. Charlie Baker, the popular Republican incumbent, opted for the exits after ex-President Donald Trump endorsed a primary challenger, Geoff Diehl, who won Tuesday night. It mirrored Maryland Gov. Larry Hogans choice to bypass another election. The same can be said for Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey. Rather than fight the MAGA Movement, the trio opted to find easier lives.

With Diehl as the nominee, Massachusetts is one of the Democratic Partys ripest chances to reduce their deficit in governorships. Republicans have a six-seat advantage over Democrats at the moment, although Trump-like GOP candidates in multiple states puts that number on shaky ground. Democratic meddling to boost perceived extremists hasnt hurt, either. (Unless, of course, those extremists win.)

Healeys now expected to win in the fall, raising new questions about her future. Few political insiders credibly think Healeys political career ends on Beacon Hill, and its entirely possible she could eventually be plucked for a federal posting. Shes been on the forefront of gun violence prevention for years, sued the Donald Trump administration almost 100 times, and has a turnkey LGBTQ fundraising advantage nationally that is potentially second only to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

And bear in mind: the governors office in Boston isnt a terrible launching pad for a presidential run: of the last six CEOs of Massachusetts, four have sought the White House. TwoMichael Dukakis and Mitt Romneycaptured the nomination. Of course, neither won.

Still, three of those four presidential contenders were white dudes, and all were straight. And, in a Democratic Party looking for change, a lesbian trainblazer with a powerful donor Rolodex could be mighty appealing, if not in 2024, then in 2028 or beyond. Massachusetts Democrats are betting this isnt Healeys last act. And, quietly, the most popular Democrat in the countrywho has an estate on Marthas Vineyardsuspects Lessers final act isnt written, either.

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Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com.

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Kimberly Driscoll Beats Obama's Pick in Mass Primary - TIME