America Isn't Failing—So Why Do We Think It Is?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
Now is your time to get into a new DR. Horton home by taking advantage of its national Red Tag sales event this Friday, July 10th, through Sunday, August 2nd. Stop by any of its participating communities and find select Red Tag homes at incredible pricing. So whether you're buying your first home or looking for an upgrade, you don't want to miss the Red Tag sales event starting this Friday. Discover the DR. Horton difference. Visit drhorton.com. DR. Horton, America's builder, an equal housing opportunity builder.

**Michael Smerconish** (0:30)
Energy, it's more than a utility. It's what powers all life's moments and possibilities for generations to come. It's what helps build brighter futures for all. So no matter how the world and its energy needs change, Southern Company's commitment to meeting those needs stays the same. They're continuously looking forward, forecasting how to support communities and deliver clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy. And that means together, we're ready for what's next. Learn more at southerncompany.com.
Southern Company, building the future of energy.

**SPEAKER_3** (1:04)
Welcome to The Smerconish Podcast for Independent Minds.

**Michael Smerconish** (1:08)
So I was immensely proud of my CNN program on Saturday, entirely pre-recorded. A lot of effort went into it. I delivered an opening commentary where I talked about the juxtaposition or contradiction, maybe a better word, of the polling data in terms of how we are viewed around the planet versus those who've come for the World Cup and the word that they are transmitting back home through social media and a lot of interviews. I mean, the media all kind of chasing the story of, hey, they love Buc-E's and they love Costco and they love our food and they love us and they're having a good time, which is, which is kind of cool. So I did that and then, as I gave you a sneak peek here last Thursday, aired an interview that I did with Senators Fetterman and McCormick from the Jewish History Museum. It's called the Weizmann now in Philadelphia, because it has this superb perch looking down on Independence Hall. And so I was able to corral both United States senators from Pennsylvania to join me a couple of days in advance of the fourth. And we recorded the interview and the whole thing ran in excess of 16 minutes, which is a long time. That's an opening commentary for me here on POTUS, but in television speak, that's like half the programming, but it was just extraordinary. And what was the point? The point is that McCormick and Fetterman have significant policy differences, but they get along. They have a warm and cordial relationship, and they spoke about it at length. And it was just great to have them with this message of civility, speaking in anticipation of the fourth and then airing on my program. So I loved that. Rosie Rios, who's been a guest here on POTUS and is the chair of America 250, not to be confused with the activities that the White House began undertaking on their own. She was a guest. Jennifer Serangelo, who's the president and CEO of Points of Light, where I'm now affiliated as a board member, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteerism and civic activity.
And then I did a closing commentary as well. Oh, and we also had, I was going to say Linda McMahon. And then Dan would correct me and say, no, you're thinking of the Vince McMahon's wife, Sharon McMahon. I got it right. Sharon McMahon, you know, America's history teacher, who's written a couple of best selling books, most recently a picture book about America. Anyway, she was a guest as well. It was terrific.
It was just great. So I watched the July 4th program. As a matter of fact, I watched it with my mother. I am 64 You can do the math. Mom is at a milestone, and it was great to watch the program that we'd worked so hard to put together. And I enjoyed it. And it's kind of a unique experience for me to be able to, yes, of course, I can on demand. I can watch my program, but to actually watch it in real time is a unique experience for me. And I really enjoyed that. And then, as I discussed in the first hour of the program, attended Paraguay and France from Philadelphia, which was my third World Cup match. Three and out. I'm not going to anymore. Although I looked at, just for shits and giggles, I looked at the pricing for the final match in North Jersey. I guess they're calling it the new, you know, MetLife Stadium.
And the cheapest ticket I was looking at was like 20K.