Barnes Is Back, by John Bartel
Robert Barnes (RB) was in the hospital for almost two weeks with a back injury. He has been in pain. Doctor asked if he had been poisoned. RB said no. He voice was a little weak at the start, and he faded towards the end. He was in good spirits throughout.
Viva Frei asked RB to recount his election predictions, which were very accurate.
RB said he predicted in August 2024 that 150M-155M votes would get cast. Predicted Trump would get 75-77M votes (78M actual), Harris would get 72M-74M (74M actual), 312-319 Electoral Votes (312 actual).
In 2020 election, Biden got 81M votes. Won the Electoral College by carrying GA, AZ, and WI–by surprise drops of mail-in ballots. Democrats lost in 2024 because they did not realize they actually lost in 2020.
DOJ, Congress, and Governors could look at 2020 elections, or at down ticket state elections in 2024.
Prospects for reforming state counting rules are tough. It is difficult to get a consistent set of elections in the US for federal elections. There is one rule for presidential elections, and another rule for Congressional elections. Legal challenges are a quagmire.
Need a return to paper ballots with checking for valid IDs. Way to force this is for the federal government to cut funding to local election offices. This will get their attention.
RB on the threats to WW3, particularly latest Biden Admin decision to allow Ukraine to use American long-range missiles on targets inside Russia.
Trump is clearly working to get peace deals in motion prior to his inauguration. He reached out to Biden Admin to avoid escalation prior to his inauguration. Biden Admin does not appear to support.
Trump wants peace deals in Ukraine, Middle East (ME), North Korea, and Cuba. He wants peace deals quickly.
Cuban economy is in serious trouble. Lockdowns destroyed an economy based on tourism. Sees Rubio selection as Secretary of State as a way to make a Cuba deal and sell it to Cubans in Florida.
Claims that Trump met with a key ME money man at UFC event in Madison Squares Garden. Things are in motion but Trump is keeping his moves very quiet.
RB on Matt Gaetz (MG), Trump’s pick for DOJ AG.
Sees MG as the RFK Jr. of the right. He has family money, does not need politics. Is in office to make a difference. Is an enemy of the Deep State (DS). Defended 1/6 defendants and Alex Jones.
Was investigated by FBI over a sex with minors charge when MG was considering a run for a FL state position. Absurd charge, but very damaging publicity. Shows DS was scared of him. Charge was dropped after MG did not do a state run.
“MG as AG is the best example of the possibility of genuine reform, the best in my lifetime.”
A major lawyer is about to release a detailed discussion on recess appointments. Watch for it.
Believes Trump will get his cabinet picks. He is being very quiet on his approach, but he working very hard behind the scenes to get approval. Trump is careful in his battles. He believes Trump sees his primary mission before inauguration is peace in the world.
RB on attempts by DS/bureacracy to fight back.
Congress does not have political juice. Thune and Jonson are not McConnell, who had deep political support.
Trump is willing to do deals to get his picks approved. He is also signaling that there will be accountability for those in the executive branch who resist his orders.
The plan is being openly discussed to review the conduct of three and four star generals and admirals for their behavior over the past eight years. Sends a clear message that if they continue to play games there will be repercussions.
“Generals are used to smoking cigars over the Kennedy autopsy body. Now, it is retire early or you will get the Benedict Arnold treatment.”
Must see serious offenders facing real charges. Start with Gates, Soros, and Fauci. One at least must face prosecution.
Believes Trump has a coordinated plan to defang both the war machine and domestic lawfare. Does not expect he will release this publicly until after inauguration. He has his opponents guessing–wants to keep it that way. He sees his opponents as weak and confused. They don’t understand Trump, RFK Jr., Tulsi.
RB on how to avoid future problems after Trump’s term is up.
Must be genuine relief for vaccine injuries.
Must be genuine relief for crime/damage by illegal aliens.
Need consequences to extend to both political parties.
We need full institutional reform. Should have a lawfare committee and a pardon committee. Make it a learning experience by showing the impact on individual victims.
RB on farmers and RFK Jr.
RFK’s first clients were farmers and fishermen. Farmers should be close friends with RFK.
RFK has said that environmentalism has been turned into making CO2 the number one issue. Total disconnect. We need clean air, clean water, healthy food.
Amish farmers love RFK. Their eyes light up when his name is mentioned.
Big Agriculture does not like RFK, for good reason!
RB said he has never been a fan of military tribunals.
Comment on Anne Selzer, long-time Iowa pollster retiring.
She was never that good at polling. Could poll Democrat Caucas, but totally failed repeatedly on Republican Caucus.
Her last poll before election was typically within 1-2 points of final results. This time she picke Harris +3. Trump won Iowa +14. Selzer is a phoney, got paid off and is now history.
Accurate polling is very difficult. You talk to one thousand people and then predict how 160M voters are going to vote. Is this possible? There is an art and a science to polling. The best pollsters, like Baris, are always reviewing their methodology, looking for biases or errors.
RB on the rumored naming of Thomas Massie as Secretary of Agriculture: “Perfect!”
RB on Rubio as Secretary of State.
Rubio’s father was from Cuba. Rubio, like his father, is anti-Castro.
Rubio has no strong beliefs. Trump views him as a good diplomat and a good delivery guy.
Likens Rubio to Obama. Both like prestige, but neither one is a policy nerd.
Believes Rubio will follow Trump’s effort to broker peace deals on all the major world hot spots.
RB promised to discuss Alex Jones/Infowars, but ran out of energy at the end. If he is feeling up to it, he will join Richard Baris on his What Are the Odds podcast on 11/18.
https://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/barnes-is-back/
