Tues Blogcast: War expands; Melania at the UN; Buy Colorado; Health care $

Just One Thing: Trump makes the rounds

Apparently, President Trump decided that, as I had suggested yesterday (but not because I suggested it), that he needed to do a better job explaining this war to the American public. So he did a lot of short interviews with various reporters.

Here's a report about his interview with NewsNation: Trump says US will retaliate following service member deaths, drone attack

Here's CNN's Jake Tapper's recounting their conversation. To me the most interesting part is Trump saying that the "big wave", i.e. the biggest attack, hasn't happened yet.

Today's Guests

Ricardo Baca joins the show to discuss the second anniversary of Buy Colorado Day, a movement designed to celebrate and support local brands. This initiative, now a week-long event, aims to boost the state's business climate during the traditionally slow month of March. Buy Colorado Day | Promoting Colorado Brands to Consumers Across the Globe, Every March 3

Leland Vittert joins the show to share his insights on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Drawing on his experience living and working in the region, he examines why Iran is taking actions that risk turning its neutral neighbors into adversaries. "On Balance with Leland Vittert" on NewsNation

Leland Vittert's War Notes

Paul Markovich is CEO and President of Ascendiun, a nonprofit and ultimate parent company of Blue Shield of California, joins the show to provide a deep dive into the complexities of the American healthcare system. He explores the underlying factors driving up costs and discusses potential paths toward making healthcare more affordable and accessible. Paul Markovich - AHIP

The War

About 2 1/2 hours before the stock market opens (about 5 AM Tuesday as I write this), stock index futures are sharply lower with S&P futures down 1.6% and NASDAQ futures down more than 2%. Oil, which was up about $4 yesterday, is up another $5.60 today, and bond yields are rising for two possible primary reasons: Fear of a bit of inflation due to higher energy prices and investors basically just selling everything but oil.

This may also be a reason for the sell-off...when Jamie Dimon speaks, a lot of people listen:

JPMorgan CEO Dimon Says Markets Too Exuberant for ‘Fine’ Economic Outlook - Bloomberg

US urges citizens to immediately leave over a dozen Middle East countries | Conflict News | Al Jazeera

Amazon says drone strikes damaged 3 facilities in UAE and Bahrain

A thought on the Iran war: I support the strike and I won’t come back later if it doesn’t work out well and pretend that I didn’t. I did get something right, or at least the administration clearly has pivoted to what I said they should do: stop talking about regime change as a goal.

I wish they'd pick a reason and stick to it (and that it was the truth): Don’t Say ‘War’? - NOTUS — News of the United States

Which is it? White House offers shifting rationales for war with Iran - The Washington Post

On yesterday's show I repeatedly talked about how I thought it was a big mistake for Trump (and Lindsey Graham) to have talked about regime change as an explicit objective of the current war. Because you should not make an objective of something you're unlikely to achieve. Starting yesterday, that talking point vanished from administration commentary. Secretary Hegseth didn't say it. Secretary Rubio didn't say it. And I don't think Trump said it. This doesn't mean they don't want regime change but they might be fine with what Niall Ferguson calls "regime alteration", not nearly as sexy to talk about. Niall Ferguson: Khamenei May Be Gone, but Iran 2026 Is Not Iraq 2003

Probably not: Iran Strikes: Can US Air Power Alone Win a War? - Bloomberg

Other Stuff

Buy some Denver history, but be prepared for big repair bills: Denver’s historic Brown Palace Hotel listed for sale

This is fantastic. Fast production, low cost. Must scare the big DoD contractors bigly. Iran strike was Pentagon's 1st use of 1-way drones, CENTCOM says - ABC News

Texas holds its primary elections today. It seems somewhat likely that the Dems will nominate their weaker candidate (crazy troll Jasmine Crockett) and that the Republicans will be forced into a runoff where they might well nominate their weaker candidate (Ken Paxton, vs the more electable John Cornyn). 2026 Polls: Texas Senate - 270toWin

Texas Senate primary becomes most expensive in U.S. history as spending tops $110M | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth

Do people not care about scandals anymore? - The Washington Post

A mess in Texas? What to watch in Tuesday's primaries | AP News

If it’s happening, it’s almost certainly legal even if unethical or in violation of an employment contract. Making it illegal is tempting although there’s an interesting argument against it. ‘Insane This Is Legal’: Democrats Allege Trumpworld Insiders May Be Betting on War in Iran - NOTUS — News of the United States

A little levity, even about a war: Iranian Generals Kicking Themselves For Not Just Meeting Over Zoom | Babylon Bee

How about the cojones on this guy? Newsom blames Trump for higher gas prices, ‘war that no one wants’ - POLITICO

Are you gonna try it? McDonald’s Big Arch Burger is coming to the US — here’s when and how much it will cost

This is "cringe": McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski ruthlessly mocked over viral video tasting Big Arch burger

Two Supreme Court stories:

California can't tell school teachers not to inform parents if kids are using different gender pronouns and names: Supreme Court blocks California restrictions on schools notifying parents about students' transgender status

An interesting gun lawsuit: Supreme Court skeptical of law banning drug users from possessing firearms - SCOTUSblog

We're lucky to not be dependent on imported natural gas!