Why CIA Director John Ratcliffe Secretly Went to Russia

Why CIA Director John Ratcliffe Secretly Went to Russia

Author: Jim Geraghty & Greg Corombos – Political Humor Commentary August 28, 2026 Duration: 26:35
Join Jim and Greg for the Friday 3 Martini Lunch as they weigh in on President Trump renaming Lake Ontario as the trade spat with Canada intensifies, Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman's pathetic example of an accomplishment, why CIA Director John Ratcliffe secretly went to Moscow, and Politico badly mischaracterizing Jim's reporting.

First, they shake their heads as President Trump orders Lake Ontario to be called Lake America in response to the U.S.-Canada trade relationship getting worse. Jim and Greg contend the renaming of  the lake doesn't accomplish anything, and Jim notes that our current trade policies only make life tougher for GOP candidates in the midterms.

Next, they get a kick out of socialist Los Angeles councilwoman and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman bragging about how her office successfully painted a new crosswalk across a badly cracked street just nine months after her constituents asked her to do it. 

Then, they react to new reporting from the Wall Street Journal that CIA Director John Ratcliffe recently went to Moscow in a secretive way to demand Russia refrain from attacking NATO members and reiterating that NATO members will defend their partners. Jim applauds Trump and Ratcliffe for sending that message but wants to know what intelligence prompted the trip and that message.

Finally, Jim vents after Politico blatantly distorts his reporting on a possible AOC presidential bid and makes other amateurish errors.

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Each day can feel like a barrage of headlines, a chaotic mix of the serious and the absurd. That’s where 3 Martini Lunch-Political Humor & Commentary comes in. Hosts Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos have built a following by sorting through the noise with a specific, effective ritual. They serve up the day’s events in three distinct parts they call "martinis": one for the genuinely good news, another for the frustratingly bad, and a final one reserved for the utterly crazy stories that defy belief. What you’ll hear in this podcast is a conversation that feels like sitting with two well-informed friends who aren’t afraid to be sharp, witty, or blunt. They analyze politics and culture with a perspective that cuts through partisan talking points, aiming for clarity and, often, a much-needed laugh. The pace is brisk and designed for a commute or a lunch break, but the commentary is substantial. Tuning into this podcast means getting a digest of what matters, framed with humor and insight that makes the whirlwind of news actually digestible. It’s a daily check-in that manages to be both smart and consistently entertaining, providing a structured way to understand the world without losing your sanity in the process.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

3 Martini Lunch – Political Humor & Commentary
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