Pro-GOP 'Ruthless' podcast hosts provide 'tips' to Democrats for tackling hostile media ahead of RNC
!['Do not lie this week': Pro-GOP 'Ruthless' podcast hosts provide 'tips' to Democrats for tackling hostile media ahead of RNC](https://dxltb3n5j8l6j.cloudfront.net/704963/uploads/d9d04740-4141-11ef-a0bd-cdb1b1e11ba2_1200_630.jpeg)
WASHINGTON, DC: Former GOP aides who now host the well-liked 'Ruthless' podcast provided a "boot camp" for their Democratic counterparts on Capitol Hill, who are suddenly up against a hostile media that doubts President Joe Biden's acuity.
"Let me just start with a couple of truths in American politics that we all know and are very familiar with," 'Ruthless' co-host John Ashbrook began the tongue-in-cheek lesson on Tuesday's episode, July 9.
"The first one is that the easiest job in town is Democrat press secretary. The second is that Democrat hearts are notoriously cold and power hungry. Republican hearts are big and giving. That's just the way it is," Ashbrook added.
'Ruthless' podcast co-host John Ashbrook says Democrat press secretaries never worked a day
"And here, as a display of bipartisanship, we know that these Democrat press secretaries have never in their careers had to do their job a single day. So we thought as Republicans we could provide a few tips for them to keep in mind as they are fielding questions from reporters they've never before fielded," Ashbrook said, per Fox News.
Co-host Michael Duncan provides tips for Democrat press secretaries on handling reporters
The first piece of advice came from co-host Michael Duncan and dealt with how Democratic press secretaries should respond to reporters when confronted on Capitol Hill.
"You may not be used to this when you're walking around the Capitol with your boss, but when you're in an elevator and it gets to the floor and the doors open, you're gonna see reporters there," Duncan said.
"This may be new to you, but they're gonna have questions that you have to answer. And so what you're gonna want to do is huddle with your boss before that door opens and figure out what his statement or her statement will be," he added.
![Joe Biden reacts as supporters greet Joe Biden with a light display showing Georgians love for Joe Biden at his debate watch party at Hyatt Regency Atlanta on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for DNC)](https://pisco-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/0dee9cb1-a393-496a-ab59-5d8d8d95bdef.jpg)
"You mean something other than like, ‘How’s your day? Or what's your favorite color?'" co-host Josh Holmes chimed in. "Well, there's no Donald Trump tweet for them to read for you to react to," Duncan quipped.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), previously had Holmes, Duncan, and Ashbrook as top aides and campaign strategists.
![Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Festival Park on June 18, 2024 in Racine, Wisconsin. This is Trump's third visit to Wisconsin, a key swing state in 2024. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)](https://pisco-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/7fd6111a-59d3-457f-9406-4ad118086314.jpg)
Co-host Comfortably Smug floats 'cheat code' for Democrat staffers
Fellow co-host Comfortably Smug gave a "cheat code" for the Democrat staffers, telling them "you can just hold your phone up to your ear" and "have your member act like they're on the phone."
Holmes warned his colleagues across the aisle that they're "gonna get more than one request" from the media "on a question that you're not going to like."
"And they're not going to pre-vet your answer," Holmes continued. "You can't send them an email back and be like, ‘How does this sound?’ and have them send you something back being like ‘Well, maybe you should edit this, that and the other because it would sound better in my write up.'"
"Even worse, Josh, they might provide you a deadline in which you have to respond, and you have to answer, or they're gonna publish it," Duncan responded. "My God!" Holmes exclaimed before warning Democrats they "may not be able to read the story before it goes to print."
John Ashbrook's final tip for the liberal press secretaries on Capitol Hill
'Ruthless' co-host John Ashbrook's final tip for the liberal press secretaries on Capitol Hill was to "not lie." "The press won't let you get away with it," Ashbrook said. "This week, one week only, do not lie this week."
"It will come back. It will come back," Holmes continued, hoping things would soon return to normal.
Netizens give mixed response to GOP aides' friendly advice to Democrats
Internet users were divided after the 'Ruthless' podcast hosts gave their suggestions to Democrats on how to tackle media effectively. This comes at a time when Joe Biden's campaign is subjected to heavy scrutiny from the media not only in the US but from other parts of the world as well.
One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, "Media is not what it used to be and that is what is disappointing and that is why you always have to stay vigilant and those as such who only listen to one side of things."
"I just want to know who is running the country right now," tweeted another.
"The GOP needs to focus on winning, not advising Dems," remarked one, and someone else penned, "Why would you make such comments 'Republicans have big heart ?' Naahh You lost it there."
Media is not what it used to be and that is what is disappointing and that is why you always have to stay vigilant and those as such who only listen to one side of things
— jennifer Kuwasaki Ouchi (@HawaiianHawk808) July 13, 2024
The GOP needs to focus on winning, not advising Dems.
— TruthAndLoveWin (@TruthAndLoveWin) July 13, 2024
Why would you make such comments "Republicans have big heart ?"
— jan.a.man37 (@man37_a) July 13, 2024
Naahh
You lost it there
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.