We’re so honored to welcome back the brilliant Bill Whittle. His first appearance on The Paul Leslie Hour was back on episode #689.
Mr. Whittle is a California-based commentator on politics, news and history. He’s the owner of BillWhittle.com and hosts and produces some of the most exceptional content you’ll find.
Bill Whittle is joining us for a quick interview to talk about America’s Ultimate Election. Yes, it is Election Day 2024. Have you voted? Please, please, please get to the polls.
And after you do that, really quickly subscribe to this show and share this interview with someone who you think will enjoy it.
And with that, let’s get this show underway.
You can read a full transcript of the interview below.
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Political commentator Bill Whittle discusses the 2024 election and the shifting dynamics in American politics. In a conversation with Paul Leslie, Whittle explores why the labels “Republican” and “Democrat” may be outdated, contrasting the outsider-driven Trump campaign with the insider-focused Harris campaign, and emphasizing the unstoppable movement away from political elites.
“The labels of Republican and Democrat don’t make sense anymore”
Paul Leslie
Hello, Bill Whittle. Thank you so much for making a few moments to speak with me.
Bill Whittle
My pleasure.
Paul Leslie
Well, it’s a very busy time for you. I know you’ve been creating the election special on BillWhittle.com, and I’m looking forward to that. We have just a few minutes here, and it’s a great pleasure to talk to you yet again.
Bill Whittle
Well, same for me.
Paul Leslie
Thank you, Bill. How would you describe where America is at on Election Day, 2024?
Bill Whittle
Just as we’re talking, I’m putting the finishing touches on my Election Day video called The Outside Inside. My case is that these labels we’re so used to—Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative—don’t really make sense anymore. When you have a Republican former vice president endorsing the Democrat, and a former Democrat candidate for president endorsing the Republican, things are clearly realigning. I think this election is actually about insiders versus outsiders, which explains why so many working-class men have left the Democratic Party; they’re tired of being told what to do by the insiders.
I created a graph, which took a lot of research, covering the last 80 years of presidential elections. If you look at them as Republicans and Democrats, it’s almost a perfect shuffle—one party, then the other, back and forth. But when I labeled each president as either an insider or an outsider, meaning whether he was a populist or believed the government knew best, a pattern emerged. In the last 40 years, it’s been insiders almost entirely, with only one exception—2016. What we’re seeing now is a reaction against four decades of being governed by people who don’t respect, admire, or even understand the American people. That’s how I think this election is shaping up on Election Day 2024.
“One of them has more character than he knows what to do with, and the other one hasn’t got any at all”
Paul Leslie
That’s really something. I watched your commentary about the iconic photos of Trump, and since then, another iconic one has emerged. Can you tell us more about the difference between the Trump and Harris campaigns?
Bill Whittle
The third photo—are you referring to the one with the garbage truck?
Paul Leslie
Yes.
Bill Whittle
So now we have three images of Trump: the one with him under the flag with his fist in the air, the McDonald’s drive-thru window shot, and the garbage truck scene. The first one, where he raises his fist after being shot at, is as spontaneous as politics gets. His courage there, sticking his head up, is intrinsic to him—he’s brave in every sense. Then, the McDonald’s and garbage truck photos reveal his showmanship instincts. Three days after Romney lost in 2012, I predicted that the next Republican president would come from pop culture, not a think tank. He had to be someone who understood media and the power of imagery, which is exactly what Trump has done so effectively.
Contrast that with Kamala Harris. Think back on her campaign in 2020—what image of her stands out? Probably none. She stood behind microphones, didn’t really say anything memorable, and there were no powerful images. It’s just her mouthing platitudes. That’s the fundamental difference between these two candidates: one has more character than he knows what to do with, and the other one hasn’t got any at all.
“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst”
Paul Leslie
Very well put. You mentioned in the McDonald’s video that you believe Trump may secure a non-consecutive term. Do you think there’s any chance of a surprise?
Bill Whittle
There’s always a chance. My advice for anyone going into this election, especially with all the tension, is to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. If Trump wins, the left will lose its mind, and we’ll see a mental health crisis like never before. If it goes Harris’s way, then I want to be on the side that takes it like adults.
This movement from insiders to outsiders is bigger than this election. We’ll see on Tuesday if the country has shifted enough from inside to outside. If yes, then we get a soft landing and can start repairing the damage. If not, then we wait another four years for more people to see it as insiders versus outsiders. But this shift is unstoppable. It’s not about Trump; it’s about people voting against being told what to do by rule-makers who don’t play by the rules themselves. Even if Harris wins, that shift will keep growing.
“Trump… seems to be having more fun this time”
Paul Leslie
Are there any missteps or weaknesses you observed in the Trump campaign?
Bill Whittle
No, I think he’s run a pretty flawless campaign. He’s been less antagonistic and seems to be having more fun. That change is drawing in people who didn’t vote for him before. He’s mellowed a bit—not softened, just enjoying himself more. The Rogan interview went well too; he sat and talked for three hours. Harris, on the other hand, couldn’t handle 20 minutes on there, I’d bet. I don’t think she’s had a three-hour conversation about anything in her life.
Paul Leslie
What do you think was the biggest misstep for the Harris-Waltz campaign?
Bill Whittle
The “Hitler” rhetoric has been one of their biggest mistakes. People have grown tired of hearing that Trump is fascist or Hitler. Thirty to forty percent of the country may believe it, but constantly dodging questions and relying on slander isn’t a winning strategy. Calling Trump “Hitler” equates political disagreements to the Holocaust, which is tragic and disrespectful to actual Holocaust victims. It’s not just a misstep; it’s wrong. If I’d handled the rhetoric, I’d have focused on that, especially with the Jewish vote, making it clear how damaging this rhetoric is. But they’ve ignored that.
“Get out and vote, and let’s make a point”
Paul Leslie
Bill Whittle, it’s been wonderful to speak with you. Do you have any closing comment for our listeners?
Bill Whittle
First of all, if you haven’t voted, get out there—it’s going to depend on turnout. If you’re on the fence, know that your vote counts, even in places like California where Republicans usually have no chance. Trump is in a good spot to win the popular vote, and I want us to win decisively. Let’s make it so there’s no argument about who won. No matter where you are, go out and vote. And remember, if things don’t go our way, don’t forget: the government is not the country.