And now, from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, the Axviles, with your

host, David Axelrod.

I first got to meet Steve Schmidt from a distance when we were opposite numbers in the 2008 presidential

campaign.

He is the strategist for John McCain and me for Barack Obama.

I knew him then as a fierce and incisive competitor.

But I learned later when we became friends was all about the passion he brought for American

history, for the country, for service.

These days Steve is known as an outspoken, never-trumper seen on MSNBC with rumblings that he

might turn up in a Democratic campaign in 2020.

I sat down with Steve before the apprehension of the Florida bomber and the tragic events

in Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life congregation.

Our thoughts and prayers of course are with all the victims and their families.

One other thing, election day is coming up on November 6th, early voting is going on

in almost every state by now that has it.

Whatever your persuasion in this year's election seems particularly important.

So please get out there and vote.

Steve Schmidt, I've been stalking you all these years brother, just to get this podcast

done.

We're finally together here in California.

We're both at the Schwarzenegger Institute today, which was fun.

Talking about civility and politics, which seems like a timely topic.

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