Part 2/8:
Payne opened by referencing his long absence from public speaking at such events, emphasizing how much America has changed over the past fifteen years. He expressed gratitude for the work being done by those in the room and shared his relief that the recent elections did not yield the catastrophic outcomes that some had feared. He subtly critiqued traditional media and polling failures, noting that their influence has waned, thereby giving rise to a more dynamic political landscape.