The Politics Guys

Heather Cox Richardson on Trump 2.0 Nov 20, 2024

Mike welcomes back Heather Cox Richardson, a professor of history at Boston College and author of the “Letters from an American” Substack. Professor Richardson is also the author of Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, which has recently come out in paperback.

Topics Mike & Heather discuss include:

- why the elections went so well for Republicans

- why Harris’ messaging failed to carry the day

- the media and political misinformation

- leftism and liberalism in contemporary America

- voter (mis)understanding of economics

- why Heather is still optimistic

Here's Mike’s 2023 interview with Heather Cox Richardson.

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Can The GOP Govern? Nov 19, 2024

Elections have consequences for the winning and losing parties. Justin and Jay start this midweek supporters’ episode by discussing how united Republicans are, whether Republicans are ever united, and where there might be dissent that potentially sinks Trump's policy priorities. For the Democrats, will the coalition hold? What does the future of the party look like? Or is it all just the economy?

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Fundamentals Matter, Trump’s Cabinet Takes Shape Nov 16, 2024

Jay and Justin open by explaining why the election results weren’t really all that surprising – at least for those who believe that fundamentals matter more than candidates or campaign strategies. That said, Jay and Justin agree that Republicans generally fielded stronger candidates this time around than they did in the 2022 midterms, which probably helped them to maintain control of the House and retake the Senate.

Following that they turn to President-Elect Trump’s cabinet picks, from mainstream choices like Marco Rubio to more unconventional selections like Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz, and RFK Jr.

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Putin, Power, Sanctions, and Economic Power Nov 13, 2024

Trey talks with Stephanie Baker, author of the new book Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia.

Topics Trey and Stephanie discuss include:

- Putin's rise to power

- the economic transition in Russia

- the size and scope of sanctions on Russia

- the effectiveness of sanctions on Russia

- the future of Russia under Putin

- the war in Ukraine

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The 14th Amendment and Sexual Discrimination Nov 12, 2024

A discussion of the history of the 14th Amendment as it relates to sexual discrimination. Cases of focus include:

Frontiero v. Richardson
Craig v Boren
United States v Virigina
Obergefell v Hodges

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The 2024 Election Aftermath and Germany Nov 09, 2024

Trey and Ken delve into the aftermath of the 2024 election, focusing on Pennsylvania and the contested Senate race. Trey notes the Wall Street Journal has declared a Republican winner, while Ken holds out hope that the New York Times has not. They also examine the remaining House races and what the losses mean for Democrats. Ken sees it primarily as a messaging issue, but Trey believes there are structural issues with Democrats. They both agree that the American electorate wants closed borders and Democrats will be forced to respond. The pair also discuss the ballot initiatives on abortion.

They close the show by discussing the German parliament, including a breakdown of the coalition government. Ken believes it is a tilt to the right globally and examines its reasons.

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Trump Wins Big – Election Reactions Nov 06, 2024

In this special post-election episode, Mike, Trey, Ken, and May get together to discuss their initial thoughts in the wake of Donald Trump’s biggest win to date. They talk about the issues, the campaigns, fundamentals, shrinking vs growing electoral coalitions, what to expect from a second Trump term, where Democrats should go from here, and lots more.

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Crummy Candidates, Why Trump Won’t End Democracy Nov 05, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of why so many Americans aren’t happy with their presidential choices. Mike points out that this is a relatively new thing, and he and Jay agree that changes to the nomination process and social media have played a significant role in this.

That leads Mike to wonder if there’s any way out of our crummy candidate, two-party doom loop. He isn’t optimistic but thinks there’s at least an outside chance that a popular centrist billionaire could make a real run at the presidency as an independent, mentioning Mark Cuban as a possibility.

They end with Mike explaining why, although he thinks a second Trump presidency will be awful, it won’t end democracy – and it might even be a good thing for Democrats in the medium to long term.

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Special Post-Election Episode Announcement Nov 03, 2024

Just a quick message to let you know that we'll be recording a special 'all hands on deck' post-election episode of The Politics Guys on Wednesday, November 6. It should be in your feed sometime after 6pm Eastern Standard Time that day.

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Closing Arguments, Newspaper Non-Endorsements Nov 01, 2024

Mike and Jay open this final pre-election episode with a look at the closing arguments of Trump and Harris, with a focus on Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally. Mike is feeling fairly pessimistic but thinks that Harris may have an edge in voter enthusiasm and grassroots organization that might just put her over the top. Jay argues that while Trump should be taken seriously but not literally, Harris should be taken neither seriously nor literally.

From there they turn to a discussion of the non-endorsements by USA Today, the LA Times, and the Washington Post. Mike sees in this wealthy media owners hoping to avoid being included on Trump’s enemies list should he regain the presidency. Jay doesn’t exactly buy that, but he agrees with Mike that journalism is under more threat than it has been in recent memory.

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Political Tribalism: Hatreds We Love Oct 30, 2024

Mike talks with Stephen J. Ducat, an author, political psychologist, psychoanalyst, and former psychology professor in the School of Humanities at New College of California. They discuss Professor Ducat’s most recent book, Hatreds We Love: The Psychology of Political Tribalism in Post-Truth America.

Topics Mike and Stephen discuss include:

- why tribal loyalty often overrides material self-interest

- demonizing outsiders to reinforce in-group virtue

- conservative disgust vs liberal disdain

- the ‘malignant, intuitive genius’ of Donald Trump

- the dark side of political purity

- the importance of being morally multi-lingual

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Is Donald Trump Really a Fascist? Oct 29, 2024

Jay and Justin spend the entirety of this midweek supporters' episode discussing the F word: fascism. It’s been explicitly applied to Donald Trump recently by not only Democrats but several of his former staffers as well. What is fascism? How does it differ from other forms of authoritarianism? Does Donald Trump tick enough boxes to be one?

While Trump exhibits some concerning authoritarian tendencies - like his admiration for strong leaders and inflammatory rhetoric about "corrupting the blood of America" - the reality is more nuanced than simple labels suggest.

Trump's isolationist views contradict traditional fascist expansionism, and his approach differs from historical European fascism's philosophical roots. Justin and Jay emphasize that while Trump may check some fascist boxes, applying the term requires careful consideration of historical context and specific characteristics.

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More Election Predictions, Polling Problems, Trump's Tariff Talk Oct 26, 2024

Jay and Justin open this episode with their predictions for the upcoming presidential election, with Justin forecasting a narrow Harris victory and Jay expecting Trump to return to the White House. They also discuss how traditional polling methods might be missing key voter segments and how social desirability bias could affect Trump supporters' willingness to participate in polls.

Next, they look at early voting patterns and Republican voter registration trends, which they agree could be favorable indicators for Trump. They examine the challenges of predicting likely voters and how different pollsters' methods can yield radically different results from the same raw data.

They close by considering Trump's recent proposal for widespread tariffs, including a potential 10-20% baseline tariff on all imports and 60% on Chinese goods. Jay, drawing on traditional Republican free-market principles, expresses serious concerns about these proposals, while both hosts discuss how such policies could impact the American economy. They explore the mythology of 1950s American industrialism and why attempting to recreate that era through tariffs might be both impractical and economically harmful.

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2024: The Inflection Election Oct 23, 2024

Mike talks with Mark Green, founder of The Democracy Project, twice-elected Public Advocate for New York City, and the author of multiple books, the latest being, The Inflection Election: Democracy or Fascism in 2024?, which they discuss in this episode.

Topics Mike and Mark discuss include:

- the importance of the 2024 presidential election

- if Donald Trump is a fascist

- if Trump is an existential threat to American democracy

- why Mike has more faith in the Supreme Court than Mark does

- the rise of right-wing populism in democracies around the world

- election integrity and public faith in elections

- responsibility for the ‘culture wars’

- if Trump is so awful, why nearly half of all voters support him

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Election Predictions, GA Hand Count Ruling, Trump and Harris on China Oct 22, 2024

Mike and May open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with their predictions for control of the Senate and House, where they agree that Republicans are all but a lock to win the upper chamber and that things look somewhat more promising for Democrats in the House.

Then they turn to a recent ruling in Georgia in which a judge enjoined an election rule that would have required hand counting of ballots to ensure they match the total number of votes tallied electronically. Neither Mike nor May have a problem with the change as such, but they agree that it comes too soon before the election.

After that they discuss China, which they agree is the greatest foreign threat to the United States, and consider what China policy would look like in a Trump or a Harris administration.

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Kamala Harris vs Fox News, Fearless Election Predictions Oct 18, 2024

Mike and May open with a discussion of Kamala Harris’ interview with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier. Mike thinks there were several missed opportunities for Harris, while May argues that Harris is a policy lightweight. Mike believes that the focus on immigration and gender transition surgery for inmates says a lot about what matters to the Fox audience, as does the lack of attention paid to healthcare, abortion, Ukraine, and China.

Then they turn to the state of the race and make their presidential predictions – they both think Harris will eke out a win, though neither of them are at all sure about the outcome. In making their prediction, they explain what gives them reason for optimism and what makes them feel pessimistic about the potential outcome.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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AI, Silicon Valley, and the Future of American Politics Oct 16, 2024

Mike talks with Pedro Domingos, Professor Emeritus of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. He’s an AI researcher, tech industry insider, and author of the best-selling book The Master Algorithm: How the Quest for the Ultimate Learning Machine Will Remake Our World. Recently, he’s turned his hand to political fiction, in the often hilariously funny novel 2040: A Silicon Valley Satire, which is very funny but also has plenty to say about serious issues facing us concerning technology and politics/

Topics Mike and Pedro discuss include:

- why we should speed up, not slow down AI development

- the serious AI dominance threat from China

- why our big concern should be incompetent AI

- AI transparency and bias

- how AI makes direct democracy possible

- the limits of AI direct democracy

- reasons to be optimistic about AI and politics

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Election Lawsuits, Trump v Harris on the Economy, EPA Lead Pipe Rule Oct 15, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a look at the over 100 lawsuits that have already been filed and how they’re likely to affect the outcome and aftermath of what’s almost sure to be an extremely close presidential race.

Next, they turn to a new analysis of how Trump and Harris’ platforms would affect the economy. Mike argues that Jay should be even more concerned about Trump given how much worse his proposals look for the national debt, even after considering lighter regulation in a Trump administration. Jay isn’t fond of all the spending that will almost certainly take place in a Trump administration, but thinks that in the end, a Republican in the White House – even Donald Trump – will be better for the economy.

Then it’s a look at a new rule from the EPA that mandates the removal of all lead water pipes in the next decade. Mike thinks it’s a good rule, but wishes the federal government fully funded it. Jay is no fan of leaded drinking water, but is more skeptical about the benefits of the rule relative to the costs.

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FEMA Lies, SCOTUS Returns, Harris and 60 Minutes Oct 12, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the lies told by Donald Trump and JD Vance about FEMA in the wake of disaster relief efforts for hurricanes Helene and Milton. They also get FEMA’s role and whether the agency should be doing more in advance of ever-increasing major natural disasters.

Next is a discussion of oral arguments in two major cases that opened the Supreme Court’s new term – one involving ghost guns and another in which the state of Oklahoma admits prosecutorial misconduct in a death penalty case.

They close with what may be a new media strategy from Kamala Harris, and a look at her 60 Minutes interview, as well as Donald Trump’s call for CBS to have its broadcast license revoked.

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Faith and Community: Religious Engagement and Politics Oct 09, 2024

Mike talks with Rebecca Glazier, a Professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Professor Glazier is the Director of the Little Rock Congregations Study and the author of the book Faith and Community: How Engagement Strengthens Members, Places of Worship, and Society, which they discuss in this episode.

Topics Mike and Rebecca Cover Include:

- the forms of religious engagement

- religious engagement and political efficacy

- the tension between community engagement and partisanship

- engagement in liberal and conservative congregations

- declining institutional authority and religious organizations

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The 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause Oct 08, 2024

This 14th Amendment Constitution episode focuses on the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Topics include The context of the 14th Amendment's ratification, Plessy v Ferguson, Brown v Board of Education, and the history behind Thurgood Marshall and the NCAAP.

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The Vice-Presidential Debate, Israel-Iran, Dockworkers' Strike Oct 04, 2024

Trey and Ken start with the Vice-Presidential debate. The conversation begins with an explanation of rejecting the horse-race narrative of analyzing debates and how the VP debate won’t change voting patterns. They also discuss the stability of the presidential polling numbers despite assassination attempts and a candidate dropping out. Next, they look at Iran’s recent missile barrage on Israel. The hosts also discuss Israel’s tactics against Hezbollah. They end the show with a sharp debate over the dockworkers’ strike.

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Trump’s Appeal, Vance Dossier, 2nd Amendment Oct 01, 2024

Jay and Justin open the midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of the appellate oral arguments over Donald Trump's civil fraud conviction, with a focus on the legal case, process, and political implications. They then turn their attention to the Vance Dossier hack and leak. While the document itself is not a page-turner, it raises important questions about media ethics and campaign security. Finally, they examine recent and less recent 2nd Amendment Supreme Court cases and the role and limits of historical analysis in interpreting the Constitution.

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Zelensky Visit, Harris on Immigration, Adams and Robinson Scandals Sep 28, 2024

Jay and Justin start with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the US, then move to Kamala Harris's visit to the border to talk immigration policy. They wrap up with a pair of political scandals: New York Mayor Eric Adams and NC Gubernatorial Candidate Mark Robinson

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Polarized by Degrees: The Diploma Divide in American Politics Sep 25, 2024

Mike talks with Matt Grossmann, Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and Professor of Political Science at Michigan State University. Matt was on the show in 2019 when we talked about his book on public policy change, Artists of the Possible, and he’s back again for a discussion of his latest book, co-authored with David Hopkins, Polarized by Degrees: How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics.

Topics Mike & Matt Discuss Include:

- the educultural realignment in American Politics

- the degree divide as an international phenomenon

- if the progressive left has moved too fast

- the dangerous ramifications of destroying institutional trust

- the political right and ‘woke capitalism’

- why liberals dominate popular culture

- conservatives’ attempts to set up parallel institutions

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IVF Bill, VA Funding, Listener Questions Sep 24, 2024

Mike and May open this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Senate Democrats’ failed IVF bill. Both Mike and May think there’s something to be said for the legislation itself while agreeing that it was more of a messaging bill than a serious legislative proposal.

From there they turn to strong bipartisan support for emergency funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mike expresses at least some surprise that no House Republicans seemed to object to nearly $3 billion in additional funding that was needed in large part because of the PACT Act, which over 80 percent of House Republicans voted against in 2022.

They close by answering a number of listener questions on the pro-life movement, Trump’s manipulability, sex vs gender identity, US birth rate trends, and healthcare for inmates.

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Political Violence, Springfield, Ducking the Media, Fed Rate Cut Sep 20, 2024

Mike and May open with a discussion of the 2nd attempt (that we know of) on Donald Trump’s life, which turns into a broader consideration of extremist rhetoric on both sides and political violence. May believes that Trump has been targeted more than any other figure, suggesting more of a problem on the left. Mike thinks that things will get considerably worse, no matter which candidate wins in November.

Next, they consider how events have unfolded in Springfield Ohio, in the wake of Donald Trump’s lie about Haitian migrants in Springfield stealing and then eating family pets. May believes that the real focus should be on the problems associated with immigration, while Mike argues that Trump and Vance have crossed an important line – from spinning and exaggerating to having seemingly no concern for truth, if baldfaced lies serve their cause.

From there it’s a look at media avoidance by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. May and Mike agree that it’s a smart strategy, and Mike is more curious as to why JD Vance has been so prominent, given how much of what Vance has to say may turn off undecided voters (at least that’s Mike’s take).

They close with a discussion of the Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut since 2020. Mike doesn’t buy the argument from Trump that it’s either a sign of a bad economy or that it was politically motivated. May points to how the cut is likely to help people hoping to buy a home.

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Build, Baby, Build! Sep 18, 2024

Mike welcomes back to the show George Mason University economist Bryan Caplan to discuss his book, Build, Baby, Build: The Science and Ethics of Housing Regulation.

Topics Mike and Bryan discuss include:

- why housing prices are so high

- bipartisan agreement on housing deregulation

- the value of building more high-rise residential units

- the many costs of NIMBYism

- the Supreme Court and housing regulation

- government housing regulations that do make sense

- building and immigration

- which jurisdictions are moving in the right direction

- and lots more!

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Bryan’s Substack: Bet on It

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Trump v Harris on the Economy, Federal Budget, Jay’s Beefs with Democrats Sep 17, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this midweek supporters' episode with a look at reports from Goldman Sachs and the Penn Wharton Budget Model, both of which conclude that Kamala Harris’ economic plans will be better for the US economy than Donald Trump’s. However, there are some important caveats, which they delve into.

Next, they look at where Congress is in the yearly budget process, with the fiscal year ending in less than two weeks. They also discuss the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which House Republicans initially included as a policy rider to the CR. Mike thinks it’s pointless election-year posturing that is likely to solve no problems and make it more difficult for some Democratic constituencies to vote. Jay sees it as a reasonable measure, especially in light of what he views as Democrats’ ultimate goal of allowing non-citizens to vote in federal elections.

They close with Jay explaining why he’s not a Democrat, the first part of a multi-segment series that will be featured when Mike and Jay are hosting the podcast. (When Jay is done it will be Mike’s turn to explain why he left the GOP for good in the mid-2000s.)

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Presidential Debate, Swifties for Harris, Trump’s Race to Lose Sep 14, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the first (and possibly only) debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Jay agrees with the conventional wisdom about the debate hurting Trump, and Mike agrees that it’s not likely to make a huge difference. But as Jay points out, in a race almost certain to be as close as this one is, a few thousand votes in the right places could mean a lot. Mike argues that Donald Trump’s untrue comment about Haitian migrants eating family pets is a disgusting dehumanization of migrants. Jay isn’t that worked up about it, and argues that Springfield, Ohio has had understandable difficulty handling the number of migrants it’s seen in the last few years.

Next, they move to endorsements of Harris by Dick & Liz Cheney, a number of prominent Republicans who say they can’t support Trump, and ‘childless cat lady’ Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris. Mike believes that all these Republicans either endorsing the opposition or refusing to support their party’s nominee is unprecedented. Jay reiterates that he’s likely to follow the lead of Romney and Pence, who aren’t voting for Harris but won’t vote for Trump either.

They close with a look at the state of the presidential race. Mike is a lot less confident in Harris’ chances than either Ken or Trey (both of whom last week felt that Harris will win). Mike believes that Trump will once again outperform his polling and figures his chances at winning to be around 60%. Jay largely agrees, wondering if Harris has peaked.

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The 13th and 14th Amendment Sep 07, 2024

Trey and Ken discuss the 13th Amendment and the 14th Amendment's citizenship and privileges and immunities clauses.

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Tenet Media, U.S. Senate Races, Hunter Biden’s Guilty Plea, Carlos Del Toro’s Violation of Hatch, SAVE Act Sep 07, 2024

Trey is again joined by Ken and they start the show looking at the U.S. Justice Department's recent indictment of, presumably, Tenet Media. Ken argues this demonstrates the Justice Department is taking Russian election interference seriously, while Trey suggests this kind of revelation can be a place for considering one's media content consumption.

Next, the duo dives into Montana's U.S. Senate Race between Republican challenger Tim Sheehy and Democratic incumbent Jon Tester. Ken believes there is a chance that Democrats pick up enough seats to offset probable losses, but agrees with Trey that that the better odds are on Republicans taking the Senate by one to two seats. Trey and Ken differ though in the end because Trey believes Republicans will hold the House and Ken argues New York is enough to tip the scales to the Democrats.

After that, they move to Hunter Biden's last-minute guilty plea. Trey finds Hunter Biden's commentary to come off as whining and Trump-like and, ultimately, a win for justice. Ken believes the deck was stacked against Hunter and has more sympathy for the aggressive prosecution.

Then it is a quick conversation about U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro's violation of the Hatch Act. The hosts overview what happened and the history of the Hatch Act. They also delve into Trump's attempt via Executive Order at circumventing the Hatch Act by creating a new level of employee: Schedule F.

The pair close the show by discussing the SAVE Act. Here Trey muses that asking for ID, although not necessary, is not an undue burden in modern society. Ken argues that it would increase disenfranchisement. Trey counters by suggesting it would follow to eliminate ID requirements in other areas, especially in banking.

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The Politics of Gen Z Sep 04, 2024

Travis talks with political scientist and the CEO of PRRI, Dr. Melissa Deckman about her new book, The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape our Democracy, in which she explores the political activities of American Zoomers, especially among Gen Z women, including a robust analysis of survey data coupled with rich detail from focus groups and interview with young political entrepreneurs.

Topics Travis and Melissa cover include:

The rise of women’s political participation and how it compares to historical participation
The ideology of the new cohort of American women and a comparison to her previous research on the politics of conservative women
What the future of politics looks like in America and how right-of-center actors can appeal to young voters

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Trey & May Answer Listener Questions Sep 03, 2024

Questions include:

May's position on conversion therapy
May's thoughts on the LGBTQ+ community
Trey and May on Donald Trump and democracy in the U.S.
The best books on politics

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Harris’s CNN Interview, Trump and Abortion, A Modified Trump Indictment Aug 30, 2024

Trey and May begin by analyzing Harris’s CNN interview. Trey posits we have entered a new post-position political age. Both discuss the evolution of Harris and whether she has stayed true to her values while shifting her policies. The pair delve into the respective promises of both Harris and Trump on using opposing party members in their cabinet and their transition team respectively.

Next the pair dive into Trump’s evolution on abortion and his use of pro-choice phrases in his Truth Social Posts along with his rhetoric about wanting to extend abortion windows and his comment on Florida’s six weeks being too short. This leads to May asserting that the pro-life movement was not ready for a win while Trey contends that the common goal of ending Roe hid the deep disagreements in the pro-life movement.

They close by looking at the Trump indictment which attempts to separate his public and private actions. May believes that his actions were justified and will not meet the scrutiny of the Supreme Court and Trey sees a petulant child who could never accept election results that had not tended Trump’s direction.

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The Culture War and School Vouchers Aug 28, 2024

Mike talks with Josh Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University about his recently released book, The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers.

Topics Mike & Josh Cover Include:

- how vouchers work

- Milton Friedman’s role as a voucher pioneer

- vouchers as a response to school desegregation

- why modern voucher programs are less accountable

- the ‘woke’ agenda of k-12 education

- vouchers and religious freedom

- Harris v Trump on vouchers

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FTC Noncompete Blocked, GOP v Dem Platforms, Listener Questions Aug 27, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of a Texas judge’s ruling against the FTC’s noncompete clause ban. Mike is more in favor of at least restricting noncompete clauses than Jay is, but they both agree that the judge was correct on the law.

Next, they take a look at the Republican and Democratic Party platforms, starting with the parties’ positions on inflation/prices, the economy, and immigration.

They close by responding to listener questions on the ‘coronation’ of Kamala Harris and what the parties have done to unite the country.

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Democratic Convention, RFK Jr and Trump, Biden Impeachment Report Aug 24, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the recently concluded Democratic National Convention. Mike notes that the tone of the DNC was far more upbeat and optimistic than the RNC, and attributes that in some part to the basic nature of Donald Trump. They also get into a discussion of the Democrats’ celebrity advantage and Jay’s theory as to why that’s the case.

Next up is RFK Jr. suspending his campaign and endorsing Donald Trump. Mike argues that in some ways RFK Jr. and Trump make strange political bedfellows, but that RFK Jr. seemed determined to leverage his small but potentially significant support into an administration position in either a Harris or Trump administration. Jay thinks RFK Jr is a long-time nut and that he’d be a horrible choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

They close with a look at the House Oversight Committee’s report on the Biden impeachment inquiry. Jay thinks Biden likely committed serious ethical and possibly legal lapses while vice president, whereas Mike is less certain and argues for the weirdness of even considering impeaching a president for things he allegedly did when he was vice president. That said, Mike feels that it’s good for Congress to look into credible accusations of favor-currying from presidential friends and family. Mike’s hope is that this impeachment-mania will end when Trump and Biden have left the scene. Jay isn’t as hopeful as Mike on that.

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Lost in the Middle: America’s Political Orphans Aug 21, 2024

Mike talks with Scott Klug, an Emmy award-winning journalist, former member of Congress, and currently co-chair of the Federal Public Affairs Practice at the national law firm of Foley & Lardner. He’s also a podcaster - the founder and host of Lost in the Middle: America’s Political Orphans – and writes the Lost in the Middle Substack.

Topics Mike and Scott Discuss Include:

- Scott’s move from journalism to Congress to lobbyist

- changes in the GOP from Reagan to Trump

- corruption in Congress

- the importance of local investigative journalism

- why neither party seems to focus much on the middle

- institutional factors driving partisanship

- if things are likely to get worse before they get better

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Trump and Harris Economic Plans, Presidential Prediction Models Aug 20, 2024

Trump and Harris Economic Plans, Presidential Prediction Models

Jay, Justin, and Mike open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of the recent economic speeches by Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Jay is unhappy with what he’s hearing from both sides, and Mike makes the case that if you like Biden’s policies, you’ll like Harris’ even more. Justin points out that much of what we’re hearing from Trump isn’t new, but it’s the first major policy speech from Harris. As such, they spend some time debating her plans to combat ‘price gouging’, raise the child tax credit, increase the housing supply, and forgive student loan and medical debt. They all take issue with one policy proposal on which Harris and Trump seem to agree – eliminating taxation of tips.

They close with Mike introducing his presidential prediction model, which Jay rightly pokes fun at, and then consider the utility of these models more generally.

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Musk ‘Interviews’ Trump, Musk Lawsuit, Lowering Drug Prices Aug 17, 2024

Jay, Justin, and Mike open with a discussion of the X conversation between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. They consider the ties between Musk and Trump, Musk’s move from left to right, and whether the event was a violation of campaign finance law as well as illegal worker intimidation.

This moves into a conversation of Elon Musk’s recent lawsuit alleging that an advertiser boycott of X violates antitrust law. Jay points out that it’s a strange claim in that there’s no apparent harm to consumers. Justin doesn’t see the lawsuit as having much likelihood of success, while Mike mentions that it’s an example of even more judicial forum shopping.

They close with the recently announced Medicare drug price reduction agreement. Jay has a problem with the nature of the negotiations but agrees that Americans have been paying more so that pharmaceutical companies can make up for lower prices in most other developed countries.

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How To Raise a Citizen Aug 14, 2024

Travis talks with political science professor (and mom!), Dr. Lindsey Cormack about her new book, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It), in which she encourages parents to learn more about politics, civics, and government, and to take on a more active role in providing that education to their children.

Topics Travis and Lindsey cover include:

Key features and functions of American civics that parents need to know and to teach their children
How to talk to kids about controversial or hot-topic issues in an age-appropriate way
Why schools have failed to provide this instruction to students and what they could do to improve

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Google Antitrust, The Squad vs AIPAC, Supreme Court Reform Aug 13, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek show with a look at Judge Amit Metha’s ruling that Google is a monopolist in online search. Both Mike and Jay are torn on this, though for slightly different reasons. Jay has a problem with any one company controlling so much personal data, while Mike’s concern is more with Google’s practices that lock in its dominance through multi-billion dollar “default search engine” agreements.

Next, they discuss Rep. Cori Bush’s primary loss. Bush is the second “Squad” member to lose their primary, in no small part because of a big push by AIPAC – the American Israel Public Affairs Committee – to oust those who have come out strongly against Israel’s response to the October 7th Hamas attacks.

They close with a consideration of several Supreme Court reforms proposed by President Biden. Jay thinks they’re all awful, whereas Mike believes there’s some merit to at least two of them, though he doesn’t expect any of them to come to fruition.

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Harris Picks Walz, Presidential Race Aug 10, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of Kamala Harris’ choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. While neither Mike nor Jay believes Walz will make much of a difference, Mike argues that he’s more of a “regular person” than Trump running mate JD Vance, and that Harris has a reasonable shot at winning without running with a battleground state running mate.

Then they turn to the state of the presidential race. Jay points out what he sees as the hypocrisy of Democrats' “coronation” of Harris, a position Mike takes issue with. Mike has moved from near despair to cautious optimism now that Harris has replaced Biden on the ticket, while Jay sees it as still Trump’s race to lose, and believes Trump might even win big. They agree that Harris should hold a press conference, but Mike is willing to cut her more slack given all she’s had to do since Biden bowed out.

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New Deal Law and Order and the Modern Liberal State Aug 07, 2024

Mike talks with historian Anthony Gregory, author of multiple publications on national security, constitutionalism, and legal theory. His latest book is New Deal Law and Order: How The War on Crime Built The Modern Liberal State.

Topics Mike & Anthony Discuss Include:

- the origin of the “war on crime”

- how the war on crime paved the way for the modern liberal state

- FDR’s “creative constitutionalism”

- J. Edgar Hoover and the creation of the modern FBI

- the war on crime and the Civil Rights Movement

- consequences of New Deal law & order

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The Constitution: The 12th Amendment Aug 06, 2024

Trey and Ken continue their deep dive through the U.S. Constitution with the 12th Amendment. Topics of conversation include:

The divided government of 1796
The contested election of 1800
The timeline of presidential elections
The Presidential Succession Act
Chiafalo v Washington

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Trump's Comments at NABJ Convention, U.S.-Russia Prisoner Exchange, the Killing of Ismail Haniyeh Aug 03, 2024

Trey, May, and Ken commence the show with an in-depth discussion on former President Donald Trump’s comments at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention (NABJ) in Chicago. The debate becomes contentious as Ken and May dispute Trump’s engagement with racist groups. May contends that Ken’s remarks unfairly characterize conservatives as racist, while Ken clarifies that Trump’s outreach to white supremacists does not implicate all conservatives, only a segment of his coalition.

Next, they analyze the largest U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange since the Cold War, which included Wall Street reporter Evan Gershkovich, and consider its implications amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ken and May diverge on the potential actions of a Trump/Vance administration in response to this exchange. May argues the action needs to come to an end sooner, not later, because the American public is growing tired of supporting it financially.

The show concludes with a discussion on the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Trey points out the deep power it means Israel has inside of Iran. Ken believes the negative repercussions outweigh the positive, suggesting it endangers any remaining prisoners. May argues that earlier decisive action against more specific Hamas members, like Haniyeh, by Israel, would have been more impactful on the international stage, rather than delaying nearly a year

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Understanding Modern Political Campaigns Jul 31, 2024

Mike talks with Zee Cohen-Sanchez, Founder and Executive Director of Sole Strategies, a political organization building grassroots campaigns across the US for candidates who are passionate about change. After Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign, Zee committed to helping Democratic candidates win seats across the country. Since founding Sole Strategies in 2020, Zee and her team have worked on hundreds of nationwide campaigns.

Topics Mike and Zee Cover Include:

- the weirdness of politicians

- flipping seats

- the Democrats GOTV advantage

- Republican grass-roots success

- if Mike could run a positive campaign – and win

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Netanyahu Visit, Supreme Court, Media Consumption Jul 30, 2024

Mike and Ken open this preview of the supporters' midweek show with a look at Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress. They agree that the US doesn’t have a lot of leverage over Israel given America’s strategic interests in the region and concerns about Iran. Mike argues that members of Congress who are stridently anti-Israel are actively hurting their party’s chances in the upcoming elections.

Next, they turn to a discussion of the Supreme Court, first focusing on the jurisprudence of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, and then moving into a more general discussion of the Court.

They close by talking about the media sources they most frequently turn to for news and analysis.

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Biden Bows Out, The Harris Agenda, Secret Service Director Resigns Jul 26, 2024

Mike, Ken, and Trey open with a discussion of President Biden’s decision to leave the race and the potential running mates and policies for presumptive nominee Kamala Harris. Ken argues that Biden would have done just fine against Trump and that Harris will also win in November, whereas Trey and Mike are far less bullish on her chances. They all agree that a potential Harris administration would be somewhat to the left of what we’ve seen from Joe Biden.

They close the episode by looking at the Secret Service failures and congressional testimony that led to the resignation of director Kimberly Cheatle. Mike and Trey think Cheatle should have resigned sooner, with Mike arguing that President Biden should have called for her resignation shortly after the magnitude of the failure became evident.

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Taking on Trumpism with High-Dominance Politics Jul 24, 2024

Mike talks with Berkeley political scientist Steven Fish, author of the recently released book, Comeback: Routing Trumpism, Reclaiming the Nation, and Restoring Democracy’s Edge.

Topics Mike & Steve Discuss Include:

- if Democrats are spoiled whiners

- low-dominance liberals vs high-dominance Trump

- why ignoring polls is a good thing (at times)

- pathologically risk-averse liberals

- high-dominance politics in a global perspective

- how Kamala Harris can project strength against Trump

- why Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear might be a good VP choice

- structural problems facing high-dominance Democrats

- Mike’s misgivings about high-dominance messaging

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Trump Documents Case Dismissed, Senator Menendez Convicted Jul 21, 2024

We’re releasing this second “not actually a midweek episode” episode following President Biden’s announcement that he won’t be running for reelection. That was all we covered in the preview of the midweek episode that dropped earlier today, and now that events have overtaken our analysis, we thought you deserved more than a suddenly very dated analysis of whether or not Biden would leave the ticket.

Next week, we’ll be considering all of the potential implications of Biden’s exit, but for now we hope you’ll enjoy the rest of Mike and Jay’s discussion, which covers Judge Aileen Cannon’s dismissal of the Trump documents case and the conviction of New Jersey US Senator Robert Menendez.

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Pushing Out Biden, Trump Doc Case Dismissed, Menendez Guilty Jul 21, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this special early-release edition of the midweek supporters’ show with a discussion of the Democratic National Committee’s plan to hold a virtual roll-call vote in the first week of August to nominate Joe Biden. Mike hopes that doesn’t end up happening, but is skeptical of the press reports saying that it’s almost a foregone conclusion that Biden will bow to pressure and end his reelection campaign. Jay, who hopes Biden is the candidate, seeing him as more beatable than the alternatives, thinks Biden won’t end up being the Democrats’ nominee.

Next, they consider Judge Aileen Cannon’s dismissal of the classified documents case against Donald Trump. Jay believes that Cannon got it right on the law. Mike is less sure about that, and argues that less thana month ago, the Supreme Court heard a case coming from Special Counsel Jack Smith and, aside from Justice Thomas’ solo concurrence, voiced no concern with how Smith was appointed.

They close with a look at the conviction of New Jersey Democratic US Senator Robert Menendez. Mike thinks that Menendez might have reasonable grounds for appeal on “speech or debate clause” grounds. Jay finds that almost laughable, but given how the Supreme Court ruled on Donald Trump’s executive immunity, Mike’s not laughing.

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Trump Assassination Attempt, VP Vance, GOP Convention Jul 20, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. While there’s a lot we still don’t know, it’s clear that the Secret Service failed to do its job. Mike and Jay agree that Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle shouldn’t still have her job, though Mike contends that those on the right blaming what happened on “DEI hires” are engaged in rampant speculation to promote their ideological agenda.

Next is a look at Ohio US Senator JD Vance, who Trump picked as his running mate. Jay still doesn’t think Vance was a great choice, though he attempts to work out what Vance might bring to the ticket. Mike argues that VPs bring almost nothing to the ticket and that the simplest way to understand Trump’s selection of Vance is that Trump just went with his gut. Mike also argues that the selection of Vance points to a MAGAfied GOP even after Trump leaves the scene.

In considering the Republican Convention at which Trump and Vance were formally nominated, Mike found that the GOP seems to be looking to the past and not at all like the optimistic, future-oriented party of Ronald Reagan. Jay points out that the Republicans did a great job of bringing in “real Americans” to drive home the point that the Republican Party is fighting for Americans who are looked down on by elites.

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Crossing The Line: US Immigration Policy Jul 17, 2024

Mike talks with educator, researcher, and writer Sarah Towle about her latest book, Crossing the Line: Finding America in the Borderlands.

Topics Mike and Sarah Discuss Include:

- the historical roots of our current immigration issues

- the connection between trade policy and immigration

- why prevention through deterrence hasn’t worked

- if “remain in Mexico” is a viable approach to asylum seekers

- immigrants, crime, and American jobs

- helping border communities cope with the flow of migrants

- what a more efficient, effective, and humane border policy might look like

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AG Garland vs House Republicans, Project 2025 Jul 16, 2024

In the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode, Jay is joined by Justin Holmes from the University of Northern Iowa (whose opinions, as always are his own and not reflective of his employer, the people of the great state of Iowa, or its 20 Million head of hogs).

They open by taking up the failed vote to hold Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over Robert Hur’s recordings of his interviews with President Biden. They discuss the legal merits of contempt, the challenges of enforcement, bills of attainder, and campaign implications. (Spoiler alert, Republicans win either way, if anyone is paying attention to this.)

They close with a discussion of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which has gotten a lot of attention recently as a potential blueprint for a second Trump administration. They initially focus on potential changes to the DOJ and continue with a broader discussion of the role of bureaucracy in a democracy, where Justin attempts to find common ground between the great political philosophers Edmund Burke and Jello Biafra. They try to get to the bottom of whether these are new ideas, whether they’re good ideas, whether they’re going to be guiding principles for Donald Trump, and why Democrats are so concerned.

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Booting Biden, Trump’s VP, AOC’s Impeachment Resolution Jul 13, 2024

Jay is joined by Justin Holmes from the University of Northern Iowa (whose opinions, as always are his own and not reflective of his employer, the people of the great state of Iowa, or its 20 Million head of hogs).

The show kicks off with a discussion of the ongoing calls for President Biden to end his campaign. They start with a divide over how bad of shape Biden is in cognitively and mainstream press coverage (Jay thinks it’s about time the mainstream press picks up on Biden’s problems, Justin thinks the coverage is overblown). They then discuss the process for removing Biden from the ticket (there’s not a clean one), who the contenders are, and what their odds are.

Next, they turn their attention to Trump’s potential Vice Presidential Choices, and what each brings to the ticket.

They conclude with a discussion of AOC’s impeachment resolution against Justices Thomas and Alito for accepting gifts. Jay discusses whether they did anything illegal, and Justin and Jay disagree about how much meddling Congress should have in regulating the Supreme Court, but they both agree that accepting valuable gifts is a bad look, and that Harlan Crow should take them to Bali.

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Criminalizing Homelessness, Social Media Regulation, Project 2025 Jul 09, 2024

Mike and May open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of the Supreme Court decision allowing municipalities to deal with homeless encampments by bans on outdoor camping. Mike is all over the place on this one, finding something to like (and dislike) on all sides, while May believes that the majority got it right.

Next, they consider the Court’s ruling in Moody v. NetChoice, involving efforts by Florida and Texas to regulate social media they believe is biased against conservatives. Mike has a big problem with any government viewpoint regulation while May thinks a case can be made that these services are monopolies and there is a reasonable state interest in promoting a diversity of opinion.

They close with a discussion of Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s policy blueprint for a conservative administration. Mike points out that the many big government conservative activist proposals are fundamentally un-conservative, a tension May also recognizes. They focus in particular on the proposal to give presidents more power to remove government officials from their positions, which many on the right feel is necessary to correct a longstanding liberal bias in the administrative state.

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Biden Defiant, Presidential Immunity, Overturning 1/6 Convictions Jul 06, 2024

Biden Defiant, Presidential Immunity, Overturning 1/6 Convictions

Mike and May open with a discussion of the fallout from President Biden’s debate performance, including his defiant (and some would say delusional) determination to stay in the race and beat Donald Trump. May thinks the Democrats should have seen this coming and doesn’t expect them to force Biden out, while Mike holds out hope that the mounting pressure from party leaders and donors will end up with Biden stepping aside.

Following that they turn to the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity. May believes that the majority got it right, and while Mike doesn’t disagree, he feels that they went too far.

They close by considering the Court’s ruling that one of the charges a number of January 6th defendants were convicted on was improperly applied to them. Both Mike and May agree with the ruling, and note the somewhat unusual alignment of the justices, with one of the Court’s conservatives joining the liberals in dissent, and one of the liberals siding with the conservative majority.

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The Supreme Court on EPA Authority, Bribery, and the OxyContin Settlement Jul 02, 2024

It’s mostly Supreme Court on the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode, with Mike and Jay discussing whether the EPA can force Ohio to be a “good neighbor” to downwind states, when a bribe isn’t a bribe, whether the Purdue Pharma OxyContin settlement should have been thrown out, and – in a non-court discussion, their thoughts on the Julian Assange plea deal.

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Biden’s Disastrous Debate and a Bunch of Big Supreme Court Decisions Jun 29, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of President Biden’s disastrous performance in the first presidential debate. Mike was actually hoping for a worse outcome that would all but force Biden from the race, which he doesn’t think will happen, despite multiple calls for Biden to step aside. Jay wonders how Biden’s closest confidants and top advisors allowed things to get to this point. Mike suggests that Biden may still be able to handle the non-public-facing parts of the job, which Jay doubts, particularly in the event of a national security emergency.

After that, they turn to the Supreme Court ending Chevron deference, in a ruling that will have major implications for government agencies, Congress, and the courts. Mike has long been a supporter of Chevron but thinks that the Court made the right call here, which both surprises and pleases Jay, who’s never been a fan of Chevron.

Following that they discuss two other major decisions of the Court – one that allows women in Idaho to obtain abortions to preserve their lives and health and another in which the Court decided that plaintiffs arguing the government censored their social media posts don’t have standing to sue.

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Presidential Leadership From Washington to Biden Jun 26, 2024

Mike talks with attorney, author, and historian Talmage Boston. His books include Cross-Examining History, Raising the Bar: The Crucial Role of Lawyers in History, and most recently, How The Best Did It: Leadership Lessons From Our Top Presidents, which is the focus of their discussion.

Topics Mike and Talmage cover include:

- the “Great 8”: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, TR, FDR, Ike, JFK, and Reagan

- key leadership strengths of those 8 presidents

- the main weakness of each of the 8 presidents

- most important presidential leadership skills

- if it’s harder to be a great political leader in today’s world

- strengths and weaknesses of Joe Biden and Donald Trump

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The 11th Amendment Jun 25, 2024

Trey & Ken discuss the meaning of the 11th Amendment including:

Chisholm v Georgia
Hans v Louisiana
Ex parte Young
Fitzpatrick v Bitzer
Seminole Tribe v Florida
Central Virginia Community College v Katz

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Biden's Citizenship Pathway, Moore v United States, Gonzalez v Trevino, United States v Rahimi, Bump Stock Ban Blocked Jun 22, 2024

Trey & Ken open by delving into President Biden's proposed path to citizenship for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, analyzing its potential impacts and political ramifications. Trey argues the timing is a political bone to the left in the wake of his tougher border policies.

Next, they tackle the implications of three major Supreme Court cases. In the first, Moore v. United States, upholding foreign asset taxing, Trey and Ken agree with the majority but Trey disagrees with the policy implications of a wealth tax. In the second, Gonzalez v. Trevino, both Trey and Ken agree that reigning in some protection for police officers is important. Still, Ken argues that all the justices would change their votes if it were applied to former president Trump. In the third, United States v. Rahimi, they discuss the upholding of the Second Amendment's constitutionality for those under domestic violence orders.

Lastly, they explore the Senate's recent blockage of the Democratic-led bump stock ban by Senate Republicans. Trey argues Republicans are simply using it as a political tool for the upcoming election and hopes afterward a ban will be possible.

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Republicans and Democrats Agree – Democracy is Under Threat Jun 19, 2024

Mike talks with Liam deClive-Lowe, co-founder and co-president of American Policy Ventures. APV is a group that works with people and organizations across the ideological spectrum to make it easier for policymakers to effectively solve critical policy problems. They sponsored the Georgetown Battleground Civility Poll that came out not too long ago, which is the focus of their conversation

Topics Mike & Liam Discuss Include:

- the mission of AVP

- the value of Democrat and Republican pollsters working together

- why most Republicans and Democrats believe democracy is threatened

- fighting for values vs working for the best possible solution

- getting to a point of ‘slightly less loathing’

- how close we are to civil war

- why Congress is more bipartisan than you might think

- opportunities for bipartisanship

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Contempt for Garland, Ms. Rachel, Trans Men in Women’s Prisons Jun 18, 2024

Mike and May open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode by discussing the House of Representatives holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for failing to turn over audio of Special Counsel Hur’s interview with President Biden in the classified documents investigation. They agree that this is political on both sides, and that while the Biden camp may not have strong legal ground to stand on, it’s not likely the audio will be released before the election.

Following that they turn to the conservative backlash against YouTuber Ms. Rachel. Many conservatives believe that Ms. Rachel’s support for Pride Month and the inclusion of a non-binary guest makes her channel inappropriate for children. Mike argues that Ms. Rachel isn’t doing anything objectionable, and nothing that amounts to ‘grooming’, a term he argues conservatives throw around with reckless abandon,.

They close by discussing May’s recent article in the Washington Examiner on a federal magistrate judge’s ruling that not transferring a female-identifying, biologically male prisoner to a women’s prison violates her 8th Amendment rights. May finds this completely out of line with any reasonable understanding of the amendment, whereas Mike sees it as a reasonable conclusion to reach considering the circumstances in this particular case.

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Hunter Biden Verdict, Supreme Court on Mifepristone and Bump Stocks Jun 15, 2024

Mike & May open with a discussion of the guilty verdict in the Hunter Biden gun trial. They discuss Biden’s defense, the possibility of a pardon or commutation by President Biden, Donald Trump’s reaction, and how this may all play out politically.

Next, they turn to two big Supreme Court decisions. In the first of these, a unanimous Court found that the group challenging the FDA’s loosening of restrictions on the abortion drug mifepristone didn’t have standing to sue. Mike agrees, but May feels that standing has become such a degraded doctrine that the right should be able to take advantage of it as much as she feels the left has in the past.

They close with the Court’s ruling that the Trump-era ATF exceeded its authority by banning bump stocks. Mike and May agree with the ruling, but Mike is more inclined to give regulatory agencies some deference in interpreting statutes than May.

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Has The Supreme Court Undermined Voting Rights? Jun 12, 2024

Political scientist Travis Taylor talks with law professor Joshua Douglas about his new book The Court v. The Voters: The Troubling Story of How the Supreme Court Has Undermined Voting Rights, in which he writes about the U.S. Supreme Court's recent history of prioritizing the power of states to regulate elections over the rights of voters.

Topics Travis and Josh Cover Include:

· how the Court has changed the standard by which it reviews voting rights cases

· combating election fraud and maintaining voter access

· the direction the Court is going in light of more recent decisions in "extreme" cases

· potential solutions to correct the Court's current course

· conservative criticisms of the book and why conservatives should read it

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The Constitution: 9th and 10th Amendemnts Jun 11, 2024

Trey and Ken finish the Bill of Rights by delving into the origins and significance of the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Topics covered include:

Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates during and after the Constitution's drafting, addressing concerns that listing specific rights might imply that others were not protected.
Does the Ninth Amendment make textualism pointless?
The conflict between the philosophic origins of the Ninth Amendment and why legal scholars abandoned it.
The Tenth Amendment's balance between federal and state power
Lessons learned from the Articles of Confederation
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The modern (1990s) application of the Tenth Amendment.

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Biden’s Immigration Order, Merrick Garland, Dr. Fauci Jun 06, 2024

Trey and Ken start the show with Biden’s immigration order. President Biden has announced a sweeping executive action on immigration, authorizing U.S. immigration officials to deport large numbers of migrants without processing their asylum claims. This new policy, seen as one of the most restrictive border policies by a Democratic president, marks a significant shift in the administration’s approach to border security. Ken partially defends Biden’s order, even if it looks similar to past Trump policies. Trey argues that Biden issued it as a proclamation instead of an executive order because he recognizes it is not inherently constitutional.

Next, Attorney General Merrick Garland faced intense scrutiny from Republicans this week. Garland was grilled on Capitol Hill and has seen his standing on both the right and the left fall. Ken argues that Garland has overemphasized neutrality and has not properly pursued former President Trump and allies. Trey argues that the left’s attacks on Garland are nearly identical to those from Republicans and are no more founded than those from the Republicans.

Finally, the pair discuss Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, where he addressed critical issues related to the U.S. response to COVID-19. Fauci admitted that the “6 feet apart” social distancing recommendation lacked robust empirical support and it was more of an arbitrary guideline. He also acknowledged that the lab leak theory regarding the origins of COVID-19 should not be dismissed outright, a significant shift from his earlier stance. Both Trey and Ken continue to agree he largely did well in his capacity during the pandemic, however, Trey faults him for wrongfully downplaying, primarily for political reasons, the possibility of a lab leak in China.

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Is Wall Street At War With Workers? Jun 05, 2024

Mike talks with Les Leopold, co-founder and executive director of the Labor Institute, a nonprofit organization that develops and conducts education and policy programs for unions, environmental organizations, community groups, and immigrant worker centers on workplace health and safety, the environment, economics, and movement building. He’s also the author of multiple books. His latest is Wall Street’s War on Workers: How Mass Layoffs and Greed are Destroying the Working Class and What to Do About It, which they talk about in this episode.

Topics Mike & Les Discuss Include:

- if Wall Street is really at war with workers

- how to understand ultra-low unemployment rates

- technology, globalization, and US workers

- the economic and psychological toll of mass layoffs

- the decline of public sector unions in the US

- how government policy can make things better for workers

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NRA, Ukraine, Libertarians, Texas GOP, Biden’s Black Voter Problem Jun 04, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of the Supreme Court’s decision in NRA v. Vullo, a case in which Jay submitted an amicus brief to the Court. The Justices unanimously agreed with (most of) Jay’s reasoning, as does Mike.

From there, they move on to the decision by the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use US weapons to strike inside Russia, which they both agree with, but wish were less limited.

Following that is a discussion of the Libertarian Party presidential nominee Chase Oliver, the fairly extreme planks in the Texas Republican Party’s platform, and how the lack of enthusiasm of Black voters for Biden could affect his reelection chances.

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Trump Convicted, Alito Recusal Jun 01, 2024

Mike & Jay open with a discussion of Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Mike isn’t crazy about the law but believes that the prosecutor, judge, and jury acted reasonably in applying it. Jay discusses possible grounds for appeal. They agree that the effect of the conviction won’t be great, but that any small political benefit should be to Biden.

Then they move to calls for Justice Samuel Alito’s recusal. Mike starts with some comments concerning Ken’s characterization of Alito as corrupt and racist on last week’s show with Trey. On the issue of recusal, neither Mike nor Jay think Alito should step back, though Mike is somewhat more troubled by self-recusal at the Supreme Court level.

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Talkin’ Politics and Religion with Corey Nathan May 30, 2024

Mike talks with Corey Nathan, host of the most excellent podcast, Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other. Corey shares his unique perspective as a "born-again Christian with a thick Jewish accent" and how his background has influenced his approach to discussing sensitive topics like politics and religion.

Topics Mike & Corey Discuss Include:

- how and why Corey doesn’t fit the ‘Evangelical Christian’ stereotype

- discussing politics with evangelical Christians

- a Biblical approach to political issues like immigration and LGBTQ rights

- searching for the truth, as opposed to trying to ‘win’ every argument

- the value of regularly engaging with people with whom we disagree

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Can You Help Me give a Sh*t: Unlocking Teen Motivation in School and Life May 29, 2024

Trey talks with Becca Block, author of Can You Help Me Give a Sh*t, in which she discusses the surprising policy implications of listening to student's voices in public education.

Topics Trey and Becca Cover Include

are we asking too much of the public school system?
what it means to listen deeply to student voices
the competing policy desires of parents, teachers, and students
the intersection of race and gender on educational policy
are libertarians right when it comes to public education?

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The 7th and 8th Amendments May 28, 2024

Trey and Ken dive into the 7th and 8th Amendments. Topics include:

The historic origins of jury trials
The lack of contemporary 7th Amendment cases
Excessive bail
Excessive fines and civil forfiture
Cruel and unusual punishment
The death penalty

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ICJ and Israel, British Elections, Presidential Primaries, Racial Gerrymandering May 24, 2024

Trey & Ken start the show by delving into the International Court of Justice’s Friday ruling against Israel. Trey and Ken disagree over the scope of the decision as to whether it prohibits further offensive action. Ken believes the ICJ is offering wiggle room and Trey does not.

Staying overseas, the guys talk about the surprising call for snap elections in the United Kingdom. The hosts focus on the motivations behind this decision, especially given recent poll numbers for Conservatives, the potential outcomes, and the impact it could have on British politics.

Next, attention turns to the primary elections in Georgia, Oregon, and Kentucky along with the special election in California. The focus is primarily on the presidential election. Trey believes it points to a low turnout election and Ken is more optimistic.

In Supreme Court news, Trey and Ken finish the show over the landmark ruling on racial gerrymandering. Here Ken believes that Justice Alito is overtly racist and inconsistent. Trey pushes back hard and argues that Ken fundamentally misunderstands Alito’s ruling. They dive deep into the details of the decision. They also address the recent Alito flag controversy.

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Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace May 22, 2024

Trey talks with Elizabeth Neumann, former Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, about her recently released book Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace.

Topics Trey and Elizabeth Cover Include

from foreign extremism to domestic extremism
the Christian case against extremism
the evolution of religion and politics
how left and right differ in extremist activities

Follow Elizabeth on X, and check out Kingdom of Rage

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CFPB Survives, AT&T Bribery, Stadium Subsidies, Supporting Israel May 21, 2024

Mike and Trey kick off the previeww of this midweek supporters’ episode with a look at the Supreme Court’s upholding the funding structure for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Mike and Trey think this was the right call, with Trey arguing that Justices Alito and Gorsuch are conflating the unconstitutional with what they may believe to be unwise public policy.

Next, they discuss how AT&T improperly influenced the Illinois legislature into passing bills favorable to the company. This turns into a broader discussion of the problem of state and local-level corruption and why it may be worse today than it has been in the recent past.

Following that they turn to stadium subsidies – why voters approve them, why economists hate them, and what can be done to make it harder for pro sports owners to tell cities, ‘pay up or we’re moving’.

They close with Trey discussing why many evangelicals support Israel, and how his support differs. Before long, they end up in some deeper theological and philosophical waters.

Mike’s other podcast is Sustainable Planet.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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China Tariffs, Presidential Debates, Redistricting, Israel Aid May 17, 2024

Mike and Trey open with a discussion of the Biden administration’s recently announced tariffs on China. Trey is no fan of protectionism, but he understands Mike’s points concerning US issues with China’s trade practices. They both agree that Donald Trump’s approach to China would almost certainly be more tariff-heavy than Biden’s.

Then they turn to presidential debates, which will happen without the Commission on Presidential Debates. Trey points out how early the first of the two scheduled debates will be, which Mike attributes to Biden wanting to give debating Trump a try far enough ahead of the election that it won’t do much damage if things go off the rails.

From there they move to the Supreme Court allowing Louisiana’s congressional redistricting map to go into effect. Trey points out the difficult position Louisiana’s legislature is in, caught between the Equal Protection Clause and the Voting Rights Act. Mike is most sympathetic to the view of Justice Jackson, who felt that the Court shouldn’t have gotten involved at this point.

They close with a discussion of US aid to Israel. Mike doesn’t think it unreasonable for the US to put conditions on its support of Israel, or to withhold support entirely if aid is being used in a way we believe to be morally unacceptable. Trey points out that were neighboring countries more willing to take in Palestinians, the situation might be far less dire than it currently is.

Check out Let’s Find Common Ground.

Mike’s other podcast is Sustainable Planet.

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Why Tulsi Gabbard Left the Democratic Party May 15, 2024

Mike talks with Tulsi Gabbard, a military veteran and four-term member of Congress who was Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. She caused a major stir when she left the party, which she’s written about in her recently released book, For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind, which is the focus of their conversation.

Topics Mike & Tulsi Discuss Include:

- what drew Tulsi to the Democrats in the first place

- how she realized she no longer was a Democrat

- if Democratic Party elites are warmongers

- foreign policy and isolationism

- the ‘wokeism’ of contemporary Democrats

- the Democratic Party and free speech

Check out Tulsi’s Website and follow her on X

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Mike’s other podcast is Sustainable Planet.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys.

The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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Kristi Noem’s Dog, Civil Forfeiture, Swing State Polling May 14, 2024

Jay and Justin open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem revealing in her new book that she shot a dog and lied about meeting Kim Jong Un. They discussed why someone would put that in a book, what this means for the VP contest, and ultimately proposed a third political party whose platform mostly consists of not shooting dogs.

Next, they talk about the Supreme Court ruling in Culley v. Marshall, dealing with a civil forfeiture case from Alabama. While the Court sided with the state, they seem open to the idea of revisiting the issue of forfeiture in the future. In their discussion, Justin and Jay consider constitutional issues, perverse incentives, and English common law from before the Norman invasion.

They close with a look at recent swing state polling, which shows a statistical dead heat, but with Trump up slightly in all seven of the polled states. How have these states become the ones that matter? Are there others? Will journalists continue pushing the idea that Ohio is a swing state just so they can go to diners and talk to average Americans?

Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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Israel Weapons Pause, Speaker Johnson, Trump Doc Case, Cuellar Indictment May 11, 2024

Jay and Justin start off discussing President Biden’s proposed pause in sending certain offensive weapons to Israel if they attack Rafah, including the impact on the conflict, potential reverberations in the international community, and the domestic political implications of conflict over Israel within the Democratic party.

Next, they turn their attention to Marjorie Taylor Green’s failed attempt to oust Speaker Mike Johnson. Why did the Democrats stick by him, what does this say about the state of the Republican party, and what institutional factors got us here in the first place?

Following that, they discussed the delay in former President Trump’s documents case, after Judge Cannon postponed the start of the trial indefinitely pending hearings on a number of motions. Was this the right call? What does it mean for the upcoming election?

They close with a discussion of Representative Henry Cuellar’s indictment on bribery and money laundering charges from his dealings with Azerbaijan and Mexico. Is there an Azerbaijan caucus in Congress? What does the case against Cuellar look like? What does this hold for control of the House in November?

Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet.

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Abraham Lincoln and Our Ancient Faith May 08, 2024

Mike talks with Allen Guelzo, the Thomas W. Smith Distinguished Research Scholar in the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. Professor Guelzo is a three-time winner of the Lincoln Prize, awarded annually for the finest scholarly work in English on Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War soldier, or a subject relating to their era. They discuss his latest book, Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment.

Topics Discussed Include:

- why Lincoln had such faith in democracy

- if Lincoln saw Blacks as truly equal

- Lincoln’s constitutionally questionable actions

- what current-day politicians could learn from Lincoln

- Lincoln’s cosmic optimism

Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet.

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Redistricting, Texas Porn Law, Trump’s Time Interview May 07, 2024

Mike and May open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a look at the Louisiana redistricting plan recently rejected by a three-judge panel. They get into the tension between the Voting Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause, partisan vs racial gerrymandering, and if there’s a better way to set up congressional districts.

Next is a discussion of the proposed federal rescheduling of marijuana. Mike thinks it’s long overdue and should lead to more and better research on the effects (both good and bad) of pot. May is more skeptical, though she agrees that we could use better medical research on cannabis’ effects.

They end with their thoughts on the extended interview Donald Trump recently gave to Time. Mike was surprised at how often Trump came off as a normal politician, while May was unsurprised at Trump’s agenda for a second term.

Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet.

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Campus Protestors, Antisemitism Awareness, Marijuana Rescheduling May 04, 2024

Mike & May open with a discussion of the escalating pro-Palestine protests on college campuses. May things other schools can learn from Florida’s handling of protests at state institutions. Mike wonders if ‘outside agitators’ are necessarily a bad thing, and if we should be glad that so many people are in a position to protest what they view as significant injustice.

Next is a look at the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which passed the House with strong bipartisan support. May thinks it’s largely fine, whereas Mike believes it’s too restrictive of legitimate expression.

They close with the proposed rescheduling of marijuana by the Biden administration. Mike thinks it’s long overdue and should lead to more and better research on the effects of marijuana. May believes it won’t do all that much, and is another example of the Biden administration of attempting to energize the youth vote ahead of the 2024 elections.

Listen to Future Hindsight, and check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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Can Capitalism Save the Planet? May 01, 2024

As a cross-interview with Sustainable Planet, Kimberly Weir, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Northern Kentucky University and co-host of Sustainable Planet talks with Akshat Rathi, award-winning senior reporter for Bloomberg News and the host of Zero, a climate-solutions podcast for Bloomberg Green and author of Climate Capitalism: Winning the Race to Zero Emissions and Solving the Crisis of Our Age.

Topics Kimberly & Akshat discuss include:

How a misinformed campaign marketing slogan about ‘clean coal’ led Akshat into the year-long pursuit of uncovering the truth about climate technology

Why economists feel the way to address climate change is to put a price on carbon

How to achieve negative carbon emissions since zero emissions alone isn’t enough

Why, when it comes to electric cars, you’ve never heard of Wan Gang, though Elon Musk is a household name

Why the very industries that created lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, and carbon capture and storage are so resistant to employing that technology

How private capital from billionaires like Bill Gates and anyone with a 401K plan is a key part of pursuing climate technology

That climate justice is both ethically the right path but also reaps global economic benefits

The need to shift from ‘shareholder’ to ‘stakeholder’ if we’re going to meet the less-ambitious Paris Conference climate change goals

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Listen to Part 2 of the interview on Sustainable Planet.

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SCOTUS on Homelessness, Trump Immunity, FTC Bans Noncompetes Apr 30, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ exclusive episode with a discussion of oral arguments in Grants Pass v. Johnson, where the Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of a local ordinance that bans sleeping outdoors. Mike has more of a problem with the ordinance than does Jay, and they agree that the Court is likely to issue an opinion that gives cities clearer guidance. They also discuss the underlying issue – the growing homelessness problem in the United States.

After that, they turn to oral arguments in Trump v. United States, where the Court is taking up the issue of post-presidential criminal immunity for official acts. Mike doesn’t think there should be any immunity for illegal acts, while Jay argues that it’s not always entirely clear where that line is.

They close with a look at the FTC’s new rule banning noncompete agreements. Mike argues that it’s a good idea that is in keeping with market principles, though he doesn’t think the FTC has the legal authority to make the rule. Jay agrees with the lack of authority, and questions whether a ban is all that good of an idea in any case.

Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet.

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Ukraine Aid, TikTok Ban, Campus Protests Apr 26, 2024

After some brief comments on the ongoing criminal trial of Donald Trump, Mike and Jay discuss the Ukraine aid package, considering how it got to the floor, what it says about the Republican Party, and the arguments against extending more aid to Ukraine.

Next, they turn to the recently passed TikTok ban, which would require parent company ByteDance to either sell the company to an approved buyer within a year or no longer be able to do business in the United States. Both Mike and Jay are skeptical of the constitutional arguments against the ban and think there are solid national security reasons for the legislation.

They close with a look at the growing pro-Palestine demonstrations on college campuses across the country. Mike is more sympathetic to the protestors' viewpoint than Jay is, but they both support reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on students’ (and non-student protestors) exercise of speech.

Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planetas well as TPG’s fellow Democracy Network show, The Bully Pulpit.

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Bryan Caplan Will Not Be Stampeded! Apr 24, 2024

Mike welcomes back to the show Bryan Caplan, a Professor of Economics at George Mason University, prolific author, and blogger at Bet on It. They discuss his latest essay collection, You Will Not Stampede Me: Essays on Non-Conformism.

Topics Mike and Bryan Discuss Include

-disobedience to authority

- why the world is wrong and the weird is right

- herding and hysteria

- the ubiquity (and danger) of crusades

- what the world got wrong about COVID

- combining cynicism and idealism

Bryan Caplan on X

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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The Sixth Amendment Apr 23, 2024

Trey and Ken dive into the Sixth Amendment and the unique protections it provides defendants. Topics of conversation include:

The advent of professional police and prosecutors
The modern plea bargaining system
The right to a prosecutor
The ability to produce evidence in your defense

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Mike and Kimberly's new show splanetpod.com

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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Israel, Johnson's Foreign Aid, Uri Berliner, the 1st Amendment Apr 19, 2024

Trey and Ken open with breaking news on Israel’s attack on Iran and Syria. They discuss the appropriateness of the response, the likely message behind the response, and the political implications for U.S. politics. They also briefly consider the timing of the U.S.’s blocking of Palestinian United Nations membership in the Security Council.

Next, they move to Congress and the ongoing debate inside the Republican Party over foreign aid. Trey believes Speaker Johnson has a deal already struck with Democrats, which also allows some Democrats to vote no on Israeli aid, while Ken thinks if there is a deal it is more comprehensive for Democrats.

After that, they discuss the suspension and ultimate resignation of Uri Berliner from his role at NPR. Here the hosts take very different views. Ken views Uri as striking a Trumpian tone and is rightfully criticized and ousted. Trey disagrees, arguing that divergent viewpoints help media be thoughtful in the ways that frame, prime, and agenda setting. Objectivity is not impossible, but it doesn’t mean that viewpoint diversity is a bad thing.

They close with a look at the newest Supreme Court decision in the case of Mckesson v Doe, the case determining if the organizer of an event can be held liable for activity he did not directly cause or promote.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age Apr 17, 2024

Trey talks with author Sasha Issenberg about his new book The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age, in which he talks about the left's campaign strategies to combat "disinformation" and "misinformation."

Topics Trey and Sasha Cover Include

- why the left is primarily interested in disinformation

- the campaign strategies of Democrats online

- the focus on engagement in political persuasion

- how overseas democracies have faced similar disinformation strategies

- Brazilian cautions for some leftwing approaches to disinformation

Follow Sasha on X, and check out The Lie Detectives

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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Guns, Table Saws, America Divided (or maybe not) Apr 16, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of the Biden administration’s move to close the ‘gun show loophole’. Mike argues that it’s a good move and, to his surprise, Jay doesn’t really disagree.

From there they move on to a more contentious regulatory issue – whether the government should require all new table saws to have a finger-sensing blade brake. Mike thinks the benefits outweigh the costs, but Jay isn’t too sure that’s the case.

Following that, they consider whether the country is as divided as many people believe, in light of a recent AP/NORC poll that suggests most Americans agree on fundamental issues. Jay thinks the devil (and division) is in the details, while Mike points out some fairly significant differences between Democrats and Republicans.

They close by responding to a listener's question about extremists in their respective parties. (Giving Jay the opportunity to break out the very William F. Buckley-ish word apotheosis.)

Check out Mike’s new podcast, Sustainable Planet.

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AZ Abortion Law, Student Loan Debt, Trump on Trial Apr 13, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a look at the ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court upholding a near-total ban on abortions passed in 1864. They consider the legal reasoning behind the decision, what’s likely to happen next, and how they see it playing out politically, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he believed abortion rights should be left up to the states.

Next, they discuss the latest Biden administration efforts to forgive student loan debt. Mike and Jay disagree as to whether the moves are legally and constitutionally permissible, but they do agree that the current system of higher education funding needs major reform – though they favor very different paths for that reform.

They close by discussing the many delays in legal proceedings involving Donald Trump, the seriousness of the cases against him, political bias, and what the voters should know before they vote in November.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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The Uses and Abuses of the Modern University Apr 10, 2024

Mike talks with historical anthropologist Nicholas Dirks, Chancellor of UC Berkeley from 2013-2017, about his book City of Intellect: The Uses and Abuses of the University.

Topics Include:

- the public’s decline of faith in higher education

- if higher ed is focused on the right kind of diversity

- free speech as privileging dominant views

- what elite institutions are doing with their massive endowments

- rising education costs and administrative bloat at universities

- if public universities should take positions on political issues

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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The Fifth Amendment Apr 09, 2024

Trey & Ken discuss the five major elements of the 5th Amendment:

Grand Juries
Double Jeopardy
Self-Incrimination
Due Process
Takings

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Israel and Iran, Biden’s Foreign Policy, Florida’s Supreme Court on Abortion Ban, Trump Media & Technology Apr 05, 2024

Trey & Ken start the episode with a deep dive into Israel’s airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. This leads to a discussion of the differences between the northern conflict and the Gaza conflict. Next, the discussion moves to Biden’s newest demands of Israel and how Israel has responded. This also includes a discussion of shifting American attitudes on supporting Israel. After that, the duo look at the 6/15 week abortion ban in Florida. They discuss the Florida Supreme Court’s legal ruling, but also the political ramifications for both parties in terms of the November election. They close with a discussion of the valuation of Trump Media & Technology.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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NBC and Ronna McDaniel, Truth Social IPO. RFK Jr. and 3rd Parties Apr 02, 2024

Mike, Jay, and Justin open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of NBC’s decision to hire, and then quickly fire, former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel. Was it a bad business decision poorly implemented, an example of anti-Trump bias, or something more than that?

Next, they consider whether Truth Social’s IPO makes any sense. Probably not from a strictly business sense, but as Mike points out, owning a share of DJT is likely to be more than a dollars and cents calculation to the MAGA faithful.

They close with a look at RFK Jr’s campaign and running mate, as well as Chris Christie’s rejection of No Labels and a broader discussion of third parties in the American political system.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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Joe Lieberman, Abortion Pill Access, Eastman Disbarment Mar 30, 2024

Mike, Jay, and Justin open with a look at the life and legacy of the recently deceased Joe Lieberman, agreeing that the Democrat turned independent is the sort of solutions-oriented moderate we don’t see much of in national politics anymore.

Next is a discussion of oral arguments before the Supreme Court concerning access to the abortion drug mifepristone. It seems like a stretch to argue that those challenging the FDA even have standing, but there is a case to be made that mailing any drug to end a pregnancy is a violation of the 1873 Comstock Act.

They close with a debate over whether attorney John Eastman should be disbarred for his efforts assisting Donald Trump in his attempt to stay in office following the 2020 presidential election. Jay argues that Eastman may have had bad arguments, but he shouldn’t be disbarred for making them. Mike points out that there is a line between pushing bad arguments and telling a client to break the law, though he ultimately agrees with Jay. Justin isn’t so sure that either Jay or Mike have it right in this instance.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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Parliamentary America: The Least Radical Means of Radically Repairing Our Broken Democracy Mar 27, 2024

Trey talks with constitutional law professor Maxwell Stearns about his new book Parliamentary America which argues the U.S. needs to adapt the U.S. House to include proportional representation.

Topics Trey and Max Cover Include

- how the median voter theory is inaccurate

- why American parties are tending in extreme directions

- proposals to double the size of the House of Representatives

- proposals to transform the selection of president and vice president

- proposals to change how to remove a president

- the historic necessity of convincing relevant actors to agree to these changes.

Follow Max on X, and check out Parliamentary America

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Texas and Immigration, Presidential Fundraising, Alternative to the Bar Exam Mar 26, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of Texas’ SB 4, which allows state judges to deport migrants. Mike argues that it’s plainly unconstitutional and Jay largely agrees, though he makes the case that legislation should be given a presumption of constitutionality. They also discuss how this has moved through the federal court system and the slowdown at the Fifth Circuit.

Following that they take a look at the latest presidential fundraising numbers (one area where Biden is beating Trump), consider Washington State’s new alternative to the bar exam, and address some listener questions.

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Shutdown Avoided, Apple Lawsuit, OH Senate Primary and Trumpism Mar 23, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of bipartisan agreement on a budget that averted a partial government shutdown. Jay thinks it’s good politics, emphasizing once again that Republicans don’t win government shutdowns, and pointing out that Speaker Johnson has a tiny majority to work with. Mike notes that Republicans got a number of things they should like, though he expects that we’ll be in a similar place in just over six months, when the deadline for passing next year’s budget comes up.

Next, they discuss the lawsuit against Apple filed by the Department of Justice and 15 states. Neither Mike nor Jay thinks the government has a particularly strong case, but Mike argues that government pressure on big companies like Apple can serve as a useful check on corporate power.

They close with what starts as a discussion of the Ohio Republican Senate primary, and ends up as a much broader discussion of Donald Trump, the Republican Party, and the media.

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Should Puerto Rico Become the 51st State? Mar 20, 2024

Mike talks with George Laws Garcia, a former acting director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration and Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council.

Topics Mike and George Cover Include:

- how Puerto Ricans aresecond-class US citizens

- Puerto Rico and federal income taxes

- independence as opposed to statehood

- how Puerto Ricans feel about statehood

- US domestic political considerations

- what making Puerto Rico a state might cost

- short and medium-term prospects for statehood

Follow George on X, and check out Puerto Rico 51st

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The Constitution: Quartering Soldiers and Warrants Mar 19, 2024

Trey & Ken continue through the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights by diving into the 3rd and 4th Amendments.

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Schumer, Liberals Ban Everything, Judge McAfee, Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Trump’s RNC Mar 15, 2024

Trey & Ken start the episode with a deep dive into Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Senate speech on Israel, Hamas, and Benjamin Netanyahu. This includes a discussion of the norm breaking nature of calling for a vote on a democratically elected leader, if the Biden administration is giving in to more leftist voices, and the extent to which the U.S. may change its behavior in relationship to Israel.

Next is a conversation on a series of orders from Judge McAfee on Trump’s cases, including throwing out six charges, and the requirement that Nathan Wade step down (which is now official).

Finally the pair close the show with a discussion of the recent firings and memos out of the RNC. Ken believes the restructure will take money away from Republican candidates and help Democrats, Trey thinks it is unwise to underestimate Trump’s ability to effectively campaign.

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Women in Politics Mar 13, 2024

Kimberly talks with Mary Chung Hayashi, national healthcare advocate, former California State Assembly member, Principal of Public Policy & Advocacy Solutions, and author of Women in Politics: Breaking Down the Barriers to Achieve True Representation.

Topics Kimberly & Mary discuss include:

Why we’re still having the same discussions about increasing the number of women in politics, even though not only women—but Americans as a whole—benefit from having women in elected government positions
Why women shouldn’t focus on what they’re lacking, but instead focus on what they can ‘bring to the table’
How Mary’s personal experience as an immigrant woman of Asian descent has brought her face-to-face with the plethora of challenges all women face running for—and serving in—public office, and strategies to overcome these barriers
The often-invisible biases against women of color running for office
Why it’s important for women with political ambitions to cultivate the support of men
The many ways in which men seeking or in political office benefit from a societal double standard for men and women
Why women should be encouraged, regardless of their political affiliation, to participate in politics
The importance of breaking down the imagination barrier to encourage both men and women to rethink their own preconceived notions about women’s roles
While money matters, and men almost always have more financial support, deep pockets aren’t necessarily the only way to win an election

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Bias Response Teams and Free Expression, Listener Questions Mar 12, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Speech First, Inc. v Sands, a Supreme Court case in which Jay submitted an amicus curiae brief to the Court. They get into whether the Court was right to dismiss the case as moot (Mike says yes while Jay has his doubts) as well as the underlying issue of whether bias response teams on college campuses necessarily chill speech (Jay says yes while Mike thinks possibly, but not necessarily).

After that, they respond to a bunch of listener questions: politicians in the opposite party they respect, the politician they’d most like to have a beer with and what they’d ask them, Jay’s best argument to Republicans for Biden and Mike’s best argument to Democrats for Trump.

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Super Tuesday, Trump Insurrection Ruling, State of the Union Mar 09, 2024

Mike & Jay open the episode with a look at the results of the most uncompetitive Super Tuesday ever, considering Nikki Haley’s position and whether the 2024 Presidential race is Donald Trump’s to lose at this point. They also discuss Senator Mitch McConnell’s endorsement of Trump in the context of McConnell’s remarks concerning Trump in the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol riot.

Following that they consider the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling that states can’t remove Donald Trump from the ballot for being an insurrectionist. Both Mike and Jay agree with the decision. Mike argues that the Court’s three liberals and Justice Barrett were right in arguing that the opinion was too broad, a position with which Jay disagrees.

They close by discussing President Biden’s State of the Union address, both on policy and whether or not it demonstrated that Biden may be up for the rigors of a presidential campaign. That leads to a broader discussion of campaigning, communicating, and governing.

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The Economic Government of the World Mar 06, 2024

Kimberly Weir, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Northern Kentucky University talks with Martin Daunton, Professor Emeritus of Economic History at the University of Cambridge. Professor Daunton is a former president of the Royal Historical Society and author of The Economic Government of the World From 1933-2023.

Topics Kimberly & Martin discuss include:

Why considering the economic events of 1933 is necessary for understanding the multilateral policies and institutions that emerged out of World War II
That food and labor security—not economic policies—were much more immediate concerns for policymakers in the first international conferences at the end of World War II
How domestic considerations are imperative to successfully coordinate international economic policies
Dealing with autocratic governments and increased populism when pursuing global economic governance
How global institutions (particularly the IMF, World Bank, FAO, and WHO) can aid developing countries, rather than just perpetuate a global economic divide advantaging developed countries
How China and Russia, along with the BRIICS bloc, impact global economic governance
How resolving countries’ debt is unquestionably tied to tackling climate change

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Trump’s Trials, Immigration, McConnell Stepping Down Mar 05, 2024

Mike, Jay, and Justin open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of the maneuvering over the schedule for Donald Trump’s documents trial. Jay argues that Trump’s actions aren’t all that unreasonable, a position with which Mike and Justin don’t agree, with Mike arguing that removing or destroying documents is never a legally justifiable response to a document subpoena.

Next, they consider the recent southern border visits by President Biden and Donald Trump. None of them sees this as a good issue for Biden, with Trey writing in to argue that focusing on the border in any way can only weaken Biden. Mike suggests that the only thing Biden could do to turn the issue around would be to take the sort of dramatic action he has previously shown a willingness to do on student loan debt, but that he’s been unwilling to take on immigration.

After that is a look at Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell’s career in the wake of his announcement that he’ll be stepping down as Republican leader after the November elections. They close the episode by responding to a supporter’s question concerning whether Jay moderates his comments on Trump out of concern for partisan blowback as well as the larger issue of Republicans who may be afraid to speak their minds about Donald Trump.

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Trump’s Immunity, Presidential Race, Government Funding Mar 02, 2024

Mike, Jay, and University of Northern Iowa political scientist Justin Holmes open the episode with a discussion of the Supreme Court’s decision to hear Donald Trump’s ex-presidential immunity case. While they all agree it’s an important issue that needs to be ruled on by the Court, Mike and Justin are more concerned about the Court’s schedule than Jay is.

Next, they consider the results of the Michigan primary elections and what they might suggest about the near-inevitable Biden-Trump rematch. Mike argues that the seemingly large number of ‘uncommitted’ Democratic votes isn’t as big of a deal as many have made it out to be. Justin makes the case that the results point to issues for both Biden and Trump. Jay thinks most Democratic and Republican voters will ‘come home’ in the end.

They close with an examination of the recent short-term continuing resolutions to avert a government shutdown. Jay once again makes the point that Republicans almost always suffer politically when they shut down the government. Justin says government funding by continuing resolution is both common these days and not at all desirable, while Mike wonders about what this all says about Speaker Mike Johnson and his promise to return to a ‘normal’ budget process.

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GOP Primary, May and Trans People, Presidential Greatness, Our Ideal Candidates Feb 27, 2024

Mike and May open the preview of this midweek supporters' episode with a discussion of why Nikki Haley is staying in a presidential primary race she has almost no chance of winning, as well as considering who Donald Trump might choose as his running mate.

Following that, they address a question from a listener who asks if May denies the existence of trans people, getting into a larger discussion of gender-affirming care both for minors and adults.

Next is their take on the most recent Presidential Greatness Survey, which has Abe Lincoln at the very top and Donald Trump in the basement, as well as their thoughts on ideal presidential candidates not named Biden or Trump.

As Kids, They Thought They Were Trans. They No Longer Do. Pamela Paul (New York Times, 2/2/24)

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Ukraine War, Student Debt Forgiveness, Alabama IVF Ruling, Diversity Admissions Feb 24, 2024

Mike and May open with a discussion of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the latest US sanctions as the war reaches the two-year mark. May is unclear as to the US's goals and argues that this is reflected in declining public support for Ukraine. Mike believes the lack of support breaks down more along partisan lines, with Democrats more supportive than Republicans, and that the US goal is clear - to prevent Russia from overrunning Ukraine and to send a strong message to our allies and adversaries around the world.

Next is a look at the Biden administration's latest student loan debt forgiveness. Neither Mike nor May feel this is the best policy, but Mike sees it as one of the few economic relief levers the administration can pull without getting buy-in from congressional Republicans. They also consider student loan debt forgiveness in light of more fundamental problems with higher education costs.

Following that they get into the ruling by Alabama's supreme court that a wrongful death suit can go forward against a person accused of destroying frozen embryos at an IVF facility. They agree that the court made the right call based on Alabama's constitution and the state's Wrongful Death of a Minor statute, and debate the larger implications of this ruling as well as what legislative action they expect to see in response.

They close by considering why the US Supreme Court declined to take up an appeal to an equal protection challenge to a Virginia high school's admissions program, as well as how schools across the country can factor diversity into their admission decisions without having their programs invalidated by courts.

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Alexander Ward on Restoring American Foreign Policy Feb 21, 2024

Mike talks with Alexander Ward, a national security reporter at Politico and anchor of National Security Daily. He’s the author of the recently released book, The Internationalists: The Fight to Restore American Foreign Policy After Trump, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics Mike and Alexander Cover Include:

- why post-Trump foreign policy needed restoration

- comparing Biden and Trump’s Secretaries of State

- Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan

- meeting the rising threat from China

- Russia and the war in Ukraine

- Middle East policy

- North Korea

- climate change

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The Constitution: The Right to Bear Arms Feb 20, 2024

Trey & Ken continue through the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights by diving into the 2nd Amendment. They cover the history of the right, how it was a compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and the current jurisprudence of the 2nd Amendment.

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Trump's Civil Judgment, Navalny's Death, Trump's NATO Remarks, Biden and Netanyahu Feb 17, 2024

In this packed episode, Trey and Ken start by discussing the breaking news of Donald Trump’s civil judgment of $354.9 million in a New York court. Ken believes it will be difficult for the case to be overturned on appeal due to the need for a bond and because of the nature of the defense.

Following that they move to the next breaking story: the death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison. Trey and Ken both agree there is no good response because in large part the normal responses are already engaged. Ken hopes this might push Republicans toward supporting a Ukraine aid package.

Next, the pair turn to Trump’s NATO remarks over the weekend. Trey argues that the comments are terrible, in part because they burn down reasonable arguments over NATO. Ken argues that even if the U.S. had to foot the bill entirely it would be in its best interests to do so.

After that, they turn to a constellation of issues regarding Israel, including the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu. Trey sees the increasingly hostile relationship as a combination of factors, including Israel’s move to eliminate Hamas in its entirety and domestic pressure on Biden’s left. Ken somewhat optimistically believes that Biden can help broker a more lasting peace while looking forward to a two-state solution.

They close with a look at the flipped Santos seat for the Democrats and what that means for Speaker Johnson and the Senate funding bills for Ukraine and Israel.

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Immigration, Ukraine, Nevada Elections, Climate Change Feb 13, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of why the Senate’s bipartisan immigration proposal failed. Mike argues that the GOP is more interested in keeping the issue than improving things at the border, and Jay’s previous legislative optimism has now all but vanished.

They go on to discuss prospects for standalone funding for Ukraine and Israel, followed by a look at Nevada’s presidential primaries and GOP caucus. They close by addressing listener questions, including one on whether the hottest year on record has changed Jay’s view on climate change.

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Biden’s Cognitive State, Trump Insurrection and Immunity Cases Feb 10, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on President Biden’s handling of classified documents. Mike argues that Hur should have been more neutral in his wording, while Jay doesn’t see any significant problems with how Hur presented his findings. They also consider the broader issues of memory, verbal gaffes, and cognitive fitness.

Following that, they consider the oral arguments before the Supreme Court concerning Donald Trump’s eligibility to run for president. They expect either a unanimous or 8-1 decision allowing Trump to run and discuss the multiple reasons why this is the right call.

They close with a look at the D.C. Circuit’s ruling that Donald Trump isn’t immune from prosecution for any actions he took as President. Mike characterizes the argument by Trump as a long-shot aimed at delaying a potential guilty verdict until after the 2024 election. Jay doesn’t disagree and predicts the Supreme Court will hear an inevitable appeal from Trump. Mike hopes the high court doesn’t hear the case at all, letting the D.C. Circuit’s decision stand, and allowing Trump’s trial to move forward as expeditiously as possible.

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Luttig vs Trump, MAGA vs Taylor Swift, State of the Democratic Party Feb 06, 2024

Mike and Ken open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a detailed look at why conservative former federal judge Michael Luttig believes Donald Trump is ineligible to run for president. They discuss both Luttig’s arguments against the Court ducking the issue and his substantive case against Trump as an insurrectionist.

Following that, they discuss why MAGA world is so unhappy with Taylor Swift and consider the present state and near-future prospects for the Democratic Party.

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Mayorkas Impeachment, Social Media, Alabama Execution, Biden’s Judges Feb 02, 2024

Mike and Ken open the episode with a discussion of the move by House Republicans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. They examine the articles of impeachment and agree that they’re not very convincing, and consider how the Senate might proceed if the House votes to impeach Mayorkas.

Next, they turn to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearings on online harm to children. While there’s a bipartisan consensus that more should be done to keep kids safe online, Ken points out the problems with simply eliminating legal protections for social media companies. Mike contends that much of the harm done to kids online is unlikely to be addressable through legislation.

After that is a discussion of capital punishment in the wake of Alabama’s first-in-the-nation use of the nitrogen hypoxia execution method, followed by a discussion of whether it’s time for the Senate to speed up judicial confirmations by ending the “Blue Slip” home-state Senator veto for district court judge nominations.

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Donald Trump’s War on Capitalism Jan 31, 2024

Mike talks with David Stockman, a legendary figure in Republican circles. Mr. Stockman has served as a member of the House of Representatives, budget director in the Reagan White House, and partner in the private equity company Blackstone. He’s the author of many books, the latest of which is Trump’s War on Capitalism, which they discuss in this episode.

Topics Discussed Include:

- why Donald Trump has “all the right enemies”

- Trump’s “hopelessly wrong” economic policies

- how the financial crisis of 2008-09 never really ended

- Trump’s immigration and trade policies

- the COVID response under Trump

- the big Trump tax cut

- why a Trump loss would be good for the GOP

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Navarro Sentencing, Secret Courts, The Republican Party Jan 30, 2024

This week's special bonus show is our right-wing hosts: Trey and Jay!

They start the show with a few items from last week: Peter Navarro's Sentencing and the new secret data courts formed by executive order. Jay is pretty firm that Navarro is a political prosecution. Where Trey and Jay do agree is that Trump will have a hard time continuing to find real staff as he steps back from those who supported him when it becomes convenient.

Next, they discuss the new court designed to allow Europeans to protect their privacy in the United States. But the court's docket is unknown, if they take cases are unknown, and even the process for EU citizens is not clear. This leads Trey to question what the real intention of this court is and to a conversation about the importance of data privacy.

Finally, Trey and Jay give their take on the past, present and future of the Republican Party. They have large agreement on its origins and transformation. But where Trey despairs that the party is not only no longer what it once was, nor a place he finds a home, Jay believes that after short-term pain there is a future for conservatives.

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New Hampshire, Abbott's Order, Immigration Bill Jan 27, 2024

Trey and Jay open a special right-wing look at the week's politics! Next week the left takes over with Mike and Ken.

Trey and Jay open the episode diving deeply into New Hampshire's Republican primary. This includes a look at the voter turnout, demographic shifts, delegate count, and what the exit of DeSantis means for the race. Trey is hopeful of a Haley victory and sees her easily defeating Biden on the most recent polling data. Jay is like sure and more sure that the race is effectively over. They also discuss the influence the civil ruling against Trump in the amount of $83.3 million

Next, they discuss Texas Governor Abbott's recent order declaring an invasion and therefore the "right" of Texas to ignore the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal law. Jay and Trey agree that there is no historical nor constitutional basis to the order, but Jay argues the use of the term invasion is a good one in a cultural context. Trey deeply disagrees and the two have a deep debate over the merits of different immigration policies. Trey believes in the easier free movement of people without much benefit to deep border policies, Jay sees the need for tougher regulation to crack down on fentanyl and crime.

They close the show with an update on the possibility of an immigration bill paired with Ukraine / Israel funding. Jay believes it is likely and that House Republicans will take a win if they can get it. Trey believes McConnell that Republicans don't want a win until Trump is in office and that some House Republicans are no votes without question.

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Bipartisan Tax Deal, Transgender Rights, The Administrative State Jan 23, 2024

Mike and May open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of a bipartisan deal to raise the child tax credit and reinstate some business tax breaks. Both Mike and May think it’s a good deal as there’s something for Democrats (the child tax credits) and something for the Republicans (those business tax credits) though Mike in particular expresses skepticism that it will end up becoming law any time soon.

Next, they consider the Supreme Court declining to review a case involving bathroom access for an Indiana transgender student, which leads them into a deeper discussion of the law and transgender rights.

They close the show by considering whether the Supreme Court will end its “Chevron Deference” doctrine, in which courts defer to any reasonable administrative interpretation of ambiguous legislation. Mike thinks overturning Chevron entirely is a mistake, whereas May believes it’s the right thing to do.

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Iowa Caucuses, Budget Deal, US and Houthis, Immigration and Ukraine Jan 20, 2024

Mike and May open the episode with a look at Donald Trump’s decisive victory in Iowa and what may lie ahead for Trump, Nikki Haley, and Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire. Mike seems to be holding out some hope that Haley can mount a long-shot challenge to Trump, but May believes the race is all but over at this point.

Next, they welcome political scientist Kimberly Weir for a discussion of the US response to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Kimberly discusses the factors influencing the Houthi’s actions, May evaluates the US response, and Mike offers his thoughts on the military difficulties facing the US in responding to Houthi attacks.

Following that, Mike and May turn to the continuing resolution the averted a government shutdown. Mike believes that Speaker Mike Johnson bowed to the political and numerical realities of the situation in passing the CR despite the opposition of nearly half of his caucus.

They close by evaluating the chances for legislation on immigration and Ukraine aid in 2024, which neither of them believes to be too likely.

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Black Grief, White Grievance, and the Politics of Loss Jan 17, 2024

Mike talks with Juliet Hooker, the Royce Family Professor of Teaching Excellence in Political Science at Brown University. Professor Hooker is a political theorist specializing in racial justice and has authored multiple books, the latest of which is Black Grief/White Grievance: The Politics of Loss, which is the topic of their discussion.

Topics Mike and Juliet Cover Include:

- the meaning of Black grief and white grievance

- justified and unjustified political loss

- why the context of a loss is important

- differing responses to political loss

- the baseline entitlement assumptions of whites in America

- the politics of refusal

- racism and the narrowing of the political imagination

- the ‘dominant official romantic narrative’ of the civil rights movement

- repairing vs salvaging American democracy

- reasons for optimism

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The Constitution: Assembly and Petition Jan 16, 2024

Trey & Ken continue through the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights by diving into the 1st Amendment’s Free Assembly and Petition Clauses. This ends their discussion of the 1st Amendment.

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Is Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza? Jan 14, 2024

In this special bonus segment, Mike is joined by political scientist and international relations expert Kimberly Weir (who also happens to be married to Mike) for a discussion of whether or not Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and why South Africa brought their genocide claim before the International Court of Justice.

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Where’s Austin?, Israel and Genocide, Hunter Biden, Trump’s Statement Jan 12, 2024

Trey and Ken open the show by outlining the strange disappearance of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Both Trey and Ken agree that deep mistakes were made by Austin, but Trey thinks Biden should have noted publicly that it was a mistake. Ken thinks that Republicans have created an environment where Democrats cannot apologize.

Next is a discussion of both the Federal District Court Case against President Biden for failing to prevent genocide in Gaza and the ICJ case from South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. Ken argues that the legal definition of genocide has not been met by any stretch. Trey argues that the American left may not have an ethic of a just war anymore and that, as a result, many Democrats are wrongly critical of Israel.

Then they turn to Hunter Biden's appearance at the House Oversight Committee before pleading not guilty to three felonies and six misdemeanors. Trey saw the whole thing as a made-for-TV moment, but one that will ultimately hurt President Biden. Especially because he thinks it is likely Hunter will be found guilty on a few of the charges. Ken thinks it is the right move for Hunter and is less convinced of guilty charges.

They end the show discussing the strange closing arguments for Trump in civil court. They also make conflicting predictions. Trey believes that the Court couldn't behave in a normal manner with Trump and therefore that there will be no lasting rulings against him, Ken continues to believe he will be held accountable.

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The Law of Presidential Impeachment Jan 10, 2024

Mike talks with Michael Gerhardt, a professor of jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina Law School and a long-time student of presidential impeachment. He’s the author of the just-released book, The Law of Presidential Impeachment: A Guide for the Engaged Citizen, which is the topic of their discussion.

Topics Discussed Include:

- why impeachment is in the Constitution

- if impeachment has been underutilized

- the threat of impeachment as a check on abuse of power

- the misconception that impeachment is a political process

- presidential due-process rights in an impeachment

- Senators breaking their oaths during impeachment trials

- the five presidential impeachments

- if impeachment can be made less partisan

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US Steel, NYT vs. OpenAI, House Majority, Boebert Switch, A.I. in the Courts Jan 09, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Nippon Steel’s planned purchase of US Steel. While the pending acquisition has drawn some bipartisan opposition, both Mike and Jay think it’s a good deal for nearly everyone.

Next is a look at the New York Times’ lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement. Jay points out that this is almost entirely new territory, with Mike commenting that once again, technology is moving faster than our legal system.

Following this are conversations about the shrinking GOP House majority, Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert changing congressional districts and a more general discussion of qualifications for office, and Chief Justice John Roberts’ thoughts on A.I. in the federal court system.

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Trump 2024, Gay Resigns, More Menendez Charges, Border Dispute Jan 06, 2024

Mike and Jay open with a look at the Supreme Court’s decision to rule on whether or not Donald Trump can appeal on the presidential ballot in Colorado. They both predict that the Court will rule for Trump, with Mike thinking that there’s a greater chance of a near-unanimous decision than Jay foresees.

Next is a discussion of President Biden’s unofficial 2024 reelection campaign speech near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. They agree with Biden’s factual accounting of Donald Trump’s actions (and inactions), but Jay argues that Biden’s choice of words was inflammatory and disingenuous. Mike responds that there’s good reason to fear serious consequences for America if Trump wins in 2024.

Then they turn to the resignation of Harvard president Claudine Gay and how racial animus played into it, followed by more charges being leveled against Senator Robert Menendez, and ending with a discussion of whether or not the Border Patrol should be allowed to remove razor-wire put in place by the state of Texas to deter migrant crossings.

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Seth Kaplan on Repairing America’s Fragile Neighborhoods Jan 03, 2024

Mike talks with Seth Kaplan, a Professorial Lecturer at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. Professor Kaplan has published widely in the area of development, including two books on fragile states, and has served as a consultant to organizations including the World Bank, U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the OECD. He’s the author of multiple books, the most recent of which is Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics Mike and Seth Discuss Include:

- what it means for a neighborhood to be fragile

- the distinction between economic and social poverty

- key factors driving the increase in social poverty

- top-down vs ‘sideways’ approaches to helping fragile neighborhoods

- programs that have made a real difference

- if we need to rethink the American Dream

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Harvard President Claudine Gay, State of Democracy, Predictions Jan 02, 2024

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of the controversy surrounding Harvard President Claudine Gay. Jay thinks Gay should step down or resign, while Mike questions a system that promoted Gay given her sparse publication record, but argues that you don’t have to be a great academic to be a great university president.

Next, they discuss a new AP/NORC poll on the state of democracy (it’s not good) and how well they feel democracy in America is working out these days, followed by a look back at their predictions for 2023 and some new predictions for 2024.

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Trump’s Eligibility and Immunity, Migrant Caravan, Trade Policy Dec 29, 2023

Mike and Jay open the episode with a look at multiple state decisions concerning whether or not Donald Trump is eligible to appear on the GOP primary ballot. They consider the 14th Amendment’s Insurrection Clause and whether the elements apply to Trump, the authority of state officials to rule on this, and how (or even if) they believe the Supreme Court will rule on the issue.

Following that is a discussion of immigration policy as another large migrant caravan makes its way to the United States. Jay argues that our immigration system is broken and Mike agrees, though he pushes back on Jay’s claim that we have essentially open borders. They discuss what sort of compromise is possible and who may be standing in the way of action on immigration.

Then it’s back to Trump, considering the Supreme Court’s decision to not take up his presidential immunity claim before the D.C. Circuit has a chance to rule. They both see this as the correct decision and a positive development for Trump, even though it’s unlikely he’ll avoid a jury verdict before January of 2025.

They close with what a second Trump term might mean for trade, a prospect both Mike and Jay find deeply troubling.

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Anti-Urban Bias and Inequality in America Dec 20, 2023

Mike talks with Richard McGahey, an economist and senior fellow at the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis and the Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy, at The New School. He’s served as executive director of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, assistant secretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Labor, and in senior governmental positions in New York State and New York City. He’s also the author of Unequal Cities: Overcoming Anti-Urban Bias to Reduce Inequality in the United States, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics Mike and Rick discuss include:

- the economic importance of cities

- cities vs. metropolitan areas

- why we should care about inequality

- causes of anti-urban bias in American politics

- how to address anti-urban bias

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The Constitution: Freedom of Press Dec 19, 2023

Trey & Ken continue through the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights by diving into the 1st Amendment's Free Press clause. They also look at how Free Speech and Free Press are intertwined. Finally, they look at the limits of these rights inside of civil actions along with a discussion of prior restraint.

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NDAA, Hunter Biden, Israel Dec 15, 2023

Trey and Ken start the episode discussing the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Three key items the hosts zero in on are: the nature of passing it with bipartisan support, the temporary renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and funding for Ukraine.

Next, they discuss the newly passed impeachment inquiry vote in the House along with Hunter Biden's decision to defy a Congressional subpoena. Here things get heated. Trey sees Hunter's decision as emblematic of his long standing wrong doing while Ken sees Hunter no differently than how any other family member has exploited the White House for profit. They also disagree over whether he should have testified. Trey says yes and Ken says Hunter was right to defy the order.

The pair close on the most recent events in the Hamas / Israel conflict. This includes a discussion of the growing split on the left over support for Israel and Ken trying to help Trey understand why many on the left see Israel as a colonizer state.

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What’s Wrong with Congress and How Can We Fix It? (Part 2) Dec 13, 2023

In Part 2 of this crossover episode between The Politics Guys and Beyond Politics, Mike and Beyond Politics host Matt Robison consider potential solutions to the problems plaguing Congress. They cover a lot of ground, including the influence of money in politics, the impact of media on political discourse, and the intricacies of the voting system. Specific reforms they discuss include a voucher system for campaign finance, the restoration of the talking filibuster in the Senate, approval voting, and rank choice voting.

Be sure to listen to Part 1 of the conversation on the Beyond Politics podcast.

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College Presidents on Antisemitism, Israel and the Palestinians Dec 12, 2023

Mike and Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode by discussing the fallout from the congressional testimony of the presidents of Penn, MIT, and Harvard. Mike argues that their comments were technically and legally correct but utterly tone-deaf. Jay contends that the presidents’ responses demonstrate a clear bias in academia, a charge Mike doesn’t believe to be entirely accurate.

From there they move on to an extended discussion of Israel and the Palestinians. Mike makes the case that the Israelis have never truly negotiated in good faith with the Palestinians. Jay doesn’t think that’s the case, and argues that even if Israel hasn’t always acted spotlessly, they’ve done far better than groups representing the Palestinians have.

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Biden Indictment, Ukraine and Immigration, Fake Electors, Upending the Tax Code Dec 08, 2023

Mike and Jay open the episode with a discussion of the indictment of Hunter Biden on multiple tax-related charges, as well as the broader House Republican investigation into the Biden family. They agree that Hunter Biden almost certainly cheated the federal government but that there’s nothing yet that links his activities to any illegal actions on the part of Joe Biden. (Though Jay is less certain of this than Mike is.)

From there, they turn to Senate Republicans blocking passage of aid to Ukraine and Israel over demands for more border security. Mike points out that President Biden is ahead of much of his party on this issue, while Jay sees a deal being made sometime before the end of the year.

Next is a look at the indictment of six fake electors in Nevada, which comes after similar actions in other states. Mike sees this as an appropriate action that will give those with crazy ideas pause, while Jay wonders if it may represent the criminalization of politics.

They close on the Supreme Court case of Moore v United States, which has the potential to upend the tax code and cost the federal government trillions of dollars. Neither Mike nor Jay buys the government’s constitutional argument, but Mike thinks that this is a case where pragmatism will likely outweigh constitutional purity. Jay is concerned that the Court could rule in a way that would give Congress too much taxing authority.

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The Constitution: Freedom of Speech Dec 05, 2023

Trey & Ken continue through the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights by diving into the 1st Amendment's Free Speech clause. What, if any, restrictions can government place on speech? What is and to what extent do people have symbolic speech rights? All of this and a host of court cases covered on this week's episode.

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Henry Kissinger, Sandra Day O'Connor, Santos, SEC v Jarkesy Dec 02, 2023

Trey and Ken open the episode covering two recent deaths: Henry Kissinger and Sandra Day O'Connor. Trey outlines the positives and the controversies of Kissinger's international realism, along with both his opening of China and his support for authoritarian regimes. Ken highlights the swing vote legacy of O'Connor, despite her own desire not to be seen in that light during her lifetime.

Next, they turn to the U.S. House's expelling of George Santos. Trey outlines the Constitution's flexibility on the issue, agrees with his ousters, and sees in it the possibility for a move away from Trumpianism in the Republican Party. Ken is less optimistic, but agrees with Santo's ouster.

They close with a look at the Supreme Court oral arguments over SEC v Jarkesy and the 5th Circuit Court's opinion questioning the administrative state. Trey sees potential issues with a consecration of power in a singular agency of powers, and institutions, designed to be divided. Ken believes there is less to fear and no Constitutional problem with vesting an administrative agency with executive, legislative, and judicial power.

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The Misunderstood Rural Voter Nov 29, 2023

Mike talks with Colby College political scientists Nick Jacobs and Dan Shea about their book The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and the Disuniting of America.

Topics Discussed Include:

- what it means to be a rural voter

- misconceptions of rural voters

- if conservatives in rural areas are truly distinct

- what rural identity is, and why it matters

- why Democrats have been doing so poorly with rural voters

- Donald Trump’s appeal in rural areas

- ruralness and racism

- if Democrats can ever compete again outside of cities and suburbs

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Counting Ballots in PA, Congressional Retirements, Elon Musk – Antisemite? Nov 28, 2023

In the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode, Mike, Jay, and May open by discussing a federal judge ruling that Pennsylvania mail-in ballots that were incorrectly dated but received on time have to be counted. Jay and May have problems with the decision, and Mike agrees that it doesn’t seem to fit the Materiality Provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but that it may be a violation of the Equal Protection Clause.

From there they turn to an unusually high rate of congressional retirements. Jay thinks it’s mainly due to Congress being an increasingly miserable place to work. Mike and May agree, though Mike also believes that more Democrats are retiring, especially in the Senate, because they see rough electoral waters ahead.

Next is a look at whether Elon Musk’s recent activity on X is antisemitic and whether Musk has a case against Media Matters for alleging that X has put vile antisemitic posts next to ads from major corporations.

They close with a consideration of what they’re each most thankful for in this holiday season.

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Israel-Hamas, Insurrectionist Trump, Voting Rights Nov 25, 2023

Mike, Jay, and May open the episode with a discussion of the hostage-for-prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel. They all agree on the importance of Israel getting their hostages back as well as on Hamas’ determination to destroy Israel. But Mike feels that Israel should find a way to give Gazans a positive path forward, something Jay and May are less optimistic about (not that Mike is all that optimistic).

Next, they turn to a Colorado judge’s ruling that Donald Trump is an insurrectionist, but that he can still appear on the ballot because the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment doesn’t apply to him. All of the hosts agree that the clause doesn’t apply to Trump, and that voters should have the opportunity to decide whether to elect an insurrectionist, or if Trump is an insurrectionist in the first place.

They close with a look at the 8th Circuit’s recent ruling that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act doesn’t give private individuals the right to bring suit. Mike sees it as wrongheaded conservative judicial activism, a position Jay and May dispute.

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Is Amazon Good for Consumers? The FTC has its doubts. Nov 22, 2023

Mike talks with Adam Kovacevich, founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress and former head of Google’s US policy strategy and external affairs team about the FTC’s antitrust lawsuit against Amazon.

Topics Mike and Adam Discuss Include:

- FTC Chair Lina Khan’s views on Big Tech and antitrust

- if Amazon is hurting consumers

- how dominant Amazon is in retail

- potential effects of FTC lawsuits against tech firms

- if antitrust law needs to be updated for the 21st century

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The Constitution: The Free Exercise Clause Nov 21, 2023

Trey & Ken continue through the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights by diving into the 1st Amendment and the Free Exercise Clause. Topics include Reynolds, Smith, and the separation between belief and action inherent in the Supreme Court's understanding of the phrase.

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Palestinian Hospital, Xi Jinping and Biden, Laddered Continued Resolution, Santos’ Ethics Report, Supreme Court Ethics Nov 18, 2023

Trey and Ken start the episode with a discussion of the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip. Trey argues that Israel's drive south is the result of the asymmetric nature of the conflict. Ken agrees, but believes that Israel must account for the human suffering and collateral damage a push out of Gaza City entails.

Next they turn to the meeting between Xi Jinping and Biden in San Fransisco. Trey lauds the positive rhetorical improvement from a few months ago and attributes this to the need for economic ties, which is the foundation of international liberalism.

After that is an overview of the newly passed laddered continuing resolution. Ken believes that deficit spending and the recent downgrade in US credit sits at the feet of the Republican Party. Trey argues it is the lack of a majority between Democrats who want to increase spending and Republicans who are deeply divided over what kinds of spending cuts are needed.

Then it is a brief overview of Representative Santos' Ethics Committee Report outlining his fraud. Trey and Ken predict the likelihood of him being removed from the House of Representatives. They close with a brief discussion on the Supreme Court's recently released ethics code.

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Why Flying is Miserable – And How to Fix It Nov 15, 2023

Mike talks with Ganesh Sitaraman, a Professor of Law at Vanderbilt Law School, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and a longtime advisor to Senator Elizabeth Warren. He's also the author of multiple books, including The Counterinsurgent’s Constitution, The Great Democracy, The Crisis of the Middle Class Constitution. His latest book is Why Flying is Miserable and How to Fix It, which they discuss in this episode.

Topics Mike and Ganesh cover include:

- what makes flying miserable

- the main eras of air flight regulation

- cross-subsidies and cream skimming

- the old, highly regulated system

- what led to deregulation

- how the deregulated system has performed

- how to make flying less miserable

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Is Biden Toast?, Tlaib Censure, Gun Rights, Saving Journalism? Nov 14, 2023

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at recent polling that shows Donald Trump beating President Biden in five of the six key battleground states. While it’s still a year until the election, Biden’s weakness is worrying a lot of Democrats, including Mike. Jay points out that if Trump is convicted things might change, though Trump being behind bars by election day is improbable, even if he’s convicted (of something or other) and sentenced to prison.

Next, they turn to the House censure of Rep. Rashida Tlaib for her remarks on Israel and Hamas. Mike doesn’t agree with Tlaib’s comments but feels that they’re not so beyond the pale that they merit censure, a position Jay disagrees with.

Following that it’s a look at oral arguments before the Supreme Court in United States v. Rahimi, in which the Court is being asked to determine if prohibiting people with domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm is constitutionally permissible. Both Mike and Jay think it is, and it looks like a majority of the Court sees things the same way.

They close with a discussion of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, bipartisan Senate legislation that would allow media companies to collectively bargain with Big Tech platforms for advertising revenue. Neither Mike nor Jay sees this as good legislation because while it would transfer some money from Big Tech to media companies, it doesn’t do much to encourage the sort of journalism that’s important to democracy.

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Manchin Out, No Labels, OH KY VA Elections, GOP Debate Nov 10, 2023

Mike and Jay open the episode with a discussion of West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin’s decision to not run for reelection in 2024. Mike thinks it makes sense given his likely defeat, and Jay makes a case for a Biden-Manchin 2024 ticket. They also consider what Manchin would bring to the No Labels presidential ticket, and how a No Labels candidate might affect the race.

Next they turn to the elections in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia. Abortion rights were a big winner in Ohio and played a role in all three states’ elections. Mike thinks it’s a great issue for Democrats to run on, and Jay argues that Republicans were stuck by past votes for pre-Roe laws they didn’t expect to go into effect.

They close with a loot at the latest Republican presidential debate. Mike wonders if there’s a point to the debates given Trump’s commanding lead. Jay thinks there is, and explains why.

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Disqualifying Trump, Social Media Blocking, Tuberville’s Fight, The ACA at 10 Nov 07, 2023

The preview of this supporters’ midweek episode opens with a discussion of the multiple state lawsuits concerning whether or not Donald Trump can even appear on the ballot. Some are arguing that he’s ineligible because he’s either engaged in or aided insurrectionists, which under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment makes him ineligible. Mike and May are skeptical of this line of reasoning and explain why they expect Trump to be on the ballot in all 50 states.

Next, they look at two Supreme Court cases involving public officials blocking citizens on their private social media accounts. Is this impermissible viewpoint discrimination, or are the officials exercising their 1st Amendment rights as private citizens? Mike and May agree that when it comes to non-governmental social media accounts, officials should be able to block anyone they want, which wouldn’t be permissible on official government social media accounts.

Then they turn to Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville’s hold on military promotions, which has both Democrats and many Senate Republicans increasingly frustrated. May is sympathetic to Tuberville’s policy position but thinks he should consider backing off at this point. Mike agrees, though he’s less in agreement with Tuberville’s methods than May is.

They close the episode with a look at how successful the Affordable Care Act has been now that it’s been in effect for a decade. Mike thinks it’s not perfect but has worked fairly well, while May sees things very differently. One thing they do agree on is that the U.S. healthcare system is a big, expensive mess.

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Israel and Hamas, Biden’s A.I. Order, Election Integrity Nov 04, 2023

Mike and May open with a discussion of the latest developments concerning Israel and Hamas. They look at the case for and against a temporary pause in Israel’s military response in Gaza, the House of Representatives approving $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, and why the U.S. would consider giving billions in aid to a wealthy country like Israel in the first place.

After that, they turn to President Biden’s Executive Order on artificial intelligence. Mike likes it overall but thinks that the administration doesn’t have the authority to mandate that A.I. developers give the federal government information concerning their models. May agrees with that but thinks it’s a bad idea even if it were to come via legislation.

They close by addressing listener questions concerning May’s comments last week about election integrity. For listeners who want a fuller understanding of Republican concerns, May recommends Mollie Hemingway’s book Rigged: How the Media, Big Tech, and the Democrats Seized Our Elections.

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UAW and Ford, Ellis Plea, Trump Gag Orders, States Sue Meta, Lewiston Oct 31, 2023

Mike and May open the preview of this supporters' midweek episode with a discussion of the tentative labor agreement between the United Auto Workers and Ford. May doesn’t see how the economics work out for Ford and predicts a government bailout at some point. Mike is more optimistic and believes it’s a reasonable deal for both sides.

Following that they consider Donald Trump’s ongoing legal cases – the Georgia election case in the wake of a fourth defendant pleading guilty, gag orders in two of Trump’s other cases, and testimony by his former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows.

Then it’s a discussion of the multi-state, bipartisan lawsuit against Meta. May predicts a settlement at some point, though she isn’t so sure that it will do much to protect children.

They close with their thoughts on gun violence and America’s gun culture in the wake of yet another horrific mass shooting.

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Speaker Mike Johnson, Israel and Hamas Oct 28, 2023

Mike and May open the episode with a discussion of recently elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. May sees the whole Speaker saga as embarrassing for her party while Mike argues against the portrayal of Johnson as a radical far-right election denier.

After that they turn to the Middle East, discussing whether or not Mike was right to suggest Israel is a colonialist oppressor, whether that’s inherently antisemitic, UN ceasefire resolutions, and a Senate proposal for standalone Israel aid, as opposed to the Israel/Ukraine/Immigration package proposed by the Biden administration.

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Georgia Election Case, Menendez Charges, Presidential Race, Biden and the Media Oct 24, 2023

In the preview of this supporters' midweek episode Mike and Jay open by discussing the guilty pleas by Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro in the Georgia racketeering case. Mike thinks it’s a reasonable prosecution and that these pleas may make it easier for prosecutors to get Trump. Jay thinks that “getting Trump” is exactly the problem with this prosecution that he believes shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

Then they turn to the revised indictment against New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez. Both Jay and Mike think Menendez is almost certainly a corrupt guy who should end up behind bars. Mike comments that both Menendez and Republican Rep. George Santos seem to have learned that in modern American politics, brazening it out no matter how guilty you look (or are) is the go-to strategy.

They close by discussing the near inevitability of a Biden-Trump rematch and consider President Biden’s reluctance to appear before the media.

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Israel and Hamas, House Speaker Fight Oct 20, 2023

Mike and Jay open with the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Jay gives President Biden credit for his response but argues that Biden’s words of sympathy for Palestinian civilians were ill-timed. They consider the larger issues involved – whether Gazans are rightfully angry with Israel, what Hamas wants and whether Israel is giving it to them, and if we’ll ever see a two-state solution – as well as responses by pro-Palestinian groups in the US and their doxing by conservative groups.

Then they turn to the Republicans' inability to elect a Speaker of the House. Mike makes the case that candidate Jim Jordan represents much of what’s wrong with American politics. Jay doesn’t make a case for Jordan as Speaker, but he argues at this point anyone is better than no one. Mike agrees but wonders why the far more numerous House Republican moderates should have to give in to the smaller Freedom Caucus Republicans. They both predict there will be a Republican Speaker within the next few weeks and that the whole fracas won’t matter much to voters in November.

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Jay Talks with Rep. Jim Jordan (2017) Oct 18, 2023

In the fall of 2017, only a few years after Jim Jordan co-founded the House Freedom Caucus, he had this conversation with Jay, who knew Jordan from their days in the Ohio House of Representatives (Jordan was a freshman legislator, Jay was a staffer).

Jordan talks about why he helped create the Freedom Caucus, what it stands for, his views on government spending and debt, as well as some ideas that Mike thinks end up in “tinfoil-hat-wearing conspiracy theory” territory.

Given Jordan’s rise to power and his current bid to be the next Speaker of the House, we thought listeners might appreciate hearing this interview from our Politics Guys archive.

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The Constitution: The Bill of Rights Oct 17, 2023

Trey & Ken continue their dive into the U.S. Constitution by overviewing the origins, history, and importance of the Bill of Rights. This episode sets up the next arch of the Constitution episodes as Trey & Ken go through each portion of the first 10 Amendments.

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The Gaza Strip, House Speaker Oct 13, 2023

In this deep dive episode Trey & Ken take a longview look at the conflict in the Gaza Strip. This includes a history into the formation of both Israel and the Gaza Strip, along with the key moments that led to the terrorist activity on Saturday. The pair discuss the current crisis, the likely next steps, and the response internationally and in the United States to the crisis.

As a second story the guys look at the collapse of Scalise as the next U.S. House Speaker, likely next steps, and the possibility of a coalition Speaker with votes from House Democrats.

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Steve Inskeep on Lincoln’s Leadership in Turbulent Times Oct 11, 2023

Mike talks with Steve Inskeep, cohost of NPR’s Morning Edition and their Up First podcast. He’s the author of multiple books, including Instant City, Jacksonland, Imperfect Union, and his latest book, Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America, which they discuss in this episode.

Topics Mike and Steve Discuss Include:

- the myth vs the reality of Lincoln

- how growing up poor influenced Lincoln

- Lincoln’s impressive understanding of human psychology

- the benefits of engaging with critics

- comparisons to Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama

- the legacy of Lincoln’s use of executive power

- division, reconciliation, and what we can learn from Lincoln today

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Unconstitutional Agencies, Credit Card Competition, In Praise of Idleness Oct 10, 2023

The preview of this supporters’ midweek episode open's with a discussion of Mike’s favorite federal agency – the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Supreme Court is considering whether the financing system for the agency set up by Congress is unconstitutional. Mike doesn’t think so, but it’s a tougher call for Jay.

After that, they look into the Credit Card Competition Act, legislation currently in the Senate that would force Visa and Mastercard to let merchants choose an alternative to them for processing credit card payments. On this, Mike and Jay are largely in agreement – more competition seems like a good idea, despite the scare ads that suggest it will mean the end of credit card rewards program.

They close by considering Bertrand Russell’s essay “In Praise of Idleness”. Mike thinks there’s a lot to it, and while Jay sees the merit in some of what Russell argues, he feels that Russell might be over-selling idleness.

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McCarthy Out, California’s New Senator, Supreme Court Back, Trump Civil Case Oct 06, 2023

Mike and Jay open the show with a discussion of the ousting of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, with every Democrat joining eight Republicans in voting to remove McCarthy as Speaker. Mike asks Jay to explain what’s going on with his party, and whether he thinks this will hurt Republicans in 2024. Jay thinks there will be electoral consequences, but Mike doesn’t agree, at least not if an extended government shutdown is avoided. They have a lot to say about Matt Gaetz, none of it complimentary. (Though Mike gives him credit for solid political positioning.)

Following that is a discussion of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointment of Laphonza Butler to fill the seat held by the recently departed Dianne Feinstein, a Supreme Court case hinging on whether the word “and” might actually mean “or”, and Donald Trump accusing a court clerk in his civil trial of being Senator Chuck Schumer’s girlfriend and helping to “rig” the case against him.

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Lainey Newman on Rust Belt Union Blues Oct 04, 2023

Trey talks with Lainey Newman, co-author of Rust Belt Union Blues: Why Working-Class Voters Are Turning Away from the Democratic Party about how the changing nature of social networks has shifted Union voters from Democrats to Trump voters.

Topics Trey and Lainey Discuss Include:

- how Lainey and Theda Skocpol came to work on the book

- how social networks including unions defined the "union man"

- why union workers shifted voting patterns as a result of social network changes

- the reason for the decline of unions

- what the future of unions are in the United States

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The Constitution: Article VII Oct 03, 2023

Trey and Ken continue their deep dive into the U.S. Constitution with an examination of Article VII. The pair discuss the government bypassing nature of the ratification process, what the ratification process was, how the anti-federalists brought us the Bill of Rights from the ratification battle, and set up an introduction to the Bill of Rights.

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Feinstein, GOP Debate, House Shutdown, NY Fraud Case, Alabama Sep 30, 2023

After a brief discussion of the death of Diane Feinstein, including her legacy both positive and negative, Trey and Ken discuss the GOP debate. Trey just doesn’t see room at the GOP table for anyone other than Trump. Ken thinks that the nominees should have gone after Trump sooner, but now have no way to pivot. They then discuss the possibility of a Trump victory next year in the general election.

Next, they turn to the ongoing shutdown. As the show went live McCarthy lost his vote for a continuing resolution. Trey argues that a smaller faction of the House Freedom Caucus simply want McCarthy out as speaker for symbolic reasons. Ken argues that the Freedom Caucus wants to effectively burn the house down.

They then turn to the ongoing civil trial in New York over the valuation of Trump’s properties. Ken explains the nature of this kind of trial and what it means moving forward. They pair close the show discussing the U.S. Supreme Court’s unwillingness to allow Alabama to use its current electoral map.

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Heather Cox Richardson on the State of American Democracy Sep 27, 2023

Mike talks with Heather Cox Richardson, a professor of history at Boston College and creator of the popular, award-winning “Letters from an American” Substack newsletter. She’s the author of the recently released book, Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, which is the topic of their discussion.

Topics Mike and Heather Discuss Include:

- if America is on the brink of authoritarianism

- how and why authoritarian leaders come to power

- the breakdown of the American “Liberal Consensus”

- the transformation of the Republican Party

- GOP enablers of Trump

- whether liberal elites are to blame for Trump’s rise

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Paxton Acquittal, NCAA Legislation, Senate Dress Code, Masterson Rape Conviction Sep 26, 2023

In the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode Mike and May discuss Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s acquittal by the Texas State Senate; if college sports needs saving, whether Congress should act, and what that could look like; why the Senate abandoned its dress code and what that has to do with John Fetterman; and the reaction to Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis’s pre-sentencing letters on behalf of convicted rapist Danny Masterson.

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Shutdown Politics, Garland Testimony, PA Voter Registration Sep 23, 2023

After a brief look at the recently announced federal corruption indictment against New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, Mike and May discuss the politics of the looming government shutdown. With less than a week to go before the end of the fiscal year, a shutdown looks almost inevitable. Mike and May discuss the political and policy motivation of the key players and how they think things will play out.

Next, they turn to Attorney General Merrick Garland’s recent testimony before Congress, where he was asked tough questions about DOJ investigations, naming David Weiss a special counsel, alleged anti-Catholicism at the FBI, and targeting of parents protesting at school board meetings.

They close with a discussion of Governor Josh Shapiro’s announcement that Pennsylvania would be implementing automatic voter registration, making it the 24th state with an automatic registration process. May raises concerns concerning the legality of the move and the registration process itself. Mike agrees that there could be a legitimate legal challenge to Shapiro unilaterally making the change, but he has fewer concerns with the process and argues that it doesn’t benefit Democrats nearly as much as partisans on both sides may think.

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Max Borders on Underthrowing The System Sep 21, 2023

Mike talks with Max Bo‍‍‍rders, the founder and Executive Director of Social Evolution —a non-profit organization dedicated to liberating humanity through innovation. Max is also the co-founder of the Future Frontiers conference and festival. He’s the author of a number of books, including The Decentralist, The Social Singularity, After Collapse, and his most recent book, Underthrow: How Jefferson’s Dangerous Idea Will Spark a New Revolution, which is the focus of their discussion.

Topics Mike and Max discuss include:

- the modern faith in the Church of State

- what luxury beliefs are, and why they’re a problem

- why Max things we should relate to each other as consumers

- libertarianism and anarchism

- hubris and revolutionary change

Check out Max’s Constitution of Consent contest. It’s free to enter and the winner will get $25,000.

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Romney Retirement, CDC vs DeSantis, COVID Fraud Sep 18, 2023

In this preview of the midweek supporters’ episode, Mike and Jay open with a discussion of Mitt Romney’s retirement from the Senate, including a look at how the Republican Party has changed since Romney was the GOP’s nominee in 2012 and thoughts on Romney’s opposition to Trump.

After that, they discuss why Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his surgeon general are bucking the CDC’s latest COVID booster recommendation, the discovery of significant pandemic unemployment insurance fraud, and an excellent listener question on the root cause of our political dysfunction.

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Indicting Hunter, Impeaching Joe, The Big Three vs the UAW Sep 16, 2023

Mike and Jay kick off the episode with a discussion of Hunter Biden’s indictment on multiple federal gun-related charges. While the guys don’t see Biden ending up in a cell next to Donald Trump, they think it’s pretty clear that Hunter is guilty, but that the gun law he violated may be unconstitutional under the current Supreme Court’s view of the 2nd Amendment.

Next is a look at Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s announcement of a Biden impeachment inquiry. They discuss why McCarthy broke his word on having a vote of the full House to authorize such a move, the role of the House Freedom Caucus, and how the ongoing budget negotiations may or may not fit in.

Then they turn to the United Auto Workers strike against GM, Ford, and Chrysler, analyzing the union's demands for higher wages and benefits versus the automakers' need to invest in new electric vehicle technology. They discuss the political and economic tradeoffs around moving to EVs, including potential job losses that governments have failed to adequately address through retraining and transition programs.

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The Constitution: Article VI Sep 12, 2023

Trey and Ken continue their deep dive into the U.S. Constitution with an examination of Article VI. The pair discuss the importance of the continuation of supporting treaties from prior to the Constitution, the details of the Supremacy Clause, and a discussion of the importance of no religious tests for office in contrast to England.

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Navarro Conviction, Impeachment of Paxton, The Federal Deficit, Mexico’s Pro-Choice Ruling, The State of Labor Unions Sep 08, 2023

Trey and Ken open the show with a discussion of Peter Navarro’s conviction of contempt of Congress. Ken points out that this is a new tactic: appealing rulings not to win, but in the hopes of receiving a pardon. Meanwhile, Trey wonders about the larger reasoning for Navarro to go to bat for Trump given he could have been easily saved by Trump earlier in the process. This leads to a discussion of Enrique Tarrio’s conviction and sentencing. Trey is surprised that mainstream candidates such as DeSantis are criticizing the process and then laments it is evidence that the Republican Party is now the party of Trump ideology.

Next the duo discuss the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Ken (Katkin) notes that it was his own celebrity within the Christian right that ultimately bings him down among his own believers. Trey discusses the relationship between infidelity and politics.

After that is a conversation about the shocking news that the federal deficit doubled in 2023. Trey sees this as deeply problematic, especially since it is coming during a period of strong growth. He criticizes Bidenomics. Ken sees such deficits as sustainable, although they are second best options. He disagrees there is a need for structural change, unless it meant undoing tax cuts.

The Guys then turn their attention overseas to the recent Mexico Supreme Court ruling finding a right for abortion. This leads Trey and Ken to postulate how the U.S. and Mexico diverge. Trey notes that in both cases the Supreme Court’s were at odds with popular opinion in their respective countries. He wonders if Mexico will see a push for pro-life policies in a similar manner to the pro-choice bump which occurred after Dobbs.

The pair close the show with an empirical overview of Labor Unions for Labor Day. The final verdict? For better or worse they are dead.

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Trump, Biden, and Sorority Sisters Sep 05, 2023

In the preview of this supporters' midweek episode, Mike and May discuss Donald Trump's trial date being set for March 2024, right in the midst of the Republican primary race. They debate whether the timing will help or hurt Trump in the primaries, as well as whether any Republican will end up mounting a real challenge to Trump or if his being nominated by the GOP for a third straight time is a foregone conclusion. They also talk about the likelihood of House Republicans initiating impeachment proceedings against Biden when Congress is back in session. May argues that impeachment has been weaponized and even though a Biden impeachment inquiry may not be justified at this point, Republicans have to fight fire with fire before the bar can be raised again and impeachment becomes the rarity it's been in the past.

Shifting gears, they analyze a federal judge's decision allowing a biological male to join a sorority at the University of Wyoming. The judge ruled the sorority's bylaws stating membership is for women are open to interpretation since 'woman' was not defined. Mike and May discuss private organizations defining their own membership criteria as opposed to courts imposing definitions.

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Medicare Drug Price Negotiations, Should McConnell Retire? Sep 01, 2023

Mike and May open the episode with a look at the initial drugs selected for Medicare drug price negotiations, a very popular policy made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. May isn’t a fan of the program, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will save the government nearly $100 billion over a decade. She argues that it will stifle innovation and that the so-called negotiations are little more than government price setting. Mike sees things differently, believing that this gives Medicare the ability to negotiate that it should have had long ago. Mike and May agree in their view of the American health system as a big mess filled with perverse incentives.

Then they turn to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s recent on-camera freeze-up – the second in little more than a month. They discuss if McConnell should retire, what happens if he does, the best method to fill Senate vacancies (it’s not the method most states use), and whether it’s time to take a serious look at age and term limits for Congress. (And maybe age limits for the president too.) That sets Mike off on a semi-rant about the 10th Amendment. May generally agrees with him, but she’s less emotionally invested in it than Mike, who has a strangely deep attachment to the 10th.

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Trump Indictments, Maui and Climate Change, Prigozhin Murder Aug 29, 2023

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at the latest developments surrounding Donald Trump’s indictments. They discuss the sensation surrounding Trump’s mug shot as well as House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan’s announcement of an investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who indicted Trump on multiple felony counts related to his alleged attempts to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in Georgia.

Next, they turn to President Biden’s reaction to the tragic fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui as well as the connection between the fires and the larger issue of global climate change. Mike makes the case for a link and while Jay doesn’t disagree, he argues that many on the left are too quick to blame climate change.

They close with a discussion of the murder of Wagner Group head Yevgeniy Prigozhin – the latest in a long line of suspicious deaths linked to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

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GOP Presidential 'Debate', Can Trump Legally Run Again? Aug 26, 2023

Mike and Jay open the episode with a discussion of the first Republican presidential debate, featuring eight GOP presidential hopefuls with runaway favorite Donald Trump noticeably absent. Neither Jay nor Mike thinks what we saw was an actual debate, but they did find some value in hearing what the candidates had to say about supporting Donald Trump, immigration, abortion rights, and Ukraine. They also discuss Trump’s decision to skip the debate in favor of counter-programming a pre-taped interview with Tucker Carlson on X.

Is Donald Trump even constitutionally eligible to run again? Mike and Jay consider the argument that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars Trump from running. It’s not some crazy liberal notion, but a lengthy and well-researched argument of two well-respected conservative legal scholars. Mike finds the logic convincing and while Jay says there’s something to it, he doesn’t think that Trump can be barred from running without some sort of authoritative legal finding. Mike disagrees but argues that Trump shouldn’t be barred because of the horrendous repercussions of such a ruling.

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The Constitution: Article V Aug 22, 2023

Trey and Ken continue their deep dive into the U.S. Constitution with an examination of Article V. The hosts focus on the amendment process for the U.S. Constitution, along with two issues that our Framers kept from being amended. They also discuss the possibility of a Constitutional Convention along with if there will be a 28th Amendment.

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Racketeering, Republican Primary, Marion Newspaper, Tuberville Aug 19, 2023

This week Trey and Ken are joined by special guest Liz!

The Politics Guys trio start by discussing the most recent charges of racketeering against former president Trump in Georgia. Liz and Ken both see this as a good thing. Further Ken predicts Trump will wind up in jail before the end of the year. Trey thinks Ken is wrong, Trump will not wind up in jail for pragmatic political reasons. He also thinks the publicity of the trial will not fair well for Democrats.

Next the three discuss how the latest Trump charges intersect with the upcoming Republican Presidential primary. Liz thinks that Trump will turn himself in during the debate to keep the focus on him. Ken thinks that process will take longer than normal and believes it will make for bad imaging for Trump.

After that the discussion moves to the local story turned global: the Marion County Record's raid by local police. All three discuss the implication of the Privacy Protection Act along with the more human side to the story.

The three hosts finish the show with a discussion of Senator Tommy Tuberville's blocking of military promotions until Congress either takes action over Defense Department policy concerning paying for abortions and travel or the policy is overturned. Trey believes the Senate could and should take up the issue in normal policy, but won't because both sides believe they win by the inaction. Ken and Liz disagree, arguing the Tuberville's actions are without precedence.

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Are Liberal Elites to Blame for Trump? Aug 16, 2023

In this preview of the second midweek supporters’ episode we’re running this week, Mike, Jay, Trey, and a number of Patreon supporters consider the recent David Brooks NYT article, “What if We’re the Bad Guys Here?” in which Brooks asks the mostly liberal elite readership of the Times to consider how they may have contributed to an economic and cultural environment that allowed Donald Trump to come to power and remain the leading voice in the Republican Party.

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Biden & China; SCOTUS & Ghost Guns; Manchin, Trump & Party Loyalty Aug 15, 2023

In this preview of the supporters' midweek episode, Mike & Jay open with a discussion of President Biden’s recently announced investment restrictions on China. While both of the Guys are free traders, they agree that when it comes to national security it makes sense to put some restrictions on countries that are strategic adversaries.

Following that, they look at the Supreme Court’s recent stay of a lower-court judge’s invalidation of Biden administration ghost-gun kit regulations and consider party loyalty in the wake of Joe Manchin’s announcement that he’s very seriously considering leaving the Democratic Party as well as Donald Trump’s refusal to sign a GOP presidential nominee loyalty pledge.

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Biden Special Counsel, Abortion, Trump Indictment, Ukraine Funding Aug 12, 2023

Mike & Jay open with a discussion of Attorney General Merrick Garland’s appointment of a special counsel in the Hunter Biden investigation after the collapse of a plea bargain between Biden and federal prosecutors. While it may not change much in practical terms, they agree that it makes sense politically.

Next is a look at the message Ohio voters sent in resoundingly rejecting a measure that would have made it more difficult to enact a state constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights in the state. Jay and Mike agree that the GOP hasn’t found its way on the issue in the post-Dobbs world, but Jay is more confident than Mike that Republicans can win over voters on the issue.

Following that they discuss the latest developments in the Trump January 6th indictment, including the issuing of a protective order and Trump’s 1st Amendment rights. They close with Biden’s request for additional funding for Ukraine, which given softening public support Mike believes won’t necessarily pass. Jay is more optimistic, though he laments the more insular turn of the Trump-era GOP.

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Gender Affirming Care, Constitutional Change, Social Media & Politics Aug 08, 2023

Mike & May open the preview of this supporters-exclusive midweek episode by discussing May’s recent testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government’s hearing on gender-affirming care. They get into the legal authority for a recently proposed Department of Education regulation on sports participation as well as the larger issue of gender-affirming care.

Next, they turn to a special election in Ohio that would raise the bar for approving state constitutional amendments. They discuss why this is coming up now, if it’s too easy for states to change their constitutions, and if the US Constitution is too difficult to change.

They close with a discussion of recent research on the effects of social media on political knowledge, attitudes, and polarization, concluding that studies that Meta has argued absolve them of responsibility (at least in part) for coarsening political discourse in reality do no such thing.

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Trump Indictment, 2024 Election, US Credit Downgrade Aug 05, 2023

Mike & May open the episode with an in-depth discussion of the latest indictment against Donald Trump. Neither of them sees the case against the former president as particularly strong, with Mike expressing discomfort for using the criminal justice system to punish a political opponent who has done things that may be bad, dumb, and even unethical, but not clearly criminal. May thinks that, contrary to some theories on the right, special counsel Jack Smith is acting about how one would expect any special counsel to act.

Next, they move to the 2024 election and a recent NYT / Sienna College poll that has Trump and Biden in a dead heat. May doesn’t believe Donald Trump has much of a chance to return to the White House, and while Mike hopes she’s right, he has his doubts after thinking the same thing in 2016.

They close with a look at the recent downgrade of the US credit rating by Fitch. Mike argues that there aren’t likely to be significant short-term consequences, which both Mike and May see as a long-term problem for a political system that doesn’t have anything approaching the political will to address unsustainable spending. (May makes the case here that deficit spending is immoral.)

What if We’re the Bad Guys Here? David Brooks, New York Times

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UFOs, Harvard’s Legacy Admissions, Far-Right Movements Aug 01, 2023

In the preview of this supporters’ exclusive midweek episode, MIke & Jay open with a discussion of the recent UFO hearings held by the House Oversight Committee. They get into the credibility and motives of the witnesses, the likelihood of a big government cover-up, and if government should let the public know about signs of alien life (assuming there are any).

Then it’s a discussion of the Civil Rights investigation concerning Harvard’s legacy admission policies. Neither Mike nor Jay are fans of legacy admission preferences, but Jay thinks the government’s case is on weaker grounds than Mike does, and points out that the left was largely silent on legacy admissions until the recent Supreme Court affirmative action case didn’t go their way.

They close the episode with a discussion of President Biden’s meeting with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and the larger phenomenon of nativist far-right movements gaining power in democracies all over the world. This gets into a discussion of class distinctions as well as Mike & Jay’s joint recommendation of the song Common People – both the Pulp and William Shatner versions.)

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Trump Indictment, Biden Plea Deal, Record Heat Jul 28, 2023

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of the new charges and additional defendant in the federal indictment related to Donald Trump’s retention of classified documents and alleged attempts to obstruct the documents investigation. Mike doesn’t think this will have much of an effect on Trump’s strong likelihood of winning the Republican presidential nomination. Jay, who is less certain of Trump being the eventual nominee, largely agrees on its minimal impact on GOP primary voters, but believes it could hurt Trump in the general election.

Next, they move on to the Hunter Biden plea agreement, agreeing that the judge was right to not accept it. Mike contends that far from being a sweetheart deal, Biden may have been treated more harshly because his father is President. Jay somewhat agrees in relation to the gun charge but has more of an issue with Biden’s failure to pay taxes.

They close with a discussion of record-setting heat and the Biden administration’s attempts to minimize its impact. While Jay doesn’t have big problems with any of the recently announced efforts, he’s more skeptical of some of the claims of climate scientists than Mike is, and has more faith in the ability of markets and technology to deal with the impact of climate change than Mike has.

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Rachel Korberg on American Workers and Quality Jobs Jul 27, 2023

Mike talks with Rachel Korberg, Executive Director and co-founder of the Families and Workers Fund, a coalition of philanthropies working to build a more equitable U.S. economy. She also serves as President of the Board at the Stonewall Community Foundation, one of the largest funders of LGBTQIA+ causes.

Korberg has a Master’s in Public Policy from Yale, executive training in human-centered design from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, and has been a featured speaker at the Federal Reserve, United Nations, National League of Cities, Aspen Institute, and many universities.

Topics Mike & Rachel Discuss Include:

- unemployment & median wages

- the three pillars of job quality

- problems with measuring job quality

- who should be collecting and publishing job quality information

- how better information on job quality can help workers

Rachel Korberg on Twitter

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The U.S. Constitution: Article IV, Sections 3 and 4 Jul 25, 2023

Trey and Ken continue their journey through the U.S. Constitution. They finish up Article III looking at treason. Then the pair move on to Article IV, Section 1 and discuss full faith and credit.

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Israel, Sea Grain Initiative, Cash Bail, Election Maps, RFK Jr Jul 21, 2023

Trey & Ken start the show discussing Represenative Jayapal's remarks on Israel. It includes a discussion of President Isaac Herzog's speech. There is a historical overview of the modern Israeli state, along with a discussion of Palestine. Trey recognizes the inequality, but sees it coming from a historic battle for survival. Ken, while sympathetic, considers it apartheid.

Next is the ending of the Sea Grain Initiative by Russia. Trey points out that this grain is headed primarily for Turkey and China, indicating a potential additional fissure among these aligned countries. Ken agrees and both consider how this may have played into last week's NATO meeting.

After that the pair discuss the Illinois Supreme Court's ruling ending of cash bail. The discussion covers both the state law's legality, but the guys also talk about the policy of bail in general. Ken suggests in a world with crowdfunding, bail has less meaning.

Then the guys cover the recent issue concerning the Georgia Congressional election map and speculate as to what might happen given the recent supreme court case of Allen v Milligan (2023).

Trey & Ken close the show discussing RFK's testimony to Congress. Trey thinks RFK Jr represents a schism inside the Democratic Party that has not been noticed because of the tension in the Republican Party in the Trump era. Ken disagrees and sees RFK as effectively a sleeper agent for Republicans.

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The U.S. Constitution: Article III, Section 3 and Article IV, Section 1 Jul 18, 2023

Trey and Ken continue their journey through the U.S. Constitution. They finish up Article III looking at treason. Then the pair move on to Article IV, Section 1 and discuss full faith and credit.

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NATO, Sotomayor, Thomas, Inflation Jul 14, 2023

Trey & Ken admit to taking over the show! After that they get started more seriously with a look at the NATO summit in Lithuania. The two main points of discussion are Turkey, as it relates to Swedish membership, and NATO’s relationship to Ukraine. They also discuss the decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine.

Next it is on to a pair of related stories: Justices Sotomayor and Thomas. Here Trey outlines the AP’s findings into the use of staff to promote Sotomayor’s books in comparison to other justices book writing. The pair discuss what, if anything, this means ethically. Then it is a discussion of the new revelations about Justice Thomas as it relates to payments via Venmo and activities when he first came on the court.

Trey & Ken close the show with an overview of June’s inflation data. This includes Trey noting that he was right in his long term inflation prediction and he makes additional predictions for the near term: specifically that there will be inflation variability over the course of the next few months. They also posit what this means for Biden, with both largely agreeing that it will not benefit Biden given that real wages are still depressed and any relief from inflation will not happen as soon as those numbers drop.

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The Constitution: Article III Sections 1 and 2 Jul 11, 2023

Trey and Ken continue their journey through the U.S. Constitution in Article III. This week they cover Sections 1 and 2 including topics on:

Judicial power
Judicial review
Federal court jurisdiction

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White House Social Media Influence, NAACP vs Legacy Admissions, China and Russia Jul 07, 2023

Trey and Ken begin the first of a three week show hosting! They get things started with the recent injunction stopping the White House from unduly blocking information on social media in ways that would not pass constitutional muster if it were done via a law. Ken argues it is yet another example of a corrupt court, Trey pushes back that it is selective targeting inconsistent with their user platforms.

Next it is on to NAACP’s lawsuit against legacy admissions in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard. Trey recaps the Mike and May’s positions from last week and then largely agrees. Ken agrees in policy, but doesn’t think it violates the Constitution. They then delve into the issue of legacy admissions and if it is Constitutional under the new framework or not.

They close with a look at the relationship between China and Russia and how it may have been influenced by the recent Wagner uprising. They specifically look at The New York Times recent suggestions that a split may be emerging and agree such a split is less likely than is being predicted.

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Voting Security, Russia, Listener Questions Jul 04, 2023

In this preview of the supporters’ midweek episode, Mike & May open with a discussion of why a number of Republican-controlled states have decided to pull out of ERIC, the formerly bipartisan effort to check for voter registration issues across states and encourage voter registration.

Following that they turn to international politics, considering events in Russia and the pros and cons of US support for the war effort. Unlike old Cold Warriors Mike & Jay, May is more skeptical of open-ended US security commitments.

They close with a number of listener questions concerning the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in Groff v DeJoy, the extent to which the state should intervene to support certain values, and responsible gun ownership and gun regulations.

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Supreme Court End of Term Extravaganza! Jul 01, 2023

Mike and May open this all-SCOTUS episode with a discussion of the Court’s ruling in the big affirmative action case, Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard. Both Mike and May agree with the Court’s decision, with Mike pointing out that while like most liberals, he’s a big proponent of diversity, he doesn’t believe that Harvard and UNC’s diversity plans pass the strict scrutiny test that’s appropriately applied here.

Next, they move to the LGBT / 1st Amendment ruling in 303 Creative LLC v Elenis. Mike sides with the dissenters who argued that Colorado’s antidiscrimination law only incidentally affects speech, while May believes that the majority got it right in viewing that the law unconstitutionally compels website designer Lorie Smith to promote views with which she disagrees.

Then it’s the Court’s pronouncement on the independent state legislature theory in Moore v Harper. Mike doesn’t think the Court should have taken the case in the first place for reasons of mootness but believes that the coalition of three conservatives and three liberals in the majority were right to rule against the theory. May points out that the Court didn’t provide that much guidance as to the scope of state judicial review of election laws which likely means more lawsuits going forward.

They close with Biden v Nebraska, in which the Court invalidated the Biden administration’s student debt relief plan. Mike is with the dissenters on this one, arguing that the administration was within the statutory authority granted by Congress, whereas May contends that the majority was correct in their view that the authority to ‘waive’ in the legislation does not give the administration the authority to simply forgive massive amounts of student loan debt. (More from May on that here.)

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Garrett Neiman on Rich White Men Jun 29, 2023

Mike talks with Garrett Neiman, author of the recently released book Rich White Men: What it Takes to Uproot the Old Boys’ Club and Transform America. Mr. Neiman has a BA in economics from Stanford, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a master’s in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was a founding CEO of CollegeSpring, a national college access nonprofit, a co-creator of Liberation Ventures (a philanthropic fund focused on building power toward reparations), a Senior Fellow at Prosperity Now, and an Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality.

Topics Mike & Garrett Discuss Include:

- the problem with rich white men (is there one?)

- inequality and standards of living

- the role of personal responsibility & culture

- reverse discrimination and a colorblind Constitution

- the reparations movement

Garrett Neiman on Twitter

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Article II, Sections 3 and 4 Jun 27, 2023

In this midweek episode Trey & Jay continue through the U.S. Constitution. The focus: Article II, Sections 3 and 4. The Guys focus on the State of the Union, faithfully executing the law, and the presidential impeachment.

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Hunter Biden’s Plea Deal, Alito Revelations, Boebert’s Articles of impeachment, Florida Housing Ban Jun 24, 2023

This week the conservatives, Trey and Jay, take over the show! They begin with the plea deal offered to Hunter Biden. Trey believes it shows that Hunter has engaged in a variety of bad dealings and the Biden’s should have stepped back from his support sooner. Jay goes a step further and things there may still be a smoking gun linking to President Biden.

Next, they turn to the recent ProPublica report on Justice Alito. Trey was disappointed in Justice Thomas and his clear violation of ethics laws. He went in expecting a bigger story, but he sees this as pretty much a big nothing. Jay agrees and doesn’t think the ethics disclosures matter much and didn’t think Justice Thomas crossed a line.

After that is a dive into Boebert’s articles of impeachment against President Biden. Neither Jay nor Trey think there is anything rising to an impeachable offense and Jay thinks it will do nothing but harm Republicans more generally.

They close the show with a discussion of the recent ban on the sale of real estate to Chinese people to go into effect on July 1 in Florida.

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Free Expression in America Jun 20, 2023

In the preview of this listener-chosen, listener-participation supporters’ midweek episode, Mike & Jay discuss free expression in America. They look at some important polling data on how Americans view free expression, discuss threats to free expression, consider whether free expression is always a good thing, and look at some big differences in how Democrats and Republicans view the issue.

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Voting Rights, Worker or Contractor, Pride Month, Unabomber, Presidential Field Jun 17, 2023

Mike & Jay open the episode with their views on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Allen v Milligan, the big voting rights case that Trey & Ken discussed last week. They add to the conversation by focusing on the dissent, which Jay largely agrees with. Mike believes Justices Thomas and Alito make a reasonable, but unconvincing case in arguing that Alabama did not violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Next, they turn to a recent National Labor Relations Board ruling that makes it more difficult for employers to claim workers are independent contractors as opposed to employees. Mike sees this as a return to the less-politicized view that the Trump-dominated NLRB changed in 2019. Jay doesn’t disagree with the recent decision but feels that it, like the Trump-era move, was also in part politically motivated.

After that, they discuss Pride Month. Mike notes that aside from a 2019 tweet from President Trump, no Republican president has formally acknowledged Pride Month since its inception in 1999. Jay believes that’s because a not-insignificant percentage of the population sees homosexuality and non-cisgender identification as choices that are incompatible with their values or religious beliefs.

Then it’s a look back at the legacy of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, who recently committed suicide in federal prison. Mike argues that while Kaczynski’s methods were reprehensible and his balancing of the pros and cons of industrial society is incorrect, he makes some important points. Jay doesn’t entirely disagree but suggests that pulling the small amount of good from a far greater evil is counterproductive and that we can discuss the costs and benefits of industrial society without bringing domestic terrorists into the conversation.

They close by considering the current presidential field, the likelihood that Donald Trump will be the GOP nominee, and the possibility of a viable No Labels ticket.

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Bryan Caplan on Voters as Mad Scientists Jun 15, 2023

Mike has another conversation with one of his all-time favorite guests: Bryan Caplan. Bryan is an economist at George Mason University, a prolific author, and blogs at Bet on It. In this episode, they discuss Bryan’s latest collection: Voters as Mad Scientists: Essays on Political Irrationality.

Topics Mike & Bryan Discuss Include:

- Twitter & Nazis & Meth (oh my!)

- why Bryan hates politics

- social desirability bias

- hyperbole and overconfidence

- innumeracy

- the irrationality of voters

- if irrationality has gotten worse

- why Bryan doesn’t vote

- the case for DEI being worse than McCarthyism

- politics as not utterly hopeless but “mostly hopeless”

- some small reasons for cautious optimism

Bryan Caplan on Twitter

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The Constitution: Article II, Section 2 Jun 13, 2023

In this midweek episode Trey & Ken continue through the U.S. Constitution. The focus: Article II, Section 2. Here The Guys discuss the issue of presidential treaty power, presidential appointment power, and presidential removal power.

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Trump’s Federal Indictment, Voting Rights Act Upheld, Republican House Revolt, Mike Pence Jun 10, 2023

Trey & Ken begin the show with the breaking news of President Trump’s historic federal indictment. Although the story is unfolding, the guys look at what it means both legally and politically for Trump. They are in large agreement that it doesn’t change Trump’s likelihood of being nominated, but that it does decrease his ability to win the general election.

Next, they turn the the U.S. Supreme Court’s upholding of the Voting Rights Act in Alabama. Here Trey & Ken deeply disagree. Trey argues that Ken’s Supreme Court predictions have consistently failed because his rubric is wrong. He presses that a purely ideological, or attitudinal, model of the court has long been found lacking in the scholarly community. Ken counters that his underlying model is still sound and that the court is by that measure corrupt.

After that is a dive into the U.S. House of Representatives being effectively shut down. The pair discuss what led to the shutdown and the impact it may have on McCarthy’s speakership. Trey argues that there are upsides to outsider voices being heard and government being tightly split. Ken agrees in theory, but argues that Republicans are too extreme for the benefits of this kind of government.

They close the show with a discussion of Mike Pence. Here Trey offers a unique insight into not only why Pence is running, but why he can’t win: the demographics of not just the United States but of the Republican Party have changed. Religiosity is no longer key.

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Jonathan Ward on The Decisive Decade in the US / China Relationship Jun 08, 2023

Mike talks with Dr. Jonathan Ward, an internationally recognized expert on Chinese global strategy and US-China competition. He has a Ph.D. in China-India relations from the University of Oxford, has consulted for the Department of Defense, and is the founder of the Atlas Organization, a strategic advisory group on US-China global competition for business and government. Dr. Ward is the author of China’s Vision of Victory, as well as the recently released book The Decisive Decade: American Grand Strategy for Triumph Over China, which Jonathan and Mike discuss in this episode.

Topics Covered Include:

- what makes this the decisive decade

- if it’s already too late to slow China’s advance

- why we should view China as an adversary

- if fears of Chinese dominance are overblown

- the Chinese economic and military threat

- what the US should be doing to counter China

Jonathan Ward on Twitter

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Partisanship, Civil Conflict, and Civil War Jun 06, 2023

In this first-ever listener-chosen, listener participation segment (which turned into an entire episode), Mike & Jay start with a look at the differences between partisanship, civil conflict, and civil war. That takes them into a discussion of the main ideological and demographic cleavages in American society, how bad they think things are, if civil conflict – and even civil war – is sometimes a good thing, and whether we’re likely to see an escalation or de-escalation in coming years.

Throughout the episode, the guys respond to questions from supporters who joined in on the Zoom call (a benefit available to all Patreon supporters at the $10 per month and higher level).

Mike & Jay committed to doing at least one of these segments each month, and they’re hoping they’ll be able to do more. If you have any suggestions for future listener-choice segments, let us know!

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Debt Limit Deal, No Recession (Yet), Paxton Impeachment, SCOTUS Recusal Jun 03, 2023

Mike & Jay open with a discussion of the bipartisan agreement to suspend the debt ceiling until after the 2024 elections in exchange for spending cuts and caps that the Congressional Budget Office says will cut the deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next decade. The guys see this as a win for moderation, though they both argue that absent changes to tax policy and/or entitlement programs we aren’t likely to make much of a dent in the national debt.

Next, they turn to some good economic news – the continuing resilience of the US economy and why the recession that so many have predicted (including Mike & Jay, back in January) hasn’t come about.

After that is a look at the Texas House’s impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, despite Donald Trump’s urging against it. Mike & Jay consider the likelihood of Paxton’s removal by the Texas State Senate and what this says more broadly about the GOP in 2023.

They close with a discussion of Justice Kagan’s decision to provide a brief explanation of her recent recusal and Justice Alito’s decision to not do so in a case shortly thereafter. Mike argues that the Court should be willing to do this small thing as a gesture toward the public’s decreasing lack of trust in the institution while Jay believes that it’s not necessary, could harm the dignity of the Court, and be a slippery slope toward an overly responsive Supreme Court, something the Framers never intended (and for good reason, Jay believes).

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Kevin Munger on Generation Gap Politics Jun 01, 2023

Mike talks with Kevin Munger, an assistant professor of political science and social data analytics at Penn State University about his book Generation Gap: Why the Baby Boomers Still Dominate American Politics and Culture.

Topics Mike & Kevin discuss include:

- if generational cohorts really matter

- the enduring power of the Boomers

- when Boomer power peaked and when it will decline

- social media, generational cohorts, and shared identity

- political differences between Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z

Kevin Munger on Substack

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Listener Questions: Right to Secede, Education, Biden's Record, Taxes May 30, 2023

In this midweek show, Trey and Mike respond to listener questions on if states have the right to secede from the United States, if the modern state has a compelling interest in exposing children to ideas with which their parents may disagree, the hosts' thoughts on Biden’s record and how it will impact swing voters, and what the right level of taxation in the United States ought to be.

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DeSantis, Twitter Spaces, Tim Scott, No Debt Ceiling Increase, Sackett v EPA, Ukraine May 26, 2023

Trey is joined by Mike this week. The show begins with a discussion of Ron DeSantis’ presidential announcement on Twitter Spaces. The discussion focuses both on the content of the announcement, DeSantis running against legacy media, and the the technical aspect of the announcement itself on Twitter.

Next the pair discuss Tim Scott’s presidential announcement earlier in the week contrasting it with DeSantis. They also stack up all the candidates against Trump. Mike argues that Scott is angling for a vice-presidential slot and Trey is unconvinced.

After that, they turn to the lack of a debt ceiling increase before Memorial Day. Both think a deal will get struck, but Trey thinks more Americans also want spending cuts than Democrats realize.

Next, the duo discuss the Supreme Court case on the Clean Water Act in Sackett v EPA. What does this mean more immediately, but also the pair consider the ideological splitting of the conservative majority along with what it means to be conservative in the post-Trump era.

They close the show with a brief update on Ukraine.

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The Federalist Papers: What They Are & Why They Matter May 23, 2023

In this supporters’ midweek show, Mike & Jay kick off a planned multi-part series on The Federalist Papers, covering what they are, why they were written, who wrote them, the ideals of the Federalists and their anti-Federalist opposition, and the continuing relevance of this great debate on the ratification of the Constitution.

In this episode, they look at Federalist 1 & Federalist 2, as well as opposing arguments from John DeWitt (I and II) and Patrick Henry’s speech of June 5, 1788.

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Durham Report, Title 42, GOP Presidential Field, SCOTUS Tech Decisions May 20, 2023

Mike is joined this week by a new co-host, May Mailman, a Harvard Law graduate and former Trump White House staffer. Mike and May start off with a discussion of the Durham report and accountability in federal law enforcement. May argues that a core problem is federal law enforcement that does too much. Mike isn’t entirely sold on that, but he agrees with her that there should be greater accountability and more severe consequences for anyone in law enforcement who breaks the rules in an attempt to hurt an ideological opponent.

Next, they discuss the end of Title 42 and the border surge that hasn’t happened – at least not yet. May agrees with Mike that Title 42 isn’t good immigration policy and makes a case for big changes to asylum status. She also points out that it may be too soon to know how well the Biden administration has done at preventing a surge, and says that in any case, current ‘non-surge’ numbers are concerningly high.

After that, they turn to Mike Pence’s expected entry into the 2024 GOP presidential primary. Mike can’t quite figure out why Pence would enter the race unless it’s some Kamikaze attempt to keep Trump out of the White House. May suggests that a sort of overconfidence common to many politicians may be a factor, but agrees with Mike that there seems to be no viable path to the nomination for Pence. Even so, she’s glad he plans to enter the race, as she believes it will help test the eventual nominee before the general election.

They close with a look at two related tech decisions announced by the Supreme Court concerning the liability of social media companies for terrorist attacks.

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Mike & Jay Respond to Listener Questions May 17, 2023

In this special bonus midweek episode of The Politics Guys, Mike & Jay answer listener questions on what an ‘acceptable’ level of gun deaths might be, when we’d consider abandoning our respective political parties, the verdict against Trump in E. Jean Carroll’s civil suit, negative political advertising, and how Trump in the White House in 2025 might affect the war in Ukraine.

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The Constitution: Article II, Section I May 16, 2023

Trey & Ken continue their exploration of the Constitution. This week the pair begin looking at Article II, Section 1. Topics include:

The historic origins of Article II
The vesting clause
The presidential selection process
The election of 1800
The Presidential oath of office

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Title 42, Defamation, Trump Town Hall, Santos Indictment, EPA Rules, Dormant Commerce Clause May 13, 2023

Trey & Ken open the episode with a conversation about the end of immigration policy under Title 42 and the beginning of it being handled under Title 8. Trey points out that Biden is likely to lose from both sides of the ideological divide on his policy, both the left and the right. Ken thinks the policy will help Biden come the election. Both agree that there needs to be more space for immigration, specifically asylum seekers, in the United States.

Next is Trump’s loss of a defamation lawsuit to E. Jean Carroll. Trey & Ken discuss both what makes the civil trial unique and the political aftermath of it. Ken believes it might have a small effect. Trey doesn’t believe any actions will change the political landscape for Trump.

After that Trey & Ken tackle Santos. In addition to his pending criminal charges in the U.S. he pled no contest in Brazil. Trey highlights both the unusual nature of Santos' lies, but takes hope in the fact that his inability to channel Trump indicates Trump’s uniqueness in the American political system.

Then the pair turn to Trump’s CNN Town Hall. Trey believes that Trump was back in his element. Not worried about a larger narrative, Trump can play to a larger audience in his sound bites. Meanwhile Ken believes Trump is only harming himself with the larger public. Trey counters that current polling suggests otherwise.

Following that Trey & Ken move to discussing the EPA rules. Trey outlines the pragmatic problems with the new rules, specifically the backlog of requests to the agency that already exist that will become exasperated by the policy. Ken believes the rules are still helpful because they allow for a kind of positive agency capture situation — even if they are ultimately found unconstitutional.

The guys close discussing National Pork Producers Council v. Ross and the court’s messy approach to the dormant commerce clause. Trey points out that the the alignment of the judges once again doesn’t align with Ken’s views of the conservative members of the court. Ken agrees, especially as it comes to the split locations of the liberal justices. Ken explains the dormant Commerce clause and his surprise the decision wasn’t 9-0.

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Oklahoma Execution, Housing & Socializing Risk, Changing American Values May 09, 2023

Mike, Jay, and Ryan kick off this supporters’ midweek episode examining why Oklahoma’s attorney general is asking the Supreme Court to stop the execution of a criminal Oklahoma sentenced to death. They follow that with a discussion of new federal mortgage fees and the massive housing shortage in the United States, and close with a discussion of some big changes in Americans’ views on values such as patriotism, religion, and tolerance.

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Proud Boys Convictions, Debt Limit, The End of Chevron, Zooey Zephyr May 05, 2023

Mike, Jay, and Ryan open this episode with a discussion of the conviction of four members of the Proud Boys for seditious conspiracy for their actions related to the January 6th Capitol breach. They’re all against sedition (not surprising) but Mike points out some elements of the case that Jay thinks could provide some grounds for appeal.

Next they turn to the debt limit. Ryan starts things off with an historical overview of the debt ceiling, after which they discuss whether the 14th amendment’s ‘public debt’ clause means that the administration must honor its debts, regardless of any limit imposed by congress. They also get into the politics of debt ceiling negotiations and the potential ramifications of even a short-term default.

Following that Ken joins the conversation as they look at a case in which the Supreme Court is almost certain to significantly constrain or eliminate outright Chevron deference, in which courts defer to administrative agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous legislation.

The show closes with a look at the case of Zooey Zephyr, the transgender Montana legislator who was barred from the floor by the Republican majority.

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The Big Myth: Loathing Government and Loving the ‘Free’ Market May 03, 2023

Mike talks with Harvard historian of science Naomi Oreskes and Cal Tech historian of science Erik Conway. They've -coauthored a number of books including Merchants of Doubt, and The Collapse of Western Civilization. Their latest book is The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market, which is the focus of this discussion.

Topics Mike, Naomi, and Erik discuss include:

- the Big Myth and the Tripod of Freedom

- why power companies once argued against electric power

- government regulation and fears of communism

- Friedrich Hayek and the influence of The Road to Serfdom

- fear of government vs fear of markets

- the Big Myth and our response to COVID-19

- the Big Myth and climate change

- combatting the Big Myth (for those who believe it’s a myth)

Naomi Oreskes on Twitter

Erik Conway on Twitter

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Carlson Out at Fox, Biden 2024, Trump Rape Trial, Supreme Court Ethics May 02, 2023

Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Tucker Carlson’s abrupt ouster at Fox and what it says about political media. They then turn to President Biden’s 2024 announcement, considering Biden’s likely opponent and chances of winning a second term. After that they get into the opening of Donald Trump’s rape trial and close the episode talking about what, if anything, should be done to improve transparency and ethical standards at the Supreme Court.

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SCOTUS Mifepristone Ruling, House Debt Ceiling Bill, Disney Sues DeSantis Apr 29, 2023

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of whether the Supreme Court was right to issue a stay in the mifepristone case, a decisions that allows women to continue to have access to the abortion drug as the matter winds its way through the appeals process. Mike & Jay both agree that a stay was the right call, though Jay argues that Justice Alito makes some valid points in his dissent.

Then they turn to the party-line passage of a debt ceiling increase (among many other things) by House Republicans. They agree that this bill isn’t going anywhere, and that President Biden will eventually negotiate with Republicans, even if he doesn’t quite admit that that’s what he’s doing. Mike argues that this could potentially hurt Biden’s reelection chances, but Jay feels that debt ceiling fights typically end up making Republicans look worse.

They close by discussing Disney’s lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other top state officials. It seems almost unquestionable that this is a case of government retaliation, but whether that’s a violation of Disney’s 1st Amendment rights is less clear. Disney might have a better argument when it comes to the Contracts Clause, but even there it’s far from clear that Disney will prevail in court. Politically, Jay argues that DeSantis miscalculated in his battle with Disney and now finds himself stuck.

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Bud Light & Dylan Mulvaney, Justice Thomas & Corruption, Tax Day Apr 25, 2023

Ryan & Mike open this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at the controversy over Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney, followed by a discussion of Justice Thomas’ integrity (which Mike defends) and his ethics (which both Mike and Ryan have serious issues with). They close with a Politics Guys tradition – talking taxes in honor (dishonor?) of Tax Day.

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Fox Settles, Should Feinstein Resign, SCOTUS & Religious Protection Apr 21, 2023

Ryan & Mike kick off the show with a discussion of Fox’s $787 million settlement with Dominion over claims that the news network defamed the voting machine company. They get into why Fox felt compelled to settle, what this may mean for other defamation lawsuits, and if it will have a chilling effect on defamatory speech by the news media.

Next they consider whether 89 year old California Senator Diane Feinstein should resign her seat after being away since February recovering from shingles and for several years showing clear signs of cognitive impairment. This leads into a discussion of Feinstein’s important role on the Senate Judiciary Committee and President Biden’s judicial appointments.

They end by looking at Groff v. DeJoy, a case in which an evangelical Christian former USPS employee is arguing that the Postal Service discriminated against him because of his religion. Based on past precedent and oral argument before the Supreme Court this week, Mike expects the Court to rule for the Postal Service but to do so in such a way that may expand religious protection. Ryan wonders what sort of effect the ruling will have on protection for other religious practitioners and if media reports fearing the worst are overstated.

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The Constitution: Article I, Section 10 Apr 18, 2023

Trey & Ken finish up Article I this week by looking at all the powers denied to states. Article I, Section 10 of the constitution is a mishmash of prohibitions on states. This includes prohibitions on treaties, money, but with a special focus on the contract clause.

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Justice Thomas, Mifepristone, Leaked Documents, Tennessee House, Trump’s Appeal Apr 14, 2023

The 400th regular weekend episode of The Politics Guys!

Trey & Ken start the 400th show with a long investigation into Justice Thomas’ undisclosed gifts from Harlan Crow. Trey, who was initially skeptical of the claims of impropriety, finds there is good reason to find issue. Ken agrees but goes further in his arguments for curruption.

Next they turn to the recent rulings on Mifepristone by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal. The focus is primarily on what, if anything, the FDA can or should do in response to the rulings. Ken sees no functional difference between deference and ignoring the ruling. Trey sees a key difference in that one is a constitutionally consistent principle and the other is not.

After that is a long conversation on the papers potentially leaked. Ken floats a novel idea: that the leak is a bit of counter espionage. Trey probes the idea to see if it holds up and works out what would have to continue to be found empirically for the thesis to be true.

Then the pair turn to the expulsion of two African American Tennessee House members. The conversation between both focuses on the rightful, if any, action the legislature should have taken given that the rules were violated by three members of that body.

Trey & Ken end the show discussing Trump’s latest legal appeals.

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Elections in Wisconsin & Chicago, Transgender Policy Apr 11, 2023

Mike, Jay, and Ryan discuss the ramifications of liberals taking control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the wake of the recent election to replace a retiring conservative justice, the recent mayoral election in Chicago, and a proposed rule from the Biden administration on transgender athletes.

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Abortion Pill Rulings, Net Neutrality, Trump Indictment Apr 08, 2023

Mike, Jay, and Ryan open the show with a discussion of the dueling district court rulings on the FDA-approved abortion pill mifepristone, with a federal judge in Texas ordering a nationwide injunction against the drug and a federal judge in Washington State ruling the opposite way the same day. Because the story broke just before the show was recorded, the guys didn’t get into the specifics of the rulings, focusing their discussion on forum shopping and nationwide injunctions.

Following that, Ryan clarified his remarks from last week on net neutrality, which led to a discussion of the pros and cons of the Obama-era FCC policy that was revoked in Donald Trump’s FCC.

Then they turn to the 34 count indictment against Donald Trump, agreeing that legally it’s awfully thin. While it may make it harder to successfully prosecute Donald Trump in the future (Mike is less sure of this than Jay and Ryan are), it may help Bragg’s career and give Trump a boost in the GOP primary – which could be exactly what Joe Biden wants.

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Supreme Court & Free Speech, Nebraska Filibuster, Iraq War 20th Anniversary Apr 04, 2023

In this supporters’ midweek episode, Mike and Ryan open with a look at oral arguments in United States v Hansen, a case that could have a major effect on free speech rights, the filibuster in Nebraska’s unicameral state legislature in opposition that state’s anti-trans bill – the latest in a line of such legislation from Republican-controlled states, and a consideration of the costs and benefits of the Iraq war on the 20th anniversary of its start.

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Trump Indictment, Nashville School Shooting, Regulating A.I. Mar 31, 2023

Mike welcomes a new co-host to the show: political scientist Ryan Teten. (Jay’s not going anywhere – he’s working on a special project for the podcast we hope to unveil sometime this spring.)

Mike & Ryan open with a discussion of Donald Trump’s indictment on charges related to hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Neither Mike nor Ryan expect a conviction, and consider the wisdom of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg seeking an indictment in the first place.

Next they turn to the tragic school shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee and why it seems so unlikely that this time will be any different when it comes to meaningful gun safety legislation.

Following that they consider calls to pause development of AI, the ever growing gap between technological change and government’s response to that change, and whether the future will be the dystopian hellscape some are suggesting or if there might be more optimistic possibilities.

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The Constitution: Article I, Section 9, The Powers Denied States Mar 28, 2023

Trey & Ken continue working through the U.S. Constitution working through the entirety of Article I, Section 9. This section of the constitution, coming immediately after the powers of Congress, outlines the limits on Congressional power.

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Trump Investigations, DeSantis, Xi Jinping & Vladimir Putin, TikTok, French Riots Mar 24, 2023

Trey & Ken open discussing the major investigations into Trump, focusing on NY’s grand jury and recent developments in the crime and fraud exception for Trump lawyer Corcoran. Relatedly they discuss Ron DeSantis’ commentary on Trump. This leads to a discussion of the Republican primary.

Next is a conversation about Xi Jinping and his visit to Russia and Vladimir Putin. Here Trey & Ken discuss the evolution of U.S. foreign policy in relation to China and how the hostility there has seemingly brought Russia and China closer.

Then the focus turns to the TikTok hearings with CEO Shou Chew. This leads to more conversation about the emergent bipartisan support for a version of isolationism.

The pair end the show with a brief conversation on the ongoing pension crisis in France.

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Willow Oil Project, DeSantis & Trump on Ukraine, American Happiness Mar 21, 2023

Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at the Biden administration’s approval of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. Mike isn’t crazy about it due to environmental concerns but feels that the administration probably couldn’t have legally halted the project. Jay agrees, but would like to see even more drilling, as he doesn’t entirely share Mike’s environmental concerns.

After that they turn to recent comments made by GOP presidential frontrunners Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump concerning Ukraine. Mike and Jay are both supporters of aiding Ukraine and find Trump’s and DeSantis’ positions troubling, though they wonder the extent to which the views are simply opposition to whatever the Biden administration supports and not necessarily an indication of what their policy would be if elected.

Then it’s the next segment in their American Greatness series. This week, they consider how the United States does in world happiness & life satisfaction surveys as well as what our suicide rate says about the happiness of Americans.

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SVB Failure & Socialism for the Rich, TikTok Ban Mar 18, 2023

Mike & Jay open with an extended discussion of the recent failure of three banks, focusing on the largest of the three, Silicon Valley Bank. They discuss why depositors were made whole, banking regulation, and the importance of risk in capitalism.

After that they turn to the growing threat of a US ban of the hugely popular TikTok app due to national security concerns. Jay has his own concerns that this might run afoul of the 1st Amendment whereas Mike is less inclined to see a platform ban as restricting speech.

Mike’s Recommendation:

Triangle of Sadness

Jay’s Recommendation:

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 (Cleveland Orchestra)

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DeSantis v Disney, Newsom v Walgreens, CPAC, After School Satanists Mar 14, 2023

Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Ron DeSantis' continuing battle against "woke" Disney, as well as his efforts to rein in press freedom. They also look at California Governor Gavin Newsom's move to punish Walgreens for its policy on selling abortion drugs in states threatening lawsuits for doing so, what CPAC and recent polls say about the state of the GOP, and a public school district refusing to allow an After School Satan Club to meet on school grounds.

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Tucker Carlson, Biden’s Budget, Jobs Report & Child Labor Mar 11, 2023

Mike & Jay open with a discussion of the use Fox News personality Tucker Carlson has made of the exclusive January 6th footage given to him by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Carlson did exactly what Mike & Jay predicted he would on the show several weeks back – the guys discuss how much it potentially matters.

Next, they move to President Biden’s recently announced budget for FY 2024. Like most presidential budgets it’s more a political than a policy document, but it does give us some sense of what it says about the priorities of the Biden administration.

Following that is a look at the February jobs report, the state of the economy, and why a number of states are attempting to relax child labor regulations.

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The Constitution: The Power to Tax and Spend Mar 07, 2023

Trey & Ken continue their exploration of the constitution by exploring Article I, Section 8 and Article I, Section 9. What is the extent of Congress' spending power? What are its limits?

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Student Loan Forgiveness, Dominion Lawsuit, Scott Adams, COVID Lab Leak, Windsor Framework Mar 04, 2023

Trey & Ken start the episode discussing student loan forgiveness and the Supreme Court. The pair discuss the major questions doctrine and disagree over the proper ruling. Next, they discuss the recent revelations from the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News. Following that is an extended conversation on Scott Adams’ comments on race. The pair do precisely what he asks: look at his actual claims and ask him to respond. After that it is a discussion about the Energy Department’s lab leak possibility and the pair close the show discussing the Windsor Framework.

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Are Google and Twitter Aiding Terrorists?, Parody & Qualified Immunity, America as the “Land of Opportunity” Feb 28, 2023

Mike & Jay open this supporters exclusive midweek episode with a discussion of oral arguments in two recent Supreme Court cases in which it’s argued that the companies aided and abetted terrorist acts. The guys discuss whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects the companies from civil liability, and if they’re potentially guilty of violating antiterrorism laws by knowingly providing assistance to terrorist groups. After that, they turn to a domestically-focused case the Supreme Court declined to year about government retaliation for a parody site that embarrassed the Parma OH police department. Following that is the next in their American Greatness series, this week focusing on the United States as the “Land of Opportunity”. They close by addressing listener questions on the 2024 presidential race.

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Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine One Year Later, Kevin McCarthy & Tucker Carlson Feb 25, 2023

Mike & Jay open the episode with an update on their segment from last week on candidate cognitive health in the wake of comments from Nikki Haley and Donald Trump this week. Following that is an extended discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one year in, and then a look at why Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy would give Fox News host Tucker Carlson exclusive access to thousands of hours of January 6th surveillance footage.

Mike’s Recommendation

We All Got COVID! (Except for Linus) Nerf Herder

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Biden’s Balloons, Medicare & Social Security, Blue Slips, American Healthcare Feb 21, 2023

Mike & Jay kick off this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of all of the unidentified aerial objects the United States has been shooting down of late. They follow that by considering the state of Medicare & Social Security and what should be done to put them on a sustainable footing, whether the Senate should eliminate the practice of allowing home state senators an effective veto on judicial nominations, and the greatness (or lack thereof) of American healthcare.

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GA Grand Jury, Train Derailment, Cognitive Health of Elected Officials Feb 18, 2023

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of what we know about the conclusions reached by a special grand jury in Fulton County Georgia concerning election interference. It’s yet another win for those who say that the election wasn’t stolen, but it remains to be seen if Donald Trump’s efforts to “find” enough votes to give him Georgia will result in his being indicted.

Next, the Guys consider the train derailment in East Palestine, OH. Mike argues that the government response was fairly good and that railroads have actually been getting safer in recent years. Jay doesn’t dispute that overall trend, but thinks that government agencies could have done more in the aftermath of the disaster.

They close the episode talking about the cognitive health of elected officials in light of California Senator Diane Feinstein’s announcement that she won’t be seeking another term as well as Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman checking himself into Walter Reed to be treated for clinical depression. While a majority of the American public may be in favor of cognitive tests for elected officials, both Mike & Jay end up concluding that it could be a “fix” that creates more problems than it solves.

Jay’s Recommendation

The Conservative Sensibility. George Will

Mike’s Recommendation

Consensus: Evidence- Based Answers, Faster

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Economist Bryan Caplan on Why You Shouldn’t be a Feminist Feb 16, 2023

Mike talks with Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University, prolific author, and blogger at Bet on It. He's the author of multiple books and essay collections - five of which we've previously discussed on the show. Today, they talk about Professor Caplan’s latest collection, Don't Be A Feminist: Essays on Genuine Justice.

Topics Mike & Bryan cover include:

- what it means to be a feminist

- underrepresentation of women in top political & business roles

- pay differentials between men and women

- sexism, objectification, and sexual violence

- if unequal treatment is necessarily unfair treatment

- diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training

- if the ‘non-woke’ market is being underserved

Bryan Caplan on Twitter

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The Constitution: Article I, Section 8 Necessary and Proper Feb 14, 2023

In this midweek show Trey & Ken continue the journey through the U.S. Constitution by examining the necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8. Topics include

McCulloch v. Maryland
Constitutional debates on the necessary and proper clause
Modern court cases on the necessary and proper clause

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Biden's State of the Union, Post-Bruen Gun Regulations, Pennsylvania Special Elections, Spy Balloon Part 2 Feb 10, 2023

Trey & Ken open the episode with a discussion of Biden's State of the Union Address. Following that they move to recent federal gun law cases in the wake of the Bruen decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. Following that they consider the importance of the recent Pennsylvania special election putting Democrats in control of the House for the first time in 10 years. They conclude the episode with a revisiting of the Chinese spy balloon in wake of Thursday's hearings and the U.S.'s decision to shoot it down.

Trey’s Recommendation

Shrinking (AppleTV+)

Ken’s Recommendation

Austin City Limits (PBS)

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Ousting Omar, Haley 2024, Chinese Solar Panels, American Greatness Feb 07, 2023

In this supporters’ midweek episode, Mike & Jay discuss whether the party-line vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar was the right thing to do, Nikki Haley’s entry into the 2024 presidential race, if the Biden administration’s waiver allowing solar panels from four Asian countries into the US should be rescinded, and American economic power.

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Tyre Nichols & Policing, Bill Barr & John Durham, US & China Feb 04, 2023

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of the Tyre Nichols killing and what can be done to better hold police accountable and change the culture of policing. Following that they consider whether former Attorney General William Barr acted improperly in the Durham investigation of the FBI’s investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, and US relations with China in light of a new US / Philippines agreement and a Chinese balloon that violated US airspace this week.

Mike’s Recommendation

The Recruit (Netflix)

Jay’s Recommendation

Ice Climbing (as in, actually climbing tall icy stuff – safely, of course)

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Elie Honig on How The Powerful Evade Justice Feb 01, 2023

Mike talks with former federal prosecutor and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig about his just released book, Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It.

Topics Mike & Elie Cover Include:

- the tactics powerful people use to avoid prosecution

- the legal strategies of Donald Trump and The Trump Organization

- using cutouts and innuendo to avoid direct responsibility

- how fear of reprisal helps to protect the powerful

- the use and abuse of presidential pardons

- the cases against Donald Trump and the likelihood of convictions

Elie Honig on Twitter

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Alec Baldwin & The 5th Amendment, American Greatness Jan 30, 2023

Mike & Jay open this supporters’ exclusive midweek episode with a discussion of the shooting on the Rust set, why Alec Baldwin waived his right to an attorney, and broader 5th amendment issues including false confessions and why police can lie to suspects and how some states are changing that, at least for minors.

In the full episode, the move on to their new midweek series on American greatness, with a look at how Americans feel about the greatness of the United States, what Mike & Jay think constitutes national greatness, and whether the US is the greatest country in the world and, if so, how we can know that.

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Google Lawsuit, Tanks to Ukraine, NATO Expansion, Classified Documents Jan 27, 2023

Mike & Jay open the episode with the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Google for allegedly anticompetitive practices. They also discuss the nature of antitrust law, potential changes to search with the emergence of Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, and Paul Pelosi’s interestingly timed sell-off of his Google stock shortly before the DOJ suit was announced and Senator Josh Hawley’s PELOSI Act banning securities trading by members of Congress and their spouses.

Following that, they turn to foreign policy in a discussion of the implication of tanks to Ukraine, the probability of nuclear escalation by Putin, the likelihood of the war ending in 2023, and how large of an obstacle Turkey’s refusal to allow Sweden NATO membership will be to enlarging the alliance.

They close with a look at government document classification and mishandling in the wake of yet another top official – former VP Mike Pence – finding classified documents in his papers.

Jay’s Recommendation

The Revolutionary: Sam Adams. Stacy Schiff

Mike’s Recommendation

Philosophize This! Stephen West

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The Constitution, Part IV Jan 24, 2023

In an extended preview of this midweek supporters’ exclusive episode, Mike & Ken continue the series on the United States Constitution with a look at Article I, Sections 7 & 8, focusing on the legislative veto, Congress’ commerce power, and war powers.

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Dobbs Leak, Debt Ceiling, Ukraine Aid, Biden Documents, House Committees Jan 20, 2023

Mike & Ken open with a discussion of the investigation into who leaked the Supreme Court’s draft opinion in the Dobbs case. While no leaker was found, Ken thinks the most likely suspect is Virginia Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas.

Next, they turn to the debt ceiling, with Mike arguing that, as always, it will be worked out before the United States defaults on its external debt. Ken doesn’t think so, and predicts a short period of default before hardline House Republicans blink in the face of serious economic consequences.

Following that is a look at the tanks that aren’t going to Ukraine (yet), Mike’s argument that the US should be doing a lot more to aid Ukraine’s war effort (and Ken’s skepticism), the less than pitch perfect White House response to the Biden classified documents investigation, and what the makeup of committees may tell us about how things will go in the 118th Congress.

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Trouble at the FAA, Mike Gets to Talk Regulations! Jan 17, 2023

Mike & Jay kick off this supporters’ exclusive episode with a look at the recent FAA NOTAM system outage and what it might say about government technology, using crises to the best possible effect, and conspiracy theories. After that they consider the FTC’s proposed ban on noncompete clauses and the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s call for public comment concerning the health hazards of gas stoves. (No, they’re not coming for your stove …. or at least not yet, as Jay would add.)

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The Many Investigations of Joe Biden Jan 13, 2023

Mike & Jay open with a discussion of what we know so far about President Biden’s mishandling of classified documents and how this case compares to former President Donald Trump’s mishandling of classified documents. After that, they consider Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s pledge to remove three prominent Democrats from House committees, the prospects for the House Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, and the House Oversight Committee’s Biden Family Investigation.

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Trump’s Taxes & The IRS, 2023 Predictions, GOP Lies, Enlarging the House Jan 10, 2023

In this midweek supporters’ episode preview, Mike & Jay discuss Donald Trump’s tax returns and IRS authority, our political predictions for 2023, followed in the full episode by George Santos and the importance of lies in the Republican Party, and the crazy idea of enlarging the House of Representatives.

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Speaker McCarthy, Roberts’ Report, Biden’s Judges Jan 07, 2023

In this first episode of 2023, Mike & Jay discuss the 15 rounds of voting required to elect Kevin McCarthy Speaker of the House, Chief Justice Roberts’ report on the federal judiciary and the MIA Supreme Court leak investigation, and the impact President Biden has had on the judicial branch two years into his term.

Mike’s Recommendation

Year of the Rabbit

Jay’s Recommendation

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage to the Antarctic. Alfred Lansing

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Judge Pierre Bergeron on State Courts, Criminal Sentencing, and Trial by Jury Jan 03, 2023

Mike talks with Pierre Bergeron, a judge on Ohio’s 1st District Court of Appeals about judicial elections, state constitutional interpretation & abortion rights, the lack of good sentencing data & why it matters, and Judge Bergeron’s concerns about how few cases result in trials by jury.

Measures for Justice

How a Spreadsheet Could Change the Criminal Justice System. Pierre Bergeron and Michael Donnelly. The Atlantic, December 14, 2020.

The Missing American Jury. Suja Thomas

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Santos’ Lies, 1/6 Report, Trump’s Taxes, FY23 Budget, Zelensky, Immigration Dec 29, 2022

Mike & Ken discuss the many lies of Rep-elect George Santos, the final report of the House January 6th Committee, whether the House Ways & Means committee should have released Donald Trump’s taxes and IRS audits of high-income taxpayers, important non-budget items in the recently passed federal budget, Ukrainian President Zelensky’s address to a joint session of Congress – minus a majority of House Republicans, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott busing migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris’ DC residence on Christmas Eve.

Ken’s Recommendation

Needles & Plastic: Flying Nun Records, 1981-1988. Matthew Goody

Mike’s Recommendation

Irrationality: A History of the Dark Side of Reason. Justin E. H. Smith

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Budget Deal, TikTok Bans, SBF / FTX and Campaign Finance Dec 17, 2022

Mike & Jay open this episode with a discussion of the FY 2023 federal budget, followed by a look at the movement to ban TikTok in the United States, and close with the fall of Sam Bankman-Fried and the FTX crypto exchange, and what it says about our campaign finance system.

Mike’s Favorite Christmas Album

Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics

Mike’s Top 5 Christmas Songs

#5 Tiny Tree Christmas. Ryan Miller

#4 Fairytale of New York. The Pogues

#3 All I Want for Christmas is You. Mariah Carey

#2 Swiss Colony Beef Log. Eric Cartman

#1 White Christmas. Otis Redding

Jay’s Christmas Music Recommendations

Joy to the World. Handel

O Holy Night. Tabernacle Choir

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Bing Crosby

White Christmas. Bing Crosby

Christmastime is Here(Charlie Brown). Vince Guaraldi Trio

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Griner, Sinema, GA Senate, Trump Legal Woes, DNC Primary Changes Dec 09, 2022

This Mike & Ken episode features a discussion of the Brittney Griner Viktor Bout prisoner exchange, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s announcement that she’s leaving the Democratic Party, the implications of Raphael Warnock’s victory over Herschel Walker in the Georgia Senate runoff, the 17 count conviction against the Trump Organization, independent counsel Jack Smith issuing subpoenas in his investigation of Trump, and the Democratic National Committee’s plan to upend the presidential primary system.

Ken’s Recommendation

Harvest Time

Mike’s Recommendation

Bullet Train

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Trump Special Master, Rail Strike, Student Loan Forgiveness, Sedition Convictions Dec 03, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show by talking about the 11th Circuit reversing District Court Judge Aileen Cannon’s order for a special master in the Trump document seizure case. Mike sees it as a clear rebuke of Cannon’s ruling while Jay thinks it’s not quite that and believes that despite the ruling there’s some justification for what Judge Cannon did.

Next they discuss legislation imposing an agreement between freight rail workers and railroads. Jay is no fan of government imposed labor agreements but he feels that in this case it was both justified and reasonable. Mike makes the point that the railroad industry is very profitable and that they should be doing more to take care of their workers.

After that it’s the Supreme Court’s announcement that it will hear arguments in the case of the six states opposing the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness order. Mike and Jay agree that the Court is likely to find that Biden doesn’t have the authority to do what he did.

They close with a look at the sedition conviction of two Oath Keepers leaders and consideration of how the Capitol Breach investigation has progressed nearly two years later.

Jay’s Recommendation

Of Plymouth Plantation. William Bradford

Mike’s Recommendation

Tulsa King (Paramount+)

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Garland’s Special Counsel, Trump Tax Returns, MBS Immunity, Pot Legislation Nov 26, 2022

This week, Kristin returns to the podcast! She and Mike start off by discussing Attorney General Merrick Garland’s appointment of Jack Smith as Special Counsel in the Trump investigations. They also unpack the Trump Tax Return saga, as well as the Biden Administration’s ruling that Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman has immunity in a civil lawsuit concerning the brutal torture and murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. They close with prospects for bipartisan cannabis legislation in the lame duck Congress in the form of the SAFE Banking and HOPE Acts.

Kristin’s Recommendations

The Splendid and the Vile. Erik Larson

Yellowstone

Mike’s Recommendations

Caravan. John Wasson

Inside Man

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Trump Special Counsel, Midterms & 2024, Same Sex Marriage, Biden & Xi Nov 18, 2022

Mike & Ken kick off the episode with a brief discussion of a story that just broke as they were starting to record – Attorney General appointing a special counsel in the Trump case.

Following that, they look at the nearly final results of the 2022 midterms, discussing what each party might take away from the elections, and then look toward the 2024 presidential and congressional races.

Then they turn to legislation – the Senate’s same sex marriage bill, which is expected to pass with bipartisan support and be signed into law by President Biden.

They close the show with a discussion of the meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Bali, the likelihood of even more aggressive Chinese action against Taiwan, and the G20 statement on the war in Ukraine.

Ken’s Recommendation

Chuck Berry: An American Life. R.J. Smith

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Midterms: Results, Reactions, Consequences, Ballot Issues Nov 12, 2022

It’s all midterms on this episode, with Mike & Jay starting with the results and their reactions, thoughts on why the ‘fundamentals’ got it so wrong, how the polls (mostly) got it so right, the Georgia runoff election, how this affects the Trump / DeSantis battle for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, what both parties should take away from the midterms, and how ballot issues related to abortion, marijuana, and election law changes fared.

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Pelosi Attack, Affirmative Action, Trump’s Taxes, Twitter, Midterms Nov 06, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the response to the attack on Paul Pelosi, which sent the 82-year-old spouse of the Speaker of the House to the hospital with a fractured skull.

Next is a look at Supreme Court oral arguments in Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard. It seems likely that the Court will find racial preferences in college admissions unconstitutional, overturning its 2003 precedent in Grutter v. Bollinger.

Then the Guys turn to Chief Justice Roberts order preventing the House Ways and Means Committee from seeing Donald Trump’s tax returns. They consider the right of the committee to obtain the records, separation of powers issues, and how much this is likely to matter in the end.

Following that it’s the tumultuous takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk. Is Twitter being unfairly targeted by “woke” activists as Musk seems to think? Will Donald Trump soon be back on the platform and, if so, how much will this matter to his soon to be announced 2024 presidential campaign?

The episode closes with final thoughts on the 2022 midterm elections – Mike is preparing for what he sees as the almost inevitable, followed by some grim years for Democrats.

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Robb Willer and Jan Voelkel on Strengthening American Democratic Attitudes Nov 02, 2022

Trey talks with Robb Willer and Jan Voelkel about their research on the interventions that increase Americans' democratic attitudes.

Topics Trey, Robb, and Jan discuss include:

- What led to studying democratic attitudes?

- How can we decrease partisanship?

- What are antidemocratic behaviors?

- Democratic backsliding

- Relating to those who are not like us

Follow Robb Willer and Jan Voelkel on Twitter

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Fetterman & Oz, Midterms & Polling, Republicans & Ukraine Oct 28, 2022

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of the debate between Pennsylvania US Senate Candidates John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz. They agree that Fetterman’s performance was difficult to watch, though Mike suggests that Fetterman’s difficulty on the debate state doesn’t necessarily tell us that much about his ability to function as a United States Senator. Jay raises concerns about the Fetterman campaign deceiving voters and wonders whether the Democratic Party shouldn’t have replaced Fetterman as a candidate. He also suggests some parallels between Fetterman and Georgia US Senate Candidate Herschel Walker.

After that, they discuss the midterm elections more generally. Both Mike and Jay stick with their predictions from a few weeks back, though Mike is more pessimistic about the chances of the Democrats maintaining control of the Senate and Jay more optimistic about his party’s shot at being in control of both chambers in January of 2023.

They close with a discussion of if a GOP-controlled House will continue to support Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Both Mike & Jay believe that Republicans will support Ukraine, and Mike points out that there are legitimate concerns about sending billions of dollars to the Ukrainian government, which has some not-insignificant problems with corruption and institutional capacity.

Jay’s Spooky / Holiday Recommendations

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Washington Irving

H.P. Lovecraft Short Stories. H. P. Lovecraft

Mayflower. Nathaniel Philbrick

Mike’s Recommendation

Keychron Q-Series Mechanical Keyboards

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Truss Resignation, Russian and Iran, Senate Debates, Midterm Predictions, Lindsey Graham, Loan Forgiveness Oct 21, 2022

Trey & Ken start the episode with Liz Truss and her 44 days as Prime Minster of the United Kingdom. They consider not only what led to this moment, but also what the probability is for her successor. This includes the possibility of Boris Johnson returning.

Next, they discuss both Putin’s use of martial law, his implementation of strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine, and the involvement of Iran. Ken believes Iranian behavior is solely due to the miscalculation of former President Trump, Trey believes it is more likely related to the inherent biases of authoritarianism.

After that the pair discuss the numerous Senate debates over the weekend, but focus a lot of time on Ohio, Georgia and Nevada. They also include a discussion of their predictions for the midterms as we move closer to November.

They close the show with quickly looking at two court rulings: the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal denying Lindsey Graham’s immunity claims and Justice Barrett’s denial of an emergency injunction on the Biden administrations Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

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1/6 Committee, Trump Documents, Danchenko & Durham Oct 15, 2022

Mike & Jay kick off the episode with a discussion of the January 6th committee, including allegations that Trump knew he lost the election and chose to knowingly promote a false narrative as well as encourage the January 6th rioters. They also consider what the committee has accomplished overall, with Jay admitting that they ended up doing a better job than he expected. Jay predicts that Trump will be indicted for January 6th related charges, whereas Mike doesn’t think so.

Next, they move into the latest in the Trump documents seized by the FBI. Both Mike & Jay agree that the Supreme Court was right to not grant Trump’s very narrow emergency request. Mike wishes Attorney General Garland would make a statement condemning the leaks in the investigation, which Jay thinks Garland may have possibly had a hand in orchestrating.

They close with a look at the trial of Igor Danchenko, the third person Special Counsel John Durham has indicted as part of his two-year-long investigation in the FBI’s ‘Crossfire Hurricane’ probe into Trump collusion with Russia in the 2016 election. Mike says that while Durham’s investigation hasn’t led to the sort of widespread, high-level convictions some Trump supporters might have hoped for, it served to point out the sloppy nature of the FBI’s investigation. Jay agrees, though he takes a somewhat less charitable interpretation of the Bureau’s motives than does Mike

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Nuclear Armageddon, China Chip Ban, Pot Pardons, Trump Search, Judicial Corruption Oct 08, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with a few updates followed by a discussion of President Biden’s comment that. “We’ve not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis”. The guys agree that while this may be technically true, it wasn’t the most politically astute thing for Biden to say, and it’s yet another example of his penchant for less than helpful public statements.

Next they consider the recent Biden administration ban of advanced computer chip technology to China. While Mike & Jay favor free trade as a default, in this instance they feel the administration made a wise decision.

Following that, it’s a look at Biden’s mass pardon of everyone convicted on federal marijuana possession charges. Once again, the guys are in agreement that this was a good thing to do. They get into a broader discussion of pot legalization where they express some concerns over the move to legalize it in the absence of a solid body of research on the long-term effects of marijuana use.

After that, they turn to the latest developments on the documents seized by the government in the search of Donald Trump’s home and office. Jay explains the legal technicalities, and both Mike and Jay conclude that even if the Supreme Court gives Trump what he wants, it will ultimately be a delay that probably won’t have a major effect on the outcome of the investigation.

They close by discussing the state of the federal judiciary as the Supreme Court starts up its new term. The focus is on corruption – why Ken regularly uses the term to describe actions of various conservative judges, what he means by the term, why Jay takes issue with that usage, and how bias and motivated reasoning are inherent parts of any human decision-making process.

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Nord Stream Sabotage, Russian Annexation, Special Master Overruled, McConnell, Old Joe Sep 30, 2022

Trey opens the episode with a brief tribute to the passing of Coolio before Trey & Ken start the episode with the recent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines. Relatedly they discuss Russia's recent annexation of parts of Ukraine and what political or military changes that might bring.

Next, they discuss Judge Cannon's overruling of special master Dearie. Ken explains why he was wrong about the appointment and the legal oddities of arguing for executive branch privilege against the executive branch.

Then it's a discussion of McConnell's support for the Electoral Count Act. The guys discuss the differences between the Senate and House version of the bills and why McConnell has decided to agree to legislation on the issue after Jan 6.

They close the show with a discussion of Joe Biden's age in regards to his Jackie Walorski comments and the White House follow-up. Trey argues that there is eventually a reason for individuals to age out of the executive office while Ken argues a dead Democrat is better than a live Republican.

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Trump’s Legal Troubles, Putin’s Nuclear Threat Sep 24, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that District Judge Aileen Cannon abused her discretion in denying the Department of Justice use of the roughly 100 classified documents they seized in their Mar-a-Lago raid until a special master reviewed them. Jay doesn’t entirely agree with the 11th Circuit, arguing that Judge Cannon acted reasonably given the history of deception by the FBI and the more general perception that the government is out to get Donald Trump. Mike agrees that this is a perception, but only on the right, and that one can acknowledge unlawful behavior by some people in law enforcement without believing that this requires that judges create a more lenient set of standards for Donald Trump.

Next is a look at the civil lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Donald Trump and three of his children for misrepresentation of assets. Mike surprises Jay by coming out against the lawsuit – not because Mike thinks Donald Trump didn’t overvalue assets, but because he sees it as a largely victimless offense (those who lent to Trump seemed willing to accept his valuations without independent confirmation) and nearly impossible to prove, making it not only a questionable use of government resources, but also something that might actually strengthen Trump’s “they’re out to get me” narrative.

They close by considering Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s announcement of sham elections in four Russian controlled Ukrainian areas, and Putin’s threat to use any means necessary to defend “Russian territory” from attack. Mike expects that the West won’t be willing to risk escalation over a low-yield Russian nuclear strike and that in the end, Putin will come away from this in control of at least part of Ukraine. Jay is more optimistic about the potential for Ukrainians to reclaim much of their territory as well as the willingness of not only the West, but China to punish Russia for using nuclear weapons.

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Special Master, Inflation, Migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, Graham’s Abortion Ban Sep 17, 2022

Mike & Jay open the episode with an update of developments in the FBI search of Donald Trump’s home and office, including the special master appointed by Judge Cannon, Cannon’s denial of DOJ’s request to allow them access to certain documents, and how they expect the process to play out.

Next, they take a look at the August inflation report. Mike & Jay agree that the current inflation picture is troubling, but Mike points out that things could potentially look a lot better before too long. They conclude that while the Fed should continue to raise rates, they shouldn’t raise them too high too quickly.

Then it’s a discussion of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flying a bunch of migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The guys both see it as a political stunt – along with fellow GOP Governor Greg Abbott’s migrant relocations – but Jay believes it’s making an important point about our broken asylum system. Mike doesn’t dispute the brokenness of our system but argues that the Biden administration has tried to advance immigration legislation, only to have it spurned by Republicans in Congress.

They close the show with a discussion of the 15-week national abortion ban proposed by South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsay Graham. Mike thinks it would be a reasonable compromise policy if only it didn’t include a provision allowing stricter state limitations on abortion. Jay isn’t quite sure whether Graham’s proposal is politically brilliant or a dumb move just before the midterms, but in either case, he agrees with Mitch McConnell that this is an issue best left to the states.

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Bill Kuhn on the GOP as a Threat to Democracy Sep 15, 2022

Mike talks with Bill Kuhn, co-founder of Fight for a Better America and author of Facts & Fury, where he make the argument that the Republican Party has done significant damage to American democracy.

Topics Mike & Bill discuss include:

how Republicans are strategically smarter than Democrats
the electoral advantages of the GOP
important differences between Republican activists and ‘regular Republicans’
the potential value and danger of inflammatory rhetoric
the GOP’s ‘unhealthy obsession’ with private enterprise
pushing unpopular policy through manufacturing outrage & division
Republicans and cancel culture
and lots more!

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Special Masters, Trump Rally, Removing Insurrectionists, Labor Laws Sep 09, 2022

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of Judge Aileen Cannon’s order to appoint a special master to review the Trump Mar-a-Lago raid documents. Mike agrees with many legal analysts (including former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr) that the ruling is on shaky legal ground but sees is as politically wise. Jay agrees, though he thinks that Cannon’s order is more defensible than Mike believes it is.

Next, they turn to Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, which was full of the usual Trump tropes – wild unsupported assertions, airing of grievances, as well as the occasional mention of the candidates he was ostensibly there to support. Mike and Jay agree that Trump may have willingly walked into a trap set by Biden and Democrats, who are eager to make the upcoming midterm elections about Trump. But Jay doesn’t think that it’s likely to move the needle much, while Mike cautions his fellow Democrats to not be too surprised if Republicans end up with control of both chambers in January of 2025.

Then it’s a look at the decision of a New Mexico judge who removed county commissioned Couy Griffin from office, citing his violation of the 14th Amendment’s Insurrection Clause. Mike & Jay agree that what Griffin did doesn’t amount to insurrection, and that it’s a bad precedent for judges to start deciding that those convicted of no more than misdemeanors are insurrectionists who are barred from office.

Finally, they discuss California’s Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, which Governor Newsome signed into law on Labor Day. Mike really likes the sectoral bargaining basis of the law, but he was disappointed in finding no good analyses of the costs and benefits of the legislation. Jay comes out firing, as he hates pretty much everything about the new law.

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Gorbachev, Biden on MAGA, Trump Search, Alaska’s RCV Election Sep 02, 2022

Mike & Trey open the episode with a look back at the political legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, who died this week. They believe that even though Gorbachev has long been out of power, his impact is felt to this day and there are important lessons we can take away from his failure to preserve the Soviet system.

After that, they’re joined by Ken Katkin for a discussion of President Biden’s prime-time speech warning of the danger to democracy posed by MAGA Republicans. Ken and Mike end up being somewhat more critical of Biden’s speech than Trey, who believes it was important for Biden to make a strong, public statement against forces that turned the current GOP into a party Trey finds difficult to support.

Then it’s a discussion of the search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and office. They get into what the unsealed affidavit revealed (not much, due to all the redactions), Trump’s call for a special master to go through the seized materials, the potential dangers of a Trump prosecution, and how they envision events playing out.

They close the episode by looking at the special election to fill Alaska’s lone US House seat, where Democrat Mary Peltola came out on top of Republican Sarah Palin. Mike, Trey, and Ken consider what this election might tell us about the upcoming midterm elections, as well as their thoughts about rank choice voting more generally.

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Student Loans, Primaries, 4th Amendment Aug 26, 2022

Trey & Ken start the show by deep diving into Biden’s executive action on student loan forgiveness. Ken argues it is good for the country, won’t impact inflation, and is constitutionally valid. Trey argues that it will increase the cost of higher education in the long run and is simultaneously a sign of a President overstepping his power in order to win midterm votes.

Next, the pair looks not only at the most recent primaries on Tuesday, but they get deep into midterm predictions, especially for the Senate, New York and Florida. Ken stands by his argument that the Senate remains in Democrats hands. They also talk about what more local races may mean for the national midterms.

The close the show by discussing a brand new district court ruling that public universities that use proctoring software may be violating the 4th Amendment’s protection against unlawful searches.

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Trump Raid, Espionage Act, Alaska & Wyoming Primaries Aug 20, 2022

Mike & Jay kick off the show by discussing the possibility that the affidavit used to obtain the FBI’s search warrant on Donald Trump’s home and office might be made public, at least in redacted form. They both agree that the unusual circumstances seem to merit more public information than we currently have, though they remain doubtful as to whether we’ll ever see much of the affidavit. They also consider the larger issues concerning the wisdom of the search and how this is likely to improve Trump’s 2024 presidential chances. Throughout, they make far too many Roscoe P. Coltrane (from The Dukes of Hazzard) references.

They follow this up by considering Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul’s call to repeal the Espionage Act. While on one level it may seem like a Republican partisan attempting to shield Trump from prosecution, the Guys point out that the Espionage Act has been used for what they see as unjust (and unconstitutional) prosecutions. But the portions of the Espionage Act that were clearly unconstitutional have long been repealed.

Next, they turn to primary elections in Alaska and Wyoming and what they say about Donald Trump’s hold on the GOP. Mike is inclined to not read too much into Alaska because of its unique politics. Jay argues that Liz Cheney may have succumbed to anti-Trump hysteria and doesn’t see her as a viable 2024 presidential candidate.

Mike's Recommendation

Reacher (Amazon Prime)

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Michelle Wilde Anderson on Reimagining Discarded America Aug 18, 2022

Mike talks with Michelle Wilde Anderson, professor of property, local government, and environmental justice at Stanford Law School, about her recently released book, The Fight to Save the Town: Reimagining Discarded America.

Topics Mike & Michelle Cover Include:

the problem of citywide poverty
poor cities and gateway cities
ineffective “solutions” to citywide poverty
how pathologizing poor cities as failed and corrupt makes things worse
the importance of rebuilding trust in tackling citywide poverty
poverty & hope in Stockton California; Josephine County, Oregon; Lawrence, Massachusetts; and Detroit Michigan

Michelle Wilde Anderson on Twitter

Mike on Instagram (lots of dog pictures 🐶)

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FBI Trump Raid, Good(ish) Inflation News, Protecting Veterans Aug 13, 2022

Mike & Jay devote the bulk of the episode to an in-depth – and at times heated – discussion of the FBI’s execution of a search warrant on Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and office. They discuss the wisdom of seizing files in Trump’s possession, whether or not the Department of Justice exhausted all other means before taking such an unprecedented step, how Attorney General Garland has handled the raid and political fallout, and what they think the consequences of the seizure may be.

Next, they look at the latest inflation numbers, which are an improvement from the last few months. This has Mike feeling at least somewhat optimistic, but as Jay cautions, there are still major issues with inflation and it may be too soon for anyone to start celebrating.

After that they discuss the PACT Act, which makes it easier for veterans who may have suffered ill effects from toxic burn pits to get VA medical care. Both Mike and Jay think it’s good legislation, with Mike having a personal interest, having been exposed to toxic burn pits while serving with the Marines in Saudi Arabia.

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Kansas Abortion Vote, Midterm Primaries, Codifying Roe, Finland and Sweden in NATO, Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit Aug 05, 2022

After discussing Ken’s need for a title like Jay’s, Trey and Ken tackle the recent upset vote in Kansas on the “Value Them Both” ballot initiative. Ken thinks this means that the Democrats will hold or gain seats in the Senate. Trey isn’t sure that it changes the midterm outcomes, but he does see important cleavages inside the Republican Party. Trey argues that it is easier, and more viable electorally, to take positions than to govern.

Next they talk more broadly about the primary races across the country. One big question is how well Trump supports did, such as in Arizona. Ken, again, sees this as bolstering Democrats in the midterm. Trey, pointing to the most recent polling data, cautions that given that President Biden is being outpolled by former President Trump. They discuss the meaning of the data and how it applies in Pennsylvania.

After that the pair discuss the Senates attempt to codify Roe. The question is: how many votes should the Senate take on various measures to get themselves and the Republicans on the record. Ken argues that they should and they should do so repeatedly in order to maximize their advantage on the social issue.

Then it is a brief discussion of the Senates vote to include Finland and Sweden in NATO. They also discuss Josh Hawley’s lone dissenting vote and what, if anything, it means.

They close with a discussion of Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan. While they are both in agreement over the value of the trip, they disagree over what they see as the tactic by Biden to isolate the trip. Trey sees it as Biden playing into a view of being weak, while Ken thinks it is strategically smart not to attach the one China policy head on right now.

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Legislative Bonanza, Monkeypox Response Jul 30, 2022

After opening with an update on the Brittney Greiner situation, Mike and Jay discuss the big week of legislative activity. They start by discussing the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022”, aka “Baby Build Back Better” (Mike’s hoping that name sticks, though don’t hold your breath). Mike is a big fan, while Jay isn’t nearly as comfortable as Mike (or Joe Manchin) with the tax hikes that not only pay for the climate spending but make it a significant money raiser for the government.

Then they move into the CHIPs Act, the rare major legislation that has attracted bipartisan support. Mike and Jay are on board too, though Mike would like to see it bigger to better compete with China, Taiwan, and South Korea, whereas Jay would have been more comfortable with a pared-down version of the bill.

After that they discuss another bipartisan measure – the Respect for Marriage Act, which recently passed the House with 47 Republican votes. Mike thinks it’s a good idea given his view of the precariousness of the constitutional protection for same-sex marriage. Jay doesn’t think that any state will be willing to run the risk of instituting a same-sex marriage ban, and so sees the legislation as addressing a problem that’s not likely to exist.

They close with a discussion of Monkeypox. Mike argues that it’s yet another public health failing, and that not enough is being done to contain the spread. Jay is more concerned with government overreach and believes that existing funding can be repurposed to deal with this outbreak.

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Bryan Caplan on Evil Politicians Jul 27, 2022

Mike talks with Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University and blogger at Bet on It. He's the author of multiple books, including four that we’ve previously discussed on the show: The Myth of the Rational Voter, The Case Against Education, Open Borders, and Labor Econ vs The World: Essays on the World's Greatest Market. On this episode, Mike and Bryan talk about his most recent book, How Evil Are Politicians?: Essays on Demagoguery.

Topics Mike & Brian Discuss Include:

The meaning of evil – is it more than just self-interest?
Bryan’s contention that the vast majority of politicians are, in fact, evil
Why we should hold politicians to a higher standard
The almost utter lack of “moral due diligence” on the part of politicians
If people don’t know or just don’t care about evil politicians
Demagoguery as the politics of social desirability
Liberal vs Conservative forms of evil
The extent to which evil politicians are a result of a bad system
The pragmatic case for pacifism
If any US hostilities since WWII were justified
What, if anything, we can do about evil politicians

Bryan Caplan on Twitter

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Secret Service Text Messages, A Good Guy With A Gun, The Sound of Screaming Has Been Removed, Police Shooting, Members of Congress Arrested Jul 22, 2022

Trey & Ken kick off the show with a look at the missing secret service text messages. They discuss the ongoing legal ramifications and the likely reasons why they disappeared. They then turn to the other issues which came out of the final Jan 6 Committee hearing.

Next, they turn to all the guns. More specifically they discuss the juxtaposition of the Indiana good guy’s action compared to the Uvalde police. Trey argues this highlights a point he agrees with the left on: the problematic nature of the police in the United States and this explains why weapons, in part, are more prevalent in the U.S. Ken agrees with some of the issues of the police, but disagrees on the need for weapons.

After that they look at two separate instances of police and correction officers shooting African Americans and the aftermath of those cases. This continues the disagreement between the hosts, with Trey saying that this explains the uptick in gun ownership by African Americans.

The pair close the show discussing the seventeen members of Congress who were arrested for protesting the Supreme Court over abortion rights and the possible ways that may effect the midterm election.

Recommendations

Trey: Shots in the Dark

Ken: Can You Forgive Her?

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Abortion Battles, Inflation, COVID, Joe Manchin, Brittney Greiner, Moore v Harper Jul 16, 2022

Mike & Jay kick off the show with a look at the Biden administration’s recent guidance to health care providers and pharmacies regarding federal law on abortion services. Mike believes that the guidance is well within the authority of the federal government and should make at least a marginal difference in providing women access to abortion services. Jay doesn’t entirely disagree but feels that the language of the guidance was heavy-handed and could have a chilling effect on medical care providers.

Next, they turn to the most recent inflation report and the state of the economy. Mike believes that while the most recent numbers are bad, there’s a good chance that we’ve turned a corner, though there are some serious structural issues to consider. Jay feels that the Fed should have acted sooner to raise interest rates, and questions the extent to which we should trust “expert opinion” on these matters.

After that comes a discussion of COVID in the wake of the BA.5 variant’s rise. Mike believes that we’re still not doing nearly enough to get the world vaccinated. Jay doesn’t disagree but has much greater concerns than Mike does about how this would happen, and the waste of money due to incompetence and corruption.

Following that, they consider Joe Manchin – the Democrat other Democrats love to hate. Jay argues that Machin’s position on not going along with Democratic proposals on climate change make good policy sense, and his somewhat newfound refusal to consider tax increases is a smart political move. Mike agrees, though he points out the inconsistency between Manchin’s concerns about inflation and his position on tax increases.

Then the guys turn to the case of Brittney Greiner. They conclude that the State Department may need to do a better job of warning travelers heading to particularly dangerous countries, and that high-profile Americans should be especially concerned. While they have reservations about prisoner-swaps, they end up agreeing that they’re almost certain to happen in certain circumstances.

Finally, they consider the “independent state legislature” theory – the idea that state legislatures can make federal election laws that are unreviewable by state courts, even if they may violate the state’s constitution. While they find it an intellectually intriguing argument, in the end Mike & Jay don’t think it holds water, and that when the Supreme Court hears Moore v. Harper – the case that revolves around this theory – a majority of the justices will agree with them.

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Joe Zammit-Lucia on The New Political Capitalism Jul 13, 2022

Kimberly Weir. Professor of International Relations at Northern Kentucky University, talks with international management consultant Dr. Joe Zammit-Lucia about his latest book, The New Political Capitalism: How Businesses and Societies Can Thrive in a Deeply Politicized World.

Topics Kimberly & Joe discuss include:

Why business and politics are inseparable
How the interaction between business and government is like football
Policy regulation and deregulation as public goods
Why living in Florida would be impossible without government subsidies
Why so many corporations give China a pass on its authoritarian policies
Why Harley Davidson workers voted to axe their own jobs
Tony Chocoloney and the problem of moving away from slave labor chocolate
The instability of the current tri-polar trade bloc system
The reality that ‘no brand can remain apolitical for too long’
Markets as essentially political constructs

Joe Zammit-Lucia on Twitter

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Post-Dobbs, WV v EPA, Biden v Texas, 1/6 Committee Jul 08, 2022

Mike & Jay kick off the episode by discussing a bunch of topics related to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling of two weeks ago, including President Biden’s latest executive order, state constitutions and reproductive rights, Mike’s novel interpretation of the Takings Clause, Trey & Ken as proponents of a “living Constitution”, and a lot more.

Next, they turn to the Court’s decision in West Virginia v EPA, a case in which Jay wrote one of the amicus briefs before the Court. They end up agreeing that the Court got it right on the merits, but Mike thinks the dissenters were right that the case didn’t present a live controversy for the Court to hear in the first place.

After that it’s another Supreme Court case – Biden v. Texas, concerning the Biden administration’s attempt to end the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers. While both Jay and Mike have sympathy for Justice Alito’s dissent (at least in part), they believe that the Court got it right and that the Biden administration can legally end the Trump-era program.

Following that is Mike’s brief interview with Jenna Spinelle, the host of a great new podcast on citizen initiatives called When The People Decide, more general thoughts on the Supreme Court’s latest term, and a look at the latest work of the January 6th Committee.

When The People Decide

The McCourtney Institute for Democracy

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Jan 6 Update, School Prayer, Dobbs and Guns Part 2 Jul 02, 2022

Trey & Ken record early this week and do something unique: they give additional insight into the cases of Dobbs and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association covered by Mike and Jay last week.

The duo start by discussing the Cassidy Hutchinson testimony. Ken thinks the likelihood of a Trump inditement has increased. Trey asks what could actually be demonstrated in court. Further the pair discuss the intersection of politics and law in a case such as this. The finish the topic by discussing the implications for Trump challengers to the Republican primary including Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence.

Next is a discussion on the major establishment vs. expression question at the heart of Kennedy v Bremerton School District. Trey is supportive of the bottom line outcome, although he doesn't believe there was a need to overturn precedent to do it. Ken believes that it is just a particular outcome that was destined to win and that it was a violation of the establishment clause.

After that they close the show by moving on to something unusual: they examine what Mike & Jay had to say on abortion and guns in the Dobbs and New York cases. In Dobbs Trey agrees with the outcome, but disagrees with the reasoning. Specifically he, like Ken, agree that there are more rights than specifically outlined in the constitution. In this way they both disagree with Mike & Jay. On guns Trey believes a close reading of history shows a conflicted set of frames over the meaning of the 2nd Amendment, but that it included an individual right to bear arms. Ken gives no ground and thinks it is historically only connected to states.

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The End of Roe, Gun Rights, Funding Religious Education Jun 25, 2022

Mike & Jay start off this episode with the landmark Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. They have an in-depth discussion on all five of the opinions as well as what they see as the political implications of the ruling.

That’s followed by a discussion of a major ruling on gun rights in which Justice Thomas announces what Mike sees as a radical departure for the Court with disturbing implications. Along with this they talk about the bipartisan gun legislation recently approved by Congress.

They close the show by considering the Court’s ruling in an important religious freedom case.

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That’s Not Funny: Matt Sienkiewicz on Right-Wing Humor Jun 22, 2022

Mike talks with Matt Sienkiewicz, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Boston College Communication Department. He's the co-author, along with Nick Marx, of That's Not Funny: How the Right Makes Comedy Work for Them.

Topics Mike & Matt Discuss Include:

- why most political comedy is left of center

- the main types of right of center comedy

- “punching up” vs “punching down” in comedy

- conservative humor challenging liberal pieties

- the biggest names in right wing comedy

- why right-wing comedy matters, even if you don’t think it’s funny

Right-Wing Comedy Links

The Political Orphanage. Andrew Heaton

Greg Gutfeld

Ryan Long

Michael Malice

Matt Sienkiewicz on Twitter

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Fed Rate Increase, Primaries and New Mexico, Trump's Jan 6 Response, Senate Gun Bill, LGBTQI+ Executive Order Jun 18, 2022

Trey and Ken kick off the episode with a discussion of the Federal Reserve's .75 percent rate increase. Ken doesn't think it is deficit spending and is more related to war. Trey believes while war and COVID are contributing factors they are exasperated by current monetary policy. The pair also weigh in on the idea of greedflation.

Next the pair discuss the primaries in Main, North Dakota, Nevada and South Carolina. They also discuss the rule of law and the Couy Griffin in New Mexico not certifying the vote.

After that it is the most recent revelations concerning Pence with the January 6 Committee along with Trump's twelve page response. Trey and Ken dive into both the questions of the modality of Trump's response and the content. They also ask what the probable audience is for the hearings and response.

After that there is a brief update on the major issues facing gun compromise and Ken's belief that Republican Senators, led by Mitch McConnell, are corrupt. Trey suggests that there are other readings of the impasse.

Finally Trey and Ken talk about Biden's executive order on LGBTQI+ rights and what impact it is intended to have, and might pragmatically have, on states like Florida.

Trey’s Recommendation

The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Route

Ken's Recommendation

Mountain Community Radio

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Will Moravits on Policing and Race in America Jun 15, 2022

Mike talks with Will Moravits, a former police officer who became a college professor, earning his Masters in Political Science from Texas State University and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. He's the author of the recently published book The Blue Divide: Policing and Race in America.

Topics Mike & Will Discuss Include:

- Will’s unique perspective as a former cop / current academic

- effectiveness of police use of force training

- understanding how humans respond in high-stress situations

- myths and misconceptions surrounding police use of force

- what Will learned from studying multiple high-profile police shootings

- the case Will makes for a lack of racial bias in police shootings

- defunding the police

- President Biden’s Executive Order concerning federal law enforcement

- Will’s thoughts on how to improve policing

Will Moravits on Twitter

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1/6 Hearings, Kavanaugh Threat, Guns, Summit of the Americas, Formula Shortage, Gas Prices Jun 10, 2022

Mike & Jay kick off the show with a discussion of the first of a scheduled six hearings from the House January 6th Committee. They share their views on the value of the hearings, what if anything they learned, whether Fox News was right to not carry the hearings live, and more.

Then it’s a look at the man who came to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home, armed & dangerous and intending to kill Kavanaugh. Mike and Jay consider this in light of larger protests following the leak of Justice Alito’s opinion draft that would overturn Roe v Wade, a decline in trust of government, and issues with judicial filibusters and the nomination process.

After that they return to the issue of guns, talking about Matthew McConaughey’s impassioned speech at the White House, recent legislation passed by the House to address mass shootings, as well as a Justice Department investigation into the Uvalde response.

Following that is a discussion of the Summit of the Americas, being held this year in Los Angeles. Mike & Jay agree that President Biden was right to not invite Latin American anti-democratic leaders, but they disagree about how best to address some of the key issues between the US and Latin American countries.

They close the show with discussions of the baby formula shortage and what it tells us about government as well as markets, as well as sky high gas prices and what, if anything, government can (or should) do about them.

Mike’s Recommendation

Don Winslow’s ‘Power of the Dog’ Trilogy: The Power of the Dog, The Cartel, The Border

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Howard Blum & The Spy Who Knew Too Much Jun 08, 2022

Ken breaks out his extensive Cold War spy knowledge in this conversation with journalist and New York Times best-selling author Howard Blum. They discuss his recently released book, The Spy Who Knew Too Much: An Ex-CIA Officer's Quest Through a Legacy of Betrayal. Formerly a reporter for the The Village Voice and the New York Times, Blum is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. While at the Times, he was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.

Topics Ken and Howard cover include:

- the uses of intelligence

- moles, traitors, spies

- big moles vs little moles

- the war within the CIA

- Angleton, Golitsyn, and the "Monster Plot"

- the suspicious "suicide" of CIA agent John Paisley

- human vs signal intelligence

- if human intelligence really matters

- spying in the US/ Russia / Ukraine conflict

- and lots more!

Howard Blum on Twitter

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Russia & Ukraine, SCOTUS & Social Media, Sussmann Acquittal, Guns, Heard-Depp, Katz Firing Jun 03, 2022

Mike & Jay open with a discussion of where we’re at 100 days after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Jay is optimistic, and much more so than he was in the early days. Mike largely agrees but is concerned that the pro-Ukraine alliance is beginning to show signs of fraying and might not hold up in the long run, especially in tough economic times.

Next, they discuss the social media laws passed by Texas and Florida and the Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision to temporarily halt Texas’ law. Mike sees these laws as blatantly unconstitutional on multiple grounds, while Jay points out that some of the reasoning used in defense of the laws isn’t all that far-fetched.

After that they look at the acquittal of Democratic attorney Michael Sussman, who was indicted by Special Counsel Robert Durham for making false statements to the FBI. Mike thinks it was the right verdict, but also points out that there’s often a significant difference between wrongdoing and wrongdoing that can be successfully prosecuted. Jay agrees, though he tends to be less skeptical of Deep State narratives surrounding the Trump-Russia story than Mike is.

Then it’s more on guns in the wake of yet another mass shooting. This time, Mike attempts to better understand strongly pro-gun, anti-government people by making the best argument he can for more guns and fewer regulations. Jay responds by critiquing Mike’s argument with what he sees as the strongest pro-regulation points.

They wrap things up with stories that involve free speech, the #MeToo movement, and social justice: The Johnny-Depp / Amber Heard trial and the firing of tenured Princeton Professor Joshua Katz.

Jay’s Recommendation

Fear of a Setting Sun. Dennis Rasmussen

Two Songs Mike Would Use For His Campaign Theme

Everybody Knows. Leonard Cohen

American Idiot. Green Day

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Uvalde Shooting, Primaries, Police Accountability, Regulating Big Tech May 28, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with an extended conversation on the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. They discuss the police response, the problem of gun violence in the United States, and a raft of policy proposals from both the left and the right.

Next, they look at the recent primary elections in Georgia and consider whether the shellacking of two high-profile Donald Trump endorsed candidates means the waning of Trump’s influence in the Republican Party. They also look at the upcoming Michigan primary election, where five of the 10 Republican gubernatorial candidates were disqualified from appearing on the ballot.

After that, it’s President Biden’s recent Executive Order on police accountability. Mike & Jay weigh in on the EO, and also whether it should serve as a template for the majority of law enforcement personnel who are not federal and therefore not covered under the order.

They close with a discussion of bipartisan Senate legislation that would force Google and Facebook to sell significant portions of their businesses. Is this idea – which seemingly unites the Libertarian right and the corporate-skeptical left good policy? And what chance does it have of becoming law?

Mike’s Recommendation

America’s Philosophy, with Cornel West. (Vox Conversations)

Jay’s Recommendation

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

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Buffalo Shooting, Pennsylvania Primaries, Cawthorne's loss, FEC vs Cruz, Bezos vs President Biden, Abortion May 20, 2022

Trey & Ken open the show talking about the Buffalo shooting with a focus on the shooter’s, Payton Gendron, screed. They discuss why the screed is hard to find, its contents, and they tackle the problems of fascism in the United States. They also discuss the underlying racial shifts that fascism and racism has taken.

Next they move to the razor thin Pennsylvania Senate primaries between Oz and McCormick and how Trump’s influence continues, or not, to hold sway. They also discuss how election law and closeness impact election counting.

After that it is scandal ridden Cawthorne’s House loss and a discussion of his comments on “dark MAGA” on instagram. There is also a brief discussion of the gubernatorial primary in Idaho.

Then it is off to the Supreme Court for a conversation on Federal Election Commission v. Cruz and what constitutes a bribe. Here also is a conversation about Supreme Court precedent.

Next is a discussion of Bezos, President Biden, and inflation — specifically the relationship between tax policy and inflation.

They close by revisiting the issue of abortion upon listener request. They discuss, and vigorously disagree over, the philosophic and moral arguments of abortion.

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Life After Roe, Trump’s Primary Success, COVID, Ukraine/Russia, Inflation, Expat Mike? May 13, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the post Roe landscape, given the near certainty of the Supreme Court finding that there is no constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy. They look at some data on pregnancy and abortion, discuss the recent efforts of Democrats to codify Roe’s protections into law, how states are likely to act, and whether a future Republican chamber might pass a national abortion restriction.

Next they turn to Donald Trump’s success as a primary endorser and what it means for Trump’s control over the GOP, followed by the latest on Ukraine – including Finland & Sweden applying for NATO membership and a $40 billion Ukraine package.

After that it’s inflation: the latest downturn (sort of), what the Fed has been and likely will do in the future, how markets have reacted, how big of a role the American Rescue Plan has played in fueling inflation, and whether US tariffs against China should be rolled back.

They close the show with Mike’s announcement that he and his wife are thinking about retiring to either Uruguay, Chile, or Portugal in the next few years. Mike explains why, brings up some data on how those countries compare to the US in terms of freedom and corruption, and he and Jay discuss the tension between American nationalism and Stoic cosmopolitanism.

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Adam Probolsky on Polling and Partisan Identification May 11, 2022

Trey talks with Adam Probolsky, President of Probolsky Research, a full service opinion research firm specializing in market research and opinion research on elections and public policy, working on behalf of business, government, non-profit, special interest and media clients.

Trey and Adam's conversation includes:

A conversation on political and public policy research.
Adam's overview of quantitative data and polling.
How qualitative measures can help create better polling data.
Probolsky research on political identification and predicting voting behavior.

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Abortion Leak, Intelligence Leak, Puerto Rico, JD Vance, Shurtleff May 06, 2022

Trey and Ken open the show with a two-pronged discussion of the leaked Alito opinion overturning Roe v Wade. First the pair discuss the opinion itself, the location of the right to privacy, and, ultimately, the legal obligations states can (or should) impose based on the question of what constitutes life. Second, the pair discuss the implications of the leak and who may be the source of the leak.

After that, they turn to another leak: the intelligence community leak in the New York Times suggesting that the U.S. was helping Ukrainian forces target Russian generals.

Then they turn to the recently decided U.S. v Valero Madero concerning the applicability of the 5th Amendment to Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. To what extent should the Constitution apply to territories and what are the larger effects of having it apply more uniformly?

Then they turn to the Republican primaries in Ohio and Indiana. The question here is what the data says Trump’s seal of approval means for candidates? How do MAGA candidates fair in the primaries compared to the more mainstream conservatives or if MAGA is the mainstream for the Republican Party.

They close the show by briefly discussing the case of Shurtleff v. City of Boston and why a straightforward case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ken’s Recommendation

Bernie

Trey’s Recommendations

The Everything Store

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Paul Brandus on Presidential Communication in the Biden and Trump Administrations May 03, 2022

Trey talks with Paul Brandus, independent member of the White House press corps and founder of West Wing Reports (@WestWingReport), columnist, and author of books including Under This Roof and This Day in Presidential History.

Trey and Paul's conversation includes:

Paul's assessment of former President Donald Trump's communication strategy
Paul's thoughts on President Biden’s communication strengths and weaknesses
Discussion of what makes a better presidential communication strategy
The effect of social media on presidential communication

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Disney & Florida GOP, Musk & Twitter, Russia & Ukraine, Title 42 Apr 30, 2022

Mike, Jay, and Trey open the show with an extended discussion of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, Disney’s response to it, and Florida’s state government retaliation. They get into what the law actually says, whether Disney was violating unwritten rules of lobbying by coming out against the law after it had passed, if the state was right to retaliate against Disney for doing so, and if Florida’s retaliation might be an unconstitutional restriction of speech.

After that, the Guys consider Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter, discussing how big of a deal it is, who it’s likely to help and hurt, and whether or not Twitter unfairly censors conservative voices.

Then they turn to the latest in Russia’s war against Ukraine, including Russia cutting off gas supplies to Poland & Bulgaria, Russia’s increasing comments about a nuclear option, Biden’s latest Ukraine funding request, the resolve of the West to hold out in a long conflict, and whether or not it’s justifiable to liquidate the assets of Russian oligarchs and use them to provide funds for Ukraine.

They close the episode with a discussion of the Title 42 program of migrant expulsion, and whether a federal district court judge’s halt of the phase out of the program is justified, whether the program will be forced to continue, and what a better solution might look like.

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McCarthy’s Lie, Mask Mandate, DeSantis vs. Disney, Russia & Ukraine, Tax Day, 4/20 Apr 23, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy being caught in a lie about recommending that Trump resign, Trump’s reaction, and what this might tell us about Trump and Trumpism in the GOP of 2022.

Next is a look at the ruling that ended the federal mask mandate. Mike and Jay get into administrative power, judicial deference to agency decisions, a Congress that may have good political reasons to not legislate, and more.

Following an update and discussion on the current state of Russia’s war against Ukraine, they turn back to domestic politics – lax enforcement of tax policy and IRS funding, followed by the current state and future of marijuana laws.

Jay’s Recommendation

A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal. Ben Macintyre

Mike’s Recommendations

Louis Prima & Hoopla

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Jennifer Sciubba on How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World Apr 20, 2022

Northern Kentucky University political scientist Kimberly Weir talks with Jennifer Sciubba, political scientist at Rhodes College and author of the recently released 8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, & Migration Shape our World.

Topics Kimberly & Jennifer discuss include:

Why people don’t think about demography when considering politics
Global fertility, mortality, and migration patterns
Why demographics isn't destiny
How power transition theory explains Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine
China’s aging and shrinking population challenges
Why we don’t see ‘Gray Pride’ T-shirts, but should
Why HALE matters more than life expectancy
Demographic engineering as a political strategy
Why the future is much more optimistic than the sensationalist ‘doom and gloom’ reports

Jennifer Scuibba on Twitter

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Brooklyn Shooting, New NATO Members, Oklahoma Abortion Ban, Tax Policy, Pakistani Espionage? Apr 15, 2022

Trey & Ken open the show with a discussion of Frank James arrest. Big topics include the nature of his arrest, discussion of crime trends in the U.S., the role of weapons in crime trends, and the political ramification of those trends.

That's followed by Oklahoma's newly passed abortion ban. The ban, which has no exceptions, was followed by Kentucky's. Trey & Ken discuss the future of privacy and abortion in the U.S. and the problems facing lawmakers in addressing in and what the Supreme Court is likely to do next.

After that Trey & Ken talk about the reaction from Russia from Finland and Sweden considering NATO membership. The likelihood of the Senate to make such a treaty change, plus conversations about the most recent sinking of a ship in the Black Sea.

Then the pair talk about America's tax policy, why it isn't as progressive as it seems, and why Trey doesn't think liberals get it. Last the pair discuss the humorous possibility of espionage in Washington DC.

Trey & Ken's Recommendations

Trey: Severance on Apple TV+

Ken: Candy House by Jennifer Egan.

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Larry Jacobs on Democracy Under Fire Apr 13, 2022

Trey talks with Larry Jacobs, founder and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance (CSPG) and holder of the Walter F. and Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs on his latest book Democracy Under Fire: Donald Trump and the Breaking of American History.

Topics Trey & Larry discuss include:

– The history of primaries in the United States

– How political primaries harm democracies

– The need for political elites

– The problem with Trump and Bernie and primaries

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Jackson Confirmation, Russian War Crimes, Amazon Union, Title 42, GOP Insurrectionists Apr 09, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the Supreme Court confirmation vote for Ketanji Brown Jackson. They focus on Mitt Romney’s flip from “no” vote on Jackson’s confirmation to the DC Circuit last summer to his “yes” vote on Supreme Court confirmation. Jay agrees with Romney’s assessment of Jackson and feels that the default should be to approve qualified nominees of the president, but he also argues that there’s a principled case to be made against Jackson serving on the Court.

That’s followed by a look at of the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine, including new sanctions, whether Russia’s actions amount to genocide, if anyone will ever be held to account for Russian war crimes, and if Russia is an Evil Empire.

After that, Mike & Jay get into a number of domestic policy issues, including the first ever Amazon union in the United States, the Biden administration’s move to end Title 42 immigration expulsions and why almost all Republicans as well as some Democrats oppose it, plans to disqualify certain Republicans from office on the grounds that they’re insurrectionists, as well as listener questions & comments.

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Chris Brady on the Politics and Promise of Cryptocurrency Apr 06, 2022

Mike talks with Chris Brady, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, humorist, and businessman. His latest book is The Bitcoin Bride: A Rascal Money Story.

Topics Mike & Chris discuss include:

- what cryptocurrency is and how it works

- Bitcoin as “freedom money”

- the inevitability of traditional currency losing value

- “Gold Bugs” and cryptocurrency

- President Biden’s recent Executive Order on cryptocurrency

- whether the cryptocurrency needs more regulation

- if Russia can use cryptocurrency to evade sanctions

- Friedrich Hayek and the philosophical underpinnings of cryptocurrency

- the future of cryptocurrency

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Prosecuting Trump, Russia, Anti-Lynching Law, Biden’s Budget, Responding to Anti-Trans Laws Apr 02, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of multiple developments concerning the events of January 6th, including Ginni Thomas’s text messages and Justice Thomas’s refusal to recuse, White House communication records on that date, and whether Donald Trump should be investigated and potentially prosecuted for his role in the events of that day.

After that they turn to Russia’s war against Ukraine, focusing on President Biden’s remarks about Putin remaining in power as well as Biden’s authorization of the largest ever release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

That’s followed by a look at the almost completely bipartisan Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Law (and why Jay would have voted against it, if he had the political courage to do so), President Biden’s first full-fledged budget, and the wisdom and constitutionality of the response to state “anti-trans” laws being planned by the Department of Education.

They close by addressing listener questions, including one in which they recommend some possibly under the radar sources of political information.

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Ketanji Brown Jackson, Hunter Biden, Ukraine, Idaho Abortion, Indiana & Utah Anti-Trans Bills, Inflation Mar 25, 2022

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Trey and Mike host this week's show and start with the confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson. Topics include the importance of position taking over substantive conversations, the questions of sentencing in child pornography cases and judicial philosophy.

Next the pair take on the newest revelations on Hunter Biden and his laptops. Trey and Mike discuss why the story took the time it did to be confirmed, the unlikely nature of the source, and delve a bit into the question of understanding the nature of sources and the tabloid nature of the New York Post.

After that it is an update on the war in Ukraine with specific focus on a piece by Brian Klaas in The Atlantic and the fallacy of assuming dictators have better long term strategies than elected officials.

Then Trey and Mike discuss the Texas style abortion ban passed in Idaho, in the similar bill working its way through Oklahoma. Do the ends justify the means?

Next is Indiana and Utah's Republican governors vetoing anti-trans athlete bills. Trey and Mike have a long conversation on biologic sex and gender and how the complications of the conversation.

After that they tackle a question from Isaac Saul from their interview this week: how and when have we changed our minds? Each reflects on some of the moments of when they have altered their beliefs and the process by which they change their beliefs. The pair end with a brief update on inflation.

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Mentioned on the Show

Vladimir Putin Has Fallen Into the Dictator Trap

This War of Mine (also on iOS)

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Isaac Saul on Media Bias, Ideological Diversity, and How Tangle Can Help Mar 23, 2022

Mike & Trey talk with Isaac Saul, a political reporter who shares our belief that information bubbles are a big problem. Instead of just bemoaning this and encouraging people to try and somehow break out of their partisan bubbles, Isaac decided to do something about it – he founded Tangle. If you're a fan of The Politics Guys, you'll really appreciate Isaac's work.

Topics we cover include:

media’s treatment of Obama vs Trump
political opinion that masquerades as “news analysis”
the challenge of getting real political diversity
why “When is the last time you changed your mind?” is such an important question
what Tangle is, how Isaac and his team put it together, and what they cover
the economic model of news and the future of political media

Check out Tangle here.

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Ukraine & Russia, Federal Reserve, COVID Surge, Sunshine Protection, Biden & the 9th Mar 19, 2022

Mike & Jay open the show with a look at the latest in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third week. They discuss whether the United States should be doing more to help Ukraine, some military realities, whether or not Putin is a war criminal, revoking Russia’s Most Favored Nation trade status, what to expect of China, and a lot more.

Following that is a discussion of two Federal Reserve stories from the last week. The first is the widely expected rate hike (the first since 2018) which both Mike and Jay favored. The second is President Biden withdrawing the nomination of Sarah Bloom Raskin to serve as the Fed’s vice chair for supervision, largely over her views on the Fed’s role on climate change. Jay thinks there is no role for the central bank and Senate Republicans and Democrat Joe Manchin were right to torpedo Raskin’s nomination. Mike things that climate change does connect with the Fed’s role, and believes Raskin should have been confirmed.

Next, they consider the potential for a new COVID wave in the United States, why Congress hasn’t approved funding to mitigate the effects of the next wave (assuming it comes), who’s playing politics with the issue, and what we should be doing domestically and globally to minimize the spread of COVID variants.

That’s followed by a discussion of the permanent Daylight Savings Time bill that passed the Senate unopposed, President Biden’s unusual interest in the 9th Amendment, and what, exactly, it means to “win” in the culture wars.

Mike & Jay’s Recommendations

The Tempting of America. Robert Bork

The Closing of the American Mind. Allan Bloom

The Decline of the West. Oswald Spengler

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Justin Gest on Majority Minority Mar 16, 2022

Trey talks with scholar Justin Gest (@_JustinGest), an associate professor from George Mason Universty's Schar School of Policy and Government, and author of the upcoming book Majority Minority.

Things Trey & Gest get into include:

The future of majority minority politics in the United States
Understanding nationalism
The intersection of ethnicity, nationalism, and politics
Trinidad and Tobago's lessons for the U.S.
What happens to democracy as demographics shift

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Russia, Biden on Crypto, Bipartisanship Breaks Out, LGBTQ+ Laws Mar 11, 2022

Mike & Jay open with a look at the flurry of activity surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - the death toll and human cost, Russia’s cratering economy, energy policy ramifications, and much more. They also take a look at President Biden’s new Executive Order on cryptocurrencies, which some believe Russia may be using to at least partially evade sanctions.

After that it’s two verified sightings of bipartisanship in Congress: the Fiscal Year 2022 budget and the even more bipartisan Postal Service Reform legislation. Mike & Jay join in the love-fest, though they don’t completely agree on everything in these two bills.

Next they discuss two laws that have been seen by many as anti-LGBTQ+. The first is Texas’ decision to classify sex reassignment procedures for minors as child abuse, with the second being Florida’s so called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Their discussion gets into, among other things, parental rights, school board vs state control, the significant rise in no-traditional gender identity, and even a risqué report that high school junior Jay did on this 1973 John Updike short story.

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Andrew Rice on The Year That Broke America Mar 09, 2022

Mike talks with Andrew Rice, a contributing editor at New York magazine, former staff writer at The Hill, and the author of the recently published book The Year That Broke America: An Immigration Crisis, a Terrorist Conspiracy, the Summer of Survivor, a Ridiculous Fake Billionaire, a Fight for Florida, and the 537 Votes That Changed Everything, which is the topic of their discussion.

Things Mike & Andrew get into include:

- Why 2000 was the year that broke America

- Donald Trump’s first (failed) presidential run

- the story of Elián González and how it divided America

- how John McCain broke Mike’s (and the media’s) heart

- terrorist preparations for 9/11

- Al Gore & Chaos Theory

- the insanely close, and incredibly chaotic 2000 presidential election

- what looking back at 2000 can tell us about American politics today

Andrew Rice on Twitter

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Russian Invasion, Trump Criminal Violations, Biden's State of the Union Address, White House COVID Strategy, Texas Primary, Egbert v Boule, U.S. v Abu Zubaydah Mar 05, 2022

This week Trey and Ken host the show and start by bringing updates on Russia and Ken's perspective to the ongoing crisis. Specifically the pair discuss the recent attack on a nuclear power plant and the Congressional resolution condemning Russia.

Next the pair talk about client, attorney privilege as it may or may not apply to John Eastman, which apparently opens Trump to the possibility of criminal investigation.

After that it is a discussion of Biden's State of the Union and how State of the Union addresses might be reimagined to better help the populace and president communicate.

Then Trey and Ken discuss the new White House COVID strategy. They move south to talk about he Texas primary and the ongoing difficulties Democrats had. Trey again argues it might be time for Democrats to not think that demographics necessarily run in their favor. The pair close the show looking at the cases of Egbert v Boule and the U.S. v Abu Zubaydah.

Trey's Recommendation

Severance

Ken's Recommendations

The Case of Richard Sorge

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Russian Invades Ukraine, Biden’s Nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson, 1st Amendment vs LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination Feb 26, 2022

Mike & Jay are joined by Trey on this episode of the podcast, which starts off with an extended discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The guys get into likely outcomes, Putin’s strategic savvy, the ineffectiveness of sanctions, democratic vs authoritarian regimes, prospects for energy policy in Europe, the GOP split in reactions to Putin and Russia, how Russia’s actions might affect China’s view of a Taiwan, and a lot more.

Then it’s a look at Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s nominee to fill the Supreme Court seat of retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. Nobody is surprised by Biden’s choice, and the guys expect Jackson to be confirmed on a narrow, mostly party line vote. Jay suggests that a more consensus-building nominee might have been shortlisted candidate J. Michelle Childs, though Mike argues that we’re in an age where almost no conceivable Supreme Court nominee would be confirmed with any significant bipartisan support.

After that is a discussion of the Supreme Court’s announcement that it will be hearing 303 Creative v. Elenis, in which a Christian website designer argues that Colorado’s LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination law violates her 1st amendment free expression and free exercise of religion rights. The Court declined to consider the religious freedom implications, but Jay, Mike, and Trey all agree that a majority of the Justices are likely to see that law as unconstitutionally compelling speech.

Next, they talk about why a Democratic House member would want to deliver a response to Democrat Joe Biden’s upcoming State of the Union Address, as Michigan Representative and “Squad” member Rashida Tlaib plans to do for the progressive group Working Families Party. Following that, they discuss the launch of Donald Trump’s Truth Social app, as well as a federal court ruling that pits deference to administrative regulations against the Court’s role in determining the meaning of major legal questions.

Mike’s Recommendations

The Hitman’s Bodyguard & The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

Trey’s Recommendations

The Constitution, An Introduction. Michael Stokes Paulsen and Luke Paulsen

The Least of Us, Part II (video game)

Jay’s Recommendations

The NRPLUS Facebook Group

A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal. Ben Macintyre

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Economist Bryan Caplan: Labor Econ vs The World Feb 23, 2022

Mike talks with Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University and a prolific and always interesting blogger for Econlog. He's the author of multiple books, three of which Bryan and Mike have discussed on previous episodes: The Myth of the Rational Voter (interview), The Case Against Education (interview), and Open Borders (interview). Today they discuss Bryan’s latest book Labor Econ vs The World: Essays on the World's Greatest Market.

Topics Mike & Bryan discuss include:

what labor economics is and why it stands against the world
if politicians are irrational and wrong or rational and deceptive
the problem with almost all government regulations
how the minimum wage hurts workers (and everyone else)
the largely illusory gender and race pay gaps
the questionable value of higher education (for most people)
why open borders would be a good thing for America (and the world)

CBO Interactive Minimum Wage Modeling Tool

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Russia, DOJ Sues MO, TX Sues CDC, Durham Probe, Kids Online Safety, Politics & Culture Feb 19, 2022

Mike & Jay kick off the show with a look at what seems to be the “it’s only a matter of time” Russian invasion of Ukraine. Jay thinks that the Biden administration’s approach has been very good to this point, while Mike attempts to present the non-interventionist, “America First” case for staying out of Russia’s (and possibly China’s) spheres of influence.

Then it’s on to two lawsuits - the first being the Department of Justice’s suit against Missouri’s “Second Amendment Protection Act” and the second Texas’s suit against the CDC for the federal travel hub mask mandate. Mike & Jay agree that Missouri doesn’t get to nullify federal law, and that their law is almost certain to fall. They think Texas may have a stronger case on the mask mandate, but that it’s important to separate what may be good public policy from what’s within the power of a government agency to do absent specific congressional authorization.

Following that, they look at a pretrial motion filed by Special Counsel John Durham in his investigation of the federal government’s investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 elections. They agree that the allegations are serious, but that it’s easy to reach bad conclusions so early in the process.

The show winds up with discussion of “prestige television”, class, and politics followed by an appreciation of the late P. J. O’Rourke, and then some thoughts on ballot harvesting.

Jay’s Recommendation

The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. Gordon Wood

Mike’s Recommendations

A Mencken Chrestomathy and Notes on Democracy. H. L. Mencken

The Autobiography of Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt

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Alabama & the Voting Rights Act, National Archives vs Trump, Ending Congressional Stock Trading, the Open App markets Act, Trucker Protests, Republican Party Identification Shifts Feb 11, 2022

In this episode Emily Smith of Oklahoma Christian University joins Ken & Trey. The trio begin by looking at the Supreme Court's recent decision to allow Alabama redistricting maps to remain, despite a potential conflict with the Voting Rights Act.

Following this the trio talk Trump and his 15 boxes of documents retrieved by the National Archives and Records Administration. Trey focuses on the growing power of the modern presidency and the seeming inability of other branches of government to check it. Ken thinks that there are checks, they just have not been effectively used.

Next the trio look at the recent bipartisan push to end individual stock trading for members of Congress or their immediate family. Ken argues it ought to be expanded to the court where there is more evidence of harm. Trey looks at the evidence of success in the stock market for those in Congress.

Then the trio turn to the Open Apps Market Act. Ken is fully in support of the motion, but is surprised by the Republican support. Emily wonders what it may do to increase disability software for mobile platforms. Trey is supportive of opening devices to more app stores, but not of forcing how those app stores to adhere to particular rules.

Following that topic they turn their attention to the northern border and the Canadian trucker protests. All three discuss what these larger protests mean and if there isn't an end to COVID restrictions in sight for no other reason than an ability to convince more people to get vaccinated.

Last comes a conversation on the growing number of individuals in the U.S. who identify as Republican. Trey points out that the conventional wisdom from the left was wrong, demographics do not necessarily favor Democrats. Ken focuses on border communities and what might explain their shift. Emily suggests that the religious conviction of certain demographic groups may incline them towards Republicans.

Ken's Recommendations

Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World by Giles Milton

Emily's Recommendations

A Kind of Spark & Show Us Who You Are & Like a Charm by Elle McNicoll

Trey's Recommendations

The Cult of the Presidency by Gene Healy & Swan Song (2021)

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Russia & Ukraine, Trump & The GOP, Ginni Thomas & Judicial Recusal, Brian Flores Sues NFL, Joe Rogan Feb 05, 2022

Mike & Jay start off this week’s episode with a look at the latest developments in the no longer “immanent” Russian invasion of Ukraine (at least not according to the White House). That’s followed by discussion of Donald Trump’s comments on the Electoral Count Act, pardons for those involved in the January 6th Capitol rioting, and the Republican National Committee’s censure of Republican House members Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney.

Following that is a discussion of judicial recusal and whether Justice Clarence Thomas should be hearing cases involving the House January 6th Commission, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL and its larger societal implications, and whether Joe Rogan should be reined in or even censored for giving a platform to people advancing questionable information concerning COVID-19.

Jay’s Recommendations

Nightmare Alley(1947) & Nightmare Alley(2021)

Mike’s Recommendation

Napoleon's Master: A Life of Prince Talleyrand. David Lawday

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Economist Glenn Hubbard: The Wall And The Bridge Feb 01, 2022

Mike talks with Glenn Hubbard, the Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics at the Columbia Business School. Professor Hubbard is the author of a number of highly regarded economics texts and he's also served as the chairman of the US Council of Economic Advisers from 2001 through 2003. His latest book, and the topic of this conversation, is The Wall and the Bridge: Fear and Opportunity in Disruption's Wake.

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Breyer Retires, Affirmative Action, Oil Leases, Inflation & The Economy, TR Statue Removed Jan 29, 2022

This week it’s a special three-person episode: Mike, Jay, and Ken. They kick things off by discussing the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, including his role on the Court, potential replacements, and the upcoming confirmation battle.

They stick with the Supreme Court in their discussion of two big affirmative action cases the Court has agreed to hear, both concerning alleged discrimination against Asian Americans in college admissions.

Next, it’s a look at a federal judge’s ruling that halted the largest oil lease sale in US history. Why did the Biden administration hold the sale in the first place? What was the Trump-era Interior Department’s argument about drilling having less of an environmental impact than not drilling? Mike, Jay, and Ken discuss that and more.

Following that, they turn to recent economic news, including strong growth in 2021 — with even stronger inflation. Mike stands by his optimistic economic predictions (while admitting that he might have been somewhat too optimistic) and Ken largely agrees. Jay, on the other hand, thinks the economy won’t be improving nearly as quickly as Mike and Ken seem to believe.

The show closes with a look at the American Museum of Natural History’s decision to remove an allegedly racist statue of former US President Theodore Roosevelt. Mike and Ken agree that the statue should have been removed, while Jay feels it should have stayed in place.

Recommendations

Ken: Lost Cincinnati Concert Venues of the '50s and '60s: From the Surf Club to Ludlow Garage. Steven Rosen

Jay: Supreme Court of the United States Website

Mike: Station Eleven (HBO Max)

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The Filibuster, Executive Privilege, New York Attorney General, Gerrymandering 2022, Biden's Polling Jan 21, 2022

This week Trey and Ken host the show. The first story is discussing the filibuster and the Democrats inability to change it for voting rights. Trey gives a brief history of the filibuster. Ken argues it has been weaponized since the 1990s. Trey suggests weaponization depends on the policy outcome desired.

Next, they turn to the Supreme Court's ruling on the January 6 Committee's request for documents. Trey talks about the implications of the Supreme Court ruling the earlier court as dicta and Ken talks about how he sees this as evidence against a stacked court.

After that they discuss the New York Attorney General's newest revelations. They discuss the implications of pleading the 5th in a civil case as opposed to a criminal case and the possibility of not engaging in civil lawsuits.

They move on to talk about what gerrymandering in 2022 might mean for the midterms. Ken sees Ohio as an ideal model and Trey wonders if what Democrats really want is to ditch single member districts.

Up last is a discussion about Biden's polling, what the polling predicts about the midterm elections, and why and when his numbers hit bottom.

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Vaccine Mandates, Voting Legislation, Russia Pipeline Sanctions, Presidential Debates, Dr. Fauci vs. Dr. Paul, Jan 6ers Running for Office Jan 15, 2022

This week Mike, Jay and Trey all host the show. Mike pays tribute to his late mother and this episode is dedicated to her memory.

The first story is vaccine mandates. The trio parse out the questions of legality from policy. All three hosts are in large agreement on legality, but there are some differences in the best policy moving forward.

Next, they turn to Biden's speech in Georgia and his accompanying failure to pass, or even start, a voting rights bill through the Senate. The hosts debate the underlying strategy and why the White House believed it was possible to pass such a sweeping bill.

After that they discuss the failure of Cruz's Russian pipeline sanctions. This leads Jay and Mike to agree on a new era of Cold War policy, while Trey has doubts about the success of true real politic style relations.

They move on to talk about the dustup between Dr. Fauci and Senator Paul. Trey finds the rhetoric disturbing while Jay thinks it is warranted.

Up last is a discussion about those who were part of January 6 now running for office. This leads to a protracted conversation between Trey and Jay on Babbitt and the use of force.

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1/6 Reflections, Electoral Count Act, The Fed & Inflation, State of the Judiciary, MTG Twitter Ban Jan 08, 2022

Mike & Jay start the first Politics Guys show of 2022 by looking back at the events of January 6th, 2021. They discuss how they viewed the Capitol riot then, how they see it now, the value of the House January 6th Commission, and how much of a hold Donald Trump and “The Big Lie” has on the Republican Party.

January 6th happened in large part because of Congress’ role in certifying presidential election results. Mike & Jay move on to discuss how that process works and whether it’s time to clarify or even repeal the Electoral Count Act.

Next, they turn to the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s December meeting, which were released this past week. Mike & Jay agree that it’s good that the Fed is moving to moderate inflation, but they disagree on how quickly inflation is likely to fall.

After that they discuss Chief Justice Roberts’ year end report on the state of the federal judiciary. Roberts acknowledges problems with transparency and discrimination in the judicial branch, but argues that these problems can be dealt with internally. Mike is skeptical about the ability of the branch to police itself, and even Jay thinks there may be a role for Congress to play here, though he’s more cautious about regulation than Mike is (which is generally the case).

They move on to talk about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Twitter ban and the larger issues of Big Tech censorship, free speech, and the marketplace of ideas.

The show closes with Mike & Jay responding to listener questions on workforce development policy and the future of the Republican Party.

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Mike’s Recommendations

Chief Justice Roberts’ 2021 Report on the Federal Judiciary

The Final Tour: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 6. Miles Davis & John Coltrane

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Looking Back at 2021, Predicting Forward to 2022 Dec 29, 2021

In this final episode of 2021 Trey and Ken look back to the biggest moments of 2021 in order to make some predictions about the big issues of 2022. They cover the party system, the durability of democracy, economic policy with a focus on inflation and spending, midterm predictions, the pandemic, and a bit of thought on the 2024 presidential election.

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Meadows Contempt, Jan 6 Revelations, Texas Lawsuit, Newsom, Russian Threats, Omicron Dec 17, 2021

This week Trey is joined by Ken and they start the show discussing Mark Meadows and the House's criminal contempt vote. The conversation focuses on the legal nature of executive privilege, the nature of 5th Amendment protections against self-incrimination, and the likelihood of the proceedings simply making it to the next election. After that the pair move on to discuss the wider information drop from Meadows, including the PowerPoints and text messages.

The hosts then move to talk about the most recent developments in Texas SB 8. Trey focuses in on the implications of the private enforcement mechanism, which turns the hosts to a discussion of California governor Newsom's threat to use a similar mechanism against gun makers.

After that the conversation turns overseas to Russia. Trey and Ken agree that it is unlikely the Biden administration would risk war over the buildup of troops near Ukraine. They discuss what policy might happen moving forward and a discussion of the flipping of party alignment in the U.S. in relation to Russia. Trey also discusses a brief history of "Putin Power."

Finally thee hosts engage in the recent request by the Biden Administration to uphold the healthcare vaccine mandate and, additionally, a discussion of what policy ought to be moving forward.

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Texas Abortion Law, Debt Ceiling, Ukraine, Olympic Boycott, Racial Gerrymandering, The Future Dec 10, 2021

After a tribute (of sorts) to Bob Dole, Mike comes in hot on the Supreme Court’s decision on the Texas abortion case. That surprises Jay, who feels it’s a victory (of sorts) for abortion providers in Texas. Mike agrees with Chief Justice Roberts who, in his partial dissent, argues that “it is the role of the Supreme Court in our constitutional system that is at stake.”

Next, they discuss the debt ceiling deal that was reached this week, getting into the legislative politics of it all as well as patting themselves on the back for calling it correctly (not that it was all that difficult to conclude that in the end the United States government wouldn’t default on its debt).

Following that they delve into US foreign policy, in a look at the Biden-Putin talks over Ukraine and the Biden administration’s announcement that US diplomats will be boycotting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.

Then it’s a discussion of the merits of the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Texas for alleged violations of the Voting Rights Act in creating their new congressional and state legislative districts. They agree that the VRA’s racial gerrymandering standards are awfully vague, but Mike believes they still serve a useful purpose, while Jay isn’t so convinced of that.

After delving into the latest developments surrounding COVID, including a Senate vote to repeal the Biden administration’s workplace vaccine mandate, Mike & Jay look to the future, with their best and worst case predictions for 2022 and years beyond. Mike thinks Democrats have plenty of reasons to be concerned, and while Jay agrees he’s far more optimistic about the demise of authoritarian populism than Mike is.

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Shutdown Averted, The Supreme Court & Abortion, Amazon & Unions, Mike’s Privilege Dec 04, 2021

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the deal to keep the federal government funded through mid February, which turns into a much more philosophical argument between Jay’s Machiavellian pragmatism / realism and Mike’s liberal idealism.

Next is a discussion of oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which involves Mississippi’s ban on essentially all abortions after 15 weeks. Mike & Jay agree that the Supreme Court will uphold the law and, in the process, allow other states to put into place significant restrictions on the ability of women to have abortions. Where they disagree is whether or not a constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy exists.

After that, they discuss a recent National Labor Relations Board ruling that Amazon acted improperly in a union election at its Bessemer, Alabama warehouse, and that a new election is necessary. Mike agrees with the ruling and believes it’s clear that Amazon was out of line in its anti-union efforts, while Jay doesn’t think the company did anything meriting a re-do of the election. This leads into a broader discussion of the role of unions in America, globalization, automation, and economic vs non-economic concerns of workers.

The show ends with Mike & Jay picking up on a theme from last week - Mike’s alleged privilege. Mike makes the case that, as a White, male, cisgendered, heterosexual, he’s swimming in an ocean of privilege. Jay concedes that Mike has had some advantages based on his gender, race, and sexual orientation, but argues that those advantages are not as great as many on the left claim, and that socioeconomic and cultural issues can be far more important.

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Omicron Variant, Oil Reserve Release, Arbery Verdict, Biden’s Fed Nominations, Tucker Carlson’s “Patriot Purge” Nov 26, 2021

Mike and Jay start off this week’s show with late-breaking news about the emergence of the Omicron COVID variant. Jay brings up the inherent non-political nature of viruses, whereas Mike argues that responses to viruses are inherently political, and that the US and other wealthy countries can and should be doing more.

Next, they discuss President Biden’s release of 50 million barrels of oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve in coordination with oil reserve releases in other countries. They agree that this move is both political and largely symbolic. Jay believes the administration should make it less difficult to extract fossil fuels, while Mike focuses more on what he believes to be the significant negative climate ramifications of fossil fuels.

Then it’s a look at the verdict in the Ahmaud Arbery case. Mike & Jay both support the jury’s verdict, and agree that there may be widespread issues with favoritism and even corruption in local law enforcement. But they differ on hate crime laws, which Mike supports and Jay believes to be unnecessary.

After that they give two cheers to President Biden’s nomination of Jerome Powell to continue chairing the Federal Reserve and of Lael Brainard to serve as vice chair. Mike is more supportive of the nominations than Jay, largely because Jay takes issue with the Fed’s reluctance to taper asset purchases and raise interest rates. They both agree that while Fed independence may rankle presidents and members of both parties in Congress, it’s a good thing.

Next is a discussion of Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s “Patriot Purge” video. They both see it as egregiously misleading propaganda and lament that some valid points about federal power are buried beneath a mountain of hyperbole and atrocious logic. Mike sees the video as further proof that even if Donald Trump fades from the scene, toxic Trumpism isn’t going away anytime soon and, if anything, may be gaining power. Jay is more hopeful and points out that when similar films were made by Michael Moore, he was praised - Mike agrees, but feels that it’s a false equivalence.

They end the show with listener questions on whether Joe Biden is more like Jimmy Carter or Gerald Ford and why The Politics Guys listeners skew left.

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Rittenhouse, Bannon, Representative Paul Gosar Nov 20, 2021

Trey and Ken get deep into the details this week starting with the Kyle Rittenhouse case. Did the jury get the correct verdict? What are the implications for self-defense in states with both open carry and stand your ground laws? Next they turn to another case: the indictment of Steve Bannon. They talk next steps and the history of executive privilege. Finally it is a discussion of Representative Paul Gosar's meme attacking the southern border resulting in a vote of censure.

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Federal Courts Block OSHA Vaccine Mandate and Trump Document Release, Worsening Inflation & Build Back Better Nov 13, 2021

Mike & Jay open the show with a look at a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that halts implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety and Health Administration’s rule requiring vaccinations at businesses with 100 or more employees. Both Mike and Jay agree with the ruling, which makes it clear that the OSHA rule would be highly unlikely to succeed on the merits. Mike was disappointed that his preferred policy outcome - requiring workers to get a COVID vaccine or undergo weekly testing - doesn’t seem to be within OSHA’s and possibly even Congress’ legal authority.

Next, they turn to the worsening inflation situation. Mike argues that despite recent increases, there’s good reason to believe that inflation is transitory and that Build Back Better won’t make a meaningful contribution to inflationary pressures. Jay wonders how long inflation has to last before it’s no longer considered transitory, and questions the wisdom of more massive governmental spending in light of recent inflation numbers.

The show closes with a look at a federal appeals court decision to block the release of Trump administration documents to the House January 6th Committee. They both think this was the right decision, with Jay arguing that in the end, he believes that Trump’s claim of executive privilege should be rejected by the courts, and that the committee should get the documents it requested.

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Infrastructure Passes With Build Back Better Delayed, Republican Electoral Gains Nov 06, 2021

Mike & Jay start off the show by discussing the flurry of last-minute activity that led to the eventual passage of the infrastructure bill, with House progressives (at least enough of them) agreeing to support it in exchange for a commitment from Democratic moderates that they’d support Build Back Better as long as the CBO cost analysis - due in the next few weeks - largely mirrors White House projections. Mike and Jay both support the infrastructure bill (Jay less enthusiastically than Mike) while Mike is more confident than Jay that Build Back Better will also head to President Biden’s desk in the near future.

After that they turn to Tuesday’s elections with a special focus on the Virginia gubernatorial election. Jay believes that Democrats erred in playing the race card in the governor’s race, and that things look good for Republicans in the next year’s midterm elections. Mike focuses more on structural factors which he believes will almost inevitably lead to Democrats losing control of one or both chambers after 2022, and Donald Trump being well positioned for another run at the presidency in 2024.

Mike Recommendation

- Democracy in America. Alexis De Tocqueville

Jay’s Recommendation

- Big White Ghetto. Kevin Williamson

- “The Tuesday” Newsletter. Kevin Williamson

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Trump's Opinion, DOJ Memo, Virginia Gubernatorial Race Oct 29, 2021

This week Trey and Ken tackle the Wall Street Journal's opinion piece by Trump. Trey grapples with the rule by which to hold opinions in a liberal society while Ken thinks the WSJ should have contextualized the Trump piece. Next the pair discuss the DOJ Memo on potential violence at school board meetings and the subsequent grilling of Garland in Congress. This leads to a conversation on whether the distance between parents and school boards is a grassroots movement or astroturfing. Finally the pair talk Virginia gubernatorial politics and weigh in on what the race means for the 2022 midterms.

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Supreme Court Stay, Supreme Court Commission, Biden on Taiwan, Manchin's (Lack of) Spending Oct 23, 2021

This week the Republican (Jay) and the RINO (Trey) take over the show. The pair start discussing the Supreme Court's refusal to uphold the lower court stay on the Texas abortion ban. Next they discuss the political and ideology of the Supreme Court and the recently released draft findings of the Biden Supreme Court Commission. Next, they move to foreign policy and the recent war of words between Biden and Taiwan. The pair close the show with a discussion of Manchin's threat to be willing to go with $0 of new federal spending.

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Eric Posner on How Antitrust Failed Workers Oct 19, 2021

Mike talks with Eric Posner, the Kirkland and Ellis Distinguished Service Professor of Law at the University of Chicago, about his latest book, How Antitrust Failed Workers. In this discussion, they cover:

monopolies and monopsonies
labor market concentration
why there are so few labor-focused antitrust actions
important differences between labor markets and product markets
the use and abuse of non-compete and no poaching agreements
how antitrust law can be used to help workers
and lots more

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Texas Abortion Law, Jobs & Inflation, The Nobel Price & Minimum Wage Increases Oct 16, 2021

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the 5th Circuit overturning a federal district court judge and allowing Texas’ abortion law to remain in effect. Neither Mike nor Jay believe the law is constitutional according to current precedents, but Texas’ clever crafting of the law has made it more difficult for federal courts to enjoin it. Jay wonders when there will be a high profile case with a non-state defendant, which would circumvent the “you can’t sue Texas because Texas isn’t directly enforcing the law” argument. Mike points out that even if the law is eventually overturned it will have achieved in part what many pro-life advocates hoped for — making it much more difficult for women to terminate their pregnancies, at least for a time.

Next is a look at a bunch of economic data on jobs, job switching, unemployment, and inflation. Mike sees the economic news as mixed, but believes that current inflationary pressures are temporary and that it’s a good thing that workers have greater leverage to demand higher pay. Jay is less optimistic about inflation in particular, and is more willing than Mike to attribute much of what we’re seeing to overly-generous government support. Mike admits that Jay will almost certainly end up right in his 2021 year end inflation prediction (Jay predicted around 5%, Mike thought it would be closer to the 2% range), but Mike then decides to make even more predictions - that the CPI will be under 4% by mid April of 2022 and under 3% by July of 2022. Jay thinks both numbers will be higher than that.

Finally, they consider the minimum wage in light of this year’s Nobel Prize in Economics going to economist David Card, who is most well known for his work on the minimum wage. Mike points to a considerable body of research suggesting that the conventional wisdom viewing minimum wage hikes are “job killers” is, if not entirely incorrect, at least somewhat overstated. Jay isn’t as convinced, and while he agrees that there probably should be a wage floor, the federal minimum wage shouldn’t be raised.

Mike Recommendation

The Chair (Netflix)

Jay’s Recommendation

Jay’s amicus brief to the Ohio Supreme Court on unemployment insurance benefits. (Only 12 pages - totally worth checking out to witness Jay doing his “real job” thing.)

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Debt Agreement, Facebook Whistleblower, Abortion Injunction Oct 08, 2021

Trey & Mike open the show with the recently passed debt resolution keeping the government open until December 3. The two pick up where Mike & Jay left off last week on the topic of the debt ceiling and its historic origin. Further the two discuss predictions for what December may hold.

Next, they discuss the interconnected issues of Whistleblower Frances Haugen and the recent revelations about Facebook by the Wall Street Journal. Mike has a fairly pessimistic view of any change while Trey sees the possibility for reform in changes to privacy forcing business changes.

Finally, it's time to talk about the recent Federal District Court injunction on Texas' abortion ban. Both hosts agree the mechanism is flawed. Trey is more supportive of a broader conception of life and personhood, but Trey & Mike agree that Congress could take a larger role. In this topic they also discuss the forgotten potential importance of the 9th and 10th Amendments and Trey argues the nature of Constitutional Amendments made future one's more difficult.

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Government Funding & Debt Ceiling, Biden’s Big Bills, Presidential Approval Oct 02, 2021

Mike & Jay open the show with a look at the last minute continuing resolution that keeps the government going until early December, as well as prospects for a default when the debt ceiling is reached on or around October 18. Mike agrees with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that the debt ceiling should be eliminated (or at least set at one quattuordecillion dollars), whereas Jay believes it’s a useful speed-bump that might help to provide some small measure of fiscal responsibility.

Next, they discuss the fate of two massive intertwined bills - the $1 trillion infrastructure bill and the $3.5 trillion budget resolution. Mike & Jay stick with their predictions that both will eventually pass, and while Jay sees this as a sign that the progressives are in charge of the House, Mike argues that progressives will end up with a whole lot less than they hoped for.

Finally, it’s an examination of presidential approval. With President Biden's approval rating underwater, Donald Trump has been sounding and acting more and more like a 2024 presidential hopeful. While it's a long way until the next presidential election, right now Trump is the Republican with the best odds according to Sports Betting Dime. After Trump, it's Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Mike Pence.

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Values, Cancel Culture, and The Politics Guys; COVID Vaccines; Immigration Sep 25, 2021

Today, on a very special Politics Guys, Mike and Jay talk cancel culture, shared values, and why they started the show. Listen with the whole family. Then its the COVID update, and when is it OK for a political appointee to challenge "The Science"? And the immigration mess — the Senate Parliamentarian reaches the conclusion that overhauling immigration policy is a policy change, and down in the west Texas town of Del Rio, 30,000 Haitian immigrants don't have to go home, but they can't stay here (or can they?)

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COVID, AUKUS, Freedom to Vote, Peril Sep 17, 2021

On this week's show Trey is joined by Ken. The duo discuss COVID vaccine efficacy in light of last weeks show's disagreement between Kristin and Trey. The pair also talk AUKUS, the technology sharing agreement between the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. Finally, the two discuss the upcoming moderate Freedom to Vote Act and the excerpts from the upcoming book Peril.

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Biden Vaccine Mandates, DOJ Sues Texas over Abortion Law, 9/11 - 20 Years Later Sep 11, 2021

On this week’s show, Mike and Kristin are joined by Trey. They discuss the Biden Administration’s sweeping vaccine mandates as well as the DOJ suing Texas over its most recent abortion ban. Finally, the three hosts look back on 9/11 and 20 years of policy since - as well as the future of Afghanistan and the ramifications of Taliban leadership there.

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Abortion Ruling, Texas Voting Law, Afghanistan Sep 04, 2021

This week, Mike & Jay start off by discussing the Supreme Court’s refusal to halt Texas’ new abortion law, the strictest in the nation. They both agree that the law has serious constitutional problems, but Jay believes the majority got the ruling right, and that the correct course is to let things play out in the lower courts. Mike sees this as the Court’s conservatives (minus Chief Justice Roberts) allowing a blatantly unconstitutional law to go into effect.

The focus stays on Texas for a look at the state’s new voting law. Mike takes issue with a number of provisions that he believes will suppress likely Democratic votes and have little to connection to election security. Jay thinks that the law is mostly a good thing, pointing out that many of the provisions being rolled back were only put in place in response to the pandemic.

They close with a discussion of Afghanistan. Mike points out that there’s something to President Biden’s argument about how difficult it is to withdraw in the face of enemy forces, and says that some Americans would have been left behind initially in almost any withdrawal scenario. Jay doesn’t disagree, but argues that this reality wasn’t initially acknowledged by President Biden, and that he broke his promise that the US would stay in Afghanistan until all Americans who wanted out of the country got out.

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Afghanistan, Vaccine Mandates, The House Narcissist Caucus, Eviction Moratorium Aug 27, 2021

Mike and Ken open the show with a discussion of the situation in Afghanistan. Ken believes the withdrawal has gone very well all things considered, but is at least open to the argument that withdrawing might not have been the right call. Mike is similarly conflicted about withdrawing, but feels that the Biden administration has botched the withdrawal.

After that they turn to FDA approval of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine and what it might mean for future vaccine mandates. Neither Mike nor Ken things we’ll see a surge of public sector mandates unless there’s a significant upswing in the COVID death toll. Mike wonders if it might be possible for President Biden to essentially mandate vaccines in higher education by cutting federal funds (including student loan money) to institutions that don’t comply.

Following that is discussion of the $3.5 trillion budget blueprint passed by the House. It’s being called a victory of sorts for Democratic moderates, but Ken sees it as a PR win for what he terms the “House Narcissist Caucus”. Mike emphasizes the sweeping nature of the budget proposal and his general approval of all that it seeks to do. Both Mike and Ken expect a slimmed down version of the proposal, along with the bipartisan infrastructure bill, to end up on President Biden’s desk before too long.

Finally, Mike & Ken discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling that the CDC exceeded its authority in declaring an eviction moratorium. They both disagree with the ruling, but Ken in particular sees at least some merit in the majority’s opinion.

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Afghanistan, COVID Aug 21, 2021

Its been a tough week. Mike and Jay discuss the Afghanistan debacle and how we get our people, and the people who risked their lives to help us, to safety. Then it's the state of COVID--booster shots, breakthroughs, and Biden.

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DeSantis & COVID, Senate’s $3.5 Trillion Budget, Legislative Politics Aug 14, 2021

On this week’s show, Mike and Kristin talk about the politics of COVID, FL Gov. DeSantis and his latest executive orders, and the latest vaccine studies. They also discuss the Senate’s passage of the $3.5T budget proposal and objections from the GOP and moderate Democrats as the proposal will face scrutiny later this year.

Kristin’s Recommendations

Shop App

The Salisbury Poisonings

Mike’s Recommendations

Bosch

The Varieties of Religious Experience. William James

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Eviction Moratorium, COVID & DeSantis, Infrastructure Aug 07, 2021

Mike & Jay kick off the episode with a discussion of the CDC’s eviction moratorium. Jay thinks it’s clearly unconstitutional whereas Mike feels that it’s only just barely unconstitutional. Following that, they get into rising COVID numbers and whether Florida governor Ron DeSantis is putting his presidential ambitions ahead of the health of Floridians. Then it’s a look at the almost certain to be passed bipartisan infrastructure deal.

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January 6th Committee, Infrastructure, COVID Jul 31, 2021

This week Trey is joined by Jay. They start the show discussing the recent developments in the January 6 Committee, but they disagree over its importance. Jay considers the lack of true Republican representation as a major issue and Trey argues Republicans missed their opportunity to engage. They also disagree over the extent to which certain Republicans violated their trust with the public. Next the pair talk infrastructure. Trey and Jay both agree that inflation will be the outcome of the continued spending projects when they are not coupled with increased revenues. Finally the pair tackle the most recent COVID updates and argue about the importance of institutional nudges in order to help influence human behavior.

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Jan 6 Commission, Infrastructure Again, Pegasus Project, Chinese Cyberhacking Jul 23, 2021

Trey and Ken open the show by discussing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi striking down two Republican picks for the January 6 commission. Neither disagree with the move, but both speculate about what happens next. Then it's back to the bipartisan infrastructure deal and its merit. Trey isn't sold on another large package and Ken thinks a completely partisan bill is the right thing. Next the pair talk about the Pegasus Project and the balance between digital liberty and law enforcement. Trey and Ken close the show discussing the DOJ's indictment of Chinese hackers.

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DACA, Dems $3.5 Trillion Budget, Inflation, Schumer’s Pot Bill, Prosecuting Military Crimes Jul 17, 2021

Mike and Jay open the show with a discussion of a federal judge ordering a halt to DACA - which they both agree was the right call, although they’d likely support a similar policy were it passed by Congress. Then it’s a discussion of Senate Democrats $3.5 trillion budget framework (pre-framework?), whether Fed Chair Jerome Powell is being too cavalier about inflation (Jay thinks so, Mike disagrees), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s marijuana decriminalization proposal, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s push to change the way serious crimes in the military are prosecuted.

Jay’s (Re)Recommendation

The Pioneers. David McCullough

Mike’s Recommendation

Cancer Ward. Alexander Solzhenitsyn

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States Sue Google, Trump Sues Social Media Giants, Biden Order on Competition Jul 10, 2021

This week, Trey joins Mike in a discussion of the-multi state lawsuit against Google alleging anti-competitive practices in the Google Play Store (as Mike takes more than a few shots at Trey’s beloved Apple). They stick with the lawsuit theme as they move to a discussion of Donald Trump’s bizarro-world 1st Amendment argument underpinning his lawsuits against Facebook, Twitter, and Google - an almost certain loser in court, but maybe not as a fund-raising tactic. Finally, they look at President Biden’s expansive order on competition. If you’re interested in a deeper dive on declining American competitiveness, you might want to check out Thomas Philippon’s book The Great Reversal: How America Gave up on Free Markets, and listen to Mike’s interview with Professor Philippon (March 2020).

Mike’s Recommendations

A.P. Bio

The Power of the Dog and The Cartel. Don Winslow

Trey’s Recommendation

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

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Trump Indictments, SCOTUS on AZ Election Laws & CA Donor Registration, Facebook Antitrust Suit Jul 03, 2021

On this week’s show, Mike and Kristin discuss the recent indictments of the Trump Organization’s embattled CFO and the organization itself, as well as several big legal rulings from earlier in the week. They unpack two SCOTUS decisions, one upholding Arizona voting rules and one striking down donor reporting in California. Finally, Mike and Kristin talk about the dismissal of the federal antitrust suit brought against Facebook.

Kristin’s Recommendation

Root Nine Baking Company

Mike’s (not exactly) Recommendation

Consequences of Capitalism. Chomsky & Waterstone

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Seth David Radwell and American Schism Jun 30, 2021

In this special midweek episode Trey interviews author Seth David Radwell on his new book American Schism which is coming out this week. The pair discuss the major theme of his book: how the enlightenment informs contemporary American politics.

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Buy Radwell's book here.

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Biden on Crime, New York Mayoral Race, Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Students' Speech Rights, NCAA Jun 25, 2021

In this week's show Trey and Ken start by talking about Biden's proposal to curb crime. The pair get into the stats and whether or not a bold crime push is even a good idea. Then they turn to the New York Mayoral race. Here the talk about rank choice voting and how crime rates may have factored into the primary. Next the pair turn to what Trey calls the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that wasn't. Did anything really happen? Trey and Ken finish the show examining two U.S. Supreme Court cases, one on student speech rights outside of school grounds and the other on whether the NCAA violated anti-trust laws.

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SCOTUS and the ACA, Juneteenth, The Fed & Inflation, Religious Freedom Jun 19, 2021

Mike and Jay this week as the ACA Supreme Court trilogy reaches its thrilling conclusion. As often is the case, the sequels just aren't as good and the Court dismisses for lack of standing. Jay and Mike talk about standing severability and a mandate that really looks unconstitutional but is as toothless as that Abominable Snow Monster at the end of Rudolf. Then — Happy Juneteenth! Mike and Jay agree that our new holiday is good one and discuss why. Next, disco may be dead, but 70s style inflation may be making a comeback. Are the Feds expected rate hikes a drag or just groovy enough for the economy to keep on truckin'? And finally, its back to the Supreme Court where Justice Alito's had a busy week. Religious liberty wins 9-0, but is the Court ducking the question on the free exercise clause?

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Biden in Europe, Infrastructure, Inflation, January 6 Senate Committee Reports Jun 11, 2021

This week Trey and Ken talk about Biden on his overseas visit. What is to be gained and what are the optics? Next the pair talk about the future of Biden's agenda. Does Congressional theater work? Should it work? Have the standards been applied evenly to both parties? Then it's off to inflation where Trey argues government spending is leading to unhealthy levels of inflation while Ken argues things are fine as is. Finally the two look at the outcome from the Senate's investigation into the January 6 insurrection.

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Texas’ Voting Law, Assaults on Democracy, Labor Market Jun 05, 2021

This week Mike and Jay ignore all advice to the contrary and mess with Texas. Is Texas' new proposed voting law really an "assault on democracy" or just some marginal policy changes? And is walking out on a vote any way to do your job? Speaking of doing your job, why is it so hard to find good (or any) help these days? Mike laments the unfulfilling nature of so many occupations in our post-capitalist moment while Jay says, "Get a damn job."

MIT Living Wage Calculator https://livingwage.mit.edu/

Jay’s Recommendation

Farnsworth's Classical English Style. Ward Farnsworth

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January 6 Commission, COVID Lab Leak, China Competition Act May 29, 2021

Kristin is back! She and Mike tackle the end of the proposed January 6th Commission, Republican Senators blocking the proposal, and some individual Senators’ concerns. They also discuss the COVID lab leak issue and some pressing questions, including whether Trump was right and what the future holds for U.S.-China relations. Finally, Mike and Kristin discuss the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act.

Kristin’s Recommendation

The Bridge

Mike’s Recommendations

The Nick Mankey Hook Strap

A Secular Age. Charles Taylor

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Israel & Hamas, 1/6 Commission, The End of Roe v. Wade? May 22, 2021

Mike and Jay open the show with a look at the recently agreed upon cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. They consider whether Israel’s response was disproportionate, where responsibility lies for the current crisis, and what role the United States should play. Following that, they discuss the bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6th takeover of the US Capitol. Mike believes it should absolutely happen, while Jay agrees with Donald Trump that it’s a “Democrat trap”. They close with a look at an upcoming Supreme Court case on the right of states to ban all pre-viability abortions.

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Cheney Out, Stefanik In, Colonial Pipeline, Infrastructure Taxes May 14, 2021

Trey and Ken begin by asking: who controls the Republican Party and is there a place for Cheney like Republicans? The looming question for Trey is if there can remain a place in the Republican Party for non-Trump supporters. Next the pair get technical, and economic, on the colonial pipeline debate. They also discuss the balance of environmentalism with its human cost. Finally, Trey and Ken discuss the dueling proposals from Biden and Republicans on the new red line: no new infrastructure taxes.

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Florida Voting Law, COVID Vaccine, Liz Cheney & House GOP May 08, 2021

Mike, Jay, and Olivia discuss whether Florida’s new voting law is a solution in search of a problem or a reasonable election security measure, COVID vaccination rates and whether waiving intellectual property protections will be an overall benefit, and what Liz Cheney’s all but certain ouster as the #3 House Republican means for the near-term future of the GOP.

Mike’s Recommendations

For All Mankindand Ted Lasso(Apple+)

Olivia’s Recommendations

Sharp Objects and The Undoing (HBO Max)

Jay’s Recommendation

The Pioneers. David McCullough

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American Families, Census 2020, Cyber Ninjas, Rudy Giuliani Apr 30, 2021

How many trillions until it starts adding up to real money? That is Trey's lead question this week when discussing Biden's American Families Plan with Ken. The pair discuss the plan, Biden's speech to a joint session of Congress, and reconciliation. Next the pair move to Monday's early Census 2020 data drop and dive into American by the numbers. Trey and Ken then talk about the support for democratic norms in the wake of the Arizona Senate hiring thee Cyber Ninjas to take on yet another audit of the 2020 presidential election. The two conclude talking about the recent subpoena on Rudy Giuliani and what that might mean for former president Trump.

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Chauvin Verdict, Climate Summit, The FTC Loses Big at the Supreme Court Apr 24, 2021

It's Mike and Jay this week discussing the Chauvin verdict, the future of policing, and the propriety of elected officials opining on what a jury ought to do. Then Happy Earth Day! Biden promises to cut lots of emissions or something . . . . we'll get the details later. Then a Supreme Court decision we can all agree on.

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Police Conduct, Afghanistan Withdrawal Apr 17, 2021

Mike and Jay are joined by special guest Mark Marsolais, a veteran of the Houston Police Department who went on to earn his PhD in criminal justice and who now teaches at the college level. They discuss incidents in Brooklyn Center, Windsor, and Chicago and get into police training, conduct, the role of police unions, "the thin blue line", racism in policing, and a lot more.

Following that, Mike and Jay talk about President Biden’s announcement that all US forces will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 - the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Jay thinks that sends a horrible message and that withdrawing entirely is a mistake. Mike is more conflicted on the issue, but they both agree that in Afghanistan there aren’t any good options.

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Reconciliation, SALT, Gun Control, COVID Passports, Supreme Court Reforms Apr 10, 2021

Reconciliation is back! Trey and Ken talk about the recent Senate parliamentarian ruling on a third budget reconciliation and what it means for Biden's infrastructure bill. Then Trey and Ken argue over progressive taxes and SALT, before agreeing on Biden's recent gun control legislation. Next the pair discuss the long history of vaccine skepticism and its most recent incarnation in the form of COVID passports. Finally they discuss Biden's commission examining the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Infrastructure, Georgia Voting Law, NCAA at the Supreme Court Apr 03, 2021

Infrastructurepalooza! Mike and Jay talk about what's in the bill (lots), what's left out (not much), and how the procedure is guiding the substance of the bill. Then Mike and Jay board the midnight train to Georgia to talk election bill specifics, Biden's "hyperbole" (Jay's air quotes), and whether corporations are responding to customer perception or government demands. Finally--March Madness Baby-- as Mike and Jay talk about the NCAA at the Supreme Court and how to make college athletics fair for college athletes.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

Network (1976) and Apocalypse Now (1979)

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation

Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal (Netflix)

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Mass Shootings, Biden News Conference, Voting Rights & The Filibuster Mar 27, 2021

Mike and Jay open the episode with a discussion of the mass shooting in Boulder Colorado. Is the same script of “outrage, resistance, inaction” going to play out after this tragedy that we’ve seen so many times before? They also reexamine their discussion of the Georgia mass shooting from last week. Did they downplay the issue of AAPI intolerance? What about violence against women and sex workers?

Next is a look at Joe Biden’s first news conference as president, with a focus on voting rights. Biden seems determined to pass voting rights legislation, but can it happen given the filibuster, and will the filibuster be changed? And how important are presidential news conferences anyway?

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Border Crisis, Georgia Shootings, US / China Talks Mar 20, 2021

Mike and Jay talk about the mess at the border, where good intentions create bad incentives. Then the Georgia shootings. Are they part of a larger trend of intolerance and violence toward Asians? Should this be viewed through the prism of race? And can anti-Chinese rhetoric be blamed for an increase in hate crimes against Asians? Biden takes a tough line against China. Can a rising China be contained and is there a role for American businesses to play?

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Uzuegbunam v. Preczewiski, Biden’s Record, Voting Rights, Trump Tells RNC to Cease and Desist Mar 13, 2021

This week Trey is joined by Ken and the pair start with the Supreme Court case of Uzuegbunam v. Preczewiski. Here the pair discuss the standards the Supreme Court uses to determine if a case ought to be heard and Ken argues the Supreme Court should do away with the concept of mootness.

Next the pair discuss the dubious record Biden has set in not holding a press conference. Trey notes his 45 days without a conference is the longest of any modern president in the last 100 years and he suggests the delay may be a new normal. Ken argues Biden's lack of a press conference doesn’t matter as long as competent individuals are running government.

After that Trey and Ken discuss not only Biden’s most recent executive order on voting rights, but how it is a reaction to Republicans in state legislatures pushing to make elections more secure. The pair also discus Mike Pence's article on the subject.

Finally they examine the recent back and forth between the RNC and Trump over the use of Trump’s name and image in campaign materials.

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COVID Bill, For The People Act, Joe Manchin, CPAC & Trump Mar 06, 2021

Mike and Trey open the show with a look at final negotiations over the latest COVID relief legislation, in which centrist Senate Democrats - Joe Manchin in particular - forced significant revisions to the House-passed measure.

Next, they discuss H.R. 1, the “For The People Act”, which would be the largest federal intervention in election procedures in a very long time. Mike thinks that’s a good thing - both for Democrats and democracy. Trey also generally favors making the system more small-d democratic, but has issues with certain aspects of the legislation.

After that they look back on the Conservative Political Action Conference meeting, Donald Trump’s closing night speech, and whether or not the GOP is truly a conservative party any more. The former president was not only the favorite of CPAC attendees, but oddsmakers think he has a good shot at capturing the GOP nomination in 2024.

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James Morone on our “Republic of Wrath” Mar 03, 2021

Mike talks with Brown University political scientist James Morone about his latest book, Republic of Wrath: How American Politics Turned Tribal, from George Washington to Donald Trump.

Topics they cover include:

the history of partisan conflict
how our current conflicts are different
states as “laboratories of authoritarianism
the dirty little secret of bipartisanship
recommendations for reform

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McConnell on Trump, COVID Bill, Equality Act, Neera Tanden, “Fake News” Hearings Feb 27, 2021

The show opens with Mike asking Jay to help him understand how Mitch McConnell’s pledge to “absolutely” support Trump if he’s the 2024 Republican nominee squares with McConnell’s blistering denunciation of Trump in the aftermath of the Capitol takeover. Mikes sees it as McConnell putting party over country, whereas Jay believes it’s political strategy that we shouldn’t read all that much into.

Next is discussion of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package passed by the House with no Republican support. Jay wouldn’t have supported it either, believing that it’s too much, especially to states. Mike disagrees and question’s Jay’s commitment to progressive taxation - which, as it turns out, Jay isn’t as committed to as Mike assumed.

They move on to the opposition to Neera Tanden’s nomination to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Jay takes issue with claims of racism and sexism, and thinks that it’s reasonable to vote against Tanden. Mike believes that racism and sexism, while not the key factor, may play a role in opposition to Tanden. While he’s troubled by her deleting over a thousand of her tweets Mike believes Tahden would vote to confirm her.

The show closes with a look at hearings by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on misinformation in conservative news, as well as letters two Democratic members of the committee sent to a number of service providers. This is of deep concern to Jay, who believes it’s a step down a path that leads to government censorship. Mike isn’t entirely unsympathetic to this view, but feels that in light of the lies many outlets seemed happy to knowingly promulgate so long as they were profitable, some action is reasonable

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

Connected: A Search for Unity. (documentary series) Monty Moran

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation

COVID One Year Ago(Twitter)

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Rep. Rob Wittman on The Chinese Threat and US Strategic Preparedness Feb 23, 2021

Mike and Jay talk with Congressman Rob Wittman (R, VA-1), second ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, about the growth in Chinese military strength (they now have the largest navy in the world), the threat posed by China to US interests, Taiwan, military spending, and more.

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McConnell v Trump, Trump's Acquittal, Politicizing the Freeze, COVID Round Three Feb 20, 2021

Trey and Ken talk about the ongoing Republican Civil War between McConnell and Trump and what it means for the future of both the Republican and the Democratic Parties. Then the pair take up the remaining legal fallout for former President Donald Trump after his second impeachment. Next the discussion turns south to the history of energy in Texas and the political posturing on energy policy. Finally, Trey and Ken get heated discussing the importance and implications of the third round of COVID stimulus, with specific focus on the costs.

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Impeachment Trial, A New Party?, Georgia Investigates Trump Feb 13, 2021

Mike, Jay, and special guest-star Olivia talk about week one of Impeachment 2, does the forgone conclusion mean we get a political show trial rather than a deliberative hearing? Then, is there really any chance of moderate (or more accurately non-Trump Republicans) forming a third party? Well, some people had a Zoom call about it, so we discuss. Finally, a criminal investigation of Trump from a Georgia county prosecutor may be less than peachy for a lot of reasons, but should there be a prudential (if not legal) line drawn on what activities of a former president should be subject to prosecution?

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

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Stimulus Talks, Greene, Cheney, and the GOP, Trump Impeachment Feb 06, 2021

Mike and Jay open the show with a discussion of the latest COVID stimulus talks, including their views on the competing proposals and whether or not either side is negotiating in good faith. Next is a look at the votes on Marjorie Taylor Greene and Liz Cheney, and what they say about the congressional politics and the state of the GOP in 2021. They close by considering the briefs filed by the House impeachment managers and President Trump’s defense team, as well as how they would vote on convicting Donald Trump.

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

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Impeachment Part 2, Organization of the Senate, Leahy's Health, Biden's Executive Actions Jan 29, 2021

In this week's episode Trey and Ken discuss Trump's historic second impeachment Senate proceedings, the organization of a divided Senate, the importance of Senator Leahy's health, and finally a heated discussion of executive actions, Biden's executive actions, and the role of executive actions in a Madisonian Constitutional system.

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

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President Biden’s Inauguration and Executive Actions Jan 23, 2021

In this extended-length episode (it was a big week), Mike and Jay discuss the Biden inauguration, the mass protests that didn’t happen at state capitols, and a flurry of executive actions on the pandemic, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and rollbacks of Trump administration orders and regulations.

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

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Capitol Riot, Republican Reactions, Trump’s Second Impeachment Jan 16, 2021

On this week's show, Mike is joined by both Kristin and Jay as they discuss the Capitol Riot and some of the issues stemming from last week's news, including the reactions of Republicans, the fallout for President Trump, and the implications for national security. They also weigh in on the second impeachment of President Trump and how this issue may seep into politics in the future, even after he has left office.

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

BipartisanPolitics (Reddit)

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The Insurrection, Trump’s Culpability, Social Media’s Role, the Future of the American Presidency Jan 08, 2021

This week Trey, Ken and Mike come together talk about Wednesday’s storming of the Capitol. In this focused episode the hosts cover issues including the political ramifications of the violent protest, the culpability of President Trump, the role of social media, the support of attackers, the division between the major political parties, the possibility of impeachment, and the future of the American Presidency.

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

BipartisanPolitics (Reddit)

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Trump Overridden, COVID Stimulus, Vaccine Rollout, Election Challenges Jan 02, 2021

Happy New Year and Good Riddance 2020! Mike and Jay talk about President Trump's first and likely last veto override and then on to the politics and economics of stimulus payments. Like the click-bait ads say, the results may surprise you! Then its on to the vaccine rollout, what's working and what's not — and what to do with vaccine skeptics? Finally — we hope — we'll talk about the who has won the 2020 presidential election and Trump's increasingly goofy legal longshots.

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

BipartisanPolitics (Reddit)

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COVID Relief, Russian Hacking, Election Challenges, Barr Resigns Dec 19, 2020

On this week's show, the last of 2020, Mike and Kristin discuss the current state of the COVID relief package, which seems to have stalled out in Congress - though the outlook is favorable for the week ahead. They also weigh in on the recent Russian hacking story, as well as moving one step further towards a Biden presidency and the resignation of Attorney General Bill Barr.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

The Things Trump Got Right (David Frum)

BipartisanPolitics (Reddit)

Lock Laces

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation

Ugly Delicious (Netflix)

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

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SCOTUS Rejects Election Challenge, Vaccine Approval, Facebook Antitrust, COVID Talks Dec 12, 2020

It's Jay and Mike this week, as the Supreme Court harpoons the Kracken (which in a weird mixed-metaphor arose from the fairly dry climes of Texas). But Mike is still concerned over the number of apparent Kracken believers. Then the vaccine is approved and is the FDA really a big, old slow turtle? And everyone and their friends are suing Facebook. What will FTC and state antitrust suits mean for social media? And will Congress end up approving another COVID relief package before the end of the year?

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

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DACA Ruling, Stimulus Talks, Election Challenges, GA Runoff, Bill Barr’s Big Week Dec 05, 2020

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the recent ruling mandating that the Trump administration restart the DACA program. While the Supreme Court has ruled on DACA, it hasn’t ruled on the merits of the case - only on the Trump administration’s method of ending it. Both Mike & Jay think that a legislative fix would be preferable to any executive action and see DACA as executive overreach.

Next is a look at the ongoing COVID stimulus talks. Jay believes there’s a real possibility of a deal largely along Republican lines, whereas Mike feels that Democrats have compromised more than Republicans and that we might not see a major relief package until after Joe Biden becomes president.

After that they turn to President Trump’s continuing election challenges and how lucrative they’ve been for his post-presidency political action committee. The president’s claims of massive election fraud have complicated things for Republicans in the Georgia US Senate runoff elections, though Jay doesn’t believe that calls from some Trump supporters to boycott the election will have a significant effect. Mike agrees, but points out that in a close election, even a few election boycotters might tilt the races in favor of the Democrats.

They close the show with a discussion of Attorney General William Barr. Early in the week he announced that the Department of Justice had found no evidence of fraud significant enough to overturn the results of the presidential election, which President Trump vigorously disputes. Barr also named US Attorney John Durham as special counsel in the investigation of the ‘Russia conspiracy’ investigators. While Mike questions the legal legitimacy of the appointment, both Jay and Mike believe the Biden administration won’t make any move to dismiss the special counsel.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

The Blues Brothers

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation

The Crown (Netflix)

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

Politics Makes Me Sick (Mike’s Other Podcast)

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Election 2020: Democratic & Republican Challenges, Election Systems, Constitutional Changes, Optimism about the Future? Dec 02, 2020

In this final installment of our “Election 2020” series, featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss the challenges facing the Democrats and Republicans as well as how they can address them, potential changes to elections, if people’s faith in elections can be restored, suggested changes to the American political system, and our optimism (or lack thereof) about the future of American politics.

2020 Presidential Election by County in 3D (Doc’s Recommendation)

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

Politics Makes Me Sick (Mike’s Other Podcast)

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Trump Pardons Flynn, Transition, SCOTUS Religion Order, The Economy & COVID Nov 28, 2020

Mike & Jay start off the show discussing President Trump’s pardon of Michael Flynn, which they both agree was justified. Then it’s a discussion of the transition from the Trump to Biden administration and their thoughts on the people Biden has named to top positions so far. After that they look at the Supreme Court’s recent order on New York’s restrictions on religious gatherings due to COVID as well as the potential for another round of COVID relief in the Trump administration.

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Mike’s Article Recommendations

Politics Makes Me Sick (Mike’s Other Podcast)

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What The Founders Learned from the Greeks & Romans and Why It Matters Today Nov 25, 2020

Mike talks with Pulitzer Prize winning author Thomas Ricks about his latest book First Principles: What America’s Founders Learned from the Greeks & Romans and How That Shaped Our Country.

Topics covered in their discussion include:

how the 2016 election led Ricks back to ancient Greece & Rome
why we should care about what a small number of Dead White Males thought
the three big things the Founders were wrong about
the influences of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison
what the Founders would have thought about modern campaign finance
why modern Americans shouldn’t panic
the importance of waking up Congress
whether we can (or should) return to the vision of the Founders

Founders Online

Thomas Ricks on Twitter

The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter

Mike’s Other Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Election Stealing, Presidential Transition, COVID Stimulus, Judy Shelton Nov 21, 2020

This week Mike and Jay lead off with Rudy Giuliani - dangerous demagogue or tinfoil hat on top of a bad dye job? Then its on to the unenviable position of the GSA "ascertaining" which candidate is "apparently successful." That’s followed by thoughts on if and when the congressional COVID response shows up and Judy Shelton and Fed independence.

Presidential Transition Act of 1963

Mike’s New(ish) Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Election 2020: Georgia Runoffs, Biden Priorities, Gridlock & 2022, What We’ve Learned Nov 18, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series, featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss the upcoming US Senate runoff elections in Georgia, top priorities for a Biden administration, legislative gridlock & the 2022 midterm elections, whether Joe Biden and Donald Trump are too old to run again, and what this election has taught us about American politics.

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Mike’s New(ish) Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Runoffs, Mike Pompeo, ACA Nov 14, 2020

This week Trey and Ken are joined by Mike and start by discussing the US Senate runoff elections to be Georgia on January 5. They also discuss the ongoing election fallout, including a recent comment by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo concerning an easy transition to a second Trump term. Ken and Mike disagree over the extent of the damage done by Donald Trump before all three hosts move on to discussing the future of the Affordable Care Act.

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This Week’s Recommendations

Trey

Balance: Meditation & Sleep App

Ken

Do It! and Growing up at 37. Jerry Rubin

The Trial of the Chicago 7. Netflix

Mike

The Enchantments of Mammon: How Capitalism Became the Religion of Modernity. Eugene McCarraher

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Election 2020: The Aftermath, Part II Nov 11, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series, featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss President Trump’s legal challenges in battleground states, potential Justice Department involvement in investigating allegations of vote fraud, if President Trump should concede, how claims of fraud might affect the perceived legitimacy of a Biden administration, and lots more.

Attorney General Barr’s memo to US Attorneys on vote fraud investigations.

The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter

Mike’s New Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Election Analysis, Lessons for Republicans and Democrats Nov 07, 2020

This week, all of the Politics Guys hosts get together for a discussion of where things stand four days after the election, how well the system worked, what Republicans can learn from what looks like the loss of the presidency, and what Democrats can learn from the gap between their high expectations and modest electoral results.

Mike’s New Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Election 2020: The Aftermath (Part I) Nov 05, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series, featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss another big popular vote win for the Democrats coupled with an (as of now) too-close-to-call Electoral Vote, younger voters going overwhelmingly for Biden, the enthusiasm gap between Trump and Biden, Democratic bias in the polls and how that might have actually hurt Biden, how the campaigns have reacted so far, and what Democrats, Republicans, and the media can potentially learn from this election.

The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter

Mike’s New Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Barrett Confirmation, SCOTUS Election Rulings, 2020 Election Oct 31, 2020

After some suggestions about how to deal with a tough election loss - something nearly half of all voters will experience in the near future - Mike and Jay open the show by discussing the Supreme Court confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, followed by a look at some important election-related rulings the Court has made this last week. Then they turn to the election, discussing who they think will win and what to make of all the conservatives who have made a case for not supporting Donald Trump in 2020.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

Fallacious Trump (podcast)

Jay’s Weekly Recommendations

The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. Gordon Wood

Life on the Mississippi. Mark Twain

Mike’s New Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Election 2020: Polls & Predictions Oct 28, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series, featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss how historically accurate election polling has been, what the polls say now, if we should trust the polls after 2016, and our predictions for the presidential race as well as control of the House and Senate.

The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter

Mike’s New Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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The Last Debate, 60 Minutes, Pennsylvanian Ballots, Google Antitrust Oct 23, 2020

On this week’s show, Trey and Mike discuss the last presidential debate, focusing on substance over won 'won' or 'lost'. They also discuss the White House footage from the 60 Minutes interview. Additionally the pair talk about the Supreme Court’s ruling on absentee ballots in Pennsylvania and the antitrust action against Google.

Trey suggests you check out Divided: A Walk on the Continental Divide Trail

Mike suggests you check out The Vostok Amphibia: information | purchase link

The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter

Mike’s New Podcast – Politics Makes Me Sick

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Election 2020: Immigration & Citizenship Oct 22, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series, featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss how the Trump and Biden camps differ on immigration and citizenship. We discuss the Mexico border wall & border security, asylum changes under the Trump administration, DACA & Dreamers, legal immigration, and lots more.

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Mike’s New Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Dr. Brad Spellberg on Solving The Great American Healthcare Rip-Off Oct 20, 2020

Mike talks with Dr. Brad Spellberg, chief medical officer at the Los Angeles County+ University of Southern California Medical Center and the associate dean for clinical affairs at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. Dr. Spellberg is also author of the recently released book Broken, Bankrupt, and Dying: How to Solve The Great American Healthcare Rip-Off which they discuss on this episode.

Topics Mike & Dr. Spellberg Cover Include:

the very unsystematic nature of the American healthcare ‘system’
how the US compares to other rich countries in healthcare access, cost, efficiency, and effectiveness
where all the money goes in US healthcare spending
the myth of lavishly overpaid US doctors
the problem with ‘fee for service’ medicine
medical bankruptcies
the Affordable Care Act
the importance of considering American culture in proposing healthcare ‘fixes’
market-oriented healthcare reform proposals
if progressives states like California can act on their own to reform healthcare

Mike’s New Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Amy Coney Barrett Confirmation, Supreme Court & the Census, Hunter Biden’s Laptop Oct 17, 2020

On this week’s show, Mike and Kristin discuss the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett. They also discuss SCOTUS approval of the Trump Administration’s bid to strike down lower court rulings that extended time to collect responses for the 2020 Census. Additionally, they take on the recent Hunter Biden news stories that emerged this week, as well as related topics such as responsible journalism.

Mike’s New Podcast - Politics Makes Me Sick

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Election 2020: Race & Gender Oct 14, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series, featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss how the Trump and Biden camps differ on race and gender issues, focusing on LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and racial justice.

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COVID in the White House, Stimulus Bill, Michigan Governor Kidnap Plot Oct 10, 2020

Mike and Jay talk about the President's health--or lack thereof. What we know, what we don't know, and what happens next. Then, we're dealin' on a stimulus package! Mike wants it passed now, and Jay explains that's just not how things work. Then, Mike and Jay agree that kidnapping governors is a bad idea.

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Election 2020: COVID Hits the White House, Trump Pulling out of Next Debate, VP Debate Oct 08, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series, featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss the coronavirus outbreak in the White House, why there have been more reported cases among prominent Republicans than Democrats, if President Trump should pull out of the “virtual town hall” debate scheduled for October 15th, and the style and substance of the Vice Presidential debate between Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence

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Amy Coney Barrett Revisited, Presidential "Debate," White House COVID Outbreak, Tucker Carlson Oct 02, 2020

This week, Trey and Ken start the show talking about the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, specifically how she plays into the electoral process. Next they discuss the so-called presidential debate and the fallout concerning it. Further the pair speculate on what President Trump means before ending the show with a conversation about Tucker Carlson's legal defense against defamation.

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The Catastrophe in Cleveland: The First Presidential Debate Oct 01, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss the first presidential debate, held on Tuesday September 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. Topics we cover include:

if debates matter and if this one might matter more than usual
whether the American public wants substantive policy debate
who ‘won’ the debate - and what winning a debate means
where Trump and Biden were strongest and weakest
what each candidates hoped to accomplish, and whether they were successful

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Amy Coney Barrett Nomination, Breonna Taylor, Politicizing a Vaccine Sep 27, 2020

This week, Mike and Kristin talk about the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and President Trump's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. They both weigh in on whether this will fundamentally change SCOTUS and how it will affect upcoming decisions. Then, they discuss the death of Breonna Taylor and the legal outcomes of the investigation into her death, as well as the protests that erupted earlier this week. Finally, Mike and Kristin talk about the politicization of a COVID vaccine approval.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

Russian Thinkers. Isaiah Berlin

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendations

Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s “Star Talk Radio” podcast

Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Kristin has a prescription, Mike uses these from Swanwick)

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David Litt on Reforming American Democracy (in one book or less) Sep 25, 2020

Mike talks with David Litt who, from 2011 to 2016, was a speechwriter for President Obama. Mr. Litt is also the New York Times bestselling author of the book Thanks Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years. His latest book is Democracy in One Book or Less: How It Works, Why It Doesn't, and Why Fixing It Is Easier Than You Think, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics Mike & David cover include:

If Mitch McConnell’s “blatantly transactional” politics make him a good Majority Leader
The legally disenfranchised -former felons and non-citizen immigrants
The “unofficially disenfranchised”
Discouraged voters
Gerrymandering
The (not so) Great Compromise
Electoral College reform
Why Democrats are so much more intent on changing the rules than Republicans

Follow David Litt on Twitter

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Election 2020: Foreign Policy & The Military Sep 23, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss President Trump and Joe Biden on their approach to foreign policy, China, Russia, the Middle East, North Korea, and the military.

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Ginsburg’s Death, Trump vs Redfield on COVID, AG Barr’s Contentious Comments Sep 19, 2020

Mike and Jay open by discussing the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the likelihood of her replacement on the Court being confirmed before Inauguration Day. Following that they talk about CDC Director Robert Redfield’s Senate testimony concerning a coronavirus vaccine as opposed to President Trump’s much more optimistic view of things. They close by considering recent comments by Attorney General Barr on political prosecutions, executive authority, and the threat of socialism if President Trump loses in November.

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Election 2020: Trump and Biden on The Economy Sep 16, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss President Trump’s economic record, how he and Joe Biden differ on economic policy, income & wealth inequality, minimum corporate taxes, a $15 per hour national minimum wage, and lots more.

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DOJ Intervenes, Record Deficit, COVID Bill Fails Sep 11, 2020

Trey and Ken dive deep into the DOJ's decision to intervene in Jean Carroll's defamation suit against President Trump. Next they look at the CBO's report of $3 trillion in record deficit spending. Finally, they discuss the failure of the Senate GOP's "skinny bill" on COVID relief.

This Week's Recommendations

Trey suggests you check out Contemporary Theories of Liberalism

Ken suggests you check out Battlefield Scientology

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Election 2020: Trump and Biden on COVID-19 and Healthcare Sep 09, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss President Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Joe Biden’s proposals for dealing with COVID-19, Trump’s attempts to repeal Obamacare and what, if anything, he’d put in its place, access to abortion, and Biden’s plan for “Obamacare 2.0”.

How many needless Covid-19 deaths were caused by delays in responding? Most of them (Stat)

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Law & Order, CDC Eviction Moratorium, Vaccine by Nov 1?, Trump vs WHO on Vaccine Program Sep 05, 2020

On this week's show, Mike and Kristin tackle some major issues facing the country - and voters - right now. They weigh in on the issue of law and order, protests and riots taking place, and whether voters will be swayed by statements made by the Trump and Biden campaigns to address the violence. They also unpack some COVID policy issues, including the Trump Administration's CDC moratorium on evictions, as well as the possibility of a vaccine by Nov. 1 and the Trump Administration's withdrawal from the WHO's vaccine efforts.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

The Hedgehog and the Fox. (essay) Isaiah Berlin

Relic Hunter (incredibly dumb TV series)

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation

Alone (TV Show)

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Election 2020: What Makes a Good President?, VP Picks, Polls & Predictions Sep 02, 2020

In this installment of our “Election 2020” series featuring six Northern Kentucky University students, we discuss the most important qualities for a president to have and the extent to which Donald Trump and Joe Biden possess them, the importance of Vice President picks, a cautionary note about polls, and “most likely” and “worst case” presidential and congressional election predictions.

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Republican Convention, Kenosha, Republicans for Biden Aug 29, 2020

Mike and Jay emblazon their names across the sky as they discuss RNC's unconventional convention. Then the discussion turns to Kenosha and the politics and morality of leadership in a tinderbox, followed by a look at the reason or reasons that some former Republican officials are supporting Biden.

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Election 2020: Vote Fraud & Election Security Aug 26, 2020

We’re very happy to bring you the first part of a new series on the 2020 election, featuring Mike and six Northern Kentucky University students. Our focus will be largely on policy, with topics to include COVID-19, healthcare, economic policy, immigration, foreign & defense policy, race & gender, and lots more.

In this episode, Mike explains the project, we meet the students, and then have our initial discussion - on vote fraud and election security.

This is something new for us and we'd love your feedback. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, let us know at mail@politicsguys.com.

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The Democratic National Convention, The Senate Intelligence Report, Steve Bannon Aug 22, 2020

Trey and Ken dive deep into the new format of the Democratic Convention, look at all 966 pages of the Senate Intelligence Report part five, and the arrest and charges against Steve Bannon for fraud.

This Week's Recommendations

Trey suggests you check out Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home

Ken suggest you check out Reconstruction: Political and Economic

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Reforming Criminal Justice: Plea Bargaining, “Legal Fictions”, and Sentencing Aug 19, 2020

Mike talks with Ohio State Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly about reforming the plea bargaining process, the Michael Flynn case and “legal fictions”, the Paul Manafort case and sentencing guidelines, why we need sentencing databases, and lots more!

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Let Them Eat Tweets! Aug 15, 2020

Mike opens the show with some brief comments on Joe Biden choosing Kamala Harris, the USPS and the 2020 election, and the agreement between the UAE and Israel. After that is his interview with political scientists Jacob Hacker (Yale) and Paul Pierson (Berkeley) about their new book, Let Them Eat Tweets: How the Right Rules in an Age of Extreme Inequality. Following the interview, Jay joins Mike for some conservative commentary.

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Coronavirus Legislation, Primary Elections, Medicaid Expansion Aug 08, 2020

Mike and Jay discuss the impasse in the latest coronavirus legislation, President Trump’s promise to issue executive orders, the latest primary elections, and yet another state’s voters approving Medicaid expansion.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

The Bulwark’s Daily Newsletter

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation

No Property in Man. Sean Wilentz

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Stella Immanuel, Barr Testifies, Big Tech Hearings, Stimulus Stalls Aug 01, 2020

Trey and Ken discuss Stella Immanuel and the other frontline doctors and what it means to think critically, rationality, and scientifically. They also tackle the failures by House Democrats to hold Attorney General Barr accountable as well the House’s hearings with Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Google’s CEOs. Finally they discuss the gridlock over further COVID stimulus funds and why unemployment benefits are the sticking point.

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Portland Protests, Operation Legend, Census Concerns, Cancelled Convention, COVID-19 Jul 25, 2020

Mike and Kristin discuss the Portland unrest that seems to have escalated with the arrival of federal officers, as well as the separate issue of Operation Legend in cities across the country. They also take on the issue of President Trump’s executive order to discount undocumented immigrants in the Census with regard to congressional redistricting, as well as cancellation of the in-person events at Republican National Convention and COVID-19 concerns.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

I Can Help (1974, Billy Swann)

I Can Help (1989, The Replacements - featuring Tom Waits)

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation

Missing in Alaska (podcast)

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John Lewis, Masks, Federal Executions, Trump Campaign Shakeup Jul 18, 2020

Ralph Waldo Emerson said that “Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding." Mike and Jay talk about masks, character, and who's hiding what in the Georgia- Atlanta spat, CDC guidance, and Trump's approach to facial coverings. Then the first federal execution in 17 years opens up a discussion about the death penalty, if and how it should be applied, and who should decide those questions. And Trump once again proves himself to the George Steinbrenner of politics by replacing another campaign manager. Does this signal a change in direction, or just Trump being Trump?

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

Andrew Sullivan’s Final NY Magazine Column

The Weekly Dish

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Stone Commutation, Opening Schools, SCOTUS on Trump’s Finances & the Electoral College Jul 11, 2020

This week, Mike & Jay discuss the commutation of Roger Stone’s sentence by President Trump, the Trump administration’s push to open up schools this fall, international student visas, and big Supreme Court rulings on the release of Donald Trump’s financial records and whether presidential electors can be punished or replaced for being “faithless”.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation

The First Salute. Barbara Tuchman

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Independence Day, COVID Masks, Russian Bounties, Abortion Rights, Religious Freedom Jul 04, 2020

On this week's show, Mike and Kristin kick things off by discussing some of the recent developments in COVID-19 news and the differences in how governors and the President have handled mask-wearing. They also talk about allegations of Russian bounties on US troops as well as two recent SCOTUS decisions handed down this week, one involving abortion rights (June Medical Services v. Russo) and one involving religious freedom (Espinoza v. Montana), as well as related issues of activist judges and precedent in similar cases.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

1776 (musical)

John Adams: A Life, by John Ferling

John Adams (two volumes), by Page Smith

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation

Floor is Lava(Netflix)

Home Before Dark, by Riley Sager

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Policing Bills, Berman Firing, Flynn Ruling, Immigration Order, COVID Increase Jun 27, 2020

Mike & Jay start off by discussing the House and Senate versions of legislation intended to address systemic problems with policing in the United States. They agree that neither side has much reason to compromise in the run-up to the 2020 elections, but they feel that there’s actually a good amount of ground on which a compromise could be possible.

After that, they take up the firing of US Attorney Geoffrey Berman. Mike argues that the whole thing was handled incompetently, and Jay feels that it’s yet another example of the GOP not being all that adept at “inside baseball”.

Then it’s a look at the DC Circuit’s 2-1 ruling ordering that the charges against Michael Flynn be dismissed. Mike argues that this is extreme judicial activism, and Jay doesn’t disagree, though he sees it as less extreme than Mike does. In the end though, Jay believes that the majority make the right call in a tough case, whereas Mike thinks it’s a clearly wrong decision that should be reversed by the DC Circuit as a whole.

Next is President Trump’s immigration order which further restricts entry to various classes of immigrants. The administration argues that this is necessary to protect US workers during the economic crisis stemming from COVID-19, but neither Jay nor Mike buys this argument.

Finally, Mike & Jay discuss the significant increase in coronavirus cases as well as the increase in the percentage of positive tests. They both feel that President Trump could show better leadership on the mask issue, but Jay is generally opposed to mandatory mask orders, feeling that societal pressure to wear masks is likely to be more effective.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

The Goldman Sans font

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation

The Revolution Comforts the Comfortable. Kevin Williamson

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Bolstock, DACA, Bolton Jun 20, 2020

On today's show, Trey and Ken discuss Bostock v. Clayton County and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The discussion leads them to discuss the implications of various methods the court uses, or ought to use, in interpreting law.

Trey and Ken also talk DACA and the downfall of the Trump administration's use of illegality to try to end DACA. The two speculate as to why this was the method used and what it means for Dreamers in the future.

Finally Trey and Ken discuss Bolton's upcoming book The Room Where it Happened. The pair touch on both the civil litigation from the Justice Department to attempt to stop publication and the content details leaked thus far, including whether Bolton should have been willing to testify during the impeachment investigation or trial.

This Week's Recommendations

Trey suggests you check out Political instability by Peter Turchin. See the full article here.

Ken recommends you watch Inspector Lewis

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Building Better Police & Problematic Primaries Jun 13, 2020

On today’s show, Mike and Kristin begin by discussing several developments in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, including some of the legislation put forth or discussed by Republicans and Democrats recently, aimed at eliminating police violence. They also bring up the issue of police culture, as well as the argument for reforming and changing police culture - as opposed to defunding the police.

Mike and Kristin also touch on some of the big problems that occurred on Tuesday, June 9th, as primary voters in five states went to the polls. Issues with voting machines, understaffing, and lack of training in Georgia, as well as COVID-19 issues, could play significant roles in the upcoming November elections.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation

- a lacrosse ball

- The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, Clair & Amber Davies

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation

- Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann

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Jeffrey Sachs on The Ages of Globalization Jun 09, 2020

Mike talks with economist Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. Dr. Sachs is also director of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and has been advisor to three UN secretaries-general. In addition to being one of the world's leading experts on poverty and economic development, he is the author of many influential, best-selling books, including The Age of Sustainable Development, The Price of Civilization, Building the New American Economy, and, most recently, The Ages of Globalization, which they discuss on the show.

Topics discussed include:

- globalization over the course of human history

- the long historical dominance of China

- why China declined as a world power

- keys to sustainable development in the 21st century

- whether a non-democratic China is a threat

- prospects for development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Jeffrey Sachs on Twitter

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George Floyd Protests, Jobs Report, Rosenstein Testimony Jun 06, 2020

Mike & Jay start off the show with an extended discussion of the nationwide protest that continue in the wake of the death of George Floyd. They start with policy, finding a surprising amount of agreement on things that can be done on the national, state, and local levels to improve policing. Then it’s a look at President Trump’s response to the violence that accompanied many protests, and presidential detractors like former Trump Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Next they discuss the shockingly good jobs report. While it’s not the unalloyed wonderful news President Trump portrayed it as on Twitter, it’s undeniably a good thing. Mike and Jay discuss if the good jobs news is likely to continue and what it means for future coronavirus stimulus measures.

The show closes with a look at former Deputy Attorney general Rod Rosenstein’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Mike and Jay agree that Rosenstein’s comments demonstrate that the intelligence and federal law enforcement system is in need of major change. Jay wonders whether Rosenstein was being willfully ignorant of what his subordinates were up to, a theory Mike feels makes a lot of sense, given the ramifications of such an unprecedented investigation.

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Lane Kenworthy on Social Democratic Capitalism Jun 03, 2020

Mike talks with Lane Kenworthy, a Professor of Sociology at UC San Diego. They discuss his latest book, Social Democratic Capitalism.

Topics discussed include:

- what social democratic capitalism is

- if social democratic capitalism is only possible in rich countries

- economic growth and dynamism

- the Nordic example, and whether it can be applied elsewhere

- how the United States stacks up to other wealthy countries

- whether the United States can - or should - move toward social democratic capitalism

Lane Kenworthy Online

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Floyd, Twitter, Trump May 30, 2020

This week Trey is joined by Ken and the pair begin the show discussing the evolving situation over the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. This includes discussion of the protests, the recent charges of third degree murder, and the long-term ramifications for the African American community.

Next the Trey & Ken discuss President Trump's executive order on Preventing Online Censorship. Ken thinks there is no real substantive meaning to it, rather it is simply bluster. Trey wonders if the order is designed to allow a civil suit against Twitter by President Trump.

This Week's Recommendations

Trey suggests you check out Desert Solitaire" A Season in the Wilderness

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Capitalism, Alone May 27, 2020

Mike talks with economist Branko Milanovic. Dr. Milanovic is Visiting Presidential Professor at the Stone Center of Socio-Economic Inequality at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. He was formerly Lead Economist in the World Bank's research department. He's also the author of a number of books, including Capitalism, Alone: The Future of the System That Rules the World, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics covered include:

- the benefits of capitalism
- the different forms of capitalism
- the liberal meritocratic capitalism of the United States
- rising economy inequality since the 1980s
- sustainable growth under current models of capitalism
- capitalism and corruption in China
- the future of capitalism

Branko Milanovic on Twitter

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Inspector General Firings, Trump Threatens MI & NV Over Elections, The WHO and China May 23, 2020

On this week’s show, Mike and Kristin take on President Trump’s firing of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, a move prompted by a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. They also discuss Trump’s threats to withhold funding from Michigan and Nevada after each state announced plans to mail all voters statewide requests for vote-by-mail forms and the actual ballots, respectively. Finally, Mike and Kristin weigh in on the relationship between the WHO and China, whether President Trump’s threat to withhold funding was warranted, and the WHO’s subsequent move to independently investigate the response to COVID-19 within its own organization.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendations
The books of P.G. Wodehouse
Insight Timer (meditation app) Android | iPhone

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation
Calm (meditation app)

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Title IX Clarification, Michael Flynn & the Russia Investigation, Trillions More for COVID Aid? May 15, 2020

Mike & Jay start off the show with Mike trying to explain that while he’s for the recent Title IX sexual harassment / abuse procedural rules (as is Jay) he has more of an issue with their being a mandate (in theory, at least).

Then, it’s a discussion of the latest developments in the case against Michael Flynn. Mike sees a lot of bad behavior all around, and Jay doesn’t disagree. They both seem to think that the biggest potential problem is an intelligence & law enforcement community that seems to be doing more than just cutting a few corners here and there.

Finally, it’s a look at the House proposal for $3 Trillion in additional coronavirus aid, with nearly $1 Trillion of that set aside for state and local governments. While conservatives - including Jay - balk that that, especially in light of the enormous sum that’s already been spend, there seems to be some ground for compromise.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendations
The Reluctant Detective (Mike’s book in progress)
NYPD Blue
UPS Dogs (Facebook)

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation
The Good Place

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Michael Flynn, FBI Abuses, An Independent Attorney General?, New Title IX Rules May 09, 2020

It's big week for due process. Mike and Jay talk about the Justice Department's decision to drop the case against Michael Flynn, FBI abuses, and Mike makes a pitch for an Independent Justice Department. Then they discuss the new Department of Education rules guaranteeing rights to the accused in school sexual harassment and assault cases. Then it gets sort of weird.

The full text of the DOJ filing to dismiss charges against Michael Flynn

Mike's YouTube page

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The Politics Guys & The Brown Girls Guide to Politics May 05, 2020

Mike talks with A’shanti Gholar, creator and host of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics podcast. Topics they discuss include:

COVID-19’s disproportionate effects on minorities
whether President Trump is racist, and if it matters
demographic representation in Congress
why the Democratic Party is so much more diverse than the GOP
what Republicans can to do attract more minorities, without abandoning their core principles & beliefs
Joe Biden’s potential VP choices
what women & minorities can reasonably expect from a Biden administration
what four more years of a Trump administration might mean for women & minorities
what white males most often misunderstand about women & minorities in politics

The Brown Girls Guide to Politics on Twitter

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Robin DiAngelo

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Biden, Armed Protests, Amash May 01, 2020

Trey & Ken start the show talking Biden's response to sexual assault allegation from Tara Reade. Next the pair move to discussing COVID, but primarily focusing on the armed protests in Michigan. Trey & Ken close the show discussing the entrance into the presidential race of newly minted Libertarian Amash and potential Green Party candidate Ventura.

This Week's Recommendations

Trey suggests you check out Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime.

Ken is reading The New York Review of Books.

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COVID Aid, Immigration Shutdown, States Reopening, SCOTUS on EPA Regulation Apr 25, 2020

On this week’s show, Mike and Kristin take on more COVID-19 related stories and policy issues, including the most recent aid package, President Trump’s immigration proclamation, and state “exit strategies” for lockdown and plans to reopen economies. Mike and Kristin also discuss the complex, recently-decided Supreme Court case of County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund. They also share their recommendations for some non-COVID related entertainment.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation
Open Psychometrics ‘Which Character Are You?’ Quiz
The Reluctant Detective (Mike’s P.I. book in progress)

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation
Imagineering in a Box (Disney & Khan Academy)

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COVID-19 & Federalism, Grading the Response, The WHO and China Apr 18, 2020

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of federalism in light of President Trump’s claim of ‘total authority’ and his suggestion that Democratic governors were like mutinous sailors. Following that, they grade the preparation and response of both the administration and Congress to the pandemic. They close by talking about whether or not the WHO was too credulous or complicit in supporting China’s erroneous early reports about COVID-19.

This Week’s Recommendations
Mike suggests you check out (and even comment on) The Reluctant Detective, his book in progress. He also recommends the TV show I’m Sorry.

Although Jay was driven from their dorm room on Mike’s ‘country music nights’, he’s found the Ken Burns documentary Country Music very enjoyable.

What You Love (and hate) About The Politics Guys Hosts (our Reddit BipartisanPolitics Group)

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Sanders Out, Wisconsin Votes, Trump Removes Michael Atkinson and Glenn Fine Apr 10, 2020

Trey and Ken open the show discussing the suspension of Sanders' campaign. The pair talk about what it means for democratic socialism and the Democratic Party more widely. Trey sees this as the broader failure of ideologies of class and Ken sees it as the beginning of a potential turn for democratic socialism.

Next, in a bit of disagreement, Trey and Ken spar over the Supreme Court's ruling concerning the Wisconsin primary. While both agree that the fault primarily lies with the state, they disagree over what role the Supreme Court should have played. They also disagree with over the power states should have to conduct their elections without interference, even when there is partisan influence.

Finally, the pair close talking about the removal of Michael Atkinson and Glenn Fine. The two agree that the removals are wrong, but Trey specifically worries that it is the continued sign of congressional deference to Presidential power in times of crisis.

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Stay-At-Home Extended, Encouraging Numbers?, SBA Loan Program, Resource Fights, Masks Apr 04, 2020

This week, Mike and Kristin talk about all things COVID-19. The bigger issues involve President Trump’s extended stay-at-home guidelines, the cultural impact of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, and some encouraging statistics. They also discuss the reality of economic issues we face, jobless numbers, the SBA loan program rolled out this week, states haggling over resources, and changing information about wearing face masks to reduce the virus spread.

This Week’s Recommendations
Mike suggests you check out (and even comment on) The Reluctant Detective, his book in progress. He also recommends the Hulu show Puppy Prep and the rationally optimistic blog post, “No, You Didn’t Just Lose Half of your Retirement Savings.”

Kristin recommends Erik Larson’s Dead Wake, about the Lusitania disaster during WWI and the events and tension leading up to it - and after. She also recommends the documentary Antarctica: A Year on Ice, a cool take on what it’s like to live and work in the isolated environment of Antarctica.

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Coronavirus Stimulus, Defense Production Act, Restarting the Economy Mar 28, 2020

Mike, Jay, and Trey open the show with a discussion of the federal government’s economic response to the coronavirus pandemic - both the $2 trillion legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump as well as the Federal Reserve’s multi-trillion dollar promise to do whatever it takes to keep the economy functioning.

After that, they discuss President Trump’s recent invocation of the Defense Production Act, focusing on how it may help areas most affected by coronavirus. Then they debate whether it’s too soon to restart the economy, if President Trump is being irresponsible and ignoring his public health experts, and the often agonizing tradeoffs that have to be made in crises.

Recommendations
Mike suggests you check out (and comment on) The Reluctant Detective, his book in progress. He also recommends the shows Derry Girls and Brockmire.

Jay recommends Neil Gaiman’s novel American Gods as well as this documentary on jazz great Miles Davis.

Trey’s recommendation is the book Davinci in Love.

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Reasons to be Rationally Optimistic About The Coronavirus Pandemic Mar 24, 2020

In this special episode, Mike and Trey suggest reasons to feel at least potentially optimistic about the coronavirus pandemic. Their reasons for optimism cover likely outcomes, government response, and longer term ramifications. They also share some things they’ve found useful in coping with the crisis. (Such as Mike’s recommendation to fellow liberals to check out moderate-right news sources like The Bulwark and National Review.)

Today’s Sponsor
The sponsor for today’s show is Coronavirus Daily Briefing.

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Coronavirus, Ohio's Primary That Wasn't, Social Media in an Emergency Mar 20, 2020

On this special episode Trey and Ken are joined by Mike. They begin the show discussing the California lockdown, the first of its kind in the country, and the Senate Republican direct payment relief plan. Next the trio talk about the Democratic primary, focused primarily on the primary that wasn't in Ohio. They finish the show discussing social media in an emergency and their respective weekly recommendations.

Recommendations

Mike's Recommendation is his own, ongoing creation: The Reluctant Detective.

Mike also recommends two books, both by Pema Chordon: When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times and Living Beautifully With Uncertainty and Change.

Trey recommends CBS All Access's Star Trek Picard.

Ken recommends the music of Paul Kopasz (aka Paul K).

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Thomas Philippon on How America Gave Up on Free Markets Mar 17, 2020

Mike talks with Thomas Philippon, a Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business at New York University. Professor Philippon is a member of the Monetary Policy Advisory Panel of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the author of the recently released book, The Great Reversal: How America Gave Up On Free Markets, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics discussed include:

the many benefits of competition
how and why the US became much less competitive over the last two decades
how, in many ways, Europe is actually much more competitive than the US
how lobbying and campaign finance contribute to the problem
the ‘revolving door’ between government and the private sector
the decline of competition in finance, health care, and the tech sector
what can be done to increase competition

Thomas Philippon on Twitter

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Coronavirus Pandemic Response & How Moderate is Joe Biden, Anyway? Mar 14, 2020

Mike and Kristin discuss the many political and policy implications of the Coronavirus pandemic. They begin with a synopsis of the past week and a review of Trump’s address and press conference, the takeaways, the stock market rebound, and their thoughts. Then, they weigh some of the deeper policy issues that this crisis has dredged up - public health funding, emergency preparedness, paid sick leave, and government embracing big tech. They also discuss how moments like this often have lasting effects on culture, and vice versa.

Finally, Mike and Kristin turn to the Democratic Primary and have a conversation about Biden and whether he is a “moderate” or a “progressive”.

Nick Shabazz (the YouTube knife guy Mike recommended)

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup (Kristin’s book recommendation)

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Super Tuesday, Biden Rising, Bloomberg & ‘Buying an Election’, Warren & Sexism, Coronavirus Response Mar 07, 2020

Mike and Jay discuss the state of the Democratic primary in the aftermath of a Biden resurgence. Mike Bloomberg makes us wonder whether anyone can,in fact, buy an election and Mike and Jay give their takes on Elizabeth Warren's "sexism" comments. Then the discussion turns to the political and economic impact of the coronavirus and whether the crisis highlights Trump's incompetence or confirms validity of some of his platform points. Finally, Mike and Jay recommend some stuff to read that is older than the remaining presidential candidates.

Jay & Mike’s Recommended Reading
- Ohio 1912 State Constitution Debates
- Discourses & Handbook of Epictetus

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Presidential Electability, Constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Patterson v. Walgreens Feb 29, 2020

This week Trey is joined by Ken. The two start the show by discussing what it means for a presidential candidate to be electable. Given the focus on Sanders post Nevada the pair focus specifically on how him in a general election against President Trump. Trey and Ken explore what historically drives candidates to be viable outside of the horse race narrative. Trey's interest in the Democratic primary makes him particularly concerned for a candidate that can beat Trump. He believes that voters will more generally punish Sanders for his socialist policies, but that the recent market correction will aid him. Ken agrees that Sanders has a liability in his socialist title, he thinks it is a smaller problem and can be fixed with proper messaging. Next the pair turn to the issue of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This agency, created via Dodd Frank, is at the center of an unusual controversy over the relationship between the President and Congress. The Supreme Court took the case this week. The key controversy surrounds presidential appointment: can president's be restricted by Congress in their removal power? Trey recounts the history of the removal power and the facts of the case, Ken explores the likely Supreme Court outcome. Finally Trey and Ken turn to the recent case of Patterson v. Walgreen. This case, which the Supreme Court declined to hear this week, more narrowly defines religious exemptions for employees. Specifically, as outlined by Trey, Patterson was fired for not coming to work on a Saturday due to his Seventh Day Adventist practices. The lower courts ruled that Walmart did have the power to fire him. Ken believes the lower courts were wrong, but he surprises Trey by suggesting that he disagrees with religious exemptions for generally applicable laws.

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Trump’s Pardons, Mike Bloomberg, What to Look for in a Presidential Candidate Feb 22, 2020

This week, Mike and Kristin first take on the issue of pardoning. They discuss Trump’s most recent 11 pardons and commutations. Mike’s concern is rooted in who President Trump has pardoned - largely his political friends and allies. Kristin brings up historical pardoning to these ends, as well as the First Step Act in relation to Mike’s point that Trump could be doing much more for overlooked nonviolent offenders. On a broad scale, they also discuss the Founding Fathers’ original intentions when creating the power of pardoning and whether this deserves a second look, as we seem to have drifted from these intentions over time.

Next, Mike and Kristin give their impressions of the Democratic Debate that took place in Nevada (ahead of the Nevada Caucuses) this past week. Mike elaborated on his impressions as a Democratic voter, the factors he feels are most important for voters to consider, and the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate. Kristin also gave her impressions about candidate strategy. In the end, Mike said that he wasn’t sure who he’d cast his primary vote for, but that he’d let the audience know soon.

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Justice Department Independence, NH Primary, Bernie and a Democratic Socialist President Feb 15, 2020

After a big announcement about some significant changes to the podcast, Mike and Jay turn to a discussion of the independence and integrity of the Justice Department and its leader, Attorney General William Barr. Mike attempts to understand Barr based on his views of executive authority, which Mike believes are wrongheaded. Jay, on the other hand, thinks that Barr is absolutely right about sweeping executive authority. One thing Mike and Jay agree on is that President Trump’s tweets about ongoing Justice Department cases make it very difficult for Barr to convince people that the department is acting with integrity.

After that, they turn to the New Hampshire primary and the state of the Democratic race. Mike argues that it’s far too soon for anyone to panic, though Jay thinks that some panic might be appropriate for Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren. With Bernie Sanders emerging as an early frontrunner, the Guys next discuss what a Sanders presidency might look like, and whether or not Democratic Socialism is something to be applauded or shunned.

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Allan Lichtman on Repeal The Second Amendment Feb 12, 2020

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Trey talks with Allan Lichtman, a Distinguished Professor of History at American University and author of many books including on impeaching Trump and on the keys to the White House. In this episode they discuss Allan's latest book Repeal the Second Amendment: The Case for a Safer America

Topics Trey and Allan Discuss include:

What compelled him to write such a provocative book (and provocative title)
What the framers actually meant by the second amendment
The likelihood of truly repealing the second amendment
The usefulness of repeal in making actual gun policy
The power of the NRA over gun policy
The shift in the meaning of the second amendment
An open invitation to debate the NRA on the second amendment
Data on gun violence and gun control
What kind of gun control may help society

Allan Lichtman on Twitter

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Impeachment, Iowa Apps, Barr’s Memo, SOTU Feb 08, 2020

This week Trey and Ken are joined by Mike and the three begin the show by discussing the final impeachment vote. Ken notes the historic nature of Romney as the first to ever cross party lines for an impeachment vote. Trey argues that Romney is the consistent conservative and both the Republicans and Democratic parties have shifted around him. Mike and Ken counter that Republicans are the party that has far more profoundly shifted. Ken is not surprised, but disappointed, that President Trump was not found guilty. Mike, although he believes President Trump to be guilty, does not agree the President should have been found guilty. For Mike the penalty did not fit the crime. Next the trio turn to Iowa and the procedural mess that resulted from the use of a new app. All three agree that it might mean the end of Iowa as the first in the nation status. While there are downsides to that, all agree this is generally a positive development if it occurs. The three also address what, if anything, the results mean to an ultimate winner. Ken sticks by his assessment earlier last year that Joe Biden would fade early and never recover. Mike continues to disagree and argues that, while Biden will fade, he has enough momentum to win the nomination. Then the three turn their attention to Attorney General Barr's three page memo outlining new rules for investigations of political figures. Specifically the memo gives the Attorney General the power to determine which, if any, political investigations can be undertaken. Ken and Mike generally agree this is evidence of further corruption on the part of the Trump administration. Trey counters that it is perfectly consistent with presidential power to make the determination political and that Ken and Mike would not find it an abuse of power if it was someone other that Barr at the helm. Finally the trio discuss the State of the Union Address. Here the focus is on the images of the handshake denied and Pelosi's ripping up of the address itself. Trey worries that these "memeable" moments are all that matters. Further that political communication is primarily about effectively creating such images. Mike agrees to a degree, but Ken doesn't think such discourse ultimately effects real political outcomes.

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Trump's Acquittal, FISA, Progressive Prospects, Political Principles, Christians for Trump, News Sources Feb 05, 2020

In this episode, Mike & Kristin address listener questions on:

the ramifications of President Trump's acquittal in the Senate
how those who abused the FISA warrant process should be held to account
prospects and strategies for progressives
our dominant political principles
why many evangelical Christians are enthusiastic Trump supporters
what our main political news sources are, and why we've chosen them

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An Impeachment Trial Without Witnesses, Iowa Caucuses, The ‘Stop Bernie’ Movement Feb 01, 2020

This week, Mike and Kristin cover the latest news regarding the impeachment trial. In an effort to cover different items and fuel different discussions than those all over mainstream news , they both lay out their personal highlights of the week. Mike brings up Alan Dershowitz’s odd defense of the President and the backlash he faced, while Kristin discusses some of the procedural shortcomings of Democratic lawmakers. They agree that the President will likely be acquitted on Wednesday, on the true nature of “impeachment” as laid out by the Founding Fathers, and that it’s apparent that both sides seem to have surrendered to partisan pandering.

Mike and Kristin also discuss the Iowa Caucuses, which are just days away. Mike weighs in on the “Stop Bernie” movement, saying that he doesn’t think it has risen to the level of a “movement” yet. He also predicts that Sanders and Biden will emerge the frontrunners in Iowa, but that there is growing doubt, once again, that Sanders would be a formidable opponent to Trump in November – an argument he deems valid. Kristin agrees, and makes the point that the Iowa Caucuses are more about momentum than anything else, which Sanders has. They also discuss the low likelihood that “purple” states and swing states would move to support a Sanders nomination and how this could impact other elections later this year.

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Purity, Socialism, Supporting the Troops, Polarization, Education, Parties, Bernie v Trump, the Judiciary Jan 29, 2020

In this episode, Mike & Jay respond to listener comments on:

political purity tests
fear of socialism
supporting the troops
fixing polarization
grading public education
problems with political parties
Bernie debating Trump
the power of the judiciary

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Trump’s Trial, Religious Funding, Faithless Electors Jan 25, 2020

This week’s show opens with Mike & Jay discussing the Senate trial of President Trump. They both agree that the president did something, but while Mike thinks that something is criminal activity worthy of impeachment and removal, Jay doesn’t believe it rises to that level. Along the way, Mike suggests that President Trump is like a monkey in a museum and Mitch McConnell is the Senate’s Bill Belichick.

Next, the Guys look at Montana v Espinoza, a case the Supreme Court heard this week involving an indirect state subsidy to religious schools. They agree that Montana’s Supreme Court overreached in invalidating the program, a program that Jay feels is good public policy and that Mike thinks hurts public schools.

After that is the issue of faithless electors, which the Supreme Court will be ruling on prior to the 2020 presidential election. The issue is whether or not states can bind their electors to vote a certain way. Both Mike and Jay argue that electors are free to vote as they wish. Mike goes further and makes a case for replacing electors with either a national popular vote (his ideal) or a system of split electoral votes like Maine and Nebraska currently employ.

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Economist Bryan Caplan on Open Borders Jan 22, 2020

Mike talks with Bryan Caplan, a Professor of Economics at George Mason University and a blogger for EconLog. Professor Caplan is the author of multiple books, including two he and I have previously discussed on the show - The Myth of the Rational Voter, and The Case Against Education. On this episode, they discussing Bryan’s latest book, Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration.

Topics Mike & Bryan discuss include:

‘a world of global apartheid’
immigration and economic inequality
the moral presumption in favor of immigration
why Nobel Laureate Milton Freedom was wrong about immigration
how open borders could easily double world GDP
the cultural effects of open borders
immigration, crime, and terrorism
the partisan political calculus of immigration policy
open borders and global brain drain
a Burkean approach to immigration
and lots more!

Bryan Caplan on Twitter

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Senate Trial, Lev Parnas, USMCA, Warren v Sanders, iPhone Hacking Jan 18, 2020

This week Trey and Ken start by tackling the weeks biggest issue: the Senate trial of President Donald Trump. The biggest focus for the hosts is the ongoing question concerning witnesses. Ken is reluctant to make a prediction, but Trey suggests there will be witnesses.

This leads the pair to Lev Parnas and the peculiar nature of Trump witnesses. It also leads to speculation on Ken's part about the differences between a political trial and a civil trial. Specifically how in a political trial witnesses do not have to necessarily be relevant.

After this Trey brings up the quick passage of the USMCA and reminds Ken this is one of the few times he was wrong. The trade deal passed with bipartisan support. The pair discuss the few holdouts, most specifically Senator Sanders. His refusal to support the deal was a weakness in Trey's view.

The topic of Sanders led to the next item: the Democratic debates. Here the topic of the issue of sexism between Sanders and Warren was discussed. Trey also suggested Sanders is not the best representation of his party.

Finally Trey and Ken tackled the new push for backdoors in cellphones, specifically the iPhone from Attorney General Barr and President Trump.

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Richard Robb on Choice in Economics, Politics, and Life Jan 15, 2020

Mike talks with Richard Robb, a professor of professional practice in international and public affairs at Columbia University and CEO of the investment firm Christofferson, Robb & Company, which he co-founded in 2001. They discuss his recent book Willful: How We Choose What We Do.

After the interview, Kristin joins Mike for a conservative perspective.

Topics Richard and Mike cover include:

the rational choice paradigm
behavioral economics
purposeful, ‘for itself’ action
how and why we pick beliefs that appeal to us
the four-step process of belief formulation
Pareto efficiency and public policy
if policymakers have enough skin in the game
choosing over time
the critical need for authentic challenges with real stakes and uncertain outcomes

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Iran Confrontation, Senate Impeachment Trial, Three Years of Trump Jan 11, 2020

This week, Mike and Kristin take on the confrontation between the U.S. and Iran, discuss what our clear policy goals should be regarding Iran, and whether those goals are feasible. Both agree that heading into a full-fledged war is a terrible idea, but while Mike argues that Trump’s pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal was disastrous, Kristin brings up that nothing before or since Trump has worked to create a stable Iran without nuclear capability and that the process needs to be rethought entirely. Mike also unpacks the House vote to force the President to come to Congress for authorization for future military action, and Kristin weighs in on Rep. Matt Gaetz’s point that Congress should have “skin in the game” when it comes to conflict and war.

Next, Kristin and Mike discuss the latest in the Senate impeachment trial saga. For just over three weeks, the Articles of Impeachment have been stalled. Mike gives Speaker Nancy Pelosi credit for her “gamesmanship”, arguing that this was a strategy to compile more witnesses, obtain more documents, and so on. They disagree on whether potential testimony from Joe Biden was a factor in Speaker Pelosi’s delay. Kristin believes that the maneuver was more political than strategic, but agrees with Mike that a fast timeline or a quick motion to dismiss aren’t in good form – on principle and in terms of politics.

Finally, Mike reminisces over the past three years since Trump’s inauguration – what he’s learned, what has changed for him, and he presents some interesting ideas that are in line with a desire to curb executive power. Kristin and Mike discuss whether political bias plays a role in this desire to curb executive power (spoiler alert: they agree that it definitely does).

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Binyamin Appelbaum on The Economists' Hour Jan 08, 2020

Mike talks with Binyamin Appelbaum, who writes about economics and business for the editorial page of the New York Times. From 2010 - 2019 he was a Washington correspondent for the Times, covering economic policy in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis. They discuss his recently released book: The Economists' Hour.

After the interview, Jay joins Mike to provide a conservative perspective.

Topics Mike & Binyamin discuss include:

why markets are wonderful
Keynesianism, monetarism, and supply side economics
the massive influence of Milton Friedman
fine-tuning the economic machine
balancing unemployment and inflation
the shifting value of a human life
why we shouldn’t reinstate 20th century financial regulations
President Trump’s ‘turtle shell nationalism’
defending Alan Greenspan
and lots more!

Binyamin Appelbaum’s NYT Columns

Binyamin Appelbaum on Twitter

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Middle East Tensions, Democratic Race, Hopes & Predictions for 2020 Jan 04, 2020

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the escalating tensions between Iran, Iraq, and the United States in the aftermath of the U.S. killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Quasem Soleimani. Jay thinks that the Trump administration may have made the right move, but Mike is concerned that the blowback could be worse than any benefits from Soleimani’s death.

Next is a look at the Democratic presidential race, including Julian Castro’s exit from the race, whether Iowa and New Hampshire should be the first two contests, and the nearly $200 million that Michael Bloomberg has spent.

After that, Mike & Jay talk about their hopes and predictions for 2020, focusing on President Trump’s Senate trial, the Durham Report, China, Iran, and the 2020 elections.

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Trump Impeached, IG Report Aftermath, 2020 Budget, USMCA Dec 21, 2019

President Trump has been impeached but the odds are strongly against him being removed from office. Mike & Jay open the show talking about the impeachment vote, what happens next, and the potential electoral consequences.

After that, they discuss the aftermath of Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s findings on the FBI’s conduct of the ‘Crossfire Hurricane’ investigation, including Horowitz’s Senate testimony and the FISA court ordering the FBI to clean up its act.

Then it’s a look at the $1.4 trillion 2020 budget, which has something for everyone but which neither Mike nor Jay are entirely happy with, followed by the House of Representatives’ approval of the USMCA trade agreement (or, as Mike likes to call it ‘CAMUS’).

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The Politics Guys and Future Hindsight Dec 18, 2019

Mike talks with Mila Atmos, host of the Future Hindsight podcast. They discuss rights and responsibilities in a democracy, cynicism, adopting a cause, the 2020 Democratic presidential field, Joe Biden as the DNC’s chosen candidate, the impeachment of President Trump, how to make a difference, why Mila is hopeful, and lots more. After the interview, Trey joins Mike to provide a conservative perspective.
Update: Mila checked in after the episode dropped, and confessed to also being a Cory Booker fan. When she was in Iowa in November, a voter asked her who he should caucus for, and she emphatically replied, “Booker!”

Future Hindsight on Twitter

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IG Report, Articles of Impeachment, USMCA, Executive Orders on Jewish Identity, UK Elections Dec 14, 2019

This week Trey is joined by Ken and they begin the show by exploring the Justice Department's inspector general, Michael Horowitz's, report into the potentiality of a political bias by the FBI. Next the pair turn to the House Judiciary Committee's party-line vote to move forward two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the full house floor. Trey and Ken then discuss the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) which may replace NAFTA -- both its provisions and the likelihood of passage. After that the pair turns to President Trump's recent executive order attempting to crack down on discrimination against Jewish individuals, specifically on college campuses. Finally, as is their custom, Trey and Ken cross the pond and talk Boris Johnson's big Conservative victory in the British Parliament.

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Jacob Hacker on The Great Risk Shift Dec 11, 2019

Mike talks with Yale political scientist Jacob Hacker about the newly revised version of his book The Great Risk Shift. After the discussion, Jay joins Mike for a discussion of Hacker’s key ideas.

In this interview, we discuss the rise in economic insecurity, declining social mobility in the US, the ‘old contract’ versus the ‘new contract’ between employers and workers, technological change & globalization, the waves and the tides of the economy, Medicare for all, reasons to be hopeful, and lots more.

Here’s Mike’s previous discussion with Dr. Hacker, on his book American Amnesia.

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Impeachment, Harris Out, Biden’s ‘No Malarkey’ Tour, Cutting SNAP Dec 07, 2019

This week Jay and Mike talk impeachment and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. For the fourth time in history the House is drafting articles of impeachment. But are the Democrats moving too quickly and does that make impeachment a tougher sell for the voting public?

Then the Guys talk about the state of the race for the Democratic nomination in the wake of Kamala Harris's departure from the race. Also, is a "No Malarkey" tour a stroke of marketing genius or terrible branding?

Finally, Jay plays Scrooge while Mike plays Santa in discussing proposed changes in the SNAP program and work requirements.

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The Politics Guys & The Political Orphanage Dec 04, 2019

On this special crossover show, Mike talks with Andrew Heaton, host of The Political Orphanage podcast. They cover a lot of ground in a conversation that (very) loosely revolves around presidential power. Along the way, they discuss Caddyshack, Edmund Burke, impeachment, anonymous Senate conviction votes, a constitutional convention, Thomas Paine, why a Stormy Daniels based case would have been the most fitting impeachment for President Trump, national emergency powers, splitting up the presidency, expanding the Supreme Court, 'These United States' vs 'The United States', politics as the new religion, and lots more.

Andrew Heaton on Twitter

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Taliban Talks, Hong Kong, Navy Secretary Fired, CBD Crackdown Nov 30, 2019

Mike and Kristin start off talking about President Trump’s Thanksgiving trip to Afghanistan. The President served surprised service men and women Thanksgiving dinner at Bagram Air Force Base and made a rousing speech where he said that the U.S. and the Taliban have been involved in peace talks, which prompted discussions about whether the U.S. should remain in the region.

Next, Mike and Kristin discussed President Trump’s signing of two bills aimed at supporting the protestors in Hong Kong. The first enforces sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who commit abuses of human rights and would subject Hong Kong to an annual review. The second prohibits exporting nonlethal munitions to the Hong Kong police. Of course, China is not happy about any of this and some critics say that this could damage ongoing trade talks between the U.S. and China.

The next topic involves the aftermath of the Gallagher court martialing, pardoning, and the Navy’s decision to not allow him to retain his SEAL status. The firing of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer made headlines this week. President Trump said that the decision was about Spencer’s leadership, and that it was a long time coming. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters that Spencer had gone behind his and others’ backs to broker a deal, displaying insubordination. Spencer hit back with a fiery op-ed in the Washington Post.

Finally, with all of the interest in CBD products lately, it’s no wonder that the FDA made some headlines this week with its warnings about CBD. The FDA has decided to crack down on some companies selling the products, which brings about questions for Mike and Kristin regarding overreach, regulation in general, and the necessity to protect the public from false claims.

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The Politics Guys & Democracy Works on Trump, Impeachment and the Future of Democracy Nov 27, 2019

Mike talks with Chris Beem and Michael Berkman from Penn State's McCourtney Institute for Democracy about their Democracy Works podcast and a whole bunch of other things including:

the fact that two of our last four, and three of our last nine presidents have gone through impeachment
the ‘best case’ outcome from this impeachment process
the potential fallout from straight party line impeachment voting
if Donald Trump is a unique case or a portent of presidents to come
strengthening our political institutions
whether we’re optimistic or pessimistic about the future of liberal democracy in the United States
and lots more!

The McCourtney Institute on Twitter

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Impeachment, The Democratic Debates, Government Funding, Trump Pardons, Netanyahu Nov 23, 2019

This week Trey and Ken start the show by jumping back into the ongoing topic of impeachment. Specifically the pair parse Fiona Hill and David Holmes’ testimony in light of President Trump’s Friday morning conversation on Fox & Friends. Ken thinks that, not only is impeachment the right thing to do, but that it will be an electoral winner for the Democratic Party. Trey argues that impeachment, when the Senate inevitably fails to convict, may result in better polling results for Trump. Ken deeply disagrees and thinks a trial in the Senate benefits Democrats, even if they ultimately lose, due to additional witnesses. Both agree that an impeachment will happen during the first week in December.

Next the pair turn to the Democratic Debates. Both Trey and Ken agree debate fatigue is settling in, in large part due to the format of the debate. Trey argues that little electorally meaningful comes from the debates at this point, accept for the perception of candidates afterwards. On this front he sees Biden as the big loser of the debate. Ken worries that too much time is spent on issues such as universal healthcare when this isn’t a true power of the president.

Trey and Ken then move to talk about the additional 60 day funding of government signed by President Trump after a last minute passage in the Senate. Ken argues that, baring a veto, government will only be funded in short term continuing resolutions, unless Trump vetos. Trey argues that there would be Republican votes to overcome a Trump veto to keep government open. Meanwhile both agree Democrats are unwilling to either fund additional border security or shut down government, thus continuing the need for short term spending resolutions.

Next the pair turn to Trump’s recent military pardons of Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance, Army Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, and Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward Gallagher. Both are deeply disturbed by the pardons. Trey specifically, who has moral issues with the nature of much military power, worries that by pardoning individuals from the military it expands military power.

Finally Trey and Ken hit a continuing topic outside the united states: Israeli politics. Specifically the indictment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The pair discuss the historical ramifications of the indictment, the similarities to the impeachment of Trump, and finish the discussion on what happens next.

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Strategic Voting, Hunter Biden, ‘President Pelosi’, Warren’s Roots Nov 20, 2019

In this episode, Mike and Jay respond to listener questions on the following topics:

Social Security
strategic voting in primary elections
Hunter Biden, Michael Cohen, and ‘soft corruption’
expertise in cabinet positions
Donald Trump and fiscal conservatives
Jay’s nightmare scenario - ‘President Pelosi’
bipartisan blame for the financial crisis
the value of Elizabeth Warren’s conservative past
a depressing present and hope for the future

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Impeachment, Deval Patrick, Sandy Hook Gun Lawsuit Nov 16, 2019

Mike, Jay, and Kristin open the show with a discussion of the first week of open hearings on the impeachment of President Trump. Mike argues that it’s clear that Trump ‘did it’ (or at least clear enough to require a vote for impeachment) but that it could be argued that what he did is not cause for removal. Jay and Kristin are less convinced by the evidence presented to this point. They all believe that the most likely outcome is straight party-line votes to impeach and convict, resulting in the acquittal of the president. Mike wishes it would be possible to hear from those closest to the president on this issue, specifically Mulvaney, Bolton, and Giuliani, but he doesn’t think that’s likely. Kristin and Jay would also like to hear from them, but even if they testified that the president attempted bribery, they’re not sure that would justify his removal from office.

Next, they discuss the entry of former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick into the Democratic presidential nomination race, bringing the total number of candidates to 18. Everyone agrees that this is due to Joe Biden’s perceived weakness and the lack of a popular center-left candidate with strong minority support. Patrick faces daunting challenges, but he may be in a position to pick up significant black support should Biden’s campaign implode. Mike half wishes that Barack Obama had endorsed a candidate, but Jay points out that that would be very much going against past precedent, at least in cases where a vice-president isn’t immediately running to succeed the president, as would have happened had Biden run in 2016.

Finally, it’s a look at the Supreme Court’s decision to not take up a ruling by the Connecticut Supreme Court that allows families of the Sandy Hook mass shooting to sue the gunmaker who sold the weapon used in the massacre. While they all more or less agree that Supreme Court non-intervention was the right call, Mike goes further and argues against the special carve-out in federal law to protect gunmakers from lawsuits - at least until some counter-arguments from Jay make Mike waver a bit in his commitment to that position.

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America, Compromised: Lawrence Lessig on Corruption in America Nov 13, 2019

Mike talks with Lawrence Lessig, the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School. Professor Lessig co-founded Creative Commons in 2001 and is the author of numerous books, including Republic, Lost: Version 2.0 which he and Mike talked about on the podcast a few years ago (here’s a link to that interview). In this episode, they discuss about his recent book America, Compromised.

Topics covered include:

why the Mafia isn’t corrupt, but Congress is
raising the cost of corrupting Congress
giving American citizens Democracy Vouchers
why we should pay members of Congress a lot more
good people in the bad institution of Congress
corruption in the financial industry
why no financial institution heads were prosecuted in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis
corruption in political media
and lots more!

Lawrence Lessig on Twitter

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Impeachment, Election Results, and the State of the Democratic Field Nov 09, 2019

Having heard from our listeners, this week we have a special three-person edition of The Politics Guys with Will Miller, Michael Baranowski, and Jay Carson. The Guys start off the show with a lengthy discussion around current developments in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump. Much of the discussion focuses on the application of process and differences between an investigation and an impeachment inquiry. Mike posits that he believes what Trump has been accused of merits an impeachment inquiry and will merit removal from office if proven true beyond a reasonable doubt. Will and Jay both agree—in theory—that the allegations merit some form of investigation but are concerned about the rush to impeachment as opposed to formally looking into the allegations in a public venue first. Given all of the unusual variables in this case—the use of a personal attorney and having it all based on a whistleblower—it is even more difficult to determine what could happen next. All three note the need to have a process that can be trusted in place. Will continues to worry about what Jay terms a permanent impeachment campaign becoming a way of life in American politics while Mike argues that if the president isn’t behaving like Trump that shouldn’t be a future problem.

Next, the Guys turn to discussing Tuesday’s election results. Jay begins by pointing out that he has difficulty in putting much stock in the results of off-year elections with historically lower turnout. Will points to the statewide results in Virginia as continuing evidence of a shift of Democrats to affluent suburbs that can change elections—especially, as Jay notes, in new districts. Mike echoes this and rightly suggests the 2020 race may come down to whether Trump can turnout rural voters at a higher rate than Democrats can these new suburban voters. The Guys discuss Bevin’s loss in Kentucky but also acknowledge that for such a poor candidate, not even Trump’s support was likely to resonate, which is evidenced by Republican performance down-ballot. And even though the Republican was only able to carry Mississippi by 6 points (compared to 17 for Trump), it was one of the strongest Democratic challengers that could have been brought forward.

Lastly, Mike, Will and Jay discuss the state of the Democrats heading into 2020. First, Mike explains how Elizabeth Warren’s Medicare for all plan is a political document that even Democrats acknowledge has no chance of being enacted. He also questions the impact this has since it will be easy for Trump to denounce the plan in a general election if her own party is doing so already. Further, Mike pushes for Democrats to adopt a more centrist pitch that focuses on opportunity and growth. Will and Jay point out that despite progressives clamoring that they are so large in number, that Joe Biden—as a centrist candidate—is out-performing both Warren and Sanders in polls versus Trump in key battleground states. Will believes if progressives continue to speak louder than their numbers can support, they will only help Trump gain a second term. Lastly, Jay wonders about whose votes Michael Bloomberg might take when he enters the race while Mike points to the strangeness that the general election could be between two New York-based, party-switching, billionaires in their 70s with a history of sexual harassment allegations.

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Scott Adams on how ‘Loserthink’ is Ruining America Nov 06, 2019

Mike talks with Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, one of the most popular comic strips of all time. In recent years, Adams has become an important part of the political conversation through his commentary on Donald Trump as well as the bestselling book Win Bigly. He's got a new book out called Loserthink: How Untrained Brains Are Ruining America, which he and Mike discuss on the show.

Topics Mike & Scott discuss include:

Donald Trump as the ‘most psychologically capable leader we’ve ever had’
why people think like losers
the value of mockery
the loserthink surrounding climate science
why Adams watches both Fox and CNN (as painful as that may sound)
how and why to think like an engineer
the use of hyperbole and thinking like a leader
the ‘48 hour rule’ the ‘20 year rule’ and the ‘magic question’

Scott Adams on Twitter

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Impeachment Rules, Baghdadi Dead, Another Fed Rate Cut, Democratic Race Nov 02, 2019

The show kicks off with Mike & Jay discussing the House resolution on the impeachment inquiry of President Trump. Jay says that it partly addresses procedural fairness issues many Republicans have been raising, but that it’s still not fair enough to the president. Mike disagrees, arguing that the president will get every procedural protection he should - and then some - during a Senate trial. Things get a bit heated as Mike and Jay discuss whether there’s sufficient evidence to impeach the president and they come to differing conclusions as to what constitutes ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’.

Next, the Guys turn to the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a U.S. special forces raid. Jay loved the president’s comments about the raid, which he felt made for great political theater. Mike points out that the raid was made possible by intelligence help from the Kurds, and argues that we need a continued presence in the region to make these critical relationships possible. They both agree that this is good news for the fight against radical Islamic terrorism.

Then it’s a turn to some contradictory economic news - another good jobs report, wages exceeding inflation, and a record-setting economic expansion, but with overall growth down and businesses reluctant to spend. Both Mike and Jay believe the slowdown is due in no small part to President Trump’s trade war with China. Mike makes a case that the president might actually be working against his short term electoral interest by pushing the trade war, though Jay points out that that’s likely why Trump is pushing so hard for Fed rate cuts.

The show closes with a discussion of some important developments in the Democratic presidential nomination race - Beto O’Rourke pulling out, Kamala Harris cutting staff and going all-in on Iowa, and Elizabeth Warren releasing details on how she’d pay for her Medicare for All plan.

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Behind the Scenes in the Obama White House with Lawrence Jackson Oct 30, 2019

Mike talks with Lawrence Jackson, an official White House Photographer in the Obama administration. He's just released a beautiful book of photographs and stories about his time with the Obamas called Yes We Did: Photos and Behind-the-Scenes Stories Celebrating Our First African American President

Topics Mike & Lawrence discuss include:

what the Obamas are really like
being behind the scenes in the White House
the ultra-competitive nature of President Obama
the toll that being president takes on a person
the survey Jackson took of 300 former White House staffers
and lots more

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Deficit, Subpoenas, Trump’s Sixth Veto, Tulsi Gabbard Oct 26, 2019

Trey and Ken host this episode of the Politics Guys. The duo begins by talking about the increasing U.S. deficit. Trey explains the what the deficit and the national debt are. Then Trey gives some historic context before asking Ken his opinion on the rising deficit under President Trump. Ken argues that Democrats, as Keynesians, would better manage the budget without Republicans. His basic argument is that Republicans never pay for needed spending. Trey pushes back and asks, if that is the case, why Democrats have never stopped deficit spending when they held office. Trey suggests that the problem lies with Democrats spending policy and Republicans tax policy. He sees the compromises of the Clinton era as the solution forward.

Next they turn to the ongoing impeachment investigation and, more specifically, the recent subpoenas of high ranking Trump officials. They pair also discuss Lindsey Graham’s weak measure to ensure the House’s impeachment inquiry. They also get into the polling data on impeachment. Ken predicts that the House will vote on articles of impeachment by December.

They then discuss Trump’s relatively underreported sixth veto. Trump was once again forced to veto the House and the Senate ending his emergency declaration for the southern border. The pair speculate on what this means for Trump’s policy. Trey probs more deeply into the political communication side of the question and asks how it is Trump in some areas is able to stay quiet. Is this an indication of a more powerful media strategy?

Finally Trey and Ken talk Tulsi Gabbard and Hilary Clinton. In addition to discussing the current spat between the two Democrats, they ask what might have motivated Clinton’s comments. Unlike many Trey and Ken agree Clinton is not preparing to enter the race. Ken hypothesizes that Clinton sees Gabbard as another Jill Stein.

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U.S. Congressman Thomas Massie on How Congress *Really* Works Oct 23, 2019

Mike talks with Rep. Thomas Massie, who represents Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. Massie attended MIT, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to serving in Congress, he was an inventor, an entrepreneur, and Judge Executive of Lewis County, Kentucky. In Congress, he serves on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Topics Mike & Rep. Massie discuss include:

how members of Congress have to ‘buy’ seats on committees
why the minority party in the House is irrelevant
Congress’ abdication of responsibility
the political pressure to weaken Congress’ ability to do its job
why Rep. Massie would be in favor of repealing the 17th Amendment
what Rep. Massie would change about the House and the Senate
and lots more!

Follow Rep. Massie on Twitter

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Rep. Elijah Cummings, Turkey’s Invasion, Impeachment, Presidential Contest, Growing Senate GOP Opposition to Trump? Oct 19, 2019

This week’s show starts with a short tribute to U. S. Congressman Elijah Cummings, who died this week. Both Mike and Jay have positive things to say about Cummings, who was a great fighter for important causes.

Next, they turn to Turkey’s invasion of Syria and the cease fire deal in which Turkey got more or less everything they hoped for in exchange for token concessions. Mike believes this showed horrible judgement on the part of President Trump and that it makes the United States look weak and untrustworthy. Jay mostly agrees, but advances an argument that, if not supporting Trump’s actions, tries to put them in a different and more nuanced context- something he feels has been lacking in many media reports.

After that it’s an update on the impeachment inquiry. Mike defends the process and argues that Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney flat out admitted a political quid pro quo with Ukraine (just not the Biden / Burisma quid pro quo). Jay contends that while corrupt things may have happened, what Mulvaney admitted wasn’t technically a quid pro quo. He also argues that even if House investigators have good reason for closed-door hearings, this makes the investigation appear less legitimate to the public.

Then it’s a look at the state of the Democratic presidential contest after the recent Ohio debate. Mike & Jay agree that Warren looks like a frontrunner right now (despite Biden still leading her in most polls), with Mike arguing that Pete Buttigieg is well positioned to break out of the pack and move into the top tier currently occupied by Biden, Warren, and Sanders.

The show closes with discussion of the Senate’s failure to override President Trump’s veto of legislation that would have nullified the president’s national emergency at the border with Mexico. This is the second time the Senate has failed to override the president’s veto of this measure, but this time there were 11 Republicans (19 percent of all Senate Republicans) who joined with Democrats in voting against President Trump. Jay thinks that there may be growing GOP congressional opposition to Trump, which comes at the worst possible time, given the ongoing impeachment inquiry.

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Tom LoBianco on Mike Pence Oct 16, 2019

Will talks with Tom LoBianco, author of Piety & Power: Mike Pence and the Taking of the White House.

Topics Will and Mr. LoBianco discuss include:

The role of Mike Pence's faith in his politics
The process that led to Pence landing the Vice Presidency
The impact of Pence's wife Karen on his political career
The difficulties in transitioning from a news reporter to writing a biography

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Syria, Impeachment, China-NBA, and the Supreme Court Term Oct 12, 2019

Will and Brian begin by discussing President Trump’s decision to pull troops for Northern Syria and its potential impact on the Middle East and America’s battle with ISIS. Will points out that even Trump’s typical allies are openly questioning this decision—including Graham, McConnell, Netanyahu, and Saudi Arabia. Brian is concerned with the impact this could have on the Kurds—even projecting that ethnic cleansing could be the ultimate result of this decision. Will and Brian both posit that this could have electoral impacts—possibly even swaying some on their feelings toward the impeachment inquiry.

Next, the Guys turn to examining the current state of the impeachment inquiry. Will notes that there still doesn’t seem to be a smoking gun that makes it likely to him that Trump is removed from office. Brian agrees, noting that while he finds plenty of things Trump has done to be impeachable they read like an anthology. Will continues to question why if the Russia investigation was such a smoking gun for Democrats that they have completely abandoned that narrative in exchange for the Ukraine. He further wonders why Democrats aren’t focusing their energies more toward the 2020 election. Brian also argues that awakening the Trump base and relying on polls today is problematic for Democrats.

Brian and Will then turn to discussing the free speech and trade implications of the current National Basketball Association-China feud. Both believe the Rockets General Manager was well within his rights to tweet support for Hong Kong but should have realized it could lead to significant backlash. Given the current NBA revenue coming from Chinese partnerships, Will wonders how league owners will ultimately respond. Both Guys believe the NBA was wrong to not unequivocally back the right of the individual to send the tweet in the first place and wonder how the timing of this event will impact ongoing U.S.-China trade talks.

Lastly, the Guys talk about the upcoming Supreme Court term. They focus on the Louisiana abortion case in this episode. Brian is concerned about diminishing rights for women. Will argues that regardless of what one feels about the issue of abortion, using assumptions of risk to justify limiting abortion is not a data-informed argument to make today.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Nick Tomboulides on Term Limits Oct 09, 2019

Trey talks with Nick Tomboulides, an Executive Director of U.S. Term Limits. Under his leadership, USTL launched the Term Limits Convention, a campaign to obtain a congressional term limits amendment via the state-directed convention. Nick also serves as a policy advisor with a national think tank and is on the board of directors for a local political caucus in Florida.

Topics Trey and Mr. Tomboulisdes discuss include:

Why should Americans want term limits?
Why should citizens want a national convention as opposed to more traditional Constitutional amendment processes?
Should we be worried about a runaway convention?
Why not bypass state legislatures?
State term limits and their shortcomings
What to do if you want term limits

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Ukraine, Hunter & Joe Biden, Impeachment, Bernie’s Heart, Warren’s Rise Oct 05, 2019

This week, Mike and Kristin unpack the current hot topic of Ukraine/Trump/Biden and impeachment inquiries. Mike kicks things off with a detailed list of the facts. Both note that it’s far too easy to tread into conjecture and opinion, which is why the conversation gets muddled.

Mike and Kristin then dive into each of the points, discussing recent subpoenas and text messages, whether Trump’s actions were politically motivated and/or definitively corrupt, Trump calling on Chinese government officials to investigate Biden’s alleged corruption, America’s long history of putting pressure on Ukrainian officials to investigate and end corruption, Rudy Giuliani’s role in the matter, and how Hunter and Joe Biden play into all of this. Mike and Kristin each try to see things from the other’s perspective, and both admit that bias is causing significant divide.

Mike says that he has a hard time not seeing clear corruption, while Kristin says that she has difficulty seeing this as different from anything else Democrats have done. Both agree that investigating facts is important, and Kristin mentions that she felt the same way during the Mueller Investigation and will keep an open mind, but she will need evidence of quid pro quo in order to render a decision. They both predict that impeachment will move through the House and stall in the Senate with a successful Motion to Dismiss.

Next, Mike and Kristin tackle Democratic campaign updates. From Bernie Sanders’s heart attack, timing, and 3rd quarter fundraising reports, some candidates are emerging as winners or losers. Mike and Kristin discuss Biden’s dip in popularity and fundraising issues. Mike says that he feels Biden is the candidate who has the experience and approach necessary to be a successful President. Kristin mentions that energy and personality need to be considered, and that the Democrats may be sacrificing Biden for impeachment headlines.

Mike also notes that things may start to “thin out” after the next Democratic debate on October 15th – both will wait to see what happens in the aftermath.

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Bruce Ackerman on Revolutionary Constitutions Oct 02, 2019

Mike talks with Bruce Ackerman, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale. Dr. Ackerman is one of the world’s preeminent scholars in the area of comparative constitutional law, with his ideas having been the basis for constitutional reforms in multiple countries. He’s the author of 19 books, the most recent of which is Revolutionary Constitutions: Charismatic Leadership and the Rule of Law.

Topics Mike and Dr. Ackerman discuss include:

how regime change happens
charismatic leaders and movements
if the US Supreme Court should look to other high courts for guidance
major constitutional revolutions in American history
FDR and the constitutional revolution that wasn’t
Ronald Reagan and the strategy of transformative appointment
the anti-constitutionalism of Donald Trump
why the 2020 election is so critical

Bruce Ackerman on Twitter

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Ukraine, Impeachment, Weed, Inequality Sep 28, 2019

Trey and Ken are joined this week, in a Politics Guys first, by Mike! The three begin the episode discussing President Donald Trump’s potential pressure on the Ukraine and the fallout of impeachment. Mike thinks the process must move forward as far as investigation is concerned otherwise presidents will simply assume they get a pass later in a term. He is hesitate, however, to remove a president who was selected by the people. Ken has less concern about deferring to the people, he argues the people also elected vice-president Pence and that the process must move forward. Trey takes a moment to explain this investigation is precisely why he, and other never-Trump individuals, were right from the beginning.

After this story Mike bids farewell and Trey and Ken continue to the second story: the House passing a bill making it possible for banks to do business with companies dealing in weed. The fundamental problem, in which both agree, is that there is a split between states simply ignoring federal law and the untenable position these companies find themselves in as a result. The real difference is that Trey hopes for a more widespread legalization while Ken worries about the social ramifications of legalization.

They then turn to the U.S. Census Bureau’s report on income and equality. The major takeaways both hosts agree on: people are doing better on average, but income inequality is at its highest ever in the United States over the last 50 years. Where Trey and Ken deeply disagree is over whether this is bad or not. Trey argues that the tide of long standing economic developments is how much better off the average American is. If income inequality exists in such a circumstance so be it. Ken argues that it is wrong for individuals to have extreme wealth. He points to wealth taxes as a possible solution to this issue, primarily because those with extreme wealth will have an outsized impact on the political system. Trey counters that the political system can be rectified without resorting to depriving people of their property and that, at a moral level, to do so is wrong. Both respectfully disagree.

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Mike & Jay on Judicial Confirmation, Reforming the Court, and the Upcoming Term Sep 25, 2019

On September 20, Mike and Jay recorded a live show before a room full of attorneys at a Federal Bar Association Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Given the audience, this episode focuses on judicial issues, including judicial filibusters, the demise of 'Blue Slips' in the Senate, President Trump's historic rate of judicial confirmations, Mike's Big Ideas for changing the Supreme Court, and highlights from the Court's upcoming term.

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Iran, O'Brien, Kavanaugh, and Congressional Hearings Sep 21, 2019

Will and Brian begin this week’s episode discussing the drone attack on Saudi Arabian oil sites. Both argue that they would like to see definitive evidence of Iran’s involvement. Brian believes we should take more diplomatic measures to attempt to improve relations while Will argues that it’s time to launch concentrated, strategic air strikes if Iran truly is to blame. The conversation turned to potential electoral impacts of any action in the region and possible impacts on the American economy and consumer.

They then turn to a related topic—the appointment of Robert O’Brien as National Security Advisor. Will and Brian both argue that the person in the role is largely irrelevant in the Trump Administration. However, thy do find the O’Brien appointment interesting given his views and approach compared to John Bolton, who on face value appeared to align well with Trump. Neither believes that this appointment will have any noticeable impact on American foreign policy.

They then turn to The New York Times publication of additional allegations against Kavanaugh. Neither Will nor Brian believe Kavanaugh should be immune to continued scrutiny given what emerged from his confirmation hearing. Will though wonders about the idea of impeaching when he was just confirmed with much of this already being known. Brian, on the other hand, believes for the sake of morality and the Court that the scrutiny needs to continue. Both believe The Times will walk away relatively unscathed, although Will does question the credibility of reporting from the outlet.

Lastly, the Guys discuss the Lewandowski testimony. Will finds Jerry Nadler’s behavior as Chair appalling and questions why the hearing even occurred. With an Election coming up, he continues to argue that the better move for Democrats would be to focus on the party versus continuing to attempt to make something out of what is already widely known. Brian, on the other hand, believes Lewandowski was obstructing the hearing with his requests and wonders what the rationale behind the decision was. Both suggest the hearing is an encapsulation of everything Americans hate about politics today.

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Jen Schradie on How Digital Activism Favors Conservatives Sep 18, 2019

Mike talks with sociologist, author, and documentary filmmaker Jen Schradie. Dr. Schradie is an Assistant Professor at the Observatoire sociologique du changement at Sciences Po in Paris. Her research focuses on the empirical study of digital democracy, digital activism, and the digital divide. Her latest book is The Revolution That Wasn’t: How Digital Activism Favors Conservatism.

Topics Mike & Dr. Schradie discuss include:

technological optimism, especially on the left
the activism gap between conservatives and liberals
the structural factors that help conservative activists
differences in conservative and liberal messaging
the importance of money, motivation, and message
narrowing the activism gap

Jen Schradie on Twitter

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Democratic Debate, Asylum Injunction, Bolton Out, NC Special Election, FDA & E-Cigarettes Sep 14, 2019

This week’s show kicks off with Mike & Jay talking about the third Democratic presidential debate. They both see it as a continuing struggle between centrists, led by Biden, and the progressives, most prominently represented by Warren and Sanders. Neither Mike nor Jay expect any big changes in the relative standing of the candidates any time soon - at least not prior to the Iowa Caucuses. Mike laments Beto O’Rourke’s comment on ‘taking your guns’ and agrees with Sanders that Donald Trump is a very dangerous president. Jay counters that while Trump may be dangerous, the most dangerous leaders are those with far greater popularity than Trump has.

Next, it’s a look at the Supreme Court’s lifting of an injunction against the Trump administration’s asylum policy, a policy that denies asylum to almost all applicants who haven’t first applied for asylum and been rejected by Mexico. Jay gets into why injunctions are granted (or not granted), and explains that the Court has not ruled on the merits of the case. Mike argues that, on the merits, the Trump administration’s actions shouldn’t stand, as they contravene legislative intent. Jay thinks Mike’s argument is sound, though he’s not ready to definitively support it without more information.

After that, the Guys discuss John Bolton’s dismissal as National Security Advisor. Mike says that if Bolton leaked information (which Bolton denies) President Trump was absolutely right to fire him. Mike also feels that Bolton exemplifies the sort of emotionally-driven, seat of the pants staffing decision that President Trump all too often makes. Jay is a little more sympathetic to Bolton - at least in terms of policy - and argues that a clear, strong voice like Bolton’s can sometimes help focus an administration’s approach.

Following that is a discussion of the special election in North Carolina. While Mike is disappointed that the Democrats didn’t pick up a seat, he thinks that the results suggest that centrist Democrats can run well even in very conservative districts. Jay is reluctant to draw any conclusions about special elections given how different they are from general elections, a point with which Mike largely agrees.

Finally, Mike & Jay talk about the FDA’s ban on most flavored e-cigarettes. Mike feels that it’s a smart move and he’d like to see even stronger measures, such as the ban on e-cigarettes recently passed by the state of Michigan. Jay recognizes the authority of the FDA to institute the ban, but feels that restricting the personal choice of adults is almost always a concern.

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Libertarians for Booker, Campaign Promises, Ending Extremism, Cybersecurity, Policing Sep 11, 2019

In this listener mail show, Trey & Ken respond to questions on:

how a libertarian-conservative can like Cory Booker
the feasibility of penalizing candidates who break campaign promises
if there are alternatives to polarized parties
if hackers make using social media hard for government
whether the politics of policing effect African American communities

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Climate Change Town Hall, Brexit Gets Messy (Again), Terrorist Watchlists, Republican Primaries Sep 07, 2019

Trey & Ken start the show by talking about the Democratic Climate Change Town Hall. Ken doesn’t think the differences between the primary candidates matters. He just wants someone who thinks climate change is important, the details will come later. Trey is not convinced that the Democrats have any sound climate change policies. In his view their inability to focus on issues like nuclear power makes their plans impossible. Trey pushes Ken for a favorite, but Ken again just argues for any candidate that has climate change on the agenda.

Next, Trey & Ken detour temporarily from American politics and discuss Brexit. The conversation centers on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s seeming inability to achieve a hard Brexit due to recent pushback. Trey is unsure, regardless of what happens in the United Kingdom, whether the European Union will want to have an indefinite, but never finished, delay of Brexit. Ken sees the likelihood of Brexit as low, although in his recent travels to Germany he recognizes that many Europeans see Brexit as inevitably eventually. Trey then discusses the unusual situation of elections in the United Kingdom since the Brexit process began.

After that they turn to the recent federal court ruling on terrorist watchlists. The pair discuss what the summary judgement means and government’s failure to have the case dismissed. Trey is skeptical that the FBI and Homeland Security will be willing to have the procedural protections in place necessary to satisfy the court. Ken believes the case will eventually end because government will meet the requirements of the court before the case actually proceeds. Both agree it is a win for civil liberties.

The show ends with a conversation on Republican primaries and caucuses. A number of states have, or are in the process of, canceling their primaries. Trey talks about the history of parties canceling primaries / caucuses, but worries that this is part of a larger new American ethos toward efficiency over deliberation. Specifically he points to how many recent primary contests have been canceled. Ken is more sympathetic to parties choosing their own candidates independently.

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Reforming Democracy: Supreme Court Appointments Sep 04, 2019

Mike & Will kick off their ‘Reforming Democracy’ book project with an overview of the book, topics they’ll be covering, and a discussion of Mike’s first proposed reform: changing the Supreme Court nomination process so that every president gets at least one nomination that the Senate has to vote on within six months.

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Opioids, Challenges to Trump, Democratic Presidential Race, Isakson Resigns, Intimidating Border Wall Aug 31, 2019

Mike & Trey kick off the show by talking about a big opioid verdict against Johnson & Johnson in Oklahoma as well as a pending mega-settlement between Purdue Pharma and nearly 2,000 litigants. They agree that opioid abuse has had disastrous and tragic consequences, but neither Mike nor Trey are convinced that the Johnson & Johnson verdict will hold up on appeal. Purdue Pharma, having already admitted wrongdoing in previous cases (including a settlement with Oklahoma) is altogether different they believe.

Next, they discuss the 2020 presidential race, including a new Republican challenger to Donald Trump (one-term Illinois representative Joe Walsh), the Democrats who made the cut for the next debate, transparency of the Democratic debate rules, and who they see as the most likely - and most dangerous - general election opponent to President Trump.

After that they turn to the resignation of Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson and what it means for 2020. They agree that it’s good news for the Democrats, but Mike thinks the Republicans will still probably hold both seats, especially as Stacey Abrams has said she won’t run (which Mike thinks might have something to do with her hopes of being Joe Biden’s VP pick).

The show ends with a discussion of the border wall - first, allegations that President Trump has promised pardons to those who break the law to get the wall built, followed by President Trump’s keen interest in the aesthetics of the wall. Trey thinks that Trump probably did at least joke about pardons, and that it was either intuitively or strategically a smart move. Mike says that the focus on building a big, intimidating wall is largely empty symbolism, and characteristic of Donald Trump.

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‘Democrat’ Party, Injunctions, Ranked-Choice Voting, Democracy, Presidential Candidate Priorities, Gun Control Aug 28, 2019

In this listener mail show, Mike & Jay respond to questions on:

calling the Democratic Party the ‘Democrat’ Party
the conservatism of nationwide judicial injunctions
pros and cons of ranked-choice voting
how small-d democratic Mike and Jay really are
whether Jay tries to speak for the GOP or for himself on the show
what issues Democratic presidential candidates should focus on
why conservatives who want to ban abortions and drugs don’t want to ban guns

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Trump vs the Fed, ‘Disloyal’ Jews, Flores Settlement, Buying Greenland, Planned Parenthood & Title X Aug 24, 2019

Jay and Mike kick off the show by discussing President Trump’s tweets in response to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole symposium. Jay says that the tweets, which led to an over 600 point drop in the stock market, take him close to a breaking point with President Trump. Mike points out that this is yet another indication that the presidency is not a job for amateurs and that Donald Trump is in over his head.

Next, they discuss Trump’s comments on the ‘disloyalty’ of American Jews who vote for Democrats. Both Mike and Jay agree that this is an attempt by Trump to gain more Jewish support by painting the Democratic Party as anti-Israel. Mike says that while there are some Democrats who oppose Israel, they no more represent the bulk of the Democratic Party than right-wing extremists represent the Republican Party as a whole. Jay says that Trump’s remarks were stupid, but not anti-Semitic. Mike isn’t entirely sure about that, but suggests that Trump may be too self-involved to be anti-semitic.

After that, the Guys talk about the Trump administration’s attempt to dissolve the Flores Settlement, which puts a 20-day cap on the time that undocumented minors can be detained. Neither Mike nor Jay believe that the judge overseeing the settlement will allow this, and while they have their ideas on how to improve the broken immigration system, they agree that nothing significant can happen without congressional action, which neither sees coming any time soon.

Next, Mike & Jay consider President Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. buy Greenland from Denmark. Mike agrees with the Danish PM’s view that Trump’s idea was absurd, and points out that leasing would probably be a better idea. He also says that the president’s inartful remarks make any potential deal that much more difficult. Jay is more open to the idea of buying Greenland, or at least the idea that an American president can openly discuss it.

The show closes with a discussion of Planned Parenthood’s decision to no longer receive Title X funding, due to a Trump administration regulation that disallows Title X recipients from referring patients to abortion providers. Mike doesn’t think this is exactly a gag rule, but he argues that it’s anti-speech and anti-choice, and hopes that the next administration reverses it. Jay feels that the state can reasonably restrict information about abortion because it’s something a large number of Americans view as morally wrong.

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Will and Brian Take Your Questions Aug 21, 2019

On this episode, Will and Brian respond to listener questions. Topics covered include:

The lack of ideas being publicly announced from the Left and its impact on American politics today
Allegations of racism against Republicans and how it feels different today
The impact of media coverage of the Mueller investigation on the impact of his report
How senate majority leaders obstruct the legislative process—and whether we should keep accepting it
The direction of the Democratic and Republican parties in America today

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Epstein, Israel, Hickenlooper and the Dems, New Immigration Rules, and the American Dream Aug 17, 2019

Will and Brian kickoff this week’s episode by discussing the death of Jeffery Epstein, the fascination with Clinton conspiracy theories, and the potential need for prison reforms across the United States. Will posits that the Clintons seem to have really bad luck with their acquaintances and sudden deaths. He does, however, firmly believe Epstein’s death shows a drastic need for both transparency in autopsies and some degree of prison reform. Brian doesn’t buy the conspiracy argument, but he does believe the public fascination with conspiracies is telling of political society today. He also thinks prison reform is not likely in response despite the very public nature of problems today due to lack of attention for particular offenses.

Next, they turn to discuss Netanyahu’s decision to not allow Representatives Tlaib and Omar to enter Israel to visit the West Bank and Palestine. Will believe this is well within the nation’s rights given the obvious goal of the two to use the trip as a means for further protests, directly questioning Israel’s legitimacy. Brian points to the unusual actions of President Trump in suggesting they should not be permitted to enter and Netanyahu’s response. He also brings up the pressures faced by the two for not agreeing to sign the statement saying their visit wasn’t going to be politics. Will also points out how this decision could impact younger American Jews as they think about the nation of Israel.

Next, they turn to discuss the decision by John Hickenlooper to resign from the Democratic nomination battle to run for Senate and Beto O’Rourke’s defiance when asked to consider the same. Neither Will nor Brian believe either candidate had a chance of winning, but Will believes this may better reflect O’Rourke’s Vice-Presidential aspirations. Brian discusses how Hickenlooper ran his campaign and failed to distinguish himself. Moreover, he believes O’Rourke is clearly living in a delusional world after plateauing during the Cruz debate. They also discuss Joe Biden’s continual gaffes in recent weeks. Will believes this is tried and true Biden and will help him appear genuine. Brian, on the other hand, questions if this may be a reflection of Joe’s age and ultimate ability to win a contested primary.

Will and Brian then turn to discuss the Trump Administration’s new immigration rules, which limit the ability for individuals to receive visas for mailing to meet income standards or for receiving public assistance. He believes tradition should not dictate future direction, and that the president is exercising his legal and constitutional rights to do this. Brian agrees that Trump is within his rights and aiming to develop a self-reliant American citizenry. He does believe, however, that the public charge is being misapplied in this case given the data on who uses which policies. Brian believe this is symptomatic of a larger concern, however: the demise of the American Dream. He is concerned about what the image of America is today to the world and how it will impact our short- and long-term futures. As he posits, why are the companies using these workers not being punished, as well?

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Jennifer Rauch on Why Slow Media is Satisfying, Sustainable, and Smart Aug 14, 2019

Mike talks with Jennifer Rauch, Professor of Journalism and Communication Studies at Long Island University Brooklyn. Dr. Rauch is an award-winning writer, educator and researcher whose work focuses on alternative media, media activism and popular culture. Her latest book is Slow Media: Why 'Slow' Is Satisfying, Sustainable, and Smart.

Topics Mike and Jennifer discuss include:

Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death
Jennifer’s extended digital media retreat
the Slow Food movement’s influence on slow media
the best slow journalism being produced today
whether slow media is elitist
liberal bias in slow media
why Luddites get a bad rap
the politics of time

Check out Jennifer’s Slow Media Blog
Jennifer Rauch on Twitter

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Mass Shootings, China & Currency Manipulation, ICE Raid, Castro Tweets Trump Donors Aug 10, 2019

This week, Mike and Kristin discuss news of the tragic shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. As the nation sinks deeper into political divide, what transpired was a conversation about white nationalism, whether political parties are “responsible” for hate and tragedy. Mike thinks President Trump should be held accountable for his ramped-up rhetoric, while Kristin says that both parties must take responsibility for violent language. Kristin and Mike both bring up points about mental health and gun control, as well as Red Flag laws and assault weapons bans. They agree that they aren’t hopeful anything would transpire – but that we should work towards solutions.

Next, they talk about the Treasury Department declaring China a currency manipulator. Mike thoroughly explains the terms and says that China may have manipulated currency in the past, but that recent devaluation of currency isn’t manipulation. Kristin brings up the fact that all nations engage in currency devaluation, and mentions President Trump’s increased tariffs on Chinese goods. Both Mike and Kristin maintain a “wait and see approach” – will the tariffs work to level the trade playing field, or will this declaration lead to a trade war? Time will tell.

Mike and Kristin often find themselves discussing immigration law, and this week is no exception. After ICE officials raided seven plants in MS and arrested 680 undocumented workers, both agree that the system is broken. Mike remains skeptical that anything will be done, citing powerful business interests. He also argues that businesses are often put in positions where they are forced to hire undocumented workers, who are then mistreated and separated from their families. Kristin agrees and both say that there must be a middle ground, an easier pathway for obtaining work visas or citizenship. Kristin argues this would help everyone - the government could vet immigrants and account for them, and the workers would be kept with families and they would have recourse for payment disputes and unsafe working conditions.

Finally, they move to the topic of Rep. Joaquin Castro’s alleged “doxxing” of Trump donors and their businesses in his district. Was it an effort to be transparent, or was it “dog-whistling”? Mike thinks that Republican critics are being overly sensitive, and mentions that this information is public record and easily found. Kristin brings up motive and the fact that these donors and their employees are constituents, but Mike argues that the tweet won’t affect businesses much. They discuss connections Castro made between the El Paso shooter and Trump donors.

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David Hawkings and The Fulcrum Aug 07, 2019

Trey welcomes David Hawkings to the show to discuss his latest media project The Fulcrum. Topics discussed include:

What is the current fundamental problem or problems in the American system?
Why do we need a news outlet like The Fulcrum?
What makes The Fulcrum different?
The problems with Congress.
The problems with Congressional transparency.

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The Democratic Debates, The Fed, Trade Wars Continued, the Director of National Intelligence Aug 03, 2019

Trey and Mike begin the show by discussing the Democratic primary debates. Mike outlines his rubric for picking the best candidate, listen to find out who, and then rank orders the options. Trey, an outsider to the party, argues that Democrats are not running strongly enough against a powerful presidency and are unfortunately embracing the trade policies of President Trump with better packaging.

Next, they talk the federal interest rate cut, the first since 2008. Mike argues this is more of the same erratic behavior predictable of the Trump era and, further, limits the tools the Fed has to deal with a real crisis. Mike’s economic data is found here. Trey suggests Powell is bowing to political pressure and that this is precisely the problem with the current Fed. He also doesn’t understand how, even if you agree with Keynesianism the rate cut is a bad idea.

After that, Trey and Mike move to the related topic of Chinese tariffs. Mike is in large agreement with the underlying goals of the Trump administration, but concerned that they are not using the best tools to get Chinese compliance on issues including intellectual property rights. Trey sees the consumer fallout as being a potential electoral question in the 2020 presidential election.

The show closes by discussing the drama surrounding the exit of Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and the withdraw from consideration of Congressman John Ratcliffe.

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The Voter Study Group's Report: On the Money Jul 31, 2019

Trey welcomes Lee Drutman, Vanessa Williamson and Felcia Wong to the show to discuss their latest report and study through the democracy fund voter study group: On the Money.

Topics discussed include:

why study voter’s economic policy preferences
why Republicans do not share an economic policy position
the difference for people’s individual policy preferences and their overall policy goals
the role of luck in economic policy views
the predictive power of economic policy views in American elections
Donald Trump and Republican economic policy views

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The Wall Returns!, Budget Deal, Mueller, Facebook Fine, California Cuts a Deal Jul 27, 2019

Mike and Jay kick off the show by looking at the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision allowing construction of a Mexico border wall to move forward pending litigation. The Court’s five conservatives didn’t rule on the substance of President Trump’s action but indicated that the plaintiffs were unlikely to have standing to sue. Jay feels that the court got it right, though Mike is more inclined to side with the four liberals who dissented, arguing that once the wall is up, the harm that’s been done cannot be undone and so building should be on hold until the matter is resolved.

Next, they talk about the testimony of former special counsel Robert Mueller before Congress. It was certainly political theater, but Mike feels it was a worthwhile ‘Hail Mary’ shot and bringing the often dry contents of the Mueller Report to life, even if it was unlikely to sway many people. Both Jay and Mike agree that Mueller’s performance in this political theater wasn’t very strong, though Jay still believes there will be both an impeachment inquiry and impeachment proceedings. Mike doesn’t see that happening.

After that, the Guys discuss a rare bit of bipartisanship - the two year budget and debt ceiling deal. Jay, like many fiscal conservatives, doesn’t like the fact that it raises spending by nearly a third of a trillion dollars without providing any way to pay for it. Mike points out that not all deficit spending is bad, and that the U.S. is able to borrow at extremely low rates of interest - investing that money in things with a higher return is smart, though he admits that this doesn’t happen nearly as often as it should. He also points out that we’d be in much better shape if not for the massive GOP tax cut.

Following that is a look at the deal Facebook made with the FTC, agreeing to pay an unprecedented $5 billion fine as well as comply with a number of checks on its practices to better ensure user privacy. Mike wishes the deal had pushed Facebook more, but feels that on balance it may have been preferable to a long, drawn out legal battle with a highly uncertain conclusion. Jay agrees, though he’s less conflicted about it than Mike, and more reluctant to call for action such as breaking up Facebook or other big tech companies.

The show closes with a discussion of an emissions deal the state of California made with four auto manufacturers who together make up 30 percent of the US auto market. The car companies agreed to increased emissions standards that are lower than called for by Obama-era regulations, but higher than the freeze in standards the Trump administration is pushing for. Mike’s a bigger supporter of higher emission standards than Jay, but they both agree that California has a legal right to set its own standards and that if the Trump administration wants to change that, they should do so through the legislative process, not via administrative fiat.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Thanks to the great folks at Total Recorder. (This isn’t an ad, just appreciation for some help they recently gave us. Great recording software and excellent customer service.)

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The Rise of Mayor Pete, the Democratic Debate, and the Role of Capitalism Jul 24, 2019

Will and Brian begin by discussing Mayor Peter as a Democratic candidate this week given his last quarter fundraising showing. While Will argues that Mayor Pete is an intriguing candidate—even for someone who leans right—he also suggests his polling numbers with African-American voters could be problematic in the primaries. Brian suggests Mayor Pete may be quick to collapse in the race given that other candidates—namely Biden—actually brought in more per day during the cycle. Further, Brian is not convinced he is ready for continued primetime pressure, which he didn’t face in the first debate.

Next, Will and Brian discuss the upcoming second Democratic debate. Both believe the field remains too large to allow for nuanced policy discussions. Having the debates over two nights, Will asserts, prevents voters from seeing interactions and discussions they may need to see to differentiate between candidates. Thus, donations will possibly split and general uncertainty will continue to rise to the surface. Brian worries about the longer-term impact given that all demographic data suggests Democrats should be looking to stronghold a long-term gain rather than in-fighting for the next two years.

Lastly, Will and Brian discuss the role of capitalism in the United States today. This discussion was brought on by Abigail Disney’s undercover trip to Disneyland and comments regarding Bob Iger’s wages compared to the average worker at the park. Will advocates strongly for the system as it is today while Brian ponders whether it’d be possible to change the economic infrastructure of society even if we decided we wanted to.

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We Landed on the Moon, Trump Tweets, Contempt, and Conditions at the Border Jul 20, 2019

Will and Brian begin by discussing the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Brian sees great value in space and exploration as a means to advance scientific knowledge and understanding. Even more importantly, he finds that interest in STEM can help motivate children to pursue careers that will continue to move the world forward. Will also sees value in space exploration but wants to remind everyone of the political push behind many early endeavors. Moreover, he also posits the good that could be done with the same budget money today to help citizens across the United States.

Next, they move to a lengthy discussion around Trump’s Tweets aimed at the Squad and fallout surrounding it. Brian argues the tweets are explicitly racist and problematic for democratic governance in the country. Will, on the other hand, believes that while the intention was clear, the message itself was not as direct as many are claiming. Both believe the move was quite strategic. Will posits that Trump used this to move the news media off of other areas while also forcing Speaker Pelosi to defend the Squad, consequently positioning the left as being more extreme than they currently are in reality. Both agree that this issue will continue to be discussed but will not lead to any noticeable shifts in public opinion and pushes for impeachment are wasted efforts today.

Will and Brian then discuss the contempt charges brought against Attorney General Barr and Secretary Ross by the House over the citizenship Census question. Will points out that the entire debate is not about the actual question, since it has existed in some format for decades, but instead about how the information could and would be used. Brian believe the contempt charges are largely political theater but still send an important message regarding the current state of Congressional relations with the President.

Lastly, they briefly discuss the testimony of Secretary McAleenan regarding border conditions today. Will begins by saying that Mike Pence’s comments on the conditions got his attention more than anything else in the news recently given his political leanings and honest assessment. Moreover, Will worries that presidential candidates are using the border as a photo opp which undermines the plight of the individuals currently held there. Brian is concerned both with the conditions and the way that Americans are responding. Both wonder if McAleenan was suggesting to the House that this could all be solved if they were willing to more actively take other measures to curb immigration.

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Kristin & Mike Take a Test Jul 17, 2019

Now for something a little different and fun – Mike and Kristin take a test! Before they take the Pew Research Center’s Political Typology Quiz, Kristin responds to a question from listener Martin about why she plans to vote for President Trump in 2020.

After that, Mike and Kristin get right down to business and take the test, which consists of choosing between a series of two statements on a variety of issues. They discuss the binary nature of the test and both feel that it’s important to choose the statement that is closer to their beliefs. They run into trouble with a few questions and the phrasing, but have a great time discussing each and challenging each other’s positions along the way.

To hear the results, where each host fell on the ideology scale, and to take the test right along with them, be sure to tune in until the end!

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Epstein / Acosta, Border Crossings Down, British Ambassador Resigns, Emoluments Suit Dismissed, Democratic Tensions Jul 13, 2019

Mike and Kristin kick things off by discussing the latest twists and turns in the Jeffrey Epstein case, new sex trafficking charges, and his former friendships with high-powered political types. They agree on the reprehensible nature of the charges and discuss the idea that money can “get you out of trouble”. Both say that there is obvious disparity between rich evil-doers and regular folks who do evil. Also, they get into the resignation of Labor Secretary Alex Acosta.

Next up is the fact that Mexico seems to be stepping up their efforts at the border, as per their deal made with the U.S. government last month. Both Mike and Kristin raise the point that while this is promising, it will take time to see more data. If there seems to be a trend towards fewer border crossings, this might be a jumping off point for discussion once again.

Then, the British Ambassador to the U.S. has resigned due to leaked memos he’d sent previously to London, which contained disparaging remarks about Trump. Trump went on the offense and, after some barbs traded, Ambassador Darroch stepped down. Both Mike and Kristin agreed that stepping down was the right thing to do. Kristin made a point about this being symptomatic of our increasingly polarized atmosphere, and Mike emphasized that this is nothing new in the Trump Era.

An Appeals Court ordered the dismissal of the Emoluments Clause case against Trump, citing that the Attorneys General who brought the case lacked standing. This ruling made sense to both Kristin and Mike. Mike hopes that this is actively pursued, perhaps by Congress. Kristin mentioned that she feels this is mostly politically motivated, another “proxy battle” between Left and Right.

Finally, the big, headline-making battle within the Democrat Party was on everyone’s minds! Kristin was curious to see what Mike had to say, citing that it brought back memories of the Tea Party infighting within the GOP and that many prominent Democrats had taken to blasting the more progressive congressional freshmen for making wild claims against Pelosi and company. Mike found that he was more intrigued by this story than he thought he would be, and sided with Pelosi, though he said that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and company may have valid points buried in the back-and-forth.

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Tyler Cowen’s Love Letter to Big Business Jul 10, 2019

Mike welcomes George Mason University economist Tyler Cowen back to the show to discuss his latest book, Big Business: A Love Letter to an American Anti-Hero. As you may know, Tyler is a very busy guy - in addition to his academic position, he runs the Marginal Revolution blog and Conversations with Tyler podcast. He's also regular contributor at Bloomberg Opinion and has written multiple books, including two Mike previously spoke with him about on the show: Stubborn Attachments and The Complacent Class.

Topics Mike & Tyler discuss include:

fraud in the business world
if big business is more honest than people in non-business settings
why top CEos may actually be underpaid
work vs leisure
monopolies, with a focus on Facebook, Google, and Amazon
problems with the finance industry
crony capitalism
how much political influence big business really has
why we personalize big business, and why we shouldn’t

follow Tyler Cowen on Twitter

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Trump’s Potential Executive Orders on the Census Citizenship Question and Drug Prices, The Border Patrol Facebook Group, School Busing Jul 06, 2019

Trey and Mike open the show outlining the latest developments on the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 census. Trey focuses on the larger picture that an executive order circumventing a court order would mean for presidential power. Mike considers the actual immediate policy implication and sees it unlikely that an executive order is feasible.

Next, they turn Trump’s push for lower drug prices. Mike argues that President Trump is looking for a win for 2020. Drug prices are an easy potential win, but it certainly isn’t a free market position. Trey agrees that President Trump generally is not a free market individual, but sees this as normal Trumpian policy. The pair also address President Trump’s tweet on using an executive order to lower drug prices.

After that they turn to the controversy surrounding a private Facebook group titled “10-15” for current and former border patrol agents. Trey sees the issue as one where the nexus of public and private speech of blended. Social media creates the ability to know more about people than we ever dreamed possible — even things some of us thought were not as mainstream as they are. Mike argues that the investigation should move forward, but that human nature might suggest being faced with an insurmountable problem we can at least, intellectually, understand the frustration of border patrol agents.

They close the show by returning to what, until recently, seemed a 1970s era policy question: school busing. Trey asks if this is really just an issue of whether or not former Vice-President Biden is “woke” or not. Mike makes the liberal argument against busing and challenges policy makers to address residential segregation.

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Superdelegates, Democratic Strategy, Biden’s Troubled Past, Out of Touch Politics Guys, and Media Bias Jul 03, 2019

In this episode, Mike & Jay respond to listeners on:

whether changes to the Democrats’ superdelegate rules will have a big impact on who their 2020 nominee will be
what Democrats can do to win back the Midwest
if Joe Biden is out of touch and past his prime
if the Politics Guys are out of touch and past their primes
story selection bias in the mainstream media

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Democrats Debate, Gerrymandering, Census Citizenship Question, Administrative Authority, Border Crisis Funding Jun 29, 2019

Jay and Mike open the show with a discussion of the first two Democratic presidential debates. Instead of looking at the debates in terms of ‘winners and losers’ they step back and talk about the nature of the debate format and the sort of qualities it rewards and punishes. Mike lets loose on his general disgust with these multi-person debates, and while Jay isn’t quite as impassioned he agrees that they’re far more spectacle than substance.

Next, they look at a trio of major end-of-term Supreme Court decisions, starting with gerrymandering. Jay feels that the majority got it right and that gerrymandering, while a potential danger to democracy, isn’t something that the Court can fix. Mike disagrees but feels it’s a tough question and understands why some may not be able to accept the social science view of how much partisan gerrymandering is too much.

After that they turn to the Court’s decision on the Trump administration’s plan to add a citizenship question to the Census. Mike thinks that Chief Justice Roberts and the Court’s four liberals got it exactly right - while the administration can add a citizenship question, they have to provide a reasonable explanation for why they’re doing so, as opposed to the after-the-fact rationale the administration provided. Jay is somewhat disappointed with the outcome, but joins Mike in his respect for Chief Justice Roberts.

The final Supreme Court ruling they examine received less coverage than the others, but is on a topic - administrative discretion - that’s near and dear to both Mike and Jay’s hearts. Jay feels that the Court’s ruling to keep in place a narrowed doctrine of deference to administrative agencies’ interpretations of their own rules is reasonable, though he argues that the narrowing of that deference is part of a larger project to restrain the administrative state - something he’s very much in favor of. Mike agrees with the outcome and argues that the four dissenters seem to want to replace agency discretion with judicial discretion, which he views as unacceptable judicial activism.

They close the show with a look at the humanitarian crisis on the Mexican border. Mike & Jay agree that the system is currently overwhelmed, and that Congress did the right thing in putting aside at least some partisan differences and approving some desperately needed emergency funding.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Helena Rosenblatt on the Lost History of Liberalism Jun 26, 2019

Mike talks with Helena Rosenblatt, a professor of history at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York about her latest book, The Lost History of Liberalism: From Ancient Rome to the Twenty-First Century.

Topics Mike & Helena discuss include:

the meaning of liberalism in ancient Greece and Rome
liberalism as an aristocratic virtue
the connection between liberalism and education
the Catholic Church as an historical opponent of liberalism
classical, ‘laissez faire’ liberalism
progressive Republicans, Wilsonian Democrats, and 20th century American liberalism
how mid-twentieth century totalitarianism affected liberalism
the key challenges to modern liberalism

Helena Rosenblatt on Twitter

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Trump in 2020, Hicks before the House, Gallagher Trial, and the Actions of Iran Jun 22, 2019

Will and Brian begin with a discussion about Trump’s official re-election announcement. Both agree that Trump has better odds than the average pundit gives him to keep his position, but they differ slightly on why he could win. Will argues that the base will be enough to see him through while Brian posits that Democrats could likely unseat him if they spent less time debating one another and instead focused on a concentrated campaign against Trump. Ultimately, Brian argues that his base sees him as Teflon Don and that his control of the media is underacknowleged by political opponents. Will argues that with the economy doing well and no actual military conflict, Trump should be able to keep America great.

Next, they turn to Hope Hicks’ testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. Neither Will nor Brian are surprised that Hicks has not been willing to discuss what Democrats want to hear about, but they both acknowledge Democrats will keep trying to find information to help make a case that Trump has obstructed justice. Brian sees this as essential to preserving democracy as we understand it in America while Will believes Democrats are costing themselves time and resources by focusing on an already galvanized issue rather than going after the president on policy grounds. In the end, they both wonder what utility Democrats will ultimately gain from this and what could be accomplished if efforts were devoted to other areas.

They then turn to discussing the Eddie Gallagher trial currently underway. Both believe this is an issue that merits an investigation, but they differ on culpability. Brian finds the alleged actions reprehensible while Will believe Gallagher needed greater support prior to being sent back into a combat zone. While neither excuses his alleged behavior, Will finds the testimony of a medic to raise serious questions. Both believe this is reasonable doubt, but Will points to the immunity granted to the medic as a potential sign that the government was looking to muddy the waters and avoid President Trump having to ultimately pardon Gallagher for his crime. Brian agrees and adds that if we want to improve our image abroad, avoiding allegations of incidents like this would be a great first step.

Lastly, Will and Brian conclude with a discussion of recent activities in Iran, focusing on the Revolutionary Guard’s decision to shoot down an American drone this week. Will is perplexed by the response to last week’s cargo ship bombing allegations and the announcement this week that it must have been a mistake to shoot down the drone. Brian is concerned about maintaining territorial sovereignty while also protecting national interests. Both agree that a war with Iran would not be a useful endeavor given the lack of an endgame.

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David Rose on Why Culture Matters Most Jun 19, 2019

Mike talks with University of Missouri St. Louis economist David Rose about his book Why Culture Matters Most. Topics they discuss include:

why democratic capitalism is the only reliable way to achieve mass flourishing
the relationship between culture, trust, institutions, and mass flourishing
small group vs large group trust
the role of religion in building a high-trust society
why trust in the system has been in such steep decline
how limited government helps to maintain trust in the system
what we can do to increase trust and strengthen our democratic institutions

Panel on Capitalism & Poverty (YouTube)

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Mexico Deal, Iran Tensions, Barr & Ross Contempt Charges, Conway & Sanders Jun 15, 2019

Mike and Kristin begin with a discussion about the recent immigration agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. They go into some depth about the details of the agreement, President Trump’s stance, the concerns about the short timeline for Mexico, and some of the larger issues that the U.S. may face down the road. Both agree to take a “wait and see” approach. They also question whether it would be wise to add a “sunset” provision to executive orders so that Congress can assess crisis situations with a more flexible timeframe, but without necessarily hindering the President’s ability to act quickly.

Next up is another geo-political topic that picked up steam toward the end of the week – escalating tensions with Iran. This week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed the finger at Iran for involvement in attacks of tanker vessels in the Gulf of Oman. Mike wonders if this is something the U.S. should approach with “muscle”, essentially backing Iran into a corner, and whether that is a wise move. Kristin brings up historical context and the importance of unifying allies to address Iran’s aggression – as was the case under President Reagan. Mike also brings up questions about the connection between this and possible arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Turning to domestic issues, Mike and Kristin discuss the disagreement surrounding the citizenship question on the 2020 Census, as well as the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s vote to hold AG William Barr and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in contempt for withholding related documents. Both Kristin and Mike surmise that there is more here than meets the eye, as the actions seem politically motivated on both sides. They discuss their views, and Mike brings up an interesting idea regarding the timing of the Census.

Finally, Mike and Kristin wrap up with a discussion of some personnel changes and issues coming out of the White House, including White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her departure, as well as issues surrounding Top Aide Kellyanne Conway’s violations of the Hatch Act.

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Impeachment and 2020 Jun 08, 2019

Will and Alexandra begin today’s show by discussing the state of impeachment talks. Will argues that impeachment at this moment would do nothing by divide Democrats and solidify Trump support. With the DCC publicly split already, it would just draw focus off of 2020 and risk alienating potential moderate voters. Alexandra, on the other hand, has shifted her views since the Barr performance and lack of willingness of Trump to cooperate. While she believes winning in 2020 is crucial for Democrats, she believes this is about protecting institutions and democracy more largely.

Next, they turn to a general discussion of the 2020 election. Will continues to argue that 20 candidates in a debate is going to fracture the party more than help. Moreover, he points to the potential for donor fatigue based on debate performances and the general election. The September debates will produce more substance and nuance, but what damage will occur before then? Alexandra points to concerns about Democrats only participating when they are energized by a candidate and the impact octogenarian candidates may have here. She draws out comparisons between current female candidates and the flaws of Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Perhaps most importantly, she points out that the presence of Bernie Sanders on stage—who she identifies as not being a Democrat—as damaging the ability for other candidates to shine.

Lastly, Alexandra and Will discuss topics of interest this week. Will chooses to discuss regulation and sport. After yet another small child was hit by a foul ball at a baseball game, there are increasing calls for enhanced safety measures. Will understands the wish to regulate for the name of safety but also posits that parents have a role to play here when deciding to sit with small children. Alexandra shared about her research describes a lot of what is occurring in American politics before our eyes today by focusing on how dissent against leaders by group members is viewed—both by leaders and those who dissent. This is relevant for framing discussions within both the Republican and Democratic parties today.

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Trump Goes to Europe, Jobs Report, Mexican Tariffs, and ICE Jun 08, 2019

Will and Alexandra begin by discussing President Trump’s trip this week to Europe. While Will believes the trip got off to a rocky start thanks to the tweets directed at Mayor Kahn, he also argues that the Normandy Address was the highlight of Trump’s presidency thus far. Alexandra posits that there were a number of concerns about the trip, including the inclusion of Trump’s extended family on the trip. The conversation ends with a detailed conversation about media coverage and perceptions of individual reality.

Next, they turn to discuss the recently released job report, which failed to meet expectations of the administration. Alexandra points to concerns about how quick the Fed can (or is wiling to) move. More importantly, she feels the unemployment numbers are not the best evidence of how well society is doing because of the type of jobs that are available. Will believes the Fed will drop interest rates quite soon to help make up the gap but also points to stable unemployment and overall healthy economy continuing to buoy the Trump Presidency. Yet, a slowing economy will need to be addressed.

For the next topic, Alexandra and Will talk about Trump’s Mexican tariff threats. Will believes Trump needs to ensure support of his base before moving unilaterally. Will the average Midwestern voter sacrifice from their own income to limit immigration at our Southern border? Maybe more importantly, can he handle detractors within his own party over this issue? Alexandra points to the brokered deal not likely leading to success. Moreover, she posits that the initial tariff threat could have led to a complete destabilization of the Mexican government and economy, leading to more efforts for individuals to enter to the United States.

Lastly, they turn to a discussion of recent ICE actions and the decision to cut educational opportunities and legal aid for children in custody without parents. While budget was cited as the main cause, there are plenty of political arguments. Alexandra finds the actions to be illegal despite pleasing Trump’s base and supporters. Will argues that we technically owe nothing to these individuals beyond stated rights, he recognizes there is no benefit to not helping children in these situations. Both agree that depriving children of basic emotional stability has long-term consequences.

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Israel, Electoral Strategies, "Freedom molecules," Presidential Crimes, Presidential Power, Political Moderates Jun 05, 2019

Trey and Ken take on listen questions in this midweek episode. First the pair answer a question on why liberals seemingly support Israel. Second they weigh in on if the Democrats have a successful electoral strategy to create a new “blue wall.” Third they address a question on the changes in climate change language coming from the White House. Specifically what they think of the term “freedom molecules.” Fourth they explore a listen question on if and why presidents cannot be charged with a crime. Is it policy or is it a constitutional reason? Fifth, how much power does the president really have? Specifically, how much economic power? Finally, is it possible to give moderates more power in American political parties?

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Mueller Statement, Mexican tariffs, Abortion, Debate Thresholds Jun 01, 2019

This week Trey & Ken start the show by analyzing Robert Mueller’s brief statement to the press. Specifically they address why Mueller spoke and why there were no charges brought. They also parse his words on the question of crimes and the lack of support he offered to Barr. Trey thinks that Mueller has opened a greater possibility of impeachment proceedings.

Next is a discussion of Mexico tariffs over immigration. Trey hypothesizes the timing of this conversation is directly related to Mueller’s statement. Ken largely agrees. On the policy side they discuss the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which is the supposed basis for President Trump’s tariffs. Ken sees there being no emergency and therefore not valid, Trey wonders if the act would even apply to a mechanism such as tariffs.

After that it is to the newest abortion restrictions coming from Louisiana. Both agree that one of the unique aspects of this week’s potential restrictions are they originate from Democrats and was signed by a Democratic governor. Trey wonders if this doesn’t point to a larger set of schisms while Ken sees it as regional politics as usual.

Finally, Trey & Ken discuss the new DNC debate thresholds. While some are arguing this makes the Democratic Party a filtering device Ken and Trey argue that is precisely what political parties were designed to do. Trey takes aim at the progressive and populist tendencies that have put too much power into the wrong hands, despite good intentions. Trey sees both the rise of punditry and the decline of parties as bad unintended outcomes to progressive initiatives to end backroom deals.

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I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland on How to Have Grace-Filled Political Conversations May 29, 2019

Mike talks with Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland, hosts of the Pantsuit Politics podcast about their new book, I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): a Guide To Grace-Filled Political Conversations.

In this conversation, Mike, Sarah, and Beth discuss:

why they became political podcasters
the role of faith in political discussion
‘taking off your jersey’ before talking politics
why the left and the right often view politics as more important than it is, and how that makes productive dialog more difficult
how to have grace-filled political conversations
cultivating a sense of curiosity
‘embracing the paradox’
partisan echo chambers
and lots more!

follow Pantsuit Politics on Twitter

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Trump Investigations, Iran Tensions, Health Care Conscience Rule, Tobacco Legislation May 25, 2019

Mike & Jay open the show with a look at the latest development in the various investigations and requests for information surrounding President Trump. They agree that while the president’s legal strategy isn’t the strongest, his political strategy - delaying until after the 2020 election and goading the Democrats into impeachment - is a smart one. They also discuss New York’s recently passed law that would allow Congress to receive President Trump’s state tax information.

Next is a discussion of the recent tensions with Iran. Mike points out that this all stems from the Trump administration pulling out of the multilateral Iran nuclear agreement under the assumption that they could get a better deal by squeezing Iran’s economy. Jay largely agrees with the strategy and while Mike understands it, he wonders how successful sanctions are likely to be given our decided lack of success in over half a century of sanctions against Cuba and North Korea.

After that, the Guys talk about the health care conscience rule, which allows providers, insurers, and employers to refuse to provide or pay for health services that violate their religious or moral beliefs. 20 states are suing the administration over this rule, and Mike believes they have a good point, in that it’s likely to result in discrimination against certain groups, especially in underserved rural areas. Jay is more sympathetic to the new rule and feels that if there’s a legitimate need for certain services, the market will find a way to provide it.

Finally, Mike & Jay discuss the ‘Tobacco Free Youth Act’ introduced by tobacco-state Senators Mitch McConnell and Tim Kaine. Mike sees it as a positive step, but not that big of one, arguing that the real fear for the tobacco industry is a ban on flavors, which might hurt the growth of their youth market. Jay’s uncomfortable with the raised restriction, feeling that people can make an informed choice about whether or not to use tobacco. It’s not an argument Mike really buys, given the addictive nature of tobacco - he’d like to see the U.S. move to a total ban of tobacco products over time.

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Matt Grossmann on How Policy Change Happens May 22, 2019

Mike talks with political scientist Matt Grossmann, Director of Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, about his book Artists of the Possible: Governing Networks and American Policy Change Since 1945.

Topics Mike & Matt discuss include:

how much of a role the public has in policy change
the flaws in our standard notions of how policy change happens
how Matt examined every major policy change from 1945 - 2004
why policy favors the status quo - and liberal interests
President Trump as a policymaker
and lots more

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US v China, Overturning Roe, Apple Lawsuit, Trump’s Immigration Plan May 18, 2019

Mike & Jay start this week’s show by talking about the escalating tensions between the United States and China. Mike actually agrees with President Trump that China may pose a significant security threat and that the time to act is now. But Mike feels that the US can’t act unilaterally and hope to succeed. Jay, as a committed free-trader, views trade wars as ultimately self-defeating and believes that President Trump will end up making a deal with China.

Next is a discussion of the recent anti-abortion law in Alabama, which was expressly designed to provide the Supreme Court an opportunity to overturn Roe v Wade. Mike believes that the Court largely got it right in Roe, while Jay sees the decision as judicial overreach. Neither of them think that the current court is likely to overturn Roe, though if President Trump gets any more appointments , that could change.

Following that is a look at the Supreme Court’s decision allowing a major class-action lawsuit against Apple to go forward. Both Mike and Jay believe the five justices in the majority made the right call, though Jay felt that the dissenters also made some strong points. Mike thinks that, regardless of the decision on the merits, the Court allowing this suit to go forward could cause Apple and other tech giants to act less anti-competitively, for fear of future legal action.

The show closes with a discussion of President Trump’s new immigration plan, which calls for a shift from a largely family ties based system to one focused on education and job skills. Mike thinks it’s a reasonable idea, but only if the overall permanent residency caps are significantly boosted, which would make it something that at least some Democrats could support. Jay is less sanguine about the possibility of any deal, but he agrees that there’s a strong case to be made for more legal immigration.

Senate Republican Policy Committee paper on the Trans Pacific Partnership

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Trump Approval, 2020, and Party Leadership May 15, 2019

Will and Alexandra open the show discussing Trump’s current approval numbers and potential reasons they have reached a high during his administration. They then discuss the state of the Democratic field for 2020 and how the number of candidates could impact the electability of the eventual nominee. Next, they discuss Alexandra’s research on in-group control and leadership and how it relates to the modern political narrative. They end with listener questions on Trump’s foreign policy legacy and the future of Spygate investigations.

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Struggle for Power, Subpoenas, Taxes, China, and Iran May 11, 2019

Will and Alexandra open the show discussing the contempt charges brought against Attorney General Barr and it's possible impact. Will argues this is little more than political theater while Alexandra points to the parallels and differences between this and when Republicans found Eric Holder in contempt during the Obama Administration. Both believe the struggle for power between Congress and the President is far from over with Will especially noting how John Roberts must feel watching this while trying to ensure his Court remains politically neutral. They also discuss the subpoena of Donald Trump Jr. by the Senaste Intelligence Committee, chaired by Republican Richard Burr and whether it signals more than just a simple subpoena.

Next, they turn to a discussion of Trump's taxes and efforts in California and Illinois to keep candidates off the ballot who don't publicly release tax records. Alexandra notes how the numbers released this week show that Trump has been a failed businessman while Will counters that his supporters never chose him for his buisness acumen. Both believe there's nothing inherently wrong with sharing tax records, but that there is a question of privacy expectations to be considered. Will strongly notes that Republicans likely could care less about being on the ballot in Democratic states. He does point out possible down-ballot concerns, though. Alexandra, on the other hand, points to the impact if states opt to award their Electoral votes to nation-wide winners. This could change the Republican response.

Will and Alexandra then turn to discussing the economic showdown between the United States and China. Alexandra points to the deep impact tariffs can have on American citizens--especially those with less spending power today. Will points to the disconnect between IP concerns and increased costs of goods, which seems to be the point we have reached. Both believe this will have an impact on the Democratic primaries and 2020 in general--especially for Republican Senators facing re-elections who must navigate between Trump support and their constituents' economic needs.

Lastly, Will and Alexandra discuss recent actions toward Iran. Will argues that while Iran is a concern that Alexandra is right in asserting they are not an immediate threat. Moreover, Will questions why North Korea is treated differently than Iran given who has ready nuclear weapons and who doesn't in the relationship. Alexandra worries about the regional impact of our actions and the general tendency of the Trump Administration to bounce from threat to theat without much explained reason. Both Will and Alexandra point to concerns about broader strategy and implications.

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Electability, Net Neutrality, Homelessness, Obama Spying Scandal, Impeachment, Candidate Transparency May 08, 2019

In this episode, Mike & Jay respond to listener questions on:

‘electability’ vs highlighting differences with Trump
why Mike thinks Jay’s view of Net Neutrality is outdated
funding for cathedrals vs. funding to fight homelessness
possible indictments in the Obama spying scandal
if impeachment talk is bad for the country
what information presidential candidates should have to release

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Barr Testimony, Immigration, Venezuela, Trump Sues Banks May 04, 2019

Mike & Jay open the show by talking about Attorney General William Barr’s testimony before the Senate and his refusal to testify before the House. Mike says that although he initially gave Barr the benefit of the doubt, it’s now clear that Barr is more interested in carrying water for the president than serving as an impartial arbiter of the law. Jay disagrees, feeling that Barr has been forthcoming with Democrats, who he believes are subjecting Barr to scrutiny for strictly political gain.

Next is a look at the Trump administration’s recent request for $4.5 billion dollars in emergency immigration funding as well as administration proposals to charge fees to asylum seekers and deny them work permits. Mike argues that while emergency funding is needed, it should be focused on hiring more immigration judges. Both Mike and Jay agree that there are potential problems with denying asylum seekers in the country work permits, and that if a fee is charged to asylum seekers, there should be a waiver process in place to ensure that those in clear danger are not prevented from seeking asylum.

After that is a discussion of the crisis in Venezuela, after the failure of opposition leader Juan Guaido’s attempt to oust President Nicolas Maduro (who many people, including Jay and Mike, see as illegitimate). Mike is very wary of US military involvement given the sad history of the United States in Central and South America, while Jay counters that it’s important to keep the military option on the table as well as to respond if the Russians or Cubans stage a significant military intervention of their own.

The show closes with an analysis of the Trump Organization’s lawsuits against several banks to prevent them from turning over Trump’s financial documents to Congress. Mike says that the law on this is clear - Congress has the right to these documents - but that the Trump strategy is to delay until after the 2020 elections. Jay doesn’t disagree, but feels that Congress’ legitimate investigatory authority might be somewhat more limited than Mike views it as being.

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Tackling Homelessness, Civility as Oppression, Convicting Trump, Rising Education Costs May 01, 2019

In this episode, Trey & Ken answer listener questions on why presidential candidates aren’t tackling homelessness, whether civility is actually oppression, if Trump could be convicted if impeached, and the causes of the rising costs of higher education.

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To Impeach or Not to Impeach, That is the Question, IRS deadlines, the Aftermath of the Mueller Report, Joe Biden in 2020 Apr 27, 2019

Trey & Ken start the show with a big question facing the House Democrats and the Democratic primary field: to impeach or not to impeach? Ken suggests that impeachment should begin and ongoing house committees ought to transition to that role. Trey thinks impeachment is, effectively, a dead portion of the Constitution and has no hope of contemporary use.

The conversation leads the hosts to talking about the political strategies that President Trump has employed in the aftermath of the Mueller report, specifically stonewalling Congress. This leads Trey and Ken to discuss the wider relationship between the President and Congress. Trey, using prominent political science research, suggests that Presidential power has long grown and that Congress has no desire to truly check the Presidency, even if a particular Congress may give lip service to checking a particular President. Ken believes that Congress has maintained powerful oversight and can use that power over Trump.

Next Trey and Ken turn to recently missed IRS deadline. The Treasury Secretary continues to push back the date of releasing Trump’s tax returns and both hosts agree that the Trump administration is hoping to run out the clock.

Finally, Trey and Ken talk Joe Biden entering the 2020 primary contest and the larger implications this has on the 2020 field. Ken thinks Biden will have a harder time explaining his long record to a more progressive Democratic Party. Trey thinks Biden’s centrism offers the possibility of a real challenge to Trump.

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Trump vs Omar, Holding Media Accountable, Capitalism & Regulation, Trump’s Second Term Apr 24, 2019

Kristin & Mike respond to listener questions on the feud between President Trump and Rep. Ilhan Omar, how we can hold media accountable, Kristin’s view on the proper role of regulation in a capitalist economy, and what they think a second term for Donald Trump might look like.

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Mueller Report, Trump’s Yemen Veto, Barr Limits Bail for Asylum Seekers Apr 20, 2019

Kristin and Mike open the show with the story that’s consumed the media - the release of the redacted Mueller Report. They discuss ‘collusion’, obstruction, Attorney General William Barr spinning the report pre-release, and the pros and cons of starting impeachment proceedings. They also talk about Trey’s ‘big picture’ view - that presidents are too powerful and the office of the presidency itself is broken.

Next, they discuss President Trump’s second veto, over the congressional resolution to stop assisting the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces in that country’s civil war. Mike sees it as a small positive sign, though he wishes that Congress would be more assertive when it comes to taking what he views as its rightful place in matters of war. Kristin points out that there’s more than a little gray area here, which Mike feels could be clarified if something like the War Powers Resolution were made into a constitutional amendment (not that that’s happening any time soon).

The show closes with a look at AG Barr’s announcement that some asylum seekers would be denied the opportunity to post bail. The decision, while only applying to those travelling without children and entering at non-authorized entry points, could affect thousands of asylum seekers. Mike thinks that if the administration were serious about solving this problem, they’d make it much harder for businesses to hire undocumented workers by mandating E-verify and cracking down on businesses employing undocumented workers, a position Kristin thinks is reasonable. Further, Mike argues that instead of cutting aid to Central American countries, as the Trump administration has been doing, the U.S. should be dramatically increasing it. Kristin isn’t a fan of that, arguing that government money may be poorly targeted and ill-spent and that it would be far better to encourage NGOs to assist struggling Central American countries.

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Chick-Fil-A, Trump’s Taxes, Democratic Fundraising, Podcast Politics Apr 17, 2019

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of recent controversies surrounding Chick-Fil-A. Mike believes that decisions to not allow the chicken chain into certain venues are based on the company’s support for anti-gay discrimination and its own internal anti-gay policies. Jay, on the other hand, sees this as an attack on religious belief.

Next is a look at the standoff between the Treasury Department and the House Ways and Means Committee concerning Donald Trump’s income taxes. Mike and Jay both think that the law requires Treasury to hand over the president’s returns and that eventually that will happen. Mike believes that this is important for policy reasons, as there may well be some significant conflicts of interest that could be identified through an examination of Trump’s returns. But politically both Guys see it as a potential loss for Democrats, no matter what the returns might contain.

After that, Mike and Jay review the first quarter Democratic presidential candidate fundraising totals. Mike was surprised at how far in front Bernie Sanders was, and also by the strong showing of Pete Buttigieg. Jay thinks that Elizabeth Warren’s weak showing is most likely a result of her decision to eschew big-donor fundraising events. Jay also points out that we shouldn’t make too much of these numbers, as in every presidential primary there are flashes in the pan who start strong but fade fast.

Finally, Mike talks about some findings from his research on ideology, bipartisanship, and demographic representation in the political podcast world.

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DHS Shakeup, Barr Before Congress, Net Neutrality, Assange Arrested Apr 13, 2019

Mike & Jay open the show with a look at the leadership shakeup at the Department of Homeland Security. Mike argues that the problem isn’t insufficiently tough leadership, but rather that President Trump wants to do things he can’t legally do. (Like keep asylum seekers in Mexico, which a federal judge recently said wasn’t permissible.) Jay largely agrees, but points out that the president’s hands are somewhat tied by Democrats in Congress who aren’t interested in negotiating a broader deal on immigration. Mike doesn’t quite buy that, arguing that Trump hasn’t even tried to negotiate in good faith.

Next is discussion of Attorney General William Barr’s testimony before Congress. After talking about why certain parts of the Mueller report might legitimately need to be redacted, the Guys discuss Barr’s claim that the government spied on the Trump campaign. Both Mike and Jay agree that this of course happened, and that the only question - as Barr himself pointed out - is whether that surveillance was fully justified under the law. They both see this as very serious and entirely worthy of a fair and full investigation.

After that Mike & Jay discuss a House measure that would reinstate net neutrality after the Trump FCC rescinded it. Jay says that net neutrality is a solution in search of a problem and that there’s no need to regulate and potentially hinder the growth of the Internet. Mike says that enshrining net neutrality in law is a smart preemptive measure that will keep service providers from acting in ways that will stifle competition.

Finally, Mike & Jay talk about the arrest and potential extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. They agree that Assange should be extradited and that while he may at times be a journalist, he has repeatedly acted in a dangerous and wildly irresponsible way, putting countless lives at risk.

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Brian Smentkowski on Myths Stemming from our Misunderstanding of the Bill of Rights Apr 10, 2019

Will talks with political scientist Brian Smentkowski, an Associate Professor at the University of Idaho. He’s the co-author of Misreading the Bill of Rights: Top Ten Myths Concerning Your Rights and Liberties with Craig Freeman and Kirby Goidel.

Topics Will & Brian discuss include:

The top myths Americans hold regarding the Bill of Rights
Whether a Bill of Rights is necessary for democracy
Our changing understanding of religion in the United States
America’s paradoxical view of security
How a free press and an informed citizenry impacts democracy
The differences between punishment and torture

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Mueller, Joe's Woes, and the Role of Government Apr 06, 2019

Will is joined by a new co-host, Brian Smentkowski, a political scientist from the University of Idaho. They begin the show by discussing the current status of the Mueller Report and Democratic efforts to get President Trump’s tax returns released. Will sees little value with releasing the report in full while Brian argues that if nothing else it is symbolically necessary. Both agree, however, that the report will be twisted to fit partisan desires. Regarding income tax returns, both note how tradition is guiding discussions more than law at present.

Next, they turn to discussing the harassment allegations raised against potential presidential nominee Joe Biden. While Will argues that Biden is from a different era and seems genuinely unsure of what he’s done wrong without being malicious, Brian argues there’s nothing funny about the allegations and when combined with Biden’s past could raise red flags for some voters. Will ties the conversation back to whether the average Democratic voter would risk a Biden nomination (and polling that suggests he’s the best chance against Trump in 2020) over the current allegations or not. They then turn to discuss the current field and Tim Ryan’s decision to irrelevantly enter the race. Both find Mayor Peter to be an interesting case study.

Lastly, the Guys talk about three recent example of government intervention and regulation. First, they look at the focus on self-regulating industries brought to light by the FAA and Boeing’s Super Max debacle. Brian argues that self-regulation can work, but it comes with definite risks while Will worries about the cost-benefit of government becoming too involved. Both Will and Brian share concerns over New York City’s current proposal for a consumption tax to relieve traffic concerns south of Central Park. Brian isn’t sure there will be any impact while Will believes money should be spent on better public transportation to influence ridership. Lastly, both Will and Brian lament the upcoming statewide ban on plastic bags in the state of New York, albeit for very different reasons.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Medicare For All, Trump’s Obstruction, Mike & Jay’s Apostasies, Mayor Pete, Israel, Bernie, Gerrymandering, Trusting The Media Apr 03, 2019

In this listener mail episode, Mike and Jay respond to the following listener questions:

Will employers pocket insurance premium money they’d potentially save under a Medicare For All system?
Why might Trump have wanted to obstruct justice, even if he wasn’t working with the Russians?
Where do Mike and Jay differ from their parties?
What do Mike and Jay think about Pete Buttigeig?
Why do so many Democrats seem to be anti-Israel?
Will gerrymandering get worse after the 2020 Census?
How can we trust a media that first told us that Trump was working with the Russians and is now disappointed that he wasn’t working with the Russians?

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Mueller Investigation,Trump and Obamacare, Medicaid Work Requirements Mar 30, 2019

Jay and Mike open the show with a discussion of what we currently know about the recently ended Mueller investigation. Jay says there was ‘no collusion’ while Mike points out that there was ‘not enough evidence to prove collusion’ which he sees as an important distinction. They also discuss why Mueller refrained from making a determination about obstruction of justice and what’s next for Democrats intent on continuing their investigations into President Trump.

After that is a look at the administration’s recent change of position on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Previously, they stated that while the individual mandate was unconstitutional, the rest of the law could stand (not that they were enthusiastic about it). This change of position seems to be both constitutionally questionable and a potential political problem for Congressional Republicans. However, viewed in light of what’s good for President Trump, Jay believes the change of position may make good political sense.

Finally, the Guys discuss a federal judge halting Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas and Kentucky. Mike argues that the administration overstepped when it granted the work requirements waivers which he believes amounted to the executive branch rewriting a law it didn’t like. Jay counters that work requirements are related to health outcomes, and that the programs should be allowed to continue.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Brexit and the Electoral College Mar 27, 2019

Trey & Ken start the show this week breaking from the normal format and discussing a topic that does not cover “American politics and policy” directly. Instead the pair discuss Brexit. After talking about the complex potential outcomes of Brexit and the looming hard deadline the pair turn to discus the idea of nationalism more broadly.

Trey begins by suggesting nationalism is the underlying cause of Brexit. Ken sees nationalism as inherently racist. Trey, a supporter of open borders at home, cautions that nationalism is a more important variable than he has given credit to. He sees a credible argument against his own position for open borders and wonders if the two of them have not missed reasonable pushback.

Trey & Ken close the episode with a listener question. The question concerns what would happen to American presidential elections if electoral college votes were given out on the basis of proportional representation instead of winner take all. Both Trey & Ken have slightly different views but agree that any of these changes depend on how much you value democratic majoritarianism vs. republicanism’s fear of majorities.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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DC vs. Donald Trump, Free Speech on College Campuses, Economics and Elections, The Democratic Primary Field Mar 23, 2019

Trey & Ken start the show by discussing the novel constitutional law case: District of Columbia v. Donald J. Trump. The question in the case concerns an antiquated word, emolument, found in only three places in the constitution. The question pivots on if foreign and domestic entities are involving themselves with Trump properties to get a better reception from President Trump. Ken thinks the case is relatively straightforward, but Trey wonders if the Supreme Court would want to involve itself in a potentially ignorable decision.

After that, they talk about President Trump’s executive order concerning free speech on college campus. Trey & Ken learn they are both supporters and members of the same free speech organization and are happy with the principles laid out in the order. The order itself, however, seems to do nothing that isn’t already taking place on college campuses. Trey suggests it is more of a position stance than a policy stance.

Then it’s time to discuss the economy. Recent economic conditions are showing a deeply healthy economy. The only cloud being the ballooning federal deficit. Trey & Ken have a bit of disagreement over the causes of this good news. Then the two discuss the economic models that suggest that President Trump would easily win reelection in this climate. Trey & Ken talk political vs. economic forecast models and debate the extent to which minimum wage increases explain weekly worker wage growth.

Trey & Ken close the show by talking about the robust Democratic primary field. Ken discusses his top three candidates while Trey ponders if Booker has not been given his due. Trey thinks Democrats have a tougher general election regardless of the winner given the current economic conditions and Ken is worried his predictions are too early to matter.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Anti-Trump Conspiracy, Online Media, Late-Term Abortions, Is Mike Naive on Immigration? Mar 20, 2019

In this listener response episode, Mike and Kristin address these listener questions:

In the light of recently released testimony, can we conclude that elements in the intelligence community worked to sabotage Donald Trump?
Is online media transparent enough about changing stories?
Is opposition to the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act tantamount to support for infanticide?
Is Mike being naive about border security?

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Trump Vetoes ‘No Emergency’ Resolution, Boeing & the FAA, Trump’s Budget, Beto’s In, College Admissions Scandal Mar 16, 2019

Mike & Kristin start the show by discussing the Senate’s vote to rescind the national emergency declared by President Trump, and Trump’s veto of the Congressional resolution. They agree that there’s little chance the veto will be overridden, but it’s still likely to be a long time before any more walls get built given all the legal hurdles the administration will have to overcome.

After that, they talk about why the U.S. trailed the rest of the world in grounding the Boeing 737 Max 8 in the wake of the Ethiopian Airlines crash. Mike thinks it may have something to do with Boeing’s political clout in the U.S., which Kristin also sees as a factor. Kristin says that we should be at least somewhat concerned that the world took its cue from China as opposed to the U.S. and that we may need to more carefully consider commercial aircraft regulation.

Then it’s a look at President Trump’s 2020 budget. Like almost all presidential budgets, it’s largely dead on arrival but even so it gives us a sense of what the administration’s priorities are - in this case defense and walls. Kristin argues that this makes sense - President Trump is looking toward 2020 and wants to keep his base supportive and engaged. Mike points out the chicanery the administration engaged in to boost the defense budget and laments what he sees as incredible fiscal irresponsibility of ‘tax cut & borrow’ Republicans.

Next, Mike & Kristin talk about Beto O’Rourke’s entry into the crowded Democratic presidential hopeful field. Kristin doesn’t think much of O’Rourke, but Mike likes his more moderate stances, at least compared to a number of other prominent Democratic candidates. But he thinks O’Rourke isn’t experienced enough and favors former governors like Colorado’s John Hickenlooper.

They close the show by talking about the college admissions scandal. Mike makes the point that this, while troubling, is much less of a problem than the larger system of legal privilege that gives kids from wealthy families a leg up in the admissions process. Kristin agrees, and both Mike & Kristin feel that there need to be some fairly fundamental changes to our education system (which may be the topic of a special policy show they hope to do at some point in the future).

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Mark Godsey on The Innocence Project and Blind Injustice Mar 13, 2019

Mike talks to Mark Godsey, a former federal prosecutor who's currently a professor of law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Professor Godsey is the co-founder and director of the Ohio Innocence Project, which is one of the most active and successful Innocence Projects in the country. He's also the author of Blind Injustice: A Former Prosecutor Exposes the Psychology and Politics of Wrongful Convictions.

Topics Mike & Mark discuss include:

the scope of the wrongful convictions problem
the prosecutorial mindset and wrongful convictions
main reasons for wrongful convictions
how Innocence Projects work to free the wrongfully convicted
making it easier to free the wrongfully convicted
how to decrease wrongful convictions

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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For The People Act, Ilhan Omar & Anti-Semitism, New Trump Investigations, Manafort Sentencing Mar 09, 2019

Mike and Jay start the show by discussing H.R. 1, the ‘For The People Act’ recently passed by House Democrats. Mike thinks it’s a great start toward fixing some of the basic flaws in our representative system. ALthough Jay agrees with Mitch McConnell about the horribleness of the bill, Mike and Jay do find some common ground, both for and against elements of the legislation.

Next, they get into the remarks made by Rep. Ilhan Omar and the resulting House resolution against anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim speech. Mike feels that Omar’s comment was taken out of context and that she makes some important points about how we often label those who question U.S. policy toward Israel. Jay argues that while Omar may not be an anti-Semite, she has a record of previous remarks and she surely knew that the words she used were unnecessarily inflammatory.

After that, the Guys talk about the latest Trump investigations. Mike believes that the House is casting a broad net because there’s so much corruption in the Trump administration to investigate, whereas Jay - while not denying ethical issues in the administration - feels it’s more of a partisan fishing expedition.

Finally, Mike & Jay discuss the sentencing of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mike believes that Judge T. S. Ellis may have let his personal bias influence both his conduct toward the prosecution during the trial as well as his sentence of Manafort. Jay’s no fan of judicial bias, but he doesn’t see the Ellis’ sentence as being an abuse of discretion.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Matthew Pressman on the Liberal Values That Shaped the News Mar 06, 2019

Mike talks with media expert Matthew Pressman, an Assistant Professor of Journalism at Seton Hall University. Prior to earning his doctorate in history, Dr. Pressman worked for eight years at Vanity Fair, where his articles about the news media won the 2010 Mirror Award for Best Commentary (digital media). He's the author of On Press: The Liberal Values That Shaped the News.

Topics Mike & Matt discuss include:

the shift from ‘straight news’ to interpretation
the meaning of objectivity in the news
how commercial pressures shape news coverage
the inherent conservative bias of pre-1960s news media
the conservative critique of ‘liberal media’
racism and sexism in newsrooms and news coverage
the rise of the reader-oriented newspaper
the media’s response to Donald Trump
if today’s media is better than the pre 1960s media

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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House vs Trump on Emergency, Trump Walks on Kim, Medicare for All, Big Pharma, Cohen Testimony Mar 02, 2019

Mike and Jay start the show with a discussion of what’s next now that the House has voted to rescind President Trump’s national emergency declaration. They agree that there won’t be the votes to override the inevitable presidential veto, but given the various constitutional uncertainties, a lot has to go right (or wrong, depending on your view) before any wall-building happens.

Next is a look at the summit between President Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. Mike and Jay both believe that Trump was right to walk away without a deal, though Mike disagrees with President Trump’s habit of what he sees as foolish agreement with dictators who deny knowledge of human rights abuses.

After that it’s the House Democrats ‘Medicare for All’ plan. Jay thinks it’s an awful idea for all sorts of reasons, and while Mike agrees with the goal of a single-payer system, he thinks that this plan tries to do too much too quickly. On a semi-related note, the Guys discuss the Senate testimony of pharmaceutical executives this week. They both think that the drug pricing system in the United States is a big mess, but Jay’s much more inclined to trust market mechanisms to sort things out than Mike is.

The show closes with former Trump fixer Michael Cohen’s testimony to Congress. Neither Mike nor Jay was surprised by what Cohen said, and they don’t see anything approaching a ‘smoking gun’ in his testimony. About the only thing that that’s absolutely clear is that Donald Trump has surrounded himself with some awfully sleazy characters.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Timbs v. Indiana and the ISIS Ambassador Bride Feb 27, 2019

This week Trey is joined by Ken and they continue examining questions of constitutional significance. First, Trey reviews the history of incorporation before asking Ken to discuss the implications of the history-making Timbs v Indiana, where the Supreme Court incorporated the excessive fines prohibition of the Eighth Amendment.

Next, Trey turns to the question of citizenship and the pending case of Hoda Muthana. Hoda, a woman who joined ISIS and now wants to return to the U.S.. The case allows Trey and Ken to talk about birthright citizenship, the politics of the right of return, and more generally citizenship and treason.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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National emergencies, presidential power, Andrew McCabe and the 25th Amendment Feb 23, 2019

On this week’s episode of The Politics Guys Trey Orndorff is joined by Ken Katkin. The two get into the constitutional and legal details surrounding national emergencies. Specifically the two discuss what constitutes a national emergency and the National Emergencies Act of 1976. Further the look at the historic context of presidential power in times of emergency and the way the Supreme Court has upheld, or struck down, presidential power. After an extended discussion Trey turns to the issue of Andrew McCabe and the two discuss both the constitutional question of the 25th amendment — including historical reasoning — and the pragmatical political outcome McCabe hoped to achieve.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguysor politicsguys.com/support.

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Things to Like About Trump, Is AOC The Democrats’ Trump? Feb 20, 2019

Kristin, who voted for Donald Trump, talks about the three main things she likes about the president. The first is that he’s brought the issue of media bias to the forefront. Mike agrees, but thinks that President Trump has done far more damage by constantly lying and by working to delegitimize any media that criticizes him, rather than engaging with the media based on substance.

The second thing Kristin likes about Trump is that’s he’s moved away from several Obama-era foreign policy decisions she sees as misguided; namely the Iran nuclear deal and diplomatically isolating North Korea. Mike believes that the Iran deal was actually the right move, and that given the state of North Korea’s nuclear development almost any president would have ended up talking to them, though he agrees that Trump deserves at least some credit for opening up talks.

Kristin’s final Trump positive is that he’s appointed ‘originalist’ Supreme Court justices, something very important to conservatives. Mike doesn’t believe originalism is anything more than a cover for conservative rulings and doesn’t see much differences between Trump’s judicial appointments and those of any other modern GOP president - aside from Trump having appointed two Justices with expansive views of executive power, which Mike finds understandable and worrying.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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National Emergency(?), Public Lands Bill, Amazon Cancels NY HQ2 Feb 16, 2019

Mike and Kristin open this week’s show with President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency in order to fund border wall construction. Mike argues that there’s no real emergency in the first place, though Kristin doesn’t quite agree. They go on to consider whether or not the president’s declaration will hold up in court (probably) and if he’ll then have the legal authority to build a wall (maybe not). Mike and Kristin agree that Trump did this not necessarily because he cares about a wall, but because he wants to keep his base happy - a strategy Mike thinks might end up working to Democrats’ advantage in 2020.

Next is a look at a major public lands bill that passed the Senate with a huge bipartisan majority and is set to sail through the House and be signed into law by President Trump, who’s signaled his approval. How did it happen? Largely because there was something for everyone in the bill. Mike says we could have more positive-sum outcomes like this if Congress brought back earmarks, which were banned in 2011. Kristin is concerned about both waste, and the potential for corruption from earmarks, but agrees that they’re a very useful legislative lubricant.

Finally, Mike and Kristin discuss Amazon’s decision to not build a second HQ in Long Island City, New York after pressure from area activists. Mike sees this as a good thing, argues that Amazon should have engaged with the community from the beginning, and claims that the entire HQ2 competition exemplifies the disaster of ‘race to the bottom’ corporate giveaways by state and local governments. Kristin feels that Amazon’s decision is a loss to New York, in that the tax subsidies would have more than been made up for in long-term economic growth.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Venezuela, 2020, and Anarco-Communism Feb 13, 2019

Will and Zach discuss Venezuela, the candidates in 2020, and answer listener questions about Zach's ideology.

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State of the Union, Green New Deal, State of Virginia, Abortion Stay, and Trump Investigation Updates Feb 09, 2019

In this show, Will & Zach discuss:

their opinions of the State of the Union Address
perceptions of AOC's Green New Deal
scandals in Virginia
the Supreme Court stay on Louisiana's abortion law
current happenings around the Trump investigation

If you haven’t take the short (two-question) Politics Guys Listener Survey, please do. It will really help us out!

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News Recommendations, Privacy Legislation, Experience as a Handicap, Demographic Representation, Cohen’s Ethics, Politics Guys Bingo Feb 06, 2019

In this listener comment show, Mike & Jay discuss:

their recommendations for daily news updates
pros and cons of privacy legislation
if experience hurts presidential candidates
basing representation on demographics, not geography
Michael Cohen and legal ethics
a ‘Politics Guys Bingo’ game

If you haven’t take the short (two-question) Politics Guys Listener Survey, please do. It will really help us out!

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Building a Wall, Trump vs. Intel Chiefs, INF Treaty Withdrawal, Afghanistan Pullout, Pressing Maduro in Venezuela Feb 02, 2019

This week, Jay takes charge of the show, starting things off with a discussion of the ongoing budget negotiations and President Trump’s authority to declare a national emergency and use the military to build a wall.

Next is a look at President Trump’s seeming disagreement with his intelligence agency chiefs about the greatest threats to the United States. Jay points out that Trump shouldn’t have bought into the media’s sensationalist rendition of events and that, as usual, Trump tweeted precipitously. Mike says that we should focus on the substantive point made by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats: Russian and China are the main threats, and at present they’re working more closely together than they have been at any point since the 1950s.

Then they move to the INF Treaty, which the Trump Administration announced the U.S. would be withdrawing from, citing persistent and blatant Russian non-compliance. While Jay is sorry to see the INF Treaty go (he wrote a killer paper on it back in his college days), he and Mike believe that at some point the U.S. has to call Russia to account for its actions in violation of the treaty.

After that, the Guys discuss the potential withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. They agree that this would essentially give the Taliban a victory and make the world less safe. Mike mentions that he’s largely abandoned his former ‘go big or go home’ approach to U.S. military presence abroad, recognizing that we may have to keep small but significant forces in many places around the world on a permanent basis.

The show closes with analysis of the U.S. move to recognize Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela, freeze Venezuela’s assets in the U.S., and call on that country’s military to back Guaido over incumbent president Nicolas Maduro. Both Mike and Jay agree that this was the right move, though Mike points out that some on the left are right to be at least somewhat hesitant, given the less than honorable history of U.S. intervention in Latin America.

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The National Emergencies Act is not a Blank Check (Take Care Blog)

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Civil War, Critical Thinking, Federalizing Elections, and Nominations Jan 30, 2019

This week Trey and Ken tackle a number of listener questions including:

Can we avert civil war?
How can I think critically?
Is failing to federalize elections voter suppression?
How would The Politics Guys fix the nomination process?

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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Roger Stone, Covington Catholic, Giuliani, and the Shutdown Jan 26, 2019

This week Trey is joined by Ken. In a surprise ending Trey and Ken deeply disagree! Before that the pair look at a potential hidden sentence in the inditement of Roger Stone. Then they turn to the Covington Catholic so-called smirk, focusing more on the complexities of social networking combined with constant recording making non-news events seemingly news worthy. Next Trey and Ken turn their attention to Giuliani and ask if there might not be a coherent strategy to his seemingly unending number of statement walk backs. Finally the pair end on a heavy bit of discord as the two disagree over not only the blame of the shutdown, but the normative and ethical requirements of budgets for an exciting show close!

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Aquinas and the Market: Theologian & Economist Mary Hirschfeld on a Humane Economy Jan 23, 2019

Mike talks with theologian and economist Mary Hirschfeld about her book Aquinas and the Market: Toward a Humane Economy. Professor Hirschfeld started her career as an economist, getting her Ph.D. from Harvard and then working and teaching in the field for the next 15 years. She then made a fascinating career change, going back to graduate school and earning a doctorate in theology from Notre Dame. She's currently an Associate Professor of Economics and Theology at Villanova University.

Topics Mike and Professor Hirschfeld discuss include:

what theology can bring to a discussion of economics
what Thomas Aquinas - a medieval Dominican friar - can contribute to our understanding of 21st century economics
why economics isn’t as value-neutral as many people think
money, desire, and happiness
‘maximizing your utility’ vs. ‘ordering your life’
why private property is a good thing
inequality and economic justice

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys

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Shutdown, Barr Confirmation, Citizenship on Census, Gillibrand Announces Jan 19, 2019

This week, Mike is joined by Republican policy analyst (and podcaster) Kristin Matheny. Mike and Kristin start things off by talking about the continuing government shutdown, including what it’s costing, the back-and-forth between Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell’s role, and how (and when) they think it will all end.

After that, they discuss the Senate hearings to confirm William Barr as Attorney General. Mike thinks liberals should be suspicious of President Trump’s pick, especially considering that Barr would be in charge when Robert Mueller wraps up his investigation. Kristen, who’s on board with far more of Barr’s policy views than Mike is, agrees that it’s reasonable for liberals to have at least some suspicions.

Next, Mike and Kristen consider whether there should be a citizenship question on the 2020 Census, as well as whether or not Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross broke with legal requirements in attempting to include the question. Kristen isn’t as convinced as Mike is on the potential damage from including a citizenship question, but she agrees that there are some major issues in how Ross attempted to insert the question.

The show closes with a discussion of New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who this week announced her candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Mike calls Gillibrand ‘Hillary Clinton 2.0’ and argues that she’d be a bad choice on multiple levels. Kristen agrees, and says that Gillibrand is vulnerable in a number of areas, and isn’t very likely to win the nomination.

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Revamping the Constitution Jan 16, 2019

Mike is joined by Beth Silvers from the Pantsuit Politics podcast to talk about some ideas he has for changing the U.S. Constitution. They discuss:

Doubling the size of Congress
Semi-proportional representation in the Senate
Eliminating the Electoral College
Mandatory voting
Campaign finance reform
Mandatory national service
20 year term limits for federal judges (including the Supreme Court)

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Longest Shutdown Ever, National Emergency(?), Leaving Syria Jan 12, 2019

Mike and Will open with a continued discussion of the government shutdown. With employees now not receiving pay for the first time, it feels as if it has reached a new level of seriousness. Neither Mike nor Will see an easy path to the shutdown coming to a close, although they do agree with the premise of Rob Portman’s proposed legislation to prevent future shutdowns.

Then they turn to a more detailed discussion of Trump’s first Oval Office address. Discussion focuses on both the idea of the address and its overall substance—including considering the pros and cons of building a wall. While neither are entirely convinced the address deserved national play, Will believes it was one of Trump’s better addresses while Mike still questions Trump’s use of facts—especially when speaking off-the-cuff and in campaign mode. Both agree that there isn’t an inherent media bias in allowing Trump to make this address while not airing Obama’s 2014 immigration address. Will believes part of the decision related to timing and Trump’s lack of previous Oval Office addresses while Mike adds that the uncertainty surrounding what Trump might say is good for viewership.

From an effectiveness perspective, both Mike and Will raise doubt on whether a full border wall will have the desired impact. Mike believes stronger border control through agents or electronic monitoring would do just as much good while Will believes the symbolism of a wall is as important as its function. Will does argue that criminal activity by individuals who come across the border with the sole intent of immediately returning to Mexico could be thwarted by a physical wall.

Finally, they turn to Trump’s decision to withdraw from Syria. Beyond just examining the possible impact of withdrawal, they discuss the reasons for a slow withdrawal, why the United States was ever interested in Syria to begin, and the future of our relationship with Turkey. Mike argues that a rushed withdrawal could lead to long-term issues in the already complex region while Will worries about whether Turkey can actually be trusted to execute at this time.

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Patrick Deneen on Why Liberalism Failed Jan 09, 2019

Mike talks to Patrick Deneen, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. In his book Why Liberalism Failed, Deneen argues not only that liberalism has failed (which you probably picked up from the title) but more importantly, he argues that it failed because it was based on a fundamentally unsound understanding of human beings.

In this talk, Mike and Professor Deneen discuss the individual autonomy, liberalism & capitalism, how liberalism’s success led to its failure, virtue ethics & Judeo-Christian values, education, Alexis de Tocqueville, Wendell Berry, and lots more.

Patrick Deneen on Twitter

Recommended Reading

Articles
The World Is Better Than Ever. Why Are We Miserable? (Andrew Sullivan on Steven Pinker and Patrick Deneen)
Can Democracy Save Us? (Ryszard Legutko's review of Why Liberalism Failed.)
The Dead End of the Left? Augusto Del Noce’s Critique of Modern Politics.

Books
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy. Christopher Lasch
The True and Only Heaven: Progress and Its Critics. Christopher Lasch
The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations. Christopher Lasch
The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies. Ryszard Legutko
The Crisis of Modernity. Augusto Del Noce
The Age of Secularization. Augusto Del Noce
The World-Ending Fire. Wendell Berry
Democracy in America. Alexis de Tocqueville

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Shutdown & Border Security, The New Congress, 2020 Presidential Field Jan 05, 2019

Mike and Jay open with a look at the ongoing government shutdown due to the impasse over border wall funding. The Guys actually agree as to their preferred solution - a package that includes funds for border security and comprehensive immigration reform. Neither Mike nor Jay sees this as coming to a quick and happy ending given the forces on both sides pushing against any compromise.

Next is a discussion of the 116th Congress, focusing on the new Democratic House majority. Mike comments on record number of women, noting that around 90 percent of them are Democrats. He believes that a more female Congress is a good thing, a view Jay doesn’t entirely share.

After that, the Guys discuss Elizabeth Warren’s announcement of her presidential candidacy and look at the other top contenders. They also discuss whether or not Mitt Romney, or any other establishment Republican, is likely to challenge Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Vote Fraud, Mandatory Voting, Term Limits, Sneaky Legislatures, Gerrymandering Jan 02, 2019

On this listener mail episode, Mike and Jay discuss:

If Jay is spreading vote fraud falsehoods to advance a right-wing agenda.
Two international views on mandatory voting
If term limits lead to more courageous politicians
The sneaky (but legal) way the Michigan legislature undid a minimum wage initiative
The difficulty of correcting gerrymandering through elections

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Politics Guys Holiday Hiatus Dec 29, 2018

Just like the federal government, we're shut down. But unlike the federal government, we know when we'll be back - Wednesday, January 2. If you're one of our Patreon supporters, we'll be posting things over our short break, including a great discussion Jay & Mike recently had on racism & sexism as well as more installments of Mike's series on the nuts & bolts of American government.

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Government Shutdown, Mattis Resigns, Criminal Justice Reform, Obamacare Declared Unconstitutional Dec 22, 2018

Mike and Jay open their final show of 2018 with a discussion of the partial government shutdown caused by President Trump’s unwillingness to sign a spending bill that doesn’t include at least $5 billion in border wall funding. House Republicans obliged him, but there aren’t enough votes in the Senate and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is unlikely to heed Trump’s advice to abandon the filibuster to pass the bill over Democrats’ objections. Jay believes that this issue will ultimately be a winning one for Republicans because we need better border security. Mike argues that what we really need isn’t better security, but better immigration policy.

Next, the Guys talk about President Trump’s declaration of victory over ISIS in Syria and announcement that U.S. troops will be withdrawing. This was quickly followed by the resignation of Trump’s Secretary of Defense, James Mattis. Mike and Jay agree that this was a very bad move by Trump, and one that will benefit Russia. They also believe that the president’s continued erratic behavior will only make it more difficult to attract ‘the best people’ to top administration jobs.

After that, they turn to some good policy news - the passage of the ‘First Step Act’, a significant reform of the criminal justice system. Mike and Jay applaud the measure, with Mike noting that the US leads the world in incarceration and that with only 13 percent of all U.S. prisoners being held in federal prisons, much more still needs to be done.

The show closes with a discussion of the recent ruling declaring the entirety of Obamacare unconstitutional. Mike and Jay agree that the judge in this case almost certainly overstepped, though Jay believes that the mandate portion of the law is in fact unconstitutional and that this portion of the ruling will be upheld on appeal.

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Tyler Cowen on Stubborn Attachments to Prosperity and Freedom Dec 19, 2018

Mike talks with Tyler Cowen, a professor of Economics at George Mason University, blogger at Marginal Revolution, host of the 'Conversations with Tyler' podcast, regular contributor at 'Bloomberg Opinion', and author of a number of books including The Great Stagnation, Average is Over, The Complacent Class, and most recently Stubborn Attachments: A Vision for a Society of Free, Prosperous, and Responsible Individuals.

Topics Mike & Tyler discuss include:
Why we should focus more on economic growth.
The importance of sustainable growth.
How future people should be valued.
Why human rights should trump even economic growth.
Economic growth and human happiness.
Tyler’s specific policy recommendations.

Follow Tyler on Twitter

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Chief of Staff, Cohen Sentencing, A Not Nice Photo Op, Huawei Arrest Dec 15, 2018

Trey is joined this week by Athena King. The two begin by looking at the ongoing developments in the roll of chief of staff. Several individuals, including this week Chris Christie, have turned down the position. Announced just before the show, Mick Mulvaney is named new chief of staff. Trey talks about the long-standing difficulty of the role. Both hosts question what Mulvaney hopes to gain and what we have learned about the White House through the chief of staff turnover.

Next Trey and Athena turn to Michael Cohen’s sentencing and the aftermath. The hosts explore Cohen’s statements on TV and President Trump’s Twitter response. It leads to a broader discussion of what comes next.

After the Cohen conversation the pair turn to the not so nice photo op. Trey firmly believes it was Trump at his best — taking control and understanding media better than his opponents. Athena thinks it was a mixed bag and the two argue a bit about who was best served by the exchange and if it marks a longer term change for strategy.

Finally, Trey and Athena discuss the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei. The talk about China’s retaliation against Canada, the ongoing trade war with China, and if recent changes to policy in China are a Trump win as he suggests.

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Complex Government, Gerrymandering, Moral Foundations of Politics, Election Misconduct, Mandatory Voting Dec 12, 2018

Mike & Jay address listener questions concerning:

The complexity of the U.S. system of government.
Minimizing partisan advantage in redistricting.
The moral foundations of conservative and liberal thinking.
If Jay was wrong about election misconduct in Florida.
Whether mandatory voting is a good idea.

What Mike’s Reading
The inexhaustible desire to keep talking about Marx

What Jay’s Reading
President George W. Bush’s eulogy for his father.

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Bush Funeral, NC Vote Fraud, Lame Duck Legislation, Khashoggi Killing, Trump and China Dec 08, 2018

This week’s show opens with Jay’s thoughts on the life and presidency of George H.W. Bush. Mike, who like Jay greatly admired Bush, adds that it wasn’t long after Bush left office that the GOP took a decisive turn toward a nastier, more in-your-face approach to politics that he thinks was a wrong turn for the party and the country.

After that comes a discussion of alleged absentee ballot vote fraud in North Carolina. Both Mike and Jay have concerns about it, with Mike pointing out that this isn’t the sort of fraud targeted by all of the Republican anti vote fraud measures of recent years. Mike argues that that’s because absentee voting tends to favor Republicans, and the whole vote fraud crackdown has been a cover for suppressing Democratic turnout. Jay disagrees, arguing that in-person fraud has been the initial focus because it’s easier to address. He adds that there should be less voting by mail, a position Mike strongly disagrees with, over concerns with unfair barriers to participation.

Then it’s a look at actions taken by the Wisconsin and Michigan lame duck Republican legislatures to limit the power of incoming Democratic officials. Mike says that this sort of kneecapping of the other party, while done by both sides, is done more by Republicans. Jay isn’t so sure, and doesn’t really buy Mike’s argument that this violates an important political norm.

Next is discussion of CIA Director Gina Haspel’s briefing to Senators about the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mike and Jay agree that the evidence seems compelling, but they disagree about what the consequences should be. Mike argues for cutting off all military aid and weapons sales to the Saudis, at least for a while, whereas Jay thinks that might be too damaging to the important US / Saudi Arabia relationship.

The show closes with the U.S. / China trade war. Once again, it seems that President Trump has overstated what he accomplished, with Jay pointing out that Trump’s injection of so much uncertainty into the trade relationship has been tough on businesses. The Guys also discuss what effect the arrest of the CFO of Chinese tech giant Huawei might have on U.S. / China relations.

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Trump vs The Fed, Compulsory Voting, Underreported Bipartisanship, Hidden Tribes Dec 05, 2018

Will and Mike open the show with an analysis of President Trump’s criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. As part of the discussion, they walk through the role of the Fed and the differences between fiscal and monetary policy. They agree that Trump’s politicization of the Fed is potentially problematic for both the short and long-term.

Next is listener mail, where Will and Mike answer questions regarding compulsory voting and the media's lack of focus on bipartisanship in American politics.

Lastly, Mike talks about an extended profile of Nancy Pelosi he says is worth checking out as well as a 'Hidden Tribes ideology quiz' that he and Will recently took. Will says that lately he’s been reading a lot about college football coach firings and the impact of diminished state funding for higher education on coach firing decisions.

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George H.W. Bush, Cohen Plea, Mississippi Senate Runoff, GM Layoffs, Tear Gassing Children Dec 01, 2018

On this week’s show, Will and Mike begin by speaking about the legacy of President George H. W. Bush and their memories of his career. The first story discussed from the week is the guilty plea entered by Michael Cohen in federal court. Will and Mike use the plea to discuss the status of the Mueller investigation and the impact Cohen’s plea could have on Trump. Both agree that impeachment is likely off the table as neither expect a smoking gun to emerge. But they disagree on how helpful the investigation may be to the Democrats in 2020.
Next, they discuss the results of the Mississippi Senate run-off election on Tuesday. Neither were surprised by the results. Will explained that the results suggest there are areas of the country where even moderate Democrats are going to struggle due to demographics and history. Mike points out how elections like this help Republicans in the Senate—especially considering recent judicial confirmation challenges.
The next topic is the decision by General Motors to idle five plants in North America. Will—who grew up near GM Lordstown—discussed the impact of the closure on local communities and the potential reasons for GM’s decision while Mike reminds listeners of Trump’s promises regarding no plant closures under his administration. Both agree the response by politicians to GM will be worth monitoring. They close with a discussion of the role and impact of unions on the closures.
Lastly, Will and Mike talk about the situation on the San Diego-Tijuana border last weekend. While neither directly challenge the use of tear gas, they differ on how to best handle asylum processing and the expectation on Mexico to house refugees while they await a response from the United States.

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Mike the Obnoxious Centrist, E-Cigarettes, Jay and the Facts, Why Liberalism Failed Nov 28, 2018

In this listener comment show, Mike and Jay discuss:

if Mike is too obnoxious
how bipartisan the show really is
progressive voices on The Politics Guys
what Mike got wrong about e-cigarettes
our commitment to truth over party
individuality and liberal democracy

What Mike’s Reading
Why Liberalism Failed. Patrick Deneen

What Jay’s Reading
The Moral Obligation to be Intelligent. Lionel Trilling

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Trump v Roberts, House Democrats Face Winning and Pelosi, In Defense of Saudi Arabi, the Whitaker Appointment Nov 24, 2018

This week Trey is once again joined by Alexandra Filindra. They tackle one of the biggest questions of the week to open the show: President Trump’s showdown with Chief Justice John Roberts. Both Alexandra and Trey see similarities to to President Andrew Jackson in the exchange. Trey thinks that, while done improperly, there is uncomfortable truth to Trump labeling justices and commendable myth to Roberts’ statement. Alexandra argues that Trump is not ideological, but personal, in his labeling of justices which makes him unique.

Turning again to the Democratic majority in the house Alexandra and Trey again look at the issue as more Democrats as of Friday continue to come out against Pelosi. Alexandra posits the issue in terms of gender and while Trey agrees he wonders what the pragmatic outcome will be.

Next Trey and Alexandra turn to Trump’s unusual statement in defense of Saudi Arabi. Both worry about the signal this sends to other regimes. Trey though sees this in a larger context as previous presidents, although less blatantly, have been willing to overlook the Saudis. Alexandra worries that there is less nuance in the defense.

Finally Trey and Alexandra discuss the Whitaker appointment, whether it is constitutional, and whether it will last.

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Jamie Susskind on Future Politics Nov 21, 2018

Mike talks with author, speaker, and practicing barrister Jamie Susskind. Jamie studied history and politics at Magdalen College, Oxford before turning to law, and is a past Fellow of Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. His recently released book is Future Politics: Living Together in a World Transformed by Tech.

Mike and Jamie discuss:

the digital lifeworld
the nature of power
increased state scrutiny and the loss of privacy
the power, promise, and peril of algorithms
the future of liberty
alternatives to democracy
the wealth cyclone
and lots more!

Jamie Susskind on Twitter

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Is Jay Far Right?, Recounts, Tobacco Regulations, Saudi Sanctions, Challenges to Pelosi Nov 17, 2018

This week’s show opens with Mike talking about where Jay is on the ideological spectrum. Mike argues that although a number of listeners feel Jay is far right, he’s actually fairly moderate when compared to real far right voices like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.

Next is a discussion of the recounts in Florida and Georgia. Mike and Jay agree that voting should be as easy and straightforward as possible, while still maintaining the integrity of the system, but Jay is more inclined to see malice in the system, whereas Mike attributes much more to a combination of incompetence and underfunding. Mike argues for broader adoption of the vote by mail systems used in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, which Jay thinks would be a mistake.

Following that, the Guys discuss the new FDA regulations cracking down on the availability of flavored e-cigarettes and a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and cigars. Mike is a big fan of these regulations and hopes they’ll go even further in years to come. Jay is naturally more anti-regulation and he has some concerning about a limiting factor (Mike says the limiting factor is ultimately elections).

Then it’s a look at the Trump administration’s sanctions against Saudi Arabians who have been implicated in the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mike says that the sanctions don’t go far enough and supports the bipartisan Senate bill that would ban all offensive arms sales to the Saudis. Jay is sort of lukewarm on this, feeling that the executive is due a certain amount of deference in the formulation of foreign policy.

Finally, Mike and Jay talk about whether or not Nancy Pelosi should be the next Speaker of the House. Mike thinks Pelosi will get the job and be a great Speaker, but he’d like to see the torch pass to someone like Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan. Mike also points out that Pelosi is actually much more conservative than her right-wing vilifiers would have people believe. Jay thinks that Pelosi is the right choice for the Democrats given her proven ability to run the show and raise plenty of money for her fellow Members.

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Jeff Sessions, the Mueller Investigation, Trump’s Asylum Denial Proclamation Nov 14, 2018

Mike and Jay discuss President Trump’s action to deny asylum to those who cross into the United States illegally and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions: why President Trump fired him, what it means for policy, and the potential implications for the Mueller investigation.

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Mike & Jay on the 2018 Midterm Elections Nov 10, 2018

It’s all elections on this episode, starting with a look at the Congressional results. Mike and Jay talk about what they got right and where they went wrong in their predictions, and what they expect from the next Congress.

Then they turn to state level elections and a discussion of gains & losses in state legislatures and governorships, and what they might mean going forward.

Finally, the Guys talk about a number of key ballot issues: Medicaid expansion, victim’s rights laws, and changes to voting and redistricting. Jay also explains why he’s generally not a big fan of ballot initiatives, a position Mike understands and is even somewhat in agreement with. But ultimately, Mike argues that initiatives, while highly imperfect, are preferable to legislative gridlock (at least most of the time).

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Mike & Jay LIVE! Synagogue Bombing, Immigration Rhetoric, and Midterm Predictions Nov 05, 2018

Mike & Jay's first ever live podcast, recorded 11/1/18 in Cincinnati Ohio's Memorial Hall as part of the inaugural Cincinnati Podcast Festival. They discuss the Pittsburgh synagogue bombing, the Central America caravan, President Trump's pre-election immigration rhetoric, their midterm election predictions, and what they expect from the next Congress.

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Midterm Elections, Voters, and the 14th Amendment Nov 03, 2018

Trey is joined by Ken this week and the duo tackle the upcoming midterms. They begin by looking at the major Senate races in play, specifically Florida and Texas. Then Trey and Ken turn to the House where they use some quick math to demonstrate the Democrats likelihood of winning a slight majority.

Trey and Ken then tackle the question of what happens next. What does the world look like after the midterm elections? Ken suggests Pelosi will remain speaker, but Trey thinks this will hurt democrats chances of challenging Trump. They also discuss the possibility of what Mueller is doing and how quickly that will appear after the election.

Things get exciting as Trey and Ken discuss the 14th Amendment. President Trump suggested he could undo birthright citizenship via executive order. Ken explains the standing law and questions the radical nature of conservative justices. Trey pushes back that liberal justices are originalists when it suits them and that there is no evidence how the court will yet rule.

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Psychiatrist Justin A. Frank Puts Trump on the Couch Oct 31, 2018

Mike talks with Dr. Justin A. Frank, a former clinical professor of psychiatry at the George Washington University Medical Center and a physician with more than forty years of experience in psychoanalysis. He’s the bestselling author of Bush on the Couch, Obama on the Couch, and most recently, Trump on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President.

Mike & Dr. Frank discuss:

Donald Trump’s impressive psychological strengths
what Dr. Frank sees as the president’s ‘creativity and brilliance’
how Donald Trump is like George Costanza
how Donald Trump has become his own mother
Barack Obama’s ‘obsessional bipartisan disorder’
Trump’s understanding of loyalty
if Donald Trump is fit to be president
and lots more

Dr. Frank on Twitter

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Mail Bombs, the Caravan, INF Withdrawal, and Voter Suppression in Georgia Oct 27, 2018

On this week’s show, Will and Mike begin by discussing the mail bombs sent by Cesar Sayoc to Trump political enemies. Mike points out that these events are symptomatic of the current political environment in which politics is a blood sport. Will agrees with concerns about how political rhetoric can be taken to extremes but does not believe Trump will see himself as at fault—nor should he. Both Mike and Will see merit in Trump’s assertion that the media has some role in the current environment.

Looking at the immigration caravan from Honduras, Mike is disturbed by Trump’s characterization of the group as being full of criminals and terrorists. Will, on the other hand, is most worried by the idea of a collective group mounting what could be perceived as an invasion. Both Mike and Will find fault in policies and spending priorities related to immigration and note that this could impact the margins with certain midterm elections.

Regarding Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would withdraw from the INF treaty, both Mike and Will believe that this is a valid decision given Russia’s blatant disregard for adhering to the standards held within. Mike is concerned with the potential spillover to the new START treaty, whereas Will believes this action should dispel some concerns over Trump’s alleged ties to Putin and Russia.

Lastly, Will and Mike discuss the court ruling barring Georgia from throwing out absentee ballots for signatures not matching voter registration. While Mike believes that this will help to ensure a legitimate process, Will believes the stipulations set forth in the ruling will prove to be a difficult bureaucratic process for local officials and will introduce a new series of questions.

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Canadian Trade, Our Overton Window, Tax Policy, Is Libertarianism Realistic? Oct 24, 2018

In this listener mail episode, Mike and Jay answer the following questions:

How big of a deal is the Canadian dairy industry in the overall context of a renegotiated trade agreement, and should we be concerned about the effect of the USMCA on the Canadian dairy industry?
Why doesn't the show place more emphasis on the views of 'rational alarmists'?
Should corporate tax policy be changed to incentivize paying higher wages to workers?
Are Libertarian ideas 'good on paper' but unworkable in real life?

Show Notes
Who should be the first non-guy Politics Guy? Let us know (and tell us what you think about the current Politics Guys) by taking this short Politics Guys Hosts Survey. We appreciate your feedback!

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Khashoggi Killing, ‘Borrow and Spend’ Republicans, New Rule Targets Big Pharma Oct 20, 2018

Mike and Jay open the show with discussion of the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi Arabian security personnel. Jay argues that while President Trump’s rhetoric has been typically Trumpian, in terms of substance his response has been measured and reasonable. Mike calls for strong action in response to the killing and argues that the Trump administration’s decision to go all in on friendship with the autocratic Saudi regime should be reconsidered.

Then it’s a look at the federal budget deficit, which rose nearly 17 percent from last year, due in large part to sharp declines in corporate tax revenue following the GOP tax bill that passed in December of 2017. Mike says that this is no surprise, as economists on both the right and left said the cuts wouldn’t come close to paying for themselves. Jay argues that while this may be the case, growth is strong and we need to wait longer to see if the long term results of the cuts are positive.

After that, the Guys take a look at a new rule proposed by the Trump administration that would require pharmaceutical companies to include price information in their drug ads. Mike applauds the move, though he doesn’t think it will lead to the sort of cost reductions the administration hopes for. Jay agrees, and argues that this is unnecessary government interference in the market.

Show Notes

Who should be the first non-guy Politics Guy? Let us know (and tell us what you think about the current Politics Guys) by taking this short Politics Guys Hosts Survey. We appreciate your feedback!

Listen to Mike being interviewed on the Thales’ Well podcast. He gets into his intellectual origins, Edmund Burke, John McCain, Donald Trump, and lots more.

Check out Outvote, the app Mike mentioned on the show.

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Greg Lukianoff on the Coddling of the American Mind Oct 17, 2018

Mike talks with Greg Lukianoff, attorney, New York Times best-selling author, and President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). He's the author of Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate, Freedom From Speech, and FIRE’s Guide to Free Speech on Campus. Most recently, he co-authored The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure with Jonathan Haidt.

Mike and Greg discuss
- the 3 Great Untruths of modern American society
- fragile kids
- tribalism and ‘us vs. them’ thinking
- white male privilege
- Stoicism, Buddhism, and modern psychology
- and lots more

Follow Greg on Twitter

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Trump's Op-Ed, Kavanaugh Apology, Midterms, Haley's Exit, Khashoggi's Murder Oct 12, 2018

Trey Orndorff welcomes Alexandra Filindra from the University of Illinois at Chicago to The Politics Guys this week. The Politics Guys ask listeners to give us your comments and feedback on Alexandra and the show this week.

First up Trey thanks listener Erik who caught a mistake last week. Trey said Justice Kennedy withdrew his support of Kavanaugh when he meant to say Stevens. Thanks Erik, we truly appreciate it!

After the correction Trey and Alexandra get into the midterm question. Specifically Trey brings up Trump’s USA Today op-ed and his apology to Kavanaugh. Alexandra is surprised that Trump would write an op-ed and wonders aloud what the benefit might be. Trey sees a consistent communication pattern and thinks the op-ed is good strategy — as is setting up opposition to Kavanaugh as being for “the mob.”

This leads Trey and Alexandra to talk in detail on the midterm election strategy and transitions to questions of election fundraising in the wake of the Kavanaugh confirmation. Democrats are reporting big dollar donation increases and Republicans are pointing to percentage increases in funds. Both point to Kavanaugh as the reason why.

Trey asks Alexandra what she thinks of the Democrats chances in the Senate given the dip in the polls for Democratic Senator Heitkamp after voting against Kavanaugh. Alexandra brings up it is more difficult for Democrats due to gerrymandering and Trey argues it was a Republican party focused on local elections that set them up for these wins.

Trey and Alexandra then turn to Nikki Haleys resignation. Specifically they discuss the timing, both in relation to the midterm elections and to the Kavanaugh confirmation process. It also gets both of them to discuss party and campaign strategy for 2020 and beyond.

The final story is the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. As of the show’s airing it appears likely that the Saudi King ordered Jamal killed with video evidence coming from Turkey. On the American front it has led to a split between Congressional Republicans and President Trump on the proper response.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you are interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support/

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Sami Saydjari on Cyber-Threats Oct 10, 2018

Mike talks with cybersecurity expert Sami Saydjari. He's been deeply involved in the fields for over three decades, working for organizations including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Security Agency, and NASA, among others. He has published numerous papers, consulted national leaders on cybersecurity policy, and educated the public through interviews with national media including CNN, PBS, ABC, the New York Times, Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine. He's also the author of the recently published book, Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time.

Topics Mike & Sami cover include:
- Security issues with voting systems
- Hacking infrastructure
- If military command & control systems are safe
- Why more complex = more hackable
- Sami’s cybersecurity policy recommendations

Sami on the Web

Follow Sami on Twitter

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Kavanaugh, Nafta 2.0, Hacks, Trump Money Oct 06, 2018

This week Trey Orndorff and The Politics Guys is excited to introduce Athena King, a political scientist from Virginia State University. The Politics Guys asks that listeners listen to Athena and send us your feedback on what you think of the show.

After introduction Trey and Athena again dress the newest developments concerning Brett Kavanaugh. Specifically the two discuss Kavanaugh’s Washington Post Op-Ed in defense of his hearings and the Friday cloture vote that opens the possibility of a vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination on Saturday or Sunday. Both Trey and Athena agree that Kavanaugh is likely to be confirmed, but Trey thinks it will be a wider margin with limited Democratic support and Athena believes Mike Pence will be necessary to cast a tie-breaking vote.

Trey and Athena the address “Nafta 2.0” or more properly USMCA. Athena argues that American supply chains need more open markets. Trey agrees but is willing to concede that this is a win for the Trump Presidency and a fulfillment of a large campaign promise. Athena gets into the details of automobiles while Trey focuses on the international economic questions of the shift. Only time will tell if and when the Senate will take up the issue.

Next the pair move to an underreported story out of Bloomberg on the possibility of a Chinese hardware hack on American company servers. Apple and Facebook have denied the allegations, but it appears that China has been trying to infiltrate servers in the U.S. Trey wonders if this might not be an argument for a more nationalist economic policy and is, at a minimum, a question that free marketeers like himself must answer. Athena questions what the Chinese motive is.

Finally Trey and Athena discuss the issue of Trump’s finances in wake of a New York Time story highlighting the dubious — and potentially fraudulent — money policies the Trump family used. Athena and Trey agree that this is unlikely to move the needle of support for Trump, but wonder what the broader picture will continue to be as more information slowly drips out.

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Onkar Ghate on The Enduring Appeal of Ayn Rand Oct 03, 2018

Mike talks with Onkar Ghate, a senior fellow and chief philosophy officer at the Ayn Rand Institute. Dr. Ghate is the Institute’s resident expert on Objectivism and serves as its senior trainer and editor. He has taught philosophy for over ten years at the Institute’s Objectivist Academic Center.

Dr. Ghate studied economics and philosophy at the University of Toronto and worked in the financial industry prior to joining the Ayn Rand Institute in 2000. He received his doctorate in philosophy in 1998 from the University of Calgary.

Mike & Dr. Ghate Discuss:

- Why Ayn Rand would hate Donald Trump
- Misunderstanding ‘selfishness’
- Objectivism and Judeo-Christian Values
- Why Rand wasn’t a Libertarian or a Conservative
- The 75th anniversary of Rand’s The Fountainhead
- Are there American politicians who embody Rand’s values?
- And lots more!

The Ayn Rand Institute on Twitter

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Kavanaugh-Ford, the Budget, Jay Responds to His Critics, and a Trump Hypothetical Sep 29, 2018

This week, Mike welcomes political scientist Will Miller back to the show. Will and Mike open by discussing the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Included is the perspective of Mike’s politically astute friend, Leah. While the Guys differ on whether Kavanaugh is the right person for the vacancy of the Court, they do agree on the credibility of Dr. Ford and her testimony. They also discuss what this means for future nomination battles and the willingness of individuals to even consider being nominated for the Court.
Next is a discussion of the federal budget process, which is progressing surprisingly smoothly. While Mike and Will agree that the budget is largely inflated, they disagree on the causes and solutions. Mike advocates for increasing taxes to balance the books, while Will suggests something akin to zero-based budgeting would require agencies to justify the money they request in a more meaningful way.
After Jay responds to some fairly intense criticism concerning his comments on last week's show, Ryan provides Will and Mike with their listener mail question this week. Ryan asks the Guys response to a recent Robert Reich opinion piece suggesting Congress or the Supreme Court could annul the totality of Trump’s presidency if he’s found of colluding with Russia to get elected.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Kavanaugh Accusations, Trump Intel Release, Trade War, SCOTUS & Anonymous Donations Sep 22, 2018

This week, Mike and Jay open the show with a look at the accusation of attempted rape leveled at Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh by Christine Blasey Ford. The Guys have a lot of differences of opinion on this issue, though they do agree on the importance of a process that is fair to both Professor Ford and Judge Kavanaugh.

Next is a discussion of President Trump’s call to release intelligence related to the Russia investigation. Jay advances that argument that President Trump is lying when he said he hasn’t read the documents and that the president is timing his order for maximum media impact and the greatest political benefit.

After that, the Guys talk about the latest in the ongoing trade war with China. Mike points out that the best possible outcome for the United States would be President Trump being right about his risky, unorthodox strategy. Jay adds that even if Trump is right regarding China, his trade strategy with our EU and Canadian allies still seems highly suspect.

Then Mike and Jay discuss an important federal court ruling on political contribution disclosure rules. Mike thinks the ruling is both an example of what happens when Congress delegates too much authority to regulators, as well as a win for transparency. Jay agrees on the delegation issue, but has his doubts about the wisdom of the ruling, as well as whether it will be affirmed on appeal.

Our listener mail question this week comes from Don, who asks if terms limits might make government more responsive and effective.

Help Mike decide the topic of his next book by taking this super-quick one question survey. (The survey is open until Friday, September 28.)

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Michele Gelfand on Rule Makers & Rule Breakers Sep 19, 2018

Mike talks to University of Maryland cultural psychologist Michele Gelfand about her new book, Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire the World.

Topics Mike and Michele discuss include:

the importance of culture in understanding politics
why some cultures are 'tight' and others are 'loose'
the advantages and disadvantages of tightness and looseness
tight culture support for 'loose' Donald Trump
the geography of tightness and looseness in the United States
threat perception, political ideology, and tightness
if the United States should be tighter or looser than it is
how tight and loose cultures can better communicate
and lots more

Follow Michele Gelfand on Twitter

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Woodward, Op-Eds, Cruz, Canada, and Manafort Sep 15, 2018

Trey and Ken this week start off the show by looking at both the content and the fallout from Bob Woodward’s new book Fear. Both are fascinated with what it might mean for the organizational structure of the White House. Ken suggests that the drama of taking papers of the president’s desk is probably overplayed.

Relatedly, Trey and Ken then look at the anonymous New York Times Op-Ed. In uncommon agreement, although for slightly different reasons, both Guys agree that the author should simply have resigned and gone public with his criticism of the president instead of continuing to engage with a president who is “anti-democratic.” Ken and Trey also suggest it is undemocratic to try and undo the president’s agenda.

Next The Guys turn to the tight race Ted Cruz faces in Texas. The big question is: is this closeness related to the actions of Ted Cruz or is it part of larger demographic shifts?

Then Trey and Ken look at the most recent NAFTA developments. Specifically the bilateral agreement with Mexico and the remaining issues with Canada. Ken points out it is unlikely to move forward, but Trey wonders if Democrats in the Senate might not shift to deal a blow to a free trade agreement.

The last issue is the Manafort plea deal. Ken has a unique take arguing that Manafort may be trying to angle for a better deal and, perhaps even a pardon.

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Larry Bartels on Democracy for Realists Sep 12, 2018

Mike talks to Vanderbilt University political scientist Larry Bartels about his book (co-authored with Christopher Achen) Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government.

Topics Mike and Larry discuss include:

identity politics
tribalism
the ‘folk theory’ of democracy and why it’s wrong
inattentive, uninformed, and irrational voters
if the problem of ‘bad voters’ has been getting worse recently
if polarization is really such a big deal
the potential problem of too much democracy
what we can do to get more responsive government

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Kavanaugh Hearings, ‘Resistance’ Inside the White House, Arizona’s New (Old) Senator, Tech Threats Sep 08, 2018

This week, Mike and Jay open the show with discussion of the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh. They agree that the hearings are almost entirely political theater at this point and that everyone’s mind is made up. Mike argues that despite this, Democrats’ claim that they should be given sufficient time to review all of the potentially relevant documents relating to Kavanaugh’s career in public service is a good one. Jay is skeptical.

Next is a look at leaked material from journalist Bob Woodward’s upcoming book on the Trump administration as well as the bombshell New York Times Op-Ed in which an anonymous senior White House staffer suggested that he and others like him are actively working to frustrate parts of President Trump’s agenda. Mike and Jay think it would be in the best interests of the country if this anonymous source revealed himself. While Mike is strongly against almost everything that President Trump has done, he doesn’t believe that Senator Elizabeth Warren and others on the left are right in calling for the potential removal of Trump through the 25th Amendment, as in Mike’s reading of the amendment, it doesn’t apply to President Trump (though impeachment and removal might).

After that the Guys evaluate the choice of former Arizona Senator John Kyl as the replacement for John McCain. They share the views of almost everyone outside the extremes that this was a solid choice, though Mike of course laments that McCain wasn’t replaced with someone equally if not more liberal (a relative term, to be sure).

Finally, Mike and Jay discuss the testimony of Facebook and Twitter on Capitol Hill regarding free speech and government regulation, potentially anti-competitive behavior, as well as the threat posed by voting systems lacking paper trails.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Do Never-Trumpers Skew the Numbers? and other questions answered Sep 05, 2018

In this week of Ask the Politics Guys supporters ask Trey and Mike their most pressing questions. First they address the issue of if Trump’s support among Republicans is so high because never-Trump Republicans are leaving.

Next the Guys turn to a question about how alternative voting methods might effect the number of parties that exist, they also address the seeming impersonal nature of voting in a proportional representation system.

After that Trey and Mike respond to a more personal question and explain how they ended up as political scientists. Both connected in college, but fascinatingly Mike was Trey’s professor!

Next the Guys look to how tariffs will impact midwestern farm states in the upcoming midterms and, unfortunately, think it is unlikely to have an immediate impact.

Finally Trey and Mike talk about why the show has not addressed more of the polling and the horse race of the campaign yet.

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McCain’s Legacy, NAFTA, Google, and Printed Guns Sep 01, 2018

Trey and Mike open this week looking at Senator John McCain’s legacy in the American political system. Whether you gave money to his campaign like Mike, or disagreed with his policies like Trey, both Guys agree that McCain was a honest Senator who worked tirelessly for his vision of a better United States. The question remains how the Senators of the future will — or can — carry on that legacy.

Next Mike and Trey turn to NAFTA renegotiation. It appears that Mexico and the U.S. are close to a bilateral deal. Canada, although it missed a deadline on Friday, could still be part of an agreement. It is unclear what all the specifics will be or if it will be a new multinational trade deal or two bilateral agreements.

The Guys then turn to Trump and Google’s spat this week. Trump accused Google of advancing Obama over himself and Google quickly fired back that it has followed an identical policy for all Presidents. This spat may have been good cover for the Google and MasterCard agreement coming out this week.

Finally Trey and Mike turn to the ongoing legal questions surrounding 3D printing guns. As the stay continues on releasing them Trey argues it may be time to look to the history of pornography as a blueprint for how to address the issue.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you're interested in supporting the show, go to, politicsguys.com/support.

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Glen Weyl on Radical Markets: Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just Society Aug 29, 2018

Mike talks with E. Glen Weyl, a Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research New York City, about his recent book with Eric Posner, Radical Markets: Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just Society.

Mike and Glen discuss:

why private property is a form of inefficient monopoly and how to fix it
the problem with ‘one person, one vote’ and a proposed alternative
a radical alternative to our current immigration system
how big institutional investors discourage innovation and growth
the massive amount of unpaid labor we willingly provide to Facebook, Google, Amazon, and other Big Tech companies

- Google’s The Selfish Ledger (YouTube)

- Glen Weyl on Twitter

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Manafort & Cohen, Kavanaugh Confirmation, Hunter Indictment, EPA & ‘Affordable Clean Energy’ Aug 25, 2018

Mike and Jay open the show with a discussion of President Trump’s very rough week. First was the conviction of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort on eight counts of bank and tax fraud, followed by a plea deal between federal prosecutors and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen. The Guys discuss both the legal and political ramifications, as well as President Trump’s seeming inability to surround himself with ‘the best people’.

Next is a look at Senate Democrat arguments for delaying the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. One argument is that the Michael Cohen plea means that any new Justice could be essentially a juror in a potential case against President Trump, an argument both Mike and Jay don’t believe holds much water. The second argument has to do with Republicans trying to push through confirmation before the midterms without allowing for adequate time to fully review Kavanaugh’s paper trail, particularly from his time as White House Staff Secretary in the George W. Bush administration. This claim has more merit, but Jay and Mike see it more as a stalling tactic than a truly legitimate reason to delay confirmation proceedings.

After that, the Guys discuss the indictment of California Republican Duncan Hunter on multiple counts of misuse of campaign funds. Mike points out that Hunter is likely to keep his House seat due to the Democrats nominating a candidate who is a poor fit for Hunter’s district. Both Mike and Jay think that Hunter is exactly the sort of ‘grab what you can’ officeholder who offends the sensibilities of all small-r republicans.

The episode closes with a look at the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed ‘Affordable Clean Energy’ rule. Mike argues that it’s bad policy that puts corporate profits above public health, whereas Jay sees it as the federal government rightly giving more discretion to the states and the market to deal with power generation and pollution.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Joshua Cohen on Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Attention Aug 22, 2018

Mike talks to novelist and essayist Joshua Cohen about his latest book, Attention: Dispatches from a Land of Distraction. In this talk, Mike and Joshua discuss:

Donald Trump and the Fall of Atlantic City
What people who have worked with Donald Trump have to say about him
Ethnic whites and the Trump coalition
Contrasting Donald Trump and Barack Obama
The appeal of Bernie Sanders
Distraction and Attention

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Behind the Scenes in the Obama (and Trump) White House with Beck Dorey-Stein (Politics Plus) Aug 20, 2018

(There was a very short period in Mike’s life where he thought he could handle his teaching job, write a book, host The Politics Guys, and start a new podcast – Politics Plus. It soon became evident to Mike how insane trying to do all this at once was, and so he quickly shut down Politics Plus. But before he did, he’d posted four interviews – all of which he thinks are pretty good and are worth sharing with you as Politics Guys bonus episodes.)

Mike talks with Beck Dorey-Stein, who worked as a White House stenographer from 2012 – 2017. She’s written about her experiences in the just released book, From the Corner of the Oval. They discuss:

What White House stenographers do
How being in the White House changed how Beck felt about politics
If the White House is anything like the TV show The West Wing
The insane hours and workloads of White House staffers
What happens behind the scenes during crises
‘Living the dream’ in the Obama administration
Her view of President Obama
What it was like to come to work the day after Donald Trump was elected
What it was like working in the Trump administration
And lots more

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Democratic Diversity, Pulling Security Clearances, Strzok Fired, Predator Priests, For-Profit Schools Aug 18, 2018

Mike and Jay open the show with a look at the recent primary elections in Vermont, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Kansas. Mike is pleased to see his Democrats nominating diverse candidates, while Jay points out that while diversity is a good thing, being well-qualified, regardless of race, creed, or color is what’s most important.

Next is a look at President Trump pulling former CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance, with the administration planning more security clearance revocations in the future. Mike argues that this politicizing of security clearances is essentially unprecedented and is yet another example of how President Trump’s disregard for custom and unwritten law is damaging the United States. Jay doesn’t disagree, though he points out that what the president has done is not legally impermissible.

After that, the Guys discuss the sickening revelations concerning predator priests coming out of a Pennsylvania grand jury report. Mike hopes there will be similar investigations in every state that shake the Catholic Church to its core and force a change in what many say is a deeply corrupt culture of cover-up. Jay agrees that the Church’s culture needs to change, but he feels that some of the legislative proposals aimed at helping victims may have serious unintended consequences.

The show closes with a look at Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ plan to rescind a rule that forces for-profit colleges and vocational schools to demonstrate that graduates are able to get decent-paying jobs. Mike argues that this rule has gone a long way to cleaning up the fraudulent excesses of for-profit education and should be maintained. Jay counters that there should be one rule to cover both for-profit and not-for-profit schools.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Libertarians, Medicare for All, GOP Racism, 3rd Parties, Obama Spying Scandal Aug 15, 2018

In this listener comment episode Trey and Mike discuss:

Trey’s take on what a Libertarian is
How Democrats could pay for Medicare for all
Why the GOP has trouble with racism
How Mike would run Trump and Trey would run a Democratic opponent
Why 3rd Parties struggle in the U.S. even when people seemingly hate the two major political parties
Why The Politics Guys hasn’t covered the Obama spying scandal

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Neuroscientist Tali Sharot on Political Influence, Persuasion, and Donald Trump (Politics Plus) Aug 13, 2018

(There was a very short period in Mike’s life where he thought he could handle his teaching job, write a book, host The Politics Guys, and start a new podcast – Politics Plus. It soon became evident to Mike how insane trying to do all this at once was, and so he quickly shut down Politics Plus. But before he did, he’d posted four interviews – all of which he thinks are pretty good and are worth sharing with you as Politics Guys bonus episodes.)

***** ***** *****

Mike talks to Tali Sharot, director of the Affective Brain Lab and an Associate Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience in the department of Experimental Psychology at University College London. Dr. Sharot’s research integrates neuroscience, behavioral economics, and psychology to study how emotion influences people’s beliefs, decisions and social interactions. She’s the author of The Optimism Bias and, most recently, The Influential Mind: What the Brain Reveals About Our Power to Change Others.

Mike and Dr. Sharot discuss:

how some information is like sex and plum pie
why Donald Trump was so much more influential than his Republican presidential rivals
how our attempts to persuade others can actually boomerang on us, leaving them less persuaded than they were to start with
how to go from getting someone to agree with you to getting them to act
when crowds are wise and when they’re not
and lots more

Follow the Affective Brain Lab on Twitter

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The Ohio 12th, Missouri and the “Right to Work” Law, the Manafort Trial, Insider Trading and Representative Collins, Nunes’ Private Remarks Aug 11, 2018

Trey and Mike open this week’s show focusing on the recent Ohio 12th District special election. Both Trey and Mike agree that the 12th District looks like trouble for Republicans. This year, statistically, Democrats should do better and both agree the evidence suggests they might do a bit better than that. Specifically Trey points to the shifting demographics for Republicans where suburban voters are leaving Republicans as rural voters increase.

Next is a discussion of Missouri’s recent strike down of a “right to work” law. Trey and Mike disagree over whether such laws — which do not allow employment to be dependent on union membership — help or hurt workers. They do agree that the law’s failure to pass is evidence that there is a structural shift taking place in American politics.

After that Trey and Mike return to the trial of Paul Manafort — again — and investigate how this might or might not affect President Trump. At this point it doesn’t seem there is much connection to Trump and Mike takes the depressing view that nothing seems to shake Trump supporters.

Then it is time to discuss Representative Chris Collins and his alleged insider trading. In a broader take on the issue Mike offers that members of Congress ought to be paid more and not allowed to sit on publicly traded boards.

Mike and Trey finish the show by putting Nunes’ comments in context. Mike thinks it shows the widening gap between discourse communities and Trey contextualizes the issue by suggesting such comments are not too far from par in private fundraising situations.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Antitrust, Occam’s Razor, Bad Candidates, Lines in the Sand, Farmer Payments, Russia Investigation Aug 08, 2018

In this listener comment episode Mike and Jay discuss:

Google and antitrust
Mike’s inconsistent use of Occam’s Razor
Why there aren’t more good candidates
Jay’s ‘line in the sand’ on Trump
The $12 billion in payments to U.S. farmers hurt by the trade war
The information release fight between the Department of Justice and House Republicans
President Trump’s calls to halt the Mueller investigation

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Mona Charen on how Modern Feminism Lost Touch with Science, Love, and Common Sense (Politics Plus) Aug 06, 2018

(There was a very short period in Mike’s life where he thought he could handle his teaching job, write a book, host The Politics Guys, and start a new podcast – Politics Plus. It soon became evident to Mike how insane trying to do all this at once was, and so he quickly shut down Politics Plus. But before he did, he’d posted four interviews – all of which he thinks are pretty good and are worth sharing with you as Politics Guys bonus episodes.)

Mike talks to Mona Charen, one of the most prominent conservative voices in the United States. She writes a syndicated column that appears in more than 200 newspapers, she’s a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and is the author of the books Useful Idiots, Do-Gooders,and the recently released Sex Matters: How Modern Feminism Lost Touch with Science, Love, and Common Sense.

Topics they cover include:

differences between pioneering feminists and the ‘second-wave’ feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s
feminism and the Marxist concept of ‘false consciousness’
what science tells us about biological differences between the sexes
whether women can ‘have it all’
how sexual empowerment was a wrong turn for the feminist movement
the rise of ‘no-fault’ divorces and the damage they’ve done
whether ‘my body, my choice’ and ‘safe, legal, and rare’ is a reasonable approach to abortion
the ‘Campus Rape Industrial Complex’
the transgender movement

Follow Mona Charen on Twitter

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Manafort Trial, 3D Printer Guns, Fuel Efficiency Standards, Another Blow to Obamacare Aug 04, 2018

Mike and Jay open this week’s show with a look at the trial of Paul Manafort, who’s accused of tax fraud, bank fraud, and bank fraud conspiracy. Both of the Guys agree that things look pretty bad for Manafort. While the charges aren’t directly related to Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, Mike and Jay say that Mueller couldn’t simply ignore evidence of crimes discovered as part of his investigation into Russian interference.

Next is a discussion of 3D printed guns, in the news due to the Trump administration settling with the gun blueprint creator which would have allowed posting of the design specifications on the Internet. Mike and Jay both have big problems with the ruling of a federal judge that prohibited posting of the designs, seeing it as unconstitutional prior restraint.

After that, Mike and Jay consider two big Trump administration regulatory changes: freezing automotive fuel efficiency standards and expanding ‘short term’ health insurance policies that can legally circumvent Obamacare minimum coverage standards. Mike sees both of these moves as bad policy. Jay likes them from a policy standpoint, but argues that the Trump administration may not be entitled to get all of what it wants through the regulatory process.

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John Sides on Public Perceptions of Muslims in the Trump Era Aug 01, 2018

Mike talks to political scientist John Sides about his Democracy Fund Voter Study Group report, 'Muslims in America: Public Perceptions in the Trump Era'

Dr. Sides is an associate professor of political science at The George Washington University, co-author of the books Identity Crisis: The 2016 Presidential Campaign and the Battle for the Meaning of America (coming out in September of 2018) and The Gamble: Choice and Chance in the 2012 Presidential Election, as well as a founder and the editor-in-chief of the political science blog, The Monkey Cage.

Topics Mike and Dr. Sides discuss include:

How favorably Americans rate Muslims.
Differences in how Republicans and Democrats rate Muslims.
How education affects Muslim bias.
Public support for a Muslim ban.
Americans' views of Muslims compared to Muslim Americans' own views about themselves.
Mainstream media's role in perpetuating anti-Muslim bias.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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David Frum on Trumpocracy (Politics Plus) Jul 30, 2018

There was a very short period in Mike's life where he thought he could handle his teaching job, write a book, host The Politics Guys, and start a new podcast - Politics Plus. It soon became evident to Mike how insane trying to do all this at once was, and so he quickly shut down Politics Plus. But before he did, he'd posted four interviews - all of which he thinks are pretty good and are worth sharing with you as Politics Guys bonus episodes.

**********

In this interview, Mike talks with journalist, author, and policy analyst David Frum. Mr. Frum is currently a senior editor at the Atlantic. From 2014 through 2017, he chaired the board of trustees of the leading UK center-right think tank, Policy Exchange. He's served as a speechwriter and special assistant to President George W. Bush and as senior adviser to the Rudy Giuliani presidential campaigns. He's also the author of nine books, most recently Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic.

In the conversation, Mike and Mr. Frum cover, among other things:

how Bill Clinton monetized the post-presidency
America as a toddler in heavy traffic
Donald Trump and punching babies
the ‘neither ethical or smart’ Trump administration
Congressional leaders enabling Trumpocracy
whether the American political system can handle the Trump presidency

Follow David Frum on Twitter

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Farm Subsides, US and Iran Spat, The Michael Cohen Tape, and Facebook’s Record Decline Jul 28, 2018

This week the show is produced for the first time ever in Oklahoma City. Trey, now officially part of Oklahoma Christian University, is joined by Ken who is preparing to move to Denver.

The first topic is Trump’s trade policy. The Trey and Ken to differing degrees agree that subsides to farmers is simply a policy mistake fixing the earlier policy mistake of enacting tariffs. While Ken has some boundaries around the idea of free trade, both think that the current tariffs policies are reminiscent of the import substitution industrialization models of the 1980s and 1990s.

Next up Trey and Ken look at the recent spat over Twitter between the U.S. and Iran. Here both hosts agree that the current foreign policy of acting belligerent randomly has not helped the U.S. cause. However the hosts disagree over the cause of this policy. Ken thinks it is part of a larger conspiracy where Putin controls Trump and Trey thinks, while it certainly benefits Russia, is more easily explained by an individual who is acting irrationally and that irrationality helps anyone who isn’t the U.S.

Trey and Ken turn next to the Michael Cohen tape of a conversation with Donald Trump. The hosts agree that the tape is damaging and ponder why Trump would have agreed to release it. They discuss the possible implications of the content of the tape and consider how it might play into the Mueller investigation.

Finally Ken and Trey briefly examine Facebook’s stock decline. At a 19% devaluation it takes the record for the biggest drop in one day ever. The hosts parse out the question to what extent, if any, recent privacy changes in EU law or backlash from data breaches has led to slowing user growth and, as a result, investor confidence.

Listener Support helps make The Politics Guys Possible. if you're interested in supporting the show go to politicsguys.com/support

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Fake News, Judicial Deference, Environmental Regulation, Abolishing ICE, Ideological Orthodoxy Jul 25, 2018

In this listener comment episode, Mike and Jay get into:

If the media - Time magazine in particular - was fair in its photographic portrayal of President Trump’s immigration policy, and if Mike and Jay spend too much time on a media sideshow.
How much deference federal courts should give to administrative agencies.
Whether Jay thinks government regulations to prevent pollution are wise and necessary corrections for market failures.
A conservative case for abolishing ICE.
Mike, Jay, and ideological orthodoxy.

What Mike’s Reading

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Trump-Putin Summit, Endangered Species Act, EU Fines Google, Judicial Nominations Jul 21, 2018

This week, Mike and Jay open the show with a discussion of the summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland. They agree that President Trump’s performance was bizarre and awful. Mike says this, combined with everything else we’ve seen regarding Trump and Russia, is enough to convince him that President Trump is either compromised by Russia or believes he may be compromised, which amounts to the same thing in real terms.

After that, the Guys discuss new rules that would make major, industry-friendly changes to the Endangered Species Act. Mike says that he’s all in favor of streamlining environmental approvals for industry, but not at the cost of endangering and destroying biodiversity. Jay has a more positive take on the proposed rules, believing they’re a much-needed corrective to a policy that’s unnecessarily hampered economic growth.

Next is a look at the European Union’s latest fine against Google for engaging in anticompetitive practices. Mike says that ensuring competitive markets is a key role of government, and that the EU is doing a better job of it then the US is doing. Jay is also all for competitive markets, but thinks that the EU’s position is overreach and that consumers have more options than EU regulators seems to believe.

Finally, the Guys talk about the withdrawn nomination of Ryan Bounds to serve on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mike finds it disappointing that Bounds even got to this point, as both of his home-state senators returned negative ‘Blue Slips’ which traditionally meant that the nomination would be quashed. He argues that the Blue Slip tradition is yet another casualty of our hyper-partisan environment. Jay is less sad to see the Blue Slip go, arguing that it’s no longer serving its intended purpose, but he agrees with Mike that making judicial nominations filibuster-proof has been a step in the wrong direction.

What Mike and Jay are Reading
Why I’m No Longer a Russiagate Skeptic

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Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha on Politics, Lead, and the Flint Water Crisis Jul 18, 2018

Mike talks to Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of the pediatrics residency at the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, and an assistant professor at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, where she heads the Hurley Children’s Hospital Public Health Initiative.

It was through Dr, Mona’s courageous and unflagging efforts that the public learned about the dangerous levels of lead in Flint's drinking water. Her work has been recognized by numerous environmental groups, including the Michigan Environmental Council, the Children's Environmental Health Network, and the Union of Concerned Sciences. She's the author of a recently released book on the Flint crisis, titled What The Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City.

Follow Dr. Mona on Twitter

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Russia Indictments, SCOTUS Pick, NATO Summit, Trade War, Strzok Testifies Jul 14, 2018

Mike and Trey kick off the show by discussing the 12 Russian intelligence officials indicted this week for hacking into Democratic Party systems. Mike says that despite the fact that these Russians will never face trial in the United States, the indictments point to the importance of allowing Robert Mueller to complete his investigation, which is not at all the pointless ‘witch hunt’ some claim. Trey says that these indictments make the idea of President Trump meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin an even worse idea than it already was.

Next is discussion of President Trump nominating Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court. Mike and Trey agree that Kavanaugh is a fairly mainstream conservative choice who will almost certainly be confirmed. Trey points out that a few Senate Democrats facing tough reelection fights may end up voting in favor of confirmation, which seems far more likely than any Republicans defecting.

After that, the Guys talk about the NATO summit and President Trump’s first official visit to the UK. It was a story of two Trumps - the public side, where the president engaged in his usual over-the-top bellicosity, and the private side, where by most accounts he was downright reasonable.

Trey believes that President Trump’s view of NATO and trade relations with the UK is bound up with his larger zero-sum view of trade, which is currently playing out in the escalating trade war with China, which the Guys turn to next. They both agree that imposing additional tariffs on Chinese goods is a truly awful idea, and while a majority of Congressional Republicans agree, they lack the political will to do anything substantive about it.

Finally, Trey and Mike discuss the bipartisan grandstanding at the Congressional testimony of FBI agent Peter Strzok. Mike laments the GOP’s continued effort to destroy the credibility of the FBI in support of the president, and Trey agrees that the greater tendency to discredit accusers, rather than focus on the facts, is a very disturbing trend.

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Power Imbalance, Trump Supporter Motivations, What if the Democrats Win?, The National Debt, How to Effect Change Jul 11, 2018

In this listener comment episode, Mike and Trey address these questions:

Why has the executive branch become so much more powerful than the legislative and judicial branches, and what can we do about it?
What motivates President Trump’s political allies beyond short term outcomes?
If the Democrats take control of Congress are we still stuck in a stalemate or do we see President Trump force the GOP to compromise to get his agenda passed? What common ground could the Democrats find with Trump? Are they so oppositional that compromise is politically detrimental?
How big of a problem is the national debt?
What practical things can liberals and conservatives do to effect change?

What Mike’s Reading
Marijuana addiction is real, and rising (Denver Post)

What Trey’s Reading
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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SCOTUS Strategy, Pruitt Resigns, Trade Wars, Immigration, Republicans in Russia Jul 07, 2018

This week's show kicks off with Mike and Trey discussing the likely strategies of both the left and the right once President Trump names his Supreme Court nominee.

After that it's discussion of the resignation of scandal-plagued EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The Guys agree that Pruitt was exactly what many Republicans wanted in terms of policy, but that the mounting scandals became too much of a distraction. They also discuss what Pruitt's departure is likely to mean for the EPA going forward.

Then it's a look at the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China, after President Trump's imposition of $34 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods, and China's retaliation. Mike thinks this is looking less like a negotiating tactic and more like a longer-term policy. Trey agrees and, as the biggest free-trader of all the Politics Guys, is particularly disturbed by these developments.

Next is an update on the immigration fiasco, which Mike continues to argue is both incompetent and inhumane. Trey makes the point that this policy can be seen as part of a larger worldview that also pushes back against free trade. Mike suggests that all the awful images might actually be what some in the administration want, in that they may eventually lead to fewer immigrants willing to risk crossing into the United States illegally.

Finally, they discuss the GOP Senate delegation to Russia over the 4th of July as well as President Trump's upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mike is surprised as how partisanship has become so strong that it has somehow turned Republicans into Russian appeasears. Trey and Mike are concerned that President Trump may be overmatched in any one-on-one meeting with Putin.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Anthony Kennedy, the Politics of the Supreme Court, and how a New Justice May Change the Court Jul 04, 2018

In our first ever three-person Politics Guys, Northern Kentucky University Law Professor Ken Katkin joins Mike and Jay to discuss:

how Kennedy was different from the Court’s four other conservatives
whether the Justices are politicians in robes or if they base their decisions on more than partisan calculations
if Senator McConnell should hold off on hearings for President Trump’s nominee to replace Kennedy until after the election, as he did with President Obama’s nominee to replace Justice Scalia
how the Court may alter its opinions on partisan gerrymandering, LGBTQ rights, denial of services to same-sex weddings, and Roe v. Wade with a new, more conservative replacement for Kennedy

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Kennedy Retires, Travel Ban, Public Unions, CA Abortion Law, TX Redistricting, Immigration Jun 30, 2018

This week’s show starts off with Mike and Jay discussing Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement. There’s so much to cover here that the Guys decided to do an entire episode on it, which will drop in the usual Wednesday slot (July 4).

There were a bunch of important Supreme Court decisions announced this week, which Mike and Jay then get into. First was a big win for President Trump’s travel ban. Jay thinks the Court make the right call, but Mike - after initially agreeing earlier in the week - has changed his mind, and thinks the four liberal dissenters got it right.

After that is another 5-4 conservative ruling that overturned a 41-year-old precedent that allowed public sector unions to charge non-members a collective bargaining fee. Jay once again sides with the conservative majority, while Mike argues that their decision rests on shaky grounds and, as such, he would default to allowing the policy of the states as opposed to what he sees as conservative judicial activism.

Then it’s a look at the Court - yet again along 5-4 ideological lines - overturning the California FACT Act, which required anti-abortion ‘pregnancy crisis centers’ to make mention of abortion services available elsewhere as well as to let clients know if the center does not have a state medical license. Mike agrees with the 9th Circuit, which held that this was neutral commercial speech and therefore subject to regulation. Jay believes the majority on the Supreme Court was right in arguing that this amounts to compelled speech promoting abortion, and therefore a violation of the 1st Amendment.

The final big case of the week involved a Texas congressional and state legislative redistricting plan that a lower court said was an impermissible racial gerrymander. It was another 5-4 ideological split, with Jay standing with the conservative majority who argued that the burden of proof was on the plaintiffs and they didn’t demonstrate that Texas acted in bad faith. Mike is pretty sure that Texas did act in bad faith, but because he didn’t see clear proof of this, he reluctantly agrees that the Court’s conservatives were right on this one.

Finally, Mike and Jay discuss the major developments in immigration policy in the last week: President Trump’s suggestion that immigrants aren’t entitled to due process, the multi-state lawsuit against family separations, a federal judge ordering the administration to reunite families, the incompetence with which the policy has been carried out from the very beginning, and why Congress hasn’t acted, and it’s likely to any time soon.

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Police Immunity, Regulating Business, Covering Trump’s Lies, How We Perceive Migrants Jun 27, 2018

In this listener comment episode, Mike and Jay address the following listener questions:

Should police be given the level of qualified immunity from prosecution they currently receive? Will a recent federal court ruling change anything?
We need to keep an eye on regulators, but doesn’t Jay think we also need to watch companies? How do we keep companies honest, and working in the best interest of consumers and the public?
How can the media balance respect for the office of the presidency with fair coverage of presidential untruths?
How do our perceptions of migrants shape our attitudes toward immigration policy?

What Mike’s Binge Watching (and reading) While his Wife is Away on a Month-Long International Trip

Animal Kingdom
Bosch
All or Nothing: The Dallas Cowboys
Red Oaks
Westworld
God’s Soldiers: : Adventure, Politics, Intrigue, and Power--A History of the Jesuits. Jonathan Wright
Pierre Teilhard De Chardin: Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series)

What Jay’s Reading

Trump’s Critics Desecrate the Holocaust. Jay Winik (Wall Street Journal - Paywall)
No, You’re Not Perfect ‘Just the Way You Are’. David French (National Review)

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

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Family Separation, SCOTUS on Gerrymandering & Sales Tax, Space Force!, US Leaves Human Rights Council Jun 23, 2018

This week’s show starts with Mike and Jay discussing the bipartisan furor over family separations that have occurred as a result of the Trump administration’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ immigration policy. Mike argues that the policy is inhumane, that Donald Trump lied when he said he could do nothing about it - as evidenced by the Executive Order he signed halting the policy - and that the policy was incompetently rolled out. Jay agrees about the incompetence and the president being wrong about having his hands tied, but believes that the policy’s effects have been exaggerated by many on the left and in the media.

After that, it’s a look at two important Supreme Court decisions. The first is a highly anticipated ruling on partisan gerrymandering. The Court disappointed many people by deciding not to decide, arguing that the cases weren’t ready for their review. Mike and Jay, while disagreeing on the underlying issue of partisan gerrymandering, agree that the Court made the right call here.

The second case involves an ideologically unusual 5-4 split in a ruling that will allow states to require out-of-state merchants to charge sales tax. Mike agrees with the policy, but sides with the dissenters - led by Chief Justice John Roberts - on the law, agreeing that this was a matter for Congress to address, not the Court. Jay, while less pleased on policy grounds, shares Mike’s approval of the judicial restraint argued for by Roberts and the three other Justices in the minority.

Next is a discussion of the Trump administration’s proposals to create a ‘Space Force’ and to combine the Departments of Education and Labor. Mike is skeptical about the need for a sixth branch of the armed forces, while Jay thinks it could be a reasonable idea given what’s sure to be the increasing military importance of space. Mike’s less sure about the Education / Labor merger, and Jay agrees that it would need to be fleshed out considerably more. Given that neither of these things can occur without Congressional approval, it seems unlikely they’ll happen any time soon, though Jay points out that it can be useful to float big ideas as trial balloons.

Finally, the Guys debate the wisdom of the United States withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council. Jay points out that the Council has a massive bias against Israel and is filled with human rights abusing states. Mike agrees, but believes that the Obama approach of engaging with even very flawed international organizations in an attempt to improve them is usually a better strategy than walking away.

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Why the Electoral College? Why a Two Party System? Ranked-Choice Voting Systems Explained Jun 20, 2018

This episode features Trey and Ken’s responses to the following listener questions:

Why do we have the Electoral College?
Why isn’t there a way to invalidate fraudulent elections?
What would it take for a third party rise to national prominence?
Can you explain ranked-choice voting?
What do you think about ranked-choice voting in light of the recent Maine election?

What We’re Reading

A Spy Named Orphan: The Enigma of Donald Maclean by Roland Philipps

The Kennedy Brothers: The Rise and Fall of Jack and Bobby by Richard Mahoney

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Introducing Politics Plus Jun 18, 2018

Mike talks about his new interview podcast, Politics Plus. On the show, he’ll be interviewing men and women from across the ideological spectrum about American politics, economics, history, and culture.

You can find and subscribe to Politics Plus by searching for it in your podcast app. If for for any reason that doesn’t work, you should also be able to subscribe by entering the show’s feed URL into your podcast app. You can also listen on the Politics Plus website.

Subscribe on iOS
Feed URL: http://politicsplus.libsyn.com/rss
Politics Plus Website: politicsplus.us
Email Mike: mike@politicsplus.us

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DOJ Investigates FBI, Trump Meets Kim, Supreme Court Upholds Ohio Voter Purge, China vs U.S. on Tariffs Jun 16, 2018

Trey and Ken open the show by discussing the 500 page Justice Department finding on the FBI. They both largely agree the report shows former FBI Director James Comey was insubordinate, but they differ on who it helps most rhetorically. Trey thinks that the FBI agents didn’t express their political positions in a responsible way while Ken thinks that the report understates the amount the FBI helped Trump.

Then it’s a discussion of Trump’s meeting with Kim Jung-Un in Singapore. The Guys generally agree that the outcome didn’t amount to much. They agree that the more discussion is better, but they’re pessimistic on the long-term benefits of the meeting.

Next, Trey plays devil’s advocate and asks Ken what he liked or didn’t like about the Supreme Court decision upholding Ohio’s method of purging non-voters. Ken thinks it pointlessly culls the rolls of voters without netting much of a benefit to the state.

Finally Trey and Ken talk free trade and the increasingly angry trade war emerging between the U.S. and China, spearheaded by Trump. The two spar a bit about the benefits of free trade and when trade barriers might be a good thing.

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Pro-Choice Healthcare, North Korea, Voter Mobilization, GOP Strategy, Trade Philosophy, Good Regulations? Jun 13, 2018

This episode features Mike and Jay’s responses to the following listener questions:

Jay says he’s pro-choice with it comes to people choosing their own health care. Is he also pro-choice when it comes to a woman’s right to choose whether or not to end her pregnancy?

Jay suggested that President Trump’s hardball negotiating style brought North Korea back to the bargaining table. But President Trump was the one who initially cancelled the summit, meaning that Jay’s comment is factually inaccurate. Can Jay explain this?

How can both parties energize voters to participate and turn out in 2018 and beyond?

Aside from judicial nominations, is the Republican Party too short-term oriented in its thinking?

What’s the justification for free trade with emerging economies, especially if the result is lost American jobs? Don’t emerging economies need the U.S. more than the U.S. needs them?

Government regulation ended child labor, provided us with a safer food supply, and has led to many other societal goods. Does Jay really oppose government regulation? Can he explain his position on regulation?

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G7 Meet, Masterpiece Cakeshop, Immigration, Trump's Pardons Jun 09, 2018

Mike and Jay open with a look at the G7 meeting in Quebec, Canada. They agree that President Trump's protectionism is bad policy, though Jay still thinks that the president might be using his tough talk as a negotiating tactic and may not impose long-term tariff barriers. Mike says that President Trump's call to readmit Russia to the group is a horrible idea because, unlike the G7 countries, Russia is not a real democracy.

Then it's a discussion of the Supreme Court's 7-2 ruling in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. The Guys agree that this was a very narrow ruling (in scope, not vote split) and that the Court should have addressed the key free expression issue that was raised. Although Mike is a strong supporter of LGBTQ rights, he thinks the concurrence of Justices Gorsuch and Thomas, which argues that forcing the baker to create a cake for a same-sex wedding is a form of unconstitutional compelled speech, makes some strong points.

After that, it's immigration - first the move by House GOP moderates to force a vote on allowing Dreamers to stay in the country legally, and then a discussion of rising illegal border crossing arrests, the wisdom of the Trump administration's 'family separation' and 'zero tolerance' policies, and a big-picture look at what U.S. immigration policy should be.

Finally, Mike and Jay talk about President Trump's commutation of Alice Marie Johnson's sentence and his view that he can pardon himself, if he so chooses.

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Robert Sutter on US China Relations Jun 06, 2018

Mike talks to Dr. Robert Sutter, a Professor of International Affairs at the Elliott School of George Washington University. Dr. Sutter has worked both in government and in academia, including positions with the CIA, State Department, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He's published 20 books, over 200 articles and several hundred government reports dealing with contemporary East Asian and Pacific countries and their relations with the United States. His most recent book is US-China Relations: Perilous Past, Uncertain Present.

Mike and Dr. Sutter discuss how China is like Prussia, China's investment in Africa, the US / China trade deficit, China & North Korea, if the 21st century will be the 'Chinese Century', and lots more.

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Trade Wars, Trump-Kim Summit, Jobs Report, Arkansas Abortion Law, Trump's Pardons Jun 02, 2018

This week, Mike and Jay start with a look at the Trump Administration's announcement that it would be imposing hefty steel and aluminum tariffs on U.S. allies Mexico, Canada, and the European Union on 'national security' grounds. The administration is also considering a major tariff on imported cars (also ostensibly for national security). Both Mike and Jay think this protectionism is one of the worst things to come out of the Trump administration, though Jay is more hopeful that it's more bluster from the president that won't end up as set policy.

After that, they discuss the off-again, on-again summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jung Un. Mike says that President Trump is exactly the sort of person least suited to carry out the sort of careful, patient negotiations that could defuse the threat posed by North Korea. Jay feels that the president's show of strength is the right approach for North Korea, though both he and Mike wish the president understood the importance of dealing with U.S. allies differently than he deals with adversaries.

Next is a look at the extremely good jobs report. Mike points out that while the U.S. is in the midst of the second longest expansion in modern history, wages are still somewhat stagnant and economic growth is far slower than it's been at many points in the post World War II era. Both Jay and Mike agree that President Trump can't claim responsibility for the expansion any more than President Obama could, and they lament the tendency of the media to overemphasize the importance of government when it comes to economic growth.

Then they turn to the Supreme Court's decision to not hear a case involving an anti-abortion law from Arkansas. While Mike and Jay differ on the wisdom of abortion rights restrictions, they agree that the Court was correct on procedure. In the end, they expect Arkansas' law to be overturned as unconstitutional, as the Court did with a similar Texas law in 2016.

Finally, the Guys discuss President Trump's pardon of conservative provocateur Dinesh D'Souza, and whether the president is using his pardons to send a message to people Robert Mueller has indicted in his Russia investigation. Mike doubts it, believing that it's simply President Trump being his impulsive self for the most part. Mike somewhat surprises Jay by favoring the president's pardon of D'Souza, who Mike says is an awful person, but who was unfairly singled out by the Obama administration for prosecution. Jay points out that it's the awful people who are most in need of protection - and sometimes pardons.

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What Mike's Reading
Mind Control: Barbara Ehrenreich’s radical critique of wellness and self-improvement.

What Jay's Reading
Worried About Incivility? Start With Yourself.

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Trump's Unconstitutional Twitter Feed, The Supremes & Arbitration, House GOP Mini-Rebellion, Is Mike Too Moderate? May 30, 2018

Mike and Jay kick off the show by discussing a federal court ruling that President Trump was violating the 1st Amendment by blocking some critics from his Twitter feed. Neither of the Guys is exactly comfortable with the courts telling people how to run their social media lives, but they agree that because President Trump is using Twitter as an essentially official presidential communication tool, different rules might apply.

Then it's a look at the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling permitting companies to require employees to settle disputed through individual arbitration instead of banding together. Jay says it was the right call and a good policy, and while Mike agrees that the conservative majority made the right interpretation of the law, he absolutely hates the policy outcome and wishes Congress would act to make things less unfair to workers.

After that, the Guys discuss the move by around 20 moderate House Republicans to force a series of votes on immigration, in the hope of giving permanent status to Dreamers. They've been opposed by the House GOP leadership, which doesn't want to risk a politically dangerous vote before the November elections, as well as the House Freedom Caucus, which wants nothing to do with even an indirect path to citizenship for Dreamers.

Finally, Mike responds to a listener who says he's too easy on Republicans like Paul Ryan who support policies that will hurt and potentially even kill Americans.

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PG151: North Korea, Dodd-Frank Rollback, 'Right to Try' Act, Fixing the VA, Spygate & Mueller May 26, 2018

This week, Mike and Jay start off with a look at the North Korea summit, which President Trump canceled, but later suggested might be back on after all. The Guys discuss why the president canceled, what his plan is, and whether we're moving in the right direction.

Then it's a domestic policy bonanza. First is a look at a rollback of the Dodd-Frank law passed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Mike and Jay agree that smaller banks needed some regulatory relief, but Mike argues that the rollback does much more than that, and its loosened restrictions on larger banks put us in danger of another financial crisis. This is followed by discussion of the 'Right to Try' Act, which allows terminally ill patients to try largely unproven treatments, and a major VA bill that will give veterans more options for private care. Mike argues it goes too far down the road to privatization. Jay doesn't disagree, but he supports further privatization.

Finally, Mike and Jay discuss the latest developments in the Robert Mueller investigation, particularly the 'Spygate' claims coming from President Trump and some of his supporters.

What Mike's Reading
The Hedges of the Garden of Liberty.

Why does Trump get away with corruption? Because Bill and Hillary Clinton normalized it.

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Herbert Hoover - the most fascinating, under-appreciated man of the 20th century (Seriously!) May 23, 2018

Mike talks with journalist, editor, and publisher Kenneth Whyte, author of The Uncrowned King: The Sensational Rise of William Randolph Hearst and most recently, Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times. If you think Herbert Hoover was a boring conservative presidential nonentity, you're in for a pleasant surprise.

In this conversation, Mike and Ken discuss Hoover's swashbuckling and sketchy business career, his amazing humanitarian efforts in World War I (it was a crime that he didn't win a Nobel Peace Prize), how Hoover can amazingly lay claim to being the father of modern progressivism and modern conservatism, and lots more.

Kenneth Whyte on Twitter

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PG150: Santa Fe, U.S. Opens The Embassy in Jerusalem, North Korea Has Harsh Words for Bolton, Haspel Is Confirmed, Senate Intel Committee Agrees Russia Tried to Influence 2016 Election, and 2,500 Pages of Trump Tower Documents May 19, 2018

This week Trey and Mike begin the show with the tragic news of a school shooting in Santa Fe Friday. Mike argues briefly that it is the immutable American gun culture that leads to these kinds of tragedies. Trey argues that the right ignores the possibility of lowering the current levels of gun violence with data from other countries while the left ignores that these rates are extremely low forms of death.

After Santa Fe, the hosts transition to two foreign policy topics. The first of these is the United States moving the Israeli embassy to Jerusalem. The move, started by Congress under Bill Clinton but delayed since then, occurred on Monday and led to violence in Gaza and a border conflict. Trey and Mike have different takes on the ability to take sides, but agree that most ignore the long standing historical forces — and immorality — that has led to the ongoing violence. They also arguing the timing was ill advised.

In other foreign policy news Trey and Mike look at the recent harsh words between the U.S. and North Korea as we approach the June 12 summit. Neither host finds the issue shocking and both suggest that it is par for the course for North Korea despite the unfortunate comments from John Bolton.

Turning from foreign to domestic policy Trey and Mike discuss the Senate confirmation of Gina Haspel. Mike argues that she is qualified save for her role in the 2002 torture involvement. Trey is more disappointed in the Senate for the vote and argues that her move to destroy evidence in 2005 disqualifies her from the role and makes it impossible to ever accurately asses her success or failure as CIA head given it is hard to know if she would revert to those kinds of coverups again.

Next Trey and Mike move on to the Senate Intelligence Committee endorsing the evidence that Russia was involved in influencing the 2016 election and, further, it was doing so in favor of Donald Trump. Trey argues that the conclusion is straightforward, but that the likelihood it resulted in changing the election is tiny.

Finally, Trey and Mike discuss the 2,500 pages of material released by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both hosts offer insights into what the material means and offer a voice of support for continued investigations.

Bonus Show! Supporters were treated to a second bonus show this week. If you are interested in hearing more from Trey and Mike head to http://www.politicsguys.com/support/ and unlock the bonus show.

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Ran Levi on Hacking, Cybersecurity, and Ransomware May 16, 2018

Mike talks with Ran Levi, author of Battle of Minds: The History of Computer Malware and host of the Malicious Life podcast, which explores the people and the stories behind the cyber security industry and its evolution.

Mike and Ran discuss Russian hacking into Democratic and Republican systems, potential hacking into state election systems, why paper ballots are a really good idea, the cybersecurity threat posed by Russia, North Korea, and terrorist organizations, the most common vulnerabilities and what governments aren't doing to protect themselves, and more.

Ran Levi on Twitter

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PG149: Iran Nuclear Deal, North Korea Summit, Torture & the CIA Nomination, 2018 Primaries, Michael Cohen's Shenanigans May 12, 2018

This week's show opens with a look at the Iran nuclear deal that President Trump pulled the U.S. out of. Both Mike and Jay agree that it was an imperfect deal, but Mike feels we should have stayed in and worked to improve it. Jay feels that the deal was far more imperfect than Mike does, but he agrees that the president's propensity for walking away from international agreements isn't the best way to handle things. The Guys next turn to the historic summit meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, which President Trump announced would be held in Singapore on June 12\. Jay sees this as a potential step in the right direction and though Mike has plenty of doubts about President Trump's diplomatic ability, he agrees that after decades of stalemate, things could possibly be changing for the better. Even so, it's still very early days, and the U.S. is dealing with an incredibly secretive and untrustworthy country, so expectations should be very low. After that Mike and Jay discussion Gina Haspel, President Trump's nominee to lead the CIA. Mike acknowledges Haspel's experience and expertise, but agrees with Senator John McCain that Haspel's position on torture / 'enhanced interrogation techniques' is disqualifying. Jay disagrees arguing that much of the outcry against Haspel is simply due to her being Donald Trump's nominee. Next is a look at the Senate primary elections in Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana. Neither Mike nor Jay saw much to surprise them, with Jay pointing out that there seemed to be a move away from extreme Republicans. Finally, Mike and Jay talk about former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen raising millions peddling his connection to the president. Mike says that while this sort of thing goes on all the time - in Republican and Democratic administrations - he's troubled by yet another Russia connection. Jay sees things more or less the same way, and in discussing the topic he clarifies his position on Trump, Russia, and collusion. **What Mike's Reading** [Why the specter of Marx still haunts the world](https://wapo.st/2IdEAKx). [](https://econ.st/2Ii8ayN) [Rulers of the world: read Karl Marx!](https://econ.st/2Ii8ayN) [](https://nyti.ms/2IdjRqm) [Happy Birthday, Karl Marx. You Were Right](https://nyti.ms/2IdjRqm)! **What Jay's Reading** [I'm Not Black, I'm Kanye: Kanye West wants freedom - white freedom](https://theatln.tc/2Iipx2i). Ta-Nehisi Coates **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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Broken Healthcare, The Value of Protest, Labor Unions, Syria, Thoughts on Trump May 09, 2018

This 'listener mailbag' show begins with Mike and Jay taking a question from a listener who wonders if it's fair to conclude that healthcare in the United States is broken given the far greater amount per capita the U.S. spends to get results not too different from other rich, developed countries. Mike says yes, and Jay doesn't quite say no, though he points out some important features of the United States that may make international comparisons somewhat tricky. Next is a listener who writes in to argue against Jay's seeming dismissal of protests by telling the story of how his experience attending a march led him to become deeply involved in politics. Jay responds by acknowledging that in some cases a protest experience can be a springboard for greater political action, but argues that in most cases that isn't what happens. Then it's a listener questioning the value of labor unions. Mike says that while it's true that unions may have been slow to adapt to a globalized market, they still have a critical role. Jay, who points out that unions have done a lot of good in the past, is a lot more skeptical about their continued relevance. After that the Guys make some recommendations for books that cover Clinton shenanigans - books that aren't partisan hit-jobs but rather well-researched examinations written by highly respected authors. (Yes - those sort of politics books *do* exist.) This is followed by several questions about Syria, involving the president's authority to authorize military action and a more macro-level look at U.S. policy in Syria and the Middle East as a whole. Mike and Jay close the show by answering a listener who wonders what it would take for Jay to be personally appalled by Donald Trump, and what, if anything, Mike likes about the president. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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Kurt Andersen on Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire May 02, 2018

Mike talks with journalist and best-selling author Kurt Andersen about his most recent book, '[Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History](https://amzn.to/2jmJF8C)'. Mike and Kurt discuss America's founding by 'a nutty religious cult', the long history of American pseudo-empiricism, the dynamic equilibrium between fantasists and realists that made American great, how the fantasists ended up in the driver's seat, ways in which the 1960s empowered the modern right, Donald Trump as a 21st century P.T. Barnum, and lots more. **[Kurt Andersen on Twitter](https://twitter.com/KBAndersen)** **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG 147: North and South Korea Meet, Macron Goes to Washington, How Special of a Special Election in Arizona?, Ronnie Jackson Withdraws, and the Scott Pruitt's "Secret Science" Apr 28, 2018

This week Trey and Mike host together for the first time in a number of episodes. Picking up with one of last week's topics the hosts discuss the meeting between the leaders of North and South Korea. Trey and Mike both agree the meeting was important, but it was a show over a substantive policy meeting. Despite the need for caution, both are weakly optimistic about the future. The devil will be in the substantive policy details, especially in the meaning of "complete denuclearization." The conversation then turned domestic as Trey and Mike examined Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the U.S. The hosts argued that President Macron was trying to simultaneously highlight his personal relationship with President Trump while pushing for Trump to concede on a few important policy points. Trey and Mike spend time discussing those policy points, including Syria. tariffs, and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The Trey and Mike didn't agree on each of these issues and, on Syria, both took opposite policy positions. The conversation then shifted to the Arizona special election. Both hosts, as political scientists, agree that the actual campaign is generally not the best variable in understanding elections. They discuss how much of the current wave of Democratic inroads is due to over arching structural variables and how much of it is explained by a post-Trump Republican Party. Next Trey and Mike briefly analyze Dr. Ronnie Jackson's withdraw from consideration as head of the VA. Trey and Mike agree that the vague accusations were not the right grounds for this to occur, they were simply the "sexiest" news items. Instead the more important, and theoretically boring issue, was the experience to lead such a large organization. That, unfortunately, was not the conversation the American people had. Finally Trey and Mike have little positive to say about Scott Pruitt. Trey argues, and Mike agreed, that Pruitt has two majors issues: 1) a rule change on "secret science" and 2) a series of potential ethical lapses concerning spending. The hosts, as scientists themselves, spend time explaining why some science requires privacy for participants and the importance of the peer-review process. As for the ethical violations, the problem is everyone is for fiscal conservatism when it is brandished as a weapon, but not so interested in it when in power. **What Mike's Reading** [Mencken: The American Iconoclast](https://amzn.to/2HAcoBs). Marion Elizabeth Rogers [Notes on Democracy . H. L. Mencken](https://amzn.to/2vR6qe7) **What Trey's Reading** [A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea](https://amzn.to/2I0S4fZ). Masaji Ishikawa **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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Sheila Tate on First Lady Nancy Reagan Apr 25, 2018

Mike talks with Sheila Tate, who served as press secretary to First Lady Nancy Reagan from 1981 to 1985\. After leaving the White House staff, she co-founded the Washington D.C. public relations firm Powell Tate. She served as press secretary to George H. W. Bush during his successful campaign for the presidency in 1988, as well as for his transition. Sheila remained in close touch with Nancy Reagan after the Reagans returned to California, speaking with her often until Mrs. Reagan’s passing in 2016\. Ms. Tate is the author of the recently released book '[The Lady in Red: An Intimate Portrait of Nancy Reagan](https://amzn.to/2Ho2yCE)'. Mike and Sheila discuss what First Ladies do, what Nancy Reagan was like, the role she played in the Reagan presidency, the 'Just Say No' anti-drug campaign, her 'Dragon Lady' reputation, what people most commonly get wrong about Nancy Reagan, and lots more. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG146: North Korea, Russia, Gorsuch Sides with Liberals, Crafty Congressional Republicans, James Comey's Media Blitz Apr 21, 2018

This week, Mike welcomes special guest co-host Will Miller, a center-right political scientist. Mike and Will start the show by discussing the upcoming negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea in the wake of Secretary of State Nominee Mike Pompeo's Easter weekend visit to North Korea and recent indications by the regime that they're willing to freeze nuclear testing and discuss denuclearization. Both Mike and Will are skeptical, but believe that getting the North talking is a step in the right direction. After that, it's a discussion of the Russia sanctions that didn't happen, when UN Ambassador Nikki Haley's announcement of upcoming sanctions was walked back by the administration, which claimed that Haley had gotten ahead of herself. Mike and Will see this as yet another example of the Trump administration's poor message discipline - a problem that seems to stem largely from President Trump himself. The Guys also discuss whether additional sanctions should have been imposed. Next is a discussion of a Supreme Court decision on immigration in which Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch joined with the Court's four liberals to strike down part of a law used to deport immigrants on the grounds that it is unconstitutionally vague. Will argues that this isn't really a partisan issue, but rather one of statutory construction, and says that the real surprise is that other conservatives on the Court didn't have more of a problem with the vague wording of the law. Then Mike gets to talk about his favorite government agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as explain the intricacies of the Congressional Review Act, which Senate Republicans used to overturn a CFPB 'guidance' issued during the Obama administration. Mike says that this is a clever / sneaky move by Republicans that could lead to a good deal more Obama-era regulatory guidance being overturned. Will agrees, but as he's no fan of regulation, he sees this as a potentially good thing. The Guys close with a discussion of James Comey's media blitz and what his new book and memos tell us about whether or not President Trump obstructed justice. Mike says that it tells us next to nothing, and the media is making focusing far too much on the clash of personalities. Will agrees, and says that the Republicans' move to release the Comey memos may have partially backfired on them. **What Will's Reading & Watching** [Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities](http://bit.ly/2JeOMTs) (PBS documentary) [Why Historically Black Colleges and Universities are Enjoying a Renaissance](https://on.natgeo.com/2JaoFNa). (National Geographic) [The Paradox of Choice . Barry Schwartz.](https://amzn.to/2Jb37QQ) **What Mike's Reading** [Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times . Kenneth Whyte](https://amzn.to/2J4Ta7k) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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Economist Tyler Cowen on The Complacent Class Apr 18, 2018

Mike talks with economist Tyler Cowen. In addition to being a professor of Economics at George Mason University, Dr. Cowen blogs at [Marginal Revolution](http://bit.ly/2IWWSzV), hosts the '[Conversations with Tyler](http://bit.ly/2IZNYBK)' podcast , is a regular contributor at [Bloomberg View](https://bloom.bg/2J3dRAK) , and is the author of a number of books, including '[The Great Stagnation](https://amzn.to/2H3z0tD)', '[An Economist Gets Lunch](https://amzn.to/2H2XJhQ)', '[Average is Over](https://amzn.to/2IZLKSF)' and '[The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream](https://amzn.to/2H3Kg9x)', which recently came out in paperback. Mike and Tyler discuss how the United States got so complacent, the rise of segregation, monopolies and anti-trust regulation, 'matching' and inequality, why Americans don't riot like they used to, Brazil as the best comparison country to the United States, Donald Trump's 'placebo presidency', if the future belongs to China, and lots more. [](https://twitter.com/tylercowen) [**Tyler Cowen on Twitter**](https://twitter.com/tylercowen) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG145: US Strike on Syria, Ryan Out, Zuckerberg Testifies, Cohen Raid, IG McCabe Report Apr 14, 2018

Mike and Jay discuss the US-led missile strike on Syrian chemical weapons infrastructure, Paul Ryan's resignation, Mark Zuckerberg's testimony before Congress, the FBI raid on Michael Cohen's office, and the Department of Justice's Inspector General report on Andrew McCabe. They debate the legitimacy of these events and their implications for American politics. While they have different perspectives, they both agree that these events are cause for concern.

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Danielle McDonald on Barriers to Justice Apr 11, 2018

Mike talks to Dr. Danielle McDonald, a criminal justice professor at Northern Kentucky University about her book **[Race, Gender, Class, and Criminal Justice: Examining Barriers to Justice](https://amzn.to/2IFDsPE)**. Mike and Danielle discuss racial profiling, the militarization of law enforcement, problems with public defenders, racial sentencing disparities, and capital punishment. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG144: A War of Words and Tariffs between China and the United States, Zuckerberg Goes to Congress, the Potential U.S. Pullout from Syria Apr 08, 2018

Trey is joined by Ken this week and reveals he is headed to Oklahoma Christain University. Trey and Ken open the show by discussing the ongoing dispute between the United States and China over trade policy. The hosts explore both the immediate tariffs on aluminum and steel issued by Donald Trump and the pork and wine tariffs imposed by China in retaliation. The hosts also parse the escalating war of words between the two countries and speculate on the possibility of a trade war. Trey and Ken agree that free trade is largely better for the economy (Trey most strongly), but disagree over the role of unions in a free trade driven world. Next Trey and Ken look at the thorny issue of Cambridge Analytica and Facebook’s numerous privacy snafus over. In a series of reveals it was uncovered that Facebook is recording data on users call and texting data, allowing apps to gather wide swaths of information on users who had not consented and more. In short, for a variety of reasons, Facebook could not get off the proverbial front page. Trey and Ken ask themselves what they might do if they were Congress. Specifically what questions the hosts might have for Mr. Zuckerberg in a committee hearing. Trey and Ken also muse on if people really are willing to pay the economic cost for privacy and mull whether Congress ought to make that a mandated requirement. Finally Trey and Ken move to the international issue of Syria. They discuss President Trump’s comments earlier last week on an imminent pullout and the revelations late last week that he is butting heads with his military staff, potentially offering them a six month timeline. In a unique twist Trey argues that U.S. foreign intervention has been a failure and finds support for Trump’s stated goal to wind down military options overseas while Ken limitedly argues that the U.S. has a moral imperative to see them through to create stability. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show go to [www.politicsguys.com/support](www.politicsguys.com/support).
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Military Force, Healthcare Workers, Does Jay Respect Young People?, Thoughts on Burke, Flip-Flopping Apr 04, 2018

In this listener mail episode of The Politics Guys, Mike and Jay respond to listener questions, including: * Why Congress gives the president so much power in authorizations for use of military force. * The lack of attention both Mike and Jay have paid to working conditions to healthcare workers, and how those conditions affect patients. * Why Jay seems so dismissive of young people's protests. * What Jay (and Mike) mean when they call themselves 'Burkean'. * Why political flip-flopping gets such a bad name. **Show Notes** - [Nuclear Jenga - in a Bouncy Castle](http://bit.ly/2tAzepU). Jesse Lawler - [Great Thinkers: Edmund Burke](http://bit.ly/2pXOyb0) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG143: VA Shakeup, Census Concerns, Kim Jung Un Takes a Trip, Repeal the 2nd Amendment?, Russia Relations Mar 31, 2018

Mike welcomes [The 45th Podcast's](https://45thpod.com/) Susan Simpson to the show, in Part II of The Politics Guys / The 45th Podcast host exchange. Mike and Susan open with a look at the shakeup at the VA, with Mike questioning the managerial qualifications of Ronny Jackson, President Trump's choice to take over for David Shulkin at the massive VA. Susan argues that no reasonable person would even want the VA job, and suggests that Jackson's fawning estimate of the president's health, along with a desire for power, are what may have made him Trump's pick. Next it's discussion of the recent announcement by the Department of Commerce that the 2020 Census will have a questions about citizenship status. Both Mike and Susan are skeptical of the motives of the Justice Department, which requested the question be added. Mike hesitates to call the move racist, but points out that any likely political advantage from the move will be to the Republicans. After that, Mike and Susan turn to a discussion of what North Korean leader Kim Jung Un's recent meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and his upcoming meetings with South Korea's Moon Jae-in and President Trump, might mean. Mike suggests that President Trump's tougher stance could be bearing fruit, though he concedes that even a Democratic administration would have almost certainly ratcheted up sanctions in response to the North's nuclear tests. Susan says there's no policy here but chaos, and is concerned that President Trump might lead us into an unnecessary armed conflict with North Korea. Then it's a look at the March for our Lives and Justice Stevens recent call for repeal of the Second Amendment. Mike and Susan are both big supporters of the March and hope that it leads to significant change. They differ somewhat on Justice Stevens advocacy for a repeal of the Second Amendment. Mike feels it's a gift to the NRA and not necessary, as even the draconian gun regulations in Washington D.C. - far tougher than what most people are calling for - are possible without touching the Second Amendment. Susan doesn't entirely disagree, but argues that the Second Amendment can make reasonable gun laws more difficult to pass, and points out that even a repeal wouldn't make firearms illegal. After that, they discuss the increasingly strained relations between Russia and the United States in the wake of tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats and closing of consulates. Susan points out that despite this strong U.S. response - which she argues Trump was forced to make - we still haven't heard the president say anything negative about Vladimir Putin. She argues that's because Putin almost certainly has damaging information on Trump. **Show Notes** **What Susan's Reading & Listening To:** [Maryland appeals court decision in Adnan Syed case](https://bsun.md/2pTHSuC). [Missing and Murdered](http://bit.ly/2pWGVBJ) (podcast) **What Mike's Listening To:** [Philosophize This](http://philosophizethis.org/). Stephen West (podcast) - [The 45th Podcast](https://45thpod.com/) - [The 45th on Twitter](https://twitter.com/45thPod) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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Jacob Hacker on What We've Forgotten About Growth & Prosperity Mar 28, 2018

Mike talks with Yale political scientist Jacob Hacker about his work on economic growth, insecurity, and inequality. Dr. Hacker's books include '[The Great Risk Shift](https://amzn.to/2I5IPYo)', [Winner-Take-All Politics](https://amzn.to/2I7I5lz), and, most recently, '[American Amnesia: How the War on Government Led Us to Forget What Made America Prosper](https://amzn.to/2I62nMi)'. Mike and Dr. Hacker discuss what we've forgotten about shared economic growth, why the United States is lagging in so many areas where it once was a world leader, if we're too nostalgic for a past that can't be recreated, the effects technological change and globalization have had on American prosperity, how we can move to a positive-sum economic future, why Donald Trump is an unexpected opportunity for progressives, and lots more. ** Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG142: Budget Deal, US vs China, Facebook vs Privacy, PA 18, Bolton In McMaster Out Mar 24, 2018

This week, Mike and Jay start by looking at the $1.3 trillion dollar, 2,0000+ page budget passed by Congress and very reluctantly signed into law by President Trump. Mike sees it as not half bad, given Republican control of the legislative and executive branches, while Jay tends to agree with House Freedom Caucus concerns about out-of-control spending. Next is a discussion of the $60 billion in tariffs President Trump announced against China in response to China's widespread intellectual property theft. Mike is actually somewhat sympathetic to the Trump administration's approach, feeling that previous attempts to minimize Chinese IP theft have been largely unsuccessful. Jay argues that tariffs are likely to be too blunt of an instrument to effect significant change. After that, the Guys get into privacy in social media in the wake of the Facebook / Cambridge Analytica scandal. Both Mike and Jay agree that a loss of privacy is the price we pay for 'free' use of social networks and wonder if this price is too high. Following that is a look at the special election in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, where Democrat Connor Lamb won in an extremely conservative district. Mike sees it as a sign of Democratic voter enthusiasm and expects a wave election in November that will give the Democrats control of the House of Representatives. Jay isn't so sure, and questions whether the Democrats will be able to replicate their success in PA 18 in other races. To close, Mike and Jay discuss the latest shake-up in the White House, with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster being replaced by John Bolton. Mike thinks that Bolton is too hawkish, too impulsive, and reinforces President Trump's worst instincts. Jay is more of a fan of Bolton, but agrees that President Trump would benefit from more voices of moderation. **What Jay's Reading**[The Gathering Stormy](http://bit.ly/2GigTTJ). Jonah Goldberg [Truth Isn't the Problem - We Are](https://on.wsj.com/2I3tWpx). Rebecca Newberger Goldstein (WSJ - paywall) **What Mike's Reading**[12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos](https://amzn.to/2I3gOAr). Jordan Peterson **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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Bryan Caplan on The Case Against Education Mar 21, 2018

Mike welcomes George Mason University economist Bryan Caplan back to the show to talk about his latest book, '[The Case Against Education: Why the Education System is a Waste of Time and Money](http://amzn.to/2FTfqzI)'. In this episode, Mike and Dr. Caplan discuss the myths that people believe about the value of a college education, if college teaches people job-relevant skills (mostly no), if it teaches them 'how to think' (not as far as we can measure), if it's an economically smart move for the student (not in as many cases as you might think), and if having a lot of well-educated people benefits society in any measurable way (I bet you can guess the answer at this point). In spite of the depressing (at least to Mike) and impressive amount of data and analysis Dr. Caplan brings to bear, Mike makes a game attempt to salvage some meaning and value for his life's work. **Follow Bryan Caplan [on Twitter](http://politicsguys.com/bryan-caplan-interview/)** **[Bryan Caplan's previous Politics Guys appearance](http://politicsguys.com/bryan-caplan-interview/)** (where he and Mike discussed '[The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies](http://amzn.to/2HFEGKr)') **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG141: A Line at the White House Exit, Stormy Daniels Sues Trump, and the Student Walkout Mar 17, 2018

Trey begins by hijacking the show's opening with an original loop. Jay and Trey then open the show by looking at the big exits from the White House this week including Rex Tillerson and Andrew McCabe. Jay argues that the replacements are capable and Trey worries that the turmoil underlies a deeper problem in management at the White House. Both agree that there is significant turnover. After that the discussion turns to Stormy Daniels. Jay and Trey deeply disagree over the payoff from the Trump organization to Daniels. Jay calculates, based on past precedent, that Trump having an affair will neither affect his approval nor his reelection chances. Trey believes this might be Trump’s downfall. It is one thing to have an affair, another to clandestinely try to buy off the conversation concerning it. Finally, Trey and Jay discuss the student walkouts on Wednesday. Both see the reactions from left and right as part of the underlying ideological differences that are separating the two camps. Further, they have slightly different takes on the institutional takeover of the walkout. Finally, they agree that discussions about gun control are separate from feelings on the protest itself.
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'Collusion' Investigation, Healthcare, Contempt & Civil Discourse, Chain Migration Mar 14, 2018

In this 'Ask The Politics Guys' episode, Mike and Jay respond to comments and questions on: * the nature of the Mueller investigation * the role of healthcare costs in personal bankruptcy * contempt and civil discourse * the wisdom of nationwide concealed carry reciprocity * why Jay uses the term 'chain migration' * the guys' thoughts on UK politics * looking to the Veterans' healthcare system as a model for what universal care in the U.S. might be like. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG140: North Korea Talks, Sessions Sues California, Trump's Tariffs, Florida vs the NRA Mar 10, 2018

Mike and Jay open the show with a look at the stunning announcement about talks between President Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Both of the guys are hesitant to believe this will lead to anything given North Korea's track record of stringing U.S. administrations along and breaking agreements. They're also concerned that by meeting with Kim - the first time any U.S. president has agreed to talks with North Korea's leader, President Trump may be giving the regime something it's always wanted and getting little if anything in return. After that it's discussion of the suit the Department of Justice has brought against three California laws involving enforcement of federal immigration policy. In a strange twist, Attorney General Sessions is making the typical liberal argument about federal government supremacy while California is responding with traditionally conservative points about the 10th Amendment, going so far as to rely on a conservative icon, former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Both Jay and Mike think that the federal government will end up winning in court (with Jay being more sure of this than Mike) though it's likely to take several years. After that, Mike and Jay discuss the tariffs on steel and aluminum that President Trump formally announced this week. They both see this as a truly bad move that will not only hurt far more Americans than it will help, but a step that further erodes America's standing in the world and does nothing to deal with a truly significant international issue - China's ongoing, massive intellectual property theft. Finally, the Guys look at the new gun legislation enacted in Florida in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting. They consider whether the NRA's Second Amendment based lawsuit is likely to succeed (probably not) and discuss whether Florida might be a model for more states and possibly even the U.S. Congress, where not much has happened as of yet. **What Mike's Reading** [For Two Months, I Got My News From Print Newspapers. Here’s What I Learned](http://nyti.ms/2p2IIVm). Farhad Manjoo **What Jay's Reading** [Parkland kids can protest, but they don't know what they are talking about](https://usat.ly/2p36l0j). Jonah Goldberg **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possibl**e. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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What We've Learned About Fake News Mar 07, 2018

Mike talks with Jason Reifler, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, about his research into fake news. They discuss Dr. Reifler's recent paper on the topic ('[Selective Exposure to Misinformation: Evidence from the consumption of fake news during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign](https://www.dartmouth.edu/~nyhan/fake-news-2016.pdf)'), whether fact checking helps combat fake news, if this is a Trump-specific phenomena or part of a broader and even more disturbing trend, and lots more. **Follow Jason Reifler** **[on Twitter](https://twitter.com/jasonreifler)** **Episode Links** - [Politifact](http://www.politifact.com) - F[actcheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org) - [Snopes](https://www.snopes.com) - [Craig Silverman](https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG139: Trump's Tariffs, Gun Policy, A New Cold War?, Hicks Quits Mar 03, 2018

This week's show starts with a discussion of the 'national security' tariffs President Trump announced he planned to impose on steel and aluminum. Mike and Jay are in agreement that the tariffs are a terrible idea and not at all related to national security. Jay points out that this is an issue where President Trump is getting more support from Democrats from his fellow Republicans, who were generally upset and dismayed at the announcement. The president further disturbed many in his own party this week by suggesting he was in favor of tougher gun laws than most Congressional Republican are likely to support. Mike makes the point that we've seen the president make similar statements on other issues - immigration most notably - and then fall back into GOP orthodoxy in the end. The Guys also look at a variety of other gun policy related developments that took place over the last week. Next is a discussion of Russian president Vladimir Putin's bellicose speech about the U.S. threat to global security and new weapons systems Russia has developed to thwart U.S. missile defenses. This comes shortly after NSA and U.S. Cyber Command chief Mike Rogers told the Senate Intelligence Committee that we're not doing enough to prevent Russian cyberattacks on our election systems. Finally, it's a look at what seems to be a West Wing in disarray, following the departure of Hope Hicks as communications director. Mike and Jay agree that the extremely high level of turnover - especially in the communications area - is yet another indication that Donald Trump is an impulsive person who hates being managed and bridles at the necessity of message discipline. **What Jay's Reading :** [The Only Good Thing About Donald Trump Is All His Policies](http://on.wsj.com/2oFHUGD). Joseph Epstein. (WSJ. Unfortunately, it's behind a paywall and there's no non-paywall version of this article. But you really should check out Epstein's wonderful writing, which you can do without having to deal with a paywall at [The Weekly Standard](http://tws.io/2oDpVke).) **What Mike's Reading** [The Fractured Republic](http://amzn.to/2oDq6vU). Yuval Levin [Republic, Lost: Version 2.0](http://amzn.to/2oEoOAD). Lawrence Lessig **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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Reforming an Unresponsive Political System Feb 28, 2018

Mike talks with Jim Jonas, a founding director of the [National Association of Nonpartisan Reformers](https://nonpartisanreformers.org/) and co-founder of Colorado Independent Voters. Jim is an experienced political, public affairs and corporate communication consultant based in Denver, Colorado. For the last decade he's helped create and manage a wide variety of entrepreneurial, disruptive political organizations and campaigns to promote independent/nonpartisan causes and candidates. He was a co-founder of Unity '08, a consultant to Americans Elect, and the campaign manager to Greg Orman's independent campaign for the US Senate in Kansas in 2014\. Jim got his start in politics writing and producing political media for consulting legend Roger Ailes in New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC. He also served as Senator Lamar Alexander's communications director for his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination in 1996. Mike and Jim discuss whether political elites have too much power, the barriers both major parties have set up to reform, how reform can happen, and what listeners can do to help the cause of nonpartisan reform. **[Jim Jonas on Twitter](https://twitter.com/jimjonas)** **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG138: Gun Laws, North Korea Sanctions, PA Gerrymandering, Mueller Charges Feb 24, 2018

The show opens with Mike and Jay discussing the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida. Mike takes issue with the inflammatory rhetoric of NRA head Wayne LaPierre, and while Jay agrees, he points out that there are those on the left who are equally inflammatory. In terms of policy proposals, Mike points out how rare schools shootings are, the difficulty in making them even more rare, and the almost certain unintended consequences of any such effort. Jay agrees, though seems less skeptical of proposals to arm teachers than Mike clearly is. Next, the Guys discuss the latest round of U.S. sanctions against North Korea. They both agree that North Korea has taken advantage of previous administrations - of both parties - with Jay arguing that this sort of tough approach is called for, given that history. Mike appreciates the logic, but is concerned about possible consequences if the U.S. backs North Korea into a corner with no way out. Then it's more on gerrymandering, in the wake of Pennsylvania's Democratic-majority supreme court drawing a Congressional map for the state after the Republican-controlled legislature and Democratic governor couldn't agree on their own map. While Mike and Jay believe that courts shouldn't draw Congressional maps, Mike believes it's an unfortunate last option when a court finds legislative maps to be in violation of a constitution (whether it's a state or the federal constitution). Finally, Mike and Kay discuss the new indictments against former Trump campaign operatives Paul Manafort and Rick Gates. Jay doesn't see the link between these charges and collusion with the Russians in the 2018 elections, and while Mike agrees, he points out that these investigations typically take years, and that Mueller is likely building a case. **What Jay's Watching: ** [**** The Times of Harvey Milk](http://bit.ly/2EQpPQA) **What Mike's Reading:** [Who Needs Congressional Districts](http://nyti.ms/2EOu675)? **[Here's the link to take the Stony Brook survey](http://bit.ly/2EM5k7n)** on the messages that political parties send to their members. (The researchers request that you don't post about the survey so as to not influence others who haven't yet taken it.) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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School Shooting, Contempt for Religion, Universal Healthcare, GOP Debts Feb 21, 2018

Mike and Jay lead off the show with Mike arguing that in the aftermath of tragic events, like the recent school shooting in Florida, we're far too quick to rush to judgment and far too eager to believe that incompetence or malfeasance is the cause. He argues that we should look to institutional structures, incentives, and resources which are, in his view, more commonly at fault. After that, Mike and Jay answer listener questions about whether liberals like Susan Jacoby ([who Mike recently interviewed on the show](http://politicsguys.com/the-age-of-american-unreason-in-a-culture-of-lies/)) are contemptuous of religion, their positions on universal healthcare, if Mike should be more aggressive, if Jay's carrying water for the Trump administration, and whether the nation debt is more the fault of Republicans than Democrats. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).
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PG137: South Florida Shooting and the FBI, Mueller’s Indictment, Senate Immigration Fails, Mitt Romney for Senate, and No Solo-Press Conferences for President Trump Feb 17, 2018

This week’s show opens with Trey introducing a new voice for the left: Ken Katkin, , a professor of law at Northern Kentucky University, who's stepping in to give Mike the week off (and to give listeners the week off from Mike ). The two then move into the tragedy in South Florida this week. The two open by talking about the FBI’s potential shortcomings as noted by Governor Rick Scott. They then move, briefly, to discuss the role of gun legislation. The topic is particularly difficult for Trey who lives and works in Central Florida. Next Trey brings up the Mueller’s indictment against 13 Russians. Both Trey and Ken agree a central finding is a lack of citizen awareness of information discernment. It also appears to support the claims of the Trump team that more than being pro-Trump, to this point they were anti-Hillary in all their forms. However, it is clear that more is coming from Mueller on the American side. After that Trey and Ken discuss Romney for Senate, and how wrongfully both the left and the right wrongly dismissed him as a cold warrior for focusing on Russia. Romney is a fascinating test case for how Republicans will run campaigns in the post-Trump era. Finally Ken and Trey discuss an issue near and dear to Trey’s heart: presidential communication. It has been over a year since Trump’s last solo-press conference. It is evidence in favor of a hypothesis that Trey made in academic circles in 2011: presidents will use unmediated social media channels over mediated channels of information.
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The Crisis of the Middle Class Constitution Feb 14, 2018

Mike talks with Ganesh Sitaraman, a professor of law at Vanderbilt Law School and a senior fellow at the [Center for American Progress](https://www.americanprogress.org/). He's a longtime advisor to Senator Elizabeth Warren, serving as her policy director and senior counsel. Professor Sitaraman has commented on foreign and domestic policy in The New York Times, The New Republic, The Boston Globe, and The Christian Science Monitor and is the author of [The Counterinsurgent’s Constitution: Law in the Age of Small Wars](http://amzn.to/2BrU8da), which won the 2013 Palmer Civil Liberties Prize and, most recently, [The Crisis of the Middle Class Constitution: Why Income Inequality Threatens Our Republic.](http://amzn.to/2Br0QA9) In this episode, Mike and Professor Sitaraman discuss 'class warfare' vs 'middle class' constitutions, the radicalism of the Founders, why income inequality wasn't a big problem in 18th century America, the reasons for increased economic inequality over the past 40 years, and lots more! [Ganesh Sitaraman on Twitter](https://twitter.com/GaneshSitaraman) Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal link.
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PG136: Trump Rejects Dem Memo, Budget Agreement, Gerrymandering (also - Mike 'Sings'!) Feb 10, 2018

This week's show opens with Mike and Jay discussing President Trump's decision to not allow the release of the Democratic response to the memo released last week by House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes. While the FBI and Department of Justice voiced concerns with releasing the Democrats' response, Mike points out that they also raised concerns about the Republican memo, which the President allowed to be released. Even so, Mike is withholding judgement because the White House claims it will work with the Intelligence Committee to come up with a version of the Democratic memo that can be released. Jay agrees with Mike that the Trump administration's handling of this whole thing has been somewhat less than supremely competent. Next is a look at the bipartisan (yes, that's right bipartisan) budget agreement reached by Congress. While some on the left were disappointed that protection for Dreamers wasn't part of the deal, and some on the right were angered by what they see as reckless spending, there were more than enough votes to send the measure to President Trump's desk. Mike and Jay discuss the winners, losers, and policy implications of the agreement. (Earlier in the week, Mike promised to compose and sing a song titled 'Donald Trump is Great' if there was a budget before they aired the show. While he was technically right about there not being a budget - the measure President Trump signed was a continuing resolution, with the actual budget coming in March - Mike decided that he didn't want to skate by on a technicality. If you want to hear him 'sing' his Donald Trump 'song', be sure to listen past the closing credits.) After that it's gerrymandering - a proposed redistricting plan in Ohio that has both Jay and Mike proud to be Buckeyes as well as a challenge to a Pennsylvania redistricting plan that the Supreme Court decided not to take up. **What Mike's Reading** _[Naked Money](http://amzn.to/2BniSDh)_. Charles Wheelan **What Jay's Reading** [Ohio's redistricting fight suggests how principles and politics can mesh](http://bit.ly/2Bo9kZ4). [Eight views of Pennsylvania: A visual dive into Congressional redistricting and gerrymandering](http://bit.ly/2BlcIDL). **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal link.
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Abortion, Trump's Racism, Podcasts We Like, How Mike Became a Liberal Feb 07, 2018

Mike and Jay start the show by addressing listener comments, starting with a criticism of their recent discussion of reproductive rights, which several listeners said was sorely lacking in nuance. They also get into the extent to which they follow world politics, President Trump's racism, and podcasts they recommend (well, podcasts Mike recommends - Jay's pretty much a one podcast guy). After that is Mike's recent interview with conservative radio and podcast host Todd Feinberg, in which Mike explains how he went from a far right, Republican-voting, Heritage Foundation intern to the centrist liberal he is today. **Show Links:** - [The Weeds](http://bit.ly/2Bb5MJg) - [The Ezra Klein Show](http://bit.ly/2Bb5QJ0) - [Left, Right, and Center](http://kcrw.co/2Bce3g9) - [Pantsuit Politics](http://bit.ly/2BcwVvw) - [NPR's Politics Podcast](http://n.pr/2Be9v9f) - [Todd Feinberg on WTIC NewsTalk 1080](http://cbsloc.al/2BcZDMU) - [Harvard Lunch Club podcast](http://bit.ly/2BcZlFy) - [Mike Rowe's Life Advice](http://bit.ly/2Bd4zkI) - [538's Gerrymandering Project](http://53eig.ht/2BcX5hG) - [Scott Adams on cognitive bias and Trump](http://on.wsj.com/2BamWHb) (WSJ - paywall) **Today's show is sponsored by DaVinci.** Go to [Davinciwork.com/TPG](http://www.davinciwork.com/TPG) and, for a limited time, get 50% off your first purchase. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal link.
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PG135: GOP vs FBI, State of the Union, Immigration, Infrastructure Feb 03, 2018

This week's show opens with Mike and Jay's discussion of the 'Nunes Memo', in which the GOP majority of the House Intelligence Committee suggests that the FBI obtained a FISA warrant to spy on Trump campaign associate Carter Page using highly questionable evidence. Jay believes that it's important for this information to come out, while Mike argues that the GOP was wrong to release what he believes to be partial and misleading information. Next is a look at President Trump's State of the Union address. Both Mike and Jay agree that the SOTU is painful and largely pointless political theater - after explaining why they move on to discuss the two major substantive policy proposals in the speech: a four-point immigration plan and an outline of an upcoming $1.5 trillion infrastructure proposal. **What Jay's Reading:** [Polarization is an Old American Story](http://on.wsj.com/2FInPWp). (Wall Street Journal - paywall) **What Mike's Reading:** [TV Gave Us the Modern State of the Union. Then It Killed It](http://politi.co/2FFU2gV). (Politico) **We hope you'll check out the sponsors of today's show:**[**Policygenius.com**](http://www.policygenius.com) - the easy way to compare and buy life insurance online. **SeatGeek** - Politics Guys listeners get $20 off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeek app and enter promo code **POLITICSGUY** **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal link.
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The Age of American Unreason in a Culture of Lies Jan 31, 2018

Mike talks with Susan Jacoby, an independent scholar specializing in the history of reason, atheism, secularism, and religious liberty. She's the bestselling author of 12 books, including '[Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism](http://amzn.to/2FnHx9T)' and 'The Age of American Unreason', which just came out in a new, updated edition titled ['The Age of American Unreason in a Culture of Lies](http://amzn.to/2Foubdk)'. They discuss American anti-intellectualism, the meaning of unreason, if unreason has become a bigger problem in recent years, whether this is a bipartisan phenomenon, if Donald Trump is an aberration or a sign of things to come, and lots more. [Susan Jacoby's Website](http://www.susanjacoby.co/) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal link.
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The Flu Bug Strikes! | Sam Quinones on the Opioid Epidemic Jan 27, 2018

This week, disaster struck The Politics Guys. Well, okay, maybe not disaster exactly, but a truly nasty flu bug felled Trey late in the week. We'd planned to have Trey run the show along with a special more far left than Mike guest co-host, but that all fell apart when Trey's thermometer hit 105 yesterday afternoon. (He got some good drugs and is feeling slightly better today.) Mike and Jay had planned to take the week off and so neither of them was ready to do anything but provide off-the-cuff, uninformed opinions. (Yes, we realize that sometimes it seems like they do that every week, but trust us, they spend a lot of time preparing.) And so, instead of throwing together some shoddy instant-analysis of the news (which you can get *so* many other places) we decided instead to run Mike's recent talk with San Quinones about the opioid epidemic. Sam lived for 10 years as a freelance writer in Mexico, where he wrote his first two books, returning to the U.S. in 2004 to work for the L.A. Times, covering immigration, drug trafficking, neighborhood stories, and gangs. In 2014 he resigned from the Times to return to freelancing, working for publications including National Geographic, the New York Times, and Los Angeles Magazine. He's the author of three books, including [Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic](https://www.amazon.com/Dreamland-True-Americas-Opiate-Epidemic/dp/1620402521/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1517072560&sr=8-1), which appeared on numerous 'best book of the year' lists and won the National Book Critics Circle award for nonfiction. He's spoken about the crisis in many venues, including Marc Maron's WTF and Russ Roberts' EconTalk (two of Mike's favorite podcasts), and he recently testified on the opioid crisis before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee. **The sponsors of today's show are:** **Dollar Shave Club**. Get the Dollar Shave Club Starter Set for just five buck by going to [dollarshaveclub.com/TPG](https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/TPG). **Policy Genius.** Life insurance and more in minutes. Check it out for free at [policygenius.com](http://www.policygenius.com) **DaVinci.** Great, affordable meeting rooms in cities across the country. Go to [davincimeet.com/TPG](http://www.davincimeet.com/TPG) and, for a limited time, get 50% off your first purchase. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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Dana R. Fisher on American Resistance Jan 24, 2018

Mike talks with University of Maryland sociology professor Dana R. Fisher about her research on activism and protests, the Women's March, who protests and why, whether protests can drive real political change, differences between Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party, and lots more. [Follow Dr. Fisher on Twitter](https://twitter.com/Fisher_DanaR) ** Show Notes** [The Women's March](https://www.womensmarch.com/) [Indivisible](https://www.indivisible.org/) [Mike's Talk with Indivisible's Jeremy Haile](http://politicsguys.com/778-2/) [Network](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/network/) ** Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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PG134: Government Shutdown, March for Life, NC Gerrymandering Jan 21, 2018

This week's show starts off with the story everyone's been talking about - the government shutdown. Mike and Jay largely stay away from the blame game consuming most of the media, and try to focus on why both parties did what they did and the role President Trumps leadership (or lack thereof) played. Next, Mike and Jay discuss the 2018 March for Life, as well as some recent actions taken by the Trump administration and the House of Representatives in support of the pro-life movement. While Mike believes that women have a fundamental right to make reproductive decisions prior to fetal viability, he's sympathetic to pro-life people who see essentially all terminated pregnancies as needless deaths. Jay makes the case that in this area, the law is on Mike's side, but that he doesn't find the fundamental right Mike does in the Constitution. Finally, the Guys turn once again to gerrymandering, in light of the Supreme Court overturning the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals' order that North Carolina redraw its Congressional districts by the end of January. Mike agrees with Jay that the Supreme Court made the right call, though they disagree concerning how the Court should ultimately rule. **What Mike's Reading** [Trump's Basic Instincts About the Political War Are Essentially Right, and The Establishment's Sense of It Is Essentially Wrong](http://bit.ly/2DvU9hU). **What Jay's Reading** [Bad Weather Is No Reason For Climate Alarm](http://on.wsj.com/2DAlEGQ). **Today's show is sponsored by SeatGeek**. Politics Guys listeners get $20 off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeek app and enter promo code **POLITICSGUY**. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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GOP vs Facts, Politics Guys vs Diversity, Jay's Burkean Ideals, 2020 Contenders Jan 17, 2018

In this listener mail episode (really more of a listener mail, Facebook, Twitter, and politicsguys.com site comment episode) Mike and Jay respond to listener comments concerning: * Why Republicans like Jay aren't nearly as respectful of facts as Democrats are (Jay disagrees, as you might expect) * Why The Politics Guys isn't more diverse, and whether or not the lack of a liberal further to the left of Mike is a problem. * How Jay's Burkean ideals match up to the modern-day GOP. (And Mike points out that he's got Burkean ideals too!) * Who Mike and Jay think might run for president in 2020 During this episode, Mike waxed rhapsodical about the amazing economic data site put together by the St. Louis branch of the Federal Reserve - [here's the link](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/). **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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The Politics of Farm Labor Jan 15, 2018

Mike's back with his second food politics episode. This time, he reads [his post on the politics of farm labor](http://politicsguys.com/the-politics-of-farm-labor/) , getting into who works on America's farms (mostly immigrants), how willing Americans are to do farm labor (not very, for understandable reasons), why nearly half of all farm labor is done by undocumented immigrants, abuses of immigrant laborers, and the connection between immigrant labor and food prices. If you'd like to let Mike know what you think about this episode, or if you have any ideas, suggestions, or you just want to say 'hi', you can reach him at [mike@politicsguys.com](mailto:mike@politicsguys.com). **The generous support of listeners is what helps keep The Politics Guys going.** If you'd interested in becoming part of our great group of Politics Guys financial supporters, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on either the Patreon or PayPal links you'll find there.
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PG133: Immigration, Is Trump a Racist?, Medicaid, Surveillance Law Jan 13, 2018

Mike and Jay open the show with a discussion of everything that's been happening on the immigration front this week, including the Trump administration's decision to not extend temporary protected status to nearly 200,000 Salvadorians, a federal judge's ruling that DACA must continue until the courts rule on it, and the potential immigration deal that blew up amid President Trump's remarks about 'shithole' countries. Mike argues that President Trump is both a racist and an impediment to the Republican party. Jay agrees that Trump makes the job of Congressional Republicans much harder, but won't go so far as to call the president a racist. After that, it's a look at the administration's announcement that it will allow states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. Mike says that this is the Trump version of Obama's DACA - implementing a program that contravenes legislative intent. Further, he argues that the work requirements arise more out of states' desire to save money (at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable) than out of concern for the people who will be affected. Jay disagrees, arguing that there are significant differences between DACA and this, and that states are ultimately helping people by imposing a work requirement. Next, Mike and Jay discuss the bipartisan House vote approving a six-year renewal of the NSA's warrantless wiretapping authority. Mike says this is not only bad for civil liberties, but is yet another example of President Trump's disturbing lack of policy knowledge and his equally disturbing ability to be influenced by the last person he hears. Jay agrees with Mike's point about President Trump, but feels that the NSA program is important and that renewing it without significant changes was the right move. **What Mike's Reading:** [The Decline of Anti-Trumpism](http://nyti.ms/2mvapou). David Brooks **What Jay's Reading:** [The Cold War: A World History](http://amzn.to/2mpV5JY). Odd Arne Westad **Today's show is sponsored by DaVinci**, providing you with incredibly affordable access to meeting rooms in every city. Politics Guys listeners get 50% off their first purchase at [davincimeet.com/TPG](http://davincimeet.com/TPG) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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Whistleblowing, Leaking, and Employment Discrimination Jan 10, 2018

Mike talks with attorney Scott Oswald, a managing principal at [The Employment Law Group](https://www.employmentlawgroup.com). Scott has extensive experience with whistleblower, employment discrimination, and wrongful termination cases, regularly lectures on employment and whistleblower law, and has authored numerous articles on federal and state whistleblower and employment law protections. Mike and Scott discuss the differences between whistleblowing and leaking, protections for whistleblowers, leaking of classified information, the magnitude of the employment discrimination problem, whether things are getting better, and differences between the Trump and Obama administrations in employment discrimination enforcement. The Employment Law Group on Twitter: [https://twitter.com/telglawyers](https://twitter.com/telglawyers) Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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PG132: Korea Talks, Iran Protests, DOJ on Marijuana, Wolff’s Book and Offshore Drilling Jan 06, 2018

In our first show of 2018 Mike and Trey look at what they thought would be a quiet week in the news that quickly exploded. First they look at the unexpected offer by Kim Jong Un to talks between North and South Korea. Then the hosts turn their attention to the emergence of protests in Iran and look at the similarities and differences between the 2009 and 2018 protests. After this weeks foreign policy questions are finished Trey and Mike discuss domestic policy beginning with Session’s DOJ memo on marijuana. They briefly discuss the more substantive outcomes of Michael Wolff’s upcoming book on the Trump White House before turning their attention to changes to offshore drilling. This episode of The Politics Guys is sponsored by http://www.policygenius.com the free way to compare insurance quotes made simple.
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Political Bribery, Corruption, Secret Money, and Broken Elections Jan 03, 2018

Mike talks with Josh Silver, Director and co-founder of [Represent.Us](https://represent.us/) , a nonprofit organization that brings together conservatives, progressives, and everyone in between to pass powerful anti-corruption laws that stop political bribery, end secret money, and fix our broken elections. Mike and Josh discuss why so many reformers take a left-wing approach, how big of a problem political corruption is, secret money and political speech, how to improve elections, and lots more. **Episode Links** [The 'Unrig the System' Summit](https://unrigsummit.com/) [The American Anti-Corruption Act](https://anticorruptionact.org/) [Lawmakers fighting Citizen Election Initiatives](http://lat.ms/2CsKbxb) Represent.us [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/representdotus) This episode of The Politics Guys is sponsored by **SeatGeek**, the easiest way to buy tickets to live events. Politics Guys listeners get **$20 off** their first SeatGeek purchase by downloading the SeatGeek app or going to [seatgeek.com](https://seatgeek.com/) and entering promo code **POLITICSGUY** **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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Avocado Politics Dec 30, 2017

Mike and Jay aren't doing their regular Saturday show today, but instead of giving you nothing this weekend Mike thought he'd try an experiment. As you might know, [Mike started a blog](http://politicsguys.com/mike/) not too long ago. One reader suggested that he do it as a sort of mini-podcast as well. That sounded like a reasonable idea, and so he gave it a try. This is the result (for better or worse). We hope you enjoy this experimental Politics Guys episode, and that you let us know what you think - good, bad, or indifferent. Is this something you'd like to see on a regular basis (in addition to, not in place of, our regular Saturday and Wednesday shows)? Any suggestions, ideas, critiques? Whatever you think, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact Mike directly at [mike@politicsguys.com](mailto:mike@politicsguys.com) or message us on [the Politics Guys Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/politicsguyspage/) Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com](http://www.politicsguys.com) and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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PG131: Tax Reform Law, UN vs US, Trump's National Security Strategy, Shutdown Averted Dec 23, 2017

Mike, Jay, and Trey have been talking about the GOP tax bill since early November, and this week it finally became the GOP tax law, after President Trump signed the measure before departing for his Christmas vacation. Mike and Jay summarize their views on the legislation and make some predictions as to how it's likely to play out. After that they discuss the United Nations General Assembly's vote opposing U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel. Mike thinks that when only a handful of tiny countries are on your side maybe it's time to reconsider your stance whereas Jay feels that the UN has once again demonstrated its strong anti-Israel bias. Next is a look at President Trump's recently announced national security strategy. Mike points out that in many places the document seems to contradict what President Trump has actually said and done, whereas Jay thinks that the administration's focus on 'principled realism' is a good thing. (Mike likes the term too, but wishes there was a bit more focus on the 'principled' part, especially concerning human rights.) Finally, Mike and Jay point out some relatively good news to end the year - the government won't be shutting down, at least not until late January, thanks to a stopgap funding measure passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Importantly, the measure includes emergency funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides coverage to around nine million children from lower-income families. Had Congress not come to an agreement on extending this funding, up to two millions kids would have been at least temporally without insurance. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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Patients, Physicians, and Employers on Value in Health Care Dec 20, 2017

Mike talks with Dr. Bob Pendleton, Chief Medical Officer at University of Utah Health. They discuss the school's recently released 'Value in Health Care Survey' (https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/value/) which asked patients, doctors, and employers across the country about about their perceptions of value in health care and how they prioritize quality, service, and cost of health care services. Mike and Dr. Pendleton dig in to the survey's findings, some of which were fairly astonishing - for instance, that patients ranked getting better as less important than the friendliness of the medical office staff. They also discuss what these findings mean for the healthcare system in the United States and how policymakers might use this information to improve the U.S. system. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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PG130: Alabama Elections, Net Neutrality Officially Ends, The GOP Tax Cut (again), Sexual Allegations and Mueller Dec 16, 2017

This week Trey rejoins Michael after finishing the fall semester at Daytona State College. The first topic of conversation is the Alabama special Senate election. Trey and Michael discuss the implications of a Jones win, a Moore loss, and what the exit polling data tell us about the future. They then turn to Net Neutrality briefly before moving to the biggest week’s news: the GOP tax bill. With the bill out of conference committee Trey and Michael discuss the modified plan. Next comes a discussion of the renewed sexual allegations against President Donald Trump before ending on the potential Mueller credibility issue. We hope you'll check out today's sponsor: Dollar Shave Club. New members get DSC's starter set, featuring their Executive Razor, a full cassette of cartridges, shave butter, body wash, and 'One Wipe Charlies' butt wipes for only $5 by going to http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/tpg Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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Norman Ornstein - One Nation After Trump Dec 13, 2017

Mike welcomes back to the show political scientist and American Enterprise Institute Resident Scholar Norman Ornstein. They talk about his latest book: One Nation After Trump: A Guide for the Perplexed, the Disillusioned, the Desperate, and the Not-Yet Deported. Mike and Dr. Ornstein discuss why Donald Trump’s victory does and doesn’t mean, whether ‘presidential demeanor’ really matters, if President Trump’s liberties with the truth are that much of a break with the past, if presidents can pardon themselves, whether those on the left calling for the ‘normalization’ of impeachment have a point, and lots more. Show Links: One Nation After Trump | http://amzn.to/2AHRXzT Glenn Kessler’s ‘Fact Checker’ Blog at the Washington Post | http://wapo.st/2AJ0in2 Norm Ornstein on Twitter | https://twitter.com/NormOrnstein We hope you’ll check out today’s sponsor: Dollar Shave Club. There’s no reason not to join! Get the DSC starter set, featuring their Executive Razor, a full cassette of cartridges, shave butter, body wash, and 'One Wipe Charlies' butt wipes for only $5 by going to http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/tpg Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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PG129: Jerusalem, Sexual Harassment Resignations, 2018 Budget, Monuments Dec 09, 2017

Today's show, which Mike does solo, is a radical departure from the normal format. That's not because Mike went renegade and ditched Jay's conservative counterweight or that Jay quit in disgust at Mike's liberalism. Mike and Jay actually did record a show, but due to a major issue that affected both the main and backup recording, Jay's end of the conversation was essentially unlistenable. (New equipment is on its way to Jay and this won't be an issue going forward. In Jay's absence, Mike does his best to cover his views as well as Jay's thoughts on President Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel and (eventually) move the U.S. Embassy there, the continuing sexual harassment scandal that has now led to the resignations of Al Franken, John Conyers, and Trent Franks, the continuing resolution to keep the government operating until December 22, whether or not a budget deal will be reached and what a deal might look like, and President Trump's move to dramatically curtail the size of two sites President Obama declared national monuments under the 1906 Antiquities Act. Mike's Recommended Reading Patreon’s fee change punishes supporters who make small pledges. | http://engt.co/2A8Q7H1 Jay's Recommended Listening Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (oral argument) | http://bit.ly/2A70pYg We hope you'll check out today's sponsor: Blue Apron, treating Politics Guys listeners to their first dinner - a $30 value - plus free shipping. To get this great deal go to http://www.blueapron.com/TPG Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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The U.S. Constitution Explained Dec 06, 2017

Mike talks with historian Ray Raphael about his latest book, The U.S. Constitution: Explained - Clause by Clause - For Every American Today. Ray argues thatboth sides are wrong about the 2nd Amendment, explains why there's no such thing as an Constitutional Originalist, discusses whether or not the Constitution is outdated, and lots more. Ray Raphael on the web | http://www.rayraphael.com/ Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon or PayPal links.
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PG128: Senate Tax Bill, Flynn Makes a Deal, Who's Running the CFPB? Dec 03, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start off with a look at the Senate tax bill, which passed by a vote of 51-49, with 'no' votes from every Democrat and one Republican (Tennessee's Bob Corker). Jay is a lot more optimistic about the economic growth potential of the cuts than Mike is, though they both agree that corporate tax reform is necessary. They also agree that there will be a House-Senate compromise leading to a bill for President Trump to sign. In the end, Mike fears that the resulting law will significantly increase the national debt as well as make a bad economic inequality situation even worse, though for the sake of the country he hopes he's wrong and Jay is right. Then it's a big announcement about the future of The Politics Guys. Mike and Jay talk about why they're going ad free and how they plan to expand the show. After that, the Guys discuss the plea deal entered into by former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Jay doesn't think there's much there, but cautions that we'll have to wait and see what potentially damaging information Flynn may have on other Trump administration officials. Mike views this as another in a long line of instances where the cover-up may be worse than the crime. He doesn't see this as ending Donald Trump's presidency and expresses concern about the 'normalization' of presidential impeachment. The show closes with a discussion of who the rightful head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is. Mike was really hoping that the law supported the claim of CFPB Deputy Director Leandra English, but after reviewing the evidence he agrees with Jay that President Trump had the right to make CFPB foe Mick Mulvaney the acting head of the bureau. We hope you'll check out today's sponsor: Brooklinen. Politics Guys listeners get $20 off and free shipping by going to http://www.brooklinen.com and using promo code TGP. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Spy Schools: How Intelligence Services Have Infiltrated Higher Education Nov 29, 2017

Mike talks with Daniel Golden, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Daniel Golden, author of Spy Schools: How the CIA, FBI, and Foreign Intelligence Secretly Exploit America's Universities (http://amzn.to/2n34ACy) They discuss how widespread spying is (a lot more widespread than Mike thought, that's for sure), if schools that are recruiting more international students are more vulnerable, how Trump administration immigration policies are likely to affect spying in colleges and universities, and lots more. Dan Golden on Twitter | https://twitter.com/DanLGolden
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PG127: Net Neutrality, AT&T Time-Warner Merger, Transgender Ban, Sexual Harassment Nov 25, 2017

Mike and Jay start off this week with a discussion of net neutrality in the wake of the FCC's move to revoke Obama-era rules that prevent internet service providers from privileging content from certain providers over others. Jay argues that this is a welcome backing off of government regulation that is not only more fair to ISPs but should result in greater investment and better outcomes for consumers. Mike disagrees, saying that investment didn't drop after the net neutrality rules went into effect and says that this is a perfect example of a market in which natural monopolies cry out for smart regulation to enhance competition. Mike goes even further than this, calling for an internet infrastructure project as a 21st century equivalent of the interstate highway system. Then the Guys look at the Justice Department's surprising legal challenge to the AT&T / Time Warner merger. Neither Mike nor Jay think that there's much of a case, because historically, 'vertical' mergers like this - where the two companies involved are not in direct competition - don't meet anti-trust guidelines. Mike thinks this is probably a negotiating strategy on the part of the Justice Department and that an out-of-court settlement will ultimately be reached. Next, it's a look at the latest challenge to President Trump's ban on transgender troops. Both Mike and Jay agree that the federal judges ruling against the ban made the right call, and they also both have trouble understanding what rational reason the president would have for attempting to change policy in this area. Finally, Mike and Jay discuss the latest sexual harassment allegations on Capitol Hill involving long-time Democratic Representative John Conyers, new allegations against Democratic Senator Al Franken, as well as President Trump's semi-endorsement of Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore. What Mike's Reading: The chained CPI: Another secret tax hike for the middle class slipped into the GOP tax bills | http://lat.ms/2n2H0pv What Jay's Reading: The Desolate Wilderness | http://on.wsj.com/2n3Mxfc And The Fair Land | http://on.wsj.com/2n1IlNn Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Bad News for Mike's Favorite Agency, Mendez Mistrial, Listener Mail Nov 22, 2017

Mike and Jay open by discussing what, for Mike, was crushing news - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau head Rob Cordray announced that he would be stepping down. Mike points out that since its creation as part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation, the semi-independent CFPB has been a strong advocate for consumers. He laments that this this will largely cease under Trump-appointed leadership. Jay, like most Republicans, believes that the agency is too independent, needlessly harms financial institutions for the sake of powerful Democratic interests, and needs to be reined in. Next, they talk about the mistrial recently announced in the federal corruption trial of Democratic New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez. Had Menendez been convicted, outgoing governor Chris Christie may have been able to appoint a Republican to take Menendez' place, giving the GOP another much-needed seat to bolster their slim Senate majority. Both Mike and Jay seem to believe Menendez is guilty of, at the very least, unethical behavior, but they point out that it's incredibly difficult to demonstrate quid-pro-quo corruption (e.g. Wealthy 'friend': "Here's $5,000 in exchange for which I want you to vote 'no' on that bill" Senator: "Okay, thanks for the $5,000. I'll be sure to vote 'no'.") especially in the wake of a unanimous 2016 Supreme Court decision. Then it's listener mail. Jay responds to a someone who is very disappointed in Jay's Machiavellian take on politics, Mike and Jay answer a listener who wants some solid evidence that minorities in the United States are being systematically disadvantaged, and Mike and Jay reply to a listener who wonders how to productively engage people like Mike's friend (and Trump supporter) Joe. Links: Mike's interview with campaign finance reform advocate and Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig. | http://bit.ly/2vKUlF5 Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG126: Tax Bill Advances, Sexual Harassment Nov 19, 2017

This week's show opens with Mike and Jay taking a look at the current state of the Republican tax reform bills in both the House and the Senate. Mike points out - once again - that it's a horrible idea to ram a huge, complex tax bill through only weeks after it was introduced, and that the measure is essentially a big tax cut for businesses and the rich that will be paid for by future generations of Americans. Jay believes that in the end the cuts will result in enough growth to make them worthwhile. After that, the Guys turn to the recent wave of sexual harassment revelations, specifically more women coming forward to accuse Alabama Republican Roy Moore, who maintains his innocence, and Democratic Senator Al Franken, who has admitted his guilt. Mike also shares a personal story, in the hope that it might encourage others to speak out. We hope you'll check out the sponsor of today's show: Dollar Shave Club. Go to http://dollarshaveclub.com/TPG to get your first month of their best razor along with travel size versions of their shave butter, body cleanser, and butt wipes for just $5. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com
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How Safe is Your Food? Nov 15, 2017

Mike talks with Dan Flynn, Editor in Chief of Food Safety News (http://www.foodsafetynews.com/) about the Food Safety Modernization Act, whether FDA inspections are tough enough, if regulations are unfair to smaller farms, and the state of food safety regulation in the Trump administration. Food Safety News on Twitter | https://twitter.com/foodsafetynews We hope you'll check out the sponsor of today's show: Blue Bottle Coffee. Hurry to http://www.bluebottlecoffee.com/TPG for $10 off your first coffee subscription order. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG125: The Great House and Senate Tax Plan Question, Elections in VA, NJ, and ME, Trump Visits Asia, and Roy Moore's Denial Nov 11, 2017

This week Trey and Jay start by taking on the Senate's proposed tax plan. It differs from its House counterpart. Trey worries about the deficit and Jay focuses on growth. Next they turn to the major Democratic wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and Maine. Both hosts agree that they are not necessarily representative of the country as a whole, but they do point to the Trump problem all Republicans now face: to Trump or not to Trump. After the elections the hosts discuss Trump's week in Asia. They note that the two big areas of concern were North Korea and trade policy. Trey and Jay conclude by discussing the recent Washington Post story arguing that Roy Moore had inappropriate relationships with underage girls. We hope you’ll check out today’s sponsor: ZipRecruiter. Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE. Just go to http://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy
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Trumpaversary Nov 08, 2017

For the one-year anniversary of President Trump's election, we brought back Mike's friend Joe, who Mike talked to in the 'A Trump Supporter Speaks' episode in October of 2016. (http://politicsguys.com/a-trump-supporter-speaks/) At the time, Mike thought it would be good to hear from an actual Trump supporter (as opposed to an 'anyone buy Hillary' Trump voter) to get a sense of how Donald Trump convinced so many people to follow him down a path that would surely lead the Republican Party to a crushing electoral defeat giving President Hillary Clinton House and filibuster-proof Senate majorities Obviously, things didn't turn out that way. One year on, how does an intelligent, decent Trump supporter see the Trump presidency? In this interview you'll find out. (And no - 'intelligent, decent Trump supporter' isn't an oxymoron. Mike says that Joe is one of the smartest and most fundamentally decent people he knows.) Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG124: (A Lot) About the GOP Tax Plan, Muller Indictments, Terrorism in NYC, and the Powell Nomination Nov 04, 2017

In this week's extended episode Trey and Mike start off by discussing the GOP Tax Plan. They begin by analyzing the content of the plan. As to the policy itself, Trey is optimistic, but worried about the $1.5 trillion debt increase. Mike sees both positive and negative aspects to the bill, but overall sees the plan as problematic. Then it's time to talk Mueller's indictments. Both Trey and Mike see this as the first step to a larger set of indictments and they agree that critics of the president ought to moderate their joy. It is unlikely that this will bring down the Trump presidency. Next is a discussion of the Halloween ISIS terrorist attack in NYC. Trey stresses that we shouldn't allow terrorist groups to wield fear to change us. He argues that while terrorist organizations are good at spreading fear, they aren't as effective at carrying out plots as the media narrative would suggest. Finally both Trey and Mike address Trump's nomination of "Jay" Powell to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, breaking a recent precedent by former presidents. We hope you’ll consider visiting today’s sponsor: Blue Apron. Check out this week’s menu and get $30 off your first order – with free shipping – by going to http://www.blueapron.com/tpg Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Americans for Financial Reform Nov 01, 2017

Mike talks with Carter Dougherty, Communications Director of Americans for Financial Reform. They cover a lot of ground in their conversation, including: - Congress overturning the CFPB's arbitration rule - the Equifax security breach - the 2008 financial crisis & Dodd-Frank - government bailouts - prosecutors' unwillingness to go after financial firms - Wall Street's influence in Washington Americans for Financial Reform on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealBankReform Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG123: Opioid Emergency, CFPB Overruled, Jeff Flake, Tax Reform Oct 28, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start by talking about President Trump's declaration of the opioid crisis as a public health emergency. Mike wonders about the timing of the announcement, which came out a week before the president's opioid commission is scheduled to release its final report, and hopes that significant federal funding will soon follow. Jay thinks federal action may help at the margin, but is concerned about throwing money at the problem. Then, Mike gets to talk about his favorite regulatory agency - the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) though this week he's dismayed at the agency's arbitration rule being overturned by Congress. Jay believes it was a wise move by Congress and the Guys get into a somewhat heated discussion over the merits of class action lawsuits vs arbitration. After that, it's a discussion of what Arizona Senator Jeff Flake's decision to not seek election might mean for the Republican party. Flake's announcement comes in the wake of another Senate Republican, Tennessee's Bob Corker making a similar decision. Finally, Mike and Jay discuss the state of tax reform. Mike's inner idealist comes out and he makes an impassioned plea for some good faith attempts at working across the aisle. Jay argues that Republicans have to be more realistic. We hope you'll check out today's sponsor: ZipRecruiter. Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE. Just go to http://ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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MIT Professor Luis Perez-Breva on Innovation Oct 25, 2017

Mike talks with Luis Perez-Breva, a successful serial innovator and director of the Innovation Teams Program at MIT. Dr. Perez-Breva holds degrees in Chemical Engineering, Physics, Business, and Artificial Intelligence. He's an expert in the process of technology innovation, an entrepreneur, and the the author of Innovating: A Doer’s Manifesto for Starting from a Hunch, Prototyping Problems, Scaling Up, and Learning to Be Productively Wrong. (MIT Press 2017). Mike and Dr. Perez-Breva discuss: - whether or not innovation is lagging - if we should be concerned about AI taking millions of jobs - whether 21st century companies are failing at job creation - how innovation works - what government can do to help innovation - what government does that hinders innovation - if government itself needs to be innovated Follow Luis Perez-Breva on Twitter | https://twitter.com/lpbreva Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG122: Healthcare, Budget Resolutions, Travel Ban 3.0, The Honest Ads Act Oct 21, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start by looking at the bipartisan Senate proposal to stabilize Obamacare markets in the wake of President Trump halting cost-sharing subsidies to insurers, as well as the clever way state insurance regulators are dealing with this major change to the Affordable Care Act. After that, it's a primer on budget resolutions: when they started, what they were intended for, and why they're not almost meaningless ... with one major exception. Mike argues that legislating through budget resolutions is a Very Bad Idea, and says that it would be better if the Senate dropped this facade along with the filibuster. Jay agrees, and also feels that the Senate tradition of Blue Slips - where home state Senators have an effective veto over federal judicial nominations in the state - also no longer makes sense, a position Mike holds as well. Then it's a look at the latest Trump travel ban, which has been blocked by two federal judges. Both Mike and Jay believe that while the travel ban is bad policy, it's not unconstitutional and expect the Supreme Court to eventually uphold it. Finally, the Guys look at the 'Honest Ads Act' a bipartisan (just barely) Senate proposal intended to make it much harder for foreign governments to use social media ads to influence U.S. elections. Mike's Recommended Reading: - The Drug Industry’s Triumph Over The DEA | http://wapo.st/2xVeOd7 - American Rust. Philipp Meyer | http://amzn.to/2xXfrmw Jay's Recommended Reading: - The White-Minstrel Show. Kevin Williamson | http://bit.ly/2xWtZmc We hope you'll check out the sponsor of today's show: Blue Bottle Coffee. Sign up for a free trial of fresh, delicious Blue Bottle Coffee right now at http://www.bluebottlecoffee.com/TPG Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Listeners Ask About: Guns, WW3, Healthcare, Plus Facebook Data Oct 18, 2017

To begin the show Trey asks about new information from the presidential election. Specifically, Facebook offered to work with both presidential campaigns but only the Trump campaign agreed to it. Then Trey and Jay respond to listener questions. The first question is about the likelihood of a new WW3 or Civil War. Both agree the likelihood is low, but discuss why it might seem more likely than it is. Then they ask a question about gun policy and why the U.S. seems so fatalistic when it comes to gun legislation. Finally, Jay responds to an extended series of questions from a listener asking for clarification on his Healthcare positions. We hope you’ll check out the sponsors of today’s show: Casper. Politics Guys listeners get $50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by going to http://www.casper.com/tpg and using promo code tpg DaVinci. Book your space now at http://www.davincimeeting.com/TPG and the first hour is on them!
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PG 121: Trump and the Democrats on Dreamers and Healthcare, Harvey Weinstein’s Worst Kept Secret, The Boy Scouts Make A Change & A Presidential Library Without Books Oct 14, 2017

Trey and Jay start this week’s show by discussing Trump’s unilateral action to change the Affordable Health Care Act’s cost-sharing provisions. They talk about the actual changes and the policy implications of the action. This leads to a discussion of the demands Trump sent Congress if they want a deal on Dreamers. After that it’s a look at Harvey Weinstein’s sexual abuse allegations and the implications for politics. They get into a broader discussion on the implications for politicians on the source of donations. Such a question is particular relevant for Democrats right now, but was the same issue facing Republicans with Trump. Next up is the Boy Scouts seemingly surprising decision to open their doors completely to girls. Jay is enthusiastically supportive. Trey sees the business value but ponders the general trend in society to not have more narrow groups. Finally Trey and Jay discuss how former President Obama’s library will not actually house any documents. Instead, it will be a completely digital repository. They also discuss archiving documents that were originally digital and the challenges for future presidential libraries. ‘ We hope you’ll check out the sponsors of today’s show: Brooklinen. Politics Guys listeners get $20 off AND free shipping by using promo code tpg at http://www.Brooklinen.com Bombfell, where Politics Guys listeners get $25 dollars off their first purchase by going to http://www.bombfell.com/tpg ZipRecruiter. Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE. Just go to http://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy
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Overturned Courts, Market-Based Healthcare, Affirmative Action, Political Correctness, Politicizing Weather Oct 11, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay respond to lister questions and comments: if the Ninth Circuit is really the most overturned appellate court (it depends on how you measure), whether we think market-based reforms can lower health care costs (sometimes), if there's ever a case to be made for affirmative action and political correctness (Mike is much more emphatically 'yes' on this than Jay is, as you might expect), whether or not Mike and Jay are wrong for not calling Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions racist (we don't think so), and why 'politicization' is such a dirty word when it comes to weather (Mike says it's not - or at least it shouldn't be, while Jay disagrees). In this episode, Jay recommends SCOTUSBlog (http://bit.ly/2yxjHc2), which Mike also likes and has used for many years. Empirical SCOTUS (http://bit.ly/2yxrmau) is another great site Jay recommends for data on the Supreme Court. We hope you'll consider checking out the sponsors of today's show, who with your help make it possible for us to keep on doing what we do: Brooklinen. Politics Guys listeners get $20 off AND free shipping by using promo code 'tpg' at http://www.Brooklinen.com Bombfell, where Politics Guys listeners get $25 dollars off their first purchase by going to http://www.bombfell.com/tpg ZipRecruiter. Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE. Just go to http://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG120: Gun Policy After Las Vegas & Gerrymandering Oct 07, 2017

Mike and Jay start this week's show by discussing the state of gun policy in the United States in the wake of the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas. They get into how the United States is different from other rich countries on the issue, whether liberals are being honest in their arguments, the motives of the NRA, what legislative proposals might be effective, if the left really wants to take away people's guns, and lots more. After that it's a look at partisan gerrymandering, an issue that reach the Supreme Court this week. Mike believes that the Court should - and will - overturn the extreme partisan districts in Wisconsin because political scientists have developed a reasonable standard for determining whether or not a legislative district is unconstitutionally partisan. Jay disagrees, and believes that the Court will ultimately let Wisconsin's redistricting stand. Mike's Recommend Reading & Listening - Budget Reconciliation Explained http://bit.ly/2ywd3mC - Vox's The Weeds on Budget Reconciliation http://bit.ly/2yvvrMi Jay's Recommended Reading - Conscience of a Conservative. Senator Jeff Flake http://amzn.to/2yxXn2h Please help us out by taking part in a short survey that can assist our advertisers and bring you better content. To take the survey, go to http://podcastlistener.com/tpg We hope you'll consider visiting today's sponsor: Blue Apron. Check out this week's menu and get $30 off your first meal - with free shipping - by going to http://blueapron.com/tpg Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Harvard's Nancy Koehn on Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times Oct 04, 2017

Mike talks to historian Nancy Koehn, who holds the James E. Robison chair of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Dr. Koehn's research focuses on effective leadership and how leaders, past and present, craft lives of purpose, worth, and impact. She's the author of multiple books, including Ernest Shackleton: Exploring Leadership, The Story of American Business: From the Pages of the New York Times, and Brand New: How Entrepreneurs Earned Consumers' Trust from Wedgwood to Dell. Her latest book is Forged in Crisis: The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times, which has just been released. Mike and Dr. Koehn discuss the common traits great leaders possess, reasons for declining trust in our political leaders, her advice for those who aspire to be great leaders, her leadership comparison of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and lots more. - follow Dr. Koehn on Twitter | https://twitter.com/nancykoehn - Dr. Kohen's website | http://nancykoehn.com/ - Forged in Crisis (Amazon) | http://amzn.to/2fIEthp We hope you'll check out the sponsor of today's show: Blue Apron. Check out this week's menu and get $30 off your first meal - with free shipping - by going to http://www.blueapron.com/TPG Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG119: Price Resigns, Puerto Rico, Senate Primary, Graham-Cassidy, New Travel Ban, Tax Reform Sep 30, 2017

Mike and Jay start off this jam-packed episode with a look at the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price in the wake of a travel scandal. Mike points out that Price joins an unusually large contingent of former Trump staffers for such a young administration, but both Mike and Jay agree that President Trump did the right thing in forcing Price's resignation. Next, it's a look at the federal government's response to the devestation caused by hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Once again, the Guys agree that the administration's efforts have been good, especially considering the unique challenges presented by Puerto Rico's location, as well as emergency response resources being stretched thin after hurricanes Harvey and Irma. That said, Jay thinks that the Trump team could use some remedial lessons in messaging. After that, the Guys talk about the Alabama Republican Senate primary race, where former judge, and ardent cultural conservative Roy Moore soundly defeated incumbent Luther Strange, despite President Trump's support of Strange. Following that is a discussion of the vote that wasn't on Graham-Cassidy, the latest (and last, for now) GOP attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare, a look at the latest Trump travel ban, and Mike and Jay's analysis of the Republicans' tax reform framework. We hope you’ll check out the sponsors of today’s show: DaVinci. Book your space now at http://www.davincimeeting.com/TPG and the first hour is on them! ZipRecruiter. Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE. Just go to http://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy. SeatGeek. Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase. Download the SeatGeek app or go to http://www.seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY today. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Glenn Hubbard on Tax Cuts, Growth, Inequality, & Secular Stagnation Sep 27, 2017

Mike talks to economist Glenn Hubbard. Dr. Hubbard is dean and Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics at Columbia Business School. In addition to writing more than 100 scholarly articles in economics and finance, Dr. Hubbard is the author of three popular textbooks, as well as co-author of The Aid Trap: Hard Truths About Ending Poverty, Balance: The Economics of Great Powers From Ancient Rome to Modern America, and Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise: Five Steps to a Better Health Care System. Dr. Hubbard also has a wealth of real-world economic policy experience. From 1991 - 1993 he was a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. From 2001 until 2003, he was chairman of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers under President George W. Bush, where he played a key role in the design of the 2003 Bush tax cuts. He also served as an economic advisor to the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns of Mitt Romney, and the 2016 campaign of Jeb Bush. In the corporate sector, he serves on the boards of ADP, BlackRock Closed-End Funds, and MetLife. Dr. Hubbard is co-chair of the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation, a past Chair of the Economic Club of New York, and a past co-chair of the Study Group on Corporate Boards. Mike and Dr. Hubbard discuss the fall of great powers throughout history, whether economists are too disconnected from the real world, pro-growth tax reform, what economists agree on, the value added tax, and lots more. Dr. Hubbard Recommends: - The Economist | https://www.economist.com/ - Think tank research. Two of our favorites at The Politics Guys are the right-of-center American Enterprise Institute (http://www.aei.org) and the left-of-center Brookings Institution (https://www.brookings.edu/) Dr. Hubbard's Website: http://glennhubbard.net/ We hope you’ll consider checking out the sponsor of today’s show: SeatGeek. Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeek app or go to http://www.seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG 118: Trump's UN Speech, The Escalating Nomenclature of North Korea and the United States, Facebook and Drudge go Russian, and the Alabama Primary Sep 23, 2017

This week Trey explains how hurricane Irma had him evacuate the state of Florida and offer thanks to all the listeners who inquired about his family and home. Then Trey and Jay turn to politics and the week's biggest story: Trump's United Nations speech. Trey, despite himself, was a bit impressed, but Trey and Jay disagree over the bigger implications of the speech. Most pointedly, they debate whether the Republican Party has given up on classical liberalism as an economic policy. Next they move to the escalating war of words between Trump and Kim Jong-un. Jay argues that we cannot have another cold war future and Trey offers a bit of caution to the rhetoric. After that they tackle the news that Facebook was being used by Russians for advertising purposes during the election and that Matt Drudge consistently linked to Russian propaganda. Finally Trey and Jay turn to the Alabama primary and Trump's unique endorsement before explaining why they didn't talk health care. This week's sponsors: DaVinci: providing access to affordable office locations in every city. Book your space now and get one hour free for listeners at http://www.DaVinciMeeting.com/TPG Zip Recruiter: get quality candidates for your job posting. Listeners can use it for free by visiting http://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy
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Congressman Jim Jordan on the Debt Limit, Tax Reform, and the 2016 Election Sep 20, 2017

Jay talks to Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus. Jay and Rep. Jordan discuss the debt ceiling, tax reform, the Obama administration's attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election, and more. As a lead-in to the interview, Mike and Jay talk about the history of the Freedom Caucus. After the interview they discuss Rep. Jordan's policy positions and recommendations. Rep. Jordan on Twitter | https://twitter.com/Jim_Jordan We hope you’ll consider checking out the sponsors of today’s show: Dollar Shave Club. New members get DSC's starter set, featuring their Executive Razor, a full cassette of cartridges, shave butter, body wash, and 'One Wipe Charlies' butt wipes for only $5 by going to http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/tpg SeatGeek. Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeek app or go to http://www.seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG117: Trump's DACA Deal, Bernie's Medicare For All, Equifax Breach Sep 16, 2017

This week, the Guys start off by talking about the potential deal President Trump reached with Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi that involves allowing Dreamers to stay in the country legally in exchange for enhanced border security. Mike is cautiously optimistic about the proposal while Jay believes that Schumer and Pelosi may be far more interested in a 2018 campaign issue than a legislative accomplishment. Next is a look at Senator Bernie Sanders' 'Medicare For All' legislation, which he introduced this week. Neither Mike nor Jay think it has a chance of passing, and while Mike would support a true 'Medicare for All' bill, he argues that what Sanders calls for is far more generous than Medicare and would be a financial disaster. Jay doesn't disagree, though he's definitely not in favor of even a scaled-back 'Medicare For All' type program. Finally, Mike and Jay talk about the political implications of the Equifax security breach. Mike believes it's high time we updated our regulatory framework and impose the sort of oversight on credit rating agencies that we do on other financial institutions. Jay doesn't disagree, exactly, though he's far more skeptical of the value of imposing more regulations on the agencies and favors alternate approaches to incentivizing them to keep our personal data safe. Mike's Recommended Reading: Richard Posner, Leader of a Legal Revolution | https://bloom.bg/2xH97iz Jay's Recommended Reading: In The Garden of Beasts. Erik Larson | http://amzn.to/2xGEp94 We hope you’ll consider checking out the sponsors of today’s show: Blue Bottle Coffee. Sign up for a free trial of fresh, delicious Blue Bottle Coffee right now at http://www.bluebottlecoffee.com/TPG SeatGeek. Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeek app or go to http://www.seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY today. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Political Correctness and Identity Politics Sep 13, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay respond to a listener who feels Mike was being snide and slanderous to Jay in a recent show, and then move on to an in-depth discussion of political correctness and identity politics. For their discussion, they focus on these four articles: A linguist explains how the far-right hijacked political correctness | http://bit.ly/2jfeL58 The Liberal Crackup | http://on.wsj.com/2jcuwtp Identity Politics Are Tearing America Apart | http://on.wsj.com/2jffa7E How Trump Kills the G.O.P | http://nyti.ms/2jdO94r We hope you'll consider checking out the sponsors of today's show: ZipRecruiter. Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by going to http://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy Casper. Politics Guys listeners get $50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by going to http://www.casper.com/tpg and using promo code tpg. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG116: DACA, Trump's Deal with Dems, North Korea, Travel Ban Sep 09, 2017

his week, Mike and Jay start out by discussing President Trump's decision to discontinue President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. They both agree that it's probably a good policy, but that it's also probably unconstitutional, and as such President Trump did the right thing by discontinuing it and urging Congress to enshrine it into law. Next it's a look at President Trumps deal with his new friends Chuck (Schumer) and Nancy (Pelosi) to continue to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling until mid-December. The move caught Congressional Republicans by surprise and was not appreciated by them, to say the least. Mike optimistically wonders if maybe this is a sign of a more bipartisan Trump, while Jay things that it's another example of Trump forgetting who his friends are - friends he might need in, say, an impeachment trial. After that, the Guys turn to the still worsening situation in North Korea in the wake of the regime's latest and most powerful nuclear weapons test. Jay is convinced that the US won't let North Korea develop the capability to launch a nuclear strike on the mainland US while Mike believes that the costs of preventing it are simply too high to bear and that some day soon, North Korea will have that capability, despite President Trump's promise that it will not be allowed to happen. Finally, it's an update on President Trump's travel ban, which was dealt a setback this week by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Jay feel that the 9th Circuit got it wrong, while Mike argues that the administration's interpretation of an earlier Supreme Court opinion was too narrow. Mike's Recommended Reading: - Grand Hotel Abyss: The Lives of the Frankfurt School. Stuart Jefferies | http://amzn.to/2je3jGM Jay's Recommend Reading: - The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson | http://amzn.to/2jdNcJk We hope you’ll consider checking out the sponsors of today’s show: Davinci. Book your meeting space at http://www.davincimeeting.com/TPG and the first hour is on them. SeatGeek. Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeek app or go to http://www.seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Henry Petroski on The State of American Infrastructure Sep 06, 2017

Mike talks with Henry Petroski, a Professor of Civil Engineering and History at Duke University. Dr. Petroski is a prolific scholar and public intellectual - in addition to publishing nineteen books and hundreds of articles in newspapers, magazines, and trade publications, he’s authored over seventy-five academic journal articles. His many books include: The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance, The Evolution of Useful Things, The House with Sixteen Handmade Doors, and The Road Taken: The History and Future of America’s Infrastructure. In this episode, Mike and Dr. Petroski discuss learning from failure, how bad US infrastructure really is, why so many big projects seem take longer and cost more than projected, what a good infrastructure bill would look like, and lots more. Dr. Petroski's Recommendations: American Society of Civil Engineers Smart Brief | http://bit.ly/2iRsDSD US Department of Transportation | http://bit.ly/2iRRc1J American Infrastructure Weekly | http://bit.ly/2iRpfHu Trump Administration Infrastructure Initiative | http://bit.ly/2iPSbzA Dr. Petroski's Duke University Page | http://bit.ly/2iQf7i6 We hope you'll consider checking out the sponsors of today's show: Davinci. Book your meeting space at http://www.davincimeeting.com/TPG and the first hour is on them! SeatGeek. Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeek app or go to https://www.seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG115: Hurricanes, Transgender Lawsuits, and Sanctuary Cities Sep 02, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start things off by talking about the politics of Hurricane Harvey, including the quality of the government's response, how well President Trump personally responded, and the role federal flood insurance plays in disasters like this. Next, it's an update on President Trump's ban on transgender troops in the military. The Guys begin with a discussion the wisdom of Secretary of Defense Mattis's decision to allow transgender troops to stay in the military until a full review has been completed. After that, they talk about the two lawsuits that have been filed against the ban. Finally, Mike and Jay revisit the issue of sanctuary cities, in light of a federal judge barring the enactment of Texas' sanctuary city prohibitions. Mike's Recommended Listening: Sam Harris' interview with Charles Murray | http://bit.ly/2iQbQ2i Jay's Recommended Reading: The American Spirit is Alive in Texas | http://on.wsj.com/2iRGmJd We hope you'll consider checking out the sponsors of today's show: Dollar Shave Club. new members get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 with free shipping by going to https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/tpg Blue Apron. Check out this week's menu and get your first three meals free, with free shipping, by going to https://www.blueapron.com/tpg Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Trump vs the Senate, Browns Protest, Trump vs the Eclipse, Listener Mail Aug 30, 2017

Mike and Jay weren't able to get to everything they wanted to cover on Saturday's show, so they decided to do this 'Saturday Spillover' show. In it, they talk about President Trump's escalating battle with Senate Republicans, the largest ever NFL football team national anthem protest, whether Donald Trump actually looked at the eclipse without protective glasses and why it matters, as well as answering some listener mail. We hope you'll check out the sponsors of this episode: Seatgeek. Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase by download the SeatGeek app or going to https://www.seatgeek.com and entering promo code POLITICSGUY. ZipRecruiter. Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by going to https://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG 114: Arpaio Pardon, Transgender Ban, Afghanistan Policy, Voter ID Laws Aug 26, 2017

This week's show starts with Mike and Jay talking about two late-breaking stories: President Trump's pardon of former Maricopa County AZ sheriff Joe Arpaio and the president's memo formalizing the ban on transgender troops which he previewed in late July on Twitter. Neither Mike nor Jay think that the pardon is a good idea, as it sends a message that law enforcement officials can ignore the rule of law, so long as it's a law President Trump disagrees with. The Guys differ on the transgender ban, but they both agree that President Trump should have allowed Secretary of Defense Mattis' review of the effect of transgender troops on military readiness to conclude before any action was taken. Next is a look at the president's new Afghanistan policy. Mike actually likes a lot of what he heard from the president (as does Jay) though he's skeptical on what he views as President Trump's over-reliance on the military and downplaying of diplomacy and nation-building. Finally, in the wake of another defeat for Texas' voter ID law in the federal courts, Mike and Jay talk about vote fraud, the intent of these state ID laws, and what a truly honest voter ID law might look like (hint: not like what Texas came up with). Mike's Recommended Reading - Don't Look Now, but America's Tax System May Collapse Soon http://bit.ly/2xlUopO Jay's Recommended Reading - American Blackout http://theatln.tc/2xlUw8M We hope you'll check out the sponsors of today's show: SeatGeek.Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeek app or go to https://www.seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY Casper. Politics Guys listeners get $50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by going to https://www.casper.com/tpg and using promo code tgp Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Saadia Madsbjerg on Changing the Status Quo with Innovative Finance Aug 23, 2017

Mike talks with Saadia Madsbjerg, a Managing Director at the Rockefeller Foundation. Ms. Madsbjerg's work focuses on innovative finance solutions that change the status quo and raise private sector investment capital to further the Foundation’s goals of building greater resilience and promoting inclusive economies. In this episode, Mike and Ms. Madsbjerg discuss what the Rockefeller Foundation does, why government programs alone can't meet the economic needs of communities across the globe, the importance of private sector involvement in helping to build more resilient and inclusive economies, and the challenges of developing partnerships with the private sector. We hope you'll check out the sponsors of today's show: SeatGeek. Politics Guys listeners get $20 dollars off their first SeatGeek purchase. Just download the SeatGeekor go to https://www.seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY Casper. Politics Guys listeners get $50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by going to https://www.casper.com/tpg and using promo code tpg. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG113 Charlottesville (again), Bannon's Out, and the Rise of Hope Hicks Aug 19, 2017

This week’s show starts by examining Trump’s ever changing statement on Charlottesville, VA. Trump would end up setting a more measured tone renouncing Neo-Nazi’s and other hate groups, but then on Tuesday Trump became combative with reporters and argued there are two sides to the story, specifically calling out the “alt-left.” The shift has seemingly shaken the White House as Trump goes off message again. Next, we look specifically at the ever evolving White House. This week it is the exit of Bannon. Early Friday news broke that Bannon had mutually agreed to leave, but that afternoon it became clear that Trump had asked him to step down. By late Friday reports emerged that Bannon would be returning to Breitbart. We talk generally about the White House churn and, specifically, what a “freed” Bannon means both for the news cycle and the White House. After that the Guys discuss Hope Hicks, the 28 year old interim communications director. We also respond to some listener mail. We hope you’ll check out the sponsors of today’s show: ZipRecruiter, where Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by going to http://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy Brooklinen. Politics Guys listeners get $20 off AND free shipping when you use promo code tpg at http://www.brooklinen.com
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Journalist & Environmental Activist Mark Lynas Aug 16, 2017

Mike talks with author, journalist, and environmental activist Mark Lynas. He's a frequent speaker around the world on climate change, biotechnology and nuclear power, and was climate change advisor to the President of the Maldeeves from 2009 - 2011. In 2013 he was appointed a Visiting Fellow at Cornell University’s Office of International Programs, and now works with the Cornell Alliance for Science, which is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His books include ‘Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet’, winner of the 2008 Royal Society Science books prize, 'The God Species: Saving the Planet in the Age of Humans’, and, most recently, 'Nuclear 2.0: Why a Green Future Needs Nuclear Power’. Mark's Recommendations - Pandora’s Promise (documentary) http://imdb.to/2wNuVFl - Food Evolution (documentary) http://imdb.to/2wNpHJI Follow Mark on Twitter https://twitter.com/mark_lynas We hope you'll check out the sponsors of today's show: Brooklinen. Politics Guys listeners get $20 off AND free shipping when you use promo code [tpg] at https://www.brooklinen.com Court Appointed, a podcast where co-hosts Mike and Tommy educate and entertain while exploring where laws - and all things legal - have originated and how they currently apply. http://bit.ly/2wNHSii ZipRecruiter, where Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by going to https://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG112: Charlottesville, North Korea, Opioid Emergency, Climate Report Aug 13, 2017

This week's show starts with the tragic events in Charlottesville, VA where there were multiple clashes between white nationalist protesters and counter-protesters, the most horrific by far being a young white man deliberately ramming his vehicle into the counter-protesters, resulting in one death and 19 injuries. President Trump condemned the violence, but made no specific mention of white nationalists or other hate groups by name, instead pointedly saying that there was violence 'on many sides'. Later on Saturday, the Justice Department announced that it would be starting a civil rights investigation into the the circumstances of the deadly car ramming. Next, it's a look at the situation between the United State and North Korea. As President Trump doubles down on his bellicose rhetoric in response to North Korea's typical semi-lunatic public pronouncements, Mike and Jay consider whether President Trump has a strategy and what options the US has. After that, the Guys discuss the opioid crisis, which President Trump has declared to be a national emergency, as well as a new draft climate report that government officials leaked to the media for fear that the Trump administration might downplay or possibly even bury their findings. We hope you'll check out the sponsors of this episode: Blue Bottle Coffee. Go to https://www.bluebottlecoffee.com/TPG for $10 off your first coffee subscription order. Casper. Politics Guys listeners get $50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by going to https://www.casper.com/tpg Dollar Shave Club, where new members get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 with FREE shipping by going to https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/TPG Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Defense Spending, Future Jobs, Overpaying for Health Care, Fossil Fuel Subsidies Aug 09, 2017

In this listener mail episode, Mike and Jay tackle a bunch of questions including whether we're spending the right amount of money on the right things for national defense, how to deal with a future in which machines are doing so many of the things people currently do, news outlets and columnists we don't agree with but respect and recommend, why Americans pay so much for health care when American healthcare outcomes seem to lag those of other rich countries, and why we're subsidizing the fossil fuel industry. We hope you'll check out the sponsors of this episode: Blue Bottle Coffee. Go to https://www.bluebottlecoffee.com/TPG for $10 off your first coffee subscription order. Casper. Politics Guys listeners get $50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by going to https://www.casper.com/tpg. Dollar Shave Club, where new members get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 with FREE shipping by going to https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/TPG Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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PG111: Scaramucci Out & Kelly In, Immigration, Jobs, Senate Ignoring Trump Aug 06, 2017

Mike and Jay start this week with an analysis of the shakeup among President Trump's top advisors. First it was Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci being fired 10 days after he was named to the position and before his first official day on the job. The man behind the firing was new White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who many conservatives hope will bring some order and discipline to the White House. Mike and Jay wonder if this is possible, given that so much of the chaos seems to come from the president himself. Next it's a look at the major restructuring of immigration policy for which President Trump signaled his approval. Neither Jay nor Mike think the move is advisable, but it's clearly near and dear to the hearts of nationalists like top Trump advisor Steve Bannon. After that the Guys take a look at some good jobs news, which President Trump quickly took full credit for, even though the pace of job creation over his first six months in office is actually slightly behind job creation during President Obama's last six months in office. The larger point though is that presidents tend to get (and take) way too much credit for good economic news, and get way too much blame when the economy isn't performing well. Finally, Jay and Mike consider some actions recently taken by the Senate, particularly a move to shore up Obamacare, and wonder whether the Senate might be moving on from President Trump. This week's show is sponsored by: ZipRecruiter where Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by going to https://www.ziprecruiter.com/politicsguy Blue Apron. Check out this week's menu and get your first THREE meals free with free shipping by going to http://www.blueapron.com/tpg Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you're interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.
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Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter on The New Energy Economy Aug 02, 2017

Mike talks to Bill Ritter Jr., director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. Prior to that he served as Governor of Colorado from 2007 to 2011. During his term, Governor Ritter established Colorado as a national and international leader in renewable energy by building a New Energy Economy that's creating thousands of new jobs and establishing hundreds of new companies. He also enacted an aggressive business-development and job-creation agenda focused on knowledge-based industries of the future like energy, aerospace, biosciences, and information technology. Governor Ritter is also the author of ‘Powering Forward: What Everyone Should Know About America’s Energy Revolution’ Governor Ritter Recommends - The Advanced Energy Legislation Tracker (http://bit.ly/2w3qTs9) - Spot for Clean Energy (http://bit.ly/2w3js46) - Sue Tierney - The Analysis Group (http://bit.ly/2w3fbhf) - The Atlantic Magazine (http://theatln.tc/2w2Wdr5) This Week's Show is Sponsored By ZipRecruiter, where Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by going to https://www.ziprecruiter.com/politicsguy Blue Apron. Check out this week's menu and get your first three meals free with free shipping by going to https://blueapron.com/tpg Politics Guys Insiders support the show and get exclusive extras like special updates, more commentary, additional episodes, and lots more. You can check it out and sign up at our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/politicsguys or by clicking on the Patreon link at https://www.politicsguys.com
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PG110: The Senate Skinny Bill Fails, Scaramucci Unloads, & the Senate Russian Sanctions Jul 30, 2017

This week Trey and Jay team up to take on a fast moving week in the world of politics! We start with the McCain and company torpedoing the so-called skinny bill in the Senate. It looks like Republicans are having a tough time passing legislation and both Trey and Jay agree that with any other Republican president the legislation would have passed. Then we turn to the profanity laced Anthony Scaramucci interview and Twitter fallout. It seems like the Twitter stream of consciousness is the new normal in the Trump White House as Matt Drudge put it: “Priebus Out, General In.” Finally we move to talking about how Mitt Romney was right about Russia and the Senate’s sanctions on Russia plus the Russian response. Trey’s Recommendation This Week: – This War of Mine (Video Game) - http://bit.ly/2vVoDTS Interested in supporting the show and getting even more Politics Guys content? Check out our Insiders program at https://www.patreon.com/politicsguys This week’s show is sponsored by: Brooklinen.com, where you can get luxury bedding, underpriced. You have to try these sheets! Politics Guys listeners can get $20 off AND free shipping when you use the the promo code “TPG” at https://www.brooklinen.com Casper, the sleep brand that gives you an obsessively engineered mattress at a shockingly fair price. Politics Guys listeners can get $50 toward the purchase of any mattress by visiting https://www.casper.com/tpg
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Lawrence Lessig on Campaign Finance Reform Jul 26, 2017

Lawrence Lessig on Campaign Finance Reform Mike talks with Lawrence Lessig, the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School. Prior to his time at Harvard, Professor Lessig clerked for not one, but two of Mike's intellectual heroes, Judge Richard Posner and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Professor Lessig is the author of numerous books on law, commerce, culture, and ideas. His latest, Republic, Lost, Version 2.0, is a revised and expanded version of Republic, Lost, which Mike says is the best introduction to, and analysis of, not only campaign finance, but the fundamental incentives that drive public policy in the United States. Professor Lessig followed up on Republic, Lost with a major campaign to enact the reforms he believes to be vital to restoring American democracy, including launching a political action committee, giving a number of TED talks, and most notably, running for the Democratic Party's nomination for president in 2016. Professor Lessig Recommends Fifty Shades of Green: High Finance, Political Money, and the U.S. Congress. Thomas Ferguson, Jie Chen, Paul Jorgensen (http://bit.ly/2vCpW9P) Citizens Divided: Campaign Finance Reform and the Constitution. Robert C. Post (http://amzn.to/2vCShx5) Unlock Congress. Michael Golden (http://amzn.to/2vCMB66) Follow Lawrence Lessig on Twitter (https://twitter.com/lessig) Interested in supporting the show and getting even more Politics Guys content? Check out our Insiders program at https://www.patreon.com/politicsguys This week’s show is sponsored by: Brooklinen, where listeners get $20 dollars off and free shipping by using promo code tpg at https://www.brooklinen.com Casper, where Politics Guys listeners get $50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by visiting https://www.casper.com/tpg
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PG109: Health Bill, Spicer Resigns, Sessions' Rough Week, Electoral Integrity Jul 23, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay open the show with their thoughts on Senator John McCain, who this week announced that he has a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite their occasional policy differences with Senator McCain, both of the Guys agree that McCain is a genuine American hero and wish him all the best as he fights his cancer. Next, it's a look at the confusing case of the Senate health bill, or bills actually, as there are at least four of them out there. Neither Mike nor Jay think any of them are likely to pass, and Mike questions how much of a legislative mastermind Majority Leader Mitch McConnell really is. They also discuss how President Trump might force the Obamacare exchanges into failure. After that it's a look at the shakeup in the White House communications operation, President Trump's lack of faith in Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whether Sessions talked with the Russians about policy matters during the campaign, and what to make of President Trump's electoral integrity commission, which held its first meeting this week. Mike's Recommendation This Week: My History Can Beat Up Your Politics (Podcast) http://bit.ly/2unfJzN Jay's Recommendation This Week: Charles Dickens Makes Me Want to Throw Up. David Mamet http://on.wsj.com/2undjAX Interested in supporting the show and getting even more Politics Guys content? Check out our Insiders program at https://www.patreon.com/politicsguys This week's show is sponsored by: Dollar Shave Club where new members get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 with free shipping by going to https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/TPG Ziprecruiter, where Politics Guys listeners can post jobs for FREE by going to https://www.ZipRecruiter.com/politicsguy
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Kenneth Rogoff on Eight Centuries of Financial Folly & The Curse of Cash Jul 19, 2017

Mike talks with Dr. Kenneth Rogoff, Professor of Economics and Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University. From 2001–2003, Dr. Rogoff was Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund. He's a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, serves on the Economic Advisory Panel of the New York Federal Reserve, and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences as well as the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Dr. Rogoff's books include 'Foundations of International Macroeconomics', the standard graduate text in the field, 'This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly', and, most recently, 'The Curse of Cash: How Large-Denomination Bills Aid Crime & Tax Evasion and Constrain Monetary Policy', which just came out in an updated paperback edition. In this interview, Mike and Dr. Rogoff discuss: - commonalities in financial crises - the challenges of analyzing eight centuries of financial data - whether Dodd-Frank was a step in the right direction - why stability is inherently destabilizing - the inevitability of financial crises - why there are so many $100 bills in circulation - who benefits from large denomination bills - recommendations for macroeconomic literacy - and lots more! Dr. Rogoff Recommends - Lords of Finance. Liaquat Ahamed (http://amzn.to/2tn74OE) - Economix. Michael Goodwin (http://amzn.to/2tmD3yN) - The Economist (https://www.economist.com/) Follow Dr. Rogoff on Twitter (https://twitter.com/krogoff) Dr. Rogoff's Website (http://www.kennethrogoff.com/) Interested in supporting the show and getting even more Politics Guys content? Check out our Insiders program at https://www.patreon.com/politicsguys Your support of our sponsors helps keep The Politics Guys going. The sponsors of this show are: Dollar Shave Club, where new members get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 with FREE shipping. To take advantage of this great deal go to https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/TPG ZipRecruiter. Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by going to https://www.ziprecruiter.com/politicsguy
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PG108: Health Bills, Meetings with Russians, FBI Confirmation Hearings, & Mike's Favorite Regulatory Agency Jul 16, 2017

This week's show starts off with a look at the latest iteration of the Senate health care bill. While there are some changes from the initial version, Mike is still opposed, Jay is still 'eh' and neither of them think it has the votes to pass - at least not without seriously sweetening the pot for some GOP senators and their states. After that, it's a look at the recent revelations about Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian government connected attorney claiming to have damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Both Jay and Mike agree that it was incredibly stupid for Trump Jr. to not only take the meeting, but to indicate his eager interest to take the meeting in email. The best possible light to put this in is that the Trump administration is, at the highest level - composed of rank amateurs. The more ominous interpretation is that top Trump campaign operatives knew what they were doing was wrong, but assumed they wouldn't get caught. After that, it's a look at the confirmation hearing for FBI Director nominee Christopher Wray - both the Guys agree he's a fine choice - and discussion of whether the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Mike's favorite regulatory agency) is doing consumers a favor with a new rule banning mandatory arbitration. Interested in supporting the show and getting even more Politics Guys content? Check out our Insiders program at https://www.patreon.com/politicsguys This episode is sponsored by Brooklinen - Mike's new favorite sheets. For $20 off and free shipping, use promo code tpg at https://www.brooklinen.com
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Harvard's Gary King on Gerrymandering, Big Data, & Chinese Social Media Use Jul 12, 2017

Mike talks to Harvard's Gary King, author or co-author of over 150 scholarly journal articles, 20 open-source software packages, eight books, and winner of more prizes, awards, and honors than you can shake a stick at. Dr. King is a fellow in eight honorary societies, including the National Academy of Sciences. He is unquestionably one of the preeminent political scientists of the last half century. His work encompasses a broad range of issues including demographic forecasting, legislative redistricting, Chinese government censorship & social media use, bias in Social Security Administration forecasts, analysis of ‘Big Data’, and numerous publications in the area of what statistics and modeling. Mike and Dr. King discuss gerrymandering, partisan symmetry, bias in Social Security predictions, how the Chinese government uses social media, and lots more. Follow Gary King on Twitter https://twitter.com/kinggary Dr. King's jaw-droppingly impressive page at Harvard https://gking.harvard.edu/ This show is sponsored by Brooklinen.com. Mike is super-picky about bedding, and he thinks Brooklinen's sheets are the best he's ever slept under. Brooklinen is so confident that you’ll love their sheets that they offer a risk-free 60-night satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty on all of their sheets and comforters. Politics Guys listeners get $20 off AND free shipping by using promo code tpg at http://brooklinen.com.
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PG107: North Korean Missile Test, American First Meets the G20, Modern Day Presidential, and Illinois Budget Jul 09, 2017

This week the show kicks off with Mike and Trey talking about the July 4th North Korean Missile Test. The launch is important because it marks the first intercontinental ballistic missile successfully launched by North Korea and Kim Jung Un. Both Mike and Trey agree there are no great options, but that the options that do exist should rule military intervention off the table. Next Mike and Trey examine the recently concluded G20 summit. The two major points of interest are Trump’s meeting with Putin and the response to the U.S. Exiting the Paris agreement. Mike and Trey also briefly look at Trump’s proposal to create an “impenetrable Cyber Security unit” with Russia. After that, the Guys move on to the CNN / Trump feud. Both Trey and Mike agree that the item is mainly non-news, but that it represents a larger shift in political communication. The real story is the change to the news media and to the way politicians disseminate information. In short, Trump might be right that Tweeting is the “modern day presidential” thing to do, even if the Guys worry about the longer term effects. Finally the Guys examine the Illinois budget. The budget, which just passed after two years, brought a bit of disagreement between Mike and Trey. Mike arguing that states have a moral obligation to the poor and Trey arguing that lower taxes must be coupled with lower spending across the board. Please consider checking out this week’s sponsors: Seat Geek, where you can find the best seats at the best prices – fully guaranteed, and it only takes a few taps on the app or a few clicks if you access it through their website. Use our promo code POLITICSGUY for $20 off your first purchase. Go to https://seatgeek.com/ or download the Seat Geek app to save big on tickets. Blue Apron - where you can get all the ingredients for the best meals delivered straight to your door. Try dinner, the Blue Apron way. Use our link https://www.blueapron.com/TPG/
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Brooke Gladstone On The Media Jul 05, 2017

Mike talks to Brooke Gladstone, co-host and managing editor of WNYC’s On The Media. Ms. Gladstone has won multiple awards for her reporting, including a National Press Club Award and two Peabody Awards. She’s also the author of two books: The Influencing Machine, a media manifesto in graphic form and, most recently, The Trouble With Reality: A Rumination on Moral Panic in Our Time, which came out in May. Brooke Gladstone's Recommended News Sources - Talking Points Memo - Vox - Commentary - The Weekly Standard - National Review - The New York Times - The Washington Post - National Public Radio Follow Brooke Gladstone on Twitter https://twitter.com/OTMBrooke We hope you'll check out this show's sponsors: Blue Apron - a better way to cook. Check out this week's menu and get your first three meals free, with free shipping, by going to https://blueapron.com/tpg SeatGeek - the convenient way to get tickets to live events at a great price. Download the SeatGeek app or go to https://seatgeek.com to see all that SeatGeek has to offer. Politics Guys listeners get $20 off their first purchase by entering code POLITICSGUY at checkout.
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PG106: Healthcare Holdup, Travel Ban, Religious Funding, Seattle's Fight for 15 Jul 02, 2017

This week's show starts off with Mike and Jay taking a look at the currently stalled Senate GOP healthcare bill. Between the bill's broad unpopularity and a devastating Congressional Budget Office score, it looks like it's going to be tough for Mitch McConnell to get this bill through his chamber without some significant changes. While Mike and Jay differ greatly on the merits of Obamacare, they both agree that, to this point, Republicans haven't offered a serious, carefully considered conservative alternative to it. Next it's a look at some big news from the Supreme Court. The Court partially lifted the injunctions imposed by lower federal courts on President Trump's travel ban, and said it would hear the case in October, at the beginning of its next term. Both Jay and Mike feel this is the right call, though Jay feels the injunction should have been completely lifted, which Mike doesn't agree with. After that, they discuss a Supreme Court decision that allows state funding for religious institutions. Jay feels the seven members in the majority got it right, and Mike just barely agrees, though he feels that Justices Sotomayor and Ginsburg make some important points in dissent. After that, the Guys talk about a new research study on Seattle's minimum wage experiment. The study, which found that the boost actually cost workers money, was praised by the right, with the left finding plenty of holes in the methodology. Jay feels this vindicates conservative common sense, while Mike argues that it's only one flawed study (as all studies are, to a certain extent) and although it should be taken into consideration, the weight of the evidence still supports the overall benefit of minimum wage hikes. What Jay's Reading: Stop Pretending You're Not Rich. Richard Reeves http://nyti.ms/2tfrINC On Campus, Failure is on the Syllabus. Jessica Bennett http://nyti.ms/2teYApC What Mike's Reading: The Policy Scout Podcast https://www.thepolicyscout.com/ Please consider checking out this week's sponsors: Seat Geek, where you can find the best seats at the best prices – fully guaranteed, and it only takes a few taps on the app or a few clicks if you access it through their website. Use our promo code POLITICSGUY for $20 off your first purchase. https://seatgeek.com Dollar Shave Club, the smarter choice for a great shave at a great price, conveniently delivered right to your door. New members get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 with FREE shipping by going to https://dollarshaveclub.com/tpg
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Kurt Schlichter Explains How Hillary Clinton is Evil & Listener Mail Jun 28, 2017

There was so much intense listener response to Mike's recent interview with Townhall.com columnist Kurt Schlichter, that Mike and Jay decided to devote the first part of this listener mail episode to addressing those responses and explaining why Mr. Schlicter was invited on the show. Mr. Schlichter himself appears in this episode, to explain what he meant when, in the interview, he repeatedly referred to Hillary Clinton as evil. After that, the Guys answer listener mail, including questions about climate change, reasons for opposition to normalizing relations with Cuba, and their thoughts on a Politics Guys 'Cheers' analogy. We hope you'll check out the sponsors of today's show: Dollar Shave Club, where new members get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 with FREE shipping. In your first month’s box, you get a weighty handle, a full cassette of four Executive cartridges and a tube of Shave Butter. You can only get this offer now by going to https://dollarshaveclub.com/tpg SeatGeek, where you can find the best seats at the best prices. Politics Guys listeners get $20 of their first purchase. Either download the app or go to https://seatgeek.com and enter promo code POLITICSGUY at checkout.
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PG105: Senate Health Bill, Special Election, Russia Sanctions Jun 25, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start things off by talking about health care bill unveiled by Senate Republicans. Mike sees it as a nearly trillion dollar tax cut financed by draconian cuts to Medicaid, whereas Jay believes it may help by giving states more authority and halting what he sees as unsustainable Medicaid cost growth. Then it's a look at the Georgia special election, where Democrat Jon Ossoff narrowly lost to Republican Karen Handel. Mike says Democrats shouldn't overreact because Democrats have over performed in all four of the special elections held to elect replacements for Trump administration officials formerly serving in the House. Jay points out that a loss is a loss, and Democrats are 0-4. After that, they discuss Russia sanctions, both new sanctions unveiled by the Trump administration and a Senate bill - passed by a vote of 98-2 - calling for tougher sanctions and making it harder for the president to reverse sanctions. What Jay's Reading The Last Battle for Democracy in Venezuela (WSJ - paywall) http://on.wsj.com/2s5kK0g What Mike's Reading The Brookings Cafeteria (podcast) http://brook.gs/2s5XVtl We hope you'll check out this week's sponsors: Seat Geek, where you can find the best seats at the best prices - fully guaranteed, and it only takes a few taps on the app or a few clicks if you access it through their website - https://seatgeek.com/. Use our promo code POLITICSGUY for $20 off your first purchase. ZipRecruiter, which lets you post your job to 100 plus job sites with just one click. Unlike other job sites, ZipRecruiter doesn’t depend on candidates finding you; it finds them. In fact, over 80% of jobs posted on ZipRecruiter get a qualified candidate in just 24 hours! Politics Guys listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE. Just go to https://www.ziprecruiter.com/politicsguy
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An A+ For Donald Trump Jun 21, 2017

Mike talks to Kurt Schlichter, an attorney, retired Army infantry colonel, and Senior Columnist for Townhall.com. His commentary on political, military, and legal issues has been featured in numerous national outlets, such as Fox News, CNN, and the Hugh Hewitt Show. They discuss why Hillary Clinton has less respect for democratic norms than Donald Trump, scuzzy bureaucrats in the intelligence community hoping to destroy the Trump presidency, why he gives Trump a grade of A+ so far, the complete lack of evidence in the Russia probes, and lots more!
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PG 104: Shootings, Sessions, Cuba, and the Federal Reserve Jun 18, 2017

Mike and Trey start this week with the tragic shooting of Scalise and the unfortunate political communications uproar in it’s aftermath by James Hodgkinson. Both Mike and Trey worry that democracy may be losing a pillar when demonization is the new normal. After that they talk about the rollback of Obama’s Cuba opening. Trump is returning to an older policy of restrictions, although his rhetoric is more drastic than his actually changes. Later Mike and Trey discuss the Sessions testimony and the increase of rate in the Federal Reserve. Finally we end the show with what we are reading now and the unlikely truth that both Trey and Mike love Roberts’ Napoleon biography.
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Moneyball for Politics: Sasha Issenberg's 'The Victory Lab' Jun 16, 2017

Mike talks to Sasha Issenberg, a political journalist whose work has appeared in Slate, Washington Monthly, The Atlantic, and lots of other places. He's a contributor to Bloomberg Politics and the author of multiple books, including the widely praised "The Victory Lab: The Secret Science of Winning Campaigns" which Politico called 'Moneyball for Politics'.
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Climate Change Politics & Policy after Paris Jun 14, 2017

Mike and Jay received so much listener feedback on our discussion of President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord (in episode 102) that they decided to do this special follow-up. In it, they cover the 'We Are Still In' movement, what states - especially California - are doing, whether or not Jay believes human activity is responsible for climate change, and why Mike wants us to significantly slow emissions today, whereas Jay feels that we're better off growing the economy and waiting for what he believes will be better and cheaper emission control and climate change mitigation technology in the future. They also respond to listener comments.
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PG103: Comey Testifies, Trump's FBI Pick, The Kansas Experiment Jun 11, 2017

Mike and Jay start the show talking about the story that dominated the news this week: the testimony of former FBI Director James Comey. Neither of the Guys think that Comey dropped any bombshells, though Mike believes that this is still early days in an investigation that will go on for years and cripple the Trump administration. Jay thinks it might wrap up sooner than that, but that once again, Donald Trump's biggest obstacle seems to be Donald Trump. After that, they talk about Trump's pick for FBI Director. They agree that Christopher Wray is a sane and sensible choice (which is hardly a given in the Trump administration) but that the delay of nearly a month in naming a replacement for Comey is yet another example of how Donald Trump is in over his head. A story that didn't get the coverage it deserved this week was Kansas' experiment with radically lower taxes, and experiment the state legislature forced conservative governor Sam Brownback to abandon this week. Mike and Jay talk about what this might tell us about the effects of deep tax cuts and the impact it might have on similar proposals both in other states and at the national level. What Jay's Reading: Just Mercy, by Brian Stevenson What Mike's Reading: The Sixth Extinction, by Elizabeth Kolbert
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The Economist's Ryan Avent on The Wealth of Humans Jun 07, 2017

Mike talks with Economist senior editor and columnist Ryan Avent, author of The Gated City and, most recently, The Wealth of Humans: Work and its Absence in the Twenty-First Century. In addition to The Economist, Mr. Avent's work has appeared in outlets such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Republic, the Atlantic, and the Washington Examiner. Prior to coming to The Economist, he worked as an economic consultant and an industry analyst for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. He has an economics degree from North Carolina State University, and an Masters of Science in economic history from the London School of Economics. Mike and Ryan talk about where the jobs are going, who's at risk, the effects on economic inequality, the social and psychological effects of a largely jobless future, and lots more. Ryan Avent Recommends - EconTalk - FT Alpha - The Weeds - Marginal Revolution University
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PG102: Paris Accord Exit, Afghanistan, Suing Big Pharma Jun 04, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start off by talking about President Trump's announcement that the United States will be leaving the Paris Climate Change Accord, making it one of only three countries in the world to not be participating (the other two are Syria and Nicaragua). Mike, who was hoping against hope that US would stay in, is disappointed, feeling that President Trump is stuck in the past and that his actions may have a negative effect on the environment, future job growth, and US global leadership. Jay, on the other hand, thinks President Trump made the right call. Then it's a look at the US role in Afghanistan in the wake of a major terrorist attack last week that left 90 dead and hundreds wounded. Should the United State up its military commitment to the country and try to turn the tide against the Taliban, or would it be best to cut our losses, given the potentially unwinnable situation? After that, the Guys look at Ohio's recently announced lawsuit against Big Pharma for allegedly misleading doctors and the public about the dangers of prescription opioids. The state's move is part of a growing trend of states and counties taking legal action against pharmaceutical companies. Mike feels this is a step in the right direction but Jay, who agrees that the opioid crisis is extremely serious, says he's not crazy about the approach Ohio is taking.
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Fighting Trump State by State & Mapping Police Violence May 31, 2017

Mike talks to Samuel Sinyangwe, co-founder of OurStates, an initiative that connects communities to actionable information and tools to reject the Trump / GOP agenda in every state and protect communities from harm. Mr. Sinyangwe is a policy analyst and data scientist who also co-founded Mapping Police Violence, which collects and analyzes data on police violence in the United States. He’s been featured on MSNBC, CNN, BBC, LA Times, the Forbes '30 under 30' and The Root 100.
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PG101: Trump's Travels, Fantastical Budgets, SCOTUS on Redistricting May 28, 2017

This week's show opens with Mike and Jay talking about something they *won't* be covering - the continuing drip, drip, drip of Trump scandal leaks. That doesn't mean that they aren't concerned with the serious allegations that have been raised (especially true in Mike's case) but that the leaks don't tell us much of anything. For the most part, they're going to hold off until there's substantive news on the leak investigations, as opposed to juicy tidbits leaked from anonymous sources. After that, Mike and Jay talk about what President Trump accomplished on his first foreign trip, and whether he was right to downplay human rights in Saudi Arabia and push NATO allies to pay up. They also take a look at a recent Supreme Court decision on redistricting, in which the very conservative Justice Thomas sided with the Court's liberals. There's a reason why that happened, and Mike and Jay discuss it, as well as the bigger picture of redistricting challenges over the last few years.
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Die-Hard Independent Matthew Dowd on 'A New Way' May 24, 2017

Mike talks to author, ABC News chief political analyst, and die-hard independent Matthew Dowd. Mr. Dowd has extensive experience in politics where he's worked for candidates and officeholders on both sides of the aisle, including Democrats Dick Gephardt & Lloyd Bentsen and Republicans George W. Bush - on whose campaign he was chief strategist - and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's co-author of the bestselling book 'Applebees America' and his latest book, which just came out this spring, is 'A New Way: Embracing The Paradox as we Lead and Serve'. He's also founded multiple companies, including ListenTo.us, a community of independent minded people sick and tired of gridlock and the lack of common-sense leadership and dedicated to putting the 'united' back in United States.
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PG100: Special Counsel, Trump's Trip, NAFTA Renegotiation May 21, 2017

This week, Mike is joined by Trey, filling in for Jay. They start the show with an overview of a tumultuous week for President Trump, featuring the president revealing classified information to Russia, allegations that Trump asked then FBI Director Comey to drop the investigation against Mike Flynn, and the appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to head the investigation into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. Then, Mike and Trey take a look at Donald Trump's first foreign trip as president, where he'll be visiting the Middle East and Europe. They discuss why those countries were chosen and what, if anything, is likely to come out of the trip. After that it's a look at NAFTA, in the wake of the Trump administration formally notifying Congress that it will be renegotiating the treaty. Mike and Trey discuss whether NAFTA is really as bad as President Trump has said it is, who's won and who's lost under the agreement, and the strange political alliances it's forged.
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Donald Trump: Threat to Democracy? May 17, 2017

Mike talks to journalist and researcher Dr. Sarah Kendzior about the threat posed by the Trump presidency, media elites & 'flyover country' and lots more! Dr. Kendzior is a columnist for Canada's Globe and Mail, and her work has has appeared in multiple national outlets in the U.S. including Politico, Slate, The Atlantic, and the New York Times. She’s also the author of the best-selling essay collection, ‘The View from Flyover Country’. Dr. Kendzior has a PhD in anthropology, with her academic work focusing on the authoritarian states of the former Soviet Union and how the internet affects political mobilization, self-expression, and trust. She also maintains an always-fascinating Twitter account and was named one of “the 100 people you should be following on Twitter to make sense of global events” by Foreign Policy magazine. Be sure to check out http://politicsguys.com/ for episode links & more.
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PG99: Trump Fires Comey, Sessions Gets Tough on Crime, Election Fraud May 14, 2017

This week's show starts out with President Trump's surprising and, some would say, far-too impulsive firing of FBI Director James Comey. Mike and Jay consider if this is Trump fearing that the FBI is getting too close to finding ties between his campaign and Russia, Trump simply being his erratic, 'act first and consider the consequences later' self, or possibly some combination of the two. After that, they talk about the recent move by Attorney General Jeff Sessions withdrawing former Obama AG Eric Holder's directive that gave federal prosecutors the ability to work around mandatory minimum sentences that many on the left and the right feel are expensive and ineffective. Then it's on to the Election Fraud Commission President Trump set up with a recent executive order. Mike and Jay talk about what the data tells us about election fraud, what a commission might lead to, and how to balance the integrity of the election system with concerns about voter suppression. What We're Reading This Week: Jay The Decline of the West. Oswald Spengler Mike The End of Alchemy: Money, Banking, and the Future of the Global Economy. Mervyn King
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Daniel Drezner Interview May 10, 2017

Mike talks with Dr. Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Dr. Drezner is the author of multiple books, including Theories of International Politics and Zombies, The System Worked: How The World Stopped Another Great Depression, and most recently, The Ideas Industry: How Pessimists, Partisans, and Plutocrats are Transforming the Marketplace of Ideas. In this interview, Mike and Dr. Drezner discuss public intellectuals, thought leaders, TED Talks, self-promoting academics, why economists are more popular than political scientists, 'Trump vs. The Blob', North Korea, and lots more!
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PG98: GOP Health Care 'Victory', Spending Bill, What We're Reading May 06, 2017

The Guys start out this week's show with a detailed look at the American Health Care Act, which the House of Representatives passed in a squeaker of a vote. Both Mike and Jay expect that the Senate will take up and pass some version of the AHCA, but that it's likely to be somewhat different from what the House approved. In their discussion of the bill, the Guys discuss where people get their insurance, what Obamacare did (or tried to do), and how the AHCA would change things. Next, it's a look at the bipartisan spending bill that Congress approved, with almost all of the opposition coming from Republicans. Mike and Jay talk about why so many Republicans were against it and whether or not conservatives are right to be worried about federal spending and debt levels. Finally, the Guys introduce a new segment to the show: What We're Reading. Every week, Mike and Jay will talk about an article, book, podcast episode, or documentary they've been reading, listening to, or watching, in an attempt to break away from the of-the-moment, 'instant analysis' of the news cycle.
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James Fallows Interview May 03, 2017

Mike talks with James Fallows, a legendary figure in American journalism. Mr. Fallows was chief speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter, editor of US News & World Report, a program designer at Microsoft, and is currently a national correspondent for The Atlantic, a magazine he’s written for since the late 1970s. His work there has won great acclaim, including a National Magazine Award. In addition to his journalism, Mr. Fallows is the founding chairman of New America, a think tank committed to renewing American politics, prosperity, and purpose, and the author of numerous books on subjects as diverse as the news media, travel, America’s war in Iraq, and, most recently, two books on China: Postcards from Tomorrow and China Airborne.
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PG97: 100 Days of Trump, Trump's Tax Plan Apr 30, 2017

This episode marks a return to our roots, with a focus on deeper analysis of what's most important, and less coverage of the ephemeral events that so often dominate the weekly news cycle. Mike and his fellow political scientist Trey - who's guest-hosting this week for Jay - start with a look at Donald Trump's first 100 days. They consider how '100 days' became such a big deal, what a president's first 100 days can tell us about the rest of his term, what it means to be a successful president (and how much of that is in the president's control), and how likely they think it is that Donald Trump will have a successful presidency. Next is their discussion of the Trump tax plan. Mike outlines the basics of the plan after which Mike and Trey talk about whether the plan would be good for the United States, what it would do the the national debt, and the political realities of enacting tax reform. This episode is sponsored by Upside.com - where you can get big travel savings and a $100, $200, or even $300 Amazon gift card. Use our code BIZTRIP to get at least a $200 gift card when you book your first trip. Our second sponsor is Blue Apron. Great, fresh meals, delivered right to your door, ready in under 40 minutes, and less than $10 per person per meal. Politics Guys listeners can get their first three meals free and free shipping by going to blueapron.com/tpg
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Larry Sabato & Listener Mail Apr 26, 2017

First up is Mike's interview with political scientist Larry Sabato. Professor Sabato is the director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, which includes Sabato’s Crystal Ball - the foremost election forecasting site in the United States. Professor Sabato is the author of many books, including ‘A More Perfect Constitution’, ‘The Kennedy Half-Century’ and, most recently he was the lead editor on ‘Trumped: The 2016 Election That Broke All The Rules’. He regularly appears on national news outlets such as Fox, CNN, and MSNBC offering invaluable insight and analysis of polls and elections. After that, Mike and Jay respond to listener mail. Episode Links: Follow Professor Sabato on Twitter @LarrySabato Sabato’s Crystal Ball http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/ Decision Desk HQ https://decisiondeskhq.com/ CQ Almanac https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/ Almanac of American Politics https://www.thealmanacofamericanpolitics.com/ Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections http://uselectionatlas.org/ Daily Kos Elections http://www.dailykos.com/blog/Elections Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire https://politicalwire.com/ The Bellwether: Why Ohio Picks the President. Kyle Kondik https://www.amazon.com/Bellwether-Why-Ohio-Picks-President-ebook/dp/B01H1S9PWM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492014696&sr=8-2&keywords=the+bellweather This episode is sponsored by Dollar Shave Club - the smarter choice. Politics Guys listeners can get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 dollars - with FREE shipping by going to dollarshaveclub.com/tpg
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PG96: Elections, Bill O'Reilly, Executive Orders, Ann Coulter Apr 23, 2017

This week's show starts with Mike and Jay talking about the 'not-quite' Democratic win in the special election in Georgia. Mike thinks it could be a (positive) sign of things to come for Democrats in Congress, but Jay isn't so sure. After that, the Guys talk about whether Fox was right to give Bill O'Reilly the boot, President Trump's executive orders on steel, the H-1B visa program, and Wall Street regulation, and whether Berkeley is trying to silence Ann Coulter. This show's co-sponsor is Dollar Shave Club. For a limited time, new members get their 1st month of the Executive Razor with a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 dollars - with FREE shipping. Join the club today at dollarshaveclub.com/tpg The other co-sponsor of the show is Upside.com - the best new way to buy business travel. Every time you buy a trip at Upside, you save a ton of money AND they give you an Amazon gift card worth one hundred, two hundred, even three hundred dollars. Use our special promo code BIZTRIP to at least a two-hundred- dollar Amazon gift card when you book.
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The Indivisible Guide - Being Heard in the Age of Trump Apr 19, 2017

Mike talks to Jeremy Haile, co-author of the Indivisible Guide - a practical guide to influencing Members of Congress, written by a team of former Congressional staffers. From 2008-2012, Jeremy served as a legislative aide to Rep. Lloyd Doggett along with Indivisible board members Ezra Levin and Sarah Dohl. Since then, Jeremy has worked in criminal justice reform advocacy at The Sentencing Project and as a public interest lawyer in San Francisco. A longtime activist, Jeremy's advocacy has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and NPR’s All Things Considered. His writing has appeared in such publications as The Marshall Project, The Nation, and The Hill. Jeremy has given talks to numerous audiences, including students at Harvard Law School and Princeton University. Jeremy's Recommended Reading (and Listening) - The Unwinding. George Packer - Evicted. Matthew Desmond - The New Jim Crow. Michelle Alexander - Pod Save America After we went off air, Jeremy also mentioned OurStates, which "connects communities to actionable information and tools to reject the Trump / GOP agenda in every state and protect communities from harm."
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PG95: Trump's Foreign Policy, Dem House in 2018?, Healthcare Chicken, Is Trump Learning? Apr 15, 2017

This week, the Guys start out by looking at President Trump's foreign policy in a dangerous world. First it's Syria, where Assad's chemical attacks and the U.S. retaliatory missile strike has brought US / Russia relations to their lowest level in quite a while. Then it's North Korea, the unstable regime getting ready for it's sixth nuclear test. Can the U.S. exert enough pressure on China to deter a potential disaster in North Korea? After that, Mike and Jay turn to domestic policy - special elections that seem to bode well for Democrats (though November 2018 is a long way off) and whether President Trump is willing to sabotage Obamacare in order to force its repeal and replacement. And why are we seeing a return to this issue anyway, given that mere weeks ago, Speaker Paul Ryan said Obamacare would be the law of the land for the foreseeable future. Finally, the Guys discuss Steve Bannon's fall from grace and consider whether President Trump is evolving and learning on the job, or if instead he's a largely empty vessel, wholly incurious about policy details, into which any significantly smooth talker can pour his or her ideas.
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Polling, The Selfie Vote, & Data Driven Government Apr 12, 2017

Mike talks to Republican pollster and political analyst Kristen Soltis Anderson. Ms. Anderson is co-founder of the research and analytics firm Echelon Insights, a contributor at ABC News, a Washington Examiner columnist, a regular guest on shows like Morning Joe, Fox News Sunday, and Real Time with Bill Maher, author of The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials Are Leading America (And How Republicans Can Keep Up), and the co-host of The Pollsters, a bipartisan weekly podcast.
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PG94: Syria, Gorsuch, Susan Rice, Devin Nunes, China Apr 09, 2017

This week, we have our very first sponsor - Blue Apron! To get three of their great meals for free as well as free shipping, go to blueapron.com/TPG It was a crazy week in foreign policy, and the guys start with the biggest of all the big stories - the missile strike on Syria authorized by President Trump in response to Syria using illegal chemical weapons on its own people. The move was a major departure both from policy under President Obama and President Trump's own prior statements on the wisdom of military involvement in Syria. Mike and Jay discuss whether the president made the right call and what this might mean for the future. Next, the Guys discuss the visit of Egyptian President / military strongman Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who President Trump not only welcomed, but embraced. Mike sees this as a mistake, while Jay believe it's good diplomacy. After that is some domestic policy - the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Just as everyone predicted, Democrats filibustered his nomination, Republicans changed the rules to disallow filibusters of Supreme Court nominees, and Gorsuch was then confirmed on a largely party-line vote. Senators from both parties, as well as Mike and Jay, regret that things have come to this point, but the confirmation process is yet another example of how very polarized our politics has become. But wait - there's more! The Guys get into the latest developments in the Russia / Trump investigations, and then wrap things up by talking about the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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Politics and Policy in a Second Machine Age Apr 05, 2017

Mike talks to Professor Andrew McAfee, Co-Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Initiative on the Digital Economy and a Principal Research Scientist at MIT's Sloan School of Management. Professor McAfee's work has appeared in numerous academic and popular publications, including the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. He is the author of a number of books, including The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies (co-authored with Erik Brynjolfsson).
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PG93: Russia, Trump vs Freedom Caucus, GOP vs EPA, NATO Slackers Apr 02, 2017

This week, the Guys start out by looking at the latest news on the multiple Russia probes. The House investigation has slowed to a crawl amid claims from Democrats that Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes can't be trusted to conduct an impartial probe. The Senate investigation seems to be far more bipartisan to this point. Mike and Jay talk about why this is, along with what to make of former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn's willingness to testify - if he's given immunity. Then it's a look at what Mike calls the Republican 'circular firing squad' with President Trump calling out the House Freedom Caucus, and the Caucus and it's conservative supporters blasting right back at the president. Following an update on the Gorsuch confirmation process, the Guys get a chance to talk policy - why Republicans don't seem to like the EPA, what President Trump's new executive order on the environment means, and whether or not our NATO allies are pulling their weight.
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Brad DeLong Interview Mar 29, 2017

Mike talks to UC Berkeley economist Brad DeLong. Professor DeLong, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton administration, blogs at 'Grasping Reality with All Tentacles' - one of the best economics blogs around. Topics they discuss include economic inequality, economic growth, why this is the best time ever to be poor (in the United States, at least), grifters and suckers, alien sinister forces, McDonalds, restaurant gift cards, how the best con artists are those who can con themselves, and lots more.
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PG92: Obamacare Lives!, Gorsuch, Russia, Immigration Mar 26, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start by taking a look at the first big legislative push of President Trump and House Republicans: The failed repeal and replace vote on Obamacare. They talk about what happened, why it happened, what it means for Obamacare, and the possible paths forward for Republicans. Then it's on to Judge Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both the Guys agree that after 20 hours of testimony, we're exactly where everyone expected we'd be: Republicans united in support, Democrats united in opposition, and a Democratic filibuster - followed by a Republican rule change preventing Supreme Court nominee filibusters - to come. After that, the Guys review the latest developments in the Trump / Russia story, focusing on FBI Director James Comey's testimony to the House Intelligence Committee, as well as a questionable move by Devin Nunes, the Committee's chairperson. The focus then turns to immigration, with discussion of the new 'Muslim laptop ban' (as Jay calls it), the criminality of illegal vs legal residents, and the Department of Homeland Security's attempt to shame local jurisdictions that don't cooperate with immigrant detainment requests.
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Progress, Abortion, Liberals & Conservatives, Transgender Rights Mar 22, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay tackle a bunch of great listener questions, such as whether or not progress is always a good thing, if being transgendered is a choice, what our philosophical beliefs concerning abortion are, the best case for liberalism (made by Jay) and for conservatism (made by Mike), and lots more.
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PG91: Budget, Healthcare, Travel Ban, Taxes, Wiretapping Mar 19, 2017

Mike and Jay lead off with a discussion of President Trump's first budget. The so-called 'skinny budget' (referring to any incoming president's first budget, which tends to be shorter on details than their later budget proposals) calles for big defense and security increases and correspondingly big cuts. Jay is hoping that it's simply another instance of Trump's negotiating style (start out extreme and then make a deal for what you actually wanted) but he's pleased that many programs will be required to justify their existence. Mike is less enthusiastic, and thinks that maybe it's defense spending that needs to be justified. They both agree that the United States has huge looming problems with mandatory spending (which accounts for over 70 percent of the federal budget) that aren't being addressed. After that, the Guys talk about the American Health Care Act that House Republicans are trying to get through Congress. This week's disastrous CBO score makes an already difficult legislative job for the GOP even harder, and neither Mike nor Jay expect the current version of the bill to be what ends up being enacted into law. Next is discussion of the federal court rulings against President Trump's revised travel ban. Mike thinks it's entirely likely that it runs afoul of the Constitution's prohibition against establishment of religion, while Jay disagrees, feeling that the courts should consider only what the order says, and not other remarks about Muslim bans previously made by Donald Trump and some of his top advisors. Following that, it's a look at the underwhelming revelations from two leaked pages of Donald Trump's 2005 tax return, the continuing story of the president's 'wiretapping' claims, and Mike and Jay's thoughts on the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates.
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Norman Ornstein Interview Mar 15, 2017

Mike talks with political scientist Norman Ornstein, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, contributing writer for The Atlantic, columnist for National Journal, and the author of many books on U.S. Politics, including It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism, coauthored with the Brookings Institution's Thomas Mann.
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PG90: GOP Health Plan, Revised Travel Ban, Wikileaks & the CIA Mar 12, 2017

This week, Jay is joined by guest co-host Ken Katkin, a professor of law at Northern Kentucky University, who takes the place of Mike on the left. (But while Mike was off this week, he still couldn't resist inserting a few remarks at the very beginning of the show.) Jay and Ken start off with an in-depth policy discussion of the American Health Care Act, the Republican legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. They drill down into the fundamentals of how health insurance works - or doesn't work - with Jay expressing far more confidence in a 'free market' solution than Ken. Next, they look at the Trump administration's 'new and improved' travel ban. While both Jay and Ken agree that courts should grant the executive a good amount of deference in this area, Ken feels that there's no rational basis for the ban, which he believes is a clear attempt to 'reverse engineer' an unconstitutional Muslim ban. Jay, though not entirely unsympathetic to these concerns, isn't exactly convinced. Finally, they consider the latest release from Wikileaks - a trove of documents concerning CIA hacking techniques. Both Jay and Ken conclude that Wikileaks is more hero than villain. The discussion turns to ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, with Ken arguing that the amount of evidence of involvement is overwhelming. He concludes that President Trump is, in effect, a Russian agent.
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Interview with Crowdpac's Steve Hilton Mar 08, 2017

Mike talks with Steve Hilton, the founder of Crowdpac, which he created in 2014 in order to help reconnect regular people to politics by making it easier for everyone to learn about politicians, find and support candidates that match their beliefs, and even run for office. Prior to starting Crowdpac, Steve was a director of strategy for former UK Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. In addition to running Crowdpac, Steve teaches at Stanford University's Institute of Design, is a commentator for Fox News, and is the author of More Human: Designing a World Where People Come First.
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PG89: Trump's Speech, Russia & Sessions, Budget Plans, Anti-Semitism Mar 04, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start by discussing President Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress. They both agree that it was the most presidential / least Trump-like speech he's yet given. Then things get a bit more disputatious than usual, when Mike strongly objects to President Trump's tweets about alleged illegal wiretapping of his organization by the Obama administration. Jay is deeply troubled that a president would tap the phones of a rival party's presidential nominee, while Mike argues the Obama administration would have been derelict in its duty had it not investigated a major party presidential nominee with potential ties to a rival and unfriendly power. Things cool down after that (Mike really did get pretty wound up for a while on the Russia thing) as they move on to discuss the first outlines of President Trump's budget and the wave of threats against Jewish Community Centers.
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Lane Kenworthy Interview Mar 01, 2017

Mike talks to Lane Kenworthy, a Professor of Sociology at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on social policy, including poverty, inequality, mobility, and economic growth in the United States and other rich countries. Professor Kenworthy is the author of many academic articles and six books, including Social Democratic America and, most recently How Big Should Government Be?, co-authored with John Bakija, Peter Lindert, and Jeff Madrick.
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PG88: CPAC, LGBTQ Rights, Kudos to POTUS, Mexico, Town Halls Feb 26, 2017

This week's episode starts with a look at the annual meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference, headlined by President Trump himself. Mike and Jay take a look at the president's stridently anti-media rhetoric as well as discuss someone who wasn't there: conservative provocateur and former Breitbart senior editor Milo Yiannopoulos, who was disinvited after video surfaced suggesting that Yiannopoulos wasn't entirely against pedophilia in some circumstances. After that, the Guys discuss the recent Justice Department rollback of the Obama rule concerning the right of transgender students to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. Mike sees it as a setback for LGBTQ civil rights, while Jay questions the extent to which this is a right in the first place, and argues that states should have greater say in their education policies - including bathroom access for students. Mike surprises himself by actually complimenting President Trump - for his choice of H. R. McMaster as his appointee to replace Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor. Both Mike and Jay agree that this was a great pick, though it remains to be seen how much President Trump will rely on McMaster's advice, as opposed to that of Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner. Then it's a look at the state of our immigration policy in light of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration enforcement. Mike and Jay consider this in the broader context of our current relationship with Mexico, with Mike pointing out that while Mexico relies on the United States, the relationship works both ways, and that should President Trump decide to come down hard on Mexico, the Mexican government could take significant action of its own in response. Finally, the Guys turn to the Town Hall meeting protests that many Republican members of Congress met with during their 'week off'. Neither Mike nor Jay thinks that protests alone can make a huge difference, though Mike believes (hopes?) that his Democratic Party has learned the organizational lessons of the GOP, and will combine public protests with plenty of behind-the-scenes organizing.
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Jason Brennan Interview Feb 22, 2017

Mike talks to Jason Brennan, an Associate Professor of Strategy, Economics, Ethics, and Public Policy at Georgetown University. He's the author of a number of books, including The Ethics of Voting, Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know, *Why Not Capitalism?, and, most recently Against Democracy.
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PG87: Chaos Cabinet, 'Unhinged' Press Conferences, Russia Connections? Feb 19, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay begin with a look at the resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and what it tells us about the Trump administration's national security savvy. Next, they discuss President Trump's press conference, which many on the left saw as 'unhinged' while many on the right believed it to be a masterful performance that the mainstream media simply didn't get. Next is the week in Senate confirmations, featuring the withdrawal of Andrew Puzder as Labor Secretary and the confirmation of Scott Pruitt at the EPA. Finally, the Guys look at new revelations and current investigations into potential links between the Trump administration and Russia.
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Future of the Dems, Misogyny, Depolarization, Fearing Trump Feb 15, 2017

This episode features our answers to a bunch of great listener mail, facebook messages, and website comments we've gotten lately. We start off with Mike ansering a listener who thinks the Democratic Party should move left (Mike disagrees). Jay then responds to someone who suggests he might benefit from spending more time considering feminist perspectives. Another listener wonders if there's anything we can do to make our country less polarized. (In his response, Jay impressively brings in Epictetus, Mike's favorite Stoic philosopher.) Then it's a discussion of whether we're both being too easy on Donald Trump, and finally, a debate on federal funding of overseas abortion counseling.
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PG86: Travel Ban, Senate Confirmations, Russia, Is Trump Mellowing? Feb 12, 2017

Mike and Jay lead off with the 9th Circuit's action on the Trump travel ban, along with their thoughts on whether or not it violates the Constitution. Then it's on to contentious Senate confirmation votes, with a focus on Betsy DeVoss - the first ever 50-50 confirmation vote tie (broken by VP Mike Pence) - and Elizabeth Warren's silencing by Senate Republicans during debate on Jeff Sessions confirmation as Attorney General. Next, Mike brings up some potentially *good* news concerning what may be President Trump's move toward the center on foreign policy, after which Mike and Jay discuss what's going on with Russia, along with the meaning of 'fake news'.
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Marc Levinson Interview Feb 08, 2017

Mike talks to Marc Levinson, an economist, historian, and journalist specializing in economic and business issues. He’s a former finance and economics editor for The Economist, and has written for publications including the Harvard Business Review, Foreign Affairs, and The Wall Street Journal. He’s the author of six books, including The Box: How the Shipping … Continue reading "Marc Levinson Interview"
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PG85: Host Swap! Supreme Court Nominee, Immigration Ban, Trump Executive Orders Feb 05, 2017

It’s host-swap week at The Politics Guys! We’ve been big fans of Pantsuit Politics podcast for a while now, because both of us approach politics the same way – with the belief that we need less partisan yelling and screaming and more thoughtful, reasoned discussion between liberals and conservatives. And so, when the opportunity arose … Continue reading "PG85: Host Swap! Supreme Court Nominee, Immigration Ban, Trump Executive Orders"
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Marion Nestle Interview Feb 01, 2017

Mike talks with Professor Marion Nestle, one of most respected and sought-after academic commentators on food politics, health, and nutrition. She’s the Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University as well as a Professor of Sociology at NYU, and a Visiting Professor of Nutritional Sciences … Continue reading "Marion Nestle Interview"
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PG84: Immigration Ban, NSC Reorg, Fake News, Border Walls, Jay’s Defenders Jan 29, 2017

Donald Trump has been busy issuing executive orders, with his move to ban immigration from a number of Muslim countries perhaps the most controversial. Mike and Jay look at this, as well as President Trump’s orders that froze government hiring, stopped foreign aid to groups providing abortion counseling, withdrew the US from the Trans Pacific … Continue reading "PG84: Immigration Ban, NSC Reorg, Fake News, Border Walls, Jay’s Defenders"
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Is Jay a Trump shill? Is Mike wrong about Cuba? Jan 25, 2017

This week we catch up on listener mail, answering some great questions, including: What’s up with Jay’s unwillingness to criticize Donald Trump? Why does Mike support better relations with an awful regime like Cuba? Where do you Guys get your facts from, anyway?
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PG83: President Trump, Women’s March, Chelsea Manning Jan 22, 2017

This week the Guys start by discussing the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. His inauguration speech was dark, depressing, and hyperbolic by normal presidential inaugural address standards, but Jay argues it was actually pretty restrained for a Trump speech. Mike and Jay also look at Trump’s historic unpopularity, … Continue reading "PG83: President Trump, Women’s March, Chelsea Manning"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Obama’s Legacy? Jan 18, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay talk about the legacy of President Barack Obama. They discuss what presidential greatness means, whether ‘great’ presidents are something we should even hope for, Mike’s four-point criteria for measuring presidential success, Obama’s ‘Top 10’ achievements (according to Mike) and his biggest failures (according to Jay).
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PG82: Farewells, Fake News, Russia Scandal?, Trump’s Ethics, Hearings, Obamacare Jan 15, 2017

This week’s show starts off with Mike getting all misty-eyed about President Obama’s farewell speech. Unsurprisingly, Jay wasn’t quite so choked up. Mike contrasts what he sees as the grace and eloquence of the outgoing president with the decidedly different style of President-Elect Donald Trump, who recently held his first news conference since winning the … Continue reading "PG82: Farewells, Fake News, Russia Scandal?, Trump’s Ethics, Hearings, Obamacare"
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A National Popular Vote for President? Jan 11, 2017

Mike interviews Pat Rosenstiel, from National Popular Vote, an organization working to ensure that the winner of the national popular vote for the presidency actually becomes president, something that hasn’t happened in two of the last five presidential elections. Mike and Pat discuss: – how the system can be changed without a Constitutional amendment – … Continue reading "A National Popular Vote for President?"
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PG81: Russian Hacking, Building the Wall, House Ethics, Repealing Obamacare Jan 08, 2017

This week, Mike and Jay start off by talking about the intelligence community’s now-released report on Russian hacking, which concluded that not only did the Russians attempt to influence the presidential election, but that they favored Donald Trump. The report was met with bipartisan acceptance in Congress, and even the President-Elect admitted that the Russians … Continue reading "PG81: Russian Hacking, Building the Wall, House Ethics, Repealing Obamacare"
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Martin Ford Interview Dec 21, 2016

Mike talks with futurist and author Martin Ford. His most recent book is Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future, a New York Times bestseller and winner of the 2015 Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award. They discuss the Seven Deadly Economic Trends, what jobs are … Continue reading "Martin Ford Interview"
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PG80: Russian Hacking, Questionable Trump Picks, Fed Rate Hike Dec 18, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start out by talking more about Russian hacking: What we know, how it may have affected the election, Donald Trump’s response, and if the U.S. should retaliate. After that they look at the latest picks in Donald Trump’s administration, particularly the hard-liner he’s chosen as Ambassador to Israel. Finally, it’s … Continue reading "PG80: Russian Hacking, Questionable Trump Picks, Fed Rate Hike"
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Brendan Nyhan Interview Dec 14, 2016

Mike interviews political scientist Brendan Nyhan, a professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth College. His research on political misperceptions has been published in many of the top journals in the field. He’s also a contributor to ‘The Upshot‘ at the New York Times – one of Mike’s ‘must read’ sites. Show Links – … Continue reading "Brendan Nyhan Interview"
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PG79: Russian Election Influence, Cabinet Picks, Trump’s Tweets, Congress Works? Dec 11, 2016

This week, the Guys start out by talking about ongoing controversies surrounding the 2016 presidential election. Now that Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein’s recount effort has mostly fizzled out, attention has focused on the Russians, who the CIA has concluded attempted to influence the election in favor of Donald Trump. Both Jay and Mike are … Continue reading "PG79: Russian Election Influence, Cabinet Picks, Trump’s Tweets, Congress Works?"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Election Questions Dec 07, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys looks at two election-related questions. The first question – submitted by Alex, from Sandy, UT – is whether ranked-choice voting (sometimes called ‘instant runoff voting)) is a good idea. The second question is whether the Electoral College – which will have made the popular vote loser the president in … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: Election Questions"
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PG78: Recounts, The Carrier Deal, More Trump Picks, OSU Terror Attack Dec 04, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start with a look at the three-state recount effort launched by Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein. The Clinton campaign has reluctantly become involved – reluctantly because they know that there’s essentially no way the recounts will change the result of the election. After that, they talk about Donald Trump’s … Continue reading "PG78: Recounts, The Carrier Deal, More Trump Picks, OSU Terror Attack"
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Bryan Caplan Interview Nov 30, 2016

Mike talks to one of his favorite economists: Bryan Caplan, a Professor of Economics at George Mason University. Professor Caplan is the author of multiple books, including The Myth of the Rational Voter, named “the best political book of the year” by the New York Times, Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids, and The Case … Continue reading "Bryan Caplan Interview"
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PG77: Recount!, Trump Transition, Conflicts of Interest, Obama Clemency Nov 27, 2016

Both Mike and Jay thought the 2016 presidential election was over, but that’s not so, at least according to Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein, who has raised over $5 million dollars for recounts in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania – three states that put Donald Trump over the top in the Electoral College, and states … Continue reading "PG77: Recount!, Trump Transition, Conflicts of Interest, Obama Clemency"
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Sunday Spillover Nov 23, 2016

Last Sunday’s show was jam-packed, and there were plenty of things Mike and Jay wanted to talk about that they couldn’t get to (at least, not without making the show way too long). In this show, they focus on some of those things: What Donald Trump has to prove and how it might affect his … Continue reading "Sunday Spillover"
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Ask The Politics Guys: What to Expect from a Trump Presidency Nov 16, 2016

Mike and Jay take a look at what we might expect from a Trump presidency in a number of areas, including health care, immigration, economic regulation & tax policy, the Supreme Court, climate change, international relations, and infrastructure. They also discuss the survival of the Senate filibuster, corruption and transparency in a Trump administration, the … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: What to Expect from a Trump Presidency"
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PG75: How Trump Won, Putrid Polls, & The Future of the Parties Nov 13, 2016

Essentially all of the pre-election polls were wrong, and the Politics Guys start out by explaining why that was. Mike points out that the only people who got it close to right were political scientists, using election predictions based on fundamental conditions. (Mike also offers his apologies for ignoring his profession’s own models and getting … Continue reading "PG75: How Trump Won, Putrid Polls, & The Future of the Parties"
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Ask The Politics Guys: How Important are Supreme Court Nominations? Nov 09, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from From Kevin, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. “I’ve heard many people say they support Trump over Clinton because of the Supreme Court nomination. How important should the open seat be? Is its importance being overvalued? What are the chances the next president will be able to nominate … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: How Important are Supreme Court Nominations?"
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PG74: Election Predictions, FBI Shenanigans?, Jobs Report Nov 06, 2016

It’s almost all election discussion this week, as the the 2016 Presidential and Congressional elections are nearly upon us. Mike and Jay talk about the tightening polls, whether the media is overreacting (the answer to that question is almost always ‘yes’), and who they think will be President and what the balance of power in … Continue reading "PG74: Election Predictions, FBI Shenanigans?, Jobs Report"
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Ask The Politics Guys: The Green Party Nov 02, 2016

Earlier in the election season, Mike and Jay took a look at the platform of Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson. This week, they examine the platform of the ‘other’ third party – the Green Party, led this year by their presidential nominee Jill Stein. The Guys look at Stein’s positions on taxes, trade, the … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: The Green Party"
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PG73: Clinton email, Bundy Verdict, Telecom Mergers, Obamacare Rate Hike Oct 30, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start off by talking about F.B.I. Director James Comey’s letter to a number of Congressional committees, in which he indicates that additional email has come to light that may be relevant to the Clinton email investigation. Although the media completely freaked out about this, Mike and Jay argue that it … Continue reading "PG73: Clinton email, Bundy Verdict, Telecom Mergers, Obamacare Rate Hike"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Is the U.S. A Flawed Democracy? Oct 26, 2016

This week our question comes from Julia in Hamburg, Germany, who asks whether the American political system is in a state of erosion, if America will soon be a ‘flawed democracy’, and why the heck we don’t care more about gridlock in our political system.
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PG72: 3rd Debate, Democratic Senate?, Police Apologies, Supreme Court Oct 23, 2016

This week Mike was not able to be with us, so Jay was joined by special guest and Cincinnati area attorney Dominique Wagner to discuss the week in politics. Listen as they discuss the final debate, Trump’s chances of winning, whether the debate changed the potential outcomes of the Senate and House races, the official … Continue reading "PG72: 3rd Debate, Democratic Senate?, Police Apologies, Supreme Court"
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Jay for President! Oct 19, 2016

Unlike Mike, Jay’s not actually running for president, but since we did a show in which Mike talked about his issue positions, we thought we’d turn things around and let Jay talk about his vision for the United States. In this episode, Jay covers economic policy, regulation, trade, immigration, and more.
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PG 70: Trump’s Death Spiral, Email Hacks, Unconstitutional Agencies, Shooting Data Oct 16, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start by talking about the disastrous Trump campaign, wondering if he’s even trying to win at this point and what will happen to the Republican party in the wake of an all-but-certain Trump loss. They also discuss more Wikileaks revelations concerning the Clinton campaign, a federal court ruling that will … Continue reading "PG 70: Trump’s Death Spiral, Email Hacks, Unconstitutional Agencies, Shooting Data"
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A Trump Supporter Speaks Oct 12, 2016

Mike talks to a Trump supporter – not a know-nothing or ‘lesser of two evils’ Trump supporter, but an intelligent, well-read, politically astute guy who makes a positive case for Donald Trump. (He also has a few website recommendations: Ace of Spades HQ and Instapundit.)
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PG 70: Is Trump Toast?, Russian Hacking, VP Debate, Israeli Settlements Oct 09, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start by talking about the fallout from a video of Donald Trump saying some extremely vulgar and objectifying things about women. The Guys agree that it’s awfully hard to see how Trump can recover from this. After that, they discuss potential Russian hacking of the U.S. election system, the suddenly … Continue reading "PG 70: Is Trump Toast?, Russian Hacking, VP Debate, Israeli Settlements"
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Dan Carlin Interview Oct 05, 2016

Mike interviews the amazing Dan Carlin, professional journalist and long time podcaster who hosts two of the best and most popular podcasts in the world: Hardcore History and Common Sense. They talk about the importance of history in understanding current politics, political dynasties, Donald Trump (of course), whether Edwards Snowden should be pardoned, if the … Continue reading "Dan Carlin Interview"
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PG69: The Debate, Congress Gets Busy, State of the Race, Nursing Home Rules Oct 02, 2016

Jay’s back this week! He and Mike start off by talking about the first presidential debate. After that, they discuss a fairly busy week for Congress, which included keeping the government from shutting down and overriding an Obama veto, the current state of the presidential race, and new rules governing nursing homes.
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Ask The Politics Guys: Special NFL Edition Sep 28, 2016

This week, in honor of the NFL season kicking off not too long ago, Mike and special guest co-host Dominique Wagner talk about the National Football League and politics. They get into Congressional action on concussions, the NFL’s special legal status, whether taxpayer-funded stadiums are a good idea, and if the Washington Redskins should change … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: Special NFL Edition"
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PG68: Terror Attacks, Police Shootings, and A Whole Lotta’ Trump Sep 25, 2016

Jay had some technical difficulties and wasn’t able to record this show, so Mike is joined by his friend and Cincinnati area attorney Dominique Wagner. They talked about the ‘lone wolf’ terror attacks in Minnesota and New York, how differently Tulsa and Charlotte handled their police shooting incidents, Donald Trump’s stand on ‘stop and frisk’ as … Continue reading "PG68: Terror Attacks, Police Shootings, and A Whole Lotta’ Trump"
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Rich Boehne Interview Sep 21, 2016

Mike talks to E.W. Scripps President and CEO Rich Boehne about how the news business has changed, why Scripps is investing in podcasts, the difficulty of being well-informed without getting overwhelmed, covering Donald Trump, and lots more.
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PG67: The Polls Tighten, Trump’s Policies, and Some Good Economic News Sep 18, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start by looking at the tightening polls in the presidential race. While they both think Hillary Clinton will still win, it’s becoming easier and easier to construct realistic scenarios of not just a Trump presidency, but of a Trump presidency with Republicans in control of both the House and the … Continue reading "PG67: The Polls Tighten, Trump’s Policies, and Some Good Economic News"
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Trey Grayson Interview Sep 14, 2016

Mike interviews Trey Grayson, best known nationally for running against Rand Paul in 2010 for the Republican US Senate nomination. Prior to that, he was a two-term Kentucky Secretary of State. Mr. Grayson served as Director of Harvard’s Institute of Politics from 2011 – 2014, and is currently the President and CEO of the Northern … Continue reading "Trey Grayson Interview"
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PG 66: Foreign Policy-Palooza! & Financial Regulation Sep 11, 2016

This week, it’s a seriously foreign-policy centric Politics Guys, with Jay and Mike discussing the presidential candidate forum moderated by NBSC’s Matt Lauer, an agreement between Russia and the US on Syria, North Korea’s nuclear advances, and a bill to allow victims of 9/11 to sue Saudi Arabia. After that, Mike channels his inner Bernie … Continue reading "PG 66: Foreign Policy-Palooza! & Financial Regulation"
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James Taranto Interview Sep 07, 2016

Jay interviews James Taranto, author of the Wall Street Journal’s popular Best of the Web column and member of the WSJ editorial board. Mr. Taranto joined the Journal in 1996 as an assistant editorial features editor after spending five years as an editor at City Journal, the Manhattan Institute’s quarterly of urban public policy. He has … Continue reading "James Taranto Interview"
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PG 65: Mexican Trips, FBI Files, Slavery Reparations, & Colin Kaepernick Sep 04, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start off by talking about Donald Trump’s surprise trip to Mexico, where he sounded almost moderate at times. That was followed up by a more characteristic Trump appearance in Arizona, where he was back to his usual ‘we’ll build a wall, and Mexico will pay for it’ form. Trump’s week … Continue reading "PG 65: Mexican Trips, FBI Files, Slavery Reparations, & Colin Kaepernick"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Mike for President??? Aug 31, 2016

Here’s this week’s Ask The Politics Guys question: “A while ago, Mike said he was running for president. What are his positions on the issues and can people actually vote for him? Jay, if Mike were a real candidate, would you vote for him?”
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PG64: Trump flip-flop? Clinton Foundation, EpiPens, Golden Week, and Trigger Warnings Aug 28, 2016

This week’s show starts with a look at what appeared to be Donald Trump’s softening stance toward illegal immigrants. Has Trump really changed his tune? If he has will it matter? Then it’s a discussion of the Clinton Foundation. Mike doesn’t think there’s much to see in the AP’s report on Foundation donor influence in … Continue reading "PG64: Trump flip-flop? Clinton Foundation, EpiPens, Golden Week, and Trigger Warnings"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Who are the Libertarians? Aug 24, 2016

This week’s question comes from Jennifer, in Green Bay Wisconsin, who writes, “Who the heck are the libertarians and what do they really stand for?”
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PG63: Trump TV?, Clinton Deposition, Obamacare Woes, Fighting for 15 Aug 21, 2016

This week’s show starts with a look at the latest shakeup in the Trump campaign. Is Donald Trump still trying to win, or is he putting the pieces in place for a media network to challenge Fox? Next, it’s a look at Hillary Clinton’s continuing email problems, and the questions she’s being forced to answer … Continue reading "PG63: Trump TV?, Clinton Deposition, Obamacare Woes, Fighting for 15"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Who would you vote for? Aug 17, 2016

Here’s this week’s Ask The Politics Guys Question: “You guys don’t seem to like either of the presidential candidates. If you could make anyone the nominee of your party, who would it be, and why them?”
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PG62: Trump’s Troubles, Econ Plans, Baltimore Police, More Hacks, Pot Policy Aug 14, 2016

It was another rough week for Donald Trump, and Jay & Mike start by looking at the GOP nominee’s troubles and the lasting damage he may be doing to his party and the country. Then, it’s on to new Hillary Clinton email revelations, a comparison of Trump and Clinton’s economic plans, discussion of the DOJ’s … Continue reading "PG62: Trump’s Troubles, Econ Plans, Baltimore Police, More Hacks, Pot Policy"
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David Frum Interview Aug 10, 2016

Mike interviews political journalist, policy expert, and former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum. Mr. Frum has had a long and distinguished career in political journalism and policy analysis. Organizations he’s worked with include The Wall Street Journal, The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, The Weekly Standard, and National Public Radio. He served as a … Continue reading "David Frum Interview"
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PG61: Peak Trump?, Jobs, Planes Full of Money, Commutations, Starship Captains Aug 07, 2016

This week’s show starts with Mike replying to listeners who feel he’s been too soft on Donald Trump. After that, it’s a look at Trump’s truly bad week, some high-profile endorsements for Hillary Clinton, what Jay says is a massive U.S. ransom payment to Iran, President Obama’s commutation-mania, and Mike’s cranky middle-aged guy thoughts on … Continue reading "PG61: Peak Trump?, Jobs, Planes Full of Money, Commutations, Starship Captains"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Liberal Hollywood Aug 03, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from Jay’s daughter who, while watching the Democratic National Convention, asked her dad, “Why are most celebrities liberals?” dwh3geyg
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PG60: Dem Convention, Russian Hacking, Voter ID Laws Overturned Jul 31, 2016

Mike and Jay start off by talking about the Democratic National Convention and whether it helped Hillary Clinton in her quest to be the first female president. Next, the Guys look at the Russian state-sponsored hacking of Democratic computer systems. (Why *only* Democratic systems, Mike wonders.) That leads to a discussion of the resignation of … Continue reading "PG60: Dem Convention, Russian Hacking, Voter ID Laws Overturned"
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John Sides Interview Jul 27, 2016

Mike interviews political scientist John Sides, founder of the Monkey Cage blog and author of multiple books – most recently The Gamble: Choice and Chance in the 2012 Presidential Election (co-authored with Lynn Vavreck). If you’re not already following The Monkey Cage, you should definitely add it to your ‘must read’ politics sites. You might also … Continue reading "John Sides Interview"
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PG59: GOP Convention, Clinton’s VP, Voter ID Laws, Ailes Ousted, NBA & Charlotte Jul 24, 2016

This week’s show starts with a look at the Republican National Convention. Things were calmer than expected on the streets but there was some controversy in the Quicken Loans Arena, thanks in large part to Ted Cruz’s non-endorsement speech. After discussing the convention, Mike and Jay talk about Hillary Clinton’s VP pick – Virginia Senator … Continue reading "PG59: GOP Convention, Clinton’s VP, Voter ID Laws, Ailes Ousted, NBA & Charlotte"
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Russ Roberts Interview Jul 20, 2016

Mike interviews economist Russ Roberts, host of the EconTalk podcast and the book How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness.
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PG58: Dallas Shooting, Trump’s VP, Cleveland in the Spotlight, The Notorious RBG Jul 17, 2016

The first post-summer vacation episode of The Politics Guys starts with a discussion of President Obama’s remarks at the memorial service for the five police officers murdered at a Black Lives Matter rally. Then it’s a look at the wisdom of Mike Pence as Donald Trump’s running mate, a look ahead to what we might … Continue reading "PG58: Dallas Shooting, Trump’s VP, Cleveland in the Spotlight, The Notorious RBG"
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Summer Vacation Jun 15, 2016

The Politics Guys are on summer vacation. Mike and Jay will be back with new shows starting on July 17 – the day before the Republican National Convention.
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PG57: Obama Endorses, Trump’s Anti-Campaign, SCOTUS on Recusal, Voting and Pot in Ohio Jun 12, 2016

Note: After this episode, The Politics Guys will be taking their summer vacation. Mike and Jay will be back with new episodes starting on July 17 – the day before the Republican National Convention. This week, the Guys start off by looking at the last big round of primaries, where Hillary Clinton won big, essentially … Continue reading "PG57: Obama Endorses, Trump’s Anti-Campaign, SCOTUS on Recusal, Voting and Pot in Ohio"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Are Liberals Smarter? Jun 08, 2016

This week’s question comes from Alexx, from Hastings, Minnesota. I remember reading a study that said generally people with higher IQs or more education are generally more liberal than conservative. Any idea as to why?
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PG56: Trump ‘University’, ‘Mexican’ Judges, Libertarians, Sleazy Payday Loans Jun 05, 2016

This week, the Guys start out by reviewing the Week in Trump, which features revelations about his sham ‘University’ accusations against a ‘Mexican’ judge born in Indiana, Trump’s war with the media, and Paul Ryan’s decidedly tepid endorsement. Mike and Jay also look at the Libertarian party nominees – two former Republican governors – and … Continue reading "PG56: Trump ‘University’, ‘Mexican’ Judges, Libertarians, Sleazy Payday Loans"
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Ask The Politics Guys: The Case for Trump Jun 01, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question is: “How could anyone in their right mind vote for Donald Trump?”
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PG55: Clinton’s Email, Trump’s Energy Policy, Obama’s Asian Trip, The TSA May 29, 2016

This week’s episode starts with a discussion of the State Department Inspector General’s report on Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal email server while she was Secretary of State. Both Mike and Jay agree that Clinton screwed up, though they don’t quite see eye-to-eye on how big (or how criminal) that screw-up was. Next, they … Continue reading "PG55: Clinton’s Email, Trump’s Energy Policy, Obama’s Asian Trip, The TSA"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Voter Fatigue? May 25, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from Chris, who lives near Chester, England. Does the US electorate suffer from voter fatigue due to democratic overload?
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PG53: Who Beats Trump, Overtime Rules, SCOTUS on Obamacare and Speedy Trials May 22, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start by looking at the state of the Democratic race, where Bernie Sanders is still plugging away, arguing that Superdelegates interested in winning in November should support him over Hillary Clinton. Next is a look at new rules for overtime – Mike argues they’re a good redistributive and job-creation measure, … Continue reading "PG53: Who Beats Trump, Overtime Rules, SCOTUS on Obamacare and Speedy Trials"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Fixing the Broken Primary System May 18, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from Samantha, in Honolulu. “Dear Politics Guys, How can we fix the broken primary system?”
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PG53: Hillary’s Email, Trump’s Taxes, Transgender Bathrooms, and UFOs May 15, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start by talking about the Democratic presidential race, focusing on Hillary Clinton’s ‘crookedness’ as Donald Trump would almost certainly term it. After that, they look at the Week in Trump, discussing what might be in Donald’s income tax returns and why he won’t release them. Then it’s more on transgender … Continue reading "PG53: Hillary’s Email, Trump’s Taxes, Transgender Bathrooms, and UFOs"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Holding Politicians Accountable for Lies May 11, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from Tyler, in Los Angeles. Tyler asks, “Is there a way to hold our politicians responsible for the words that come out of their mouths? If we have a country where the majority of Americans believe a bunch of half-truths and lies perpetuated by our politicians, I … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: Holding Politicians Accountable for Lies"
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PG52: Trump!, Transgender Bathrooms, CFPB’s Arbitration Rule May 08, 2016

This week, The Guys start off by looking at how Donald Trump – the Republican Party’s all-but-official nominee – got to this point, what he needs to do next, and what it means for the future of the Republican Party. Next, they discuss the Justice Department’s notice to North Carolina informing them that their recent … Continue reading "PG52: Trump!, Transgender Bathrooms, CFPB’s Arbitration Rule"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Are Liberals Smug? May 04, 2016

Here’s this week’s Ask The Politics Guys question: “I saw an article in Vox.com this week arguing that the smugness of liberals hurts them with voters? Do you think that’s right – are liberals too smug, and does their smugness cost them votes?”
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PG51: Trump & Clinton Nearly Clinch, Texas’ Voter Law, Smart Guns, and The Textalyzer May 01, 2016

This week’s show starts off with a look at the Democratic and Republican races. On the Democratic site, Hillary Clinton has all but put away Bernie Sanders, while Donald Trump continues his inexorable and, to some, inexplicable, run to the nomination. Next, the Guys talk about a challenge to a voter ID law in Texas … Continue reading "PG51: Trump & Clinton Nearly Clinch, Texas’ Voter Law, Smart Guns, and The Textalyzer"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Should the U.S. Have Mandatory Voting? Apr 27, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from Perry, in Canberra Australia. Dear Politics Guys, How might compulsory voting affect American politics? Is voting a civic responsibility, like, for instance, jury duty?
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PG50: Presidential Races, Voting Felons, Congress Does Stuff, Earth Day Apr 24, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start by looking at the state of the Republican and Democratic races following the big New York primary, as well as discussing the importance of building mailing lists and data-mining – two ‘boring but important’ things the Trump campaign hasn’t done much of to this point. Next they talk about … Continue reading "PG50: Presidential Races, Voting Felons, Congress Does Stuff, Earth Day"
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Ask the Politics Guys: Are Banks Still ‘Too Big To Fail’? Apr 20, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from Kate in Chicago. Dear Politics Guys, What’s up with U.S. banks? After financial system reform, are they still too big to fail? And if they are, does that mean that if banks start to go under that Congress will use taxpayer dollars to bail them out … Continue reading "Ask the Politics Guys: Are Banks Still ‘Too Big To Fail’?"
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PG49: Verizon Strike, Tax Day, Presidential Races, Hamilton! Apr 17, 2016

This week, the Guys start things off by looking at the big strike by Verizon workers. Surprisingly, Mike, who is usually ready to man the picket line with strikers, is feeling sort of sympathetic to Verizon (as is Jay, which is a lot less surprising). After that, they talk about taxes and some recent proposals … Continue reading "PG49: Verizon Strike, Tax Day, Presidential Races, Hamilton!"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Trump, Turnout, and the General Election Apr 06, 2016

Our Ask The Politics Guys question for this week comes from Jeff, in New York: With Trump’s record turnout state after state, could the case be made that if he’s the nominee of the Republican Party they may lose moderate or “liberal” Republicans (if they still exist) but gain a huge segment of the population … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: Trump, Turnout, and the General Election"
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PG48: Jobs!, Trump’s Bad Week, A Win For Unions Apr 03, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start out by talking about some good news – the March jobs report, which continues a trend of good economic news. After that, they look at Bernie’s chances following some big caucus wins, Donald Trump’s very bad week, and how a divided Supreme Court gave a big(ish) win to public … Continue reading "PG48: Jobs!, Trump’s Bad Week, A Win For Unions"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Question-Palooza! Mar 30, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question is actually 10 questions, all submitted by loyal listener Emilie, who gathered up questions from her Year 13 A-Level Government and Politics Class at Bishop Ramsey School in Ruislip, UK. 1. Republicans and Democrats were once described by David Broder to be ‘two bottles, both empty’ – is … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: Question-Palooza!"
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PG47: Brussels, Cuba, Primary Updates, and Anti-Gay Laws Mar 27, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start things off by talking about the terror attacks in Brussels, focusing on how the three people most likely to be the next president – Clinton, Trump, and Cruz – reacted. Then it’s off to Cuba (and Argentina) with President Obama and his whole family. The Guys then take a … Continue reading "PG47: Brussels, Cuba, Primary Updates, and Anti-Gay Laws"
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Ask The Politics Guys: How Would You Change the Constitution? Mar 23, 2016

This week’s question is a mash-up of two related questions asked by Andrew, from Kalamazoo, Michigan. What one foundational thing would you most like to change about American politics, and which previous foundational change would you say has had the biggest unintended consequences?
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PG46: Kasich’s Folly, Bernie’s Future, and Garland’s Chances Mar 20, 2016

This week, The Politics Guys lead off with the state of the Republican presidential nomination contest. The math says Trump might just barely get the delegates he needs. If he doesn’t, it should make for an interesting convention. Mike and Jay look at what good John Kasich thinks he’s actually doing by staying in the … Continue reading "PG46: Kasich’s Folly, Bernie’s Future, and Garland’s Chances"
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Ask The Politics Guys: What Do You Guys Read (and Watch)? Mar 16, 2016

This week’s Ask the Politics Guys question has come up a bunch of times from listeners. How do we keep up with political news, and what do we recommend for listeners trying to get a better big-picture understanding of American politics. (We’ll be posting links to all of the recommendations mentioned in this episode on … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: What Do You Guys Read (and Watch)?"
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PG45: Contested Conventions, Violent Rallies, Dreamy Prime Ministers, and Feminist Glaciology Mar 13, 2016

The primary races are once again the top story of the week. Mike and Jay start by looking at the state of the Republican race: Trump’s chances in Ohio and Florida, what happened to Rubio, and whether Cruz or Kasich have a real shot at the nomination. They also get into how a contested convention … Continue reading "PG45: Contested Conventions, Violent Rallies, Dreamy Prime Ministers, and Feminist Glaciology"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Should the U.S. Have a Parliamentary System? Mar 09, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from Alexx, in Hastings, Minnesota. Dear Politics Guys, Do you think our system would be more efficient if it were parliamentary system with proportional representation instead of a presidential system with winner-take-all elections?
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PG44: Trump or a Brokered Convention, Hillary Seals The Deal (almost), Abortion at the Supreme Court Mar 06, 2016

This week, Mike and Jay start out by looking at where things stand after Super Tuesday. On the Democratic side, they agree that Bernie Sanders is effectively done, though they expect he’ll stay in the race until the bitter end. On the Republican side, they think it’s very unlikely that anyone other than Trump can … Continue reading "PG44: Trump or a Brokered Convention, Hillary Seals The Deal (almost), Abortion at the Supreme Court"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Disguised Socialism in the U.S.? Mar 02, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes comes from Janet, in Silver City, NM. Dear Politics Guys, Are current social safety net programs a sort of disguised socialism? Are these programs consistent with capitalism?
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PG43: Hillary’s Win, Stopping Trump, Ugly Debates, Super Tuesday Predictions, Closing Guantanamo Feb 28, 2016

This week’s episode starts with a look at Hillary Clinton’s obliteration of Bernie Sanders in the South Carolina primary. The win itself was no surprise, but the margin of victory suggests that Clinton might effectively wrap up the Democratic nomination before too much longer. Next, the Guys reflect on a year of podcasting and beg … Continue reading "PG43: Hillary’s Win, Stopping Trump, Ugly Debates, Super Tuesday Predictions, Closing Guantanamo"
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Ask The Politics Guys: How Bad are Sanders and Trump on Foreign Policy? Feb 24, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes comes from Wasan, currently a student in Palo Alto, California, but originally from Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. Dear Politics Guys, When it comes to foreign policy, how doomed are we if Bernie Sanders wins? (We expand on Wasan’s question by asking the same question of Donald Trump’s foreign … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: How Bad are Sanders and Trump on Foreign Policy?"
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PG42: Trump Up, Bush Out, Clinton Wins NV, The Post-Scalia Court, Apple vs. the Feds Feb 21, 2016

This week, The Politics Guys start by looking at Donald Trump’s (expected) big win in South Carolina, and Jeb Bush’s somewhat unexpected self-mercy-killing after a dismal showing. Next, they turn to the Democratic side, where Hillary Clinton beat out Bernie Sanders in Nevada’s caucus. The Guys look at the upcoming challenges for both sides – … Continue reading "PG42: Trump Up, Bush Out, Clinton Wins NV, The Post-Scalia Court, Apple vs. the Feds"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Race and Diversity Feb 17, 2016

This week’s question It comes from Jonathan in Agawa-gun, Kochi, Japan. Dear Politics Guys, Why do minorities seem to support Clinton over Sanders? On the Republican side, two Latinos (Cruz and Rubio) are amongst the three front runners and an African-American (Ben Carson) and – until very recently – a woman (Carly Fiorina) are still … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: Race and Diversity"
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PG41: Scalia’s Death, NH Reactions, SC & NV Predictions … and Mike’s Presidential Bid! Feb 14, 2016

This week’s show starts with Mike and Jay mourning the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, an intellectual force who was loved by many, hated by some, and who leaves huge shoes to fill. The Guys talk about the influence of Justice Scalia and the prospects for a replacement being nominated and confirmed before President Obama … Continue reading "PG41: Scalia’s Death, NH Reactions, SC & NV Predictions … and Mike’s Presidential Bid!"
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Ask The Politics Guys: What’s a democratic socialist? Feb 10, 2016

Here’s this week’s Ask The Politics Guys question: Dear Politics Guys, Bernie Sanders says he’s a democratic socialist. What does that mean? (Even if you’re not particularly interested in what a democratic socialist is, you might find this episode entertaining, if you want to hear Mike channel his inner Bernie Sanders.)
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PG40: Iowa Review, NH Predictions, Drafting Women, Does Kasich want to ‘Tear Down The Wall’? Feb 07, 2016

This week’s Politics Guys starts off with reviews of Iowa picks from the last show. Jay and Mike more or less nailed it for their respective parties but they both missed on the other side, making for a very solid aggregate prediction. They pat themselves on the back a little and then talk about how … Continue reading "PG40: Iowa Review, NH Predictions, Drafting Women, Does Kasich want to ‘Tear Down The Wall’?"
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Ask The Politics Guys: How different are Democrats and Republicans, really? Feb 03, 2016

This week’s Ask The Politics Guys question comes from Emilie, in Ruislip UK: Dear Politics Guys, In what respect do you think that the two main parties still share any similarities? And do you agree that the academic consensus that the Republicans moving to the right was the main impetus for the Democrats moving to the … Continue reading "Ask The Politics Guys: How different are Democrats and Republicans, really?"
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PG39: Bold Predictions, Does Iowa Matter, Juvenile Justice, Putin’s Corruption Jan 31, 2016

In the last Politics Guys before the Iowa Caucuses, Mike and Jay make their predictions and talk about how much winning in Iowa really matters. Next, they look at some positive developments in the area of juvenile justice, an area in which there’s a real possibility of bipartisan reform. Finally, they talk about how Vladimir … Continue reading "PG39: Bold Predictions, Does Iowa Matter, Juvenile Justice, Putin’s Corruption"
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Ask The Politics Guys: What happens if the establishment candidate wins the nomination, but loses the election? Jan 27, 2016

This week’s question comes from Christopher, in Cedar Falls, Iowa: Dear Politics Guys, Assuming the Republican and Democratic establishment candidates win their party’s nominations, do you think there will be any blowback from the base of the party that loses the general election?
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PG38: GOP Elites vs Trump & Cruz, Iran Prisoner Swap, Bernie Ascendent, The Water in Flint Jan 24, 2016

This week, The Politics Guys start off by examining the choice GOP elites are making between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. Neither of the two Republican frontrunners is loved (or even liked) by the party establishment, so it’s definitely a ‘pick your poison’ situation. Mike and Jay get into the why some Republicans are holding … Continue reading "PG38: GOP Elites vs Trump & Cruz, Iran Prisoner Swap, Bernie Ascendent, The Water in Flint"
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PG 37: Obama’s Big Speech, Iran ‘Hostages’, GOP Debate Madness, Bernie Closes the Gap, Union Free Riders Jan 17, 2016

This week’s Politics Guys starts out with Mike and Jay talking about President Obama’s final State of the Union address. Neither of the guys have much use for SOTUs, and they also agree that President Obama has done a pretty bad job of helping heal partisan divides. (Though Mike gives the president a lot more … Continue reading "PG 37: Obama’s Big Speech, Iran ‘Hostages’, GOP Debate Madness, Bernie Closes the Gap, Union Free Riders"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Can government fix the student debt crisis? Jan 13, 2016

Here’s the question Mike and Jay answer in this week’s Ask The Politics Guys: What can government do to deal with the student loan crisis in the United States?
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PG36: Obama on Guns, Oregon Standoff, Good News on Jobs, North Korean Nukes, Rubio’s Booties Jan 10, 2016

This week, Jay and Mike start out by talking about President Obama’s executive action on guns, which they both think amounts to very little. Next they look at the standoff in Oregon, which the Guys agree is unlawful but not domestic terrorism. After that, it’s some mostly good news on the economy, the implications of … Continue reading "PG36: Obama on Guns, Oregon Standoff, Good News on Jobs, North Korean Nukes, Rubio’s Booties"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Can Government Control Gun Violence? Jan 06, 2016

In this episode of Ask The Politics Guys, Mike and Jay answer this question: What can the government do to decrease gun violence, especially all of the mass shootings we’ve been seeing?
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PG35: Police Killings, GOP Field Narrows, 2015 in Review, Predictions for 2016, Transgender VA Clinics Jan 03, 2016

This week, The Politics Guys start off by talking about the police killings in Cleveland and Chicago. Mike argues that the system sets up a basic conflict of interest and calls for independent prosecutors. Jay has more faith in the system than Mike but agrees that independent prosecutors might be a reasonable response, thought he … Continue reading "PG35: Police Killings, GOP Field Narrows, 2015 in Review, Predictions for 2016, Transgender VA Clinics"
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Ask The Politics Guys: Can Trump Win? Dec 27, 2015

In the inaugural episode of Ask The Politics Guys, Mike and Jay answer this question: Why is it that even though Donald Trump is way ahead in the polls, almost all of the so-called experts say he doesn’t have much of a chance? And would it really be all that bad if he won?
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PG34: Budget Bipartisanship, GOP Debate, The Fed, Big Pharma, Obama Doesn’t Drink His Own Urine, Bombing Fictional Cities Dec 20, 2015

This week, the Politics Guys start off with something new and strange – bipartisanship breaking out in Congress. While neither Jay and Mike think this is the start of a trend, they’re glad that the U.S. has a budget for fiscal year 2016 (which started on October 1, 2015). Next, the Guys discuss the latest … Continue reading "PG34: Budget Bipartisanship, GOP Debate, The Fed, Big Pharma, Obama Doesn’t Drink His Own Urine, Bombing Fictional Cities"
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PG33: Climate Accord, Obama vs Trump on Terror, The End of No Child Left Behind & (Possibly) College Affirmative Action Dec 13, 2015

This week’s top story is the international climate agreement reached after two weeks of negotiations outside of Paris. Mike says that while it won’t prevent the catastrophic effects of climate change, it’s a step in the right direction. Jay feels that nothing will come of it, and that that’s probably a good thing. Next is … Continue reading "PG33: Climate Accord, Obama vs Trump on Terror, The End of No Child Left Behind & (Possibly) College Affirmative Action"
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PG32: Terrorism in California, Women in Combat, Agreement on Infrastructure, Climate Talks, and Trump’s Perfect Health Dec 06, 2015

The top story this week is the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, which is the worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11. Mike and Jay talk at the calls for more gun regulation, the decades-long decrease in gun violence, and why Congress has been keeping the CDC from studying gun-related deaths. Next is … Continue reading "PG32: Terrorism in California, Women in Combat, Agreement on Infrastructure, Climate Talks, and Trump’s Perfect Health"
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PG31: More Shootings, Guantanamo to Stay Open, Voting Felons, ‘Greedy’ Companies & the U.S. Tax Code, and FDR’s Bold Thanksgiving Move Nov 29, 2015

This week starts off as it has too many times before – with discussion of yet another mass shooting, the latest tragedy being at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Guys also talk about the recently passed defense authorization bill that keeps the Guantanamo Bay prison open and makes President Obama’s executive … Continue reading "PG31: More Shootings, Guantanamo to Stay Open, Voting Felons, ‘Greedy’ Companies & the U.S. Tax Code, and FDR’s Bold Thanksgiving Move"
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PG30: Syrian Refugees, Fighting ISIS, Trump’s Latest Brainstorm, Frankenfish, Hillary’s Sense of Humor Nov 22, 2015

This week, the Politics Guys lead off with the effort to halt the admission of Syrian refugees into the US. Both Jay and Mike believe that the US has a moral obligation to take in refugees and that the media has done its usual awful job explaining how the current process works. Donald Trump made … Continue reading "PG30: Syrian Refugees, Fighting ISIS, Trump’s Latest Brainstorm, Frankenfish, Hillary’s Sense of Humor"
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PG29: Paris Attacks, Immigration, More Debates, College Protests, Baby Hitler, and the Medal of Honor Nov 15, 2015

This week, the Guys start things off by briefly commenting on the tragic terrorist attack in Paris – while it’s not directly an American politics story, it’s something that should deeply offend everyone who cares about Western Civilization. Next, they talk about why the federal courts are stopping President Obama from implementing his immigration reforms … Continue reading "PG29: Paris Attacks, Immigration, More Debates, College Protests, Baby Hitler, and the Medal of Honor"
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PG28: The Democrats’ Horrible Election, Ben Carson’s Tall Tales, Obama Rejects Keystone, and Papa Bush Slams Cheney & Rumsfeld Nov 08, 2015

This week’s episode starts with a look at Tuesday’s elections, the latest in a series of disasters for the Democrats. Not only did Tea Party favorite Matt Bevin trounce Jack Conway to become Kentucky’s next governor, but Ohio voters decisively defeated a marijuana legalization measure. Mike and Jay survey the electoral landscape, where things look … Continue reading "PG28: The Democrats’ Horrible Election, Ben Carson’s Tall Tales, Obama Rejects Keystone, and Papa Bush Slams Cheney & Rumsfeld"
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PG27: Budget Deals, GOP Debate, Speaker Ryan, Syria, and Runaway Blimps Nov 01, 2015

This week’s lead story is the multi-year budget deal Congress sent to President Obama. Both Mike and Jay agree that it’s nice to talk about something Congress actually managed to do for a change. Next is the third GOP debate, which Mike hated – but then again, Mike hates all political debates. After that is … Continue reading "PG27: Budget Deals, GOP Debate, Speaker Ryan, Syria, and Runaway Blimps"
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PG26: Ryan Runs (Biden Doesn’t), Hillary Grilled, Bush Flounders, and the Special Bond between the US, Liberia, and Burma Oct 25, 2015

This week’s podcast opens with Mike and Jay discussing Paul Ryan’s decision to run for Speaker of the House. Jay is a Ryan fan from way back, and even Mike respects Ryan – though he doesn’t agree with him on very much. Does this sort of inside-baseball thing matter to Real Americans? Jay thinks maybe … Continue reading "PG26: Ryan Runs (Biden Doesn’t), Hillary Grilled, Bush Flounders, and the Special Bond between the US, Liberia, and Burma"
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PG25: No Afghan Pullout, Democrats Debate, Presidential Campaign Funding, Pot Legalization in Ohio, and Pork Returns to Federal Prisons Oct 18, 2015

This week, the guys lead off with a discussion of President Obama’s announcement that he won’t be pulling all US troops out of Afghanistan, a reversal of earlier promises that all troops would be gone by the end of his presidency. Next, Mike and Jay turn to presidential politics, where they take a look at … Continue reading "PG25: No Afghan Pullout, Democrats Debate, Presidential Campaign Funding, Pot Legalization in Ohio, and Pork Returns to Federal Prisons"
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PG24: The GOP Leadership Mess, Big Trade Deals, Hospital Bombings & the Limits of Airpower, and Inmate Debaters Stick it to Harvard Oct 10, 2015

The battle for the House Speakership leads off this week’s Politics Guys. Jay thinks it’s a result of the GOP being a victim of its own electoral success and that the media is making much ado about very little. Mike agrees, more or less, but points out that changes in how campaigns are financed, as … Continue reading "PG24: The GOP Leadership Mess, Big Trade Deals, Hospital Bombings & the Limits of Airpower, and Inmate Debaters Stick it to Harvard"
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PG23: Another Mass Shooting, Russia & Syria, The Pope and Kim Davis, Goat Sacrifices and the Invincible Sun God Oct 04, 2015

The Politics Guys devote most of this week’s episode to the mass shooting in Oregon and what, if anything, can be done to decrease the insane number of gun deaths in the United States. They also look at the situation in Syria, where both Mike and Jay find themselves in the strange position of agreeing … Continue reading "PG23: Another Mass Shooting, Russia & Syria, The Pope and Kim Davis, Goat Sacrifices and the Invincible Sun God"
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PG22: Republican Quitters, China Talks, VW Cheating, Popeamania in D.C., and Monkey Selfies Sep 27, 2015

This week, The Politics Guys talk about how John Boehner was hounded out of office by the radical Republicans in his caucus and why it matters, using football *and* baseball analogies. The second big Republican quitter of the week was Scott Walker, an early favorite for the GOP presidential nomination whose campaign ran out of … Continue reading "PG22: Republican Quitters, China Talks, VW Cheating, Popeamania in D.C., and Monkey Selfies"
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PG21: Ridiculous Presidential Debates, What the Fed Didn’t Do, Planned Parenthood, Nobel Peace Prize Second Thoughts … and Bigfoot. Sep 20, 2015

The Politics Guys return from their summer vacation tanned, rested, and ready to dive into the free-for-all that is the 2016 GOP Presidential Contest. Mike and Jay agree that modern debates are ridiculous, which may be why the ridiculous Donald Trump seems to be doing so well. Turning to something that’s not actually ridiculous, they … Continue reading "PG21: Ridiculous Presidential Debates, What the Fed Didn’t Do, Planned Parenthood, Nobel Peace Prize Second Thoughts … and Bigfoot."
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Summer Vacation Jul 11, 2015

The Politics Guys are taking the rest of the summer off – just like the Supreme Court. But, unlike Justices Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Kennedy, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Ginsburg, we hope to be back with new episodes before the first Monday in October. (Maybe even as early as mid-August, depending on how Michael’s new book … Continue reading "Summer Vacation"
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PG19: Justice Scalia’s Really Bad Week Jun 28, 2015

This week on The Politics Guys, it’s wall-to-wall Supreme Court. We start with the biggest decision of the Court’s term, and probably the biggest civil rights decision of the last half century: Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court ruled 5-4 that same-sex marriage is a Constitutionally-protected right. Next, we turn to the other huge … Continue reading "PG19: Justice Scalia’s Really Bad Week"
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PG18: Papal Encyclicals, Right-Wing Terrorism, The Confederate Flag, and Alexander Hamilton Jun 21, 2015

This week, the Politics Guys begin by looking at Pope Francis’ papal encyclical on the environment. It turns out that Jay and Mike agree on everything about this issue except the fundamental premises underlying the pope’s reasoning. Next, they discuss the tragic events in Charleston, SC. Jay argues that the left has exploited the event … Continue reading "PG18: Papal Encyclicals, Right-Wing Terrorism, The Confederate Flag, and Alexander Hamilton"
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PG17: Iraq, Trade Policy Bizarro World, Israel, Abortion, and Marco Rubio’s Boat Jun 14, 2015

This week, the Politics Guys lead off by discussing troop increases in Iraq. Jay’s take is that the U.S. should ‘go big or go home’ while Mike feels that we should just go home. Next, they look at the strange world of trade policy, where President Obama’s best friends are John Boehner and Mitch McConnell. … Continue reading "PG17: Iraq, Trade Policy Bizarro World, Israel, Abortion, and Marco Rubio’s Boat"
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PG16: Privacy, Security, a Presidential Cast of Thousands, and Lying Graduate Students Jun 07, 2015

In this episode, the Politics Guys talk about security vs. privacy in the wake of the USA Freedom Act’s passage. Mike and Jay are split on the issue, but not nearly as much as Kentucky’s Senators are. They also check in on the massive 2016 presidential field, separating the contenders – Bush, Walker, Rubio, and … Continue reading "PG16: Privacy, Security, a Presidential Cast of Thousands, and Lying Graduate Students"
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PG15: Harvard’s Alex Jones on Losing The News May 31, 2015

This week, Michael talks with Alex Jones about his book Losing The News: The Future of the News that Feeds Democracy. Mr. Jones is Director of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy and Laurence M. Lombard Lecturer in the Press and Public Policy. He covered the press for The New York Times … Continue reading "PG15: Harvard’s Alex Jones on Losing The News"
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PG14: Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts The American Mind May 24, 2015

In this episode, Michael interviews Professor Tim Groseclose, author of Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts The American Mind. In the book (which was based on an article by Groseclose and Jeffery Milyo) Groseclose argues that there is significant liberal bias in the media and that this bias has a very real effect on American … Continue reading "PG14: Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts The American Mind"
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PG13: Navigating the News: A Political Media User’s Guide May 17, 2015

In this episode, Jay interviews Mike about his book Navigating the News: A Political Media User’s Guide. After nearly two decades of teaching college students about politics and the media, Mike decided that he wanted to write a book on the topic – something short and engaging that brought together the best of what he’d … Continue reading "PG13: Navigating the News: A Political Media User’s Guide"
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PG12: America’s Failing Experiment: How We The People Have Become The Problem May 10, 2015

This week, I interview Dr. Kirby Goidel, political scientist and author of the book America’s Failing Experiment: How We The People Have Become the Problem. Dr. Goidel is a Professor and Fellow in the Department of Communication and the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M. Prior to that, he was Scripps Howard Professor, Director … Continue reading "PG12: America’s Failing Experiment: How We The People Have Become The Problem"
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PG11: Police Brutality, Riots, and Same-Sex Marriage May 03, 2015

This week, the Politics Guys look at the situation in Baltimore: the riots, the causes, and what can be done to reform the police and restore the community. We also discuss Obergefell v. Hodges – the same-sex marriage case heard by the Supreme Court this week. Finally, we talk about Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, the first … Continue reading "PG11: Police Brutality, Riots, and Same-Sex Marriage"
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PG10: Can Politics Save The Planet? Apr 26, 2015

In honor of the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, the Politics Guys focus on the environment. Our air and water are much cleaner than they were in 1970, and there’s no longer a gaping hole in the ozone layer. Today, the big concern is the threat of global warming. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate … Continue reading "PG10: Can Politics Save The Planet?"
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PG09: Hillary & Marco Join the Party, Obama Makes Nice with Iran and Cuba Apr 20, 2015

This Week’s Stories: – Why Hillary will win the nomination, but maybe not the presidency. – Marco Rubio: everyone’s second choice. – Obama compromises on Iran, but will there even be a deal? – Start planning that Havana vacation: Obama opens relations with Cuba.
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PG08: Rand Paul, Iranian Demands, and Police Brutality Apr 12, 2015

This Week’s Stories: – Rand Paul: His strategy, his chances (slim), and his backup plan. – Iran’s Supreme Leader makes life even more difficult for US negotiators – Police Brutality: what, if anything, can we do?
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PG07: Iran, Indiana’s Anti-Gay Law, Corruption in the Senate Apr 05, 2015

This Week’s Stories – The Iran Deal: Will ‘The Great Satan’ Get Burned by the Mullahs? – Indiana: We’re Not Anti-Gay, Honest! We Even Changed Our Anti-Gay Law. – Senator Menendez: A Corrupt NJ Politician (Shocking!) – McDonalds Pretends to Care About Workers
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PG06: Ted Cruz, Anti-Gay Laws, Bowe Bergdahl Mar 29, 2015

This Week’s Stories – Ted Cruz: Why he won’t win, but what he could accomplish. – Indiana: Anti-gay or pro-religion? (Both, maybe?) – Bowe Bergdahl: should he be prosecuted, or has he suffered enough already? – The ungodly mess that is U.S. foreign policy. – The mystery man behind California’s “Sodomite Suppression Act” Links – … Continue reading "PG06: Ted Cruz, Anti-Gay Laws, Bowe Bergdahl"
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PG05: Meaningless Budgets, Mandatory Voting, Talking Race at Starbucks Mar 22, 2015

This Week’s Stories – The stingy, shortsighted, and essentially meaningless GOP budget plan. – President Obama on mandatory voting (he’s for it). – Starbucks attempt to get us to talk about race with our baristas. – Mitch McConnell to the EPA: I hate you guys so much. – The (not so high) rise and fall of Congressman … Continue reading "PG05: Meaningless Budgets, Mandatory Voting, Talking Race at Starbucks"
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PG04: The Senate Writes to Iran, Hillary Hides Her Email, Progress in Ferguson? Mar 15, 2015

This Week’s Stories – The Senate GOP ‘open letter’ to Iran: secretly brilliant, or not-so-secretly moronic? – Hillary Clinton to the media: I didn’t do anything wrong. Technically. – Ferguson, Missouri: some positive developments, then a tragedy. – Is climate change a belief system or scientific fact? – “It’s never good to be drunk at … Continue reading "PG04: The Senate Writes to Iran, Hillary Hides Her Email, Progress in Ferguson?"
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PG03: Obamacare at the Supreme Court, The Justice Dept Slams Ferguson Mar 08, 2015

The audio on this week’s episode is, in places, less than stellar, thanks to one of Michael’s failed recording experiments. At first, we weren’t going to post this episode, but due to popular demand, we decided to put it up, but with this ‘low audio quality’ disclaimer. Things will sound better next week. Also, you’ll … Continue reading "PG03: Obamacare at the Supreme Court, The Justice Dept Slams Ferguson"
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PG02: Funding Homeland Security, Dr. Seuss and Obamacare, Net Neutrality Mar 01, 2015

This week’s stories: – Why can’t Congress fund the Department of Homeland Security? – What undersized red grouper & Dr. Seuss have to do with Obamacare. – The FCC ruling that’s made Comcast and Time Warner very, very sad. – Does the Obama administration really think Samoans are a ‘savage and alien’ race? Links Justice … Continue reading "PG02: Funding Homeland Security, Dr. Seuss and Obamacare, Net Neutrality"
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PG01: Is This Thing On? Feb 22, 2015

The Politics Guys, Episode 01 (February 22, 2015) Show Notes & Links This wasn’t our first show – just the first one we’ve posted. (Yes, the unposted shows were worse. Some were much worse.) The site is still under development, and we’re not on iTunes or Stitcher (yet), but minor technical difficulties aside, it’s reasonably representative of … Continue reading "PG01: Is This Thing On?"
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