The Dispatch Podcast

Latest Episodes:

S.E. Cupp on Moderation and Social Media Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

On today’s episode, CNN’s S.E. Cupp joins Sarah and Steve to talk about the Biden administration, Congress, and why extremism is taking over the politics of today. Plus, the trio discusses the effects of social media on the news business and the challenges that come with being the target of internet trolls.

Show Notes:

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General Milley and Trump's Final Days Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

Journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa have a new book coming out that is full of more scandals from the Trump era, most notably one involving Gen. Mark Milley possibly going around the chain of command in the final days of the Trump administration. Before that discussion, the gang discusses the legality and politics of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate. Plus, a potpourri of topics pertaining to the GOP and what to make of the California recall election.

Show Notes:

-Excerpts from Peril by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa

-Reporting from Jennifer Griffin

-More excerpts from Peril

-Scott Lincicome’s latest Capitolism newsletter

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Ben Sasse on Afghanistan and Reflections on September 11 Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah and Steve talk with Sen. Ben Sasse about the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and what to do next. For a longer summary of the interview, check out an article on The Dispatch website. Plus, Steve talks with Peter Wehner who was a speechwriter for President George W. Bush on September 11, 2001. They share reflections on that day at the White House and the last 20 years.

Show Notes:

-“The Vanishing American Adult” by Ben Sasse

-“Them” by Ben Sasse

-Peter Wehner at The Atlantic

-Peter Wehner at The New York Times

-“The Death of Politics” by Peter Wehner

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September 11: 20 Years Later Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

President Biden is having a no good, horrible, very bad summer. The gang, with Chris Stirewalt subbing in for David, discuss whether Biden can recover from the last few weeks. Is the only thing that can save Biden a reemergence of former President Trump? Trump is slated to visit Iowa and the group discusses what that means for 2024. And finally, Afghanistan is still in shambles and we’re coming up on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Listen to hear what Sarah, Jonah, Steve, and Chris were doing 20 years ago and how it impacted the rest of their lives.

Show Notes:

-Amy Walter on Biden’s approval rating

-Jonah’s 9/11 piece

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Abortion in America Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

This week, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, declined to block a Texas abortion law from going into effect. In Thursday’s Advisory Opinions podcast, Sarah and David tackled the legal aspect of the law and the court’s decision. Today, they turn to the politics--not just of the Texas law, but of the issue of abortion itself. Where does the pro-life movement stand today? Where does it go from here?

Show Notes:

-David’s piece breaking down the Supreme Court’s decision

-David and Sarah’s legal analysis of the Supreme Court’s ruling

-Study: “How Americans Understand Abortion”

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Disco Ball of Asininity Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

There are no more troops in Afghanistan, and President Biden is telling us we had no other option. The gang talks about all the problems with Biden’s speech from the White House at the end of the war in Afghanistan. Plus, as political violence seems to be ticking up recently our hosts debate whether or not that is something to worry about. And finally, creeping a little bit into Advisory Opinions territory, what’s going on with all of the big cases in the Supreme Court?

Show Notes:

-Biden’s speech on the end of the Afghan War

-McConnell honors Joe Biden in 2016

-David’s latest newsletter on political violence

-Sen. Ron Johnson is a closet normal

-Eviction moratorium ends

-Texas abortion law

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Rep. Mike Gallagher on Afghanistan Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

Rep. Mike Gallagher joins Sarah and Steve on the podcast and tries (with no luck)to understand the logic behind the Biden administration’s withdrawal plan in Afghanistan. Gallagher puts it quite bluntly, “The whole thing is a mess, and there are very few options we have right now.” The Marine Corps veteran explains what he’d like to see from the Biden administration going forward and how the GOP should handle national security issues going forward. Plus, find out what brutal book the congressman just finished reading (hint: it’s about Sarah’s home state).

Show Notes:

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Scramble to Evacuate Afghanistan Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

Today, the gang leads the podcast with yet another conversation about the crisis in Afghanistan. As they tick through all the bad takes floating around the internet surrounding the situation one by one, it’s clear the main takeaway is that it’s still really bad and sad to watch. Plus, more infrastructure talk! Has Nancy Pelosi lost her political touch? The Dispatch Podcast team breaks down how the political maneuvering of infrastructure will affect 2022. And for dessert: the California gubernatorial recall election.

Show Notes:

-Can the Taliban become a reliable partner to the U.S.? Only time will tell. - David Ignatius

-History of the Dunkirk evacuation

-David subs for Jonah on The Remnant

-TMD tries to explain the House infrastructure rule

-TMD on California recall

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Failure in Afghanistan Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Steve moderates a conversation with David French and Tom Joscelyn about the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. They cover the Biden administration’s decision not to begin evacuations before the Taliban captured Kabul, intelligence failures, the state of the Afghan military, and much, much more.

Show Notes:

-Read Vital Interest for Tom’s latest analysis on Afghanistan

-Read The French Press for David’s latest analysis on Afghanistan

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American Defeat Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

For the large majority of today’s podcast, our hosts discuss the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and how it will affect domestic politics in the United States. Perhaps David summed up the conversation around the Afghanistan situation as succinctly as possible, “There’s no way to spin this as anything other than a direct American defeat.” Plus, short conversations about the state of COVID-19 and the new census data.

Show Notes:

-The Remnant with Eli Lake

-The Sweep on issue polling

-All of Thomas Joscelyn’s latest Vital Interests

-New census data

-Americans Color Outside the Lines - Chris Stirewalt

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