Mon, April 14, 2025

Is Free Speech on Life Support?

Greg Lukianoff of FIRE joins Mona to discuss why free speech matters (hint, it's not for the powerful) and how left and right are attempting to destroy it. The Mona Charen Show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/mona and get on your way to being your best self. REFERENCES: The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All―But There Is a Solution by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott.

Mon, April 07, 2025

Bad Politics Poisons Science

The Atlantic 's Helen Lewis joins Mona to talk about Andrew Tate, backlash to MAGA in Europe, and how polarization suppresses reasonable doubts about treatment of trans kids. References:   When You’re MAGA, They Let You Do It... Why Trumpworld is just fine with Andrew Tate’s violent misogyny , by Helen Lewis The Global Populist Right Has a MAGA Problem... In Europe, Trump looks too extreme even for many right-wing insurgents , by Helen Lewis What the Left Refused to Understand About Women’s Sports... Female athletes said competing against trans women was an injustice, by Helen Lewis. Get PrivacyHawk and run your FREE privacy scan here http://go.privacyhawk.com/monacharen Use code MONA20 (iOS) / mona20 (Android) for full access to the Platinum Suite: $1M ID theft recovery insurance, dark web alerts, sensitive info monitoring, and much more—all at a special price! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONACHAREN at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Mon, March 31, 2025

A Small d Democratic Hero

In this show before a live audience, Mona talks with Stephen Richer about standing up for reality, tangling with Kari Lake, and his political future. Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack.

Mon, March 24, 2025

Crooks, Crackpots, Extremists, and Putinists

David Frum joins Mona to discuss Trump's Canada gripes, how tariffs will/are sabotaging America, NATO, defying court orders, and how best to counter all of it. Go to Hungryroot.com/CHAREN and use code CHAREN to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. REFERENCES: Why Cede the Flag to Trump? by David Frum in The Atlantic (2017)

Mon, March 17, 2025

An Insider's View of RFK, Jr. and the Risks to Public Health

Famed virologist Dr. Paul Offit describes his encounters with RFK, Jr., vaccine misinformation, trust in medicine, and what he fears most. REFERENCES: Dr. Paul Offit’s Books : Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All The Cutter Incident (about a polio vaccine gone wrong) Historical Vaccine References : The Cutter Incident ( 1950s polio vaccine failure) The history of polio, iron lungs, and the development of the Salk and Sabin vaccines. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The impact of vaccines on childhood diseases like diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, and rotavirus. Andrew Wakefield and Vaccine-Autism Misinformation : Wakefield’s 1998 Lancet paper ( later retracted ) linking MMR vaccines to autism. The role of The Lancet and editor Richard Horton. The legal and financial conflicts of interest that led to Wakefield’s discrediting. Anti-Vaccine Movement History : The Anti-Vaccination League (1800s opposition to smallpox vaccine). NBC’s DPT Vaccine Roulette (1980s), which fueled fears about the whooping cough vaccine. RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine activism and misinformation campaigns. The impact of anti-vaccine movements in places like Samoa, leading to deadly measles outbreaks. Current Vaccine Issues and Policy Changes : RFK Jr.'s role in the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and vaccine policy. The cancellation of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting.

Mon, March 10, 2025

DOGE'S Bogus Cost Cutting

The Manhattan Institute's Jessica Reidl explains the fake fiscal posturing of DOGE as well as the ground truths about deficits and national debt. Predictions: More inflation, lower growth, less prosperity. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/FACTORPODCAST and use code FACTORPODCAST to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.

Sat, March 08, 2025

Some Tough Love for Democrats

Josh Barro joins Mona to discuss where the party needs to change, refocus on practical governance, and how to broaden its appeal to win elections against a rising Republican authoritarian threat. References Josh Barro's Substack –   Very Serious Democrats Need Their Own DEI Purge by Josh Barro Josh Barro's Podcast – Serious Trouble  (with Ken White)

Mon, March 03, 2025

Examining DEI

The Bulwark 's Cathy Young joins Mona to discuss where DEI went wrong and also the unfathomable racism of the Trump Administration. Referenced Works and Sources Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby by Steven Carter Discusses the complexities and unintended consequences of affirmative action from a personal and academic perspective. The Bakke Case ( Regents of the University of California v. Bakke , 1978) A landmark Supreme Court decision that ruled against racial quotas in university admissions while allowing race to be one of several factors in admissions decisions. Fisher v. University of Texas (2013, 2016) Supreme Court cases addressing race-conscious admissions policies in higher education. Implicit Bias Tests (Implicit Association Test, IAT) Psychological tests used to measure unconscious biases, though their reliability and effectiveness in predicting behavior have been widely debated. Yasha Mounk’s The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time Discusses the ideological shifts in race-conscious policies and how they impact public discourse. New York Times  Investigative Report on DEI at the University of Michigan A report detailing the impact of DEI initiatives at a major university, highlighting unintended consequences such as workplace tension and polarization.

Mon, February 24, 2025

MAGA is Powered by Hatred

David French joins to discuss upending the NATO alliance, attacks on the rule of law, and how the pardon power was one of the Founders' worst mistakes.  The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here , or find it wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Join now Referred Works The Federalist Papers – A collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, referenced in discussions about constitutional powers, particularly the presidency. Anti-Federalist Papers ("An Old Whig" – Letter No. 5, 1787) – Cited as an early critique of the presidential pardon power and excessive executive authority. Marbury v. Madison (1803) – A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case establishing judicial review , mentioned in the context of legal authority over the president. U.S. Constitution – Indirectly referenced multiple times, particularly concerning executive powers, rule of law, and the balance of power. Learned Hand’s Quote on Liberty – "Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it." Quoted in reference to the fragility of democratic institutions. DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) – A concept from psychology and sociology used to describe manipulative tactics, discussed in relation to political rhetoric. "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (Film, 2022) – Referenced metaphorically to describe the chaotic state of global and domestic affairs.

Mon, February 17, 2025

Debunking Populist Myths

AEI's Michael Strain analyzes the mistakes left and right make about middle class stagnation, quality of life, and other matters. Plus, what is risked when Trump/Musk attack foundational institutions. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at  betterhelp.com/mona and get on your way to being your best self. Referenced Works & Figures: Michael Strain’s Book — The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It) Elizabeth Warren & Bill de Blasio – Critique of middle-class decline. Josh Hawley – Comment on wage stagnation. David Autor's "China Shock" Paper – Study on trade-induced job losses. Robert Bork’s Antitrust Theories – Influence on U.S. competition policy. Smoot-Hawley Tariffs – Historical reference to the consequences of trade protectionism. Occupy Wall Street & Tea Party Movements – Examples of populist political reactions. Federal Job Training Programs – Discussion on their past inefficacy and recent improvements.

Mon, February 10, 2025

Our Social Media 'Bespoke Realities'

Mona welcomes Renée DiResta to discuss how social media has distorted our perceptions and how to navigates the world of influencers, online mobs, and lairs. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here , or find it wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Not yet a member? Join The Bulwark today! Eat smart with Factor. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/monacharen50off and use code monacharen50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. References: Books & Authors: "Invisible Rulers"  – by Renée DiResta  (Main topic of discussion) Historical References: Father Coughlin & Propaganda (1930s) – Discussion of his use of radio for anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi propaganda, and how he was eventually stopped. Institute for Propaganda Analysis (1930s) – Early efforts to combat misinformation by teaching people how propaganda works. Academic & Media References: Helen Lewis ( The Atlantic ) – Quoted for stating that “the internet is built to empower extremophiles.” Google's Assertive Provenance Report – Discussion of how Google suggests approaches for watermarking and authenticating AI-generated content. Key Topics Discussed: Misinformation & Social Media Dynamics Iowa Caucuses (2012 vs. 2020) – How political narratives and distrust in election results evolved. Measles Outbreak & Anti-Vaccine Misinformation – How misinformation spreads and how online movements gain traction. Algorithmic Influence & Content Curation – The role of algorithms in shaping political extremism and public perceptions. QAnon & Wayfair Conspiracy Theory – How misinformation led to real-world harassment and threats. COVID-19 & Public Trust in Institutions – How institutional silence and slow responses allowed misinformation to fill the gap. Decline of Trust in Experts – How institutions and scientists need to engage more effe

Mon, February 03, 2025

Christianity’s Crossroads: Faith, Democracy, and America’s Future

In this episode of The Mona Charen Podcast , Mona Charen speaks with author Jonathan Rauch about his new book, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy . They explore the decline of Christianity in America, its impact on democracy, and whether faith can be depoliticized. Rauch, a self-described “atheistic homosexual Jew,” makes the case that Christianity has been a vital “load-bearing wall” for American democracy and argues for a return to its core principles. The conversation touches on political polarization, the role of faith in public life, and what small-l liberals and conservatives alike can learn from the evolving role of religion in society. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONA at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod REFERENCES: Books by Jonathan Rauch : Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy (his new book) The Constitution of Knowledge (his previous book) Articles : An article by Jonathan Rauch in The Atlantic (2003) celebrating secularization, which he later called "the dumbest thing I ever wrote." Books and Works Referenced : Tim Alberta’s The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory (referred to in discussion about the church and politics) A quote attributed to G.K. Chesterton: “When people cease to believe in God, they don’t believe in nothing, they believe in anything” (noted as possibly apocryphal). Russell Moore's commentary on the state of the church. The Bible (including references to Jesus’ teachings such as "forgive your enemies" and "the least of these"). A quote from John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” The Book of Mormon (mentioned in the discussion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Immanuel Kant’s ethical philosophy (used to support moral arguments). Rabbi Hillel’s summary of the Torah: “That which is hateful to you, do not do unto your neighbor. All the rest is commentary. Now go and study.” Legislation and Policies Referenced : The 1964 Civil Rights Act (mentioning its religious exemptions). The Utah Compromise (2015) on LGBT rights and religious freedoms. The Respect for Marriage Act (2022), which protected same-sex marriage while also ensuring religious protections.

Mon, January 27, 2025

Does the Law Allow Trump's Power Grab?

Mona interviews Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck on executive orders, birthright citizenship, Congress not doing its job, and whether Trump will defy the Supreme Court. Referenced Cases: Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952) – Commonly referred to as the "Steel Seizure Case," it involved President Truman's attempt to take control of steel mills during the Korean War. Korematsu v. United States (1944) – Upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II; later criticized but not formally overturned until its repudiation in Trump v. Hawaii. Ex Parte Endo (1944) – A companion case to Korematsu, ruling the detention of a loyal Japanese American citizen was unauthorized by statute. Trump v. Hawaii (2018) – Upheld the Trump administration's travel ban but included the repudiation of Korematsu as part of the decision. United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) – Affirmed the principle of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. INS v. Chadha (1983) – Declared legislative vetoes unconstitutional, affecting the National Emergencies Act. TikTok-related Executive Orders and Litigation – Mentioned in the context of national security and executive overreach. Referenced Works: The U.S. Constitution : Article II: Presidential powers. 14th Amendment: Citizenship clause.

Mon, January 20, 2025

About Those Men

Mona welcomes Richard Reeves to discuss the struggles of boys and men, including a debate about whether marriage promotion is good or obsolete in this day and age. Richard Reeves’s bio at the American Institute for Boys and Men Sex Matters  by Mona Charen Boy Mom  by Ruth Whippman  How to Save Marriage in America by Richard Reeves ( Originally published in The Atlantic ) Pro-Family Policy Priorities for States Shaping Policy, Renewing Culture. Polling and Perspectives from the Sun Belt by Patrick T. Brown of The Ethics and Public Policy Center and Brad Wilcox of The Institute for Family Studies How family law undermines fatherhood, and how to fix it by June Carbone at AIBM.

Mon, January 13, 2025

Is Womanhood So Bad?

In the inaugural episode of The Mona Charen Show , Mona welcomes New York Times columnist Pamela Paul to discuss why girls are getting negative messages about womanhood. Also: sex differences, social media, motherhood, and men's struggles. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONA at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Trailer · Wed, January 08, 2025

Coming soon—a new show hosted by Mona Charen

Fri, December 20, 2024

The Final Beg to Differ

Mona and the gang bid farewell to this format, discuss what will replace it, and offer a glimpse of future plans. Leave a comment Highlights / Lowlights:  Mona outlined the future of her new show. Bill previews his forthcoming book on political psychology. Linda: The Silver Candlesticks: A Novel of the Spanish Inquisition , Linda’s forthcoming book, which you can pre-order now! Make sure you sign up for Linda’s Substack. Damon: While Damon finishes his forthcoming book on Leo Strauss, go down the Straussian rabbithole at Notes from the Middleground. Referenced work: Bret Stephens’s “Done With Trump” in the  NYT

Fri, December 13, 2024

Trump's Most Dangerous Nominee

Noah Smith joins to discuss what Tulsi Gabbard could do to America, the other anti-qualified nominees, the Penny/Mangione cases, and what Syria should remind us of. Highlights / Lowlights  Mona: Rupert Murdoch's Succession Fiasco, Clive Irving at Vanity Fair Linda: Why Does Pete Hegseth Keep Talking About ‘Warfighters’? Elliot Ackerman at The Free Press . Bill: His WSJ column: Save a Reagan Initiative From Musk and Ramaswamy Damon: When Democracy’s Defenders Turn Into Its Gravediggers, Yascha Mounck Noah makes his reasoned pitch as to why rabbits make excellent pets.

Fri, December 06, 2024

Is the Press Preemptively Caving to Trump?

Matt Bennett joins to discuss the most dangerous Trump appointments and the worrying signals of fear by MSNBC and others. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: The Iron Man of America’s op-ed pages (David Von Drehle, WaPo) and Mona’s contribution to the George Will tribute symposium, ‘Conservatism’s Vital Champion.’ The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America by Jeffrey Rosen Matt: The attempted Martial Law coup in South Korea (lowlight) and the response of South Korean politicians and citizens (highlight). Bill: The DOGE versus the NED by James Piereson ( The New Criterion ) Linda: Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth See the Same Enemies (Carlos Lozada, NYT ) Damon: The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the perverse glee of some on the very online left. (Lowlights)

Fri, November 22, 2024

Humiliation Theater

Robert Tracinski joins to discuss Trump's attack on government, his execrable appointees, and what Dems should do going forward. Highlights / Lowlights Damon: Russ Vought's appointment to OMB and the Nancy Mace / Sarah McBride performative cruelty. Linda:  JD Vance appearing in all of those Senate meetings with Matt Gaetz, and A Free Press Conversation with Natan Sharansky Mona: Hong Kong's jailing of 45 democracy activists sparks criticism from foreign governments, rights groups (CBS) Bill: House passes bill that would allow Treasury to target nonprofits it deems to support terrorism Robert:   The RFK Jr. McDonalds Photo

Fri, November 15, 2024

As Bad As We Thought

David French and Larry Diamond join the group to mull the nature of Trump's victory and the stupefying appointments to DOJ and DNI. Highlights / Lowlights David French: Politics are terrible and sports are terrible, at least for David. Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Titans, and Ja Morant’s injury. Damon Linker: A viral tweet and the disappointing Republican whataboutism. Larry Diamond: A vignette about Matt Gaetz’s selection and surprising a prominent Republican with the news.  Bill Galston: The Onion has won the bid for Infowars’ assets Mona Charen: Season 2 of Bad Sisters .

Fri, November 08, 2024

Kleptocracy Cometh

The Atlantic 's David Frum joins the group to analyze the election and consider the implications for domestic and foreign policy. Highlights / Lowlights: Damon:  The work of Ruy Texiera and Nate Cohn  Linda:  My Manifesto for Despairing Democrats by Nick Kristof Bill: ‘Invisible’ older women speak up at the ballot box by Karen Tumulty Mona: Trump transition team co-chair endorses Kennedy anti-vax theories and says he would be able to access health data David: Earth experiencing warmest year on record – again, scientists say

Fri, November 01, 2024

Who Are You Calling Garbage?

Tim Miller joins to discuss the big picture about 2024, why Harris could not run as a change agent, and America's oligarchs. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code BEGTODIFFER at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/begtodiffer Highlights / Lowlights Linda Chavez: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and the Dodgers World Series Victory (Highlights)  Tim Miller: Trump wearing an orange vest and driving a trash truck. (Both) Mona Charen: Derrick Anderson's Fake Family (Lowlight) Bill Galston: The Dodgers (Highlight) Nikki Haley's Get Out the Vote Closing Argument (Lowlight) Damon Linker: Charlie Kirk: Harris Wants Women to Lie to Their Husbands (Lowlight)

Fri, October 25, 2024

Why One Never Trumper Can't Endorse Kamala Harris

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat joins the regular group to discuss his objections to Harris, the likelihood of a Trump fascistic reign, and which party has gone crazier. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code BEGTODIFFER at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/begtodiffer Highlights / Lowlights Ross: Can AI be blamed for a teen’s suicide?  (NYT) Damon: Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos ( MAX) Linda: The Ghosts of John Tanton ( ProPublica) Mona: The Envy of the World ( The Economist ) Bill: The Fight for a New Israel (Dahlia Scheindlin,  Foreign Affairs )

Fri, October 18, 2024

An Underrated Threat: The Trump Corruption

The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins the group (plus Philip Bump) to discuss Harris's Fox interview, Trump's spiraling mental state, and the oligarchy/corruption a second Trump term would usher in. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Harris Needs a Closing Argument. Here's One. By Bret Stephens The FTC is making it easier to cancel subscriptions. Damon: Confessions of a Republican Exile by David Brooks A spate of recent content from Matthew Yglesias Susan: The Gates of Gaza by Amir Tibon Philip: A preview of this weekend's "How to Read This Chart" newsletter Linda: The General's Warning by Tom Nichols

Fri, October 11, 2024

What Would a Second Trump Term Mean for US Leadership?

NY Times columnist Bret Stephens joins to discuss the Iranian threat (to Israel and the US), the amazing Israeli penetrations of Hezbollah and Iran, and the fate of NATO, Ukraine, etc in a Trump 2.0 world. TV Recommendations of the panelists:  Mona: Call My Agent Damon: Game of Thrones Bill: Babylon Berlin Linda:   Slow Horses / Pachinko

Thu, October 03, 2024

Vance Impersonates a Decent Guy

The Financial Times 's Ed Luce joins to discuss the VP debate, the future of MAGA, and the Israel/Iran war.

Fri, September 27, 2024

The Gender Chasm

Mona’s highlight: The impartiality of the DOJ, indicting members of the sitting party in power when they commit crimes. Tim’s lowlight: The failure to have more than one debate. Tim’s highlight: The young, hungry, improbable turnaround of the Detroit Tigers. Sonny’s highlight / lowlight: Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. Sam’s highlight: Ohtani’s historic 50-50 season. Sam’s lowlight: The indictment of Eric Adams. Bill’s highlight: VP Harris’s economic speech on building and permitting overhaul.

Fri, September 20, 2024

Does Trump's Tough Guy Persona Really Work in World Affairs?

AEI's Kori Schake joins the group to discuss Trump's "crazy guy" strategy, the 111 GOP leaders endorsing Harris, and Hezbollah's exploding pagers. Show Notes: Referenced: U.S. Shrugs as World War III Approaches, by Walter Russell Mead (WSJ) Highlights / Lowlights Kori: Gov. Mike DeWine defending Ohio against MAGA’s lies about Springfield (ABC) Damon: The tired dance of the demagogue by Matthew Yglesias (Slow Boring) Mona: How an AI ‘debunkbot’ can change a conspiracy theorist’s mind ( Popular Science) Linda: The Exotic Cat-Eaters of Springfield, Ohio by Kevin Williamson (The Dispatch) Bill: The Future of Free Speech by Lee C. Bollinger and Geoffrey Richard Stone (Dædalus)

Fri, September 13, 2024

The MAGA Bubble Burst

Third Way's Matt Bennett joins to discuss the debate, Harris's centrism, and which candidate would be better on inflation. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Why Mike Lee Folded by Tim Alberta,  The Atlantic . Matt: The lies being pushed about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, and the political opportunism of a young boy’s death. Damon: Behind the Catholic Right's celebrity-conversion industrial complex ( Vanity Fair ) Linda: What led to rumors Trump shared about Venezuelan gangs taking over a Colorado building? (NBC) Bill: Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild

Fri, September 06, 2024

Tucker Carlson: Anchor on Trump/Vance?

Lawyer Kim Wehle discusses her book on the pardon power . The group then delves into Israel/Gaza, campus protests redux, and Tucker Carlson "Just asking questions" about Holocaust denialism. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Andrew Egger's "Pennsylvania Man Speaks" reporting. Bill: The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and the Disuniting of America Linda: Republicans Seize on False Theories About Immigrant Voting ( NYT) Damon: DOJ alleges Russia funded US media company linked to right-wing social media stars (CNN)

Thu, August 29, 2024

The New Kamala Harris

The Atlantic 's Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss the DNC and Harris's new tone, Trump's pivot on abortion, and the misfit toys (RFK Jr., Gabbard) of the Trump campaign.  Highlights / Lowlights:  Mona: Can We Be a Little Less Selective With Our Moral Outrage? by Bret Stephens in The New York Times. Peter: Lowlight: Trump Insists He Won California in Wild, Jesus-Filled Rant With Dr. Phil ( Daily Beast ) Damon: Highlight: Conservatism: The Fight for a Tradition  by Edmund Fawcett Bill: Highlights: The Return of Hamiltonian Statecraft by Walter Russell Mead and Stopping the Next China Shock by Aaron L. Friedberg Linda: Highlight: Making Race Skin Deep by Quico Toro in  Persuasion

Fri, August 23, 2024

How Far Can the Vibes Carry Kamala?

Andrew Egger subs for the vacationing Mona, and A.B. occupies Damon's seat, as The Deseret News 's Samuel Benson joins regulars Bill and Linda to discuss the unity and vibes at the Democratic Convention, while the panel weighs how RFK's exit from the race is likely to affect the November election. Highlights / Lowlights Andrew: Highlight: Gov. Tim Walz's Speech, and his family's reaction. A.B.: Highlight: Doug Emhoff's remarks on anti-semitism, and that protests did not disrupt the convention. Linda: Lowlight: Systemic Test Racism in Chicago ( WSJ ) Bill: The slow counting of ballots in Pennsylvania , and the failure to fix this glaringly obvious problem. Samuel: Lowlight: The slowness with which anti-semitism was addressed at the Democratic Convention. Highlight: A moment of prayer he witnessed by Jewish men at night outside of the convention hall.

Fri, August 16, 2024

"Rational Exuberance"

MSNBC's Charlie Sykes joins the panel to discuss the rise of Harris, the decline of Trump (in more ways than one?), and the Iranian hack of Trump's campaign. Highlights / Lowlights  Charlie: Highlight: 2 outspoken election deniers lose GOP primaries for state Legislature Lowlight: The ongoing stolen valor attacks on Gov. Walz Mona:  Lowlight: How Trump's infatuation with a racist conspiracy theorist is impacting the campaign (Judd Legum and Noel Sims) Damon:  Highlight: Ukraine’s Push Into Russia Met Early Success. Where Does It Go From Here? Bill:  Lowlights: The Swiftboating of Tim Walz Netanyahu accuses defense minister of ‘anti-Israel narrative,’ exposing rift over war in Gaza Linda:  Lowlight: Kamala Harris and the Election of Laughter and Forgetting (Eli Lake,  The FP )

Fri, August 09, 2024

With Walz, Harris Can Pivot to the Center

The regulars discuss Walz pick and shape of the race. David French joins to talk about Trump v. United States.  highlights / lowlights   Mona: The life of Penny Parker (1927-2024). David: Highlight: The USA's Medal Count Lowlight: China's Gold medal count Linda: What’s better than calling Trump weird? (David Broockman and Josh Kalla, Slow Boring) Damon: The Book of Illusions  by Paul Auster. Bill: Highlight: He's still on Cape Cod Lowlight: Hamas names Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks, as its new leader in show of defiance (AP)

Fri, August 02, 2024

Did Trump Plan It?

A.B. Stoddard guest hosts for today’s discussion on Donald Trump’s NABJ interview. It was shocking and set the internet abuzz, but was that his intention all along? Plus, do VP picks actually matter? Highlights / Lowlights Bill’s highlight: Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich (WSJ) Damon’s highlights: Pro-Wrestling Explains Why Trump Is Scared of Kamala , Donald Trump’s Cheap Heat (The Triad) Linda’s highlight: The America of Yesterday (Yascah Mounk) A.B.’s highlight: America’s New Political War Pits Young Men Against Young Women (WSJ)

Fri, July 26, 2024

We Have Lift-Off

Nick Grossman joins the group to discuss Biden's exit and Harris's rise, her strengths and weaknesses, VP possibilities, GOP blues, and Bibi's speech and protests. Highlights / Lowlights Nicholas's highlight: Biden's address to the nation. Nicholas's lowlight: Netanyahu's address to Congress . Mona's highlight: The Olympics You Remember Are Back Damon's highlight: The collective meltdown of right wing influencers who invented the "is Biden Dead?" conspiracy. Bill's highlight: Harris steps out on Israel as she navigates Biden and Netanyahu  (Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN) Linda's highlight:  Fireside Chat with Condoleezza Rice and Robert M. Gates

Thu, July 18, 2024

The Clock is Ticking

The New Yorke r's Susan Glasser joins the group (with Andrew Egger) to discuss the aftermath of the assassination attempt, JD Vance, and Biden digging in his heels. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: The Gunman and the Would-Be Dictator by David Frum in The Atlantic. Damon: Sohrab Ahmari's reaction to Trump's reaction to getting shot at . Ross Douthat's NYT column on Trump and Destiny. Andrew: President Biden messed up a key policy detail in Las Vegas speech. Linda: Are We Living in ‘Late Soviet America’? Niall Ferguson and Jonah Goldberg Debate.

Fri, July 12, 2024

An Open Convention Could be Great for Democracy

A.B. Stoddard joins to discuss Biden's intransigence, the Democratic party's next moves, the pros and cons of anointing Harris, and more. Highlights / Lowlights A.B.: Trump is Planning for a Landslide Win by Tim Alberta in The Atlantic and her 2022 item: Why (and How) Biden Should Decline to Run Again Mona: What Lessons Do the Stunning Results of the French Election Offer? ( New Yorker ) Bill: Amid Doubts About Biden’s Mental Sharpness, Trump Leads Presidential Race (Pew) Damon: Time to Go, Joe, by Marc Leibovich in The Atlantic Linda: A Better Approach to Race in Medicine by Amy F.S. Lutz in Persuasion For What It's Worth by Linda Chavez

Thu, July 04, 2024

Courting Disaster

Former Rep Adam Kinzinger joins the group (plus Chris Cillizza) to discuss the Court's worst ruling since Korematsu, opening the door to God know what if Trump wins. Also, what would an open convention look like? Highlights / Lowlights: Mona: Are We in ‘Soviet America’? Not Even Close. By Cathy Young, The Bulwark Linda: Her trip to Israel, where she was recording. Adam: Cara Mund, a sincere Never Trump candidate who ran (and lost, but got 19%!) in North Dakota. Adam joined her on her radio show to discuss the state of the Republican Party Chris: Gabe Fleisher's Wake up to Politics . Gabe has been writing about politics since he was a child and is a politics prodigy. ( Substack here ) Go to TryMiracle.com/BEGTODIFFER and use the code BEGTODIFFER to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF Visit BetterHelp.com/begtodiffer today to get 10% off your first month. 🔥 Get 30 days of Bulwark+ absolutely free: https://thebulwark.com/freetrial

Sat, June 29, 2024

The Most Consequential Failure of Recent Times

The Atlantic 's David Frum joins to discuss the debate debacle and what comes next? Can Biden be persuaded to drop out? Also, a look at two Supreme Court cases. Highlights / Lowlights  David: Slain Gazan named as Doctors Without Borders staffer was Islamic Jihad rocket maker (Times of Israel) Mona: Gaza Chief’s Brutal Calculation: Civilian Bloodshed Will Help Hamas ( WSJ ) Linda: 4.1 million migrants: Where they’re from, where they live in the U.S. ( WaPo ) Bill: France is facing an election like no other. Here’s how it works and what comes next. ( AP) Damon: Same-Sex Relations, Marriage Still Supported by Most in U.S. (Gallup)

Fri, June 21, 2024

Attack of the Phones

Will Saletan guest hosts as Tom Edsall joins the panel to discuss rising political polarization, Biden’s latest moves on immigration, and the crackdown on social media and kids using smartphones. Highlights / Lowlights Tom: The book 'Wolves of K Street' by Brody and Luke Mullins and a story from  his weekly poker game. Linda: Experts Handicap the Trump-Biden Debate (Karl Rove, WSJ) Damon: No, I Don't Want to Protest (Pamela Paul, NYT) Why Activists Keep Failing the Causes That Fire Them Up (Sarah Isgur, NYT) Bill: The Return of Peace Through Strength by Robert C. O'Brien (Foreign Affairs) Biden and Trump tied in the Emerson Poll in... Minnesota. Will: Louisiana Requires All Public Classrooms to Display Ten Commandments ( NYT) Bibi's shameful Biden attack video

Fri, June 14, 2024

The 'Absurdly Normal' President

Tom Nichols joins the panel to discuss the rise of the right in Europe (and here), the Hunter Biden verdict, and the Israel hostage rescue. Mona: The Big Lie's Bad, Very Bad Week by Charlie Sykes. Linda: No, You Don’t Have the Power to Stop Climate Change by Quico Toro (Persuasion) Bill: American journalist Evan Gershkovich to stand trial on espionage charges in Russia (NPR) Damon: John Ganz's new book "When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s" Tom: John Bolton going through exhaustive detail about Trump's manifest unfitness and then saying he won't vote for Biden on MSNBC. Tom's referenced item "The Jimmy Clean Hands Election" at The Atlantic .

Fri, June 07, 2024

The 'Rally Round the Criminal' Effect

Sasha Havlicek and Philip Bump join the panel to discuss online disinformation, the GOP reaction to Trump guilty verdict, and the Fauci follies in Congress. highlights / lowlights Sasha- The 80th Anniversary of D-Day at Normandy American Cemetery. Damon- The Tower and the Sewer by Mark Lilla (NYR) Linda- This Catholic leader shelters migrants. Texas says he runs ‘stash houses.’ (WaPo) Philip- Two years later, Dinesh D'Souza's obvious misinformation is finally taken down Mona- World War II Veterans meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky at Normandy and "The Biggest War on the Small Screen" by Benjamin Parker ( Bulwark )

Thu, May 30, 2024

Wanted: A Biden Campaign

Famed presidential photographer David Hume Kennerly joins Bill Kristol and regulars to discuss the Ford Library's cowardly refusal to honor Liz Cheney, how Democrats should handle the Trump verdict, and Biden's standing with the young and old. highlights / lowlights David:  In closing, Trump’s team takes the jurors for idiots (Dana Milbank, WaPo ) Mona: Why Trump is hobnobbing with rappers facing gang-related charges (MSNBC) Bill Kristol: The impressiveness of the Manhattan Trump Trial ( NYT ). Linda Chavez: Mexican Democracy Hangs In The Balance (Enrique Krauze, Persuasion ) Bill Galston: Highlight: NATO’s boss wants to free Ukraine to strike hard inside Russia ( The Economist ) Lowlight: Almost 6,000 Dead in 6 Years: How Baltimore Became the U.S. Overdose Capital ( NYT ) show notes: The Danger of a Small Act of Cowardice by David Hume Kennerly. (Includes the Cheney / Ford photo referenced in the show.) David's Resignation Letter from the Ford Presidential Foundation

Fri, May 24, 2024

What if What the Electorate Knows is Flat Wrong?

Joe Klein joins the panel to discuss Haley's Trump support, Alito's freak flags, and polls showing Americans are deeply misinformed about the state of the economy. highlights / lowlights Damon: Is the Biden Campaign Running on False Hope? (Isaac Chotiner, NYer ) Linda: Three Books to Help You Understand Nations in Transit 2024 (Freedom House) Joseph: The U.S. assembles the pieces of a possible Gaza war endgame (David Ignatius,  WaPo ) Mona: The Birth of a MAGA Conspiracy Theory (Andrew Egger, The Bulwark ) Bill: If Trump wins, what would hold him back? (Andrew Prokop, Vox )

Fri, May 17, 2024

Will Debates Reset the Race?

Sarah Longwell, Chris Cillizza, Will Saletan join Mona and Bill to discuss the upcoming debates, the polls (and Biden's response to them) and how to spend a record $61 million on a Senate primary and still get trounced. highlights / lowlights Mona: Thousands sign petition urging canceled concerts by Israeli ensemble to go ahead in Amsterdam ( Times of Israel ) Sarah: GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says Biden should have pardoned Trump (NBC) Biden killing the presidential debate commission. Chris: The beauty of no audience at the Presidential debate. Bill: Can the Declaration of Independence’s Ideals Hold America Together? (Colin Woodard, Washington Monthly ) Lowlight: The reports from the battlefield in Ukraine, after the GOP delayed aid for so long. Will: RFK Jr.’s Rich Running Mate Just Added $8 Million to His Effort .  The hypocrisy of Congressional Republicans who voted against aid to Ukraine and Israel but lectured Biden over withholding 2,000 pound bombs for Rafah.

Fri, May 10, 2024

Does This Make Me Look Weak?

The Society for the Rule of Law's Gregg Nunziata joins to discuss the NY and other cases against Trump; Biden's pivot on weapons to Israel, and RFK, Jr's brain worm. highlights / lowlights:  Mona: In Letter, 540 Jewish Columbia Students Defend Zionism, Condemn Protests Gregg: Highlight: This Is Peak College Admissions Insanity by Daniel Currell , Lowlight: Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump allies who tried to overturn the 2020 election roll out voting 'integrity' bill Linda: The New Propaganda War by Anne Applebaum Bill: Liberland: Populism, Peronism, and Madness in Argentina by David Rieff Damon:  The curse of presentism by Brink Lindsey

Fri, May 03, 2024

The Revolution Will Not Be Catered

FT 's Ed Luce joins the group to discuss campus protests and whether Biden is losing. highlights / lowlights: Mona: Country Music , a film by Ken Burns Ed: The Colombia student asking that the protestors be brought food in their encampment. Linda: MTG's bizarre defense of her anti-Semitism vote. Bill: Netanyahu: Israel will invade Rafah — regardless of hostage deal Damon: The new Steve Martin documentary.

Fri, April 26, 2024

"Ukraine is anti-Christian" and other Russian Lies

Anne Applebaum joins the panel (with Philip Bump) to discuss Ukraine's war effort, Russian disinformation, campus protests, and a change of pace for final segment. What would you have put on the Voyager Spacecraft? Mona: Images of human love: parents interacting with babies (joy), a dog reacting to being reunited, humans taking care of other humans with a handicap (compassion). Damon: Holy texts of major religions, Plato's Republic , Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and the Beatles. Philip: The vessel itself is a message, and a Haiku by Issa. Linda: , a reproduction of Aphrodite of Knidos Sculpture by Praxiteles, Michelangelo's David, Gorecki and Beethoven.

Fri, April 19, 2024

Will Dysfunctional House GOP Do the Right Thing?

 Lawfare's Ben Wittes joins the group to discuss Iran's attack on Israel, Congress's action on Ukraine, Trump's NY trial, and the Supreme Court. highlights / lowlights Mona: The Great Hypocrisy of the Pro-Life Movement (David French, NYT) Bill: Efforts to reform the insurrection act. Linda: Restoring Civics in Higher Education (Wilfred McClay, AEI) Ben: Mona is given an award, but Chatham House Rules. Damon:   The Retconning of January 6 by people who knew better

Fri, April 12, 2024

The Tabloidization of America

Patterico joins the panel to analyze Bragg's case against Trump. The panel also looks at the Arizona Supreme Court decision, and the GOP's clownish attempt to find something on which to impeach Biden. highlights and lowlights Damon: Anxious Parents Are the Ones Who Need Help (NYT) Patrick: Famed photographer quits Ford board over Liz Cheney snub (Politico) Linda: A Region Reordered by Autocracy and Democracy (Freedom House) Mona: Cass review: Health secretary criticises gender care 'culture of secrecy' (BBC) Bill: High interest rates, rising inflation: The economy still isn’t normal (WaPo)

Fri, April 05, 2024

Will Double Haters Park Their Votes on RFK, Jr?

Matt Bennett of Third Way joins to discuss the end of No Labels, RFK, Jr., and other third parties as well as Florida's new abortion law. highlights / lowlights Mona: Karl Rove admonishing Trump's embrace of January 6 criminals (audio) Damon: Why We Can’t Stop Arguing About Whether Trump Is a Fascist (Andrew Marantz, New Yorker ) Matt: How the No Labels 2024 Presidential Campaign Failed to Launch ( WSJ ) Bill: Build Back Faster (Sean Kennedy, City Journal ) show notes This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/begtodiffer and get on your way to being your best self. Go to TryMiracle.com/BEGTODIFFER  to try Miracle Made sheets today! And, whether you’re buying them for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, if you order today you can save over 40%. AND if you use our promo BEGTODIFFER at checkout you’ll get 3 FREE TOWELS and SAVE an extra 20%!

Fri, March 29, 2024

Sacrilege for Sale

The Atlantic's Peter Wehner joins the panel to discuss Trump hawking a "patriotic" Bible, accusations of lawfare regarding Trump's trials, and Putin's war on truth. Highlights / Lowlights: Mona— What Would You Have Israel Do to Defend Itself? (David Brooks, NYT ) Damon— Tucker Carlson's hilariously wrong prediction that Sam Bankman-Fried would avoid justice because he was a megadonor. Peter— Lowlight: Jesus's Crucifixion. Highlight: Easter, of course. Linda— Bridge collapse brings stark reminder of immigrant workers’ vulnerabilities (WaPo) Bill— Democrat who ran heavily on abortion rights, IVF wins Alabama special election (WaPo)

Fri, March 22, 2024

Trump is Hard Up for Cash

Nicholas Grossman joins the panel to discuss Trump's money troubles as a national security threat and political challenge, the "bloodbath" brouhaha, and Schumer's speech about Netanyahu. highlights / lowlights  Damon: Miranda's Last Gift by David Frum. Mona: The U.S. is no longer one of the 20 happiest countries. If you're young, you probably know why. Bill: Graham calls for interest-free loans to Ukraine: ‘New way of doing business’ ( The Hill ) Nick: Once More With Feeling: Banning TikTok Is Unconstitutional & Won’t Do Shit To Deal With Any Actual Threats by Mike Masnick (TechDirt) LINDA: 12,000 More Visas for Afghans Who Helped US Military Included in New Funding Deal (Military.com) . Appeals court raises doubts of legality of new Texas deportation law, SB4, pointing to past rulings ( Houston Chronicle)

Fri, March 15, 2024

Trump's Georgia Acts Were Even Worse Than You Thought

Michael Isikoff, co-author of Find Me the Votes: A Hard-Charging Georgia Prosecutor, a Rogue President, and the Plot to Steal an American Election , details some of the undercovered aspects of Trump's 2020 election subversion. The panel also discusses how the Biden reset is going. highlights / lowlights Mona: Warden is ousted as FBI raids California women’s prison known as the ‘rape club’ ( LATimes ). Damon: American politics is undergoing a racial realignment ( FT) and a thread from the author, John Burn-Murdoch. Bill: 2024 Michigan: Trump Leads Biden In 5-Way Race ( Quinnipiac Poll )   Michael: Trump’s Biden Mockery Upsets People Who Stutter: ‘We’ve Heard This Before’ ( NYTimes ). Linda: Literary Magazine Retracts Israeli Writer’s Essay as Staffers Quit ( NYTimes ).

Fri, March 08, 2024

The Dreaded General Election Arrives

On this week’s episode, Philip Bump of The Washington Post joins guest host A.B. Stoddard and the usual crew to discuss the beginning of the general election. highlights / lowlights A.B.- The NC Exit Polls where voters thought Trump had better physical and mental fitness to be President than Haley. Philip- The Crazy Collapse of the House G.O.P.’s Impeachment Case Against Biden Bill- Ukraine outgunned 10 to 1 in massive artillery battle with Russia Linda- Mitch McConnell endorses Donald Trump for president after years of frosty ties , and the 9-0 SCOTUS ruling. Damon- The 9-0 SCOTUS ruling on Trump and the 14th Amendment.

Fri, March 01, 2024

The Threat of Christian Supremacism

David French of The New York Times joins the panel (plus Cathy Young) to discuss the Supreme Court's gift to Trump; Mitch McConnell's tainted legacy; and the threat from Christian supremacism. highlights / lowlights Mona: Stephen Richer's interaction with TPUSA activist about her voter registration. David: Dune 2 Cathy: Yulia Navalnaya addresses European Parliament after Alexei Navalny's death Why the Kremlin Tried to Obstruct Alexei Navalny’s Funeral Bill: Why Americans are still angry about inflation, even as it cools by Heather Long Damon:  Why the Supreme Court Should Grant Certiorari in United States v. Trump The Consequences of Jack Smith's Rush to Trial

Fri, February 23, 2024

Putin's GOP Enablers

AEI's Kori Schake joins to discuss Ukraine funding, GOP's moral and strategic collapse, Nikki Haley's role, calls for a Gaza ceasefire, and more. highlights / lowlights  Damon: John Avlon: I'm running for Congress. Linda: Something’s Fishy About the ‘Migrant Crisis’ A Rage in Harlem by Chester Himes Liberation Struggle Kori: NATO Gives Ukraine the Go-Ahead to Cross Putin's Red Line Mona: What Losing My Two Children Taught Me About Grief Bill:  For Gen Z, an Age-Old Question: Who Pays for Dates?

Fri, February 16, 2024

Should Democrats Dump Biden?

Chris Cillizza joins the panel for a thought experiment on Biden, as well as the NY special election and its implications for November, NATO, and whether today's GOP as bad as 1930s GOP? highlights / lowlights Mona: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out by Derek Thompson Bill: lowlight: Trump says he would encourage Russia to attack Nato allies who pay too little highlight: Putin Says He Was Disappointed by Tucker Carlson’s Soft Questions Linda: The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2024 to 2034 (look at pages 5-7) Damon: What I Saw Inside the DeSantis Campaign by Nate Hochman Chris: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham  by Will Saletan

Fri, February 09, 2024

Betraying Ukraine, Episode 3

The Dispatch 's Scott Lincicome returns to discuss cheap avocados, the "China shock," and other economic matters. The panel then discusses the GOP heel turn on the border, betraying Ukraine, and whether the Crumbley verdict was a step too far. highlights / lowlights: Mona: As Kids, They Thought They Were Trans. They No Longer Do. (Pamela Paul, NYT) Linda: Isaiah Berlin and the Tragedy of Pluralism (Damon Linker, Persuasion) 1961 Debate Between Malcolm X and James Baldwin Bill: Firing Ukraine’s top general would be a mistake (Adrian Bonenberger, The Hill) Damon: Special Counsel Robert Hur's Biden classified documents report.

Fri, February 02, 2024

Do People Care That Trump's a Sociopath?

ABC's Jonathan Karl joins to discuss Trump's under-covered first two years as post-president. Also the immigration deal that isn't. highlights / lowlights Damon: Baumgartner by Paul Auster Linda: After a Decade of Decline, the US Undocumented Population Increased by 650,000 in 2022, Journal on Migration and Human Security Things Fall Apart: How the Middle Ground on Immigration Collapsed, New York Times Mona: MAGA Has TDS—Taylor Derangement Syndrome, A.B. Stoddard, The Bulwark Jonathan: Lowlight: The collapse of the Ravens and Lions in the NFL playoffs. Bill: EU Leaders Agree to $54 Billion Ukraine Aid Package as Hungary’s Orban Backs Down, Wall Street Journal

Fri, January 26, 2024

Can Haley Make a Difference?

Yascha Mounk joins to consider the NH results, Greg Abbott's defiance of the Supreme Court, and a dissenting view on a much-praised TV series. highlights / lowlights Mona: Jamie Dimon Joins the Trump Normalizers by Dennis Aftergun and Walter H. White, Jr. The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Jonathan Rosen Yascha: Emmys 2024: Succession, The Bear and Beef among winners 'I just love you': Tim Scott and Donald Trump's other challengers fall in line Damon: The 25th Anniversary of The Sopranos Linda: Remembering Bayard Rustin by Arch Puddington Bill: Netanyahu rejects Hamas conditions for Israeli hostage deal

Fri, January 19, 2024

Intimidation and the GOP

Zack Beauchamp of Vox joins the panel (plus Will Saletan) to discuss Iowa and New Hampshire and the role of death threats in the Republican Party. Highlights / Lowlights: Mona: Peter Schickele, Composer and Gleeful Sire of P.D.Q. Bach, Dies at 88 Zack: Cape Verde becomes fourth African country to eliminate malaria Will:  Trump’s unsubtle crusade to cast foes as less American comes for Haley Bill: The Anti-Liberal by David Bell in Liberties. Linda:  What the Asa Hutchinson incident reveals (and why it's important)

Fri, January 12, 2024

The Evangelical Crack-Up

The Atlantic's Tim Alberta discusses his book on the rot within white evangelical Protestantism. The panel then considers Christie's exit, Haley's chances, and what the GOP base really wants. Highlights / Lowlights Mona Charen-   Don Scott, sworn in as first Black speaker of Virginia's House of Delegates, was once a federal prison inmate Bill Galston-   Haley’s strong bid for second place in the Iowa debate Linda Chavez- Lowlight: 'Flight 93 Election' Anti-Trumpers Imperil the Rule of Law by Peter Berkowitz Highlight: Anti-Trump Means Anti-Democracy? You Can’t Be Serious by Ronald Radosh and Gabriel Schoenfeld Damon Linker- The Case for Trump … by Someone Who Wants Him to Lose by Bret Stephens

Fri, January 05, 2024

"Harvard Shmarvard"

Nick Grossman of Arc Digital joins to discuss plagiarism, double standards, DEI, Israel, Iran, and Hamas. highlights / lowlights Mona: Hydroxychloroquine could have caused 17,000 deaths during Covid, study finds and Florida surgeon general calls for halt on mRNA covid vaccines, citing debunked claim Damon: The Law and High Politics of Disqualifying President Trump by Steve Vladeck Nick: Slow Horses on Apple+ and Why the GOP Doesn’t Really Want a Deal on Ukraine and the Border by David Frum . Linda: ‘Screams Without Words’: How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7 Bill: Fed Minutes Suggest Rate Hikes Are Over, but Offer No Timetable on Cuts and Kyiv Issues Dire Warning After 'Record' US Patriot Sweep

Fri, December 29, 2023

"Will Haley's Stumble Matter?"

Guest host A.B. Stoddard and special guest Jim Swift join the panel to discuss Nikki Haley's Civil War / slavery stumble in New Hampshire. highlights / lowlights A.B. Stoddard: What Mitt Romney Saw in the Senate by McKay Coppins (The Atlantic) and My Father, My Faith, and Donald Trump by Tim Alberta (The Atlantic) Jim Swift: The Day After: The Night My Father Scared America, read by A.B. Stoddard (The Bulwark) Damon Linker: The Rise of Narrative and The Fall of Persuasion by Leon Wieseltier (Liberties) Linda Chavez: Here’s the Civil War history they didn’t want you to know by Howell Raines (WaPo) Bill Galston: Ukraine Doesn’t Need All Its Territory to Defeat Putin By Serge Schmemann (NYT)

Fri, December 22, 2023

Did Colorado's Supreme Court Do the Right Thing?

Eric Edelman joins the group to consider whether Trump should be barred by 14th amendment, prospects for Ukraine, and whether Americans' sour views on the economy are right or wrong. highlights / lowlights  Mona:  Right-wing pundits tremble in fear of … tap-dancing, by Catherine Rampell (WaPo) Eric: The mystery of the missing binder: How a collection of raw Russian intelligence disappeared under Trump (CNN) / Trump repeats 'poisoning the blood' anti-immigrant remark (Reuters) Damon: Rudy Giuliani's descent into bankruptcy, a personal story. Linda: Florida Republican Party censures chairman Christian Ziegler, by Lori Rozsa (WaPo) Bill: Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy following $146 million defamation suit judgment

Fri, December 15, 2023

America Retreating from World Leadership

The GOP House moves toward impeaching Biden and stiff-arms Zelensky. Plus, the Supreme Court may act fast on Trump's "immunity" and poll of Palestinians gives little hope. highlights / lowlights Megan McArdle: Shutting a freeway in traffic-clogged L.A. gets attention. But is it effective activism? by Rachel Uranga and Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times Damon Linker: Congress approves bill barring any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO by Laura Kelly, The Hill Bill Galston: A five-point plan to save Harvard from itself , by Steven Pinker Boston Globe and In GOP Contest, Trump Supporters Stand Out for Dislike of Compromise , Pew Research Center Mona Charen: How to Fix the Insurrection Act and a PSA: Be careful about legal marijuana in public regarding your pets!   Linda Chavez: André Braugher Dies: Star Of ‘Homicide: Life On The Street’, ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ & Other Series And Films Was 61 , by Mike Fleming, Jr. Deadline ... [ Buy the box set , Linda suggests!]

Fri, December 08, 2023

"Dictator on Day One"

Democracy scholar Rachel Kleinfeld joins Beg to Differ to discuss polarization, violence, the GOP, the rule of law, Ivy League hypocrites, and more. highlights / lowlights Mona Charen: What Is Happening at the Columbia School of Social Work? by Pamela Paul Damon Linker: A Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable. We should stop pretending . and The Trump dictatorship: How to stop it , both by Robert Kagan Bill Galston: The troubling testimony of Ivy League professors before the House on anti-semitism on campus. Linda Chavez: Why Dostoevsky Loved Humanity and Hated the Jews by Gary Saul Morson

Fri, December 01, 2023

The Immigration Threat to Biden's Reelection

Noah Smith joins to talk about the border crisis and its political implications as well as Haley's surge (if it is one). highlights / lowlights Mona Charen: An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth by Matti Friedman (Tablet) and What the Media Gets Wrong About Israel by Matti Friedman (The Atlantic) Noah Smith: People are realizing that the Arsenal of Democracy is gone Damon Linker: The global demographics Twitter / X account @nonebusinesshey Bill Galston: Israel Knew Hamas’s Attack Plan More Than a Year Ago by Ronen Bergman and Adam Goldman (NYTimes) Linda Chavez:  Once again: Speaking freely doesn’t mean speaking without consequence, by Philip Bump (WAPO)

Fri, November 24, 2023

"Terrible Choices for Israel"

Hamas triggered the Gaza war—and signed the death warrants of thousands of Palestinians—when it purposefully targeted civilians on 10/7. Israeli journalist Amir Tibon joins Mona Charen to discuss how his family survived the terror attack, Netanyahu’s failures, Biden’s support, and the bad options for post-war rule in Gaza.

Fri, November 17, 2023

Can Biden Turn This Around?

The Economist 's Idrees Kahloon joins to discuss whether Israel is losing the propaganda war; Biden's chances to revive his popularity, and Nikki Haley's narrow shot at the brass ring. highlights / lowlights Linda Chavez: Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump’s 2025 Immigration Plans (NYT) Idrees Khaloon: The George Santos House Ethics Committee Report. Damon Linker: Some young Americans on TikTok say they sympathize with Osama bin Laden (CNN) Mona Charen: Ukraine Indicts Officials Linked to Efforts to Investigate the Bidens Bill Galston: Senator Mullin's Senate Fight Club

Fri, November 10, 2023

Scary Polls and Scary Pols

Chris Cillizza joins the crew (plus Will Saletan) to discuss the election outcomes, the GOP debate, the generational divide about Israel, and what to make of those polls. highlights / lowlights Chris Cillizza : Vivek Ramaswamy's performance in the third GOP debate. Mona Charen: This Florida School District Banned Cellphones. Here’s What Happened (NYT) Hawley, Mayorkas get personal at hearing: ‘Despicable’  (The Hill) Linda Chavez: The Census Bureau sees an older, more diverse America in 2100 in three immigration scenarios (WaPo) Get to Know the Influential Conservative Intellectuals Who Help Explain G.O.P. Extremism (Damon Linker, NYT) Bill Galston: Joe Manchin won’t run for reelection, giving GOP an opening to flip West Virginia seat Will Saletan: Congressional Black Caucus welcomes Gabe Amo as its record-setting 60th member

Fri, November 03, 2023

American World Leadership in Crisis

The NY Times 's Bret Stephens joins the panel to analyze the Gaza war, America's declining stomach for world leadership, the House's new speaker, and sagging GOP support for Ukraine. highlights / lowlights  Mona Charen: Rick Scott: It's Time To Unite Behind Donald Trump  Bret Stephens: Italy’s Rumbling Supervolcano Has Half a Million Residents on Edge Bill Galston : Cornell University official slammed for disturbing posts calling Hamas terror attacks a ‘resistance’ Damon Linker: Why Not Moderation?: Letters to Young Radicals by Aurelian Craiutu Linda Chavez : Hawley, Mayorkas get personal at hearing: ‘Despicable’

Fri, October 27, 2023

Biden's No-Win Problem

The Atlantic 's Tom Nichols joins guest host A.B. Stoddard and the usual cast to discuss Israel's response to Hamas, Speaker Mike Johnson and the challenges he faces regarding government funding. highlights / lowlights A.B.: We Are Caught in a Mass Economic Delusion and Something Is Wrong by Jonathan V. Last. States Launch Massive Lawsuit Against Facebook and Instagram by Kim Wehle. Tom: Trump is fined $10,000 over a comment he made outside court in his New York civil fraud trial . Bill: What do Americans think about the health of our democracy and the upcoming presidential election? Linda: The Palestinian Republic of Fear and Misinformation by Bret Stephens. Damon: A Twitter/X A thread from Hussein Aboubakr Mansour.

Fri, October 20, 2023

Hamas's Propaganda Triumph

Yascha Mounk is the guest this week. Topics include the press's credulity regarding the Gaza hospital story; the speakerless House; and Yascha's new book The Identity Trap. highlights / lowlights Mona: Poland Shows That Autocracy Is Not Inevitable by Anne Applebaum Yascha: The shift in media coverage about the hospital in Gaza. Linda: How America’s Largest Socialist Organization Went from Supporting Israel to Boycotting It by Ron Radosh. Bill: ‘The Most Disgraceful Behavior By Republicans In My Lifetime’: Gingrich Lets Loose on House GOP and Amir Tibon on How His Family Survived the Hamas Massacre. Damon: Palestinian right of return matters by Matthew Yglesias.

Fri, October 13, 2023

An Orgy of Savagery

Prof. Gil Troy of McGill University joins from Jerusalem to talk about Hamas, Israel's response, the left's excusing of terrorists, and a silver lining in a horrible week. highlights / lowlights LINDA: After Hamas onslaught, Trump criticizes Israel, calls Gallant a ‘jerk’ GIL: Lowlight: The attack on Israel Highlight: The generosity of the world in response BILL: The continuing saga of Cornel West. DAMON: A hardcore advocate for "Greater Romania" could be the country's next president MONA: Who Runs the Best U.S. Schools? It May Be the Defense Department.

Fri, October 06, 2023

Nihilists in the Driver's Seat

Third Way's Matt Bennett joins the group to discuss the Speaker debacle, the No Labels threat, and Trump's fraud trial. highlights/lowlights Matt: The problem(s) with blaming Democrats for McCarthy’s downfall Damon: ‘Red Caesarism’ is rightwing code – and some Republicans are listening by Jason Wilson, The Guardian Linda: How Red State Politics are Shaving Years Off American Lives by Lauren Weber, Dan Diamond and Dan Keating, The Washington Post Mona: John Kelly goes on the record to confirm several disturbing stories about Trump Bill: American Public Support for Assistance to Ukraine Has Waned, But Still Considerable by Dina Smeltz and Lama El Baz, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Fri, September 29, 2023

"Thank You for Speaking While I'm Interrupting."

Former GOP Congresswoman Barbara Comstock drops in to discuss the debate, the shutdown, the impeachment, and the general dysfunction. highlights/lowlights: Linda Chavez A New Cohort of Transgender Kids by Lisa Selin Davis at Persuasion. Damon Linker The re-release of Stop Making Sense . Barbara Comstock The recent testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson. Mona Charen Inside the Unfounded Claim That DeSantis Abused Guantánamo Detainees by Matthew Rosenberg and Carol Rosenberg ( NYT) .

Fri, September 22, 2023

No Justice, No Jeeps

Francis Fukuyama joins Damon Linker, Ben Wittes, and A.B. Stoddard to analyze the UAW strike, the attacks on the "Deep State," and whether Kristen Welker blew it with Trump. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, A.B. really doesn’t like the new Senate dress code, but loves that Henry Winkler and Dolly Parton have forthcoming books.  highlights/lowlights: A.B.'s: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/21/style/senate-dress-code.html https://dollyparton.com/life-and-career/books/dolly-parton-announces-new-book-behind-the-seams-my-life-in-rhinestones/21344 https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250888099/beinghenry Frank's: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66793900 https://www.npr.org/2023/09/20/1200705608/senate-tuberville-hold-military-promotions Ben's: https://www.c-span.org/video/?530429-1/department-justice-oversight-hearing

Fri, September 15, 2023

No Party for Honest Men

David Frum joins the group for a wide ranging discussion including the impeachment investigation, Biden's trip to the G20, Hunter Biden's indictment, and Mitt Romney's lonely stand. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Mona calls out Mike Pence for midwifing our Trumpian politics. show notes: McKay Coppins' piece: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/11/mitt-romney-retiring-senate-trump-mcconnell/675306/   David's highlight: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-mexico-china-us-trade-opportunity/ Bill's lowlight: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-so-many-americans-are-unhappy-about-the-economy/ Linda’s highlights: https://thetriad.thebulwark.com/p/terry-eastland-rip-legend https://www.americanpurpose.com/articles/orbans-tainted-democracy/ Damon's highlight: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/09/18/ross-douthats-theories-of-persuasion

Fri, September 08, 2023

Must Biden Go? Pro and Con

Kori Schake, head of defense and foreign policy studies at AEI, shares her views on China, Ukraine, and Tuberville's stunt. The panel then debates whether Biden should, even now, step aside. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Bill sings the praises of Antony Blinken’s performance as secretary of state, and Linda sees hopeful signs of sanity among local GOP officials in very red Wyoming. show notes: Column that Kori referenced: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2023/ukraine-war-maps-progress-aid/ Substack post Damon mentioned: https://josephklein.substack.com/p/hidin-biden?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2 Linda's highlight: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/07/opinion/nationalization-politics-wyoming.html Mona's highlight: https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/buck-tells-colorado-gop-leaders-to-stop-spreading-misinformation-about-jan-6-defendants/ Damon's highlight: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/09/samuel-moyn-liberalism-against-itself-critical-review.html

Fri, September 01, 2023

Look Who's Claiming to Care about Norms Now

Law professor and AEI scholar Adam White joins the show to answer legal questions about Trump's trials. The panel then discusses whether prosecuting a former (future?) president is wise or necessary. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Adam celebrates the arrival of a new monograph about director Whit Stillman, whose films include ‘Metropolitan’ and ‘The Last Days of Disco.’ highlights/lowlights: Adam's: https://firefliespress.com/Whit_Stillman Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/nyregion/march-on-washington-harlem.html Bill's: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/end-china-economic-miracle-beijing-washington Damon's: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/trump-disqualified-president-14th-amendment/675163/ Mona's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/29/free-trade-common-enemy-congress/

Fri, August 25, 2023

Springtime for Demagogues

Walter Olson of CATO joins the panel for debate analysis, including the rise of “RamaSMARMY.” Plus, a discussion of the 14th Amendment argument for disqualifying Trump, and disentangling the Hunter Biden story threads. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Linda celebrates the election of Bernardo Arévalo, an anti-corruption crusader, as president of Guatemala. show notes: University of Pennsylvania Law Review article on the 14th Amendment Linda's highlight: https://www.vox.com/world-politics/2023/8/20/23838763/guatemala-elections-alvarez-torres-democracy-corruption Walter’s lowlight: https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/06/republicans-rehash-vaccine-mandate-policies-ndaa-amendments/387774/ Damon’s highlight: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/09/disabled-children-institutionalization-history/674763/ Mona's lowlight: https://twitter.com/Heritage/status/1694012835842375809?s=20

Fri, August 18, 2023

Only the Heroes Have Paid a Price . . . Until Now

Kristin Du Mez and Peter Wehner join the group to analyze evangelical support for Trump, as well as the Georgia indictment. Accountability, danger, and many unknowns. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Kristin notes the start of the school year and gives a shout-out to the teachers, while Bill extols the healing benefits of a vacation. show notes: Kristin's book, Jesus and John Wayne Linda’s highlight: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-sanitized-french-connection-vs-the-hip-hop-gutter-film-music-rap-slur-culture-the-exorcist-6b8f73d0 Mona's lowlight: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12413181/ALAN-DERSHOWITZ-Al-Gore-2000-Donald-Trump-indictment.html Pete's remembrance: https://www.christianpost.com/news/tim-keller-remembered-by-thousands-at-st-patricks-cathedral.html

Fri, August 11, 2023

First Debate in Which Everyone Is Afraid to Tell the Truth

Tim Mak reports from Kyiv about how Ukrainians are handling the strain of war. The panel then looks at the upcoming GOP debate on Fox and the effect of abortion on elections. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Mona has a lovely recognition of a nurse practitioner who cared for her husband in urgent care. Highlights/lowlights Tim's: https://counteroffensive.substack.com/ Bill's: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/08/11/manchin-seriously-considering-becoming-an-independent/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/10/pak-n-save-savey-meal-bot-ai-app-malfunction-recipes Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/08/opinion/trump-indictment-cost-danger.html https://wisdomofcrowds.live/p/politicizing-the-law Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/opinion/oregon-drug-failure.html https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/opinion/shoplifting-urban-safety.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, August 04, 2023

The Trump Defenses That Won't Hunt

George Conway joins the group to discuss the various Trump defenses—and the party that supports him. Then the regulars discuss 'Oppenheimer,' and the bombing of Japan. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Bill points to a possible US-brokered Israel-Saudi peace deal. highlights/lowlights: Bill's: https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/bidens-moral-calculus-in-brokering-a-saudi-israeli-peace-deal Mona's: https://reason.com/volokh/2023/07/29/congress-can-regulate-the-supreme-court-but-there-are-limits-to-that-power/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/27/opinion/columnists/citi-bike-karen-white-woman.html Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/opinion/trump-meritocracy-educated.html Linda's: https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/a-landmark-study-debunks-populist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 28, 2023

DeSantis Campaign Promises "Leaner and Meaner." Is Meaner Even Possible?

Will Saletan joins the panel to discuss whether DeSantis's campaign is moribund, and whether the right or the left learned the lessons of COVID policy failures. Plus, in our "Highlights and Lowlights "segment, Damon spotlights the political crisis in Israel, and Linda shares a story of love and loss.  Damon's: https://gideons.substack.com/p/break-the-barrel-to-get-rid-of-the Will's: http://brightlinewatch.org/uncharted-territory-the-aftermath-of-presidential-indictments https://www.foxnews.com/video/6331842627112 Bill's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/26/us/politics/nikki-haley-abortion.html Mona's: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/26/politics/rudy-giuliani-georgia-election-workers/index.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 21, 2023

Contemplating a Trump Administration 2.0

The Economist's John Prideaux joins the panel to discuss the latest likely indictment, the GOP response, and what MAGA world is planning for a Trump 2.0. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Linda flags the tactics Texas officials are using at the border that are injuring migrants. highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/19/us/texas-border-migrants-abbott.html John's: https://www.politico.eu/article/us-economist-fiona-scott-morton-quits-eu-job-emmanuel-macron/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66230072 Damon's: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/tennessee-republican-partisanship-one-party-state/674732/ Bill's: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-pass-resolution-backing-israel-jayapal-racist-state-rcna94897 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/12/24/washington-could-use-mo-udall-now/ Mona's: https://apnews.com/article/tuberville-military-holds-senate-officers-45c4230a8aee5222bf32b43823e29acc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 14, 2023

Is Optimism Warranted?

Noah Smith tries to bring a little sunshine to the dour regulars (and Cathy Young) who are worried about the economy, the threat from third parties, and more. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Mona celebrates the fact that a famous Trumper has to liquidate. highlights/lowlights Mona's: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mypillow-auction-mike-lindell_n_64acffa0e4b0e5efaaddd535 https://apnews.com/article/birth-control-pills-without-prescription-fda-b6728e98af5f1625520e0fa5fbc911c3 Bill's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/world/middleeast/israel-protests-judicial-overhaul.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/07/12/biden-vilnius-nato-ukraine/ Noah's: https://www.axios.com/2023/04/17/manufacturing-semiconductor-tech-biden https://heatmap.news/politics/inflation-reduction-act-updates-biden Cathy's: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/russian-opposition-ukrainian-activists-clashing Damon's: https://damonlinker.substack.com/p/the-global-progress-of-right-wing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 07, 2023

A Class Full of Frenchmen?

The Washington Post's Megan McArdle joins to discuss the pros and (mostly) cons of affirmative action. Also, will anyone watch August's GOP debate? Who will show up? Plus, in our highlights/lowlights segment, Linda points to a new draconian law in Florida that targets undocumented immigrants and those who employ them. highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.wsj.com/articles/migrant-workers-flee-florida-as-new-immigration-law-takes-effect-94796abf Bill's: https://echeloninsights.com/in-the-news/june-2023-omnibus/ Megan's: https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/dc-mayor-muriel-bowser-seeks-community-input-on-crime-problems/ Damon's: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/hypocrisy-mandatory-diversity-statements/674611/ Mona's: https://www.thefire.org/news/leaked-memo-mayo-clinic-doubles-down-gag-order-dr-michael-joyner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 30, 2023

A Week Where Decades Happen

Bob Shrum, Steve Vladeck, and David Kramer join the show this week to discuss momentous Supreme Court cases and the tremors out of Russia. Plus, in our highlights/lowlights segment, Damon shares details about how a bloc of right-wing influencers and DeSantis supporters are rallying behind an antisemite. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/desantis-influencers-defend-unmasked-antisemite-pedro-gonzalez-1234780062/amp/ Bob's: https://apnews.com/article/recession-economy-inflation-jobs-unemployment-2ad91e65f4c0c79ebd2518e351934605 Mona's: https://www.antonybeevor.com/book/russia-revolution-and-civil-war-1917-1921/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 23, 2023

The View from Trumpland

Former Rep. Tim Ryan reports from Ohio that the GOP base there remains in the tank for Trump, DeSantis is in a no-man's land, and most voters probably aren't paying any attention to Hunter Biden's plea deal. Meanwhile, there's a country to run, but Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene made time for a catfight. Plus, remembering compelling testimony from the Jan 6 hearings a year ago in our highlight/lowlight segment. Ryan joins guest host A.B. Stoddard and regulars Damon Linker and Linda Chavez. show notes Ryan v Vance debate highlight highlights/lowlights A.B.'s: https://youtu.be/gQlx0rzFk0Q Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/us/census-median-age.html Damon's: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-22/jill-stein-2016-green-candidate-now-running-cornel-west-s-bid https://www.axios.com/2023/06/08/robert-f-kennedy-jr-tech-2024-campaign Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 16, 2023

Republicans Get a Little Punchy

Arc Digital's Nicholas Grossman joins the panel to help analyze the Republican reaction to Trump's indictment—both the officials and the voters—as well as the Ukrainian summer offensive. Plus, renaming Southern military bases, inflation, the steak-price indicator, and must-watch TV starring Keri Russell. show notes: Sarah Longwell's Iowa Focus Group featured on the PBS NewsHour Highlights/lowlights Nick's: https://www.hulu.com/series/the-americans-6deba130-65fb-4816-acb1-aea5eb940f0f https://www.netflix.com/title/81288983 Linda's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/14/dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-crime/ Damon's: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/14/ignoring-robert-f-kennedy-jr-not-an-option Mona's: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/06/12/immigration-economy-book-reviews Bill's: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-06-14/us-europe-japan-are-saving-ukraine-but-not-preparing-for-china-war?srnd=premium#xj4y7vzkg https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691204383/the-new-makers-of-modern-strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 09, 2023

An Incredibly Weak Field

New York Times contributor Peter Wehner joins the panel to evaluate the GOP presidential field, consider whether Republicans care about issues, and ponder the Trump indictment. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Damon and Linda praise the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Alabama voting rights case, and Pete pays tribute to his family’s beloved dog, Romeo.  highlights/lowlights Linda's and Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/us/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-alabama.html Bill's: https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-06-06/commentary-on-pgas-merger-with-liv https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/06/08/the-new-right-patrick-deneen-00100279 Mona's: https://www.freedomforum.org/freeexpressionawards/ https://www.slowboring.com/p/misinformation-isnt-just-on-the-right-214 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 02, 2023

Green Shoots of a Responsible Right?

New York Times columnist David French joins the show to discuss signs of sanity from Texas Republicans and the averted default. Plus, the dangers of AI, and our highlight and lowlight segment, including Mona's shout-out to Mississippi's successful effort to raise reading test scores. highlights/lowlights Mona's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/31/opinion/mississippi-education-poverty.html David's: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/05/29/two-weeks-at-the-front-in-ukraine Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/opinion/hawley-reeves-bly-men-mascculinity.html Bill's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/30/erdogan-autocrat-electoral-power/ Linda's: https://apnews.com/article/daca-lawsuit-court-hearing-dreamers-5f77f76eaa9b96dbb7d8123103f240de Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 26, 2023

DeSantis Is No Trump Slayer

Tom Nichols joins the panel to consider the botched DeSantis announcement, the primary campaign so far, and Biden's debt limit dilemma. Plus, for a break from politics this holiday weekend, Damon recommends “Still,” the documentary about Michael J. Fox, as his highlight of the week. highlights/lowlights Tom's: https://apnews.com/article/stewart-rhodes-oath-keepers-seditious-conspiracy-sentencing-b3ed4556a3dec577539c4181639f666c https://www.businessinsider.com/fox-news-host-greg-gutfeld-praises-teacher-sex-with-teen-2023-5 Damon's: https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/still-a-michael-j-fox-movie/ Linda's: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2023-05-18/border-crossing-numbers-biden-title-42 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/21/world/americas/darien-gap-afghan-migration.html Bill's: https://www.ft.com/content/0b57c31b-814d-4554-91d8-d49b066cea69 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/24/yevgeniy-prigozhin-war-backfired-revolution/ Mona's: https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2023/5/24/23735755/university-chicago-president-robert-zimmer-free-speech-champion https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/jan-6-rioter-put-feet-desk-pelosi-office-sentenced-45-years-prison-rcna85848 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 19, 2023

Durham Got Bupkis

Will Saletan joins to talk about his special project on The Corruption of Lindsey Graham. The panel also tackles the Durham Report and Comer's damp squib, as well as high and low points of Biden's presidency. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/us/politics/feinstein-illness-shingles-senate.html Bill's: https://apnews.com/article/biden-papua-new-guinea-australia-debt-limit-b2b82fbb82d829f0b8bae87bef741d63 Linda's: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Aimee-Lou-Wood/dp/B0B74YCG3M Will's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/16/more-governors-are-saying-no-college-no-problem-job-seekers/ https://www.propublica.org/article/college-high-school-research-peer-review-publications Mona's: https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/05/the-real-robert-f-kennedy-jr/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 12, 2023

Demonic Charisma

Eric Edelman and Benjamin Wittes join to discuss Ukraine's coming offensive, the end of Title 42 and a looming immigration crisis, and the 30-car pile up that was CNN's town hall with Donald Trump. highlights/lowlights Ben's: https://www.dogshirtdaily.com/p/defect-and-repent Linda's: https://www.americanpurpose.com/articles/mission-accomplished/ Eric's: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/16767 https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-sen-ron-johnson-admits-biden-probe-lacks-hard-proof-to-support-hype Damon's: https://specialto.thebulwark.com/p/the-corruption-of-lindsey-graham Mona's: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/opill-over-counter-birth-control-fda-advisory-committee-vote-rcna83506 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/09/nyregion/reading-nyc-schools.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 05, 2023

Trump Biden Redux?

Sarah Longwell joins the panel to discuss debt ceiling brinksmanship, possible indictments, and the contours of the 2024 race —as of now. To continue the conversation go to  https://b2d.thebulwark.com/ highlights/lowlights Bill's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/business/media/tucker-carlson-text-message-white-men.html Sarah's: https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2023-05-01/no-thoughts-and-prayers-abbott-slammed-for-highlighting-immigration-status-of-shooting-victims Damon's: https://apnews.com/article/cpac-hungary-orban-woke-gender-migration-da47d0febc22d935de0b48fe5e3ad4a6 Linda's: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/steve-bannon-camp-of-the-saints-immigration_n_58b75206e4b0284854b3dc03 Mona's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/opinion/republican-ukraine-russia.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 28, 2023

Tucker's Unique Malevolence

Jill Lawrence joins the show to discuss Biden's 2024 announcement, Kamala's rehabilitation, Tucker's tumble, E. Jean Carroll's testimony, and Disney's counterattack on DeSantis. To continue the conversation go to https://b2d.thebulwark.com/ highlights/lowlights Jill's: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3970356-sanders-cassidy-will-mark-up-drug-pricing-bills-next-week/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/04/27/yoon-suk-yeol-american-pie-white-house-state-dinner/ Damon's: https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/emerson-national-poll-biden-and-trump-on-track-for-2024-rematch/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/27/fox-news-poll-trump-desantis-rfk-jr-biden/11750616002/ Mona's: https://www.npr.org/2023/04/26/1172158461/montana-gop-transgender-zooey-zephyr-punishment-banned-speaking-lgbtq https://www.economist.com/moscowpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 21, 2023

DeSantis Fights Off a Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly

DeSantis is even more charmless than Nixon. And while Fox avoided one embarrassing trial—the truth and lies are plain for all to see. Plus, the panelists share their current TV viewing recommendations. Guest host Sonny Bunch takes over the director's chair on this week's episode.  highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://libertiesjournal.com/articles/the-once-and-the-now/ Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/us/politics/migrant-child-labor-biden.html Bill's: https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-first-space-launch https://apnews.com/article/white-house-toddler-fence-secret-service-6ece5fc94204dbc3001457403269c28e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 14, 2023

Why a Third Party Is a Threat

Matt Bennett joins the team to discuss the ill-considered No Labels third party gambit. The group then turns to Trump's return to Fox, Greg Abbott's proposed pardon of a murderer, and how abortion is roiling elections. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://substack.com/profile/12665540-damon-linker?utm_source=substack-feed-item https://on.substack.com/p/notes Bill's: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/13/21-year-old-with-top-secret-information-00092002 Linda's: https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/the-us-is-not-close-to-doing-enough?utm_medium=email Matt's: https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1646205733774540823?s=20 Mona's: https://www.econtalk.org/erik-hoel-on-the-threat-to-humanity-from-ai/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 31, 2023

Are There Any Grown-Ups in Government?

Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget discusses our broken budget and the fiscal gridlock that is undermining America’s economic strength. Plus, why people are taking to the streets in Israel. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/ Bill's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/29/investigating-low-fertility-rates/ Mona's: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-secret-joke-at-the-heart-of-the-harvard-affirmative-action-case Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 24, 2023

Is Accountability Dead?

Philip K. Howard joins the group to discuss his book on public sector unions. The panel — with special guest Cathy Young — also addresses Trump's possible indictment and looks back at the 20th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. highlights/lowlights Philip's: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-03-23/lausd-strike-ends-with-no-settlement-but-classes-to-resume Bill's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/us/politics/desantis-putin-ukraine-russia.html https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a43402697/jack-daniels-parody-dog-toy/ Cathy's: https://apnews.com/article/icc-putin-war-crimes-ukraine-9857eb68d827340394960eccf0589253 Damon's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/22/surprising-post-trump-consensus/ Mona's: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65057249 https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/11/pandemic-baby-bump-fertility/671964/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 17, 2023

Bragging Rights

Ken White (Popehat) joins the panel to consider the wisdom of the Manhattan DA's Trump indictment, as well as DeSantis joining the surrender caucus, SVB, and a low moment at Stanford Law. highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2023/03/law-school-mismatch-is-worse-than-we-thought/ Damon's: https://jabberwocking.com/silicon-valley-bank-was-fine-its-silicon-valley-thats-broken/ Ken's: https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-killed-silicon-valley-bank-interest-rates-treasury-federal-reserve-ipo-loan-long-term-bond-capital-securities-startup-jpmorgan-bear-stearns-lehman-brothers-b9ca2347 Mona's: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/what-the-iraq-war-wrought https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/03/iraq-war-us-invasion-anniversary-2023/673343/ clip from Stanford Law School protest: https://vimeo.com/806801455 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 10, 2023

The Pro-Storming-the-Capitol Party

A.B. Stoddard joins the group to discuss the Fox News retcon of January 6, whether Biden should/will run again, and "messaging bills." highlights/lowlights A.B.'s: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/03/08/norfolk-southern-train-derailment-ohio-senators/ Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/opinion/english-literature-study-decline.html https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/opinion/humanities-internet-novels.html Damon's: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/03/13/agnes-callard-profile-marriage-philosophy Mona's: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bulwark-podcast/id1447684472?i=1000603030581 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 03, 2023

Chicago's Message

Axios's Josh Kraushaar helps analyze the lab leak story, the Chicago election results, and Trump v. DeSantis. highlights/lowlights Josh's: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-nikki-haley-is-running-for-president/id1570872415?i=1000602459553 Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/25/us/unaccompanied-migrant-child-workers-exploitation.html Bill's: https://www.chicagotribune.com/voter-guide/ct-paul-vallas-chicago-mayor-bio-20230131-c5s6joirovh7zgeq55ig2ag6ea-story.html Damon's: https://quillette.com/2023/02/22/heideggers-downfall/ https://harpers.org/archive/2023/03/historys-fool-ernst-junger/ Mona's: https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/02/27/places-with-high-religious-participation-have-fewer-deaths-of-despair Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 24, 2023

The North Koreans Do a More Nuanced Show

Jill Lawrence joins B2D to discuss the revelations about Fox, Biden v. De Santis on Ukraine, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's national divorce talk. highlights/lowlights Jill's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/21/tucker-carlson-kevin-mccarthy-jan-6-insurrection/ Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/17/opinion/desantis-florida-african-american-studies-black-history.html Damon's: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/21/vivek-ramaswamy-president-2024-00083903 Mona's: https://www.npr.org/sections/politicaljunkie/2009/07/on_this_day_in_1980_senate_vot.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 17, 2023

Is Everyone Underestimating Nikki Haley?

Bill Kristol joins the group to consider Haley's possible hidden strengths. Also, Biden, the GOP, and the war in Ukraine. highlights/lowlights Bill Kristol's: https://thetriad.thebulwark.com/p/lets-talk-about-aliens Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html Bill Galston's: https://apnews.com/article/politics-2023-turkey-syria-earthquake-government-istanbul-fbd6af578a6056569879b5ef6c55d322 Linda's: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/teen-girls-experiencing-record-high-levels-sadness-violence/story?id=97079978 Mona's: https://brinklindsey.substack.com/p/fighting-in-a-burning-house Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 10, 2023

State of Biden Is . . . Strong? But Kamala Harris, Not So Much

New York Magazine's Jonathan Chait helps evaluate the SOTU: politics, visuals, and substance. The group then considers Kamala Harris's unprecedentedly terrible press. highlights/lowlights: Jonathan's: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3849811-greenes-viral-outfit-was-meant-to-echo-chinese-spy-balloon-her-office-says/ Linda's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/09/supreme-court-ethics-code/ Damon's https://www.vulture.com/2023/02/the-movie-industrys-confused-eat-the-rich-fantasy.html Bill's: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/08/1155375633/romney-santos-state-of-the-union Mona's: https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/02/czech-voters-populism-pavel/672936/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 03, 2023

What if DeSantis Can't Hack It?

The Atlantic's David Frum joins the panel to discuss the coming GOP nomination fight, the Democrats' white liberal problem, and problems with policing. highlights/lowlights: Linda's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/02/canada-uyghur-refugees-resettle-china/ David's: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/02/mortgage-rates-five-percent-range-first-time-september.html Damon's: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/19/cormac-mccarthy-peers-into-the-abyss-the-passenger-stella-maris Mona's: https://www.ktvu.com/news/depape-in-bizarre-phone-call-to-ktvu-says-he-should-have-been-more-prepared https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/05/us/politics/pelosi-attack-misinfo-republican-politicians.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 27, 2023

Does NATO Want Ukraine to Win the War?

The George W. Bush Institute's David Kramer joins B2D to consider the decision (at last) to send tanks to Ukraine. What does the dithering say about the Western alliance? Also, the regulars discuss Florida's rejection of an AP African American studies curriculum. highlights/lowlights: Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/opinion/rural-voters-republican-realignment.html Bill's: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/scientists-welcome-george-santos-science-committee_n_63cacb34e4b01a436386951e Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/26/us/politics/durham-trump-russia-barr.html Mona's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/10/world/europe/finland-misinformation-classes.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 20, 2023

The Marjorie Taylor Greene Majority

The Atlantic's Ron Brownstein joins the group to discuss Kevin McCarthy giving the crazies the keys. Plus, Biden's attempt to pivot on immigration, and will Ukraine get the tanks it needs? highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/19/supreme-court-could-not-identify-who-shared-draft-abortion-opinion-00078602 Ron's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/18/us/politics/republicans-trump-house-oversight-committee.html Damon's: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2023/01/19/how-republicans-view-their-party-and-key-issues-facing-the-country-as-the-118th-congress-begins/ Bill's: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/boris-pistorius-serve-next-german-defence-minister-source-2023-01-17/ Mona's: https://www.deseret.com/2023/1/18/23558984/social-media-big-tobacco-teens-anxiety-depression-spencer-cox-utah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 13, 2023

Classified Shmasified

Arc Digital's Nick Grossman joins the group to discuss Biden's classified documents mess, the GOP majority's foreign policy confusion, free speech on campuses (and in Florida) — and more. highlight/lowlights: Bill's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/12/poland-leopard-tank-company-ukraine/ Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/11/opinion/republican-party-future.html Damon's: https://jewishreviewofbooks.com/contemporary-israel/12801/on-that-distant-day/ Nick's: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64219119 Mona's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/09/books/prince-harry-book-royal-family.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 06, 2023

McCarthy Sells His Soul for Nothing

Charlie Sykes joins B2D to discuss the House soap opera — from the comical to the consequential. Highlights/lowlights Charlie's: https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-ohio-kentucky-mitch-mcconnell-6123aeccfa1c71bad84f57e735962f2f Damon's: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/12/ron-desantis-just-as-bad-as-donald-trump-2024 Bill's: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/gop-hardliners-angle-for-plum-posts-as-price-of-mccarthy-votes-1.1865718 Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/29/opinion/eliot-waste-land-poetry.html https://gideons.substack.com/p/is-the-land-waste Mona's: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/25/us/reading-literacy-memphis-tennessee.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 23, 2022

How to Disempower the Extremists

Katherine Gehl — the originator of Alaska's Ranked Choice Voting system — discusses progress on reforming our primary elections. The group then weighs in on Zelensky's historic visit, Elon's fate, Trump's taxes, and the immigration stalemate. Highlights/Lowlights Bill's: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tucker-carlson-zelenskyys-visit-represented-bipartisan-masochism Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/23/nyregion/george-santos-republican-resume.html Mona's: https://russroberts.medium.com/the-economist-as-scapegoat-91b317a6823e Linda's: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/veterans-congress-abandoning-afghan-allies-spending-bill-rcna62686 Katherine's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/12/22/omnibus-bill-senate/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 16, 2022

Bad Science; Good Science

Jesse Singal joins to discuss the fraught discourse on trans treatment. The group then turns to Ron DeSantis' possible big blunder embracing anti-vaxers and a great scientific breakthrough (and its detractors). Highlights/lowlights: Mona: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/helping-trans-kids-means-admitting-what-we-dont-know.html Damon: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/15/us/politics/trump-nft-trading-cards-superhero.html Bill: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3767169-mccarthy-taps-mike-gallagher-to-chair-planned-china-select-committee/ Linda: https://www.slowboring.com/p/cryptocurrency-is-the-segway-of-finance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 09, 2022

Bibi is Back

Amir Tibon of Haaretz joins to explain how Netanyahu won again and what his new coalition means for Israel, for US/Israel relations, and possibly, for Ukraine. Also, the shape of American politics after Georgia's runoff. Highlights/Lowlights: Mona's https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/12/03/president-emergency-power-student-loan-forgiveness/ Damon's https://damonlinker.substack.com/p/germany-foils-a-far-right-coup-plot Amir's: https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2022-12-07/ty-article/.premium/raphael-warnock-buoyed-by-jewish-vote-defeats-herschel-walker-in-georgia-senate-runoff/00000184-ea07-d9f1-a9e6-efc7797d0000 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/04/us/politics/trump-constitution-republicans.html Linda's https://www.persuasion.community/p/the-curriculum-wars-are-based-on https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63900099 Bill's https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-congress-expected-pass-bill-protecting-same-sex-marriage-2022-12-08/ https://globalaffairs.org/research/public-opinion-survey/growing-us-divide-how-long-support-ukraine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 02, 2022

Boy Troubles

Richard Reeves discusses his book Of Boys and Men. The panel then considers China's COVID turmoil, and the poisons unleashed by Trump into our national bloodstream, including anti-Semitism. Highlights/lowlights: Mona: https://www.thebulwark.com/putins-bogus-blame-nato-excuse/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/palo-alto-recycling-asia-garbage-waste-rcna58633 Linda: https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000008634824/afghan-refugees-biden.html?act[…]ies-bar®ion=header&pgtype=Article&playlistId=video/opinion Damon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/11/30/elon-musk-twitter-success-luck/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/11/29/mass-shootings-conservative-pundits-responsibility/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, November 18, 2022

Righting the Ship

Bret Stephens joins the group to share reflections on Trump's prospects, lessons for both parties from the midterms, and changing your mind in public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thu, November 10, 2022

The Biggest Loser

Sarah Longwell joins the group to evaluate the momentous midterms. highlights/lowlights Mona's:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/11/07/putin-backs-down-ukraine-turkey-china-india/ Bill's:  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/09/world/europe/ukraine-russia-kherson-retreat.html Linda's: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/10/21/texas-republican-democrat-hispanic-voters/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, November 04, 2022

Moral Illness

Ruy Teixeira joins the panel to evaluate the coming election, the attack on Paul Pelosi, and the argument that both Biden and Harris should stand down. highlights/lowlights: Mona's  https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/sohrab-ahmari-thinks-that-the-anti?r=6jqoy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Linda's https://quillette.com/2022/10/27/fdr-and-the-holocaust/ Bill's  https://www.npr.org/2022/11/03/1133848992/ethiopia-tigray-war-peace-deal-truce-eritrea         Damon's  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/world/middleeast/israel-election-netanyahu.html Ruy: https://www.dw.com/en/bolsonaro-meets-lulas-team-to-begin-transfer-of-power/a-63645795 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 28, 2022

It's the Center That Is Strong and Principled

The Washington Post's Charles Lane joins the panel (along with Benjamin Wittes) to discuss the progressives' Ukraine letter to Biden, prospects for the midterms, and misreading Latinos. Highlights/lowlights: Mona's https://rollcall.com/2022/10/26/fda-delays-key-advisory-committee-meeting-on-otc-birth-control/ Linda's  https://www.npr.org/2022/10/23/1130712231/the-trump-tapes-reveal-much-about-bob-woodward-donald-trump Ben's https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/27/arts/pearl-earring-vermeer-climate-activists.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 21, 2022

The Weakness of Strongmen

Kori Schake of AEI joins the group to discuss Ukraine and some of the world's most malign actors: Russia, China, and Iran. Plus, the panelists' favorite books this year. Highlights/Lowlights:  Mona: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/10/19/texas-dna-kits-schools-shootings/ Damon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stephen-colbert-grateful-for-grief/id1643163707?i=1000580162304 Linda: https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/john-durham-probe-failure-belongs-barr-trump-rcna52863 Bill: https://twitter.com/dailystar/status/1580830837331087361?s=20&t=q1BGet_Aig7n0tkg9aRvUg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 14, 2022

Is a Utah Senate Upset in the Cards? (with Evan McMullin)

Senatorial candidate Evan McMullin joins the panel to discuss his race against Mike Lee. Also, should Biden be talking about Armageddon? The panel begs to differ. Highlights & Lowlights: Evan: 'The Most Serious Threat The Iranian Regime Has Faced Since 1979' - MSNBC ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5Pu1qxk498 ) Mona: Introducing The Prince - The Economist ( https://shows.acast.com/theintelligencepodcast/episodes/introducing-the-prince ) Linda: Nury Martinez resigns from L.A. City Council in wake of audio leak scandal - Los Angeles Times ( https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-12/la-me-nury-martinez-resigns ) Damon: The Dishonest and Dishonorable Disagreements of Former Friends - American Greatness ( https://amgreatness.com/2022/10/10/the-dishonest-and-dishonorable-disagreements-of-former-friends/ ) Bill: The Post endorses Anthony Brown for Maryland attorney general - The Washington Post ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/10/09/anthony-brown-maryland-attorney-general-endorsement-2022/ ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 07, 2022

Courting Trouble? (with Prof. Steve Vladeck)

Prof. Steve Vladeck joins the group (plus Bill Kristol) to consider how far the Supreme Court will go this term on matters of race and elections. Also, will GA really make Herschel Walker a US Senator? Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: Russia’s Nuclear Bluster Is a Sign of Panic - The Atlantic ( https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/10/putin-nuclear-weapons-threat-us-sanctions-military/671642/ ) Steve: Former President Trump escalates the legal battle over classified documents, again - NPR ( https://www.npr.org/2022/10/04/1126830521/former-president-trump-escalates-the-legal-battle-over-classified-documents-agai ) Bill Galston: Russian forces retreat from strategic Donetsk city a day after Moscow’s annexation of the region - CNN ( https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/01/europe/ukraine-russia-lyman-donetsk-intl ) Marc Short says Trump's post on Elaine Chao was a "racial slur" that was "obviously wrong" - CBS News ( https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-mitch-mcconnell-elaine-chao-racial-slur-marc-short/ ) Bill Kristol: In Speedy Embrace of Herschel Walker, Republicans Make Familiar Political Bargain - The New York Times ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/04/us/politics/herschel-walker-abortion-allegation-georgia-senate.html) Linda: DACA remains intact as appeals court sends case challenging its legality back to lower court in Texas - The Texas Tribune ( https://www.texastribune.org/2022/10/05/texas-daca-appeals-court-ruling/ ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, September 30, 2022

Our Unchristian Churches (with Pete Wehner)

Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss populism's rise in Europe, the crisis in evangelical churches, and some personal stories. Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: Arizona’s School Choice Election - The Wall Street Journal ( https://www.wsj.com/articles/arizonas-school-choice-election-katie-hobbs-education-savings-accounts-governor-doug-ducey-11663335266 ) What Country Is the Wall Street Journal Living In? - The Bulwark ( https://www.thebulwark.com/what-country-is-the-wall-street-journal-living-in/ ) Damon: The Permanent Problem ( https://brinklindsey.substack.com/ ) Linda: Opinion | The Sad, Familiar Demise of the Expanded Child Tax Credit - Politico ( https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/09/28/poor-kids-just-dont-matter-in-american-politics-00059018 ) Bill: Of Boys And Men - Richard V. Reeves ( https://richardvreeves.com/books/ ) Pete: ’Secret thank you’: Roger Federer spills on iconic hand holding image with Nadal - news.com.au ( https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/secret-thank-you-roger-federer-spills-on-iconic-hand-holding-image-with-nadal/news-story/722dae3be8175e28152dee4533e6ad07 ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, September 23, 2022

Trump and Putin Both Had a Bad Week (with Benjamin Wittes)

Benjamin Wittes joins the panel (including Will Saletan) to discuss Trump's triple legal woes, Putin's nuclear saber rattling, and Electoral Count Act reform finally happening. Highlights & Lowlights: Benjamin Wittes: Show of support for Ukraine takes ugly turn outside Russian Consulate in Montreal - CBC ( https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/russian-consulate-montreal-ukraine-1.6588382) Mona: The U.S. and the Holocaust - PBS ( https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/us-and-the-holocaust/ ) Will: North Korea denies supplying weapons to Russia - BBC News ( https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62873987 ) Linda: Carnegie Politika - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace ( https://carnegieendowment.org/politika ) Damon: ‘A Crisis Coming’: The Twin Threats to American Democracy - The New York Times ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/17/us/american-democracy-threats.html ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, September 16, 2022

Imagining Victory (with Noah Smith)

Noah Smith joins the group to consider Ukraine’s stunning counterattack, as well as inflation and DeSantis' stunt with asylum seekers. Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: The Demagogue's Playbook ( https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250303042/thedemagoguesplaybook ) Linda: How Trump lost one of his biggest fights — and nobody noticed - Washington Post ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/09/14/trump-confederacy-military-bases/ ) Damon: Prepare for Russia itself to disintegrate - The Telegraph ( https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/09/13/prepare-collapse-russian-empire/ ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, September 09, 2022

Reading Midterm Tea Leaves (with Josh Barro)

Josh Barro joins the group to reflect on Queen Elizabeth, analyze President Biden's democracy speech, interpret the midterm tea leaves, and evaluate what lessons we must learn from the poor US response to COVID-19. Highlights & Lowlights Mona: How Not To Write A Constitution - Persuasion ( https://www.persuasion.community/p/how-not-to-write-a-constitution ) Bill: How reactionary is MAGA? Try the first century B.C. - The Washington Post ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/09/07/jd-vance-fascist-roman-imperialist-caesar/ ) Linda: The Man Who Won the Republican Party Before Trump Did - The New York Times ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/08/opinion/pat-buchanan-donald-trump.html ) Damon: Mark Lilla: Yearning for Questions - Meditations with Zohar ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mark-lilla-yearning-for-questions/id1608391571?i=1000578690878 ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, September 02, 2022

He Is a Sucking Black Hole of Disaster (with Megan McArdle)

Republicans know the 'Trump magic' isn't working, so when is the party going to get rid of him? Plus, ground zero in the midterms meme warfare, the politics of student loan relief, and special segment "What Are You Watching?" Megan McArdle and guest host Sonny Bunch join the panel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, August 26, 2022

How to Defeat Putin . . . and Trump (with Eric Edelman)

Eric Edelman joins the panel to discuss how to help Ukraine win. The panel also addresses Biden's student loan forgiveness and yea or nay on prosecuting Trump. Highlights & Lowlights Mona: What Biden could gain from pardoning Trump - The Washington Post ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/08/18/trump-pardon-biden-benefit/ ) Linda: The Trump Warrant Had No Legal Basis - The Wall Street Journal ( https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-trump-warrant-had-no-legal-basis-mar-a-lago-affidavit-presidential-records-act-archivist-custody-classified-fbi-garland-11661170684 ) Damon: Prosecuting Trump: A Reply to Josh Marshall - Lawfare ( https://www.lawfareblog.com/prosecuting-trump-reply-josh-marshall ) Bill: Yes, Special Elections Really Are Signaling A Better-Than-Expected Midterm For Democrats - FiveThirtyEight ( https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/yes-special-elections-really-are-signaling-a-better-than-expected-midterm-for-democrats/ ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, August 19, 2022

I'm Sorry, That's Classified

Former CIA officer David Priess joins the group to consider Trump's secrets squirreled away in Mar-a-Lago, the "woke" FBI, the Democrats' prospects in the midterms, and much more. And Cathy Young sits in for Linda Chavez. Highlights/Lowlights: Mona's: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-american-academy-of-pediatrics-dubious-transgender-science-jack-turban-research-social-contagion-gender-dysphoria-puberty-blockers-uk-11660732791   David's : https://twitter.com/ErinSikorsky/status/1547551734465286148?s=20&t=5bYpYiqMffg2JsL7lVQpkw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, August 12, 2022

GOP vs. Rule of Law (with Ted Nordhaus)

Ted Nordhaus of the Breakthrough Institute answers doubts about nuclear energy. And the panel (including Walter Olson) then turns to the FBI's Mar-a-Lago search warrant and the GOP meltdown. Also, Biden had a good week. Will it matter? Highlights & Lowlights Mona: The Shovel’s view on the Donald Trump FBI raid - The Shovel ( https://www.theshovel.com.au/2022/08/10/the-shovels-view-on-the-fbis-raid-on-donald-trumps-home/ ) Linda: Behind the headlines: What is the Afghan Adjustment Act? - International Rescue Committee ( https://www.rescue.org/article/behind-headlines-what-afghan-adjustment-act ) Bill: As China Plans Drills Circling Taiwan, U.S. Officials Fear a Squeeze Play - The New York Times ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/03/us/politics/china-exercises-taiwan-fears.html ) Walter Olson: Code Snitching: Nashvillians Are Weaponizing Metro Codes Against ‘Undesirable’ Neighbors - Nashville Scene ( https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/coverstory/code-snitching-nashvillians-are-weaponizi[…]ighbors/article_5e94bd56-0c67-11ed-af4e-e3d04ad7e500.html ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, August 05, 2022

Kansas Shocker (with A.B. Stoddard)

A.B. Stoddard helps analyze this week's primary election results and also tackles the 2024 question: If not Biden, who? Highlights & Lowlights: Linda: The Jan. 6 Committee’s Findings Have Met the Appropriately High Bar for Prosecuting Trump - The UnPopulist ( https://theunpopulist.substack.com/p/the-jan-6-committees-findings-have?utm_source=email ) Damon: The Violent Fantasies of Blake Masters - The New York Times ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/03/opinion/blake-masters-arizona-senate.html ) How the Claremont Institute Became a Nerve Center of the American Right - The New York Times ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/03/magazine/claremont-institute-conservative.html ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 29, 2022

Indict Them All? (with Nicholas Grossman)

Arc Digital's Nicholas Grossman joins the Beg to Differ panel to debate prosecuting Trump, and to weigh the impact of the GOP's crazy candidates. In the lightning round, we cover the Manchin deal, the Respect for Marriage Act, Brittney Griner, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 22, 2022

Did the January 6 Committee Make a Difference? (with Tom Nichols)

Tom Nichols joins the group (plus Jon Ward) to discuss the committee's work, the polls on Trump's standing in the GOP, the Secret Service, Ukraine, Democrats boosting Trumpy candidates, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 15, 2022

A Patchwork Nation on Abortion (with Frances Kissling)

After a multi-decade project to reverse Roe, the two biggest issues right now are interstate travel and pregnancy-terminating pills. Guest host Will Saletan, guest Frances Kissling, and the panel address abortion access and the politics of it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 08, 2022

Can Democrats do Politics? (with Ruy Teixeira)

Ruy Teixeira joins Beg to Differ to consider abortion, guns, crime, and other issues on which Democrats can't seem to find the sweet spot. Also, is there any chance for a moderate party? Highlights & Lowlights Linda: How Unlikely Is It That the Audits of Comey and McCabe Were a Coincidence? A Statistical Exploration. - New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/upshot/comey-mccabe-tax-audits.html) Damon: Confidence in U.S. Institutions Down; Average at New Low - Gallup (https://news.gallup.com/poll/394283/confidence-institutions-down-average-new-low.aspx) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 01, 2022

The End of Roe and Trump's Pathology (with Peter Wehner & Ted Johnson)

The Atlantic's Peter Wehner joins the group (plus Ted Johnson) to discuss the reasoning and implications of the Dobbs decision. The panel then considers the ​impact of ​Cassidy Hutchinson and other testimony. ​Air going out of the Trump balloon? Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: Baltimore Police interns could help ease recruitment woes, improve community relations as pilot program launches - The Washington Post ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/baltimore-police-interns-could-help-ease-recruitment-woes-improve-community-relations-as-pilot-program-launches/2022/06/27/dbb39ee4-f65d-11ec-b665-98b884bdef6e_story.html ) Linda: Supreme Court Sides With Biden’s Efforts to End ‘Remain in Mexico’ Program - New York Times ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/30/us/politics/biden-remain-in-mexico-scotus.html ) Love the show but hate the ads? Bulwark+ members get exclusive access to an ad-free version of Beg to Differ. Sign up here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 24, 2022

“Wintry realism.” (with David Frum)

The Atlantic’s David Frum joins the group to discuss the January 6 committee’s purpose and the prospects for a non-Trump in 2024. Plus, guns, the gas tax holiday, Uvalde, and Biden’s trip Saudi Arabia. Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: Prosecute Trump? Put Yourself in Merrick Garland’s Shoes. (New York Times) - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/20/opinion/trump-merrick-garland-january-6-committee.html Linda: Will Biden Bring Back the Campus Star Chambers? (Commentary) - https://www.commentary.org/articles/kc-johnson/will-biden-resurrect-obama-era-title-ix-procedures/ Love the show but hate the ads? Bulwark+ members get access to an exclusive, ad-free version of Beg to Differ. Sign up here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 17, 2022

Republicans are Dangerous; Democrats are Ineffectual (with Charlie Sykes)

Charlie Sykes joins the group to discuss the January 6 hearings, Biden's record, and inflation (we warned about it!) Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/06/15/democratic-dark-money-extreme-republicans/ Linda: https://www.vox.com/23169861/daca-immigration-dreamer-democrats-united-we-dream Damon: https://wisdomofcrowds.live/its-not-about-democracy/ Bill: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/14/opinion/germany-scholz-russia-ukraine.html Love the show but hate the ads? Bulwark+ members get exclusive access to an ad-free version of Beg to Differ. Sign up here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/subscribe?utm_source=menu&simple=true&next=https%3A%2F%2Fplus.thebulwark.com%2Fabout%3Futm_source%3Dsubscribe_email%26utm_content%3Dlearn_more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 10, 2022

Is Biden Too Old for a Second Term? (with Matt Bennett)

Third Way's Matt Bennett help dissect the primaries so far, the January 6 hearings, and the question of who will be the Democrats' 2024 nominee. Highlights and Lowlights: Mona: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/06/january-6-hearings-mike-pence-service-democracy/661224/ Linda: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/06/bus-denver-pendemic-violence/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 03, 2022

Is Gun Control Futile? (with David French)

David French joins the group this week to consider gun control efforts, the gun culture, and the state of the war in Ukraine. Notes: https://www.rand.org/research/gun-policy/analysis/mass-shootings.html https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/politifact/2022/06/01/fact-check-did-mass-shootings-triple-after-assault-weapon-ban-ended/9941501002/ Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/05/31/not-too-late-student-loans-00036005 Linda: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/06/01/hinckley-release-reagan/ Damon: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/01/opinion/republicans-religion-conservatism.html David French: https://www.thebulwark.com/top-gun-maverick-review/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 27, 2022

Drowning in Guns under Minority Rule (with A.B. Stoddard)

Guest host A.B. Stoddard joins guests Tom Nichols, Yahoo News' Jon Ward, and regular Linda Chavez to discuss America's gun culture, the prospects for bipartisan gun legislation, and the Democrats' lack of confidence versus the party that's about nothing. Plus, Trump's week of humiliation. Highlights/lowlights: A.B. Stoddard's: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/opinion/grief.html Linda Chavez's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/05/25/george-p-bush-latino-republican-trumpism/ Jon Ward's: https://www.amazon.com/We-Need-Build-Diverse-Democracy/dp/0807024066/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1653596224&refinements=p_27%3AEboo+Patel&s=books&sr=1-1 Love the show but hate the ads? Bulwark+ members get access to an exclusive, ad-free version of Beg to Differ. Join Here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 20, 2022

The Challenge of Diversity (with Yascha Mounk)

Yascha Mounk joins the panel to talk about the optimistic case for diverse democracies -- and primary results. Highlights of the Week Mona's pick: What’s Behind America’s Shocking Baby-Formula Shortage? (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/baby-formula-shortage-abbott-recall/629828/) Love the show but hate the ads? Bulwark+ members get exclusive access to an ad-free version of Beg to Differ. Learn more here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only?s=w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 13, 2022

Voting Rights and Abortion Rights (with Ben Ginsberg)

Election law expert Ben Ginsberg offers insight on threats to confidence in elections. The panel then considers the Dobbs fallout from several angles — partisan, racial, and legal. Want to listen without ads? Bulwark+ members get exclusive access to an ad-free version of Beg to Differ. Learn more: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only?s=w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 06, 2022

Abortion and Climate. Can We Get More Contentious? (with Robert Pindyck)

MIT’s Robert Pindyck shares wisdom on climate and joins the discussion of the Roe draft opinion. Highlights & Lowlights Mona - America Won’t Ever Be Majority Minority ( https://www.persuasion.community/p/yascha-mounk-america-wont-ever-be?s=r ) Linda - Cuban Migrants Arrive to U.S. in Record Numbers, on Foot, Not by Boat ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/03/world/americas/cuban-migration-united-states.html ) Damon - Twitter Thread #1 ( https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1521803362152374274?s=20&t=UB8AumtJTJE-4hHbd65GRg ) Damon - Twitter Thread #2 ( https://twitter.com/ryanburge/status/1521465315493822464?s=20&t=ngqm-NTPq5ySwIqN_ooXNg ) Want to listen without ads? An exclusive ad-free version of Beg to Differ is available exclusively to paying members of Bulwark+. Learn more here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 29, 2022

A Macron Moment in the US? (with guest host Josh Barro)

Guest Host Josh Barro and the panel discuss the French elections, and the possibility of a centrist third party in the US. Plus, corporate free speech — and will Musk break Twitter? Highlights & Lowlights: Josh Barro's: https://www.joshbarro.com/p/peter-suderman-schools-me-and-you?s=r Bill Galston's: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/ukraine/2022-04-01/francis-fukuyama-liberalism-country Damon Linker's: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/madison-cawthorn-scandals-list-insider-trading-lingerie-driving-lying-cocaine-orgies-gun-knife.html , https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/political-correctness-is-losing.html , https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/ron-desantis-disney-dont-say-gay-banana-republic-florida-authoritarian.html  Want to listen without ads? Bulwark+ members get access to an exclusive, ad-free feed. Learn more here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only?s=w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 22, 2022

Jared vs. Hunter

Arc Digital's Nicholas Grossman joins the group to consider the mask mandate, the corruption of presidential relatives, and James Carville's advice about "weird Republicans." Highlights & Lowlights Mona: "Mike Lee’s Role in Trump’s Attempted Coup" (The Bulwark): https://www.thebulwark.com/mike-lees-role-in-trumps-attempted-coup/ Linda: "Handing Putin the Nuclear Advantage" (Wall Street Journal): https://www.wsj.com/articles/handing-vladimir-putin-the-nuclear-advantage-joe-biden-pentagon-sea-launched-nuclear-cruise-missile-russia-11650487990 Damon: "Putin’s Unholy War" (The Atlantic): https://newsletters.theatlantic.com/peacefield/625f207c9cda680020dd1c82/russia-ukraine-invasion-religion-holy-war/ Want to listen without ads? Bulwark+ members get access to an exclusive, ad-free version of Beg to Differ. Learn more here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 15, 2022

The Inflation Monster (with Noah Smith)

Noah Smith joins to consider whether inflation is really as bad as it looks and whether we can ever have a sensible immigration policy in our divided country. Notable Links: From Mona: "Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid" (The Atlantic): https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/ From Linda: "Point of Compact" (Quillette): https://quillette.com/2022/04/12/point-of-compact/ From Bill: "Christianism" (Liberties): https://libertiesjournal.com/articles/christianism/ From Damon: "Le Pen and Trump Could Succeed Where the Russian Army Failed" (The Bulwark): https://thetriad.thebulwark.com/p/le-pen-and-trump-could-succeed-where?s=w An ad-free version of this podcast is available exclusively to paying members of Bulwark+. Learn more here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only?s=w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 08, 2022

Putin's American Friends (with Eric Edelman)

Eric Edelman joins to discuss war crimes, defense spending, and Putinists abroad and at home.  Mona's highlight: https://www.joshbarro.com/p/heres-the-chart-you-need-to-understand?s=r Linda's highlight: https://www.americanpurpose.com/articles/orbans-china-infatuation/ Bill's highlight: https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/coretexts/_files/resources/texts/1963_MLK_Letter_Abridged.pdf Want to hear an ad-free version of this podcast? Join Bulwark+ to get access to all of the Bulwark's podcasts without advertising. Learn more here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only?s=w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 01, 2022

Lock Him Up?

The Atlantic’s Jonathan Rauch joins the group (including Cathy Young) to consider whether a federal judge saying Trump is a likely criminal should spur DOJ? Also, the “Don’t Say Gay” law, Ginni Thomas, Biden’s popularity, and more. Highlights & Lowlights: Mona's highlight: DCist: Maryland Will No Longer Require Four-Year Degrees For Thousands Of State Jobs ( https://dcist.com/story/22/03/15/maryland-college-degree-requirement/ ) Damon's highlight: NY Times: Yes, There Is a Clash of Civilizations ( https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/opinion/ukraine-clash-of-civilizations.html ) Damon's other highlight: Slow Boring: Ukraine and the end of history ( https://www.slowboring.com/p/ukraine-and-the-end-of-history?s=r ) Bill Galston and Jonathan Rauch's highlight: Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington by James Kirchick ( https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781627792325/secretcity ) Bulwark+ members get access to an exclusive ad-free version of Beg to Differ. Learn more here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only?s=w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 25, 2022

Monsters and Jackasses

The Washington Post's Charles Lane joins the group to mull whether Putin is intimidating the West with nuclear threats and if so, how to respond? Also, the KBJ hearings reveal a GOP deep into "jackassery." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 18, 2022

Ukraine and the West Surprise Putin . . . and Ourselves

Ukraine's brave stand against Russia has united Americans behind them. Will this new found bipartisanship mute extremists on the right and left? Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/13/opinion/berkeley-enrollment-climate-crisis.html https://www.wsj.com/articles/saudi-arabia-considers-accepting-yuan-instead-of-dollars-for-chinese-oil-sales-11647351541?st=tntg9j85l4ay6gx&reflink=desktopwebshare_twitter https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-russia-voznesensk-town-battle-11647444734 Bulwark+ members can listen to an ad-free version of this podcast to your player of choice. Learn more at Bulwark+ Podcast FAQ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 11, 2022

Ukrainians Dodge Missiles. Can We Dodge Involvement? Should We?

Attorney George Conway joins to discuss how war has changed America already. Also, the legal and political case for prosecuting Trump. Bulwark+ members can listen to an ad-free version of this podcast to your player of choice. Learn more at Bulwark+ Podcast  FAQ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 04, 2022

A Week Where Decades Happened (with Kori Schake)

American Enterprise Institute's Kori Schake joins the panel to analyze the Russian invasion and the risks of a wider war. Damon's Link: I’m a Cold War Historian. We’re in a Frightening New Era. (New York Times) Mona's Link: Children First: Why Family Structure and Stability Matter for Children (Institute for Family Studies) Linda's Link: United States v. Donald Trump: A "Model Prosecution Memo" on the Conspiracy to Pressure Vice President Pence (Just Security) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 25, 2022

Hinge Moment of History

AEI's Adam White joins the group to consider whether the invasion of Ukraine will shake the US from its decline into imbecility. Also whither the Supreme Court? Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.progressivepolicy.org/publication/the-new-politics-of-evasion%20%5Bprogressivepolicy-org%5D/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/02/21/ukraine-invasion-putin-goals-what-expect/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 18, 2022

San Francisco Sends Democrats a Message

George Will joins to discuss the San Francisco warning, the Republicans' drift, and the inflation danger. Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/14/opinion/electoral-count-act.html https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3836 https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1494312565287047174?s=20&t=KIA-Mjj7utMz9Fin2Qk9Dg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 11, 2022

Open Everything?

Tom Nichols joins the panel to discuss whether it's time to end Covid restrictions, Ukraine and democracy, and "legitimate political discourse." Highlights/Lowlights: https://cathy.arcdigital.media/p/the-problem-with-covid-contrarianism?r=2k4r8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web https://noahpinion.substack.com/p/the-nyt-article-on-mmt-is-really https://mosaicmagazine.com/observation/politics-current-affairs/2022/02/race-a-word-of-surprisingly-recent-and-uncertain-origin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 04, 2022

A Canceling We Will Go

Peter Wehner joins the group, which includes Bill Kristol this week, to discuss the Whoopi Goldberg and other cancel controversies, as well as Trump's acknowledgement of attempting a coup. And who's really abandoning democracy, Republicans or Democrats? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 28, 2022

Putin Wants to Turn Back the Clock

Stanford’s Francis Fukuyama joins the group to discuss Ukraine and the impact of a new Supreme Court justice on politics and jurisprudence. Highlights/Lowlights: https://twitter.com/prchovanec/status/1485622322799255553?s=20&t=a9dVZafEdqi8nszn5EenFQ https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/longform/the-pursuits-of-liberty https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/21/opinion/texas-synagogue-antisemitism.html Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Francis Fukuyama, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 21, 2022

Do's and Don'ts of Democracy Protection

CATO's Walter Olson brings his libertarian insight to a discussion of voting rights and wrongs — and Biden's first year. Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/20/opinion/illiberalism-left-right.html https://www.slowboring.com/p/electoral-count-act https://www.persuasion.community/p/the-reactionary-trap?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxODI2MTM0LCJwb3N0X2lkIjo0NzExNTMyNSwiXyI6IkpGY08yIiwiaWF0IjoxNjQyNzA5MTA4LCJleHAiOjE2NDI3MTI3MDgsImlzcyI6InB1Yi02MTU3OSIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.dV0Uvgja24vvQziTyNwlYC6lcNMjkdEtheiKfB-ck4Q https://web.archive.org/web/20130124224036/http://www.artsjournal.com/aboutlastnight/2012/06/tt_thou_shalt.html https://imightbewrong.substack.com/p/lets-honor-mlks-birthday-by-being https://newcriterion.com/issues/2022/1/the-fallacies-of-the-common-good https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2021-12/cpr-v43n6-1.pdf Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Walter Olson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 14, 2022

Biden's Nadir Week?

A.B. Stoddard and Ben Parker join the group to discuss Biden's kamikaze voting rights push and Putin's threats to Ukraine. Highlights/Lowlights: https://morningshots.thebulwark.com/p/joe-biden-needs-four-sister-souljah https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-long-term-care-challenge https://twitter.com/KevinMKruse/status/1481709822051500039?s=20 https://reason.com/2022/01/12/the-u-s-immigration-system-needs-to-do-more-to-help-uyghurs/ https://jabberwocking.com/why-is-president-biden-staking-so-much-on-passing-new-voter-laws/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/01/democrats-botched-public-school-covid-policy/621183/ https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/11/oakland-lefty-my-whole-life-school-closures-triggered-an-identity-crisis-526860 Special Guests: A.B. Stoddard, Ben Parker, Bill Galston, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 07, 2022

The Death of the Conservative Party

NY Times columnist Bret Stephens joins the panel, including Norm Ornstein, to discuss the GOP in the wake of Jan 6 and whether the Democrats are missing the boat on ECA and voting reform. Special Guests: Bret Stephens, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Norman J. Ornstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 24, 2021

Were the Clintonites Right after All?

The centrist wing of the democratic party is making a bit of a comeback. With Joe Manchin calling the shots on BBB — and cultural issues like "defund the police" not winning even among Black and Hispanic voters — is it time for the Democratic leadership to stand up to the progressives? The Atlantic's Ron Brownstein is this week's special guest. Highlights/Lowlights: https://forward.com/culture/437007/why-do-jews-eat-chinese-food-on-christmas/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/19/statement-from-press-secretary-jen-psaki-4/ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/20/peng-shuai-appearance-fails-to-address-concerns-for-tennis-stars-wellbeing-says-wta Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Ron Brownstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 17, 2021

Was January 6 a Coup Attempt?

The Washington Post's Dan Balz joins the panel to discuss the January 6 committee, whether Biden will/should seek reelection, and how the pandemic has affected work/family balance. Highlights/Lowlights: https://gfile.thedispatch.com/p/donald-trumps-megaphone https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-12-15/the-pro-immigrant-case-against-new-york-city-s-noncitizen-voting?sref=z9I1fo2Y https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/242113/jfk-by-fredrik-logevall/ https://www.vox.com/polyarchy/2015/12/18/9360663/is-democracy-in-trouble Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Dan Balz, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 10, 2021

Resentful Animosities

Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss threats to democracy, the GOP's gun fetish, and more. Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/12/democrats-lose-culture-war/620887/ https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/brooks-true-conservatism-dead-fox-news-voter-suppression/620853 https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2020/08/11/about-one-in-four-u-s-hispanics-have-heard-of-latinx-but-just-3-use-it/ https://www.persuasion.community/p/the-collapse-of-liberal-internationalism https://gideons.substack.com/p/requiem-for-a-liberal-internationalism?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxMjY2NTU0MCwicG9zdF9pZCI6NDUxODMyMTMsIl8iOiJxSVFoZyIsImlhdCI6MTYzOTA1MjEwNiwiZXhwIjoxNjM5MDU1NzA2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMzA3MTc2Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.Yvnvwn67CNxzhSLJv3KCIQI_GkT-8M4wc4x6h5YrISM Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Peter Wehner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 03, 2021

If Roe Goes

Slate's Will Saletan joins the group, including Bill Kristol, to discuss the implications of a possible reversal of Roe and Biden's opportunities to recover. Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/11/24/trans-kids-therapy-psychologist/ https://www.vox.com/22814386/lauren-boebert-islamophobic-comments-omar-house-republicans https://harpers.org/archive/2021/12/a-posthumous-shock-trauma-studies-modernity-how-everything-became-trauma/ https://www.statnews.com/2021/11/17/gop-opposition-to-vaccine-mandates-extends-far-beyond-covid-19/ Special Guests: Bill Galston, Bill Kristol, Damon Linker, and Will Saletan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, November 19, 2021

How Scary Is Inflation?

Noah Smith helps the panel diagnose the inflation threat as well as the political peril for Democrats. Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/11/17/overdose-deaths-pandemic-fentanyl/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter https://www.thebulwark.com/steve-bannon-and-maga-martyrdom/ https://gfile.thedispatch.com/p/mugged-by-fallacy?r=2jt0v&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source= https://thetriad.thebulwark.com/p/metoo-is-different-in-china?r=2jt0v&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source= https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2021/11/18/what-makes-life-meaningful-views-from-17-advanced-economies/ https://www.netflix.com/title/81086631?preventIntent=true Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Noah Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, November 12, 2021

The DeSantis Temptation

The Atlantic’s David Frum joins to discuss inflation, the economy, immigration, and the call to back Ron DeSantis in 2024. Highlights/Lowlights: https://theliberalpatriot.substack.com/p/revisiting-the-fox-news-fallacy https://www.npr.org/2021/11/10/1054137225/nearly-1-million-kids-ages-5-11-will-have-their-first-covid-shots-by-the-end-of- https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-11-08/niall-ferguson-america-s-woke-universities-need-to-be-replaced https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2021/11/after-afghanistan-poll-finds-alienation-and-desire-connection/186771/ https://rdi.org/frontlines-of-freedom/ Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, David Frum, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 29, 2021

A Whiff of Maoism

NY Magazine’s Jonathan Chait joins, along with the Bulwark’s Amanda Carpenter, to discuss the BBB deal (if there is one) and cancel culture. Highlights/Lowlights: https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1453752698130534404?s=20 https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fight-for-taiwan-could-come-soon-china-navy-defense-11635349097 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/opinion/cohousing-mothers-pandemic-community.html Special Guests: Amanda Carpenter, Bill Galston, Damon Linker, and Jonathan Chait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 22, 2021

The Democrats’ Sinking Poll Numbers

Eric Edelman helps unpack China’s new missile, Democrats’ decline, and McAuliffe’s tone deafness. Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/alden-global-capital-killing-americas-newspapers/620171/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/will-america-come-to-taiwan-defense-china-xi-navy-11634053378 Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Eric Edelman, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 15, 2021

Why You Can't Bracket Trump

Protect Democracy's Ian Bassin joins to discuss how he's working to counter threats. Also the VA governor's race. Mentioned articles: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/10/07/our-planet-is-not-doomed-that-means-we-can-must-act/ https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/10/12/hunter-biden-corruption-515583 https://www.brookings.edu/essay/the-long-game-chinas-grand-strategy-to-displace-american-order/ Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Ian Bassin, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 08, 2021

“I Resent Being Called Cheerful."

George F. Will joins B2D panel to discuss his new book, and also whether Facebook should be regulated, and the Democrats' hopes for social welfare. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, George F. Will, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, October 01, 2021

Democrats are Divided. Republicans are United -- as a cult. How worried should we be?

A.B. Stoddard joins to discuss why we can't have nice things in America. Special Guests: A.B. Stoddard, Bill Galston, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, September 24, 2021

Republicans are Dangerous. Can the Democrats Succeed?

Sarah Longwell sits in for Linda and Tom Nichols joins to discuss the Democrats' divisions, Haitians at the border, and Biden's foreign policy. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Sarah Longwell, and Tom Nichols. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, September 10, 2021

Insurrectionist Republicans, reflections on a sad anniversary, and what if Roe is reversed

Heath Mayo, founder of Principles First, joins the regular panel to discuss abortion, insurrection, and whether the global war on terror was a mistake. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Heath Mayo, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, September 03, 2021

Can We Avoid Another January 6?

Greg Sargent joins to talk about vote counting reform, not vote casting reform. The group (including Tim Miller) then discuss refugees and Biden's sinking popularity. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Greg Sargent, and Tim Miller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thu, August 26, 2021

Afghanistan: Not a mistake?

David Frum joins to shed light on the Afghanistan withdrawal and Congress's budget fandango. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, David Frum, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, August 13, 2021

Is the Country Calming Down?

Charlie Sykes joins the group to discuss the infrastructure Rubik's cube, the Republican governors' war on public health, and whether the big strife is past. ————— Highlights/Lowlights: https://www.census.gov/en.html https://www.bradleyfdn.org/prizes/ https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reaches-proposed-consent-decree-state-new-jersey-resolve-claims-edna-mahan Special Guests: Bill Galston, Charles Sykes, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, August 06, 2021

Whoa, those Cuomo woes.

The Washington Post's Megan McArdle returns to B2D to discuss Cuomo, the eviction moratorium, and whether the left's power in the Democratic party exceeds its grass roots popularity. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Megan McArdle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 30, 2021

Back to January 6

Elliott Abrams joins to discuss Cuba. The gang then address the January 6 committee, vaccine wars, and the infrastructure bill. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Elliott Abrams, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 23, 2021

Talking About Race Respectfully

Ted Johnson joins the panel to talk about his book: "When the Stars Begin to Fall: Overcoming Racism and Renewing the Promise of America." Is racism structural? Is it an existential threat? Highlights/Lowlights: https://morningshots.thebulwark.com/p/our-woke-book-burners https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/VSRR015-508.pdf Special Guest: Ted R. Johnson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 16, 2021

How Bad Was CPAC?

Guest host Sarah Longwell joins the group this week to discuss CPAC, Trump's speech, anti-vaxxers, and Biden's voting rights agenda. Highlights/Lowlights: Book: “The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family” https://thebulwark.com/as-cubans-march-for-freedom-democrats-are-split/ https://thebulwark.com/what-the-hell-happened-to-the-claremont-institute/ Mona at CPAC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2GVQINHfVM Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 09, 2021

Will This Reform Save Our Democracy?

Katherine Gehl, co-author of “The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy” joins the panel for a meaty discussion of voting reform. Katherine's Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk8d3GQJnQ Mentioned articles: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/06/us/politics/voting-rights-law-supreme-court.html?referringSource=articleShare https://echeloninsights.com/in-the-news/june-omnibus-quadrants/ https://www.prri.org/research/2020-census-of-american-religion/ https://political-innovation.org/advisory-council/ Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Katherine Gehl, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, July 02, 2021

Lock Him Up?

Ron Radosh joins the panel (which includes Will Saletan sitting in for Damon) to discuss the Trump Co. indictments, the January 6 committee, and the brain behind Steven Miller. Mentioned articles: https://quillette.com/2021/06/27/the-bias-narrative-versus-the-development-narrative-thinking-about-persistent-racial-inequality-in-the-united-states/ https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/06/30/behind-bidens-2020-victory https://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/justice-alitos-majority-opinion-in-brnovich-v-dnc/?utmsource=blog-landing&utmmedium=desktop&utmcampaign=continue-reading_ Special Guests: Bill Galston, Linda Chavez, Ronald Radosh, and Will Saletan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 25, 2021

Why Can't Democrats Take Yes for an Answer?

NY Times columnist Thomas Edsall joins the group to consider voting rights, the infrastructure negotiations, crime, and critical race theory. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Thomas Edsall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 18, 2021

Putin's MAGA Talking Points

Lawfare's Benjamin Wittes joins to discuss Biden's European trip, whether Garland is going soft on Trump, and the NY mayoral race. Special Guests: Benjamin Wittes, Bill Galston, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 11, 2021

Vaccinate the World

Eric Edelman joins to discuss Biden's trip, the ProPublica tax story, and the Democrats' Manchin mistake. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Eric Edelman, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, June 04, 2021

Labs, Cults, and Votes

NY Times contributor Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss the coronavirus lab leak theory, Qanon's status as a new religion, and voting rights and wrongs. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Peter Wehner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 28, 2021

How Do We Know What's True?

Jonathan Rauch discusses his new book The Constitution of Knowledge and joins for a discussion of the threat of crime to Democrats' political health. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Jonathan Rauch, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 21, 2021

Three Cheers for Moderation

Brink Lindsey discusses his essay on the importance of moderation. The group also addresses the January 6 commission and the Gaza conflict. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Brink Lindsey, Linda Chavez, and Sarah Longwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 14, 2021

Cheney Out; Births Down; Ranked Choice Voting In?

A.B. Stoddard returns to talk about hope for reducing our political dysfunction. Group also addresses the birth dearth and Liz Cheney's fate. Special Guests: A.B. Stoddard, Bill Galston, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, May 07, 2021

Cheney: Too Honest for the GOP

David French helps the panel diagnose the GOP's sickness. The group also talks about voter ID and the Biden daycare plan. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, David French, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 30, 2021

FDR Redux?

E.J. Dionne helps the panel unpack Biden's first 100 days, plus, racial and class messaging. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, E.J. Dionne, Jr., and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 23, 2021

Reading the Riot Act

Eugene Volokh (The Volokh Conspiracy) joins to discuss the anti-riot laws in several states, whether libel law should be upended, and the Chauvin verdict. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Eugene Volokh, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 16, 2021

Don’t Pack the Court

AEI’s Norm Ornstein joins to discuss police violence, court packing, and Afghanistan. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Norman J. Ornstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 09, 2021

Manchin's Ultimatum

On this week’s Beg to Differ, Sarah Longwell sits in for Mona Charen, and discusses with the panel the future of the filibuster, GOP fundraising tactics and their new embrace of boycott culture, H.R. 1 and election law, and China and the Olympics. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Sarah Longwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, April 02, 2021

Will Biden Bucks Defeat Culture Wars?

Bret Stephens joins to consider the latest multi-trillion dollar spending bill, the GOP workers' party strategy, and the decline in church membership. Special Guests: Bret Stephens, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 26, 2021

Report Card

George F. Will joins to discuss lessons of the pandemic, whether Biden is creating a new New Deal, and how to handle China. Special Guests: Damon Linker, George F. Will, Linda Chavez, and Sarah Longwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 19, 2021

Build Biden Better

The Niskanen Center's Samuel Hammond joins to discuss improving Biden's child allowance and border policies. Plus: eliminate the filibuster? Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Samuel Hammond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 12, 2021

Is There a Trapdoor in the Recovery Plan?

AEI's Desmond Lachman analyzes the inflation risk in our gargantuan spending and loose money policies. The panel then considers the border crisis and the GOP's outreach to the working class. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Desmond Lachman, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, March 05, 2021

2020 Warnings for Democrats

AEI’s Kori Schake joins to discuss Biden’s Iran policy, non-white voters’ move right, and whether HR1 can solve the Democratic party’s geography problem. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Kori Schake, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 26, 2021

Is the Stimulus a Clunker?

Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget offers her insights. The group also discusses prospects for a Jan 6 commission, and Europe's response to Biden. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Maya MacGuineas . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 19, 2021

Powerless Texas

Slate's Will Saletan returns to consider the McConnell/Trump GOP, Texas's woes, and Limbaugh's legacy. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Will Saletan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 12, 2021

Convict Him

Jay Nordlinger joins to discuss the impeachment trial, the Romney plan for families, and the firing of Don McNeill from the NYTimes. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Jay Nordlinger, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, February 05, 2021

Is Compromise Alive?

Tom Nichols joins to consider the state of governance and GOP self-policing. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Linda Chavez, and Tom Nichols. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 29, 2021

Can We Live Together in Peace?

Anne Applebaum joins to discuss options for reconciliation. Also, brave Navalny and cowardly Republicans. Special Guests: Anne Applebaum, Bill Galston, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 22, 2021

Unity?

EPPC's Peter Wehner joins this week to review the inauguration and look forward to the first priorities of the Biden administration. Also impeachment 2.0. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Peter Wehner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thu, January 14, 2021

The Biggest Lie

Jonathan V. Last and Catherine Rampell join the group to discuss impeachment 2.0, deplatforming (pro and con), and prospects for Biden. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Catherine Rampell, Damon Linker, and Jonathan V. Last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 08, 2021

Crisis

Eric Edelman joins to discuss the Trump mob’s storming of the Capitol. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Eric Edelman, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, January 01, 2021

Farewell to All That

A.B. Stoddard joins the group on New Year's Eve to discuss the lows (many) and highs (there were some) of 2020. Special Guests: A.B. Stoddard, Bill Galston, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thu, December 24, 2020

Are Things Normal Yet? No.

Bulwark founder Sarah Longwell joins the group to discuss Trump’s sabotage of the relief bill, reforms to Trump-proof the presidency, and recommendations for holiday viewing/listening. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Sarah Longwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 18, 2020

GOP Crack-Up

Charles Lane joins this week to discuss how Biden is doing. Is GOP terminally Trumpy? A look at the Georgia run-off. Plus, is huge gov’t debt actually ok? Special Guests: Bill Galston, Charles Lane, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 11, 2020

Beg to Agree

Author and foreign correspondent Michael J. Totten joins the group to discuss conspiracy thinking at home and abroad, the Biden cabinet so far, and Stop the Steal. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Linda Chavez, and Michael J. Totten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, December 04, 2020

Can Normal Elbow Out Crazy?

Bill Kristol joins B2D to discuss the normal (!) congressional Covid compromise, Biden’s cabinet so far, and the insanity on the Trump right. Special Guests: Bill Kristol, Damon Linker, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fri, November 06, 2020

Nearly There

Jon Fasman of The Economist joins all of the regulars to discuss what we know and what we don’t about the election. Deep breaths. Special Guests: Bill Galston, Damon Linker, Jon Fasman, and Linda Chavez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wed, October 02, 2019

Welcome to Beg to Differ!

Charlie Sykes and Mona Charen introduce Beg to Differ, a new podcast from The Bulwark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices