March, 2021 - The Politics Guys

Mass Shootings, Biden News Conference, Voting Rights & The Filibuster

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Mike and Jay open the episode with a discussion of the mass shooting in Boulder Colorado. Is the same script of “outrage, resistance, inaction” going to play out after this tragedy that we’ve seen so many times before? They also reexamine their discussion of the Georgia mass shooting from last week. Did they downplay the issue of AAPI intolerance? What about violence against women and sex workers?

Next is a look at Joe Biden’s first news conference as president, with a focus on voting rights. Biden seems determined to pass voting rights legislation, but can it happen given the filibuster, and will the filibuster be changed? And how important are presidential news conferences anyway?

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Border Crisis, Georgia Shootings, US / China Talks

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Mike and Jay talk about the mess at the border, where good intentions create bad incentives. Then the Georgia shootings. Are they part of a larger trend of intolerance and violence toward Asians? Should this be viewed through the prism of race? And can anti-Chinese rhetoric be blamed for an increase in hate crimes against Asians? Biden takes a tough line against China. Can a rising China be contained and is there a role for American businesses to play?

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Uzuegbunam v. Preczewiski, Biden’s Record, Voting Rights, Trump Tells RNC to Cease and Desist

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This week Trey is joined by Ken and the pair start with the Supreme Court case of Uzuegbunam v. Preczewiski. Here the pair discuss the standards the Supreme Court uses to determine if a case ought to be heard and Ken argues the Supreme Court should do away with the concept of mootness.

Next the pair discuss the dubious record Biden has set in not holding a press conference. Trey notes his 45 days without a conference is the longest of any modern president in the last 100 years and he suggests the delay may be a new normal. Ken argues Biden’s lack of a press conference doesn’t matter as long as competent individuals are running government.

After that Trey and Ken discuss not only Biden’s most recent executive order on voting rights, but how it is a reaction to Republicans in state legislatures pushing to make elections more secure. The pair also discus Mike Pence’s article on the subject.

Finally they examine the recent back and forth between the RNC and Trump over the use of Trump’s name and image in campaign materials.

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COVID Bill, For The People Act, Joe Manchin, CPAC & Trump

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Mike and Trey open the show with a look at final negotiations over the latest COVID relief legislation, in which centrist Senate Democrats – Joe Manchin in particular – forced significant revisions to the House-passed measure.

Next, they discuss H.R. 1, the “For The People Act”, which would be the largest federal intervention in election procedures in a very long time. Mike thinks that’s a good thing – both for Democrats and democracy. Trey also generally favors making the system more small-d democratic, but has issues with certain aspects of the legislation.

After that they look back on the Conservative Political Action Conference meeting, Donald Trump’s closing night speech, and whether or not the GOP is truly a conservative party any more. The former president was not only the favorite of CPAC attendees, but oddsmakers think he has a good shot at capturing the GOP nomination in 2024.

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