Bush Funeral, NC Vote Fraud, Lame Duck Legislation, Khashoggi Killing, Trump and China

Subscribe:  iTunes | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

This week’s show opens with Jay’s thoughts on the life and presidency of George H.W. Bush. Mike, who like Jay greatly admired Bush, adds that it wasn’t long after Bush left office that the GOP took a decisive turn toward a nastier, more in-your-face approach to politics that he thinks was a wrong turn for the party and the country.

After that comes a discussion of alleged absentee ballot vote fraud in North Carolina. Both Mike and Jay have concerns about it, with Mike pointing out that this isn’t the sort of fraud targeted by all of the Republican anti vote fraud measures of recent years. Mike argues that that’s because absentee voting tends to favor Republicans, and the whole vote fraud crackdown has been a cover for suppressing Democratic turnout. Jay disagrees, arguing that in-person fraud has been the initial focus because it’s easier to address. He adds that there should be less voting by mail, a position Mike strongly disagrees with, over concerns with unfair barriers to participation.

Then it’s a look at actions taken by the Wisconsin and Michigan lame duck Republican legislatures to limit the power of incoming Democratic officials. Mike says that this sort of kneecapping of the other party, while done by both sides, is done more by Republicans. Jay isn’t so sure, and doesn’t really buy Mike’s argument that this violates an important political norm.

Next is discussion of CIA Director Gina Haspel’s briefing to Senators about the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mike and Jay agree that the evidence seems compelling, but they disagree about what the consequences should be. Mike argues for cutting off all military aid and weapons sales to the Saudis, at least for a while, whereas Jay thinks that might be too damaging to the important US / Saudi Arabia relationship.

The show closes with the U.S. / China trade war. Once again, it seems that President Trump has overstated what he accomplished, with Jay pointing out that Trump’s injection of so much uncertainty into the trade relationship has been tough on businesses. The Guys also discuss what effect the arrest of the CFO of Chinese tech giant Huawei might have on U.S. / China relations.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

Trump vs The Fed, Compulsory Voting, Underreported Bipartisanship, Hidden Tribes

Subscribe:  iTunes | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Will and Mike open the show with an analysis of President Trump’s criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. As part of the discussion, they walk through the role of the Fed and the differences between fiscal and monetary policy. They agree that Trump’s politicization of the Fed is potentially problematic for both the short and long-term.

Next is listener mail, where Will and Mike answer questions regarding compulsory voting and the media’s lack of focus on bipartisanship in American politics.

Lastly, Mike talks about an extended profile of Nancy Pelosi he says is worth checking out as well as a ‘Hidden Tribes ideology quiz‘ that he and Will recently took. Will says that lately he’s been reading a lot about college football coach firings and the impact of diminished state funding for higher education on coach firing decisions.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

George H.W. Bush, Cohen Plea, Mississippi Senate Runoff, GM Layoffs, Tear Gassing Children

On this week’s show, Will and Mike begin by speaking about the legacy of President George H. W. Bush and their memories of his career. The first story discussed from the week is the guilty plea entered by Michael Cohen in federal court. Will and Mike use the plea to discuss the status of the Mueller investigation and the impact Cohen’s plea could have on Trump. Both agree that impeachment is likely off the table as neither expect a smoking gun to emerge. But they disagree on how helpful the investigation may be to the Democrats in 2020.

Next, they discuss the results of the Mississippi Senate run-off election on Tuesday. Neither were surprised by the results. Will explained that the results suggest there are areas of the country where even moderate Democrats are going to struggle due to demographics and history. Mike points out how elections like this help Republicans in the Senate—especially considering recent judicial confirmation challenges.

The next topic is the decision by General Motors to idle five plants in North America. Will—who grew up near GM Lordstown—discussed the impact of the closure on local communities and the potential reasons for GM’s decision while Mike reminds listeners of Trump’s promises regarding no plant closures under his administration. Both agree the response by politicians to GM will be worth monitoring. They close with a discussion of the role and impact of unions on the closures.

Lastly, Will and Mike talk about the situation on the San Diego-Tijuana border last weekend. While neither directly challenge the use of tear gas, they differ on how to best handle asylum processing and the expectation on Mexico to house refugees while they await a response from the United States.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

Mike the Obnoxious Centrist, E-Cigarettes, Jay and the Facts, Why Liberalism Failed

Subscribe:  iTunes | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

In this listener comment show, Mike and Jay discuss:

  • if Mike is too obnoxious
  • how bipartisan the show really is
  • progressive voices on The Politics Guys
  • what Mike got wrong about e-cigarettes
  • our commitment to truth over party
  • individuality and liberal democracy

What Mike’s Reading
Why Liberalism Failed. Patrick Deneen

What Jay’s Reading
The Moral Obligation to be Intelligent. Lionel Trilling

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

Trump v Roberts, House Democrats Face Winning and Pelosi, In Defense of Saudi Arabi, the Whitaker Appointment

Subscribe:  iTunes | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

This week Trey is once again joined by Alexandra Filindra. They tackle one of the biggest questions of the week to open the show: President Trump’s showdown with Chief Justice John Roberts. Both Alexandra and Trey see similarities to to President Andrew Jackson in the exchange. Trey thinks that, while done improperly, there is uncomfortable truth to Trump labeling justices and commendable myth to Roberts’ statement. Alexandra argues that Trump is not ideological, but personal, in his labeling of justices which makes him unique.

Turning again to the Democratic majority in the house Alexandra and Trey again look at the issue as more Democrats as of Friday continue to come out against Pelosi. Alexandra posits the issue in terms of gender and while Trey agrees he wonders what the pragmatic outcome will be.

Next Trey and Alexandra turn to Trump’s unusual statement in defense of Saudi Arabi. Both worry about the signal this sends to other regimes. Trey though sees this in a larger context as previous presidents, although less blatantly, have been willing to overlook the Saudis. Alexandra worries that there is less nuance in the defense.

Finally Trey and Alexandra discuss the Whitaker appointment, whether it is constitutional, and whether it will last.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

Jamie Susskind on Future Politics

Mike talks with author, speaker, and practicing barrister Jamie Susskind. Jamie studied history and politics at Magdalen College, Oxford before turning to law, and is a past Fellow of Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. His recently released book is Future Politics: Living Together in a World Transformed by Tech.

Mike and Jamie discuss:

  • the digital lifeworld
  • the nature of power
  • increased state scrutiny and the loss of privacy
  • the power, promise, and peril of algorithms
  • the future of liberty
  • alternatives to democracy
  • the wealth cyclone
  • and lots more!

Jamie Susskind on Twitter

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

Is Jay Far Right?, Recounts, Tobacco Regulations, Saudi Sanctions, Challenges to Pelosi

Subscribe:  iTunes | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

This week’s show opens with Mike talking about where Jay is on the ideological spectrum. Mike argues that although a number of listeners feel Jay is far right, he’s actually fairly moderate when compared to real far right voices like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.

Next is a discussion of the recounts in Florida and Georgia. Mike and Jay agree that voting should be as easy and straightforward as possible, while still maintaining the integrity of the system, but Jay is more inclined to see malice in the system, whereas Mike attributes much more to a combination of incompetence and underfunding. Mike argues for broader adoption of the vote by mail systems used in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, which Jay thinks would be a mistake.

Following that, the Guys discuss the new FDA regulations cracking down on the availability of flavored e-cigarettes and a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and cigars. Mike is a big fan of these regulations and hopes they’ll go even further in years to come. Jay is naturally more anti-regulation and he has some concerning about a limiting factor (Mike says the limiting factor is ultimately elections).

Then it’s a look at the Trump administration’s sanctions against Saudi Arabians who have been implicated in the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mike says that the sanctions don’t go far enough and supports the bipartisan Senate bill that would ban all offensive arms sales to the Saudis. Jay is sort of lukewarm on this, feeling that the executive is due a certain amount of deference in the formulation of foreign policy.

Finally, Mike and Jay talk about whether or not Nancy Pelosi should be the next Speaker of the House. Mike thinks Pelosi will get the job and be a great Speaker, but he’d like to see the torch pass to someone like Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan. Mike also points out that Pelosi is actually much more conservative than her right-wing vilifiers would have people believe. Jay thinks that Pelosi is the right choice for the Democrats given her proven ability to run the show and raise plenty of money for her fellow Members.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

Jeff Sessions, the Mueller Investigation, Trump’s Asylum Denial Proclamation

Subscribe:  iTunes | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Mike and Jay discuss President Trump’s action to deny asylum to those who cross into the United States illegally and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions: why President Trump fired him, what it means for policy, and the potential implications for the Mueller investigation.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

Mike & Jay on the 2018 Midterm Elections

It’s all elections on this episode, starting with a look at the Congressional results. Mike and Jay talk about what they got right and where they went wrong in their predictions, and what they expect from the next Congress.

Then they turn to state level elections and a discussion of gains & losses in state legislatures and governorships, and what they might mean going forward.

Finally, the Guys talk about a number of key ballot issues: Medicaid expansion, victim’s rights laws, and changes to voting and redistricting. Jay also explains why he’s generally not a big fan of ballot initiatives, a position Mike understands and is even somewhat in agreement with. But ultimately, Mike argues that initiatives, while highly imperfect, are preferable to legislative gridlock (at least most of the time).

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.

Mike & Jay LIVE! Synagogue Bombing, Immigration Rhetoric, and Midterm Predictions

Subscribe:  iTunes | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Mike & Jay’s first ever live podcast, recorded 11/1/18 in Cincinnati Ohio’s Memorial Hall as part of the inaugural Cincinnati Podcast Festival. They discuss the Pittsburgh synagogue bombing, the Central America caravan, President Trump’s pre-election immigration rhetoric, their midterm election predictions, and what they expect from the next Congress.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support.