The Dispatch Podcast

The White House has announced that it will be flagging misinformation on Facebook in an attempt to diminish vaccine skepticism. But could politicizing this issue even further actually embolden anti-vaxxers? Our hosts consider how we can sway the unvaccinated, and whether the world would be better off without online comment sections. Afterward, Steve introduces a potpourri of topics for Jonah and Sarah to dig into. How concerned should we be about inflation? Do Republicans have any interest in fully uncovering what happened on January 6? And can Biden convince the Democrats to accept a bipartisan infrastructure agreement after promising unity in his inaugural address? The gang concludes by discussing Jeff Bezos’ voyage to outer space, and Jonah considers whether we should build nuclear reactors on the moon. Show Notes: -The Morning Dispatch breaks down Biden’s clash with Big Tech -Jonah’s column: “Biden Shows How Not to Improve Vaccine Rates” -A Forbes article on the myth of vaccine-induced magnetism -TMD explores whether inflation is a threat -Alex Tabarrok discusses inflation on The Remnant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joins Sarah and Chris Stirewalt to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the Republican Party. They discuss why Republicans should make education a priority issue, why inflation is a liability for Democrats, and why Republicans are doomed if they continue to relitigate the past. Plus, how do Republicans win back the suburbs? Christie argues that suburban voters didn’t abandon Republicans because of issues; they just didn’t like Donald Trump. Finally, are we going to see Chris Christie run for office again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cuban citizens have taken to the streets to protest the oppressive communist regime, but what can the United States do to help? Should we do anything to help? The gang considers the moral and political implications of United States foreign policy toward Cuba. David notes that vaccine hesitancy is having severe consequences as positive covid cases continue to rise. How should we go about persuading the vaccine-hesitant to get the vaccine? Plus, Texas Democrats have left the state in protest over a new voting bill, and Sarah has some thoughts. Is this bill an example of voter suppression or just over-eagerness from Democrats to have a talking point? Finally, tech companies face legislative threats from the state level. Chris questions the unintended consequences of big-tech bills. Show Notes: -Jonah’s column: “Vaccines Save Lives. Anti-Vax Hysteria Kills.” -Chris’s Article: “Anti-Vaccine Pandering Poses Risk for GOP” -Ramesh Ponnuru’s column on Biden’s response to voting bills: “Biden’s Voting Rights Bluster Recycles Failed Strategy” -CPAC 2024 Straw Poll Results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this week marked the six-month anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol, but the criminal investigations are only beginning to hit full stride. Scott MacFarlane, a local investigative reporter at NBC4 Washington, who has reported extensively on the aftermath of January 6, joins Sarah and Steve to discuss the status of the ongoing criminal trials. MacFarlane also talks about the increase in threats against members of Congress. Show Notes: -Scott MacFarlane’s twitter account -New York Times’ video investigation into January 6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, our hosts indulge in a wide-ranging airing of grievances, starting with a reflection on the political salience of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, six months after the fact. The gang then discusses whether Republicans have lost the right to be called the party of ideas and what might be behind the GOP’s current allergy to nuance. Sarah also explores the tension between Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump that cropped up over Trump’s recent Florida rally. Looking ahead to the 2024 elections, Chris argues that most pundits are missing who will be the biggest player, by far, in the contest: President Joe Biden. Lastly, Chris asks whether the abysmal state of election administration in some cases—as revealed by the recent New York City mayoral race—is proof that Democrats' are not taking threats to the American democracy seriously, and whether the failure to do so will make it easier for bad actors to steal elections. Show Notes: -New York Times: Inside the Capitol Riot: An Exclusive Video Investigation -Straw poll showing Ron DeSantis edging out Donald Trump in 2024 -Chris’ column on NYC mayoral race: “Nobody Will Ever Know Who Really Won” -Ezra Klein: California Is Making Liberals Squirm -Associated Press: Trump announces suits against Facebook, Twitter and Google Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Anthony Gonzalez returns to the podcast this week to discuss his re-election campaign against a Trump-endorsed challenger, the House’s new January 6 commission, how Democrats’ narrow majorities in Congress shape their behavior, what’s really on his constituents’ minds, and why embracing Trump’s election lies should be a non-starter for potential GOP candidates in 2024. Show Notes: -Declan’s article on Trump’s recent rally with Gonzalez’s primary opponent -Gonzalez’s previous Dispatch podcast appearance (Jan. 29) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Incompetence strikes again in New York’s mayoral race, a blow to American’s faith in government but not, our hosts argue, fuel for 2020 election fraud claims or a ding on ranked choice voting. The gang then discusses Vice President Kamala Harris’ belated visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. Steve points out that Harris’ clumsy handling of immigration is more than just a messaging failure, and says just as much about the Biden administration’s policy failures. David dives into why governors don’t call up the National Guard more (as South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem did recently for a border mission.) They also tackle an underreported aspect of infrastructure negotiations on the Hill and discuss what divides that drama reveals about the Democratic Party. Lastly, our hosts discuss Bill Barr’s defiance of former President Donald Trump on 2020 election fraud claims and whether the most hardcore Trump supporters qualify as a religion or a cult. Show Notes: -New York Times article about the chaos of the New York mayoral race -Texas Tribune article about Kamala Harris’ visit to the border -A Washington Post article about Kristi Noem’s deploying national guards to the border -Yuval Levin’s article in National Review about how what the media missed in the infrastructure reporting -Jonathan Karl’s story in The Atlantic about Bill Barr’s final days in Trump-era Department of Justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and Chris Stirewalt welcome RealClearPolitics associate editor and columnist A.B. Stoddard to the show today to run the gamut of the week’s political news. They discuss whether the bipartisan infrastructure deal is actually a compromise (and whether it can pass), why Kamala Harris is finally traveling to the border, and what needs to happen in Congress to preclude a nightmare scenario for the Republic in January 2025. Show Notes: -The Morning Dispatch breaks down infrastructure negotiations -Dems Botched Voting Rights; They Need a New Bill (A.B. Stoddard, RealClearPolitics) -The Sweep: Election Day in Gotham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Biden administration seeks to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September, the Taliban is already on the offensive. How should the United States respond? And how should the United States take care of the thousands of Afghans who have aided the United States against the Taliban? The gang discusses. Then, David brings up interesting statistics regarding how often each Supreme Court justice is part of the majority. Does this undermine the traditional categorization of justices along the ideological spectrum? Plus, they talk about the preliminary results in the New York Democratic primary, in which crime was the top voter issue according to opinion polls. What does this mean for the 2022 elections and beyond? Lastly, our hosts discuss the recent backlash from the left against musical actor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Show Notes: -FDD’s Long War Journal on the Taliban offensive -Thomas Joscelyn on Al-Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan -Thomas Joscelyn on the Taliban gains -Adam Liptak on Supreme Court justices’ proportions in majority Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mo Elleithee, a longtime Democratic operative and executive director of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service, joins Sarah and Chris Stirewalt to break down the results of the latest GU Battleground Poll. They talk about the implications of voters’ concerns about division, the nuanced differences between attitudinal and issue polling, and how the parties’ messaging on issues they respectively “own” are shaping political dynamics heading into the midterms. Show Notes: -GU Battleground Poll -Chris’ column on junk poling -This week’s Sweep on polling and primaries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The critical race theory battle has quickly invaded school boards all across the country - but is everyone arguing in bad faith? The gang considers the politics of CRT and the role of legislators in regulating public school curriculum. Plus, Sarah points out the flaws in issue polling and why we should be skeptical of the results. Finally, foreign policy galore. What should Biden say to Putin? Is this summit practice for an eventual showdown with China? Should Ukraine join NATO? Show Notes: -Poll: 29% of Republicans think Trump will be reinstated -For the People (Data for Progress) poll -Charles C.W. Cooke on critical race theory -The Sweep -Jonah’s column Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Purdue University President and former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels joins Sarah and Steve to talk about the state of higher education in America, wokeness on college campuses, and the national debt. Daniels explains Purdue’s new civics literacy test for all new students at the university, discusses his 2021 commencement speech and bringing back America’s “spirit of adventure,” and chats about riding into the ceremony on a motorized couch. Show Notes: -Purdue civics literacy test -Mitch Daniels’ 2021 commencement speech -FIRE study on college free speech -Mitch Daniels rides Couch to Commencement -Daniels op-ed regarding the national debt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With President Biden’s domestic agenda breaking down as he heads off on his first foreign trip, the gang talks about what it will take to get anything done in Washington. One person responsible for a great deal of stress for President Biden is Sen. Joe Manchin. Is he helping or hurting the Democrats? Plus, as U.S. forces begin to withdraw from Afghanistan, Sarah, Steve, Jonah, and David worry what will take its place. Finally: doom porn. Need we say more? Show Notes: -ProPublica tax story -Politico’s story on Biden and Manchin’s ‘Joemance’ -Cicadas vs. the presidential press plane -Joe Manchin: Why I'm voting against the For the People Act -Are We Destined for a Trump Coup in 2024? - Ross Douthat -Americans Are Dangerously Divided on the Insurrection - William Saletan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The politicization of the China lab-leak theory has only gotten worse as more and more information surrounding it comes out. To talk about why that is, and the merits of the theory itself, is Josh Rogin of the Washington Post. Rogin has been doggedly reporting on this very subject and even wrote a book about it. Show Notes: -Chaos Under Heaven by Josh Rogin -Josh’s Twitter page -Josh’s Washington Post page -Josh’s story on unsafe Wuhan lab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week this podcast talked about Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko scrambling a military jet to force down a Ryanair flight carrying a dissident journalist. Now, as more reporting reveals how involved Russian President Vladimir Putin was, Steve asks whether President Biden should be holding a summit with Putin in a few weeks. Also in the foreign policy vein, Jonah laments the fact that translators who have been helping the U.S. military in the Middle East aren’t able to get the help they need to remain safe. Plus, check out the discussion on the merits of ranked-choice voting and Ezra Klein’s interview with President Barack Obama. Show Notes: -Putin summit announcement -Biden floats sending Iran money after 9/11 -Interpreters may be left behind -How does ranked-choice voting work? -TMD on New York City mayor’s race -Ezra Klien interviews Barack Obama -Obama’s ‘guns, religion’ line -Then She Asked Me About Benghazi - Ben Rhodes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

King of the gun beat and founder of The Reload Stephen Gutowski joins Sarah and Steve to talk about all things gun related on today’s episode. The topic of guns induces plenty of passion, and comes with plenty of stereotypes and myths. Stephen, Sarah, and Steve talk about all of that, plus gun culture in America, the politics of guns, the NRA, and more. Stick around to the end to hear what Stephen thinks action movies are getting things wrong about guns. Show Notes: -Subscribe to The Reload -Gun ownership rising -Gallup historical polling on guns -We’re out of ammo -Stephen’s piece for The Dispatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Biden’s legislative agenda coming up against many roadblocks in Congress, Sarah, Steve, David, and Jonah debate which one of Biden’s main objectives will actually be made into law. Then, the gang explains even though Florida’s new “anti-Big Tech” law is likely to be unconstitutional, it could be a political win for DeSantis and anyone else who hitches their wagon to taking on Big Tech. Also in an extended, well-informed discussion about the violent crime spike, The Dispatch Podcast-ers talk about how we got in this situation, how to get out of it, and the politics of crime. Finally, Putin and leaders in Belarus have taken drastic measures to muzzle a journalist critical of the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, and the group discusses whether the threat of nuclear war is warranted to get the journalist back. Show Notes: The French Press on Florida’s anti-Big Tech law Could you beat a grizzly bear in unarmed combat? Violent crime spike No one wants to be a cop David’s French Press on the Columbus police shooting The Morning Dispatch on Belarus’ plane hijacking Taiwan is a country Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After being the only candidate to run against Rep. Elise Stefanik in a bid to replace Rep. Liz Cheney as the No. 3 House GOP leader, Rep. Chip Roy joins Sarah and Steve in this week’s episode. This wide-ranging interview touches on the January 6 commission, how Republican voters perceive the party, the Cheney ousting, and potential 2024 Republican presidential candidates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Israel/Palestine conflict has yet to cool down, but the rhetoric around the ongoing skirmish is heating up in the U.S. The gang talks about the pressure on Biden to help with the situation abroad. Plus, it seems as though a commission to look at the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 might not be getting much GOP support, if any at all. Sarah, Steve, David, and Jonah try to figure out who is to blame for that. David educates everyone on the abortion case the Supreme Court will be hearing, and the gang discusses the debate over the origins of COVID-19. Show Notes: -DNC boos Israel language -January 6 was just a “normal tourist day” -Pictures of Rep. Clyde blocking the doors into the Capitol -Advisory Opinions on SCOTUS abortion case -Historic polling on abortion - Gallup -How Abortion Views Are Different - David Leonhardt -Origins of Covid - Following the Clues -Josh Rogin’s Twitter -Don McNeil’s Lab Leak Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Minutes after New York Rep. Elise Stefanik was elected the House GOP’s new conference chairwoman, her predecessor, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney joined Sarah and Steve on today’s show to chat about the 2022 midterms, the future of the Republican Party, and the factors that precipitated her ousting from GOP leadership. Tune in to hear Cheney talk to our hosts about her relationships with her colleagues and why she won’t stop pushing back against the former president’s claims that the election was stolen: “Fundamentally for me, at the end of the day, if being on House leadership on the Republican side requires the embrace of that lie, that’s not something I’m willing to participate in.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so much going on in the news this week, it’s hard to pick one headline. Is it Liz Cheney being ousted from her leadership role for telling the truth? Or the fact that a major oil pipeline was attacked by ransomware? Or maybe the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine heating up and heating up fast? The gang discuss all of those topics and why a rise in independent voters may not actually be a good thing. Show Notes: -Cheney speech on the House floor -Cheney after her removal -Why more independents is actually bad -Latest version of “The Sweep” -“Doom” by Niall Ferguson -The Remnant with Klon Kitchen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Rep. Liz Cheney’s days as the No. 3 ranking House GOP official numbered, Sarah and Steve are joined by The Dispatch’s own Haley Byrd Wilt and Audrey Fahlberg to talk about what that means for the party. Next Wednesday, the Republican caucus will meet and a vote to oust Cheney is expected to take place. The four lay out what they see happening on Wednesday and what they expect the aftermath may be. Show Notes: -Haley’s latest Uphill -Audrey’s piece from the GOP Orlando retreat -Elise Stefanik on Steve Bannon’s show -Ruthless Podcast -Steve’s piece on the GOP leadership issues -Liz Cheney’s op-ed in the Washington Post Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fight over who is in and who is out within the GOP leadership has reached a boiling point. Rep. Liz Cheney, who survived a vote in February to oust her from her leadership position, may not be there much longer. Sarah and the guys break down what’s happening and how much of a chance Cheney has to survive another attempt to replace her. Also, the special election in Texas shows a weak spot for Democrats, Jonah asks the group if competitiveness even matters in the global economy, and the gang discusses what happens next in the fight against COVID-19 now that the U.S. seems to be hitting a vaccine hesitancy wall. Show Notes: -Steve’s piece on GOP leadership fight -Former President Trump’s statement on Liz Cheney -Audrey’s piece from the GOP retreat in Orlando -Texas 6th District special election results -The Sweep on the Texas 6th special election -Declan’s piece on cancel culture -Jonah’s column on the “New New Deal” -“The Liberals Who Can’t Quit Lockdown” - The Atlantic -Mali woman gives birth to not seven, but nine babies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former President George W. Bush has done a number of interviews recently to promote his new book, “Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants,” but none have covered as many topics as Sarah Isgur and Steve Hayes covered with him on The Dispatch Podcast. President Bush touches on everything from his strategy going into painting a portrait, the impact immigrants have on the United States, the future of the Republican Party, and even President Biden’s massive spending spree in his first 100 days in office. Show Notes: -“Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants” by George W. Bush -Transcript of our interview with former President George W. Bush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode starts off talking about every political junkie’s favorite arbitrary threshold, a presidential administration’s first 100 days. Hear what everyone thinks are the Biden administration’s greatest strengths and weaknesses. The gang debates what’s the most important aspect of the John Kerry leaking info to Iran story and how the U.S. Census will affect our politics and our country going forward. Then, stick around to hear if everything has gone to [BLEEP]. Show Notes: -Vice President Joe “put y’all back in chains” Biden -President Joe “worse than Jim Crow” Biden -Biden likes the FDR comparisons -Iran’s Foreign Minister, in Leaked Tape, Says Revolutionary Guards Set Policies - New York Times -U.S. Census Report -TMD on the census -Advisory Opinions podcast page -The Remnant podcast page -Stirewalt’s latest from The Dispatch -The G.O.P. Is Getting Even Worse - David Brooks -Latest French Press -New York Post reporter claims she was forced to write fake story, resigns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of murder, what happens next? Sarah flies solo on today’s podcast in an interview with former United States Attorney in the Office for the Eastern District of Virginia Zach Terwilliger to talk about just that. Sarah and Zach break down all of the legal jargon you may hear about this case and explain what to watch out for next in Derek Chauvin’s sentencing. Plus, Zach offers some advice to all of the wannabe federal prosecutors out there. Show Notes: -Zach Terwilliger Bio Page -Judge in Chauvin case talking about Maxine Waters -Definitions of manslaughter and degrees of murder -Minnesota Supreme Court/Chauvin case explainer -Women’s hockey coach assault case -Advisory Opinions podcast -DOJ announcement on Minneapolis PD -5 Minutes with Michele Roberts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People across the political spectrum had all sorts of different reactions to Officer Derek Chauvin being found guilty on all three charges in the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. Jonah says most of those reactions have been far from encouraging, “While a lot of the right-wing reaction makes me ashamed and embarrassed and infuriated and disgusted … a lot of the left-wing reaction, or a lot of the MSNBC reaction, has been very bad, too.” Plus, the gang also discusses Biden’s plan to withdraw from Afghanistan and how the news of Officer Brian Sicknick’s cause of death will affect the history of January 6, and Chris Stirewalt explains the Cook Political Report’s new Partisan Voter Index. Show Notes: -Derek Chauvin found guilty -The 1619 Project -David’s French Press on racism in America, adopting a black daughter -President Biden’s remarks on withdrawing from Afghanistan -Latest casualty status from the Defense Department -Cook Political Report’s Partisan Voter Index -Latest Sweep from Sarah, Chris, and Andrew -Officer Brian Sicknick dies of stroke -Sohrab Ahmari’s tweet on January 6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and David (who is stepping in for Steve this week) talk to the author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, Kristin Du Mez, about how the definition of masculinity for white Evangelical men has had a damaging impact on the whole country. “Once you have the eyes to see this, it’s hard not to see its pervasive reach,” she said. “The politics and the faith are so intertwined, and that’s what I try to pull through, those threads, and see how the influence really does go back and forth.” Plus, find out what friendly, neighborhood, sweater-wearing, former PBS television star is surprisingly not impressive to the mainstream Evangelical community. Show Notes: -Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation -Kristin’s Blog “The Anxious Bench” -Kristin’s next book on Christian femininity announcement -Kristin’s Twitter -Donald Trump riding a velociraptor -Kristin’s Faculty page at Calvin University -“A Man For All Seasons” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the FDA decided to pause the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following reports that six women—of the nearly 7 million Americans who have received the J&J vaccine—developed serious blood clots after getting the jab. Is pausing the vaccine worth the tradeoffs? Will the FDA’s move fuel vaccine hesitancy? Sarah, David, Chris and Jonah give us the scoop. Today, our hosts also chat about New York Times columnist Ross Douthat’s latest piece on what Bidenism owes to Trumpism, the GOP’s First Amendment retribution against woke corporations, and what Democratic pollsters have learned from their poor electoral forecasting leading up to the 2020 election. Show Notes: -“What Bidenism Owes to Trumpism,” by Ross Douthat in the New York Times. -“Confronting 2016 and 2020 Polling Limitations” by Pew Research Center. -“How Trump Steered Supporters Into Unwitting Donations” by Shane Goldmacher in the New York Times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a “scout” or a “soldier”? What do those terms even mean? In Julia Galef’s new book, The Scout Mindset, she argues the scout mindset is underrepresented in today’s world. “The scout’s role, unlike the soldier, is not to go out and attack or defend,” she says. “It’s to go out, and see what’s really out there as clearly as possible and to put together as accurate a map of the territory or a situation as you can.” Plus, listen closely for Steve’s John McLaughlin impression and why Julia believes bouncing between Airbnbs is way better than signing an actual lease. Show Notes: -“The Scout Mindset” by Julia Galef -Rationally Speaking Podcast -Julia Galef on Twitter -Julia’s TED Talk -The Dispatch Manifesto -Dr. Tom Gilovich -Julia’s Twitter thread about Airbnbs -Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If it’s a day that ends in “Y” in Washington, it’s probably a day during “infrastructure week.” The gang talks about President Biden’s infrastructure bill and debates whether or not it’s fair to call it an “infrastructure” bill. Plus, what should the U.S. do about the continued aggression coming from China and Russia, and the differences in voting laws in Georgia and Colorado. Finally, the controversy surrounding a 60 Minutes piece on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and whether or not “media bias” is the worst it’s ever been. Show Notes: -POLITICO’s Playbook on infrastructure -What is Starlink? -TMD on Russian aggression in Ukraine -Danielle Pletka’s latest for The Dispatch on Chinese aggression towards Australia -Oriana Skylar Mastro on The Remnant -The Washington Post Editorial on boycotting the Olympics -Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia/Colorado voting laws comparison -60 Minutes and Gov. Ron DeSantis - Poynter -Trump donors - The New York Times -“Why Being ‘Anti-Media’ Is Now Part Of The GOP Identity” - FiveThirtyEight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a wide-ranging conversation spanning from his time working in the Trump White House, to his early days as a leader in the House Freedom Caucus (which we learned was supposed to be called the “Reasonable Nutjob Caucus), Mick Mulvaney talks with Sarah and Steve about his life in politics. During the conversation, Mulvaney opines on John Boehner’s new book, what being chief of staff is actually like, whether or not he would have voted to impeach Donald Trump after January 6 and more. Plus, stick around for some tough questions from his fellow South Carolinian Trey Gowdy. Show Notes: -Mick Mulvaney on Twitter -John Boehner’s book excerpt from Politico -If He Loses, Trump Will Concede Gracefully - WSJ -Indiana Jones character or Mick Mulvaney? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden introduced a massive $2 trillion infrastructure plan in Pittsburgh, and the gang is wondering what type of fight the GOP is going to put up against the bill. Steve asks, “You’d think this might be something Republicans would object to and fight pretty strongly. Are you getting the sense that Republicans will do that?” To hear everyone’s dejected response to that question, just hit the play button. Other topics discussed are whether or not vaccine passports are a good idea, the first rumblings of 2024 presidential politics, and, finally, religion in America and what the growing number of “nones” means for the country’s future. Show Notes: -The latest version of The Sweep (read the whole thing!) -Politico polling on infrastructure plan -Israel’s vaccine passport protocols -Echelon Insights 2024 presidential polling -U.S. church membership falls below majority for first time - Gallup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We heard from many of you that you are having trouble persuading people close to you to take the COVID vaccine. You wished there was something you could pass along to people with the actual facts about the vaccine, not scary myths about why a person should not get it. You asked, and we listened. Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden joined Sarah and Andrew Egger (subbing in for Steve) to discuss all things vaccine related. Not only is Frieden an expert on the COVID vaccines, but also on listening to those who are concerned about taking it and trying to give them the scientific facts that support getting the shot. As he says, “Effective communication starts with listening. … I understand your concern, but I’ll share with you some information that may be helpful to you.” Show Notes: -Dr. Frieden’s bio -Resolve to Save Lives website -Pew Research polling on who would get the vaccine -Frank Luntz focus group with Dr. Frieden -Impact COVID has had on the flu -Dr. Frieden’s guide to a bike trip with his son -VaccineFinder from CDC’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week (so far) we have seen a mass shooting, a crisis at the border, a major walkback from President Trump’s favorite lawyer, Sidney Powell, and more. On today’s Dispatch Podcast, Steve, Sarah, Jonah, and David talk about all of it and then some. Gun violence has been front and center in the news, and rather than yelling about it, the gang has a well-informed, meaningful discussion about how best to solve this problem in the U.S. Plus, after discussing the border and China, all four talk about just how ridiculous the motion by Sidney Powell to dismiss the case against her is and what it means for center-right media. As Jonah puts it, “If you gave her a platform on your network, on your radio show, either in person or by proxy or simply reading their stuff and then you don’t tell your audience that this woman … has treated you all like suckers … then you’re part of the problem.” Show Notes: -Study on effectiveness of state gun regulations -American Psychological Association study on gun laws -Washington Post Fact Check on 1994 assault weapons ban -Reuters article on how and why kids are “smuggled” into the U.S. -Is there a “surge” at the border? Washington Post looks at the data -Jonah’s column on the China bilateral meeting -Last week’s Dispatch Podcast with Danielle Pletka -The Morning Dispatch: ‘The Kraken is Backtrackin’ -Court filing in Sidney Powell’s case -Major Biden is BACK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danielle Pletka, senior fellow and foreign policy expert at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Sarah and Steve to discuss all things foreign policy. The conversation starts with the fiasco that was the first bilateral meeting between the Biden administration and China, and then focuses on Pletka’s expertise related to foreign policy in the Middle East. The three also discuss Danielle’s recent piece for The Dispatch, a conversation she had with a Ph.D. candidate who was imprisoned in Iran for four years. Show Notes: -Danielle’s AEI page -“What the Hell is Going On?” podcast -Biden Administration/China bilateral fiasco -Biden/Putin spat -‘They Wasted Away Four Years of My Life’ -“How Mean Tweets—And Bad Predictions—Threaten to Derail Another Biden Nominee” -Profile of Xiyue Wang by Graeme Wood -“Internal Biden memo said to back 2-state solution along 1967 lines” - Times of Israel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a St. Patrick’s Day edition of The Dispatch Podcast, Sarah, Steve, Scott, and Declan start off today’s discussion with the ongoing migrant crisis at the border. Plus, the gang explains how while most of the conservative world was talking about Dr. Seuss and Pepe le Pew, Democrats jammed through the biggest advancement of the welfare state since LBJ’s administration. Scott points out, “When you really dig into the details you see Democrats laying the groundwork for a very substantial increase in the welfare state, and in ways that Democrats have long wanted.” And, what’s the fallout after a Biden administration official actually spoke strongly against the North Korean regime? Show Notes: -The latest GOP attack on Biden has a huge hole in it - Greg Sargent/Washington Post -Four people matching terror watchlist arrested at border - Axios -'Migrant president' Biden stirs Mexican angst over boom time for gangs - Reuters -Leaked NRSC polling data on immigration -Scott’s latest Capitolism newsletter -Conservatives Drift Leftward in the Plan to Rescue America - Ryan Streeter -Biden officials comments on North Korea -Biden Risks Repeating Mistakes of the Past if He Ignores the Evidence on Iran - The Dispatch -Declan’s TMD item on filibuster reform -Scott’s “Gridlock is good!” newsletter -The Dispatch March Madness Tournament Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time on The Dispatch Podcast, author of the Capitolism newsletter and neoliberal shill extraordinaire Scott Lincicome joins Sarah and Declan. On topics ranging from free-market fundamentalism to the crazy world of semiconductors, Scott brings his expertise to break it all down. As he says on today’s episode, “You know, Glengarry Glen Ross? It’s Always. Be. Shilling. … I will literally make any issue about trade and markets. It doesn’t matter what, whether it’s the chicken sandwich wars … or cheap T-shirts.” To cap it off, Scott speaks to being the reigning champion of the “Neoliberalism Shill'' tournament. Show Notes: -“Capitolism” newsletter -Scott’s Cato bio -Scott’s Twitter profile -Scott’s latest Cato paper “Manufactured Crisis” -Declan’s piece on semiconductors in TMD -Scott’s article on semiconductors -Vote your conscience in this year’s Neoliberal Shill Tournament Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congressional Democrats’ omnibus voting rights, campaign finance, and ethics bill, H.R. 1—also known as the “For the People Act”—passed in the House last week, and our hosts are here for the breakdown. Stay tuned to hear the gang chat about retirements in the GOP Senate, whether arguments about cancel culture are trumping more substantive public policy debates, and a surprise tabloid-y topic you won’t want to miss! Show Notes: -Democrats’ For the People Act and Republicans’ Save Democracy Act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dispatch’s associate editor and Morning Dispatch guru Declan Garvey joins Sarah to ask Oren Cass what his mission is with American Compass, a center-right organization of which he is the executive director. Cass thinks it’s time the conservative movement reforms itself and he is trying to do so from within. Cass says, “What has been missing from American politics and policy making is a conservatism that takes seriously the ways that public policy could really take on and address failures in our markets and things that are not going well in the economy.” Chief among the issues debated in this episode is Sen. Mitt Romney’s new child allowance proposal. The trio also discusses what Donald Trump’s lasting legacy will be in the Republican Party, and what it would mean for the party if he won again. Show Notes: -American Compass website -“The Once and Future Worker” by Oren Cass -Sen. Mitt Romney’s child allowance plan -Oren Cass’ op-ed in the New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate is set to debate the Biden administration’s COVID-19 relief package this week, and today the gang talks about the politics of getting it passed. Steve posits the administration’s strategy is more focused on public opinion, rather than what Republicans want: “They say ‘we care about bipartisanship outside the beltway, not inside the beltway.’” Along with the relief bill, the group discusses the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and debates whether an “endless war” in the country is a good idea or a bad one. Jonah and Sarah disagree on how important voting actually is. And finally, some good old-fashioned election punditry. The hosts talk about the strategy memo that came out from the GOP on how to retake the House in 2022. Show Notes: -The Remnant with Michael Strain -Morning Consult polling on COVID stimulus -“Last Exit From Afghanistan” by Dexter Firkins -SCOTUSblog write up of the Arizona voting rights case -House GOP 2022 strategy memo -Democratic Party autopsy - New York magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the Biden administration bungling their Covid-19 and vaccine messaging? As Steve put it to Jonah, “It’s awfully cynical of you to suggest that what they’re doing is withholding information because they want to pass their emergency relief bill, and you’re absolutely right to be that cynical.” Also up for discussion: why Xavier Becerra should have been the Biden nominee to have gotten the Neera Tanden treatment instead of Neera Tanden, U.S. relations with Iran and why Republicans who are not Trump loyalists cannot simply turn into Democrats. Show Notes: -The Case Against Xavier Becerra - The Dispatch’s David French -Audacity: How Barack Obama Defied His Critics and Created a Legacy That Will Prevail - Jonathan Chait -What about Joe? - Bill Kristol Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot off of his latest policy proposal, Sen. Mitt Romney joins the podcast to discuss his and Sen. Tom Cotton’s plan to raise the minimum wage, a proposal that also mandates that businesses use E-verify to prevent the hiring of undocumented workers. Sarah asks him about partisanship in the Senate, what he thinks of the current state of the Republican Party, and whether he’ll start a third party. He said, “There’s no question I’m in the minority of the Republican party these days. … A lot of people talk about ‘Why don’t you start a third party?’ That’s just not realistic.” Then, the gang breaks down the interview. Everyone agrees that it’s nice to finally be talking about policy again. They also explore why Romney (and some others) is committed to staying in the Republican Party. Show Notes: -Romney’s Office Press Release - Minimum Wage Plan -Is It Time for the Republican Party to Split Apart? - The Dispatch’s Declan Garvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a call with European foreign ministers on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said he would begin steps to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that was abandoned by the Trump administration. Today’s guest, Tom Josclelyn, thinks a series of upfront concessions to Tehran before the country’s leaders even come to the negotiating table would be an unwise foreign policy move for the Biden administration. “I’ve taken to calling it ‘servile diplomacy’ because it is very much from a submissive position,”Joscelyn tells Sarah and Steve. Tune in to hear our hosts’ take on China’s ongoing genocide against the Uighurs in Xinjiang, and the latest rocket attack on a U.S. airbase in Iraq. Show Notes: -“Biden Administration Formally Offers to Restart Nuclear Talks With Iran” by Lara Jakes, Michael Crowley, David E. Sanger and Farnaz Fassihi in the New York Times. -“Biden dismisses Uighur genocide as part of China’s ‘different norms’” by Emily Jacobs in the New York Post. -“‘Genocide’ is the wrong word for the horrors of Xinjiang” by the Economist. -Tom Joscelyn’s Vital Interests newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the beginning of the pandemic, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York drew ire from lawmakers of all political stripes for sending COVID-19 positive patients back into nursing homes. But resentment against the governor reached a tipping point in late January, when New York Attorney General Letitia James released a blistering report showing that his office significantly underreported the number of COVID-19 deaths in New York nursing homes. Cuomo has brushed aside those criticisms as a partisan smear campaign, and went so far as to write a book bragging about his leadership during the pandemic. “What is unforgivable, and really, frankly, kind of evil is this alleged covering up of what they did,” Jonah says on today’s show. Tune in to hear the gang chat about K-12 school reopening efforts, the Senate’s acquittal of Donald Trump, and Tim Alberta’s Nikki Haley piece in Politico. Stick around to hear our hosts chat about their Myers Briggs test results. Show Notes: -American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic by Andrew Cuomo. -“Nikki Haley’s Time for Choosing” by Tim Alberta in Politico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden has recently drawn ire from GOP lawmakers for lagging behind his stated goal of getting K-12 children back into the classroom for in-person instruction. Liesl Hickey, a partner at Ascent Media and co-founder of N2 America, joins the show to chat with Sarah and Steve about teachers unions, remote learning’s effect on student well-being, and whether the NRSC will play a bigger role in GOP primaries during the next election cycle. Show Notes: -“Remote learning failed my third-grader miserably. I pulled her out of public school.” by Liesl Hickey in USA Today. -“Surge of Student Suicides Pushes Las Vegas Schools to Reopen” by Erica L. Green in The New York Times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re on day two of the Senate’s second impeachment trial of Donald Trump and our hosts are here for the breakdown. On Tuesday, the House impeachment managers released a video montage of January 6 in an effort to tie former President Trump’s rhetoric and words to the storming of the Capitol. “[The video] had in many ways the effect that displaying a crime scene photograph has on a criminal trial,” David explains. “It tried to make it real again.” Tune in to hear Sarah and the guys chat about the constitutionality of impeachment, the mechanics of the trial, and the persuasiveness of Trump’s defense team. Stick around to hear our hosts chat about what National Pizza Day means to them. Show Notes: -Senate Impeachment Trial: House Managers’ January 6 Video Montage. -French Press: “The Impeachment Trial Vote Will Set a Precedent. Make It the Right One.” by David French in The Dispatch. -Brandenburg v. Ohio -“McConnell Signals Trump Conviction Is a GOP Conscience Vote” by Jennifer Jacobs in Bloomberg. -“The Constitution Doesn’t Bar Trump’s Impeachment Trial” by Chuck Cooper in the Wall Street Journal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Fox News Decision Desk team member Chris Stirewalt joins Sarah, Steve and Jonah to chat about GOP leadership members' struggle to police their own. Stick around for a chat about Joe Biden’s foreign policy agenda, Stirewalt’s take on why “the way America is getting its news is not working for America,” and … lima beans! And also for a very special announcement. Show Notes: -“How Kevin McCarthy fought off a party revolt” by Melanie Zanona in Politico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the coronavirus stimulus package front, Biden has refused to compromise on his commitment to sending $1,400 checks to Americans. Is it wise for the president to push such a bill through Congress in spite of Republican opposition? As Steve argues on today’s episode, “If Joe Biden’s intransigence this early is pissing off people like Rob Portman and Anthony Gonzalez, that’s a tough place.” Also on the menu for today: GOP House Leader Kevin McCarthy’s intra-party spats with Rep. Liz Cheney, the media’s obsessive fixation on Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the United Kingdom’s decision to welcome Hong Kong citizens. Show Notes: -“The Challenge of Going It Alone” by Amy Walter in the Cook Political Report. -“An Interview With Sen. Rob Portman” by Steve Hayes in The Dispatch. -“Can We Have (Another) Conversation About Cancel Culture?” by David French in The Dispatch. -“Republicans Are Playing a Risky Game in Elevating QAnon” by Jonah Goldberg in The Dispatch. -“The GOP’s Conspiracy Theorist Problem” by Audrey Fahlberg in The Dispatch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio Representative Anthony Gonzalez was one of only 10 GOP House members who voted for President Trump’s second impeachment, and he’s faced quite a bit of backlash from his constituents for doing so. “In the long arc of history, I believe it was the right vote, and I believe it sends the right message,” Congressman Gonzalez tells Sarah and Steve on today’s show. But Gonzalez still fears for the future of his party, especially considering most Republican voters still believe the election was stolen: “I don’t know how to govern in a world where we believe things that aren’t real.” Tune in to hear Gonzalez talk about social media censorship, our country’s crisis of leadership, and his former NFL career playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Show Notes: -Take our podcast survey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices