
The Dispatch Podcast
637 episodes — Page 4 of 13
Assad's Reckoning | Interview: Jonathan Spyer
Jamie is joined by Jonathan Spyer—director of research at the Middle East Forum and writer for the Jerusalem Post—to explain the insurgency in Syria. The Agenda: —Syria post-ISIS —The fall of Assad’s regime? —Lessons from Israel and Gaza —Syrian Kurds —Turkey’s interests in Syria —Proxy War or Local Uprising? —What should happen next? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Populists of the World, Unite | Roundtable
Sarah is joined by Steve and Jonah to discuss the developments in Syria and South Korea, President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, and what the “Deep State” really is. The Agenda: —Syrian Civil War —South Korea —The populism moment —The Hunter pardon —Preemptive pardons —Sarah and Steve’s Air Force Two stories —What is the “Deep State”? —NWYT: Real or fake Christmas trees? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Defending Taiwan | Interview: Michael Mazza
Michael Mazza, a senior fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute, joins Jamie to discuss the United States’ relationship with Taiwan relationship and what to do if China invades. The Agenda: —Responding to Lyle Goldstein's argument —China’s military capabilities —Consequences of Taiwan falling —Taiwan’s chipmaking capabilities —Nuclear war The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Debating American Involvement in Taiwan | Interview: Lyle Goldstein
Jamie is joined by Lyle Goldstein—director of the China Initiative at Brown University and the director of Asia Engagement at Defense Priorities—to discuss Goldstein’s case against American engagement in Taiwan. The Agenda: —Potential Chinese invasion scenarios —Democracy vs. realism —Red lines in the Pacific —Strategic ambiguity —China’s military capability —World War II —Moral considerations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Did It All Mean? | Roundtable
Sarah Isgur, Steve Hayes, and Chris Stirewalt revisit the election results and what they could mean for the future of American politics before examining the impact of Trump’s most recent cabinet appointments. The Agenda: —Permanent majority? —The Republican mandate —Failing to constrain Trump —Cabinet of allegations —Gaetz, Thune, and McConnell —How the media lost this election —Social media’s role in the election —Rise of misinformation —RFK Jr. and his track record Show Notes: —Sarah’s tweet —Horse in the hospital —Broken News —Georgetown Battleground Civility Poll —RFK Jr. on Joe Rogan The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Appointing Toadies | Interview: Andy McCarthy
National Review’s Andy McCarthy joins Jamie to defend his vote for Trump, discuss what we considers to be the weaponization of the Justice Department, and debate the implications of Rep. Matt Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general. Buckle in folks, we’re just getting started. The Agenda: —A binary choice —Will Gaetz be confirmed? —Investigating January 6 —Pete Hegseth and the large bureaucracy of the Pentagon —The president’s power to pardon raises legal questions —Rudy Giuliani’s decline Show Notes: —Andy McCarthy's previous appearance on The Remnant The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Trump Picks ... So Far | Roundtable
In a special emergency Advisory Opinions/Dispatch Podcast crossover, Sarah, David, and Steve react to Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks so far, break down the constitutionality of recess appointments, and Sarah offers a ... controversial take on the Matt Gaetz pick. The Agenda: —Tale of two Januaries —The Gaetz report —Recess appointments —Justice Scalia on recess appointments —Sarah’s defense of Gaetz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Foreign Policy of a Second Trump Administration | Interview: Rich Goldberg
Jamie welcomes Rich Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former National Security Council staffer during the Trump administration, to discuss the future of U.S. foreign policy under President-Elect Donald Trump. Together, they explore key strategies, potential challenges, and the incoming administration’s approach to global diplomacy. The Agenda: —Iran as the sower of discord —The issue with the term “hostage diplomacy” —Making a deal with the Saudis —Should Israel or the U.S. take out Iran’s nuclear capabilities? —Putin back in international conferences? —Don’t ignore the energy policy shift The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Kamala Harris Lost
This week, American voters delivered Donald Trump the White House and the Republican Party sweeping victories across the country. Sarah, Jonah, and Steve try to figure out what went wrong with Kamala Harris’ campaign. The Agenda: —What decided this election? —“She’s for they/them.” —The education and Latino realignment —A second Trump term —Political vibe merchant —Worth our time: The future of The Dispatch The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As Goes Pennsylvania | Interview: Charlie Dent
Charlie Dent, former GOP representative and senior policy adviser at DLA Piper, joins Jamie to discuss how Harris could win Pennsylvania and what motivates voters in swing states. The Agenda: —Harris’ chances in collar counties —As Northhampton county goes —Swing states, post-Dobbs —The Madison Square Garden rally —When will we get Pennsylvania results? —Trump’s illiberalism —January 6 —Moderating on abortion Show Notes: —Interview with Hugh Hewitt The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Polling, What Is It Good For? | Roundtable
Sarah is joined by Steve, Jonah, and special guest Steve Kornacki—national political correspondent and polling extraordinaire for NBC News—to discuss the state of the race just four days out from Election Day. The Agenda: —Is polling worth our time? —The Haley-Cheney voters in Wisconsin —Is the race really tied? —The gender gap —Garbage trucks —Will garbage-gate affect turnout? —Predictions Show Notes: —Stirewalt on The Remnant —The Daily Show garbage montage The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Voting Against Kamala | Interview: Hugh Hewitt
Jamie is joined by nationally syndicated radio host and political commentator Hugh Hewitt to explain why he thinks a Kamala Harris presidency would be disastrous enough to justify a vote for Donald Trump. This is the second part of a double episode. Listen to Jamie talking with David Frum for the case for voting against Trump. The Agenda: —Does Harris believe in anything? —Friends to Israel —The case for Trump —Trump’s foreign policy —The John Kelly remarks —Trump’s staff —J.D. Vance and Tucker Carlson —Against Never Trumpers The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Voting as a Marital Crisis | Roundtable
Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve dive into the latest geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Ukraine, and Israel before turning to Liz Cheney’s influence on Kamala Harris’ political strategy and its implications for conservatives. The Agenda: —North Korea and Russia —Israel update —What if Ukraine loses? —What a Harris administration could look like —Conservative vs. Republican —Liz Cheney —Abortion —Spousal voting —Halloween Show Notes: —The Dispatch Summit The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Voting Against Trump | Interview: David Frum
Notorious RINO and Atlantic writer David Frum joins Jamie Weinstein to explain why he’s voting for Kamala Harris this election. Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and a longtime critic of Donald Trump, believes that the current Republican Party no longer reflects conservative principles and has been overtaken by populism. The Agenda: —Frum’s history with conservatism —Donald Trump as a “unique danger” —Frum’s personal connection to the Gaza hostages —Assessing Kamala Harris’ and Donald Trump’s foreign relation strategy —Is J.D. Vance dangerous? —Is Frum still a border hawk? —Canada’s new leaders are emerging after housing crisis —What to make of campus protests over Gaza Show Notes: —Frum for The Atlantic: Women Can Be Autocrats, Too The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kamala vs. The Media | Roundtable
Sarah, Jonah, and Declan are joined by Megan McArdle, a columnist for The Washington Post, to discuss Kamala Harris’ recent media blitz culminating in her interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier. They also dive into the latest vibe shift and close with a conversation about the purpose of “steelmanning.” The Agenda: —Kamala Harris’ media blitz —Is Harris prepared for tough questions? —Avoidance of Biden slander —Sexism or partisanship? —Analysis of the evolving polls —Trump and male voters —Trump’s exaggeration —Mommy Party vs. Daddy Party —What is steelmanning? Show Notes: —Harris’ Fox News interview —J.D. Vance discussing Venezuela on ABC News —Noah Smith's post on steelmanning The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What The People of Gaza Actually Think | Interview: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib
Palestinian-American activist and resident senior fellow at The Atlantic Council Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib joins Adaam James Levin-Areddy to discuss growing up in the Gaza Strip, the challenge of polling public opinion in Gaza, the future of Palestinian self-governance, whether there is a meaningful contingent in support seeking peace with Israel. The Agenda: —The story of Gaza —Hamas vs. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) —October 7 —Breaking down support for Hamas in Gaza —Palestinian sovereignty and UNRWA —Do Palestinians want peace? —The radicalism of the moderate voice Show Notes: —Ahmed’s piece for The Dispatch —Adaam talks with Dr. Einat Wilf about UNRWA and the refugee industrial complex —Adaam and Jonah talk on Oct. 7, 2023 The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Deciders | Interview: Tevi Troy
Tevi Troy, author of The Power and the Money, joins Jamie to discuss the clash and collusion of business and politics. The Agenda: —When the CEO met the preisdent —Barack Obama and Elon Musk —Selective enforcement of policies —Risk of political bets —Are Republicans anti-business? —Strategies for a better country —Overworking FEMA Show Notes: —The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry —Ye Olde Deep State —Shall We Wake the President? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Politics of Disaster | Roundtable
Sarah, Kevin, and Steve discuss the devastation of recent hurricanes and the politics of the disaster response. Also, with several interviewers fawning over Kamala Harris, journalists coming under fire for committing journalism, and newsrooms collapsing into emotional struggle sessions, they ask: Is CBS News worth their time? The Agenda —Political polarization —Reliability in voting trends —Hurricane politics —FEMA conspiracies —Blame in crisis management (Bush v. Biden) —CBS producers shield Ta-Nehisi Coates and Kamala Harris from journalism —The ethics of editing journalism Show Notes: —The effect of conspiracies —The CBS News interview before the struggle sessions The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Editorial director and executive producer: Adaam James Levin-Areddy Associate producers: Victoria Holmes and Noah Hickey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Year Since Oct 7: The Future of the War (pt. 2) | Interview: Dan Senor
Jamie Weinstein is joined by Dan Senor—author of The Genius of Israel and host of the Call Me Back podcast—to discuss the future of governance in Gaza, what the death of Hezbollah leadership means for Israel and Iran, and why he remains optimistic for Israel’s future. Listen to the first part of this special episode here. The Agenda: —Dan on the day of October 7 —The state of Israel’s economy —Israel’s evolving military strategy —Israeli startups —Success against Hezbollah —Iran’s nuclear program —The role of the U.S. and the Biden administration —Trust in Israeli leadership —The remaining hostages —Gaza’s future The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Year Since Oct 7: Israel After the Massacre (Part 1) | Roundtable
Jonah, Adaam, and Charlotte join Jamie for the first half of a two-part series commemorating the horrific October 7 attacks on the Israeli people. Charlotte provides a first-hand account from her reporting in Israel over the past year; Adaam, a native Israeli, offers insight into the psychological ramifications of the event; and Jonah explains what this moment means for American Jews and the resurgence of antisemitism in politics. The Agenda: —Charlotte's reporting in TMD about October 7 —Reflections from a year ago —Psychological ramifications —What is Benjamin Netanyahu’s role now? —Media reactions and public perception —Life in Israel currently Show Notes: —Jonah and Adaam's October 8 podcast following the attacks —Bill Buckley's In Search of Anti-Semitism —Dispatch Faith remembering October 7 The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Experts That Failed Us | Roundtable
Sarah and Jonah welcome Mike Pesca, the host of The Gist, to dive into the nuances of the recent vice-presidential debate. They explore J.D. Vance’s approach of creating a likable persona in an attempt to woo voters, and discuss how, at times, the guidance of field experts has led public opinion astray. They also contemplate the potential future of the Supreme Court, examining the implications of current political dynamics and how they might shape future judicial decisions. The Agenda: —Jonah's G-File on the race to being likable —Should we continue listening to experts? —TMD: Israeli Leaders Mull a Retaliatory Attack on Iran —Advisory Opinions episode: Supreme Court litigations —Supreme Court legitimacy Show notes —Mr. Nice Guy Maneuver —Israel Ponders A “Winnable War” —The Genius of Israel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Highest Calling | Interview: David Rubenstein
Jamie is joined by David Rubenstein—co-founder of The Carlyle Group and author of The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency—to discuss the legacies of presidents from Abraham Lincoln to Joe Biden and what we can do about America’s debt. The Agenda: —Original interviews with presidents —Is Lincoln the greatest president? —Unpredictable paths to the presidency —Franklin D. Roosevelt’s transformation —Gerald Ford’s Pardon of Richard Nixon —Donald Trump and Joe Biden —Anti-Israel encampments —Debt and global stability The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All the Lonely Conservatives (Left, Right & Center Crossover)
Sarah Isgur drags David French and Jonah Goldberg into the podcast multiverse, resulting in a dramatic Dispatch/Left, Right & Center crossover. The Agenda: As Liz Cheney goes, so go a narrow faction of the loosely-defined never-Trump Republicans Conservatism is not on the menu What a president can't do Are Israel attacks on Hezbollah a prelude to a regional war? Our thanks to our friends at KCRW's Left, Right & Center for making this collaboration happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Iran Suicidal? | Interview: Reuel Marc Gerecht
Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former Iranian-targets officer in the Central Intelligence Agency and current fellow at the Foundations for the Defense of Democracy, joins Jamie to discuss Israel’s most recent operation against Hezbollah and how Iran might respond. The Agenda: —The effectiveness of Israeli intelligence operations —How did Hezbollah get the pagers? —Is Iran suicidal? —The health of the Ayatollah —Intelligence failure on October 7 —U.S. engagement in the Middle East Show Notes: —TMD's reporting on the attacks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m Not Inflaming Political Violence, You Are | Roundtable
Sarah and Steve are joined by Mike Warren from the campaign trail in North Carolina and former Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp to discuss the state of the race and the Trump campaign's ground game (or lack thereof). The Agenda: —Are we going through a political realignment? —Teamsters won’t endorse a president —Ground game vs. legal strategy —Political violence this election season —The former president grasps for “media bias” straws —The Exotic Cat-Eaters of Springfield, Ohio —Paging Hezbollah Show Notes: —What Would Stop the Steal 2.0 Look Like? —New York Times poll —Boiling Frogs: Hot-Blooded The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donald Trump’s Soul | Interview: Olivia Nuzzi
This interview was recorded prior to the apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Olivia Nuzzi, Washington correspondent for New York Magazine, joins Jamie to discuss her recent profile of Donald Trump, “I Examined Donald Trump's Ear — and His Soul. ”The Agenda: —Trump after the July 13 assassination attempt —Behind the iconic photo —How does Trump view himself? —Trump’s childhood home —Trump’s presidential portrait —Nuzzi’s profile of Joe Biden —“Humanizing” Donald Trump —Would Nuzzi profile anyone? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who Moderates the Moderators | Roundtable
Sarah, Steve, and Jonah break down the first (and possibly only) debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and whether or not it will move the needle. The Agenda: —Kamala Harris won —Will the Trump-Harris debate actually matter? —Steve missed the eating pets controversy —Trump’s debate prep —No clarity on abortion policy —The rise of independent voters —Is media bias worth your time? Show Notes: —“Keep the cat memes flowing” —Chris Rufo’s $5,000 cat-eating bounty —The Federalist: ABC Should Be Prosecuted For Illegal Contributions To Harris In ‘Debate’ —Post-debate Dispatch Live —Fact-checking the Harris-Trump ABC News debate —The RFK Jr. dead bear cub story The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MAGA No More? | Interview: Jonathan Martin
Jonathan Martin, Politico’s politics bureau chief and senior political columnist, joins Jamie to explain why the GOP needs to lose big in order to hasten a post-Trump Republican Party. The Agenda: —Martin’s POLITICO piece on a Post-Trump party —Unapologetic book plug —Is Steve Hayes a RINO? —If Trump loses 2024, will he run again? —J.D. Vance as a VP candidate —Was Joe Biden’s ousting planned months ago? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liberal Elegy | Roundtable
Reason Magazine editor-at-large Nick Gillespie joins Sarah, Steve, and Jonah to discuss whether conservatives (and libertarians) would be better off with a Trump or Kamala win in November. The Agenda: —If Republicans Want to Win, They Need Trump to Lose — Big —No small government parties —Trump and Harris’ “harmonic convergence” —To fight wokeness, vote Harris —The way forward for third parties —The need for a new consensus —Future of the two-party system Show Notes: —Yuval Levin on Advisory Opinions The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Surviving Trumpworld | Interview: H.R. McMaster
Retired General H.R. McMaster joins Jamie to discuss his book, At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House, and give a detailed account during his time as Trump's national security adviser. The Agenda: —Trump’s disruptive nature —The Russian collusion narrative that created a cloud over Trump's presidency —Trump’s moods and rages —McMaster’s proudest achievements —Inside Trump’s decision-making process —Should there be a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas? Show Notes: —John Kelly’s comments to CNN —John Kelly's accusations about Trump’s service member comments The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
All That Fluff | Roundtable
Megan McArdle joins Steve, Jonah, and Sarah to adjudicate the minutiae of the least consequential civil war you'll ever regret hearing about: between the Bulwark Front of Judea and the Judean Dispatch Front. The Agenda: —Harris’ first interview —Moving to the right —Does media matter? —Killing the primary system —The Twitter Spat —Against endorsements —Why it’s important to be honest Show Notes: —John Berman’s interview with Michael Tyler on fracking —Nick Catoggio on The Twitter Spat The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are the Normies Taking Over? | Interview: Ben Dreyfuss
Ben Dreyfuss, the former Mother Jones editorial director who now publishes the Calm Down Substack, shares his insights from the Democratic National Convention and takes Jamie's questions about whether Kamala Harris showed her party that she's a competent candidate. The Agenda: —From the convention floor of the DNC —The left-wing influence —Decline of woke politics —Speculating Harris' priorities as president —Implications of a Trump victory —The future of journalism Show Notes: —Dispatch Live post-DNC recap The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SNEAK PEEK: Kamala Is the Democratic Nominee | Dispatch Live Roundtable
E: This recording is from the first half of Dispatch Live. For the full episode, become a member to listen on The Skiff. Sarah, Jonah, Mike, Charles, and David discuss the aftermath of the DNC and the surprising impact from the Harris' speech. What is The Skiff? This is the combined podcast feed of all of the members-only bonus content that The Dispatch produces. Here you’ll find every Dispatch Live episode, the Dispatch Book Club, AMAs with Jonah (and others), the account of Sarah and Steve’s nail-biting wager in High Steaks, and many, many more exclusive, uncut and ad-free surprises: all available in one superfeed to make sure you don’t miss a single episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Can Kamala Harris Escape Her Record? | Interview: Bakari Sellers
Friend of Vice President Kamala Harris and former South Carolina Representative Bakari Sellers joins Jamie to defend Harris’ unwillingness to sit down for interviews and her ideological fluctuations. The Agenda: —Harris as a “practical progressive” —Evolving policy positions —Harris’ economic agenda —Defending Israel —Jonah owes Bakari a drink? —Racial disparities in modern America —The state of boxing Show Notes: —Nick Catoggio’s Boiling Frogs newsletter on Harris agenda —Jonah’s G-File on price gouging —The life of Cleveland Sellers The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
David French Is Wrong (Or Is He?) | Roundtable
Let's talk about voting. Sarah, Jonah, and Megan McArdle get epistemological breaking down David French's column endorsing Kamala Harris and realize they can't even agree on the the purpose of voting. What kind of Democrat will Kamala Harris run as, anyway? The Agenda: —David French: To Save Conservatism From Itself, I Am Voting for Harris —Jonah: Voting Isn’t A Window Into the Soul —Why Megan is voting for Harris —Jonah has lost Sarah —Can “Obamaism” save Democrats? —Harris’ policy platform will be “light on detail” —Blaming greedy capitalists —“Has the U.S. beat inflation, Mr. President?” —Will the DNC boost Harris? —Should journalists publish hacked information? Show Notes: —Matt Yglesias on greedflation —Eric Levitz on greedflation —Scott Lincicome on greedflation The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Should Never Trumpers Do Now? | Interview: Matt Lewis
Daily Beast columnist Matt Lewis joins Jamie to discuss the shifting dynamics of the 2024 election cycle and why he believes Donald Trump’s “threat to democracy” doesn’t mean he has to vote for Kamala Harris. The Agenda: —Current presidential landscape —What happened to J.D. Vance? —Is Trump actually a threat to democracy? —Will the Never Trump movement ever be irrelevant? —Best- and worst-case scenarios of a Trump presidency Show Notes: —Filthy Rich Politicians: The Swamp Creatures, Latte Liberals, and Ruling-Class Elites Cashing in on America —Kevin Williamson on Vance's misplaced blame of the working class —Jamie Weinstein on "The Next Level" podcast The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pivoting to the Far Left | Roundtable
Sarah, Jonah, and Megan McArdle break down the Tim Walz vice presidential pick and discuss the state of conservatism at the local level. Plus: an off-the-rails Not Worth Your Time. Steve, close your ears. The Agenda: —The Tim Walz pick —Are the Harris-Walz vibes better? —“Kamabla” —Is conservatism alive at the state level? —Markets aren’t fun anymore —Jonah’s mommy/daddy theory —“America is in a bad marriage” —Tim Walz’s "slanderous" couch joke —Ballerina farm: How’s feminism doing? —NWYT: Doggy perfume Show Notes: —Boiling Frogs on the Walz pick —“Notice how the barrel of Walz’s gun is pointed away from his dog.” —Jonathan Rauch on The Remnant The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Will Israel Become a Rogue State? | Interview: Nadav Eyal, Einat Wilf, & David French
Are Israel and Iran rolling towards a regional war? Can Israel still rely on the United States as an ally? Is the war in Gaza over and did Hamas already win? Adaam is joined by senior Yedioth Ahronoth reporter Nadav Eyal, political commentator and author of The War of Return Einat Wilf, and Advisory Opinions special guest (and New York Times columnist) David French to discuss the balance of power in the Middle East. Show Notes: —Kevin D. Williamson's piece on Israel not 'risking' a regional war —Charlotte Lawson's reporting from Israel —Einat's appearance on The Remnant The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Weirding Way | Roundtable
What a difference two weeks make. Jonah, Sarah, Chris Stirewalt, and a beach-bound Megan McArdle discuss whether Kamala Harris’ newly energized and surprisingly disciplined campaign is getting on Trump’s nerves. The agenda: —Kamala basking in the coconut glow —Trump’s onstage interview at the NABJ conference —Gov. Roy Cuppa —Trump’s messy messaging on Kamala Harris’ identity —J.D. Vance’s controversial comments —Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan come home —More Sarah lore Show Notes: —Nick Catoggio on Democrats' "weird" messaging The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newt Gingrich: ‘We Must Win’ | Interview
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, author of March to the Majority and host of Newt’s World, joins Jamie to debate foreign policy, Donald Trump, the media, and coup d’états. The Agenda: —The preservation of Israel —Going all in on Ukraine —What Never Trumpers miss about Donald Trump —Who is the “establishment” and who is not? —The assassination attempt —How will history remember January 6 —The left-wing drift of the media —Was Joe Biden forced out by a coup? —Technological and biological advances Show Notes: —Letters of Jonathan Netanyahu —A trio of books on real age: Michael F. Roizen’s The Great Age Reboot, Nir Barzilai’s Age Later, and David Sinclair’s Lifespan —Peter Drucker’s The Effective Executive —Arnold Toynbee’s A Study of History The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'This Ought to Be Alarming' | Roundtable
Steve, Jonah, and Michael are joined by TMD editor Mary Trimble to discuss Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress and the subsequent protests. They also analyze Kamala Harris’ response, elite wagon-circling, Donald Trump’s scary unification of the Republican Party, and Joe Biden’s withdrawal. The Agenda: —Bipartisan moments: Iran and October 7 —Israel’s place in U.S. politics and its own domestic politics —Pro-Hamas protests —Why isn’t Kamala Harris having her “Sister Souljah moment?” —The mainstream media’s spin on “border czar” —How the assassination attempt changed nothing about Donald Trump —Was Biden’s speech worth our time? Show Notes: —Harris' statement on the D.C. protests, published after recording this episode —Video of the D.C. Palestinian Youth Movement releasing maggots —The Morning Dispatch —Axios article on “border czar” mistake —Montage of news anchors saying “border czar” —GovTrack scrubbing its rating of Kamala Harris as the “most liberal senator” —Politico’s “law and order” quotes from Kamala Harris —G-File on Jonah’s “Sigh of Relief” —Laura Loomer’s loony tweet —Nick Catoggio’s “Wishful Thinking” The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TEASER: Biden Drops Out
This is the first half of our Dispatch Live livestream from last night. If you’d like to watch or listen to the full episode (which we highly recommend!), please become a Dispatch member on https://thedispatch.com/join/ On yet another emergency edition of Dispatch Live, Sarah is joined by Steve, Jonah, and Mike to break down President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. The Agenda: —Should Biden resign? —What a Kamala Harris campaign might look like —The campaign finance question Show Notes: —Dispatch Politics: Biden Withdraws From the 2024 Election —Boiling Frogs: The Return of the Smoke-Filled Room —Cole Murphy: How Democrats Could Replace Joe Biden as Their Nominee, Explained —Dispatch Editorial: It’s Democrats’ Turn to Make the Hard Decision Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Would a Second Trump Term Mean for Foreign Policy? | Interview: Eliot Cohen
Eliot Cohen, professor emeritus at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, thinks a second Trump term won’t have a dramatic effect on American foreign policy. He joins Jamie to debate this point, the risk of pulling out of NATO and abandoning allies, and whether America is bound to retreat from global affairs. NOTE: This episode was recorded on Friday, July 19, 2024—two days before President Joe Biden announced he wouldn’t be running for reelection. The Agenda: —Cohen’s piece in The Atlantic —Pulling out of NATO —The proliferation of nuclear weapons —Relationships with China and Taiwan —Concerns about J.D. Vance advising Trump Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TEASE: Trump Goes Off Script, Because Of Course He Does | Dispatch Live
* This is the first half of our Dispatch Live livestream from last night. If you'd like to watch or listen to the full episode (which we highly recommend!), please become a Dispatch member on https://thedispatch.com/join/ * It's Dispatch After Hours. Our intrepid reporters stayed up till the wee hours to catch former President Trump's full speech on the last night at the Republican National Convention. In a manic edition of Dispatch Live, a sleep-deprived Sarah is joined by Jonah and Steve... as well as the entire Dispatch Politics team—David M. Drucker, Michael Warren, John McCormack, and Charles Hilu—reporting from the convention in Milwaukee. Was Trump able to stick the landing on his unity speech (or for that matter, to stick to the script)? Are Republicans going through an existentialist phase? Will Biden still be the nominee next week? Was the convention worth our time? What are we even doing here? You can watch or listen to the full episode here: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Assassination Attempt | Roundtable
Sarah, Steve, Jonah, and David French discuss the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump during a Pennsylvania rally over the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Happened in France | Interview: Bernard-Henri Lévy
NOTE: This episode was recorded last week July 10, before the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. French public intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy joins Jamie on today’s episode to discuss the surprise rise of the far-left in the French elections and its implications for Western foreign policy. Plus: why BHL’s glad he’s not American. Agenda: —French antisemitism —How extremism is devouring the center —Why Jews must stay in France —The “made-up” question of migrants —Broken economic schemes —Why America actually won in Afghanistan —“Ukraine and Israel are two front lines of the same war” Show Notes: —Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld’s remarks on voting —Jeffrey Goldberg’s “Is it time for Jews to leave Europe?” —BHL’s “In The Footsteps of Tocqueville” —BHL’s “The Afghan Who Won’t Surrender to the Taliban” —Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls —Douglas Murray —Adam Gopnik The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Biden Presser Leaves Dems in Limbo | Roundtable
Sarah, Steve, and Jonah are joined by Axios’ national political correspondent Alex Thompson to analyze Joe Biden’s performance during Thursday’s press conference and where the president stands within his own party. The Agenda: —Vindication for Robert Hur —Criticizing media coverage of Biden —Vice President Kamala Harris’ electability —Tensions between former Barack Obama aides and the Biden campaign —Donald Trump’s campaign strategy Show Notes: —The Dispatch Podcast with Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns —George Clooney's New York Times op-ed The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Democrats Should Stop Gaslighting Us' | Interview: Tim Miller
Steve is joined by The Bulwark's Tim Miller to briefly rehash their disagreement from March and discuss the backlash Miller has received since calling for Biden to step down. The Agenda: —Not interested in circling the wagon —The spin isn’t working —The American People Should Demand Better —Trump and Biden are “categorically” different —Biden’s “MAGA” response —Who would Tim pick instead of Biden? —Credibility in opinion journalism Show Notes: —Tim Miller’s interview on his book, Why We Did It —“The Dispatch and the Bulwark walk into a bar…” —The Bulwark: “Stephen Hayes: Grading Biden” —Tim Miller: “The Bidens Need to Have a Talk” —Tim Miller: “Dear Dems: The Gaslighting Isn’t Helping Matters” —Reagan and Mondale’s 1984 debate —“It’s Democrats’ Turn to Make the Hard Decision” —The Bulwark: “Jon Lovett: Unprecedented Times” —Miss South Carolina answers a question The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How MAGA Election Conspiracies Threaten Public Servants | Interview: Stephen Richer
Stephen Richer, the Maricopa County recorder—a public official responsible for recording public documents—joins Jamie to discuss the harassment campaign against him and his thoughts about the 2024 election. The Agenda: —What is a county recorder? —The “lynch” threat —Looking into 2020 fraud claims —Richer’s defamation lawsuit —Did Trump know the 2020 fraud claims were false? —What happens in 2024? —Being a part of Trump’s GOP The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dishonest, Partisan, or Just Bad at Their Job? | Roundtable
In a special Independence Day episode, Sarah, Jonah, and Steve share their Fourth of July traditions and try to figure out how Democrats can get out of this mess. The Agenda: —Calvin Coolidge’s Declaration of Independence speech —Centuries-old cherries found at Mt. Vernon —Why won’t Joe Biden leave the race? —Biden’s statement on the SCOTUS immunity ruling —What would Sarah do? —Harris has a problem —Did the media cover Biden’s age well? —What does all this mean for Trump’s VP pick? Show Notes: —A celebration of a free press —Jonah’s G-File on parties —Jake Tapper and Sen. Chris Coons —Steve on Tim Miller’s podcast —Matthew Dowd’s tweet —Hadas Gold’s piece on White House reporters —New York Times editorial on Biden The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices