The Politics Guys

In this listener comment episode Trey and Mike discuss: Trey’s take on what a Libertarian is How Democrats could pay for Medicare for all Why the GOP has trouble with racism How Mike would run Trump and Trey would run a Democratic opponent Why 3rd Parties struggle in the U.S. even when people seemingly hate the two major political parties Why The Politics Guys hasn’t covered the Obama spying scandal Listener Support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(There was a very short period in Mike’s life where he thought he could handle his teaching job, write a book, host The Politics Guys, and start a new podcast – Politics Plus. It soon became evident to Mike how insane trying to do all this at once was, and so he quickly shut down Politics Plus. But before he did, he’d posted four interviews – all of which he thinks are pretty good and are worth sharing with you as Politics Guys bonus episodes.) ***** ***** ***** Mike talks to Tali Sharot, director of the Affective Brain Lab and an Associate Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience in the department of Experimental Psychology at University College London. Dr. Sharot’s research integrates neuroscience, behavioral economics, and psychology to study how emotion influences people’s beliefs, decisions and social interactions. She’s the author of The Optimism Bias and, most recently, The Influential Mind: What the Brain Reveals About Our Power to Change Others. Mike and Dr. Sharot discuss: how some information is like sex and plum pie why Donald Trump was so much more influential than his Republican presidential rivals how our attempts to persuade others can actually boomerang on us, leaving them less persuaded than they were to start with how to go from getting someone to agree with you to getting them to act when crowds are wise and when they’re not and lots more Follow the Affective Brain Lab on Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Mike open this week’s show focusing on the recent Ohio 12th District special election. Both Trey and Mike agree that the 12th District looks like trouble for Republicans. This year, statistically, Democrats should do better and both agree the evidence suggests they might do a bit better than that. Specifically Trey points to the shifting demographics for Republicans where suburban voters are leaving Republicans as rural voters increase. Next is a discussion of Missouri’s recent strike down of a “right to work” law. Trey and Mike disagree over whether such laws — which do not allow employment to be dependent on union membership — help or hurt workers. They do agree that the law’s failure to pass is evidence that there is a structural shift taking place in American politics. After that Trey and Mike return to the trial of Paul Manafort — again — and investigate how this might or might not affect President Trump. At this point it doesn’t seem there is much connection to Trump and Mike takes the depressing view that nothing seems to shake Trump supporters. Then it is time to discuss Representative Chris Collins and his alleged insider trading. In a broader take on the issue Mike offers that members of Congress ought to be paid more and not allowed to sit on publicly traded boards. Mike and Trey finish the show by putting Nunes’ comments in context. Mike thinks it shows the widening gap between discourse communities and Trey contextualizes the issue by suggesting such comments are not too far from par in private fundraising situations. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this listener comment episode Mike and Jay discuss: Google and antitrust Mike’s inconsistent use of Occam’s Razor Why there aren’t more good candidates Jay’s ‘line in the sand’ on Trump The $12 billion in payments to U.S. farmers hurt by the trade war The information release fight between the Department of Justice and House Republicans President Trump’s calls to halt the Mueller investigation Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(There was a very short period in Mike’s life where he thought he could handle his teaching job, write a book, host The Politics Guys, and start a new podcast – Politics Plus. It soon became evident to Mike how insane trying to do all this at once was, and so he quickly shut down Politics Plus. But before he did, he’d posted four interviews – all of which he thinks are pretty good and are worth sharing with you as Politics Guys bonus episodes.) Mike talks to Mona Charen, one of the most prominent conservative voices in the United States. She writes a syndicated column that appears in more than 200 newspapers, she’s a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and is the author of the books Useful Idiots, Do-Gooders,and the recently released Sex Matters: How Modern Feminism Lost Touch with Science, Love, and Common Sense. Topics they cover include: differences between pioneering feminists and the ‘second-wave’ feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s feminism and the Marxist concept of ‘false consciousness’ what science tells us about biological differences between the sexes whether women can ‘have it all’ how sexual empowerment was a wrong turn for the feminist movement the rise of ‘no-fault’ divorces and the damage they’ve done whether ‘my body, my choice’ and ‘safe, legal, and rare’ is a reasonable approach to abortion the ‘Campus Rape Industrial Complex’ the transgender movement Follow Mona Charen on Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay open this week’s show with a look at the trial of Paul Manafort, who’s accused of tax fraud, bank fraud, and bank fraud conspiracy. Both of the Guys agree that things look pretty bad for Manafort. While the charges aren’t directly related to Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, Mike and Jay say that Mueller couldn’t simply ignore evidence of crimes discovered as part of his investigation into Russian interference. Next is a discussion of 3D printed guns, in the news due to the Trump administration settling with the gun blueprint creator which would have allowed posting of the design specifications on the Internet. Mike and Jay both have big problems with the ruling of a federal judge that prohibited posting of the designs, seeing it as unconstitutional prior restraint. After that, Mike and Jay consider two big Trump administration regulatory changes: freezing automotive fuel efficiency standards and expanding ‘short term’ health insurance policies that can legally circumvent Obamacare minimum coverage standards. Mike sees both of these moves as bad policy. Jay likes them from a policy standpoint, but argues that the Trump administration may not be entitled to get all of what it wants through the regulatory process. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks to political scientist John Sides about his Democracy Fund Voter Study Group report, 'Muslims in America: Public Perceptions in the Trump Era' Dr. Sides is an associate professor of political science at The George Washington University, co-author of the books Identity Crisis: The 2016 Presidential Campaign and the Battle for the Meaning of America (coming out in September of 2018) and The Gamble: Choice and Chance in the 2012 Presidential Election, as well as a founder and the editor-in-chief of the political science blog, The Monkey Cage. Topics Mike and Dr. Sides discuss include: How favorably Americans rate Muslims. Differences in how Republicans and Democrats rate Muslims. How education affects Muslim bias. Public support for a Muslim ban. Americans' views of Muslims compared to Muslim Americans' own views about themselves. Mainstream media's role in perpetuating anti-Muslim bias. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There was a very short period in Mike's life where he thought he could handle his teaching job, write a book, host The Politics Guys, and start a new podcast - Politics Plus. It soon became evident to Mike how insane trying to do all this at once was, and so he quickly shut down Politics Plus. But before he did, he'd posted four interviews - all of which he thinks are pretty good and are worth sharing with you as Politics Guys bonus episodes. ********** In this interview, Mike talks with journalist, author, and policy analyst David Frum. Mr. Frum is currently a senior editor at the Atlantic. From 2014 through 2017, he chaired the board of trustees of the leading UK center-right think tank, Policy Exchange. He's served as a speechwriter and special assistant to President George W. Bush and as senior adviser to the Rudy Giuliani presidential campaigns. He's also the author of nine books, most recently Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic. In the conversation, Mike and Mr. Frum cover, among other things: how Bill Clinton monetized the post-presidency America as a toddler in heavy traffic Donald Trump and punching babies the ‘neither ethical or smart’ Trump administration Congressional leaders enabling Trumpocracy whether the American political system can handle the Trump presidency Follow David Frum on Twitter Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week the show is produced for the first time ever in Oklahoma City. Trey, now officially part of Oklahoma Christian University, is joined by Ken who is preparing to move to Denver. The first topic is Trump’s trade policy. The Trey and Ken to differing degrees agree that subsides to farmers is simply a policy mistake fixing the earlier policy mistake of enacting tariffs. While Ken has some boundaries around the idea of free trade, both think that the current tariffs policies are reminiscent of the import substitution industrialization models of the 1980s and 1990s. Next up Trey and Ken look at the recent spat over Twitter between the U.S. and Iran. Here both hosts agree that the current foreign policy of acting belligerent randomly has not helped the U.S. cause. However the hosts disagree over the cause of this policy. Ken thinks it is part of a larger conspiracy where Putin controls Trump and Trey thinks, while it certainly benefits Russia, is more easily explained by an individual who is acting irrationally and that irrationality helps anyone who isn’t the U.S. Trey and Ken turn next to the Michael Cohen tape of a conversation with Donald Trump. The hosts agree that the tape is damaging and ponder why Trump would have agreed to release it. They discuss the possible implications of the content of the tape and consider how it might play into the Mueller investigation. Finally Ken and Trey briefly examine Facebook’s stock decline. At a 19% devaluation it takes the record for the biggest drop in one day ever. The hosts parse out the question to what extent, if any, recent privacy changes in EU law or backlash from data breaches has led to slowing user growth and, as a result, investor confidence. Listener Support helps make The Politics Guys Possible. if you're interested in supporting the show go to politicsguys.com/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this listener comment episode, Mike and Jay get into: If the media - Time magazine in particular - was fair in its photographic portrayal of President Trump’s immigration policy, and if Mike and Jay spend too much time on a media sideshow. How much deference federal courts should give to administrative agencies. Whether Jay thinks government regulations to prevent pollution are wise and necessary corrections for market failures. A conservative case for abolishing ICE. Mike, Jay, and ideological orthodoxy. What Mike’s Reading Politics with Charles P. Pierce What it Takes to Get an Abortion in the Most Restrictive U.S. State Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Mike and Jay open the show with a discussion of the summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland. They agree that President Trump’s performance was bizarre and awful. Mike says this, combined with everything else we’ve seen regarding Trump and Russia, is enough to convince him that President Trump is either compromised by Russia or believes he may be compromised, which amounts to the same thing in real terms. After that, the Guys discuss new rules that would make major, industry-friendly changes to the Endangered Species Act. Mike says that he’s all in favor of streamlining environmental approvals for industry, but not at the cost of endangering and destroying biodiversity. Jay has a more positive take on the proposed rules, believing they’re a much-needed corrective to a policy that’s unnecessarily hampered economic growth. Next is a look at the European Union’s latest fine against Google for engaging in anticompetitive practices. Mike says that ensuring competitive markets is a key role of government, and that the EU is doing a better job of it then the US is doing. Jay is also all for competitive markets, but thinks that the EU’s position is overreach and that consumers have more options than EU regulators seems to believe. Finally, the Guys talk about the withdrawn nomination of Ryan Bounds to serve on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mike finds it disappointing that Bounds even got to this point, as both of his home-state senators returned negative ‘Blue Slips’ which traditionally meant that the nomination would be quashed. He argues that the Blue Slip tradition is yet another casualty of our hyper-partisan environment. Jay is less sad to see the Blue Slip go, arguing that it’s no longer serving its intended purpose, but he agrees with Mike that making judicial nominations filibuster-proof has been a step in the wrong direction. What Mike and Jay are ReadingWhy I’m No Longer a Russiagate Skeptic Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks to Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of the pediatrics residency at the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, and an assistant professor at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, where she heads the Hurley Children’s Hospital Public Health Initiative. It was through Dr, Mona’s courageous and unflagging efforts that the public learned about the dangerous levels of lead in Flint's drinking water. Her work has been recognized by numerous environmental groups, including the Michigan Environmental Council, the Children's Environmental Health Network, and the Union of Concerned Sciences. She's the author of a recently released book on the Flint crisis, titled What The Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City. Follow Dr. Mona on Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Trey kick off the show by discussing the 12 Russian intelligence officials indicted this week for hacking into Democratic Party systems. Mike says that despite the fact that these Russians will never face trial in the United States, the indictments point to the importance of allowing Robert Mueller to complete his investigation, which is not at all the pointless ‘witch hunt’ some claim. Trey says that these indictments make the idea of President Trump meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin an even worse idea than it already was. Next is discussion of President Trump nominating Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court. Mike and Trey agree that Kavanaugh is a fairly mainstream conservative choice who will almost certainly be confirmed. Trey points out that a few Senate Democrats facing tough reelection fights may end up voting in favor of confirmation, which seems far more likely than any Republicans defecting. After that, the Guys talk about the NATO summit and President Trump’s first official visit to the UK. It was a story of two Trumps - the public side, where the president engaged in his usual over-the-top bellicosity, and the private side, where by most accounts he was downright reasonable. Trey believes that President Trump’s view of NATO and trade relations with the UK is bound up with his larger zero-sum view of trade, which is currently playing out in the escalating trade war with China, which the Guys turn to next. They both agree that imposing additional tariffs on Chinese goods is a truly awful idea, and while a majority of Congressional Republicans agree, they lack the political will to do anything substantive about it. Finally, Trey and Mike discuss the bipartisan grandstanding at the Congressional testimony of FBI agent Peter Strzok. Mike laments the GOP’s continued effort to destroy the credibility of the FBI in support of the president, and Trey agrees that the greater tendency to discredit accusers, rather than focus on the facts, is a very disturbing trend. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this listener comment episode, Mike and Trey address these questions: Why has the executive branch become so much more powerful than the legislative and judicial branches, and what can we do about it? What motivates President Trump’s political allies beyond short term outcomes? If the Democrats take control of Congress are we still stuck in a stalemate or do we see President Trump force the GOP to compromise to get his agenda passed? What common ground could the Democrats find with Trump? Are they so oppositional that compromise is politically detrimental? How big of a problem is the national debt? What practical things can liberals and conservatives do to effect change? What Mike’s ReadingMarijuana addiction is real, and rising (Denver Post) What Trey’s ReadingThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's show kicks off with Mike and Trey discussing the likely strategies of both the left and the right once President Trump names his Supreme Court nominee. After that it's discussion of the resignation of scandal-plagued EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The Guys agree that Pruitt was exactly what many Republicans wanted in terms of policy, but that the mounting scandals became too much of a distraction. They also discuss what Pruitt's departure is likely to mean for the EPA going forward. Then it's a look at the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China, after President Trump's imposition of $34 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods, and China's retaliation. Mike thinks this is looking less like a negotiating tactic and more like a longer-term policy. Trey agrees and, as the biggest free-trader of all the Politics Guys, is particularly disturbed by these developments. Next is an update on the immigration fiasco, which Mike continues to argue is both incompetent and inhumane. Trey makes the point that this policy can be seen as part of a larger worldview that also pushes back against free trade. Mike suggests that all the awful images might actually be what some in the administration want, in that they may eventually lead to fewer immigrants willing to risk crossing into the United States illegally. Finally, they discuss the GOP Senate delegation to Russia over the 4th of July as well as President Trump's upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mike is surprised as how partisanship has become so strong that it has somehow turned Republicans into Russian appeasears. Trey and Mike are concerned that President Trump may be overmatched in any one-on-one meeting with Putin. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first ever three-person Politics Guys, Northern Kentucky University Law Professor Ken Katkin joins Mike and Jay to discuss: how Kennedy was different from the Court’s four other conservatives whether the Justices are politicians in robes or if they base their decisions on more than partisan calculations if Senator McConnell should hold off on hearings for President Trump’s nominee to replace Kennedy until after the election, as he did with President Obama’s nominee to replace Justice Scalia how the Court may alter its opinions on partisan gerrymandering, LGBTQ rights, denial of services to same-sex weddings, and Roe v. Wade with a new, more conservative replacement for Kennedy Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s show starts off with Mike and Jay discussing Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement. There’s so much to cover here that the Guys decided to do an entire episode on it, which will drop in the usual Wednesday slot (July 4). There were a bunch of important Supreme Court decisions announced this week, which Mike and Jay then get into. First was a big win for President Trump’s travel ban. Jay thinks the Court make the right call, but Mike - after initially agreeing earlier in the week - has changed his mind, and thinks the four liberal dissenters got it right. After that is another 5-4 conservative ruling that overturned a 41-year-old precedent that allowed public sector unions to charge non-members a collective bargaining fee. Jay once again sides with the conservative majority, while Mike argues that their decision rests on shaky grounds and, as such, he would default to allowing the policy of the states as opposed to what he sees as conservative judicial activism. Then it’s a look at the Court - yet again along 5-4 ideological lines - overturning the California FACT Act, which required anti-abortion ‘pregnancy crisis centers’ to make mention of abortion services available elsewhere as well as to let clients know if the center does not have a state medical license. Mike agrees with the 9th Circuit, which held that this was neutral commercial speech and therefore subject to regulation. Jay believes the majority on the Supreme Court was right in arguing that this amounts to compelled speech promoting abortion, and therefore a violation of the 1st Amendment. The final big case of the week involved a Texas congressional and state legislative redistricting plan that a lower court said was an impermissible racial gerrymander. It was another 5-4 ideological split, with Jay standing with the conservative majority who argued that the burden of proof was on the plaintiffs and they didn’t demonstrate that Texas acted in bad faith. Mike is pretty sure that Texas did act in bad faith, but because he didn’t see clear proof of this, he reluctantly agrees that the Court’s conservatives were right on this one. Finally, Mike and Jay discuss the major developments in immigration policy in the last week: President Trump’s suggestion that immigrants aren’t entitled to due process, the multi-state lawsuit against family separations, a federal judge ordering the administration to reunite families, the incompetence with which the policy has been carried out from the very beginning, and why Congress hasn’t acted, and it’s likely to any time soon. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this listener comment episode, Mike and Jay address the following listener questions: Should police be given the level of qualified immunity from prosecution they currently receive? Will a recent federal court ruling change anything? We need to keep an eye on regulators, but doesn’t Jay think we also need to watch companies? How do we keep companies honest, and working in the best interest of consumers and the public? How can the media balance respect for the office of the presidency with fair coverage of presidential untruths? How do our perceptions of migrants shape our attitudes toward immigration policy? What Mike’s Binge Watching (and reading) While his Wife is Away on a Month-Long International Trip Animal Kingdom Bosch All or Nothing: The Dallas Cowboys Red Oaks Westworld God’s Soldiers: : Adventure, Politics, Intrigue, and Power--A History of the Jesuits. Jonathan Wright Pierre Teilhard De Chardin: Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series) What Jay’s Reading Trump’s Critics Desecrate the Holocaust. Jay Winik (Wall Street Journal - Paywall) No, You’re Not Perfect ‘Just the Way You Are’. David French (National Review) Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s show starts with Mike and Jay discussing the bipartisan furor over family separations that have occurred as a result of the Trump administration’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ immigration policy. Mike argues that the policy is inhumane, that Donald Trump lied when he said he could do nothing about it - as evidenced by the Executive Order he signed halting the policy - and that the policy was incompetently rolled out. Jay agrees about the incompetence and the president being wrong about having his hands tied, but believes that the policy’s effects have been exaggerated by many on the left and in the media. After that, it’s a look at two important Supreme Court decisions. The first is a highly anticipated ruling on partisan gerrymandering. The Court disappointed many people by deciding not to decide, arguing that the cases weren’t ready for their review. Mike and Jay, while disagreeing on the underlying issue of partisan gerrymandering, agree that the Court made the right call here. The second case involves an ideologically unusual 5-4 split in a ruling that will allow states to require out-of-state merchants to charge sales tax. Mike agrees with the policy, but sides with the dissenters - led by Chief Justice John Roberts - on the law, agreeing that this was a matter for Congress to address, not the Court. Jay, while less pleased on policy grounds, shares Mike’s approval of the judicial restraint argued for by Roberts and the three other Justices in the minority. Next is a discussion of the Trump administration’s proposals to create a ‘Space Force’ and to combine the Departments of Education and Labor. Mike is skeptical about the need for a sixth branch of the armed forces, while Jay thinks it could be a reasonable idea given what’s sure to be the increasing military importance of space. Mike’s less sure about the Education / Labor merger, and Jay agrees that it would need to be fleshed out considerably more. Given that neither of these things can occur without Congressional approval, it seems unlikely they’ll happen any time soon, though Jay points out that it can be useful to float big ideas as trial balloons. Finally, the Guys debate the wisdom of the United States withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council. Jay points out that the Council has a massive bias against Israel and is filled with human rights abusing states. Mike agrees, but believes that the Obama approach of engaging with even very flawed international organizations in an attempt to improve them is usually a better strategy than walking away. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Trey and Ken’s responses to the following listener questions: Why do we have the Electoral College? Why isn’t there a way to invalidate fraudulent elections? What would it take for a third party rise to national prominence? Can you explain ranked-choice voting? What do you think about ranked-choice voting in light of the recent Maine election? What We’re Reading A Spy Named Orphan: The Enigma of Donald Maclean by Roland Philipps The Kennedy Brothers: The Rise and Fall of Jack and Bobby by Richard Mahoney Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks about his new interview podcast, Politics Plus. On the show, he’ll be interviewing men and women from across the ideological spectrum about American politics, economics, history, and culture. You can find and subscribe to Politics Plus by searching for it in your podcast app. If for for any reason that doesn’t work, you should also be able to subscribe by entering the show’s feed URL into your podcast app. You can also listen on the Politics Plus website. Subscribe on iOS Feed URL: http://politicsplus.libsyn.com/rss Politics Plus Website: politicsplus.us Email Mike: [email protected] Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Ken open the show by discussing the 500 page Justice Department finding on the FBI. They both largely agree the report shows former FBI Director James Comey was insubordinate, but they differ on who it helps most rhetorically. Trey thinks that the FBI agents didn’t express their political positions in a responsible way while Ken thinks that the report understates the amount the FBI helped Trump. Then it’s a discussion of Trump’s meeting with Kim Jung-Un in Singapore. The Guys generally agree that the outcome didn’t amount to much. They agree that the more discussion is better, but they’re pessimistic on the long-term benefits of the meeting. Next, Trey plays devil’s advocate and asks Ken what he liked or didn’t like about the Supreme Court decision upholding Ohio’s method of purging non-voters. Ken thinks it pointlessly culls the rolls of voters without netting much of a benefit to the state. Finally Trey and Ken talk free trade and the increasingly angry trade war emerging between the U.S. and China, spearheaded by Trump. The two spar a bit about the benefits of free trade and when trade barriers might be a good thing. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Mike and Jay’s responses to the following listener questions: Jay says he’s pro-choice with it comes to people choosing their own health care. Is he also pro-choice when it comes to a woman’s right to choose whether or not to end her pregnancy? Jay suggested that President Trump’s hardball negotiating style brought North Korea back to the bargaining table. But President Trump was the one who initially cancelled the summit, meaning that Jay’s comment is factually inaccurate. Can Jay explain this? How can both parties energize voters to participate and turn out in 2018 and beyond? Aside from judicial nominations, is the Republican Party too short-term oriented in its thinking? What’s the justification for free trade with emerging economies, especially if the result is lost American jobs? Don’t emerging economies need the U.S. more than the U.S. needs them? Government regulation ended child labor, provided us with a safer food supply, and has led to many other societal goods. Does Jay really oppose government regulation? Can he explain his position on regulation? Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay open with a look at the G7 meeting in Quebec, Canada. They agree that President Trump's protectionism is bad policy, though Jay still thinks that the president might be using his tough talk as a negotiating tactic and may not impose long-term tariff barriers. Mike says that President Trump's call to readmit Russia to the group is a horrible idea because, unlike the G7 countries, Russia is not a real democracy. Then it's a discussion of the Supreme Court's 7-2 ruling in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. The Guys agree that this was a very narrow ruling (in scope, not vote split) and that the Court should have addressed the key free expression issue that was raised. Although Mike is a strong supporter of LGBTQ rights, he thinks the concurrence of Justices Gorsuch and Thomas, which argues that forcing the baker to create a cake for a same-sex wedding is a form of unconstitutional compelled speech, makes some strong points. After that, it's immigration - first the move by House GOP moderates to force a vote on allowing Dreamers to stay in the country legally, and then a discussion of rising illegal border crossing arrests, the wisdom of the Trump administration's 'family separation' and 'zero tolerance' policies, and a big-picture look at what U.S. immigration policy should be. Finally, Mike and Jay talk about President Trump's commutation of Alice Marie Johnson's sentence and his view that he can pardon himself, if he so chooses. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks to Dr. Robert Sutter, a Professor of International Affairs at the Elliott School of George Washington University. Dr. Sutter has worked both in government and in academia, including positions with the CIA, State Department, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He's published 20 books, over 200 articles and several hundred government reports dealing with contemporary East Asian and Pacific countries and their relations with the United States. His most recent book is US-China Relations: Perilous Past, Uncertain Present. Mike and Dr. Sutter discuss how China is like Prussia, China's investment in Africa, the US / China trade deficit, China & North Korea, if the 21st century will be the 'Chinese Century', and lots more. We'd really appreciate it if you could take the short, super-easy Politics Guys libsyn survey. Here's the link: survey.libsyn.com/politicsguys Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Mike and Jay start with a look at the Trump Administration's announcement that it would be imposing hefty steel and aluminum tariffs on U.S. allies Mexico, Canada, and the European Union on 'national security' grounds. The administration is also considering a major tariff on imported cars (also ostensibly for national security). Both Mike and Jay think this protectionism is one of the worst things to come out of the Trump administration, though Jay is more hopeful that it's more bluster from the president that won't end up as set policy. After that, they discuss the off-again, on-again summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jung Un. Mike says that President Trump is exactly the sort of person least suited to carry out the sort of careful, patient negotiations that could defuse the threat posed by North Korea. Jay feels that the president's show of strength is the right approach for North Korea, though both he and Mike wish the president understood the importance of dealing with U.S. allies differently than he deals with adversaries. Next is a look at the extremely good jobs report. Mike points out that while the U.S. is in the midst of the second longest expansion in modern history, wages are still somewhat stagnant and economic growth is far slower than it's been at many points in the post World War II era. Both Jay and Mike agree that President Trump can't claim responsibility for the expansion any more than President Obama could, and they lament the tendency of the media to overemphasize the importance of government when it comes to economic growth. Then they turn to the Supreme Court's decision to not hear a case involving an anti-abortion law from Arkansas. While Mike and Jay differ on the wisdom of abortion rights restrictions, they agree that the Court was correct on procedure. In the end, they expect Arkansas' law to be overturned as unconstitutional, as the Court did with a similar Texas law in 2016. Finally, the Guys discuss President Trump's pardon of conservative provocateur Dinesh D'Souza, and whether the president is using his pardons to send a message to people Robert Mueller has indicted in his Russia investigation. Mike doubts it, believing that it's simply President Trump being his impulsive self for the most part. Mike somewhat surprises Jay by favoring the president's pardon of D'Souza, who Mike says is an awful person, but who was unfairly singled out by the Obama administration for prosecution. Jay points out that it's the awful people who are most in need of protection - and sometimes pardons. If you haven't yet filled out the super quick and easy (literally no more than a minute) Politics Guys survey, we hope you will. It will help libsyn, our new podcast host, grow our audience and keep the show financially viable. Here's the link: survey.libsyn.com/politicsguys What Mike's Reading Mind Control: Barbara Ehrenreich’s radical critique of wellness and self-improvement. What Jay's Reading Worried About Incivility? Start With Yourself. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay kick off the show by discussing a federal court ruling that President Trump was violating the 1st Amendment by blocking some critics from his Twitter feed. Neither of the Guys is exactly comfortable with the courts telling people how to run their social media lives, but they agree that because President Trump is using Twitter as an essentially official presidential communication tool, different rules might apply. Then it's a look at the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling permitting companies to require employees to settle disputed through individual arbitration instead of banding together. Jay says it was the right call and a good policy, and while Mike agrees that the conservative majority made the right interpretation of the law, he absolutely hates the policy outcome and wishes Congress would act to make things less unfair to workers. After that, the Guys discuss the move by around 20 moderate House Republicans to force a series of votes on immigration, in the hope of giving permanent status to Dreamers. They've been opposed by the House GOP leadership, which doesn't want to risk a politically dangerous vote before the November elections, as well as the House Freedom Caucus, which wants nothing to do with even an indirect path to citizenship for Dreamers. Finally, Mike responds to a listener who says he's too easy on Republicans like Paul Ryan who support policies that will hurt and potentially even kill Americans. Our new host company, Libsyn, has put together a super short and very important survey which will help them help us reach a larger audience and keep the show sustainable. If you haven't already filled it out, we hope you will. You'll find it here: survey.libsyn.com/politicsguys Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Mike and Jay start off with a look at the North Korea summit, which President Trump canceled, but later suggested might be back on after all. The Guys discuss why the president canceled, what his plan is, and whether we're moving in the right direction. Then it's a domestic policy bonanza. First is a look at a rollback of the Dodd-Frank law passed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Mike and Jay agree that smaller banks needed some regulatory relief, but Mike argues that the rollback does much more than that, and its loosened restrictions on larger banks put us in danger of another financial crisis. This is followed by discussion of the 'Right to Try' Act, which allows terminally ill patients to try largely unproven treatments, and a major VA bill that will give veterans more options for private care. Mike argues it goes too far down the road to privatization. Jay doesn't disagree, but he supports further privatization. Finally, Mike and Jay discuss the latest developments in the Robert Mueller investigation, particularly the 'Spygate' claims coming from President Trump and some of his supporters. What Mike's Reading The Hedges of the Garden of Liberty. Why does Trump get away with corruption? Because Bill and Hillary Clinton normalized it. Please help us out by taking this super-quick & easy survey. We promise it won't take more than a minute of your time (if that): survey.libsyn.com/politicsguys Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with journalist, editor, and publisher Kenneth Whyte, author of The Uncrowned King: The Sensational Rise of William Randolph Hearst and most recently, Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times. If you think Herbert Hoover was a boring conservative presidential nonentity, you're in for a pleasant surprise. In this conversation, Mike and Ken discuss Hoover's swashbuckling and sketchy business career, his amazing humanitarian efforts in World War I (it was a crime that he didn't win a Nobel Peace Prize), how Hoover can amazingly lay claim to being the father of modern progressivism and modern conservatism, and lots more. Kenneth Whyte on Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Trey and Mike begin the show with the tragic news of a school shooting in Santa Fe Friday. Mike argues briefly that it is the immutable American gun culture that leads to these kinds of tragedies. Trey argues that the right ignores the possibility of lowering the current levels of gun violence with data from other countries while the left ignores that these rates are extremely low forms of death. After Santa Fe, the hosts transition to two foreign policy topics. The first of these is the United States moving the Israeli embassy to Jerusalem. The move, started by Congress under Bill Clinton but delayed since then, occurred on Monday and led to violence in Gaza and a border conflict. Trey and Mike have different takes on the ability to take sides, but agree that most ignore the long standing historical forces — and immorality — that has led to the ongoing violence. They also arguing the timing was ill advised. In other foreign policy news Trey and Mike look at the recent harsh words between the U.S. and North Korea as we approach the June 12 summit. Neither host finds the issue shocking and both suggest that it is par for the course for North Korea despite the unfortunate comments from John Bolton. Turning from foreign to domestic policy Trey and Mike discuss the Senate confirmation of Gina Haspel. Mike argues that she is qualified save for her role in the 2002 torture involvement. Trey is more disappointed in the Senate for the vote and argues that her move to destroy evidence in 2005 disqualifies her from the role and makes it impossible to ever accurately asses her success or failure as CIA head given it is hard to know if she would revert to those kinds of coverups again. Next Trey and Mike move on to the Senate Intelligence Committee endorsing the evidence that Russia was involved in influencing the 2016 election and, further, it was doing so in favor of Donald Trump. Trey argues that the conclusion is straightforward, but that the likelihood it resulted in changing the election is tiny. Finally, Trey and Mike discuss the 2,500 pages of material released by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both hosts offer insights into what the material means and offer a voice of support for continued investigations. Bonus Show! Supporters were treated to a second bonus show this week. If you are interested in hearing more from Trey and Mike head to http://www.politicsguys.com/support/ and unlock the bonus show. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Ran Levi, author of Battle of Minds: The History of Computer Malware and host of the Malicious Life podcast, which explores the people and the stories behind the cyber security industry and its evolution. Mike and Ran discuss Russian hacking into Democratic and Republican systems, potential hacking into state election systems, why paper ballots are a really good idea, the cybersecurity threat posed by Russia, North Korea, and terrorist organizations, the most common vulnerabilities and what governments aren't doing to protect themselves, and more. Ran Levi on Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to politicsguys.com/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's show opens with a look at the Iran nuclear deal that President Trump pulled the U.S. out of. Both Mike and Jay agree that it was an imperfect deal, but Mike feels we should have stayed in and worked to improve it. Jay feels that the deal was far more imperfect than Mike does, but he agrees that the president's propensity for walking away from international agreements isn't the best way to handle things. The Guys next turn to the historic summit meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, which President Trump announced would be held in Singapore on June 12\. Jay sees this as a potential step in the right direction and though Mike has plenty of doubts about President Trump's diplomatic ability, he agrees that after decades of stalemate, things could possibly be changing for the better. Even so, it's still very early days, and the U.S. is dealing with an incredibly secretive and untrustworthy country, so expectations should be very low. After that Mike and Jay discussion Gina Haspel, President Trump's nominee to lead the CIA. Mike acknowledges Haspel's experience and expertise, but agrees with Senator John McCain that Haspel's position on torture / 'enhanced interrogation techniques' is disqualifying. Jay disagrees arguing that much of the outcry against Haspel is simply due to her being Donald Trump's nominee. Next is a look at the Senate primary elections in Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana. Neither Mike nor Jay saw much to surprise them, with Jay pointing out that there seemed to be a move away from extreme Republicans. Finally, Mike and Jay talk about former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen raising millions peddling his connection to the president. Mike says that while this sort of thing goes on all the time - in Republican and Democratic administrations - he's troubled by yet another Russia connection. Jay sees things more or less the same way, and in discussing the topic he clarifies his position on Trump, Russia, and collusion. **What Mike's Reading** [Why the specter of Marx still haunts the world](https://wapo.st/2IdEAKx). [](https://econ.st/2Ii8ayN) [Rulers of the world: read Karl Marx!](https://econ.st/2Ii8ayN) [](https://nyti.ms/2IdjRqm) [Happy Birthday, Karl Marx. You Were Right](https://nyti.ms/2IdjRqm)! **What Jay's Reading** [I'm Not Black, I'm Kanye: Kanye West wants freedom - white freedom](https://theatln.tc/2Iipx2i). Ta-Nehisi Coates **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This 'listener mailbag' show begins with Mike and Jay taking a question from a listener who wonders if it's fair to conclude that healthcare in the United States is broken given the far greater amount per capita the U.S. spends to get results not too different from other rich, developed countries. Mike says yes, and Jay doesn't quite say no, though he points out some important features of the United States that may make international comparisons somewhat tricky. Next is a listener who writes in to argue against Jay's seeming dismissal of protests by telling the story of how his experience attending a march led him to become deeply involved in politics. Jay responds by acknowledging that in some cases a protest experience can be a springboard for greater political action, but argues that in most cases that isn't what happens. Then it's a listener questioning the value of labor unions. Mike says that while it's true that unions may have been slow to adapt to a globalized market, they still have a critical role. Jay, who points out that unions have done a lot of good in the past, is a lot more skeptical about their continued relevance. After that the Guys make some recommendations for books that cover Clinton shenanigans - books that aren't partisan hit-jobs but rather well-researched examinations written by highly respected authors. (Yes - those sort of politics books *do* exist.) This is followed by several questions about Syria, involving the president's authority to authorize military action and a more macro-level look at U.S. policy in Syria and the Middle East as a whole. Mike and Jay close the show by answering a listener who wonders what it would take for Jay to be personally appalled by Donald Trump, and what, if anything, Mike likes about the president. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with journalist and best-selling author Kurt Andersen about his most recent book, '[Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History](https://amzn.to/2jmJF8C)'. Mike and Kurt discuss America's founding by 'a nutty religious cult', the long history of American pseudo-empiricism, the dynamic equilibrium between fantasists and realists that made American great, how the fantasists ended up in the driver's seat, ways in which the 1960s empowered the modern right, Donald Trump as a 21st century P.T. Barnum, and lots more. **[Kurt Andersen on Twitter](https://twitter.com/KBAndersen)** **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Trey and Mike host together for the first time in a number of episodes. Picking up with one of last week's topics the hosts discuss the meeting between the leaders of North and South Korea. Trey and Mike both agree the meeting was important, but it was a show over a substantive policy meeting. Despite the need for caution, both are weakly optimistic about the future. The devil will be in the substantive policy details, especially in the meaning of "complete denuclearization." The conversation then turned domestic as Trey and Mike examined Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the U.S. The hosts argued that President Macron was trying to simultaneously highlight his personal relationship with President Trump while pushing for Trump to concede on a few important policy points. Trey and Mike spend time discussing those policy points, including Syria. tariffs, and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The Trey and Mike didn't agree on each of these issues and, on Syria, both took opposite policy positions. The conversation then shifted to the Arizona special election. Both hosts, as political scientists, agree that the actual campaign is generally not the best variable in understanding elections. They discuss how much of the current wave of Democratic inroads is due to over arching structural variables and how much of it is explained by a post-Trump Republican Party. Next Trey and Mike briefly analyze Dr. Ronnie Jackson's withdraw from consideration as head of the VA. Trey and Mike agree that the vague accusations were not the right grounds for this to occur, they were simply the "sexiest" news items. Instead the more important, and theoretically boring issue, was the experience to lead such a large organization. That, unfortunately, was not the conversation the American people had. Finally Trey and Mike have little positive to say about Scott Pruitt. Trey argues, and Mike agreed, that Pruitt has two majors issues: 1) a rule change on "secret science" and 2) a series of potential ethical lapses concerning spending. The hosts, as scientists themselves, spend time explaining why some science requires privacy for participants and the importance of the peer-review process. As for the ethical violations, the problem is everyone is for fiscal conservatism when it is brandished as a weapon, but not so interested in it when in power. **What Mike's Reading** [Mencken: The American Iconoclast](https://amzn.to/2HAcoBs). Marion Elizabeth Rogers [Notes on Democracy . H. L. Mencken](https://amzn.to/2vR6qe7) **What Trey's Reading** [A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea](https://amzn.to/2I0S4fZ). Masaji Ishikawa **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Sheila Tate, who served as press secretary to First Lady Nancy Reagan from 1981 to 1985\. After leaving the White House staff, she co-founded the Washington D.C. public relations firm Powell Tate. She served as press secretary to George H. W. Bush during his successful campaign for the presidency in 1988, as well as for his transition. Sheila remained in close touch with Nancy Reagan after the Reagans returned to California, speaking with her often until Mrs. Reagan’s passing in 2016\. Ms. Tate is the author of the recently released book '[The Lady in Red: An Intimate Portrait of Nancy Reagan](https://amzn.to/2Ho2yCE)'. Mike and Sheila discuss what First Ladies do, what Nancy Reagan was like, the role she played in the Reagan presidency, the 'Just Say No' anti-drug campaign, her 'Dragon Lady' reputation, what people most commonly get wrong about Nancy Reagan, and lots more. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Mike welcomes special guest co-host Will Miller, a center-right political scientist. Mike and Will start the show by discussing the upcoming negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea in the wake of Secretary of State Nominee Mike Pompeo's Easter weekend visit to North Korea and recent indications by the regime that they're willing to freeze nuclear testing and discuss denuclearization. Both Mike and Will are skeptical, but believe that getting the North talking is a step in the right direction. After that, it's a discussion of the Russia sanctions that didn't happen, when UN Ambassador Nikki Haley's announcement of upcoming sanctions was walked back by the administration, which claimed that Haley had gotten ahead of herself. Mike and Will see this as yet another example of the Trump administration's poor message discipline - a problem that seems to stem largely from President Trump himself. The Guys also discuss whether additional sanctions should have been imposed. Next is a discussion of a Supreme Court decision on immigration in which Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch joined with the Court's four liberals to strike down part of a law used to deport immigrants on the grounds that it is unconstitutionally vague. Will argues that this isn't really a partisan issue, but rather one of statutory construction, and says that the real surprise is that other conservatives on the Court didn't have more of a problem with the vague wording of the law. Then Mike gets to talk about his favorite government agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as explain the intricacies of the Congressional Review Act, which Senate Republicans used to overturn a CFPB 'guidance' issued during the Obama administration. Mike says that this is a clever / sneaky move by Republicans that could lead to a good deal more Obama-era regulatory guidance being overturned. Will agrees, but as he's no fan of regulation, he sees this as a potentially good thing. The Guys close with a discussion of James Comey's media blitz and what his new book and memos tell us about whether or not President Trump obstructed justice. Mike says that it tells us next to nothing, and the media is making focusing far too much on the clash of personalities. Will agrees, and says that the Republicans' move to release the Comey memos may have partially backfired on them. **What Will's Reading & Watching** [Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities](http://bit.ly/2JeOMTs) (PBS documentary) [Why Historically Black Colleges and Universities are Enjoying a Renaissance](https://on.natgeo.com/2JaoFNa). (National Geographic) [The Paradox of Choice . Barry Schwartz.](https://amzn.to/2Jb37QQ) **What Mike's Reading** [Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times . Kenneth Whyte](https://amzn.to/2J4Ta7k) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with economist Tyler Cowen. In addition to being a professor of Economics at George Mason University, Dr. Cowen blogs at [Marginal Revolution](http://bit.ly/2IWWSzV), hosts the '[Conversations with Tyler](http://bit.ly/2IZNYBK)' podcast , is a regular contributor at [Bloomberg View](https://bloom.bg/2J3dRAK) , and is the author of a number of books, including '[The Great Stagnation](https://amzn.to/2H3z0tD)', '[An Economist Gets Lunch](https://amzn.to/2H2XJhQ)', '[Average is Over](https://amzn.to/2IZLKSF)' and '[The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream](https://amzn.to/2H3Kg9x)', which recently came out in paperback. Mike and Tyler discuss how the United States got so complacent, the rise of segregation, monopolies and anti-trust regulation, 'matching' and inequality, why Americans don't riot like they used to, Brazil as the best comparison country to the United States, Donald Trump's 'placebo presidency', if the future belongs to China, and lots more. [](https://twitter.com/tylercowen) [**Tyler Cowen on Twitter**](https://twitter.com/tylercowen) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support). Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay discuss the US-led missile strike on Syrian chemical weapons infrastructure, Paul Ryan's resignation, Mark Zuckerberg's testimony before Congress, the FBI raid on Michael Cohen's office, and the Department of Justice's Inspector General report on Andrew McCabe. They debate the legitimacy of these events and their implications for American politics. While they have different perspectives, they both agree that these events are cause for concern. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks to Dr. Danielle McDonald, a criminal justice professor at Northern Kentucky University about her book **[Race, Gender, Class, and Criminal Justice: Examining Barriers to Justice](https://amzn.to/2IFDsPE)**. Mike and Danielle discuss racial profiling, the militarization of law enforcement, problems with public defenders, racial sentencing disparities, and capital punishment. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey is joined by Ken this week and reveals he is headed to Oklahoma Christain University. Trey and Ken open the show by discussing the ongoing dispute between the United States and China over trade policy. The hosts explore both the immediate tariffs on aluminum and steel issued by Donald Trump and the pork and wine tariffs imposed by China in retaliation. The hosts also parse the escalating war of words between the two countries and speculate on the possibility of a trade war. Trey and Ken agree that free trade is largely better for the economy (Trey most strongly), but disagree over the role of unions in a free trade driven world. Next Trey and Ken look at the thorny issue of Cambridge Analytica and Facebook’s numerous privacy snafus over. In a series of reveals it was uncovered that Facebook is recording data on users call and texting data, allowing apps to gather wide swaths of information on users who had not consented and more. In short, for a variety of reasons, Facebook could not get off the proverbial front page. Trey and Ken ask themselves what they might do if they were Congress. Specifically what questions the hosts might have for Mr. Zuckerberg in a committee hearing. Trey and Ken also muse on if people really are willing to pay the economic cost for privacy and mull whether Congress ought to make that a mandated requirement. Finally Trey and Ken move to the international issue of Syria. They discuss President Trump’s comments earlier last week on an imminent pullout and the revelations late last week that he is butting heads with his military staff, potentially offering them a six month timeline. In a unique twist Trey argues that U.S. foreign intervention has been a failure and finds support for Trump’s stated goal to wind down military options overseas while Ken limitedly argues that the U.S. has a moral imperative to see them through to create stability. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show go to [www.politicsguys.com/support](www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this listener mail episode of The Politics Guys, Mike and Jay respond to listener questions, including: * Why Congress gives the president so much power in authorizations for use of military force. * The lack of attention both Mike and Jay have paid to working conditions to healthcare workers, and how those conditions affect patients. * Why Jay seems so dismissive of young people's protests. * What Jay (and Mike) mean when they call themselves 'Burkean'. * Why political flip-flopping gets such a bad name. **Show Notes** - [Nuclear Jenga - in a Bouncy Castle](http://bit.ly/2tAzepU). Jesse Lawler - [Great Thinkers: Edmund Burke](http://bit.ly/2pXOyb0) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike welcomes [The 45th Podcast's](https://45thpod.com/) Susan Simpson to the show, in Part II of The Politics Guys / The 45th Podcast host exchange. Mike and Susan open with a look at the shakeup at the VA, with Mike questioning the managerial qualifications of Ronny Jackson, President Trump's choice to take over for David Shulkin at the massive VA. Susan argues that no reasonable person would even want the VA job, and suggests that Jackson's fawning estimate of the president's health, along with a desire for power, are what may have made him Trump's pick. Next it's discussion of the recent announcement by the Department of Commerce that the 2020 Census will have a questions about citizenship status. Both Mike and Susan are skeptical of the motives of the Justice Department, which requested the question be added. Mike hesitates to call the move racist, but points out that any likely political advantage from the move will be to the Republicans. After that, Mike and Susan turn to a discussion of what North Korean leader Kim Jung Un's recent meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and his upcoming meetings with South Korea's Moon Jae-in and President Trump, might mean. Mike suggests that President Trump's tougher stance could be bearing fruit, though he concedes that even a Democratic administration would have almost certainly ratcheted up sanctions in response to the North's nuclear tests. Susan says there's no policy here but chaos, and is concerned that President Trump might lead us into an unnecessary armed conflict with North Korea. Then it's a look at the March for our Lives and Justice Stevens recent call for repeal of the Second Amendment. Mike and Susan are both big supporters of the March and hope that it leads to significant change. They differ somewhat on Justice Stevens advocacy for a repeal of the Second Amendment. Mike feels it's a gift to the NRA and not necessary, as even the draconian gun regulations in Washington D.C. - far tougher than what most people are calling for - are possible without touching the Second Amendment. Susan doesn't entirely disagree, but argues that the Second Amendment can make reasonable gun laws more difficult to pass, and points out that even a repeal wouldn't make firearms illegal. After that, they discuss the increasingly strained relations between Russia and the United States in the wake of tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats and closing of consulates. Susan points out that despite this strong U.S. response - which she argues Trump was forced to make - we still haven't heard the president say anything negative about Vladimir Putin. She argues that's because Putin almost certainly has damaging information on Trump. **Show Notes** **What Susan's Reading & Listening To:** [Maryland appeals court decision in Adnan Syed case](https://bsun.md/2pTHSuC). [Missing and Murdered](http://bit.ly/2pWGVBJ) (podcast) **What Mike's Listening To:** [Philosophize This](http://philosophizethis.org/). Stephen West (podcast) - [The 45th Podcast](https://45thpod.com/) - [The 45th on Twitter](https://twitter.com/45thPod) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Yale political scientist Jacob Hacker about his work on economic growth, insecurity, and inequality. Dr. Hacker's books include '[The Great Risk Shift](https://amzn.to/2I5IPYo)', [Winner-Take-All Politics](https://amzn.to/2I7I5lz), and, most recently, '[American Amnesia: How the War on Government Led Us to Forget What Made America Prosper](https://amzn.to/2I62nMi)'. Mike and Dr. Hacker discuss what we've forgotten about shared economic growth, why the United States is lagging in so many areas where it once was a world leader, if we're too nostalgic for a past that can't be recreated, the effects technological change and globalization have had on American prosperity, how we can move to a positive-sum economic future, why Donald Trump is an unexpected opportunity for progressives, and lots more. ** Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Mike and Jay start by looking at the $1.3 trillion dollar, 2,0000+ page budget passed by Congress and very reluctantly signed into law by President Trump. Mike sees it as not half bad, given Republican control of the legislative and executive branches, while Jay tends to agree with House Freedom Caucus concerns about out-of-control spending. Next is a discussion of the $60 billion in tariffs President Trump announced against China in response to China's widespread intellectual property theft. Mike is actually somewhat sympathetic to the Trump administration's approach, feeling that previous attempts to minimize Chinese IP theft have been largely unsuccessful. Jay argues that tariffs are likely to be too blunt of an instrument to effect significant change. After that, the Guys get into privacy in social media in the wake of the Facebook / Cambridge Analytica scandal. Both Mike and Jay agree that a loss of privacy is the price we pay for 'free' use of social networks and wonder if this price is too high. Following that is a look at the special election in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, where Democrat Connor Lamb won in an extremely conservative district. Mike sees it as a sign of Democratic voter enthusiasm and expects a wave election in November that will give the Democrats control of the House of Representatives. Jay isn't so sure, and questions whether the Democrats will be able to replicate their success in PA 18 in other races. To close, Mike and Jay discuss the latest shake-up in the White House, with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster being replaced by John Bolton. Mike thinks that Bolton is too hawkish, too impulsive, and reinforces President Trump's worst instincts. Jay is more of a fan of Bolton, but agrees that President Trump would benefit from more voices of moderation. **What Jay's Reading**[The Gathering Stormy](http://bit.ly/2GigTTJ). Jonah Goldberg [Truth Isn't the Problem - We Are](https://on.wsj.com/2I3tWpx). Rebecca Newberger Goldstein (WSJ - paywall) **What Mike's Reading**[12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos](https://amzn.to/2I3gOAr). Jordan Peterson **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike welcomes George Mason University economist Bryan Caplan back to the show to talk about his latest book, '[The Case Against Education: Why the Education System is a Waste of Time and Money](http://amzn.to/2FTfqzI)'. In this episode, Mike and Dr. Caplan discuss the myths that people believe about the value of a college education, if college teaches people job-relevant skills (mostly no), if it teaches them 'how to think' (not as far as we can measure), if it's an economically smart move for the student (not in as many cases as you might think), and if having a lot of well-educated people benefits society in any measurable way (I bet you can guess the answer at this point). In spite of the depressing (at least to Mike) and impressive amount of data and analysis Dr. Caplan brings to bear, Mike makes a game attempt to salvage some meaning and value for his life's work. **Follow Bryan Caplan [on Twitter](http://politicsguys.com/bryan-caplan-interview/)** **[Bryan Caplan's previous Politics Guys appearance](http://politicsguys.com/bryan-caplan-interview/)** (where he and Mike discussed '[The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies](http://amzn.to/2HFEGKr)') **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible.** If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey begins by hijacking the show's opening with an original loop. Jay and Trey then open the show by looking at the big exits from the White House this week including Rex Tillerson and Andrew McCabe. Jay argues that the replacements are capable and Trey worries that the turmoil underlies a deeper problem in management at the White House. Both agree that there is significant turnover. After that the discussion turns to Stormy Daniels. Jay and Trey deeply disagree over the payoff from the Trump organization to Daniels. Jay calculates, based on past precedent, that Trump having an affair will neither affect his approval nor his reelection chances. Trey believes this might be Trump’s downfall. It is one thing to have an affair, another to clandestinely try to buy off the conversation concerning it. Finally, Trey and Jay discuss the student walkouts on Wednesday. Both see the reactions from left and right as part of the underlying ideological differences that are separating the two camps. Further, they have slightly different takes on the institutional takeover of the walkout. Finally, they agree that discussions about gun control are separate from feelings on the protest itself.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this 'Ask The Politics Guys' episode, Mike and Jay respond to comments and questions on: * the nature of the Mueller investigation * the role of healthcare costs in personal bankruptcy * contempt and civil discourse * the wisdom of nationwide concealed carry reciprocity * why Jay uses the term 'chain migration' * the guys' thoughts on UK politics * looking to the Veterans' healthcare system as a model for what universal care in the U.S. might be like. **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay open the show with a look at the stunning announcement about talks between President Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Both of the guys are hesitant to believe this will lead to anything given North Korea's track record of stringing U.S. administrations along and breaking agreements. They're also concerned that by meeting with Kim - the first time any U.S. president has agreed to talks with North Korea's leader, President Trump may be giving the regime something it's always wanted and getting little if anything in return. After that it's discussion of the suit the Department of Justice has brought against three California laws involving enforcement of federal immigration policy. In a strange twist, Attorney General Sessions is making the typical liberal argument about federal government supremacy while California is responding with traditionally conservative points about the 10th Amendment, going so far as to rely on a conservative icon, former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Both Jay and Mike think that the federal government will end up winning in court (with Jay being more sure of this than Mike) though it's likely to take several years. After that, Mike and Jay discuss the tariffs on steel and aluminum that President Trump formally announced this week. They both see this as a truly bad move that will not only hurt far more Americans than it will help, but a step that further erodes America's standing in the world and does nothing to deal with a truly significant international issue - China's ongoing, massive intellectual property theft. Finally, the Guys look at the new gun legislation enacted in Florida in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting. They consider whether the NRA's Second Amendment based lawsuit is likely to succeed (probably not) and discuss whether Florida might be a model for more states and possibly even the U.S. Congress, where not much has happened as of yet. **What Mike's Reading** [For Two Months, I Got My News From Print Newspapers. Here’s What I Learned](http://nyti.ms/2p2IIVm). Farhad Manjoo **What Jay's Reading** [Parkland kids can protest, but they don't know what they are talking about](https://usat.ly/2p36l0j). Jonah Goldberg **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possibl**e. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Jason Reifler, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, about his research into fake news. They discuss Dr. Reifler's recent paper on the topic ('[Selective Exposure to Misinformation: Evidence from the consumption of fake news during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign](https://www.dartmouth.edu/~nyhan/fake-news-2016.pdf)'), whether fact checking helps combat fake news, if this is a Trump-specific phenomena or part of a broader and even more disturbing trend, and lots more. **Follow Jason Reifler** **[on Twitter](https://twitter.com/jasonreifler)** **Episode Links** - [Politifact](http://www.politifact.com) - F[actcheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org) - [Snopes](https://www.snopes.com) - [Craig Silverman](https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman) **Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible**. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to [politicsguys.com/support](http://www.politicsguys.com/support).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices