Jen Rubin's Green Room

Jen is joined this week by Mimi Rocah who analyzes the recent legal landscape, focusing on Jack Smith's federal case dismissals and their broader implications.  The conversation examines the complex interplay between politics and justice, highlighting the challenges facing the Department of Justice and the critical importance of maintaining democratic norms. Rocah emphasizes the potential for civil accountability and the pivotal role of ordinary citizens in upholding the rule of law, while expressing cautious optimism about future legal and political engagement.

In a poignant discussion, Jen is joined by Dara Horn and explore her book 'People Love Dead Jews', examining how society fetishizes Jewish memorial narratives while marginalizing living Jewish experiences. She critiques the prevalent anti-Semitism in Western culture, highlighting how Holocaust education often serves as a superficial morality tale that fails to recognize Jewish agency and complexity. Horn discusses the troubling trend of erasing contemporary Jewish identities, arguing that societal perceptions frequently oscillate between romanticizing Jewish victimhood and harboring underlying assumptions of Jewish malevolence. The conversation delves into the nuanced challenges of understanding anti-Semitism, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive historical context and genuine cultural understanding.

White Christian nationalism's influence on US elections reflects complex intersections of religion, race, and politics. Robert P. Jones examines how faith communities, particularly white evangelicals, show strong support for Trump while highlighting concerning trends in political polarization and extremist rhetoric. The discussion emphasizes the importance of local engagement and understanding in addressing these challenges to democracy. Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom HelloFresh: Get 10 free meals applied across 7 boxes as a new subscriber when you go to hellofresh.com/freegreenroom

Jen Rubin discusses the implications of recent election results, emphasizing the need to understand voter sentiment and the role of misogyny in American politics. She outlines strategic responses for Democrats, focusing on accountability and the importance of local governance. Rubin expresses hope for the future while acknowledging the challenges ahead, urging listeners to remain engaged and proactive in the political landscape.

Jen Rubin discusses the optimism surrounding Election Day, highlighting the enthusiasm for Kamala Harris and the trends in early voting. She emphasizes the importance of key states like North Carolina and Georgia, and prepares listeners for Trump's expected declaration of victory, urging them to remain calm and patient as the votes are counted. Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom

David Brock discusses his book on the Supreme Court, focusing on the influence of Clarence Thomas and the ethical issues surrounding the court. He analyzes the power dynamics within the court, particularly the leadership of Chief Justice Roberts, and the implications for the Democratic Party's strategies moving forward. The discussion also touches on the media's role in shaping public perception, especially regarding Trump and right-wing media outlets, and concludes with reflections on the evolving nature of Democratic responses to political challenges. Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom

Jen, Susanne and Russ delve into the financial history and business practices of Donald Trump, exploring his early wealth, the impact of his family's finances, his business failures, and the eventual rise to fame through reality television. The discussion highlights the complexities of Trump's financial dealings, his reputation for stiffing contractors, and the role of media in shaping his public persona. Get the Book: Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom

Jen Rubin is joined this week by Matthew Seligman to discuss the ongoing legal implications of the January 6th events, focusing on the litigation surrounding Trump's actions and the broader implications for the upcoming 2024 election. They explore the strategies employed by Republicans to influence voting laws and the narrative around illegal voting, emphasizing the importance of voter confidence and the integrity of the electoral process. HelloFresh: Get 10 free meals applied across 7 boxes as a new subscriber when you go to hellofresh.com/freegreenroom Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom

Jen addresses a series of questions from listeners regarding the upcoming elections, focusing on misinformation, voter outreach strategies, key down-ballot races, and the priorities for Kamala Harris if elected.  Also touching on the shifting dynamics among young male voters, the impact of media pessimism, and the current global opinion on Israel amidst conflict. Jen emphasizes the importance of contributing to democratic efforts and highlights positive trends in the political landscape. Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom

Timothy Snyder discusses his new book that explores the concept of freedom from a philosophical and political perspective. He contrasts negative freedom, often understood as freedom from constraints, with positive freedom, which emphasizes the importance of community, solidarity, and the conditions necessary for individuals to thrive. Snyder argues that true freedom requires a supportive environment and institutions that foster individual growth. He critiques the American understanding of freedom as overly individualistic and highlights the need for factuality and truth in political discourse. The conversation also delves into the dangers of viewing freedom as inevitable and the importance of imagination in envisioning a freer society. Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom Zbiotics: Get back into action after a night out with 15% off your first order of Zbiotics when you go to zbiotics.com/greenroom and use code: GREENROOM

Jen Rubin and Ian Bassin discuss the current state of democracy in the U.S., focusing on the upcoming election, the myth of illegal voting, the integrity of the electoral process, and the role of the Supreme Court. He emphasizes the need for reforms to strengthen democracy, including addressing the filibuster and exploring innovative voting systems. Bassin also highlights the importance of community and collective action in overcoming the challenges facing democracy today.

Simon Rosenberg discusses the evolving political landscape as the election approaches, focusing on polling trends, candidate favorability, and the impact of key figures like JD Vance.  He highlights the significance of abortion as a political issue and the changing dynamics in the House and Senate races. The discussion also touches on the shifting perceptions of patriotism and the Democratic Party's identity, as well as strategic decisions in battleground states.

Jen Rubin is joined by Robert P. Jones to discuss his book 'The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy' and the updated observations in the paperback version. He explores the connection between Trump and his base supporters, highlighting the role of Christian nationalism in their support. Jones explains that white Christian nationalists want to restore their dominance in society and view Trump as a means to achieve that.  He also discusses the struggle between a pluralistic democracy and a vision of America as a Christian nation. Jones shares insights from his survey on authoritarianism, Christian nationalism, and the Republican Party, emphasizing the need for resistance and persuasion to uphold democratic values.

Jen Rubin and Dr. John Gartner discuss the increased focus on Donald Trump's mental health, particularly through Dr. Gartner's work with George Conway and the "Shrinking Trump" podcast. They explore how Biden's exit from the race has highlighted Trump's mental state, and how Conway's ads provoke Trump's irrational behavior. Jen and Dr. Gartner also examines Kamala Harris' strategy to undermine Trump, Coach Walz's appeal to Midwestern voters, and how fact-checking Trump's lies can be effective. Additionally, they discuss the potential societal shift post-Trump and the anticipation around a possible Harris-Trump debate.

Jen and Mark Jacob discuss the challenges facing the media industry and the need for more responsible and informative journalism. They highlight the importance of fact-checking and fact crusading, as well as the need for historical context in reporting. They also discuss the negative impact of polls and the obsession with entertainment in news coverage. The conversation touches on the decline of local news and the polarization of media outlets. Mark emphasizes the importance of a balanced news diet and the need to listen to different perspectives. https://www.stopthepresses.news/ https://x.com/MarkJacob16 Babbel:  Learn a new language and start traveling with Babbel.  Get 60% off when you go to Babbel.com/greenroom

Jen Rubin and Matt Bennett discuss the selection of Tim Walz as the vice presidential nominee and his potential impact on the ticket and the country. They highlight Walz's relatability, his understanding of rural and urban issues, and his ability to bridge the rural-urban divide.  They also discuss the strengths of the Harris campaign, including their ability to generate momentum and their strategic choices. They touch on the importance of authenticity, the need to address issues like crime and immigration, and the potential pitfalls for Democrats, such as complacency and identitarianism. They also discuss the political map and the states that Democrats should focus on.

Peter Pomerantsev discusses Delmer's strategies, highlighting their relevance to modern disinformation challenges, particularly regarding Russia's actions in Ukraine. Pomerantsev stresses the need for engaging media campaigns to counter authoritarian propaganda effectively. Peter's book is about Sefton Delmer, a British journalist during World War II, used subversive propaganda tactics against the Nazis. He created fake radio stations like 'Death Chef' to expose Nazi corruption and secrets. Delmer's goals were to: 1. Challenge Nazi emotional control 2. Provide factual information 3. Promote alternative identities 4. Encourage individual agency And it worked, what lessons can we learn from Sefton.

Jen and Kim Wehle discuss the current state of the Constitution and the Supreme Court. They highlight the recent Supreme Court rulings that have redefined the power of the president and altered the foundational structure of government. They also discuss the implications of these rulings on the rule of law and the potential for abuse of power. Kim emphasizes the need for civic literacy and understanding of the Constitution among the American public. She suggests potential reforms to strengthen democracy and protect constitutional rights. Support Our Sponsor: Zbiotics: Get back into action after a night out with 15% off your first order of Zbiotics when you go to zbiotics.com/greenroom and use code: GREENROOM

Jen Rubin is joined this week by Adam Hochschild to discuss his book 'American Midnight: Fear, Magic, and the Reconstruction of Race in America'. He explores the parallels between the early 20th century and the present day, highlighting the rise of nativism, paranoia, and conspiracy theories.  Adam delves into the factors that fueled fear and prejudice during World War I, including the conflict between nativists and immigrants, racial tensions, and the conflict between business and labor. He also discusses the role of figures like Louis F. Post and J. Edgar Hoover, as well as the lasting impact of the Immigration Act of 1924.  Jen & Adam chat about how we all  learn from history to prevent the repetition of such events.

Jen, Malcolm and Yair explores the concept of centrism and the need for political moderation in the face of populism and extremism.  The guests discuss their book, 'The Center Must Hold,' which brings together voices from around the world to advocate for centrism. They emphasize the importance of shared values, compromise, and humility in politics. They also discuss the role of institutions, such as compulsory voting and preferential voting, in promoting centrism.  Touching on the challenges of media polarization and the need for fact-based journalism. They highlight the value of national service and bridging social capital in fostering unity and understanding. Amazon Link for the book: https://a.co/d/0j04MrWe Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom