Donald Trump is Convicted! Plus, Who is Winning The Senate?
Digest
This episode of the Slate Political Gap Fest delves into the upcoming 2024 Senate elections, highlighting the challenges Democrats face in defending their majority. The discussion explores the trend of voters aligning their Senate votes with their presidential preferences, making it difficult for Democrats to outrun the top of the ticket. The episode also features an interview with reporters Elizabeth Diaz and Lisa Lairer, authors of the new book "The Fall of Roe." They discuss the conservative legal movement's long-term strategy to overturn Roe v. Wade, emphasizing the shift from incrementalism to a more absolutist approach. The episode concludes with a segment on Lauren Bobert, a controversial congresswoman from Colorado, and her rise to prominence in the MAGA era. The hosts discuss her unique brand of politics and her potential future in the Republican Party.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the Slate Political Gap Fest and its focus on the upcoming 2024 Senate elections, the conservative legal network's strategy to overturn Roe v. Wade, and the rise of Lauren Bobert as a controversial figure in the MAGA era.
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2024 Senate Elections
This Chapter discusses the challenges Democrats face in defending their majority in the Senate in the 2024 elections. The discussion highlights the trend of voters aligning their Senate votes with their presidential preferences, making it difficult for Democrats to outrun the top of the ticket. The hosts analyze the key races and the factors that could influence the outcome.
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The Fall of Roe
This Chapter features an interview with reporters Elizabeth Diaz and Lisa Lairer, authors of the new book "The Fall of Roe." They discuss the conservative legal movement's long-term strategy to overturn Roe v. Wade, emphasizing the shift from incrementalism to a more absolutist approach. They trace the origins of this strategy and its successful implementation, highlighting the role of key players and the legal maneuvers employed.
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Lauren Bobert Can't Lose
This Chapter introduces the CityCast Denver podcast "Lauren Bobert Can't Lose" and its focus on the controversial congresswoman from Colorado. The hosts discuss Bobert's rise to prominence in the MAGA era, her unique brand of politics, and her potential future in the Republican Party. They analyze her appeal to voters in her district and her ability to navigate the political landscape.
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Pro-Natalism
This Chapter, exclusive to Slate Plus members, explores the emerging pro-natalist movement, which advocates for increased birth rates in developed countries. The hosts discuss the movement's connection to effective altruism and its potential implications for society. They also examine the movement's potential for eugenicist tendencies and its focus on a specific demographic.
Keywords
Senate Elections
The upcoming 2024 Senate elections in the United States, where Democrats are defending their majority and facing challenges from Republican candidates in key states.
Roe v. Wade
The landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, which was overturned in 2022 by the Dobbs decision. The conservative legal movement's strategy to overturn Roe v. Wade is a key topic of discussion in this episode.
Lauren Bobert
A controversial congresswoman from Colorado who has gained notoriety for her outspoken views and provocative behavior. She is a prominent figure in the MAGA era and is known for her strong support of gun rights and her opposition to Democratic policies.
MAGA
An acronym for "Make America Great Again," a slogan popularized by former President Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. It represents a political movement that emphasizes American nationalism, economic populism, and social conservatism.
Pro-Natalism
A movement that advocates for increased birth rates in developed countries, often citing concerns about population decline and its potential economic and social consequences. The movement is often associated with effective altruism and has been criticized for its potential for eugenicist tendencies.
Effective Altruism
A philosophy and movement that encourages individuals to use their resources and skills to maximize their positive impact on the world. It often involves identifying and addressing global problems, such as poverty, disease, and climate change.
Eugenicist
Relating to or advocating for the improvement of the human race by controlled breeding. Eugenics has a controversial history, as it has been used to justify discriminatory practices and policies, such as forced sterilization and racial segregation.
Overton Window
A political theory that describes the range of acceptable political discourse at any given time. The Overton Window can shift over time, reflecting changes in public opinion and political priorities.
Alliance Defending Freedom
A conservative Christian legal organization that has been a major player in the movement to overturn Roe v. Wade. It is known for its advocacy on issues related to religious freedom, family values, and social conservatism.
Federalist Society
A conservative legal organization that has played a significant role in shaping the legal landscape in the United States. It is known for its influence on judicial appointments and its advocacy for conservative legal principles.
Q&A
What are the key challenges Democrats face in the upcoming 2024 Senate elections?
Democrats are defending 23 of the 34 Senate seats up for re-election, and eight of those seats are considered to be in jeopardy. They face strong Republican candidates in Trump-leaning states, and the trend of voters aligning their Senate votes with their presidential preferences makes it difficult for Democrats to outrun the top of the ticket.
How did the conservative legal movement develop its strategy to overturn Roe v. Wade?
The movement's strategy evolved over decades, but a key turning point came after Trump's election. A group of determined lawyers saw a new opportunity and developed a sophisticated legal strategy that involved passing legislation in key states, working with conservative Christian networks, and ultimately challenging Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court.
What are the distinguishing characteristics of Lauren Bobert as a politician?
Bobert is known for her bombastic and self-assured style, her willingness to confront her opponents, and her ability to connect with voters in her district. She has been criticized for her lack of knowledge about the workings of Congress, but she has successfully leveraged her unconventional approach to gain a following.
What are the potential implications of the pro-natalist movement?
The pro-natalist movement, which advocates for increased birth rates, raises concerns about potential eugenicist tendencies and its focus on a specific demographic. It also raises questions about the role of government in influencing population growth and the potential consequences for social and economic structures.
How did the abortion rights groups fail to protect their interests in the fight to overturn Roe v. Wade?
While some of the outcome was inevitable after Trump appointed conservative justices, the abortion rights groups could have had a stronger presence in state legislatures and focused more on maintaining political power. They were successful in winning the cultural battle, but they lost ground in terms of actual political influence.
What are the next steps for the Alliance Defending Freedom?
The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal organization, has a long-term strategy to advance its cultural goals. They are aiming to overturn or weaken other Supreme Court precedents, potentially impacting issues such as trans rights, parental rights in schools, and medical transitions for minors.
How did the conservative legal movement use the existing system to achieve its goals?
The movement effectively utilized the existing system of American democracy, including the legislative process, the court system, and the appointment of judges. They were able to leverage political power and influence to achieve their objectives, even if it meant breaking norms and pushing the boundaries of the system.
What is the significance of the "Lauren Bobert Can't Lose" podcast?
The podcast provides a deeper understanding of Lauren Bobert's rise to prominence and her unique brand of politics. It explores her appeal to voters in her district and her potential future in the Republican Party, offering insights into the evolving dynamics of the MAGA movement.
What is the connection between the pro-natalist movement and the eugenics of the past?
The pro-natalist movement, while claiming to be inclusive, has a tendency to focus on a specific demographic, often white and affluent. This raises concerns about potential eugenicist tendencies, as it suggests a preference for certain traits and a desire to shape the future population.
What is the significance of the "Honor Watch" podcast?
The podcast highlights the challenges faced by whistleblowers in a system where they are often treated as enemies. It explores the abuse of power within the prison system and the importance of accountability. The podcast also raises questions about the gender dynamics within the prison guard culture.
Show Notes
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the U.S. Senate seats that might turn from blue to red in 2024; The Fall of Roe with The New York Times’s Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer; and the rise of Lauren Boebert with City Cast Denver’s Bree Davies and Paul Karolyi.
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter: 2024 CPR Senate Race Ratings
Jonathan Weisman for The New York Times: 10 Senate Races to Watch in 2024
Ben Kamisar for NBC News: Rich people are spending more than ever to run for Congress. A big test is coming in Maryland.
Nate Silver for 538: Are The Democrats Screwed In The Senate After 2024?
The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America by Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer and The New York Times Magazine: The Untold Story of the Network That Took Down Roe v. Wade
Ian Ward for Politico: The Group Behind Dobbs Does Not Want to Talk About What Comes Next
Bree Davies and Paul Karolyi for City Cast Denver: Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose
CBS Colorado: Beto O’Rourke Talks Gun Violence At Aurora Campaign Stop
Here are this week’s chatters:
Emily: Law & Justice Journalism Project: 2024 Fellowship
John: Katie Razzall, Darin Graham, and Larissa Kennelly for BBC News: FBI investigating missing ancient treasures from British Museum and Rebecca Mead for The New Yorker: The British Museum’s Blockbuster Scandals
David: Meilan Solly for Smithsonian Magazine: Giant Pandas Are Coming Back to Washington, D.C.; Maura Judkis and Travis M. Andrews for The Washington Post: Let’s argue about the giant pandas; and Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute: Red panda
Listener chatter from Annamarie Smith in Sacramento, California: Sukey Lewis and Julie Small for KQED: On Our Watch: New Folsom
For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David talk about pronatalism and the Collins family. See Jenny Kleeman for The Guardian: America’s premier pronatalists on having ‘tons of kids’ to save the world: ‘There are going to be countries of old people starving to death’. See also Luke Munn for The Conversation: Pronatalism is the latest Silicon Valley trend. What is it – and why is it disturbing?; Sarah Jones for Intelligencer: There’s Nothing New About Pronatalism; and The Genius Factory: The Curious History of the Nobel Prize Sperm Bank by David Plotz.
In the next Gabfest Reads, David talks with Sierra Greer about her new book, Annie Bot: A Novel.
Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)
Podcast production by Cheyna Roth
Research by Julie Huygen
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