Election Anxiety, Anyone? (with Evan Osnos)
1Digest
This episode of "Stay Tuned with Preet" features a conversation with Evan Osnos, a staff writer at The New Yorker, about the 2020 election and the state of American political life. The conversation begins with a discussion of how to advise high school students who can't vote yet on how to watch the election unfold. Preet emphasizes the importance of understanding the closeness of elections, applying critical thinking, scrutinizing promises, and developing one's own values. The conversation then shifts to the challenges of transitioning from a career as a prosecutor to a defense attorney, with Preet sharing his own experiences on both sides of the courtroom. He emphasizes the value of varied experiences in understanding the perspectives of both prosecutors and defendants. Preet and Evan then discuss the upcoming election, the challenges of navigating a politically charged environment, and the need for humor and perspective. They explore the controversy surrounding Trump's comments at a rally, examining the strategic implications of his cruelty and the challenge of navigating the constant churn of political news. The conversation delves into the debate about whether Trump is a fascist and the risks of comparing him to Hitler. They explore the challenges of writing about Trump and the difficulty of finding effective ways to make people pay attention to the stakes. Preet and Evan then discuss the question of character in public life, exploring whether we have always cared about character or if Trump has ushered in a cruder, more disregarding approach to one another. They also discuss the impact of character flaws on politicians who run on a platform of virtue, exploring the idea that Trump has positioned himself as the icon of a fallen humanity and the importance of leadership in shaping the direction of society. The conversation continues with a discussion of the enduring mystery of Trump's appeal, exploring the idea that he "gets it" for many people, even if his policies are flawed. They also discuss the importance of empathy in understanding people's perspectives and the challenges of navigating a polarized political landscape. Preet and Evan conclude their conversation by reflecting on the complex relationship between patriotism and American identity, exploring the challenges of embracing patriotism in a country grappling with its history of racism and slavery. They emphasize the need for hope and inspiration in American politics, urging listeners to think about issues larger than individual candidates and to seek out leaders who speak with authenticity and inspire a sense of shared purpose.
Outlines
Introduction and Preview
The episode begins with a brief introduction and a preview of the upcoming conversation with Evan Osnos, a staff writer at The New Yorker, about the upcoming election and the state of American political life.
Advice for High School Students Watching the Election
Preet Bharara answers a question from a listener about how to advise high school students who can't vote yet on how to watch the election unfold. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the closeness of elections, applying critical thinking, scrutinizing promises, and developing one's own values.
Transitioning from Prosecutor to Defense Attorney
Preet Bharara responds to a listener who is transitioning from a career as an Assistant US Attorney to private practice, focusing on criminal defense. He shares his own experiences on both sides of the courtroom and emphasizes the value of varied experiences in understanding the perspectives of both prosecutors and defendants.
The Election, Penguins, and the Oversaturation of Political Information
Preet Bharara welcomes Evan Osnos to the show and they discuss the upcoming election, the challenges of navigating a politically charged environment, and the need for humor and perspective.
Trump's Political Strategy and the Challenge of Navigating Political News
Preet and Evan discuss the controversy surrounding Trump's comments at a rally, exploring the strategic implications of his cruelty and the challenge of navigating the constant churn of political news.
The Limits of Comparing Trump to Hitler and the Challenges of Writing About Him
Preet and Evan discuss the debate about whether Trump is a fascist and the risks of comparing him to Hitler. They explore the challenges of writing about Trump and the difficulty of finding effective ways to make people pay attention to the stakes.
Character in Public Life and the Impact of Trump's Approach
Preet and Evan delve into the question of character in public life, exploring whether we have always cared about character or if Trump has ushered in a cruder, more disregarding approach to one another.
Character Flaws and the Power of Leadership
Preet and Evan discuss the impact of character flaws on politicians who run on a platform of virtue. They explore the idea that Trump has positioned himself as the icon of a fallen humanity and the importance of leadership in shaping the direction of society.
Keywords
Autocratic Tendencies
A leader's inclination towards absolute power, often characterized by suppression of dissent, disregard for democratic norms, and concentration of authority.
Status Anxiety
A feeling of unease or insecurity about one's social standing, often stemming from perceived threats to one's position or social mobility.
Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, often characterized by compassion, understanding, and the ability to see things from another's perspective.
Patriotism
Love for or devotion to one's country, often expressed through national pride, support for national institutions, and a willingness to defend the country.
Cliche
A phrase or expression that has become overused and lacks originality, often used to convey a familiar or predictable idea.
Grievance
A feeling of resentment or injustice, often stemming from a perceived wrong or unfair treatment.
Meritocracy
A system in which advancement is based on individual ability and achievement, rather than on social status or wealth.
Strong Man
A leader who is perceived as powerful, decisive, and capable of restoring order, often appealing to those who feel insecure or threatened.
Q&A
How can we advise high school students who can't vote yet on how to watch the election unfold?
Encourage them to understand the closeness of elections, apply critical thinking to analyze candidates' positions, scrutinize promises, and develop their own set of values.
What are the challenges of transitioning from a career as a prosecutor to a defense attorney?
It involves a shift in perspective, understanding the burdens faced by defendants, and explaining the government's perspective to clients.
How do we navigate the constant churn of political news and the oversaturation of information?
Seek out humor and perspective, look beyond the headlines, and focus on the larger forces shaping our politics and culture.
What are the strategic implications of Trump's cruelty?
It's a feature, not a bug, designed to announce a position and generate attention, even if it alienates some voters.
What are the challenges of writing about Trump and finding effective ways to make people pay attention to the stakes?
We've tried different techniques, from understatement to maximalism, but it's hard to say what will break through.
How do we think about character in public life, and has Trump ushered in a cruder, more disregarding approach to one another?
There's always been a spectrum of people, some who value kindness and others who embrace a more competitive approach. Trump has amplified this divide, but it's not entirely new.
What are the implications of character flaws for politicians who run on a platform of virtue?
Transgressions can be fatal for those who elevate character as a reason for running for office.
What is the mystery of Trump's appeal, and how does he "get it" for many people?
It's hard to quantify, but it seems to stem from a sense that he understands their problems and represents their grievances, even if his policies are flawed.
What are the challenges of embracing patriotism in a country grappling with its history of racism and slavery?
It's become harder to have an unambiguous love for the country without acknowledging its flaws, but patriotism is still essential for national self-improvement.
How can we find hope and inspiration in American politics?
Look beyond individual candidates and focus on the larger issues facing the country, seeking out leaders who speak with authenticity and inspire a sense of shared purpose.
Show Notes
Evan Osnos is a staff writer at the New Yorker, where his work spans everything from national politics to foreign affairs. Just days before the election, Osnos joins Preet to talk about the big questions in American political culture: What does patriotism mean in a divided country? How should we confront cruelty? And is there still room for empathy in our politics?
Plus, Preet offers advice to high school students and to lawyers making the move to private practice.
With the election around the corner, and legal questions certain to follow, understanding the law is more important than ever. From now through November, visit cafe.com/november to get 40% off your membership for the first year.
For show notes and a transcript of the episode head to: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/election-trump-harris-evan-osnos/
Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on Threads, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.
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