Even George Clooney Has Abandoned Biden
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The Slate Political Gap Fest delves into the current political landscape, examining the challenges facing President Biden's reelection campaign. The episode highlights the growing pressure for Biden to withdraw from the race, fueled by concerns about his age and performance. The podcast explores the potential impact of Biden's potential withdrawal on the Democratic Party and the upcoming election. The episode also discusses Trump's preparations for the Republican nomination, including his efforts to soften his stance on certain issues and the implications of Project 2025, a plan for a second Trump administration. The podcast further analyzes the Supreme Court's recent decisions, particularly the emergence of a "strange new respect" for Justice Amy Coney Barrett, despite her conservative leanings. The episode explores Barrett's unique approach to jurisprudence, her willingness to challenge the conservative majority, and the potential implications of her decisions for the future of the court. The podcast concludes with a discussion of "cocktail chatter," featuring anecdotes about Pablo Escobar's legacy, Alice Monroe's family secrets, and a disturbing incident of middle schoolers cyberbullying their teachers.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the Slate Political Gap Fest, a podcast dedicated to analyzing the political landscape. The episode features David Plots, Emily Vazlon, and John Dickerson, who discuss the current state of the 2024 presidential race.
Biden's Struggling Reelection Campaign
This Chapter focuses on the challenges facing President Biden's reelection campaign. The podcast discusses the growing pressure for Biden to withdraw from the race, fueled by concerns about his age and performance. The episode explores the potential impact of Biden's potential withdrawal on the Democratic Party and the upcoming election.
Trump's Preparations for the Republican Nomination
This Chapter examines Trump's preparations for the Republican nomination, including his efforts to soften his stance on certain issues and the implications of Project 2025, a plan for a second Trump administration. The podcast explores the potential impact of Project 2025 on the future of American government and policy.
The Supreme Court's Recent Decisions
This Chapter analyzes the Supreme Court's recent decisions, particularly the emergence of a "strange new respect" for Justice Amy Coney Barrett, despite her conservative leanings. The episode explores Barrett's unique approach to jurisprudence, her willingness to challenge the conservative majority, and the potential implications of her decisions for the future of the court.
Cocktail Chatter
This Chapter features a segment of "cocktail chatter," where the hosts discuss various anecdotes and news stories. The episode includes discussions about Pablo Escobar's legacy, Alice Monroe's family secrets, and a disturbing incident of middle schoolers cyberbullying their teachers.
Keywords
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has served in the U.S. Senate from Delaware from 1973 to 2009. Biden was elected vice president under President Barack Obama in 2008 and served two terms. He was elected president in 2020, defeating incumbent Donald Trump. Biden's presidency has been marked by a number of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and rising inflation. He is facing pressure to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race due to concerns about his age and performance.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party. Trump's presidency was marked by controversy and division. He was impeached by the House of Representatives twice, but acquitted by the Senate both times. Trump is currently running for president again in 2024. He is facing a number of challenges, including the ongoing investigations into his conduct, the January 6th insurrection, and the potential for a divided Republican Party.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the country. It is composed of nine justices, who are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court has the power to review laws passed by Congress and the states, and to interpret the Constitution. The court's decisions have a profound impact on American society, and its rulings on issues such as abortion, gun control, and affirmative action are often highly controversial. The podcast discusses the Supreme Court's recent decisions, particularly the emergence of a "strange new respect" for Justice Amy Coney Barrett, despite her conservative leanings.
Amy Coney Barrett
Amy Coney Barrett is an American jurist who serves as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She was nominated by President Donald Trump in 2020 and confirmed by the Senate. Barrett is a conservative jurist who is known for her originalist views on constitutional interpretation. She has been a controversial figure since her nomination, with critics arguing that her views are too extreme and that she will overturn Roe v. Wade. The podcast discusses Barrett's unique approach to jurisprudence, her willingness to challenge the conservative majority, and the potential implications of her decisions for the future of the court.
Project 2025
Project 2025 is a plan for a second Trump administration, developed by the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation. The plan outlines a series of policies that would dramatically alter the shape of American government and policy. Some of the key proposals include a simplified and more aggressive tech system, a crackdown on immigration, a shift away from alternative energy sources, and a rollback of environmental regulations. The podcast explores the potential impact of Project 2025 on the future of American government and policy.
Originalism
Originalism is a method of interpreting the Constitution that emphasizes the original meaning of the text as understood by the people who ratified it. Originalists argue that judges should not impose their own values on the Constitution, but should instead apply the original meaning of the text. The podcast discusses the Supreme Court's recent decisions and how Justice Amy Coney Barrett's approach to originalism differs from other justices on the court.
History and Tradition
The "history and tradition" test is a method of interpreting the Constitution that relies on historical practices and traditions to determine the meaning of the text. The podcast discusses how the Supreme Court has moved from a more strict version of originalism to a more flexible approach that relies on cherry-picking historical sources. Justice Amy Coney Barrett has criticized this approach, arguing that it is not a reliable method of interpreting the Constitution.
Impoundment
Impoundment is the practice of a president refusing to spend money that Congress has appropriated. The podcast discusses how Donald Trump and the Heritage Foundation believe that the president should have the power to impound funds, even if Congress has appropriated them. This would allow the president to effectively veto spending decisions made by Congress.
Schedule F
Schedule F is a proposed change to the civil service system that would allow the president to fire a large number of federal employees without cause. The podcast discusses how this proposal would weaken the civil service system and make it easier for the president to control the bureaucracy.
TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos. The podcast discusses a disturbing incident of middle schoolers cyberbullying their teachers using fake TikTok accounts. This incident highlights the potential dangers of social media and the need for parents and educators to be aware of the risks.
Q&A
What are the main concerns about President Biden's age and performance in the 2024 presidential race?
Concerns about President Biden's age and performance have led to growing pressure for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Critics point to his declining popularity, his recent debate performance, and the potential for his age to hinder his ability to effectively lead the country. The podcast explores the potential impact of Biden's potential withdrawal on the Democratic Party and the upcoming election.
What is Project 2025 and what are its potential implications for the future of American government and policy?
Project 2025 is a plan for a second Trump administration, developed by the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation. The plan outlines a series of policies that would dramatically alter the shape of American government and policy. Some of the key proposals include a simplified and more aggressive tech system, a crackdown on immigration, a shift away from alternative energy sources, and a rollback of environmental regulations. The podcast explores the potential impact of Project 2025 on the future of American government and policy.
How does Justice Amy Coney Barrett's approach to jurisprudence differ from other justices on the Supreme Court?
Justice Amy Coney Barrett has carved out a unique path on the Supreme Court, despite her conservative leanings. She has written solo opinions that take a narrower view than the conservative majority and has challenged the reasoning in some of the court's most conservative decisions. The podcast explores Barrett's unique approach to jurisprudence, her willingness to challenge the conservative majority, and the potential implications of her decisions for the future of the court.
What are some of the key differences between Donald Trump's first term and his potential second term?
The podcast suggests that Donald Trump's potential second term could be significantly different from his first term. The episode highlights the importance of project management and the potential for Trump to implement his policies more effectively if he has a plan and a team of loyal and competent individuals. The podcast also discusses the potential for Trump to use his power to dismantle the bureaucracy and implement policies that would dramatically alter the shape of American government and policy.
What are some of the challenges facing the Democratic Party in the wake of President Biden's declining popularity?
The Democratic Party is facing a number of challenges in the wake of President Biden's declining popularity. The podcast discusses the potential for Biden's withdrawal from the race to create a power vacuum within the party and the difficulty of finding a new nominee who can unite the party and appeal to voters. The episode also explores the potential for Biden's declining popularity to have a negative impact on down-ballot races.
What are some of the key issues that the Supreme Court has ruled on in recent years?
The Supreme Court has ruled on a number of key issues in recent years, including abortion, gun control, environmental regulations, and presidential immunity. The podcast discusses the Supreme Court's recent decisions and how they have impacted American society. The episode also explores the potential for the court to continue to shift to the right in the coming years.
What are some of the potential consequences of the Supreme Court's recent decisions?
The Supreme Court's recent decisions have the potential to have a profound impact on American society. The podcast discusses the potential for the court to continue to erode the rights of women, minorities, and other marginalized groups. The episode also explores the potential for the court to further weaken the federal government and its ability to regulate the economy and protect the environment.
What are some of the key takeaways from the Slate Political Gap Fest's discussion of the 2024 presidential race?
The Slate Political Gap Fest's discussion of the 2024 presidential race highlights the challenges facing both President Biden and Donald Trump. The podcast explores the potential for Biden's declining popularity to lead to his withdrawal from the race and the potential for Trump to win the Republican nomination and implement a radical agenda. The episode also discusses the Supreme Court's recent decisions and their potential impact on American society.
What are some of the key issues that the Slate Political Gap Fest's discussion of the Supreme Court's recent decisions?
The Slate Political Gap Fest's discussion of the Supreme Court's recent decisions highlights the court's shift to the right and the potential for this shift to have a profound impact on American society. The podcast explores the court's rulings on issues such as abortion, gun control, environmental regulations, and presidential immunity. The episode also discusses the emergence of a "strange new respect" for Justice Amy Coney Barrett, despite her conservative leanings.
What are some of the key takeaways from the Slate Political Gap Fest's discussion of "cocktail chatter"?
The Slate Political Gap Fest's discussion of "cocktail chatter" highlights the diverse range of topics that can be discussed in a casual setting. The episode includes discussions about Pablo Escobar's legacy, Alice Monroe's family secrets, and a disturbing incident of middle schoolers cyberbullying their teachers. The podcast demonstrates how even seemingly mundane topics can be used to spark interesting conversations and raise important questions about society.
Show Notes
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz continue to debate if Joe Biden should stay in the presidential race and who might replace him if he goes; discuss Project 2025; and ponder if Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett deserves a strange, new respect.
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:
George Clooney in The New York Times: I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee.
Franklin Foer for The Atlantic: Biden Has Fallen Into a Psychological Trap
Leigh Ann Caldwell, Marianna Sotomayor, Jacqueline Alemany, and Paul Kane for The Washington Post: Pelosi opens the door, subtly, to replacing Biden
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: coronate and ideate
Tim Alberta for The Atlantic: Trump Is Planning For A Landslide Win
Ryan Teague Beckwith for MSNBC: What is Project 2025? The plans for Trump’s second term, explained
Judd Legum for Popular Information: What Trump doesn’t want you to know about Project 2025 and The alarming new power Trump will claim in a second term
James Taranto for The Wall Street Journal: Strange New Respect
Ann E. Marimow for The Washington Post: Justice Amy Coney Barrett is charting her own path on the bench
Stephen I. Vladeck in The New York Times: The Most Interesting Justice on the Supreme Court Is Also the Loneliest
James LaRock and Jacob Hammond for Balls and Strikes: The Hollow Originalism of Amy Coney Barrett
Oyez: Amy Coney Barrett
Here are this week’s chatters:
John: Joshua Hammer for Smithsonian Magazine: Pablo Escobar’s Abandoned Hippos Are Wreaking Havoc in the Columbia Jungle
Emily: Andrea Robin Skinner for the Toronto Star: My stepfather sexually abused me when I was a child. My mother, Alice Munro, chose to stay with him
David: Natasha Singer for The New York Times: Students Target Teachers in Group TikTok Attack, Shaking Their School and City Cast DC Live Podcast Taping on Saturday, July 13
Listener chatter from Researcher Julie: Alexandra Alter for The New York Times: Romance Bookstores Are Booming, Dishing ‘All the Hot Stuff You Can Imagine’ and Elisabeth Egan: Emily Henry on Writing Best-Sellers Without Tours and TikTok; Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg, Ellen Gamerman, and Isabella Simonetti for The Wall Street Journal: How Dragons, Magic and Steamy Sex Took Over the Book World; and Bridgerton on Netflix
For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, David, John, and Emily talk with Professor Emily Wilson about her translation of Homer’s Iliad. See The Iliad by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson. See also The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson.
In the latest Gabfest Reads, David talks with Sierra Greer about her new book, Annie Bot: A Novel. And Gabfest Reads now has its own site!
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 and Ethan Oberman
Research by Julie Huygen
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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