July 7 — Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. JD Vance
Digest
The episode of Meet the Press focuses on the growing pressure on President Biden to step aside from the 2024 presidential race, fueled by concerns about his age and cognitive abilities. Democrats are increasingly worried about the impact on down-ballot races if Biden remains at the top of the ticket, with some calling for a different nominee. The episode also examines the Supreme Court's decision granting former President Trump immunity for official actions, which has sparked debate about the implications for future elections and the potential for a Trump presidency to become more authoritarian. The panel discusses the potential for Vice President Harris to take over the nomination, as well as the possibility of a Trump-Vance ticket. The episode concludes with a discussion of the historical parallels between the current situation and the 1968 Democratic primary, when President Lyndon Johnson withdrew from the race due to the Vietnam War.
Outlines
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Biden's Candidacy Under Pressure
This Chapter discusses the growing pressure on President Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race due to concerns about his age and cognitive abilities. Democrats are increasingly worried about the impact on down-ballot races if Biden remains at the top of the ticket, with some calling for a different nominee. The chapter includes interviews with Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and other political analysts who discuss the potential consequences of Biden's decision to stay in the race.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Supreme Court Ruling on Presidential Immunity
This Chapter focuses on the Supreme Court's decision granting former President Trump immunity for official actions, which has sparked debate about the implications for future elections and the potential for a Trump presidency to become more authoritarian. The chapter includes interviews with Republican Senator JD Vance and other political analysts who discuss the potential consequences of the ruling and the potential for a Trump-Vance ticket.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Historical Parallels to 1968
This Chapter examines the historical parallels between the current situation and the 1968 Democratic primary, when President Lyndon Johnson withdrew from the race due to the Vietnam War. The chapter includes a clip of Vice President Hubert Humphrey's appearance on Meet the Press in 1968, where he discusses the reasons for Johnson's decision and the challenges of running for president in a deeply divided country.
Keywords
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States. He previously served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. Biden is a member of the Democratic Party and has been a prominent figure in American politics for over five decades. He is known for his moderate political views and his ability to build consensus across the aisle. Biden's presidency has been marked by a number of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He is seeking re-election in 2024.
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump is a member of the Republican Party and is known for his populist and nationalist views. His presidency was marked by a number of controversies, including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, his impeachment by the House of Representatives, and his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump is currently running for re-election in 2024.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Devi Harris is an American politician serving as the 49th vice president of the United States since 2021. Harris is a member of the Democratic Party and previously served as the junior United States senator from California from 2017 to 2021. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold the office of vice president. Harris is considered a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024.
Presidential Immunity
Presidential immunity is a legal doctrine that protects the president of the United States from being sued or prosecuted for actions taken while in office. The doctrine is based on the principle of separation of powers, which holds that the president should be able to carry out his duties without fear of being sued or prosecuted for every decision he makes. The Supreme Court has ruled on a number of cases involving presidential immunity, and the scope of the doctrine is still being debated. The recent Supreme Court decision granting former President Trump immunity for official actions has sparked debate about the implications for future elections and the potential for a Trump presidency to become more authoritarian.
2024 Election
The 2024 United States presidential election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The election will determine the 47th president of the United States. The current president, Joe Biden, is seeking re-election. The Republican Party's nominee is expected to be former President Donald Trump. The election is expected to be highly contested, with a number of key issues at stake, including the economy, healthcare, immigration, and climate change.
Meet the Press
Meet the Press is an American weekly television news program that airs on NBC. It is the longest-running television show in history, having premiered on November 6, 1948. The show is known for its interviews with prominent political figures and its coverage of current events. The show is hosted by Chuck Todd.
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. The party's platform is generally considered to be center-left, with a focus on social justice, economic equality, and environmental protection. The Democratic Party has been in power for much of the 21st century, with presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden all serving as members of the party. The party is currently facing a number of challenges, including a divided electorate, a growing sense of disillusionment with the political system, and the rise of populism.
Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. The party's platform is generally considered to be center-right, with a focus on limited government, individual liberty, and free markets. The Republican Party has been in power for much of the 20th century, with presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush all serving as members of the party. The party is currently facing a number of challenges, including a divided electorate, a growing sense of disillusionment with the political system, and the rise of populism.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson, often referred to by his initials LBJ, was the 36th president of the United States, serving from 1963 to 1969. Johnson, a member of the Democratic Party, succeeded to the presidency upon the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He is known for his Great Society programs, which aimed to address poverty, racial injustice, and other social problems. Johnson also escalated the Vietnam War, which ultimately led to his decision not to seek re-election in 1968.
Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr. was an American politician who served as the 38th vice president of the United States from 1965 to 1969 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Humphrey, a member of the Democratic Party, was a prominent figure in American politics for over three decades. He served as a senator from Minnesota from 1949 to 1964 and as vice president from 1965 to 1969. Humphrey was a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice. He was also a key figure in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Humphrey was the Democratic nominee for president in 1968, but he lost to Republican Richard Nixon.
Q&A
What are the main concerns about President Biden's age and cognitive abilities?
Concerns about President Biden's age and cognitive abilities have been raised by some Democrats, who worry that he may not be up to the demands of the presidency. These concerns have been amplified by Biden's recent debate performance, which some have interpreted as a sign of declining mental acuity. The episode discusses the potential impact of these concerns on Biden's re-election bid and the possibility that he may be forced to step aside.
What are the implications of the Supreme Court's decision granting former President Trump immunity for official actions?
The Supreme Court's decision granting former President Trump immunity for official actions has sparked debate about the implications for future elections and the potential for a Trump presidency to become more authoritarian. The decision has been criticized by some as a dangerous expansion of executive power, while others argue that it is necessary to protect the president from undue interference from the judiciary. The episode discusses the potential impact of the decision on the 2024 election and the future of American democracy.
What are the potential consequences of President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race?
The potential consequences of President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race are significant. If Biden steps aside, it would likely lead to a contested Democratic primary, with Vice President Harris emerging as the frontrunner. The episode discusses the potential impact of a Harris nomination on the 2024 election and the future of the Democratic Party.
What are the potential consequences of a Trump-Vance ticket in the 2024 election?
The potential consequences of a Trump-Vance ticket in the 2024 election are significant. Vance is a rising star in the Republican Party and is seen as a potential heir to Trump's populist mantle. The episode discusses the potential impact of a Trump-Vance ticket on the 2024 election and the future of the Republican Party.
What are the historical parallels between the current situation and the 1968 Democratic primary?
The current situation in the Democratic Party bears some striking similarities to the 1968 Democratic primary, when President Lyndon Johnson withdrew from the race due to the Vietnam War. In both cases, the incumbent president was facing significant pressure to step aside due to a combination of political and personal factors. The episode discusses the lessons that can be learned from the 1968 primary and the challenges of running for president in a deeply divided country.
Show Notes
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) — who is on former President Trump’s shortlist for potential running mates — exclusively joins Meet the Press to discuss the state of the presidential race. Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.) exclusively talks about President Joe Biden’s debate performance and re-election campaign. Matt Gorman, Mike Memoli, former Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) and Amy Walter join the Meet the Press roundtable.