Sarah Longwell: No One Should Trust this Government
1Digest
The podcast features Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, discussing her new book "How to Eat an Elephant One Voter at a Time." The conversation delves into the economic ramifications of the current war, particularly rising oil prices, and analyzes Donald Trump's political strategies, characterized as "political nihilism" and a disregard for public opinion. Longwell's book offers a framework for addressing complex political issues, like the MAGA movement, by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps, emphasizing the importance of listening to voters and understanding the dynamics of the attention economy and narrative dominance. The discussion also touches upon evolving views on foreign policy, the US-Israel alliance, and voter sentiment regarding the war, highlighting generational shifts and the challenges faced by politicians in the current political climate.
Outlines
Introduction and Sarah Longwell's New Book
The podcast begins by introducing Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and author of the new book "How to Eat an Elephant One Voter at a Time." The book aims to provide strategies for tackling large political problems, like the MAGA movement, by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps and emphasizes the importance of listening to voters.
War's Economic Impact and Strategic Missteps
The discussion shifts to the current war and its significant economic consequences, including soaring oil prices and their impact on consumers. The war is viewed as a strategic misstep with deeper involvement than anticipated, and past political decisions are examined in light of current events.
Trump's Political Nihilism and Disconnect
Donald Trump's statements and actions regarding the war and gas prices are analyzed, highlighting a perceived hypocrisy and a form of "political nihilism." Anecdotes suggest an insulated environment where he receives constant praise, leading to a detachment from political realities and consequences.
Trump 2.0 and War's Exceeding Expectations
The hosts discuss the possibility of "Trump 2.0" and whether his potential second term is exceeding even pessimistic expectations, particularly concerning his handling of the current war, which is described as "stupider than expected."
Lies, Misinformation, and Military Conduct
The administration is accused of lying about the war, specifically regarding an incident involving a school bombing. The discussion also explores the influence of media on views of the military and emphasizes pride in American conduct, adherence to rules of engagement, and the importance of accountability in war.
Reassessing Foreign Policy and Israel's Influence
The need to update foreign policy views based on new information is stressed, considering the influence of figures like Netanyahu and the role of committees. Trump's statements about mutual decisions with Netanyahu regarding the Iran war raise questions about Israel's influence on US policy.
Shifting Perspectives on Israel and Corruption Concerns
Traditional support for Israel is being re-evaluated due to current events. Both Trump and Netanyahu are described as corrupt, influencing the assessment of their joint decisions. The reflexive defense of Israel post-October 7th is acknowledged, but concerns about gratuitous Israeli actions and US involvement are raised.
Lack of War Justification and Generational Divides
The hosts argue that a convincing case for the war has not been made to the American public. Generational differences in views on Israel are highlighted, with younger generations being more critical and questioning the alliance's influence on US foreign policy.
Voter Sentiment, Anti-War Movement, and Political Futures
A strong anti-war sentiment exists among voters, regardless of political affiliation. Concerns about Israeli influence on US policy are prevalent, and pundits are advised to align with anti-war sentiments to maintain their political futures, highlighting a growing divide within the MAGA movement.
Government Deception and Tackling MAGA Influence
Accusations of government deception regarding the war and fabricated charges are discussed, alongside disruptions caused by a DHS shutdown. The conversation returns to Sarah Longwell's book, emphasizing its aim to reverse MAGA influence by tackling problems piece by piece and navigating the new media environment.
Keywords
How to Eat an Elephant One Voter at a Time
A book by Sarah Longwell offering guidance on tackling large political problems, like the MAGA movement, by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps. It emphasizes listening to voters and understanding their motivations.
Political Nihilism
A political philosophy characterized by a rejection of established political and social structures and values. In the context of the podcast, it describes Donald Trump's perceived indifference to public opinion and political consequences.
Narrative Dominance
The ability of a political group or ideology to control the dominant story or framing of issues in public discourse. The podcast discusses how Republicans have achieved narrative dominance in the current media environment.
Attention Economy
A framework for studying how information is consumed in an environment of limited human attention. The book discusses the need to build communication infrastructure to compete effectively in this economy.
MAGA Movement
A political movement associated with Donald Trump's presidency and his supporters. The podcast discusses the challenges of addressing the influence and impact of the MAGA movement on American politics.
Swing Voters
Voters who are not firmly aligned with a particular political party and whose votes can change the outcome of an election. The book identifies different types of swing voters and what influences their decisions.
Parasocial Relationships
One-sided relationships in which one person extends emotional investment and commitment, while the other party, the persona, is unaware of their existence. In politics, this refers to voters forming strong, often one-sided, connections with politicians.
America First
A foreign policy and political ideology advocating for prioritizing national interests above international cooperation. The podcast discusses the nuances and potential divisions within the "America First" movement.
War in Iran
The current conflict discussed in the podcast, its economic impact, and the political justifications and criticisms surrounding US involvement.
US Foreign Policy
The strategies and decisions guiding the United States' interactions with other countries, particularly in the context of the current war and the US-Israel alliance.
Q&A
What is the main theme of Sarah Longwell's new book, "How to Eat an Elephant One Voter at a Time"?
The book's title is a metaphor for tackling large, seemingly intractable political problems, like the MAGA movement, by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps ("one bite at a time"). It emphasizes the importance of listening to voters and understanding their perspectives to effectively engage with and influence them.
How does the podcast describe Donald Trump's approach to political consequences and public opinion?
The podcast suggests Donald Trump exhibits a form of "political nihilism," appearing indifferent to public opinion, poll numbers, or negative political consequences. This is attributed to his insulated experience and a focus on positive reinforcement, leading him to disregard the impact of his actions on the American people.
What is "narrative dominance" and how is it discussed in relation to the current political media environment?
Narrative dominance refers to the ability of a political group to control the prevailing story or framing of issues. The podcast argues that Republicans have achieved significant narrative dominance in the current media landscape, while Democrats have struggled to match this capability, impacting how voters process information and policy.
What are the key concerns raised by voters regarding the current war in Iran?
Voters express concerns about the economic burden of the war amidst existing economic problems, the lack of a clear plan for regime change in Iran, and the potential for repeating past mistakes like the aftermath of the Iraq War. They question the rationale for US involvement and Israel's significant influence on US foreign policy decisions.
How are younger generations' views on Israel and the US-Israel alliance different from older generations?
Younger generations, unlike older ones who may have had a reflexive support for Israel based on historical context, are more critical. They question why they cannot voice criticism of Israel's actions and are skeptical of Israel's influence on US policy, indicating a significant shift in public opinion and a departure from traditional alliances.
Show Notes
Unless the administration is keeping some closely-guarded secret about why America went to war against Iran, the only thing officialdom is saying out loud is that Netanyahu wanted us to. And now Trump says he's waiting on Netanyahu to end it. But support for the state of Israel cannot make up for the fact that both the president and the prime minister are not to be trusted. Both Trump and Netanyahu are corrupt men who used their power to avoid being held accountable for their corruption. To be skeptical about the aims of the military operation is not antisemitic, but the fact that it is happening at all may contribute to the rising incidence of antisemitism. Plus, JD is in a tight spot, the administration keeps lying about our killing of Iranian schoolchildren, and Sarah's new book advises Democrats on how to win the comms war against Republicans.
Sarah Longwell joins Tim Miller.
show notes
- Pre-order Sarah's book, "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time"
- Stream "Memphis Belle," the film Sarah recommended
- Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
- Same night out — way better morning with Cheers. For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code THEBULWARK at cheershealth.com/THEBULWARK #Cheers #ad
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