VP Walz, Trump Threat & Biden Legacy (with Mark Leibovich & Bob Bauer)
4Digest
This episode of "Stay Tuned" features a conversation with Bob Bauer, a leading legal scholar, about the erosion of political institutions and the role of ethics in maintaining democratic norms. The episode begins with a preview of the conversation, highlighting the importance of ethical choices by individuals in positions of power. It then delves into the selection of Tim Walls as Kamala Harris's running mate, exploring the reasoning behind the choice and its implications for the presidential race. The episode continues with a discussion about the crisis of democracy and the importance of ethical choices by individuals in positions of power. It also includes a bonus segment for members of the Cafe Insider community, discussing potential legal attacks on the 2024 election results. The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of music and art as anchors in challenging times, highlighting the power of music to provide comfort and perspective.
Outlines
Introduction and Preview: Ethics, Presidential Power, and SCOTUS Reforms
The episode introduces "Stay Tuned" and previews an upcoming conversation with Bob Bauer about unchecked presidential power, ethical failures in politics, and SCOTUS reforms.
Kamala Harris's VP Pick: Tim Walls and the Implications
The episode discusses Kamala Harris's selection of Tim Walls as her running mate, exploring the reasoning behind the choice and its implications for the presidential race.
Protecting Political Institutions from Erosion: A Conversation with Bob Bauer
The episode delves into a conversation with Bob Bauer, a leading legal scholar, about the erosion of political institutions and the role of ethics in maintaining democratic norms.
Democracy in Crisis: Ethics and the Unraveling
The episode continues the discussion with Bob Bauer, exploring the crisis of democracy and the importance of ethical choices by individuals in positions of power.
Bonus for Insiders: Legal Attacks on the 2024 Election
This segment is a bonus for members of the Cafe Insider community, discussing potential legal attacks on the 2024 election results.
The Power of Music in Difficult Times
The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of music and art as anchors in challenging times, highlighting the power of music to provide comfort and perspective.
Keywords
Tim Walls
Tim Walls is the current Governor of Minnesota and was selected by Kamala Harris as her running mate in the 2024 presidential election. He is known for his charisma, communication skills, and ability to connect with voters.
Bob Bauer
Bob Bauer is a leading legal scholar and former White House Counsel to President Obama. He is currently President Biden's personal attorney and a professor at NYU Law School. He is known for his expertise in constitutional law, election law, and ethics.
Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)
The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) is a division within the Department of Justice that provides legal advice to the Executive Branch, including the President. It plays a crucial role in interpreting the law and advising on the legality of presidential actions.
Self-Pardon
A self-pardon is a pardon granted by a president to themselves, which is a controversial issue with no clear legal precedent. The OLC has previously expressed doubts about the constitutionality of self-pardons.
Court Packing
Court packing refers to the practice of adding more justices to the Supreme Court to alter its ideological balance. It is a controversial issue with strong arguments both for and against it.
Term Limits
Term limits are a proposed reform to the Supreme Court that would impose a fixed term for justices, rather than lifetime appointments. This is seen as a way to reduce the politicization of the court and ensure a more balanced representation of different viewpoints.
Q&A
What are the key differences between the roles of White House Counsel and personal lawyer to the President?
The White House Counsel serves in an institutional role, advising the President as President, while the personal lawyer represents the President in their private capacity. The White House Counsel is a government employee, while the personal lawyer is in private practice.
How might a White House Counsel who is a \"yes man\" pose a problem for the institution of the presidency?
A White House Counsel who is willing to do the bidding of the President without regard for institutional norms or legal boundaries could enable the President to overstep their authority, potentially leading to serious consequences for the rule of law and democratic institutions.
What are some of the key challenges facing democracy in the United States, according to Bob Bauer?
Bauer argues that a crisis of democracy is fueled by a lack of ethical behavior by individuals in positions of power, a disregard for the rule of law, and a blurring of lines between public and private interests. He emphasizes the importance of ethical choices in maintaining democratic norms and institutions.
What are some steps that Kamala Harris and Tim Walls could take to restore faith in institutions if they are elected?
Bauer suggests that a Harris-Walls administration could strengthen the presidency by implementing reforms that enhance its guardrails, promote self-restraint, and demonstrate respect for the constitutional system. He also emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and a commitment to the rule of law.
What are some potential legal challenges that the Trump campaign might pursue in the 2024 election?
Bauer believes that any legal challenges to the replacement of Joe Biden by Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket are likely to be frivolous and without merit. He emphasizes the importance of community leadership in supporting election administrators and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
Show Notes
Bob Bauer is a professor at NYU Law School, President Biden’s personal attorney, and former White House Counsel to President Obama. He joins Preet to discuss the dangers of unchecked presidential power, the true potential of SCOTUS reforms, and his book, The Unraveling: Reflections on Politics without Ethics and Democracy in Crisis.
And in lieu of the typical Q&A, Preet speaks with Mark Leibovich, a staff writer at The Atlantic and an expert on national politics, about Kamala Harris’s decision to name Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
For show notes and a transcript of the episode head to: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/tim-walz-kamala-harris-leibovich-bauer/
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.
Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
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