Wait, Democrats Now Say They Love Freedom?
The Reason Roundtable
Rebranding Freedom: Reflections on the DNC
This chapter explores the recent Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where the party emerged as the 'party of freedom' amidst a backdrop of mixed emotions and critiques of authenticity. It examines public perceptions, the role of AI in political messaging, and the complexities surrounding the interpretation of freedom in contemporary politics.
In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman reminisce on the supposed joy and freedom on offer during last week's Democratic National Convention (DNC) and assess Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to essentially drop out of the presidential race.
02:36—At the DNC, Democrats showcase their misunderstanding of freedom.
25:05—RFK Jr. suspends his campaign for president in 10 key states, endorses Donald Trump
41:22—Weekly Listener Question
48:27—Telegram founder Pavel Durov is arrested in France.
54:02—The continued fallout from Matthew Perry's death
56:14—This week's cultural recommendations
Mentioned in this podcast:
"Thank God It's Over," by Liz Wolfe
"Manufacturing Joy at the DNC," by Matt Welch
"Democrats Are Talking About 'Freedom' Because Voters Really Like Freedom," by Eric Boehm
"Party of COVID-19 Authoritarianism Improbably Rebrands as 'Party of Freedom,'" by Matt Welch
"Democrats Aren't the Freedom Party," by Liz Wolfe
"Criminal Justice Reform Took a Back Seat at the 2024 DNC," by C.J. Ciaramella
"An Over-Orchestrated Rebellion: Dispatch From the DNC," by Nancy Rommelmann
"America Is Ready To Party," by Matt Welch
"Nobody Cared About Bernie's Speech," by Liz Wolfe
"Democrats Just Can't Quit Saving Our Souls," by Matt Welch
"Industrial Policy Is Alive and Well at the Democratic National Convention," by Joe Lancaster
"The Anarchist Dreams: Dispatch From the DNC," by Nancy Rommelmann
"Muted Outrage and Aspirational Crowds: Dispatch From the DNC," by Nancy Rommelmann
"Democrats Unburdened by What They Have Done to Chicago," by Matt Welch
"Kamala Harris' Plan To Hike Corporate Income Taxes Would Fall on All Americans," by Eric Boehm
"Trump and Harris' Economic Plans Are Depressingly Similar," by Veronique de Rugy
"Kamala Harris' Affordability Agenda Is a Good Idea Backed by Terrible Policies," by Peter Suderman
"The Dumb and Dumber of Kamala's 'Greedflation' Narrative," by Jason Sorens
"Who Is the Real Kamala Harris? A Big Government Liberal." by John Stossel
"Economic Liberty Now Has No Place in Either Party," by Peter Suderman
"RFK Jr.: The Reason Interview," by Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller
"RFK Jr. Spread Some Libertarian Ideas, Then Sold Out to Trump," by Robby Soave
"At Rally, RFK Jr. Says He'll Stop Forever Wars, Seed Oils From Trump's Cabinet," by Christian Britschgi
"Chase Oliver: Q&A With the Controversial Libertarian Party Candidate," by Nick Gillespie
"Storm Over the Rockies: The West Is at War With Itself," by Karl Hess Jr.
"Battle Over Western Lands Is Far Bigger Than the Bundy Controversy," by J.D. Tuccille
"Why do the feds spend so much to make our Western wilderness theirs?" by Leonard Gilroy
"Is Pavel Durov the Next Julian Assange?" by Nick Gillespie
"Putin and the Ayatollah Wanted To Censor This App. Now It's Macron's Turn." by Matthew Petti
"Matthew Perry, Drug Abuse, and Prohibition," by Nick Gillespie
"Matthew Perry's Death: Doctors, Perry's Assistant and More Charged in Drug Investigation That Revealed 'Underground Criminal Network'" by Ethan Shanfeld and Ellise Shafer
"Charlie Hustle Agonistes," by Nick Gillespie
Who would have guessed going into this year's RNC and DNC that aesthetically the Dems would have presented as more @WonderBreadUSA, church-and-family-loving, mom-and-apple pie & the GOP was like a JV version of the Gathering of Juggalos? pic.twitter.com/wPrROYpYzn
— Nick Gillespie (@nickgillespie) August 23, 2024
Upcoming Events:
- Is the American dream alive? A Free Press debate with Katherine Mangu-Ward on Tuesday, September 10
- "Reason Speakeasy: Kat Timpf & Nick Gillespie" on Wednesday, September 11
Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.
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Audio production by Ian Keyser; assistant production by Hunt Beaty.
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve
- Video Editor: Ian Keyser
- Producer: Hunt Beaty
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