The Al Franken Podcast Norm Ornstein on Another Chaotic Week in DC
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Oct 5, 2025 
This week features Norm Ornstein, a political scientist and emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He dives into the chaos of a federal government shutdown and its implications for healthcare policy. Norm discusses Trump's controversial Gaza peace proposal and the complexities surrounding its implementation. He also critiques recent political maneuvers, including a high-cost military address and the broader implications of current policies on democracy and public health. Expect both insight and humor as he navigates today's turbulent political landscape.
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Trump's Peacemaker Persona Is Largely Theatrical
- Trump markets himself as a peacemaker but repeats failed, grandiose promises about ending wars quickly.
- Norm Ornstein warns these public deals often serve Trump's image more than realistic diplomacy.
Gaza Plan Faces Big Political And Capacity Gaps
- Trump's Gaza proposal relies on multinational governance and Palestinian disarmament but faces deep practical obstacles.
- Norm highlights Netanyahu's fragile coalition and the Palestinian Authority's weakness as major barriers.
Shutdown Aims To Make GOP Cuts Visible
- The shutdown is meant to expose Republican healthcare cuts and force political accountability.
- Ornstein argues Democrats' shutdown stance will clarify who is responsible for lost benefits.