Adam Nagourney, a journalist from The New York Times, joins James and Al to discuss the role and challenges of the newspaper. They delve into the events leading to the resignation of the editorial page editor and The Times' adaptation to the digital era. Other topics covered include the significance of American newspapers, racial diversity in professional football, and Trump's treatment of women. The hosts also speculate on Trump's potential replacement and discuss Tucker Carlson's visit to Moscow.
The Republican Party's actions demonstrate their unfitness to govern, killing bipartisan bills and facing legal challenges.
Adam Nagourney's book 'The Times' explores The New York Times' history, leadership, scandals, and transformation in the digital era.
Stephen Miller's America First Legal challenges the NFL's Rooney Rule, ignoring progress in hiring minority coaches.
Kellyanne Conway's op-ed praising Trump and suggesting she should be his vice president exposes hypocrisy in political circles.
Nikki Haley's entry into the presidential race raises questions about her strategy and potential role as a backup to Trump.
Deep dives
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The Unfit Republican Party's Actions Exposed
Recent actions by the Republican Party demonstrate their unfitness to govern. They killed a bipartisan immigration bill that provided vital assistance to Ukraine, and attempted an unsuccessful impeachment effort against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Additionally, the GOP's dear leader impacted the RNC chair and faced a unanimous decision from a US Court of Appeals panel that stated that he is not above the law. The Supreme Court will now determine the extent of political influence in this case.
The Times: 40 Years of Scandals, Journalism, and Transformation
Adam Nagorni's book, 'The Times,' delves into the 40-year history of The New York Times, covering scandals, extraordinary journalism, and the paper's transformation in the digital age. It explores the leadership of figures like Abe Rosenthal and Hal Raines, who brought both excellence and controversy to the paper. The New York Times has had a significant impact on American journalism and history, making it an important institution. Despite flaws, the paper continues to succeed and evolve, maintaining exceptional coverage and talent.
The Outrage: America First Legal Challenges NFL's Rooney Rule
Stephen Miller's America First Legal is challenging the NFL's Rooney Rule, which promotes hiring more minority coaches. Miller's group argues that this negatively impacts white candidates and implies they don't have equal opportunities. However, the statistics show progress with an increasing number of minority coaches in the NFL. Miller's criticism ignores successful coaches of color like Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This challenge reflects misplaced biases and ignorance.
The Amusing Stupidity of Kellyanne Conway
Kellyanne Conway's op-ed suggesting that Trump should pick her as his vice president is both bewildering and amusing. Her claims that Trump treats women well and her blind loyalty to him are comically disconnected from reality. Conway's attempt to promote herself while praising Trump exposes the hypocrisy and delusion within certain political circles. Laughing at such absurdity is a healthier reaction than letting it provoke anger.
The Strategy Behind Nikki Haley's Presidential Ambitions
Nikki Haley's decision to enter the presidential race, despite slim chances of beating Trump, raises questions about her real strategy. One possibility is that she is positioning herself as a backup if anything happens to Trump. Another suggestion is that her continued presence in the race actually helps Trump by keeping him in the news. Regardless of her motives, Haley seems to enjoy being in the spotlight and maintaining a public presence, even if her chances of winning are low.
Speculations on Trump's Replacement if He Becomes Unavailable
If Trump becomes unable to fulfill his duties, whether due to illness, death, or other reasons, the Republican National Committee (RNC) would be responsible for selecting his replacement. The potential candidates would likely depend on Trump's choice for a running mate. At this point, it is uncertain who the RNC would select if such a scenario were to occur. However, figures like Mike Johnson and Nikki Haley can be ruled out as potential replacements.
Influence of Newsroom Composition on Coverage
The podcast discusses the influence of the composition of newsrooms, which tend to be younger and more liberal, on what is covered and how it's covered. There is a struggle to balance these forces and remain true to the mission of news organizations like The New York Times.
Controversy over Editorial Decisions
The podcast highlights the controversy surrounding James Bennett, an executive at The New York Times, and his decision to publish a column by Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton. While some saw it as a defensible move, others found it outrageous. The discussion also touches on the distinction between the editorial pages and news coverage at the paper.
James and Al fire off on the continuing MAGA takeover of the Republican Party that led to the scuttling of the Democrats’ national security and immigration bill, and welcome NYT journalist Adam Nagourney. They discuss the role of The New York Times as a media institution, its mission, its leadership, and the scandals and financial challenges it has overcome to deliver us the news. Adam gives an inside scoop on the events that led to editorial page editor James Bennet’s resignation, the struggle to prevent bias, and how The Times has adapted to publishing in the digital era.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
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