The podcast discusses the reasons behind the government avoiding a shutdown, the gender divide in thinking about the Roman Empire, the political consequences and motivations of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the appointment of a new senator from California, and tips for analyzing polling data and identifying outliers.
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Quick takeaways
LaFonza Butler's appointment as senator from California surprised many, but her dedication to fighting for women's rights and representation aligns with Governor Newsom's commitment to diversity and representation.
Congress passed a continuing resolution to extend current government spending for 45 days, averting a government shutdown and bringing relief to many, with bipartisan support seen in both the House and Senate.
Governor Newsom's appointment of LaFonza Butler received mixed reactions, with some praising her qualities while others raised concerns about her lack of elected experience and residency in Maryland.
Deep dives
Governor Newsom's Surprising Appointment
Governor Newsom appointed LaFonza Butler, president of Emily's list, as the new senator from California. This was a surprising choice as Butler was not widely expected to be selected. However, her background in fighting for women's rights and her status as a gay black woman seemed to align with Newsom's commitment to diversity and representation. The appointment also allowed Newsom to avoid taking sides in the contentious primary race for the seat. While it remains to be seen if Butler will run for a full term, her residency in Maryland and lack of elected experience may present challenges if she decides to do so.
The Avoided Government Shutdown
Congress managed to avoid a government shutdown by passing a continuing resolution to extend current government spending for 45 days. Governor Newsom's appointment of LaFonza Butler somewhat overshadowed the news of the government funding extension. The votes in both the House and Senate showed a bipartisan majority in favor of passing the bill, with some Republicans breaking ranks and joining Democrats in support. While there were concerns about a potential shutdown, it was ultimately averted, bringing a sense of relief to many, as previous shutdowns have had negative consequences on both the economy and the public's opinion.
Pleasing Some, Infuriating Others
Governor Newsom's appointment of LaFonza Butler received mixed reactions. While some praised the choice, citing her dedication to fighting for women's rights and representation, others were disappointed that Representative Barbara Lee was not chosen. Newsom's decision to pick a candidate without elected experience raised eyebrows, and the issue of Butler's residency in Maryland further added to the controversy. It remains to be seen if Butler will run for reelection in 2024, but if she does, the residency issue and the backlash from some black lawmakers may pose challenges for her campaign.
McCarthy's Job in Jeopardy
There is a motion to vacate being brought against McCarthy, which could result in him losing his job as Speaker of the House. McCarthy has two days to respond to the motion and needs a majority vote in the House to retain his position. If he loses support from just four or five Republicans, his job is at risk.
Democrats and McCarthy's Job
Democrats are not inclined to help McCarthy keep his job due to various grievances. They are furious with McCarthy for accusing them of shutdown brinkmanship, going back on spending cap levels, and supporting Donald Trump. However, McCarthy may still try to seek Democratic support to save his speakership. Democrats have expressed fury and distrust towards McCarthy, making it unlikely that they will come to his rescue.
The government did not shut down over the weekend, contrary to the expectations of many. In this installment of the podcast, the crew discusses the congressional machinations that led to a 45-day extension of current funding and why it could create problems for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
They also consider whether California's senator-designate, Laphonza Butler, will run for election in 2024. Then they look at the data behind a viral TikTok trend suggesting that men think about the Roman Empire significantly more than women and give tips for thinking about outlier polls.