Discussion on Republican impeachment inquiry and possible government shutdown, labor strikes and political divide, analysis of Democrats' gains and setbacks in elections, criticism of Biden and Trump, public opinion on labor unions, Republican tendency to blame Biden, and analysis of blame assigned for United Auto Workers' demands.
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Quick takeaways
Impeachment inquiry into President Biden and possible government shutdown pose political risks for Republicans.
Strong public support for labor unions can be a favorable position for Democrats and bridge partisan divides.
Misrepresentation of Biden's integrity as corrupt by Republicans is unsupported by evidence.
Deep dives
Impeachment Inquiry and Government Shutdown
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced last week that Republicans are opening an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, focusing on Hunter Biden's business dealings. Republicans are also facing a possible government shutdown in 12 days due to disagreements over funding. McCarthy is seeking support from Democrats to avoid a shutdown, but faces opposition from members within his own party who want tougher measures. The outcome of these events will shape politics going forward, with risks of political blowback for Republicans.
Union Strikes and Public Opinion
The United Auto Workers Union went on strike, joining other high-profile strikes. Public opinion on unions shows that 67% of Americans approve of labor unions, with approval among Democrats at 88%, Republicans at 47%, and independents at 69%. These numbers indicate that supporting unions may be a winning position for Democrats and can potentially bridge partisan divides. This political significance is evident as Democrats have shown support for striking unions and their causes.
Game: Quiz of the Union
A game is played to test public knowledge on unions. It includes questions and discussions about the percentage of Americans in unions (11%), the percentage of Americans approving of unions (67%), and the breakdown of approval by political party (Democrats: 88%, Republicans: 47%). The game highlights the gap between public perception and the reality of union support, showcasing the political significance of unions as a favorable position for Democrats.
Public Opinion on Biden and Trump
When it comes to public opinion, both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are not particularly popular among Americans. For Biden, the most common criticisms are that he's too old and incompetent, while for Trump, it's that he's dangerous and corrupt. Republicans are now trying to make the argument that Biden is also corrupt, but this false equivalency is not supported by evidence. Democrats are concerned that this narrative might sway some independent voters, but overall, it is a misrepresentation of Biden's integrity.
Government Shutdown and Spending Bills
There is a looming possibility of a government shutdown if 12 spending bills are not passed or a stopgap measure is not implemented by September 30th. The chances of passing all the spending bills are slim, as it requires negotiation and time. The main sticking points in the spending bills are short-term temporary government funding and long-term funding agreements. Efforts towards a short-term temporary funding patch have been complicated by disagreements over policy writers and budget cuts. Speaker Kevin McCarthy is under pressure, as conservatives are threatening to oust him if he doesn't take a stand on the funding patch. A government shutdown seems likely, and it remains to be seen how it will play out and its effects on political dynamics.
Welcome aboard the Acela, listeners. Today on the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast, we are taking a break from the campaign trail and heading to Washington, D.C., where there’s quite a lot going on.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced last week that Republicans are opening an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. There are also just 12 days until a possible government shutdown. And some Republicans are threatening McCarthy's speakership.
Politics reporter Leah Askarinam and POLITICO Playbook co-author and ABC News contributor Rachael Bade join Galen Druke to discuss. They also play a round of "Quiz of the Union," where they try to put this year's higher-than-usual number of strikes in the context of public opinion.