The Democrats Had A Good Day

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Apr 3, 2025

This week, they celebrate a significant Democratic win in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, hinting at a shift in political tides. Trump’s hefty new tariffs draw scrutiny for their impact on lower-income Americans. The conversation turns to controversial immigration policies, with a focus on the government’s aggressive deportation tactics. Lightening the mood, they also delve into online sleepwear shopping while weaving in fascinating book and movie recommendations for cultural enrichment.

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INSIGHT

Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Spending

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race drew significant spending, fueled by liberal outrage and Elon Musk's involvement.
This race, alongside other special elections, offers insights into current political dynamics.

insights

INSIGHT

Musk's Impact on Wisconsin Race

Elon Musk's unpopularity might have negatively impacted conservative candidate Schimel in the Wisconsin race.
However, results from other special elections suggest this isn't a universal trend for Democrats.

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ANECDOTE

Musk's Ineffective Tactics

Elon Musk's heavy-handed tactics in the Wisconsin election, like $100 petition payments, seemed ineffective.
His blatant attempts to influence the election might ultimately hurt him politically.

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Electoral Dynamics and Controversial Influence

04:22 • 3min

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Election Dynamics and Political Financing

07:35 • 10min

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Judicial Elections and Sleepwear Shopping

17:15 • 5min

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Tariffs and Trade Dynamics Under Trump

21:52 • 16min

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Navigating International Uncertainty and Domestic Controversies

37:36 • 5min

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Examining U.S. Immigration Policies

42:42 • 7min

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The Harsh Realities of Immigration Policy

49:35 • 6min

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Political Shifts and Cultural Reflections

55:40 • 10min

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Exploring Irish Literature and Maple Syrup Mysteries

This novel by Niall Williams is a poignant and enchanting portrayal of life in the small village of Faha. The story revolves around Noel Crowe, a 17-year-old former seminary student, and his encounters with Christy, an electrical worker with a long-lost love. The narrative delves into the community's idiosyncrasies, traditions, and the profound changes brought about by the introduction of electricity. It emphasizes the importance of living in the present, recognizing the beauty and joy in everyday moments, and the role of stories in shaping our lives. The book is characterized by its lyrical prose, meandering narrative, and a deep appreciation for the human experience[2][3][5].

Mad House

How Donald Trump, MAGA Mean Girls, a Former Used Car Salesman, a Florida Nepo Baby, and a Man with Rats in His Walls Broke Congress

Luke Broadwater

Annie Karni

Mad House provides a vivid, behind-the-scenes look at the chaos within the U.S. Congress, particularly during the 118th Congress. The book details the infighting among House Republicans and the challenges faced by House Democrats, offering insights into the extreme dysfunction that has come to define American politics. It explores the roles of figures like Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Matt Gaetz in this chaotic political landscape.

Emma

Jane Austen

juan perez

The novel follows Emma Woodhouse, a beautiful, clever, and rich young woman who has lived nearly twenty-one years with very little distress. Emma decides to take up matchmaking, despite the advice of her friend Mr. Knightley. Her attempts to match her new friend Harriet Smith with various men lead to complications and ultimately test her own detachment from the world of romance. The novel explores themes of education, courtship, and social class in Georgian-Regency England, highlighting Emma's journey of self-discovery and learning from her mistakes[2][3][4].

Question 7

Richard Flanagan

Challenger

A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

Adam Higginbotham

This book provides a comprehensive and riveting history of the Challenger disaster, which occurred on January 28, 1986. Higginbotham delves into the years leading up to the accident, detailing the ambitions, ingenuity, and political cynicism that undermined the space shuttle program. The narrative follows the seven members of the doomed crew and the designers, engineers, and test pilots who struggled to get the first shuttle into space. It highlights the ominous warning signs ignored by NASA, the investigation driven by leakers and whistleblowers, and the broader context of the space race and its impact on the NASA space program. The book is a masterful blend of human drama and scientific detail, exposing the complex costs of innovation and the fatal compromises made in the pursuit of national prestige.

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss liberal judge Susan Crawford’s sweeping victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race; Trump’s new, nearly universal massive tariffs; and the dangerously casual standards the government is using to deport alleged gang members despite acknowledged mistakes.

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Stephanie Nolen for the New York Times: Millions of Women Will Lose Access to Contraception as a Result of Trump Aid Cuts.

John: Arthur Delaney for HuffPost: Emails Confirm Social Security Administration Canceled Maine Contracts As Political Payback; Fatima Hussein and Patrick Whittle for the Associated Press: Social Security’s acting leader faces calls to resign over decision to cut Maine contracts. Bodkin on Netflix.

David: Book Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, by author Adam Higginbotham; Movie The Intern with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway (official trailer on YouTube: The Intern); book Emma by Jane Austen (Emma ebook at Project Gutenberg; Emma at Jane Austen’s House).

Listener chatter from Emma in Lebanon, New Hampshire: Vermont’s ‘Mr. Maple’ Has Great Stories To Tell

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily talks with Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater about their new book, Mad House: How Donald Trump, MAGA Mean Girls, A Former Used Car Salesman, A Florida Nepo Baby, and a Man With Rats In His Walls Broke Congress.

In the latest Gabfest Reads, David talks with author Adam Higginbotham about his new book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space.

Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis

Research by Emily Ditto

Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen.

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