In this insightful discussion, John Ellis, a veteran journalist and media consultant with ties to the Bush family, dives into the complexities of GOP history. He reflects on his political awakening during the 1968 Democratic Convention and shares personal anecdotes about his relatives, including George H.W. Bush. The conversation shifts to pressing global issues, including the rapid rise of AI and the intricate U.S.-China relationship, where Ellis advocates for cooperation despite tensions over Taiwan. His unique perspectives make for a captivating listen.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Political Awakening In 1968
John Ellis discovered his passion for politics watching the 1968 Democratic Convention from bed with a fever at age 15.
That televised chaos sparked a lifelong fascination with Nixon and American political dynamics.
insights INSIGHT
Southern Strategy's Lasting Impact
Gary Wills' chapter on the Southern Strategy shaped Ellis's view of Nixon and realignment politics.
Nixon used that strategy to fuse Wallace voters into the GOP, reshaping American politics for decades.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Career Shift After Family Presidency
Ellis left NBC when his uncle George H.W. Bush became president, then briefly worked for Roger Ailes and held prestigious fellowships.
He later transitioned into media consulting and a Boston Globe column before family duties intervened.
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John is a journalist, media consultant, old friend, and George W Bush’s cousin. He’s worked for NBC News as a political analyst and the Boston Globe as a columnist. In 2016, he launched a morning brief called “News Items” for News Corp, and later it became the Wall Street Journal CEO Council’s morning newsletter. News Items jumped to Substack in 2019 (and Dishheads can subscribe now for 33% off). John also co-hosts two podcasts — one with Joe Klein (“Night Owls”) and the other with Richard Haas (“Alternate Shots”).
For two clips of our convo — on the nail-biting Bush-Gore race that John was involved in, and Trump’s mental decline — head to our YouTube page.
Other topics: born and raised in Concord; his political awakening at 15 watching the whole '68 Dem convention with a fever in bed; his fascination with Nixon; the Southern Strategy; Garry Wills’ book Nixon Agonistes; Kevin Phillips and populism; Nixon parallels with Trump — except shame; Roger Ailes starting Fox News; Matt Drudge; John’s uncle HW Bush; HW as a person; the contrasts with his son Dubya; the trauma of 9/11; Iraq as a war of choice — the wrong one; Rumsfeld; Jeb Bush in 2016; the AI race; Geoffrey Hinton (“the godfather of AI”); John’s optimism about China; tension with Taiwan; Israel’s settlements; Bibi’s humiliation of Obama; Huckabee as ambassador; the tariff case going to SCOTUS; the Senate caving to Trump; McConnell failing to bar Trump; the genius of his demagoguery; the Kirk assassination; Brexit; immigration under Boris; Reform’s newfound dominance; the huge protest in London last week; Kirk’s popularity in Europe; the AfD; Trump’s war on speech; a Trump-Mamdani showdown; Epstein and Peter Mandelson; and grasping for reasons to be cheerful.
Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Wesley Yang on the trans question, Michael Wolff on Epstein, Karen Hao on artificial intelligence, Katie Herzog on drinking your way sober, Michel Paradis on Ike, Charles Murray on finding religion, David Ignatius on the Trump effect globally, and Arthur Brooks on the science of happiness. As always, please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
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