What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead cover image

What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

Ding Dong Haniyeh and Shukr Are Dead

Aug 2, 2024
Biden's ambitious plans for Supreme Court reform ignite debate over their feasibility and public support. The struggle for affordable housing emerges as a crucial political issue, prompting calls for reform to assist aspiring homeowners. Meanwhile, Russian paramilitaries face setbacks in Africa, raising concerns about their influence amid ongoing conflicts. Further complicating the landscape, the assassination of Hamas leaders could have significant implications for U.S. policy and regional stability, underscoring the need for proactive international response.
30:07

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Biden's proposed Supreme Court reforms appear more symbolic and politically motivated than feasible solutions to substantive governance challenges.
  • The housing affordability crisis reveals a failure of political action, leaving many renters feeling hopeless despite historically lower mortgage rates.

Deep dives

Biden's Proposed Reforms to the Supreme Court

President Biden has called for a constitutional amendment to overturn a recent Supreme Court decision granting former presidents immunity for crimes committed while in office, while also endorsing mandatory ethics codes and 18-year term limits for justices. However, there is skepticism about the feasibility of these proposals, as drafting a clear amendment or passing term limits poses significant constitutional challenges. The conversation highlights that Biden's measures seem largely aimed at rallying the Democratic base in light of historically low court approval ratings, particularly among Democrats, rather than driving substantial legislative change. Overall, the proposals reflect ongoing partisan struggles around the Supreme Court and seem more symbolic in nature, drawing attention to broader electoral strategies than offering realistic governance solutions.

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