Investigative journalists Michael Isikoff and Daniel Klaidman discuss their book 'Find Me the Votes' and explore the deep constitutional questions surrounding the Georgia case against Trump's efforts to steal the election. They also share personal stories, discuss the influence of QAnon in the 'Stop the Steel' movement, and highlight the flood of threats and conspiracy theories during the Georgia election.
The podcast highlights the importance of the Georgia case in exposing the anti-democratic plot and its consequences on the electoral process.
The podcast emphasizes the danger posed to democracy by individuals involved in baseless conspiracy theories and illegal activities.
Deep dives
The Georgia case: Attempted election subversion
The podcast explores the most significant case in the legal battles against Donald Trump, known as the Georgia case. Trump's attempt to subvert the 2020 election results in Georgia is discussed, including the pressure campaign, illegal activities, and extraordinary characters involved. The podcast highlights the importance of the case in exposing the anti-democratic plot and the consequences it had on the electoral process in Georgia.
Crazy individuals and their farcical actions
The podcast delves into the absurd and bizarre actions of certain individuals involved in Trump's post-election period. It discusses their belief in baseless conspiracy theories, their involvement in illegal activities, and their significance in fueling threats and fear among the public and election officials. Although their actions may seem farcical, the podcast emphasizes the danger it posed to democracy and the alarming mindset of those involved.
Resilience of the justice system and officeholders
The podcast highlights the important role played by officeholders in Georgia who resisted Trump's pressure to engage in illegal activities. Despite Trump's desperate attempts, officeholders such as Brian Kemp, Chris Carr, and Brad Raffensperger upheld their oaths to the law and refused to comply. The podcast underscores the resilience of the justice system and the commitment of individuals who worked to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the election process.
Contemplating the threat of a second Trump term
The podcast raises questions about the potential threat of a second Trump term and the gradual erosion of democratic norms. It examines the possibility of a politicized justice department, but also highlights the pushback that could occur from career lawyers and officials who may resist engaging in unlawful activities. While the podcast acknowledges the farcical elements, it emphasizes the need for vigilance and the potential consequences that could arise from disregarding the seriousness of certain actions and individuals.
Michael Isikoff is the chief investigative correspondent for Yahoo News, where he is also editor-at-large for reporting and investigations. Daniel Klaidman is the editor-in-chief for Yahoo News. The veteran reporters have new a book called Find Me the Votes: A Hard-Charging Georgia Prosecutor, a Rogue President, and the Plot to Steal an American Election.
For two clips of our convo — the violent threats spurred by Trump’s conspirators, and the hero of the Georgia case — pop over to our YouTube page. Other topics: Mike as head of his college paper during Watergate and then working at the WaPo; Dan growing up with his dad at the WaPo during the WoodStein era; his mother a Holocaust survivor; Georgia as “ground zero for the most undemocratic plot in US history”; the Hugo Chavez conspiracy theory; Sidney Powell plotting a break-in and offering the henchmen preemptive pardons; Giuliani “drunk out of his mind”; the cyber-heist of Dominion software and voter data; Lin Wood and QAnon; the absurd Eastman memo; knowing the 2020 lawsuits would fail but nevertheless pressure the Electors; unfounded claims of ballot stuffing; Ruby Freeman and her daughter; Giuliani’s “racial dog whistles”; the infamous call to Raffensperger to “find votes” and “recalculate”; Stacey Abrams; whether Trump cynically or sincerely believed the election was stolen; Mike Flynn; whether the transfer of power was ever really in jeopardy; the principled Pence; the courts holding firm against Trump; autocracy as a “gradual slow burn” (e.g. Hungary); Fani Willis; her Black Panther father who dated Angela Davis; Fani’s sexual relationship with a prosecutor in the Georgia case after she hired him; the terrible optics of it all; the tough-on-crime campaign she ran in 2020 and getting endorsed by the police union; Barr and Esper keeping Trump from using the Insurrection Act; Trump fundraising off his mugshot; and whether he will have the same guardrails in a second term.
Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Nate Silver on the 2024 race, Christian Wiman on resisting despair as a Christian, Jeffrey Rosen on the pursuit of happiness, George Will on Trump and conservatism, and Abigail Shrier on why the cult of therapy harms children. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other pod comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
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