The Dispatch Podcast Why Scandals No Longer Matter | Roundtable
53 snips
Nov 14, 2025 
Join legal commentator Sarah Isgur, conservative analyst Jonah Goldberg, and journalist Megan McArdle as they tackle hot topics like the implications of the longest government shutdown and the latest revelations from the Epstein files. They debate whether scandals still sway voters, dissect post-liberalism in today's political landscape, and explore if work offers purpose beyond pay. The trio navigates intriguing questions about electoral strategies and societal discontent, all while reminiscing about the fading penny.
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Shutdowns Rarely Produce Clear Winners
- Shutdowns rarely produce clear election winners and mostly harm ordinary Americans.
- Democrats benefited by ending it before Thanksgiving, avoiding wider pain that could flip blame.
Off‑Cycle Races Shape Midterm Narratives
- Off‑cycle elections can shape narratives and turnout ahead of midterms.
- Northern Virginia's federal workforce likely amplified Democratic gains.
Filibuster Forced A Compromise To Reopen
- Filibuster compelled Senate Democrats to craft a compromise to reopen government.
- Reopening ahead of holidays reduced pain and likely limited political damage.