Writer and podcaster Osita Nwanevu discusses the legendary Tom Wolfe, questioning his writing quality and conservative leanings. They compare Wolfe's style to other 'new journalists' and ponder the significance of his iconic white suit. The conversation dives into Wolfe's influence on contemporary political narratives and cultural discourses.

"Clinton Says He's Not Leaning Left but Taking a New 'Third Way,'" reported The New York Times in 1992. "It's not left. It’s not right. It’s forward!" proclaimed former presidential candidate Andrew Yang during a 2019 Democratic debate. "Neither left nor right," reads the slogan of far-right French political party Front National. Every few years we hear about a new, trailblazing political vision that transcends traditional party lines, leaning not to the right or the left, but straight ahead. No longer, we're told, must we conform to antiquated political notions of "liberal" or "conservative," nor must we continue to tolerate the corrupt duopoly. Instead, we can embrace a forward-thinking alternative; a third way; a modern, pragmatic and new political paradigm. But for all the talk of moving "beyond left and right," there sure is a lot of right-wing sentiment. Rhetoric like this almost exclusively comes from neo-fascists, libertarians, and centrists – Glenn Beck, Bill Clinton, Andrew Yang, and the like – and virtually never from figures on the Left. Why is that? What political purpose does the false notion of transcending right and left serve? And why does this hackneyed concept continue to surface and resonate? On this episode, we examine the vacuous nature of claiming to reject political categories of "right" and "left." We analyze how this rhetoric disguises garden-variety right-wing austerity politics as a novel, barrier-breaking political vision, as well as how it taps into real frustrations with political systems, but obscures and absolves the causes of these frustrations through sleazy, sales-pitch style tactics. Our guest is writer Osita Nwanevu.

Osita Nwanevu, a columnist known for his insights on progressive politics, shares his views on the Democratic Party's current state. They discuss the party's shift to the left, with Harris’s new running mate and AOC's rise in prominence. However, key progressive issues like climate change and Gaza ceasefire remain sidelined. The conversation delves into how the party can better align its progressive values with voter sentiment, stressing the need for compassion in addressing issues like crime and homelessness while sustaining activist pressure for meaningful change.

Osita Nwanevu, writer, discusses Tom Wolfe's work, exploring wealth, consumerism, and subcultures in America post-World War II.

Osita Nwanevu, a writer for The New Republic, joins the conversation to dissect Obama's legacy and its impact on current Democratic politics. They humorously compare Biden’s administration to a speed-run of Obama's eight years while critiquing the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election. The discussion dives into the absurdities of Trump's legal claims and examines the evolving dynamics of masculinity in leadership. Playful banter about future Secretary of State Tony Blinken adds a light-hearted touch, blending entertainment with insightful analysis.