The Commentary Magazine Podcast

The podcast discusses Trump's dominance in the Iowa poll, DeSantis' decision not to challenge Trump, the CNN poll showing Trump ahead of Biden in Michigan, college presidents' beliefs, plagiarism in a doctoral dissertation, conservative struggles in higher education, anti-Semitism controversies, interpretation of hate crime laws, controversial comments by a professor, and gratitude for President Biden's handling of the situation.

The indictment of Hunter Biden and the inquiry into Joe Biden's connections to his business are discussed, along with Biden's chief argument against Donald Trump. Corruption allegations, including email traffic and witness testimonies, are highlighted. Ukraine's significance, JD Vance's controversial comment, Israel's situation, a synagogue shooting, rising anti-Semitism, and contrasting treatment of presidents are also discussed.

The podcast discusses the state of the Republican race after the final presidential primary debate. It also explores the impact of social media on society and politics, the media coverage of Trump's dictator joke, and the potential danger for Trump and the Republican Party of being perceived as chaos agents. Additionally, it analyzes PR statements and failure to protect Jewish students on campuses, university responses to incidents, and the challenges of bureaucracy in universities.

Today we take up the prevarication and plain dishonesty of university presidents during the House committee hearing on campus anti-Semitism. One claims not to know about foreign funding and another doesn't think incitement to anti-Semitic violence is a conduct violation. For Harvard, UPenn, MIT, and others, this was a watershed moment. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why can't Joe Biden face down the protestors on his left? Why is he hedging in his support of Israel? Why hasn't he responded to Iranian attacks on the U.S.? Why doesn't he give Ukraine what it needs to win? And why is he losing to Donald Trump? He's afraid. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's podcast notes that the end of the fighting "pause" in Israel almost denotes the end of the idea of "ceasefire." And now the disingenuous efforts to oppose Israel's self-defense are going by the wayside. This is now leading to outright calls for "intifada" here in the United States—which is the term used over the past 35 years to describe Palestinian efforts to attack Jews for being Jews with any means at hand. And the attacks on American Jews and Jewish public life are only accelerating. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's podcast is a hybrid. The first part, about the appalling rhetoric used by Antony Blinken about Israel and its conduct of the war that has now restarted, was recorded Friday morning, December 1. The second half, about the passing of Henry Kissinger and my trip to the massacre site in Israel, was recorded Thursday afternoon, November 30. Please be understanding as you give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we talk about Chuck Schumer's bold Senate-floor speech warning about anti-Semitism from the left. He said the right words at the right time, but how will it impact the calls from his own party to condition aid to Israel? And what's up with Joe Biden's tweet seeming to nod toward the ceasefire crowd? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we dig into the stories about U.S. hopes for a grand deal leading to a ceasefire. What are negotiators up to? Does Biden think this is going to help him politically? And we talk about the disconnect between Israeli security imperatives and American war weariness. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's podcast, I provide the first of my impressions on a weeklong trip to Israel and what it feels like to be in a country at war—even during this strange period when the rocket fire has stopped and the hostages are being dribbled out by Hamas. The podcast crew joins me in wondering how stiff the spines of Joe Biden and the Israelis can and will remain as Hamas continues to play the hostage card. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices