The Mona Charen Show

Kristin Du Mez and Peter Wehner join the group to analyze evangelical support for Trump, as well as the Georgia indictment. Accountability, danger, and many unknowns. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Kristin notes the start of the school year and gives a shout-out to the teachers, while Bill extols the healing benefits of a vacation. show notes: Kristin's book, Jesus and John Wayne Linda’s highlight: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-sanitized-french-connection-vs-the-hip-hop-gutter-film-music-rap-slur-culture-the-exorcist-6b8f73d0 Mona's lowlight: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12413181/ALAN-DERSHOWITZ-Al-Gore-2000-Donald-Trump-indictment.html Pete's remembrance: https://www.christianpost.com/news/tim-keller-remembered-by-thousands-at-st-patricks-cathedral.html

Tim Mak, an independent journalist reporting from Kyiv, discusses how Ukrainians are handling the strain of war. The panel also talks about the upcoming GOP debate, the effect of abortion on elections, and highlights a nurse practitioner's care. Topics include adapting to war, preparations for winter, support for Ukraine, factors contributing to Biden's low approval rating, the Democratic Party's stance on abortion, the impact of shoplifting and hard drug decriminalization on society, and gratitude for immigrants.

George Conway joins the group to discuss the various Trump defenses—and the party that supports him. Then the regulars discuss 'Oppenheimer,' and the bombing of Japan. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Bill points to a possible US-brokered Israel-Saudi peace deal. highlights/lowlights: Bill's: https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/bidens-moral-calculus-in-brokering-a-saudi-israeli-peace-deal Mona's: https://reason.com/volokh/2023/07/29/congress-can-regulate-the-supreme-court-but-there-are-limits-to-that-power/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/27/opinion/columnists/citi-bike-karen-white-woman.html Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/opinion/trump-meritocracy-educated.html Linda's: https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/a-landmark-study-debunks-populist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Saletan joins the panel to discuss whether DeSantis's campaign is moribund, and whether the right or the left learned the lessons of COVID policy failures. Plus, in our "Highlights and Lowlights "segment, Damon spotlights the political crisis in Israel, and Linda shares a story of love and loss.  Damon's: https://gideons.substack.com/p/break-the-barrel-to-get-rid-of-the Will's: http://brightlinewatch.org/uncharted-territory-the-aftermath-of-presidential-indictments https://www.foxnews.com/video/6331842627112 Bill's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/26/us/politics/nikki-haley-abortion.html Mona's: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/26/politics/rudy-giuliani-georgia-election-workers/index.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Economist's John Prideaux joins the panel to discuss the latest likely indictment, the GOP response, and what MAGA world is planning for a Trump 2.0. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Linda flags the tactics Texas officials are using at the border that are injuring migrants. highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/19/us/texas-border-migrants-abbott.html John's: https://www.politico.eu/article/us-economist-fiona-scott-morton-quits-eu-job-emmanuel-macron/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66230072 Damon's: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/tennessee-republican-partisanship-one-party-state/674732/ Bill's: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-pass-resolution-backing-israel-jayapal-racist-state-rcna94897 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/12/24/washington-could-use-mo-udall-now/ Mona's: https://apnews.com/article/tuberville-military-holds-senate-officers-45c4230a8aee5222bf32b43823e29acc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Noah Smith tries to bring a little sunshine to the dour regulars (and Cathy Young) who are worried about the economy, the threat from third parties, and more. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Mona celebrates the fact that a famous Trumper has to liquidate. highlights/lowlights Mona's: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mypillow-auction-mike-lindell_n_64acffa0e4b0e5efaaddd535 https://apnews.com/article/birth-control-pills-without-prescription-fda-b6728e98af5f1625520e0fa5fbc911c3 Bill's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/world/middleeast/israel-protests-judicial-overhaul.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/07/12/biden-vilnius-nato-ukraine/ Noah's: https://www.axios.com/2023/04/17/manufacturing-semiconductor-tech-biden https://heatmap.news/politics/inflation-reduction-act-updates-biden Cathy's: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/russian-opposition-ukrainian-activists-clashing Damon's: https://damonlinker.substack.com/p/the-global-progress-of-right-wing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Washington Post's Megan McArdle joins to discuss the pros and (mostly) cons of affirmative action. Also, will anyone watch August's GOP debate? Who will show up? Plus, in our highlights/lowlights segment, Linda points to a new draconian law in Florida that targets undocumented immigrants and those who employ them. highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.wsj.com/articles/migrant-workers-flee-florida-as-new-immigration-law-takes-effect-94796abf Bill's: https://echeloninsights.com/in-the-news/june-2023-omnibus/ Megan's: https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/dc-mayor-muriel-bowser-seeks-community-input-on-crime-problems/ Damon's: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/hypocrisy-mandatory-diversity-statements/674611/ Mona's: https://www.thefire.org/news/leaked-memo-mayo-clinic-doubles-down-gag-order-dr-michael-joyner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bob Shrum, Steve Vladeck, and David Kramer join the show this week to discuss momentous Supreme Court cases and the tremors out of Russia. Plus, in our highlights/lowlights segment, Damon shares details about how a bloc of right-wing influencers and DeSantis supporters are rallying behind an antisemite. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/desantis-influencers-defend-unmasked-antisemite-pedro-gonzalez-1234780062/amp/ Bob's: https://apnews.com/article/recession-economy-inflation-jobs-unemployment-2ad91e65f4c0c79ebd2518e351934605 Mona's: https://www.antonybeevor.com/book/russia-revolution-and-civil-war-1917-1921/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Rep. Tim Ryan reports from Ohio that the GOP base there remains in the tank for Trump, DeSantis is in a no-man's land, and most voters probably aren't paying any attention to Hunter Biden's plea deal. Meanwhile, there's a country to run, but Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene made time for a catfight. Plus, remembering compelling testimony from the Jan 6 hearings a year ago in our highlight/lowlight segment. Ryan joins guest host A.B. Stoddard and regulars Damon Linker and Linda Chavez. show notes Ryan v Vance debate highlight highlights/lowlights A.B.'s: https://youtu.be/gQlx0rzFk0Q Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/us/census-median-age.html Damon's: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-22/jill-stein-2016-green-candidate-now-running-cornel-west-s-bid https://www.axios.com/2023/06/08/robert-f-kennedy-jr-tech-2024-campaign Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arc Digital's Nicholas Grossman joins the panel to help analyze the Republican reaction to Trump's indictment—both the officials and the voters—as well as the Ukrainian summer offensive. Plus, renaming Southern military bases, inflation, the steak-price indicator, and must-watch TV starring Keri Russell. show notes: Sarah Longwell's Iowa Focus Group featured on the PBS NewsHour Highlights/lowlights Nick's: https://www.hulu.com/series/the-americans-6deba130-65fb-4816-acb1-aea5eb940f0f https://www.netflix.com/title/81288983 Linda's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/14/dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-crime/ Damon's: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/14/ignoring-robert-f-kennedy-jr-not-an-option Mona's: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/06/12/immigration-economy-book-reviews Bill's: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-06-14/us-europe-japan-are-saving-ukraine-but-not-preparing-for-china-war?srnd=premium#xj4y7vzkg https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691204383/the-new-makers-of-modern-strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices