Politix

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.politix.fmThis week on Politix, Brian returns from a long weekend in real America (western Mexico) with some fresh insight on how Trump-stalgia works. He and Matt discuss:* Why fewer people disapprove of Trump lately and why more people seemingly think his sharpest critics have overstated their case;* How lag effects (the persistence of the pandemic and the overturning of Roe after Trump’s term ended) has insulated him from accountability;* Whether Trump’s unique responsibility for the loss of abortion rights and his status as a Florida resident mean this issue will eventually catch up with him.Then, we offer paid subscribers an in-depth look at how public opinion on abortion has changed in the past two years, even if it hasn’t (yet) dragged Trump down. We examine the roles paid and free media might play in making Trump synonymous with Dobbs, and think through ways both party leaders and activists could draw more public attention to abortion rights per se and Trump’s role in abolishing them. Do Democrats have a problem generating free media in general? And finally, a raging debate over which kinds of beach-side resorts are best for aging but young-at-heart millennials. It was a clarifying discussion across the board, and if you’re interested in fleshing all that out we hope you’ll upgrade to paid, and enjoy the whole episode! Further reading:* Matt on the new politics of abortion rights. * Brian on the broader political implications of changing abortion opinion—what if public-opinion polling on high-salience issues just isn’t that useful?* How long can Trump hide from weighing in on the DeSantis abortion ban in his home state, and on whether Florida voters should pass a referendum guaranteeing abortion access?

Julian Sanchez joins Matt and Brian to discuss Trump's legal battles, the decline of white-collar crime prosecutions, and the complexities of characterizing high-profile individuals. They also explore the political dynamics surrounding Trump and the upcoming election, highlighting issues of corruption and accountability.

Discussing Donald Trump's warning of a 'bloodbath' if he loses, the political implications of attacking Trump, and the risks of resistance politics. Exploring reactions to Trump's statements, the disconnect between Democrats' appeals and actions, and the impact of exploiting controversies for political gain.

Discussion on Trump's sudden decision to cut Social Security and Medicare, possible reasons behind the reversal, link to campaign and legal expenses. Analysis of Biden's State of the Union address. Speculation on whether Garland will resign. Examination of Trump's U-turn on right-wing stances and dealings with TikTok. Paid subscribers get deeper insights into these topics.

On this episode, they discuss Trump's pandemic response, Biden's handling of the pandemic, and how Democrats are trying to persuade voters. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on voter sentiments, the challenges faced by different administrations, and the complexities of pandemic management in the political landscape.

Former Republican operatives discuss why Never Trumpers have turned to the Democratic Party, GOP's stance on IVF and abortion, Republican political tactics, and how Dems can improve Biden's chances in November.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.politix.fmThis week on Politix, Matt and Brian discuss:* The nearly half-billion dollar judgment Trump owes New York for engaging in fraudulent business practices; * Why MAGA spin that this his fraudulent practices were “victimless” is both bullshit, and irrelevant;* Similarities and differences between this scam and Trump’s other fraudulent schemes.Then, paid subscribers get a bigger picture look at where things go from here, and the significance for both the 2024 campaign and even national security. Are Trump’s latest entreaties to Vladimir Putin—on NATO, Ukraine, and the murder of Alexei Navalny—motivated by his renewed desperation for money? And will Democrats in Congress exploit this real risk of compromise the way Republicans exploited falsified allegations against Joe Biden? Will this be a watershed moment, or a(nother) missed political opportunity? Upgrade to find out!Further reading:* Brian encourages Senate Democrats, mainstream news reporters, law-enforcement officials, and Trump resisters to keep a close eye on whether Trump comes up with the money, and chase down the source(s). * Eight years ago, Matt broke down how Trump avoided financial ruin after failing in Atlantic City by ripping off shareholders. * Thirteen years ago Luis Zingales wrote, “Donald Trump’s announcement that he will not run in the Republican presidential primaries after all is great news for the Republican Party and for the country. The only thing more frightening than Trump’s running for president would be Trump’s getting elected president. From a party perspective, while losing an election is bad, winning one with the wrong candidate for the party and for the country is worse.”* David Brooks offers a “keep it simple, stupid” explanation of why Trump’s fraud was fraud, and why fraud is bad.

This week on Politix, Matt and Brian discuss:* The Robert Hur report, and the fire storm the special counsel ignited with his rule-breaking, partisan attack on Biden;* How Biden could in theory alleviate concerns that he’s too old to be both president and candidate simultaneously—and why his advisers haven’t really tried;* The extent to which Biden’s age really is limiting his ability to throw his weight around in the partisan mosh pit, even if it isn’t limiting his ability to govern at all;* Whether polls on this question, and on the question of how well alternate candidates would fare, are useful at all;* The Kamala Harris factor—is her consistently weak polling against Trump freezing a dysfunctional situation in place?* How Biden’s politics of restoring norms and magnanimity has compounded (and in the case of the Hur appointment, created) his old-man woes.Since this is a news-pegged episode about a consequential and unexpected development in the campaign, we’ve made it free to all subscribers. Further reading:* Matt says seeing more of Joe Biden would make his totally ordinary memory flubs seem unremarkable, and would remind Americans of his moderate instincts, but his advisers are worried that his moderate positions will make party activists angry.* Brian demands candor from the party and the Biden campaign about why they think things are going so much worse than they anticipated when they put their strategy in motion. * He also argues that most fears about what would happen if Biden stepped aside in favor of an alternate are misplaced. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politix.fm/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.politix.fmThis week on Politix, Matt and Brian discuss:* How we reached the point where Republicans wrung a bunch of immigration-policy concessions out of Democrats, then reneged on their own deal.* What was actually in the deal and why?* Would the provisions of the bill have actually succeeded at the nominal goal of creating more order and better asylum screening at the border?Then, paid subscribers hear a more open ended conversation and debate over whether the concessions Democrats offered were wise politically and substantively, whether they needed to engage this issue on Republican terms in the first place, and whether the GOP’s turn to sabotage will allow Democrats to seize and hold the center on immigration in a way that lastingly hurts Donald Trump. Plus, Matt gratuitously slags Tracy Chapman, forcing Brian to take a brave stand on behalf of Good Music. Further reading:* Matt argues that bureaucratic obstacles to implementing a working border policy, like ineffective polygraph screening for would-be agents, should be done away with—and would make implementing a border deal before the election very hard.* Brian on how Biden can win the ensuing infowars over GOP border sabotage, but only if he browbeats mainstream news into covering Trump and the GOP’s dirty dealing forthrightly. * The Democrats should fully embrace both halves of the old border-security-for-Republicans/legalization-for-Democrats consensus.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.politix.fmThis week on Politix, Matt and Brian discuss:* The $83.3 million a New York jury ordered Donald Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll for sexually assaulting then serially defaming her.* The related GOP freakout that America’s most influential person (Taylor Swift) might not like Republicans very much!* Why Democratic Party leaders seem uninterested in pressing their “not led by a rapist” advantage.They also put a pin in the issue of immigration, and the simmering nullification crisis Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) is stoking along the U.S.-Mexico border. Then, paid subscribers hear a conversation with Leah Greenberg, cofounder of Indivisible, about whether it’s important to mobilize street protests against Donald Trump before the election (like the recent marches against the German far right), and the extent to which policy activism and policymaking contribute to the demobilization of the resistance. Further reading:* Dara Lind on how the Senate border security bill won’t actually fix the problem Republicans claim to want to fix. * Brian on how the judgment in the Carroll case explains Trump’s desperation to run Nikki Haley out of the GOP primary instead of letting her flame out.* Jonathan Chait on whether the anti-Trump coalition has irretrievably splintered.