The Latest

“With fear for our democracy, I dissent,” wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her dissenting opinion in yesterday's terrible, horrible, no-good SCOTUS ruling on presidential immunity. So, we're wondering where the asterisks were in Chief Justice Robert's 2005 statement and Justice Alito's in 2006 below? It must be there somewhere because they have a big whopping exception for Donald Trump's lawlessness. Stuart, Joe, and special guest, former Biden-Harris Admin member, Gevin Reynolds done in.

The conversation between Rick Wilson and Nicholas Kristof covers a wide range of topics, including the state of American politics, social justice, democracy, rural-urban divide, and the role of media. They also discuss the challenges faced by rural communities, the impact of disinformation, and the need for a more nuanced and practical approach to governance. The conversation delves into the economic and social issues affecting different parts of the country, as well as the need for a more inclusive and solution-oriented approach to address these challenges.

Andra Watkins connects the dots between criminalizing being unhoused and Project 2025 religious indoctrination: "Religiously-affiliated homeless shelters are the only option in hundreds of American cities. This Supreme Court ruling is a thinly-veiled attempt to fulfill Project 2025’s objective to force people into religious indoctrination for welfare assistance."

We must not forget the dramatic implications of a second Trump presidency. In this episode Rick interviews Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI. They discuss the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency, focusing on the threats to democracy and the justice system. McCabe provides insights into the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and reflects on Trump's use of power and influence. The conversation highlights the importance of protecting democratic institutions and maintaining accountability in government.

Rick Wilson discusses the decline in Donald Trump's mental and physical fitness, contrasting it with Joe Biden's resilience and vision for the future. He emphasizes Trump's moral failings and the need to reach out to evangelical voters who support him. The conversation also includes a segment called 'Blocked and Reported' where Wilson reads and responds to mean tweets. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of character, leadership, and the ongoing fight against the MAGA movement.

Yes, we do talk about the debate. Yes, Alex watched steeplechase too. But where do both candidates go from here? Joe explains why - yes, President Biden struggled Thursday night - but why Trump didn't run away with the debate either. What's the biggest problem Joe Biden has to overcome? (Hint: it wasn't his performance.) And why does Joe think that regardless of tonight's results - Trump still won't be president? How Democrats should take heart in Joe Biden doing what's needed to beat Trump.

Al From writes: This will be our most important election since the Civil War. Democracy will be on the ballot. That’s because former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, poses an existential threat to the future of American democracy. President Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has made the preservation of democracy the central cause of his campaign.

Campaign veteran Stuart Stevens shares his insights on political polling and emphasizes the significance of examining trends and cross-tabs.

Is it really possible, that Trump is intending to spike inflation, cause massive labor shortages, throw the economy into recession and do enormous harm to the global economic system that has driven prosperity here and around the world? "Well, yes," writes Simon Rosenberg, "That’s what he wants to do if he gets into the White House next year."

Andra Watkins writes: What’s it like to be in a relationship with an autocratic, non-compromising, non-flexible person? Today’s Christo-fascist Republican Party is teaching many Americans about these abusive relationships in real time. Once we defeat them and defeat them and defeat them some more, we’re all going to need trauma therapy.

"A conservative Supreme Court is not a new problem. The way to get another Warren court is for Democratic presidents to appoint enough justices," writes Teri Kanefield.

Francis Barry discusses his book "Backroads and Better Angels: A Journey into the Heart of American Democracy" and his cross-country road trip to explore the values that hold America together. He shares stories of meeting people from different backgrounds and political beliefs, highlighting the frustration and division that exists in the country. Despite the challenges, Barry finds hope in the resilience and faith in the country's values that he encounters along the way. He emphasizes the importance of listening, open-mindedness, and prioritizing relationships over politics in order to bridge the divides in America. Follow Francis Barry at @FSBarry on X, read more of his writing at Bloomberg.com, and purchase his new book, "Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy" at fine bookstores everywhere.

Fox New promoted a lot of stories about crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants. While the network pretended to care about the safety of American women it ignored a Supreme Court ruling that supported a law that bars domestic abusers from owning guns. Jesse Watters attempted to mock Joe Biden for walking like an 81-year-old man. Newt Gingrich compared Trump to Reagan and predicted that Trump would be calm and controlled while sparring with Biden. A data expert didn’t seem to know that wages have outpaced inflation for 12 straight months and there was some drama about a Fox News poll that showed Biden inching ahead of Trump. I also compare how Fox and PBS handled the new law in Louisiana that mandates the Ten Commandments in all school classrooms.

There is a shift taking place amongst black male voters in America. In today's episode, Rick speaks with Leah Wright Rigueur, assistant professor of public policy at the Kennedy School of Government and author of "The Loneliness of the Black Republican." They jump into the current state of the 2024 election, discussing the widespread frustration with the repeat matchup of 2020 candidates and the underlying racial dynamics influencing political behaviors. Leah offers insights into the slow migration of Black men to the Republican Party, the erosion of democratic principles, and the troubling rise of grievance politics. The conversation also touches on the potential implications of having a convicted felon on the presidential ballot and the ongoing struggle for true democratic accountability in the United States.

A demented, fascist, malignant narcissist and a normal old guy walk onto a debate stage...no, it's not the beginning of a joke, it's this Thursday night's debate. Dr. John Gartner and Stuart Stevens talk with Resolute Square's Lisa Senecal about what to expect when Dementia Don and Good Ole Joe meet on the debate stage. It's a preview not to be missed!

On the two-year anniversary of the historic Dobbs Decision, guest Ryan Hamilton shares the experience he and his wife had, which Republicans continue to claim doesn’t exist: abortion laws endangering the life of a mother. Talking with host Rick Wilson, Ryan relays the harrowing experience of he and his wife losing their baby and the life-threatening circumstances they had to endure in the aftermath of archaic laws in Texas. You don’t want to miss this one.

David Pepper: Despite the strong majorities of Americans supporting reproductive freedom, abortion is generally banned in red, gerrymandered states—because the gerrymandering keeps those states from being representative democracies in the first place. They can pass unpopular laws and still face no accountability, so they do—keeping the far right happy.

What happens when your PR job is to represent clients including Gaddafi, Assad, and the government of Qatar? Well, for one thing, a great many wild stories. In this episode, Rick welcomes Phil Elwood, the author of "All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians." Phil shares astonishing tales from his career in public affairs, detailing his work with notorious figures such as the Gaddafi family and Assad, and so many more. From orchestrating media strategies in high-stakes environments to confronting his own moral dilemmas, Phil's journey is both fascinating and eye-opening. Phil's book, "All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians," available now.

Joe and Alex discuss the latest from the Sunshine State... why Florida might be closer than people realize. And what does that mean nationally? We zoom out and look at that new Fox News poll that has some VERY encouraging numbers under the hood. Turns out 34 felony convictions isn't actually a good thing... And what does Joe think President Biden has to do to win the debate next week? It all comes down to one word...