Rick Perlstein: The Alternative Is Apocalyptic
The modern conservative movement has a built-in ratcheting-up mechanism, so that even when Republicans win, they act like they're losing and the country is on the verge of collapse. Even Democrats long for the days of responsible, Main Street conservatives. But today's GOP is racing headlong into authoritarianism, and the fever is not going to break until we defeat it. Rick Perlstein joins Tim Miller. show notes: Rick on Project 2025 Rick on abortion Rick on the "authoritarian ratchet"
24 Jul 202445min
Sam Stein and Ron Brownstein: Now We're Talking
We may have been conditioned to just accept candidates who share their meandering thoughts or end sentences with 'anyway.' But Kamala Harris is delivering a big upgrade, and showing how a good political speech gets done. Meanwhile, what would Kamala's winning coalition—and her path to 270—look like? Plus, Trump may be having some buyer's remorse over JD Vance. Ron Brownstein and Sam Stein join Tim Miller. show notes: Ron's piece on Kamala's path to 270 Sam's piece on how the Dems got their shit together Ron's book, "Rock Me on the Water"
23 Jul 202452min
James Carville: Kamala-Gras
It's now the Kamala Harris parade, and James Carville has grabbed his whistle and baton for the march. The veteran strategist shares some campaign advice for the vice president and argues her 2020 message will play better in 2024—she's already being turned into a brat summer* icon. Meanwhile, Trump and Republicans may have been prematurely cocky. Tim Miller's pod today. show notes *The run-down on brat summer USA Today piece on brat summer, published before Biden dropped out of race The Charli XCX Trend, Explained Tim Alberta piece that Tim referenced
22 Jul 202428min
Bill Kristol: Biden Drops Out of Race
After banging the drum for quite a while, Bill Kristol and Tim Miller got their wish, and the political world is scrambling for the 106-day sprint to the election— with Trump now officially the oldest presidential nominee in history. Is it Kamala time? What about the possible VP options? Tim's special weekend pod. show notes: https://x.com/brianbeutler/status/1814517879309553898?s=46
21 Jul 202439min
S.E. Cupp: Grieving the Insanity
Republicans wanted a 'do no harm' convention, but it was too corporate and lacked any joie de vivre. And then they ended the affair with grievance, fasci Tucker, and 96 minutes of weird incoherence from Trump. Meanwhile, AOC gives a peak behind the scenes of what's going on with Democrats trying to push Biden out. S.E. Cupp joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes: Savannah Chrisley talking about her imprisoned parents at the RNC Tim's playlist
19 Jul 202447min
Adam Kinzinger: Everything Is on the Line
Republicans are tamping down the crazy and the weird at the convention—like no election fraud, no abortion ban talk, and no vaccines—to present their dangerous agenda in a non-threatening way. Meanwhile, why can a 20-year-old buy 50 rounds of ammunition, but not a White Claw or a pack of cigarettes? Plus, we introduce a new Kamala-themed segment: The Coconut Meter. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller. show notes NY Times analysis of Saturday's shooting
18 Jul 202435min
Jeff Sharlet and Joe Perticone: The Confidence of a Bully
Trump's shark/electrocution anecdote was not a sign of deterioration. Trump is actually getting better at communicating a solid message in a carnivalesque atmosphere—and he's reaching people outside of MAGA. Plus, when Republicans talk about a message of unity, they are referring to the party, not the country. Jeff Sharlet joins Tim Miller from New Hampshire, while Joe Perticone checks in from Milwaukee. show notes: The Andy Kroll piece about J.D. Vance that Jeff mentioned Joe's Press Pass dispatch from the convention on Tuesday We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
17 Jul 202449min
Alyssa Farah Griffin: National Unity Is Not Where the GOP Is
J.D. Vance is an incredibly polarizing figure, and his addition to the ticket signals a complete realignment of the Republican Party. Plus, he gave the single-worst response to the assassination attempt on Trump. Meanwhile, democracy is a team sport, and Democrats are playing a dangerous game. Alyssa Farah Griffin joins Tim Miller. show notes: Full speech from Mark Robinson, GOP gubernatorial candidate in North Carolina
16 Jul 202444min
