Heather Cox Richardson: The Reality Show-ification of the Government

Few states are as red as Iowa, and yet the legendary Iowa pollster Ann Selzer found that Kamala has leapfrogged over Trump to take the lead there. The turnaround is due to women—particularly women 65 and older, who previously tilted toward Trump, but now favor Kamala 63% to 28%. Iowa's new strict abortion law could be a factor.  J. Ann Selzer joins Tim Miller for a special Sunday pod. show notes Des Moines Register story on the Iowa Poll Des Moines Register story on Iowa's congressional races

3 Nov 202421min

The WSJ wants readers to think that Trump is too stupid to coup—despite Jack Smith's indictment showing a very clear plan. And for those on the left and right arguing that we survived once before, there are hundreds of thousands of people who would still be alive today if Trump had managed Covid better. Plus, the laughable GOP civility police, Kamala's potential trouble in Michigan, the MAGA ads that are simultaneously antisemitic, Islamaphobic, and misogynist, and the Green parties in Europe want Jill Stein to step aside.  Mehdi Hasan joins Tim Miller. show notes Tim's playlist

1 Nov 202455min

Trump and his pack of dude-bros are pitting men against women, even inside the home—the current Republican Party is definitely not pro-family or pro-marriage. Plus, Nikki's feelings are hurt, and Elon trucked in door-knockers for Trump who basically worked as indentured servants. How does this Putin-whispering patsy still have government contracts?  Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller. show notes Tim's message to Nikki Haley voters

31 Okt 202447min

The character of the nation is on the line: We have to stop an autocratic minority from imposing its will on the majority of Americans. And no question, Putin has been very easily manipulating Trump and Musk. Plus, Biden talking about garbage, spam polls, pollster herding, and the weakest swing states for Kamala.  Alex Vindman and Lakshya Jain join Tim Miller. show notes: Congressional candidate Eugene Vindman's web site The fake family of Eugene's opponent in the open VA-7 seat

30 Okt 20241h 5min

Kamala Harris sees the world as divided between those who follow the rules and those who break them—and that injustice requires action, not whining. And behind the story of a child of two high-achieving immigrants is a woman who remains loyal, reveres law and order, shows up prepared, and approaches challenges with a 'just the facts' linear style of thinking. Yet, she also maintains a level of inscrutability. Robert Draper joins Tim Miller. show notes: Draper's profile of Kamala

29 Okt 202446min

By de-prioritizing The Washington Post in his business empire, Jeff Bezos is showing exactly how a free press gets dismantled. Other corporate titans are also falling in line so they're not on the wrong side of Trump. Meanwhile, with the Klan-like rhetoric at Sunday's rally, MAGA is baring its teeth and showing us that its true essence is about white Christian supremacy. Plus, the Senate races, and Tim's reporting from outside MSG.  Bob Kagan—who resigned from WAPO on Friday—and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller. show notes: Bill and Bob's conversation on authoritarianism in 2019 Bob's book, "Rebellion," published in April Bob's 2016 piece warning how fascism could come to America Tim's message to Haley voters

28 Okt 202449min

Trump is corrosive to the soul of our democracy. He's a bigot, an ogre, and an isolationist. And for all the Reagan Republicans on the fence: If Trump gets back in, America won't have a healthy conservative movement again for generations. Plus, Kamala on Israel, and Elon's private foreign policy with Putin—he's working against our national security while helping himself to the treasury of the United States. Bret Stephens joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes: Tim's playlist Bret's 2018 piece on Musk being the Trump of Silicon Valley

25 Okt 202451min

A whole faction of Red America thinks the judges and tax cuts in the first half of Trump's presidency were the 'real' Trump. But the Jan 6 'burn it all down' guy is the real version—as Tucker's weird parable about a violent and angry dad makes clear. Plus, MAGA's confidence in the election results, Cheney's abortion comments, and the surreal double standard where all the rules apply to Kamala, but none apply to Trump. David French joins Tim Miller. show notes: David's latest newsletter, "Trump's Election Reversal Dreams Are Dead"

24 Okt 202451min