S2 Ep1044: Peter Hamby: All in Service of Kissing Trump's Ass

No matter how much the Supreme Court pretends that the words 'high crimes and misdemeanors' are not explicitly in the Constitution, Donald Trump is still a disqualified law-breaker and is exactly the kind of guy the Founding Fathers warned us about. Character is now the only real check on presidential power. Plus, if push comes to shove, what are the basic rules that govern a change at the top of the ticket? Ben Wittes and Steven Shepard join Tim Miller.

2 Jul 20241h

All Americans who love this country and hate Donald Trump deserve answers about Thursday's abysmal performance—and how we are going to move forward. And do not answer our doubts about Biden and his staff with a MAGA-style blaming-the-press bit. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recklessly assists Trump yet again, and Bannon goes to the big house. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller. show notes: Mika Brzezinski on Joe Biden

1 Jul 202457min

The Secret Pod makes an emergency appearance to work through last night's terrible performance by Biden and to urge the Democratic Party to do the responsible thing in this moment. And Jonathan Martin discusses the strategy behind Biden's failed gamble and whether sitting Democrats would actually publicly push the president to leave the ticket. Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Martin join Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes: Claire McCaskill on Biden's performance David Frum on the debate Tim's playlist

28 Jun 20241h 9min

Former White House comms director Kate Bedingfield serves up some keen insights into Poppa Joe—he is a night person, he regularly seeks out Jill's opinion, and he is a calming influence. And he's probably not as anxious as Tim Miller is about tonight's debate. Meanwhile, Marc Caputo reports from Magaville on Trump's posturing that he is definitely, absolutely not at all prepping for the debate. Your pre-fight night comfort food to calm the jitters. show notes: Kevin Williamson piece Tim mentioned

27 Jun 202449min

So many of the people who worked around POTUS 44 think no one will ever be as good as Obama, but Stuart Stevens argues that Democrats need to make the case that Joe Biden is a great president. Meanwhile, Dems on Tuesday showed they are the one party holding their crazy people to account. Plus, Vance is too smart to be Trump's VP pick, more Republicans need to follow Kinzinger's example, and Ole Miss, college sports and civil rights. Tim Miller's show today. show notes: Stuart's latest book, "The Conspiracy to End America" Stuart's book, "The Last Season: A Father, a Son, and a Lifetime of College Football" Wright Thompson's piece on Ole Miss in 1962 Stuart's piece on calling Biden a great president

26 Jun 202442min

Project 2025 sounds mundane, but it would institutionalize Trumpism, eliminate the Department of Education, mass deport 11 million people, and turn the Department of Health and Human Services into the Department of "Life." Plus, more from the mailbag, and Biden finding the sweet spot between Uncle Joe and punching Trump in the face. Symone Sanders-Townsend joins Tim Miller. show notes: Symone's interview on Project 2025 MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024 event in September Tim's Mount Rushmore of political books: "What It Takes: The Way to the White House" "Losers," by Michael Lewis "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72" Harry McPherson's "A Political Education"

25 Jun 202444min

Gov. Jared Polis says Biden should focus on what he'll do for the American people in his campaign, rather than getting caught up in the crazy of Trump. Plus, guns, weed, the value of talking across party lines, and how Colorado is trying to avoid California's housing and growth problems. Tim Miller was live with Polis on Friday. And Bill Kristol joined Monday to discuss Trump's penchant for lying and to preview Tuesday's primaries.

24 Jun 202456min

Trump is not drawing support from black voters because of his criminality—that's just MAGA's bigotry of low expectations. Meanwhile, he's now promising a green card to every foreign Harvard grad to please tech bro donors. Plus, the attempt to create a race war over Caitlin Clark, the annoying liberals on the coasts are creating MAGA reactionaries, and more from the mailbag. Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes: Reid Hoffman's reply to David Sacks Tim interviews Reid Hoffman Tim's playlist

21 Jun 202458min