Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we p...
Trump may have authoritarian aspirations, but he's very bad at governing and managing—four weeks into the transition, he's had two major Ls. Meanwhile, Democrats have to rebuild their connection to voters with local party clubs, and not wait until an election year. Plus, a reverse cancel culture is silencing any conversation about the role that gender and race played in Kamala's loss. And finding solace in the words of Frederick Douglass.
Jamelle Bouie joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Jamelle's column about one of Frederick Douglass's final speeches
Tim's playlist
--------
49:00
David French: We Are in the Bad Multiverse
Kash Patel is making legal threats to try to silence his critics, and Tulsi Gabbard wouldn't even be able to get a security clearance in the regular job market: The parade of incompetence is so bad that Pete Hegseth is being described as the most unqualified Cabinet nominee in American history—and that's before the rape and alcoholism. Plus, Bluesky v Twitter, Russia is running out of military equipment, and are preemptive pardons a good idea?
David French joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Steve Schale's Bulwark piece on the Democratic Party
The Southern Baptist Convention's 1998 "Resolution on Moral Character of Public Officials"
Longer version of Jake Tapper clip
--------
1:03:58
Rep. Mikie Sherrill: Who Will Be In Charge of Our National Security?
We're going back to a president who can't be bothered to read his briefing books. So who will be getting in the ear of the man who had the judgment to choose Pete Hegseth in the first place? Plus, blue state governors v Trump, the need for more mid-range housing, the role of women in modern combat, and Tim reads more from the mailbag.
New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill joins Tim Miller.
--------
51:30
Michael Weiss and Thomas Zimmer: Competent and Radical
Russ Vought, Trump's nominee to run the Office of Management and Budget—and a Project 2025 author—believes we are living in a post-constitutional America and that any check on Trump's power would be illegitimate. And what's really scary is that Vought knows how the government works. Meanwhile, jihadi technocrats effortlessly took over Syria's second-largest city because Assad's protectors—Russia and Iran—are a bit distracted. Plus, Ukraine prepares for Trump.
Michael Weiss and Georgetown's Thomas Zimmer join Tim Miller.
show notes
Zimmer's piece on Russ Vought
Michael's piece on the fall of Aleppo
Cathy Young's latest regarding Russia's war on Ukraine
--------
1:09:05
Bill Kristol and Elaina Plott Calabro: A Sordid Lot
Kash Patel, who could potentially run the FBI, is a compulsive liar who can't keep his facts straight about his work experience or even where he was born. Aside from being a player in the attempted coup, even Trump loyalists are alarmed by his devotion to the president-elect. Meanwhile, by pardoning Hunter, Biden is not only putting his family ahead of the public interest, he's also giving a giant gift to Trump. Plus, more details on Pete Hegseth's disqualifying behavior, and Trump's avenue for getting around the Senate confirmation process. Elaina Plott Calabro and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Elaina's profile of Kash Patel
Patel's target list
Jack Goldsmith on Trump getting around the Senate confirmation process
Tim and Sam on Biden's pardon of Hunter
Tim and Sam on Pete Hegseth's mom
Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy.
Bulwark+ members can get a totally ad-free version of the show delivered right to their favorite podcast player.