The Politics Guys

Mike talks with Allen Guelzo, the Thomas W. Smith Distinguished Research Scholar in the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. Professor Guelzo is a three-time winner of the Lincoln Prize, awarded annually for the finest scholarly work in English on Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War soldier, or a subject relating to their era. They discuss his latest book, Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment. Topics Discussed Include: - why Lincoln had such faith in democracy - if Lincoln saw Blacks as truly equal - Lincoln’s constitutionally questionable actions - what current-day politicians could learn from Lincoln - Lincoln’s cosmic optimism Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks about the The Jordan Harbinger Show. Hope you enjoy it too.

Mike and May open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a look at the Louisiana redistricting plan recently rejected by a three-judge panel. They get into the tension between the Voting Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause, partisan vs racial gerrymandering, and if there’s a better way to set up congressional districts. Next is a discussion of the proposed federal rescheduling of marijuana. Mike thinks it’s long overdue and should lead to more and better research on the effects (both good and bad) of pot. May is more skeptical, though she agrees that we could use better medical research on cannabis’ effects. They end with their thoughts on the extended interview Donald Trump recently gave to Time. Mike was surprised at how often Trump came off as a normal politician, while May was unsurprised at Trump’s agenda for a second term. Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & May open with a discussion of the escalating pro-Palestine protests on college campuses. May things other schools can learn from Florida’s handling of protests at state institutions. Mike wonders if ‘outside agitators’ are necessarily a bad thing, and if we should be glad that so many people are in a position to protest what they view as significant injustice. Next is a look at the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which passed the House with strong bipartisan support. May thinks it’s largely fine, whereas Mike believes it’s too restrictive of legitimate expression. They close with the proposed rescheduling of marijuana by the Biden administration. Mike thinks it’s long overdue and should lead to more and better research on the effects of marijuana. May believes it won’t do all that much, and is another example of the Biden administration of attempting to energize the youth vote ahead of the 2024 elections. Listen to Future Hindsight, and check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a cross-interview with Sustainable Planet, Kimberly Weir, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Northern Kentucky University and co-host of Sustainable Planet talks with Akshat Rathi, award-winning senior reporter for Bloomberg News and the host of Zero, a climate-solutions podcast for Bloomberg Green and author of Climate Capitalism: Winning the Race to Zero Emissions and Solving the Crisis of Our Age. Topics Kimberly & Akshat discuss include: How a misinformed campaign marketing slogan about ‘clean coal’ led Akshat into the year-long pursuit of uncovering the truth about climate technology Why economists feel the way to address climate change is to put a price on carbon How to achieve negative carbon emissions since zero emissions alone isn’t enough Why, when it comes to electric cars, you’ve never heard of Wan Gang, though Elon Musk is a household name Why the very industries that created lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, and carbon capture and storage are so resistant to employing that technology How private capital from billionaires like Bill Gates and anyone with a 401K plan is a key part of pursuing climate technology That climate justice is both ethically the right path but also reaps global economic benefits The need to shift from ‘shareholder’ to ‘stakeholder’ if we’re going to meet the less-ambitious Paris Conference climate change goals  Akshat Rathi on X Listen to Part 2 of the interview on Sustainable Planet. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ exclusive episode with a discussion of oral arguments in Grants Pass v. Johnson, where the Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of a local ordinance that bans sleeping outdoors. Mike has more of a problem with the ordinance than does Jay, and they agree that the Court is likely to issue an opinion that gives cities clearer guidance. They also discuss the underlying issue – the growing homelessness problem in the United States. After that, they turn to oral arguments in Trump v. United States, where the Court is taking up the issue of post-presidential criminal immunity for official acts. Mike doesn’t think there should be any immunity for illegal acts, while Jay argues that it’s not always entirely clear where that line is. They close with a look at the FTC’s new rule banning noncompete agreements. Mike argues that it’s a good idea that is in keeping with market principles, though he doesn’t think the FTC has the legal authority to make the rule. Jay agrees with the lack of authority, and questions whether a ban is all that good of an idea in any case. Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After some brief comments on the ongoing criminal trial of Donald Trump, Mike and Jay discuss the Ukraine aid package, considering how it got to the floor, what it says about the Republican Party, and the arguments against extending more aid to Ukraine. Next, they turn to the recently passed TikTok ban, which would require parent company ByteDance to either sell the company to an approved buyer within a year or no longer be able to do business in the United States. Both Mike and Jay are skeptical of the constitutional arguments against the ban and think there are solid national security reasons for the legislation. They close with a look at the growing pro-Palestine demonstrations on college campuses across the country. Mike is more sympathetic to the protestors' viewpoint than Jay is, but they both support reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on students’ (and non-student protestors) exercise of speech. Check out Mike’s other podcast, Sustainable Planet as well as TPG’s fellow Democracy Network show, The Bully Pulpit. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike welcomes back to the show Bryan Caplan, a Professor of Economics at George Mason University, prolific author, and blogger at Bet on It. They discuss his latest essay collection, You Will Not Stampede Me: Essays on Non-Conformism. Topics Mike and Bryan Discuss Include - disobedience to authority - why the world is wrong and the weird is right - herding and hysteria - the ubiquity (and danger) of crusades - what the world got wrong about COVID - combining cynicism and idealism Bryan Caplan on X The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Ken dive into the Sixth Amendment and the unique protections it provides defendants. Topics of conversation include: The advent of professional police and prosecutors The modern plea bargaining system The right to a prosecutor The ability to produce evidence in your defense The Politics Guys on Facebook | X  Mike and Kimberly's new show splanetpod.com Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Ken open with breaking news on Israel’s attack on Iran and Syria. They discuss the appropriateness of the response, the likely message behind the response, and the political implications for U.S. politics. They also briefly consider the timing of the U.S.’s blocking of Palestinian United Nations membership in the Security Council. Next, they move to Congress and the ongoing debate inside the Republican Party over foreign aid. Trey believes Speaker Johnson has a deal already struck with Democrats, which also allows some Democrats to vote no on Israeli aid, while Ken thinks if there is a deal it is more comprehensive for Democrats.  After that, they discuss the suspension and ultimate resignation of Uri Berliner from his role at NPR. Here the hosts take very different views. Ken views Uri as striking a Trumpian tone and is rightfully criticized and ousted. Trey disagrees, arguing that divergent viewpoints help media be thoughtful in the ways that frame, prime, and agenda setting. Objectivity is not impossible, but it doesn’t mean that viewpoint diversity is a bad thing.  They close with a look at the newest Supreme Court decision in the case of Mckesson v Doe, the case determining if the organizer of an event can be held liable for activity he did not directly cause or promote. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X  Mike and Kimberly's new show splanetpod.com Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey talks with author Sasha Issenberg about his new book The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age, in which he talks about the left's campaign strategies to combat "disinformation" and "misinformation." Topics Trey and Sasha Cover Include - why the left is primarily interested in disinformation - the campaign strategies of Democrats online - the focus on engagement in political persuasion - how overseas democracies have faced similar disinformation strategies - Brazilian cautions for some leftwing approaches to disinformation Follow Sasha on X, and check out The Lie Detectives The Politics Guys on Facebook | X  Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of the Biden administration’s move to close the ‘gun show loophole’. Mike argues that it’s a good move and, to his surprise, Jay doesn’t really disagree. From there they move on to a more contentious regulatory issue – whether the government should require all new table saws to have a finger-sensing blade brake. Mike thinks the benefits outweigh the costs, but Jay isn’t too sure that’s the case. Following that, they consider whether the country is as divided as many people believe, in light of a recent AP/NORC poll that suggests most Americans agree on fundamental issues. Jay thinks the devil (and division) is in the details, while Mike points out some fairly significant differences between Democrats and Republicans. They close by responding to a listener's question about extremists in their respective parties. (Giving Jay the opportunity to break out the very William F. Buckley-ish word apotheosis.) Check out Mike’s new podcast, Sustainable Planet. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay open with a look at the ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court upholding a near-total ban on abortions passed in 1864. They consider the legal reasoning behind the decision, what’s likely to happen next, and how they see it playing out politically, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he believed abortion rights should be left up to the states. Next, they discuss the latest Biden administration efforts to forgive student loan debt. Mike and Jay disagree as to whether the moves are legally and constitutionally permissible, but they do agree that the current system of higher education funding needs major reform – though they favor very different paths for that reform. They close by discussing the many delays in legal proceedings involving Donald Trump, the seriousness of the cases against him, political bias, and what the voters should know before they vote in November. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with historical anthropologist Nicholas Dirks, Chancellor of UC Berkeley from 2013-2017, about his book City of Intellect: The Uses and Abuses of the University. Topics Include: - the public’s decline of faith in higher education - if higher ed is focused on the right kind of diversity - free speech as privileging dominant views - what elite institutions are doing with their massive endowments - rising education costs and administrative bloat at universities - if public universities should take positions on political issues The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken discuss the five major elements of the 5th Amendment: Grand Juries Double Jeopardy Self-Incrimination Due Process Takings The Politics Guys on Facebook | X  Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken start the episode with a deep dive into Israel’s airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. This leads to a discussion of the differences between the northern conflict and the Gaza conflict. Next, the discussion moves to Biden’s newest demands of Israel and how Israel has responded. This also includes a discussion of shifting American attitudes on supporting Israel. After that, the duo look at the 6/15 week abortion ban in Florida. They discuss the Florida Supreme Court’s legal ruling, but also the political ramifications for both parties in terms of the November election. They close with a discussion of the valuation of Trump Media & Technology. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X  Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Jay, and Justin open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of NBC’s decision to hire, and then quickly fire, former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel. Was it a bad business decision poorly implemented, an example of anti-Trump bias, or something more than that? Next, they consider whether Truth Social’s IPO makes any sense. Probably not from a strictly business sense, but as Mike points out, owning a share of DJT is likely to be more than a dollars and cents calculation to the MAGA faithful. They close with a look at RFK Jr’s campaign and running mate, as well as Chris Christie’s rejection of No Labels and a broader discussion of third parties in the American political system. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Jay, and Justin open with a look at the life and legacy of the recently deceased Joe Lieberman, agreeing that the Democrat turned independent is the sort of solutions-oriented moderate we don’t see much of in national politics anymore. Next is a discussion of oral arguments before the Supreme Court concerning access to the abortion drug mifepristone. It seems like a stretch to argue that those challenging the FDA even have standing, but there is a case to be made that mailing any drug to end a pregnancy is a violation of the 1873 Comstock Act. They close with a debate over whether attorney John Eastman should be disbarred for his efforts assisting Donald Trump in his attempt to stay in office following the 2020 presidential election. Jay argues that Eastman may have had bad arguments, but he shouldn’t be disbarred for making them. Mike points out that there is a line between pushing bad arguments and telling a client to break the law, though he ultimately agrees with Jay. Justin isn’t so sure that either Jay or Mike have it right in this instance. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey talks with constitutional law professor Maxwell Stearns about his new book Parliamentary America which argues the U.S. needs to adapt the U.S. House to include proportional representation.  Topics Trey and Max Cover Include - how the median voter theory is inaccurate - why American parties are tending in extreme directions - proposals to double the size of the House of Representatives - proposals to transform the selection of president and vice president - proposals to change how to remove a president - the historic necessity of convincing relevant actors to agree to these changes.  Follow Max on X, and check out Parliamentary America The Politics Guys on Facebook | X  Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Jay open the preview of this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of Texas’ SB 4, which allows state judges to deport migrants. Mike argues that it’s plainly unconstitutional and Jay largely agrees, though he makes the case that legislation should be given a presumption of constitutionality. They also discuss how this has moved through the federal court system and the slowdown at the Fifth Circuit. Following that they take a look at the latest presidential fundraising numbers (one area where Biden is beating Trump), consider Washington State’s new alternative to the bar exam, and address some listener questions. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices