Donald Trump Takes The Bait
Digest
The podcast begins with a discussion about the recent presidential debate, with the hosts agreeing that Kamala Harris won but questioning its impact on the election. They then delve into Donald Trump's performance, criticizing his inability to control his emotions and his tendency to take the bait. The hosts argue that Trump's behavior demonstrates a lack of presidential temperament and his inability to think long-term. The conversation shifts to the recent endorsements of Kamala Harris, particularly Taylor Swift's, Dick Cheney's, and Liz Cheney's. The hosts debate the potential impact of these endorsements, with Emily arguing that Taylor Swift's endorsement is the most significant due to her massive following. The hosts interview Nate Persley, a law professor at Stanford, about the potential threats to the upcoming election. Nate expresses concern about chaos and confusion rather than voter suppression or fraud. He highlights specific examples of legal challenges and changes in voting laws that could create uncertainty and anxiety among voters and election officials. The episode concludes with the hosts announcing a bonus episode for Slate Plus members, featuring a continuation of their conversation with Nate Persley about election security and the role of artificial intelligence in democracy. They then engage in their usual "Cocktail Chatter" segment, discussing a new episode of the Slate podcast "Dakota Ring" and a recent scientific article about a human population bottleneck.
Outlines
Debate Analysis and Trump's Performance
The podcast begins with a discussion about the recent presidential debate, with the hosts agreeing that Kamala Harris won but questioning its impact on the election. They then delve into Donald Trump's performance, criticizing his inability to control his emotions and his tendency to take the bait. The hosts argue that Trump's behavior demonstrates a lack of presidential temperament and his inability to think long-term.
Endorsements and Their Impact
The hosts discuss the recent endorsements of Kamala Harris, particularly Taylor Swift's, Dick Cheney's, and Liz Cheney's. They debate the potential impact of these endorsements, with Emily arguing that Taylor Swift's endorsement is the most significant due to her massive following.
Election Security and Potential Threats
The hosts interview Nate Persley, a law professor at Stanford, about the potential threats to the upcoming election. Nate expresses concern about chaos and confusion rather than voter suppression or fraud. He highlights specific examples of legal challenges and changes in voting laws that could create uncertainty and anxiety among voters and election officials.
Slate Plus Bonus Episode and Cocktail Chatter
The hosts announce a bonus episode for Slate Plus members, featuring a continuation of their conversation with Nate Persley about election security and the role of artificial intelligence in democracy. They then engage in their usual "Cocktail Chatter" segment, discussing a new episode of the Slate podcast "Dakota Ring" and a recent scientific article about a human population bottleneck.
Keywords
Presidential Temperament
The emotional stability, self-control, and ability to handle pressure that are considered essential qualities for a president. This is often assessed based on a candidate's behavior, communication style, and past actions.
Election Security
The measures taken to protect the integrity and fairness of elections, including safeguards against voter fraud, interference, and manipulation.
Endorsements
Public statements of support for a candidate or political party, often made by influential individuals or organizations.
Population Bottleneck
A sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events or other factors. This can lead to a loss of genetic diversity and increase the risk of extinction.
Chaos and Confusion
A state of disorder and uncertainty, often characterized by a lack of clear leadership, communication, or direction.
Legal Challenges
Disputes or lawsuits that arise from legal issues related to elections, such as voter registration, ballot access, or election administration.
Artificial Intelligence
The simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems, often used in tasks such as data analysis, decision-making, and problem-solving.
Q&A
What are the key concerns about the upcoming election, and how do they differ from the 2020 election?
Nate Persley, a law professor at Stanford, expresses concern about chaos and confusion rather than voter suppression or fraud. He highlights specific examples of legal challenges and changes in voting laws that could create uncertainty and anxiety among voters and election officials. He also notes that the current political climate is more polarized and distrustful of election infrastructure than in 2020.
How do the endorsements of Kamala Harris, particularly Taylor Swift's, Dick Cheney's, and Liz Cheney's, potentially impact the election?
The hosts debate the potential impact of these endorsements, with Emily arguing that Taylor Swift's endorsement is the most significant due to her massive following. They also discuss the potential for Dick Cheney's endorsement to sway some undecided voters, but ultimately conclude that his influence is likely limited.
What are the potential consequences of a close election outcome, particularly if it comes down to a single state?
Nate expresses concern that the current political climate is not conducive to a peaceful and respectful resolution of a close election outcome. He worries that a Bush versus Gore-style dispute could lead to increased polarization, distrust, and even violence.
Show Notes
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Kamala Harris’ win against Donald Trump in the presidential debate; the Harris endorsements by Taylor Swift and Dick and Liz Cheney; and election integrity with Professor Nathaniel Persily of Stanford Law School.
Here are this week’s chatters:
Emily: Willa Paskin and Cheyna Roth for Decoder Ring: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie… Will He Want a Welfare Check? and Wangjie Hu et al. in Science: Genomic inference of a severe human bottleneck during the Early to Middle Pleistocene transition
John: Sasha Weiss for The New York Times Magazine: The Prince We Never Knew; Mike Wall for Space.com: New record! 19 people are orbiting Earth right now; and Black Fire by Sonni Cooper
David: Hemispheres
Listener chatter from Curt Fonger in Daphne, Alabama: Caity Weaver for The New York Times Magazine: America Must Free Itself from the Tyranny of the Penny
For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, David, Emily, and John continue their conversation with Nate Persily on election integrity.
In the latest Gabfest Reads, Emily talks with Joshua Leifer about his book, Tablets Shattered.
Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)
Podcast production by Cheyna Roth
Research by Julie Huygen
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