The Latest

The front lines in the fight for our democracy is taking place at the state level with a battle for the integrity of a system on the brink. In this episode Rick welcomes Jena Griswold, the Secretary of State of Colorado, for an in-depth discussion about the current state of democracy in the United States. They explore the challenges and successes of election security, the rise of election denialism, and the impact of disinformation and deep fakes on the electoral process. Jena shares insights from her experience in overseeing Colorado's elections, highlighting the importance of maintaining a secure and accessible voting system. She also discusses the ongoing efforts to hold bad actors accountable and the resilience of the American people in defending democratic values.

Fox News was surprisingly subdued after Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance. The day after the debates they interviewed white folks in diners where they blamed the First Lady Jill Biden for everything. An RNC spokesperson claimed the DNC has been hiding Biden’s cognitive decline for years. Fox News hosts glossed over Trump’s many lies and Rachel Campos-Duffy went off the deep end in many ways. There was also signs among the MAGA faithful that they are worried Trump won’t win the 2024 election.

Brian Daitzman shines a light on CNN's failure to call out our post-reality world split: "The uncomfortable truths about Trump—his incompetence, recklessness, inciting an insurrection, his criminal activities, and his actions as an adjudicated rapist—are effectively erased from the collective conscience, particularly among Trump’s MAGA base."

The Right sees a small window remaining to permanently empower a white minority.

“With fear for our democracy, I dissent,” wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her dissenting opinion in yesterday's terrible, horrible, no-good SCOTUS ruling on presidential immunity. So, we're wondering where the asterisks were in Chief Justice Robert's 2005 statement and Justice Alito's in 2006 below? It must be there somewhere because they have a big whopping exception for Donald Trump's lawlessness. Stuart, Joe, and special guest, former Biden-Harris Admin member, Gevin Reynolds done in.

The conversation between Rick Wilson and Nicholas Kristof covers a wide range of topics, including the state of American politics, social justice, democracy, rural-urban divide, and the role of media. They also discuss the challenges faced by rural communities, the impact of disinformation, and the need for a more nuanced and practical approach to governance. The conversation delves into the economic and social issues affecting different parts of the country, as well as the need for a more inclusive and solution-oriented approach to address these challenges.

Andra Watkins connects the dots between criminalizing being unhoused and Project 2025 religious indoctrination: "Religiously-affiliated homeless shelters are the only option in hundreds of American cities. This Supreme Court ruling is a thinly-veiled attempt to fulfill Project 2025’s objective to force people into religious indoctrination for welfare assistance."

We must not forget the dramatic implications of a second Trump presidency. In this episode Rick interviews Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI. They discuss the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency, focusing on the threats to democracy and the justice system. McCabe provides insights into the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and reflects on Trump's use of power and influence. The conversation highlights the importance of protecting democratic institutions and maintaining accountability in government.

Rick Wilson discusses the decline in Donald Trump's mental and physical fitness, contrasting it with Joe Biden's resilience and vision for the future. He emphasizes Trump's moral failings and the need to reach out to evangelical voters who support him. The conversation also includes a segment called 'Blocked and Reported' where Wilson reads and responds to mean tweets. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of character, leadership, and the ongoing fight against the MAGA movement.

Yes, we do talk about the debate. Yes, Alex watched steeplechase too. But where do both candidates go from here? Joe explains why - yes, President Biden struggled Thursday night - but why Trump didn't run away with the debate either. What's the biggest problem Joe Biden has to overcome? (Hint: it wasn't his performance.) And why does Joe think that regardless of tonight's results - Trump still won't be president? How Democrats should take heart in Joe Biden doing what's needed to beat Trump.

Al From writes: This will be our most important election since the Civil War. Democracy will be on the ballot. That’s because former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, poses an existential threat to the future of American democracy. President Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has made the preservation of democracy the central cause of his campaign.

Campaign veteran Stuart Stevens shares his insights on political polling and emphasizes the significance of examining trends and cross-tabs.

Is it really possible, that Trump is intending to spike inflation, cause massive labor shortages, throw the economy into recession and do enormous harm to the global economic system that has driven prosperity here and around the world? "Well, yes," writes Simon Rosenberg, "That’s what he wants to do if he gets into the White House next year."

Andra Watkins writes: What’s it like to be in a relationship with an autocratic, non-compromising, non-flexible person? Today’s Christo-fascist Republican Party is teaching many Americans about these abusive relationships in real time. Once we defeat them and defeat them and defeat them some more, we’re all going to need trauma therapy.

"A conservative Supreme Court is not a new problem. The way to get another Warren court is for Democratic presidents to appoint enough justices," writes Teri Kanefield.

Francis Barry discusses his book "Backroads and Better Angels: A Journey into the Heart of American Democracy" and his cross-country road trip to explore the values that hold America together. He shares stories of meeting people from different backgrounds and political beliefs, highlighting the frustration and division that exists in the country. Despite the challenges, Barry finds hope in the resilience and faith in the country's values that he encounters along the way. He emphasizes the importance of listening, open-mindedness, and prioritizing relationships over politics in order to bridge the divides in America. Follow Francis Barry at @FSBarry on X, read more of his writing at Bloomberg.com, and purchase his new book, "Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy" at fine bookstores everywhere.

Fox New promoted a lot of stories about crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants. While the network pretended to care about the safety of American women it ignored a Supreme Court ruling that supported a law that bars domestic abusers from owning guns. Jesse Watters attempted to mock Joe Biden for walking like an 81-year-old man. Newt Gingrich compared Trump to Reagan and predicted that Trump would be calm and controlled while sparring with Biden. A data expert didn’t seem to know that wages have outpaced inflation for 12 straight months and there was some drama about a Fox News poll that showed Biden inching ahead of Trump. I also compare how Fox and PBS handled the new law in Louisiana that mandates the Ten Commandments in all school classrooms.