The Bulwark Podcast

Some folks reviewing this podcast are apparently tired of the relentless focus on January 6 and the rest of the aftermath of the Trump Administration, as well as the social and political backdrop which enabled it. While there are definitely some guests who I prefer to others (Adam Kinzinger is always a standout!), I’m glad that there is somebody beside the WaPo and the NY Times that still takes this seriously. Yes, COVID policy, inflation, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, tensions with Russia and China etc. are huge challenges for us. However, if you want to hear other news and views, there are plenty of other podcasts out there (including The Bulwark’s own Beg to Differ). Charlie Sikes knows what he’s doing, and deserves some love for it.

The hypocrisy and motivated reasoning were so very on-brand throughout. Look, I’m squarely in favor of Israel’s security. Early in the war I looked into the (then) 40k Palestinian deaths and researched the strongest arguments pro-genocide and con, as well as reading the relevant international humanitarian law, and concluded that’s not a case of genocide and mostly not even war crimes, because the goal of rooting out Hamas is a valid military goal, and Hamas tunnels and weapons were deliberately located in private homes and public facilities. But just as Kate Bolduan asked Rep Emmer about Trump’s “Hitler” remarks, you should have asked Stephens about Bibi’s cabinet, his “Amalekites” remark, the ethnic cleansing Israel supporters call “West Bank settlement”, and the recent apparent ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza. Broadly speaking, there are three paths to security from Hamas: 1. steady as we go: in a decade or two, back to Sept 30 2024, if you call that security 2. an independent and prosperous Palestinian state: real security in 50 years 3. a “final solution”: no Palestinians = no Hamas Only 2 promises any security from the rest of the region. Bibi publicly tries to look like he’s being forced to adopt 1, but it’s really hard to deny he is comfortable with, maybe wants, 3. I’d really like to see how a Bret Stephens deals with that question before he’s allowed to wet his pants because Harris is uncomfortable with Bibi’s genocidal politics. Previously: What NeverTrump doing? So in today’s Bulwark with Sellers you imply that Joe Biden is lying to us about his capabilities, and bring on Calabro whose theme song is Kamala is not ready. What are you doing? This is Russian boomerang air defense territory! You’re welcome to your opinion that Biden is not up to the task. But what are you doing? If you want to recruit undecideds, you need to show them that change is possible! Instead, you’re making a great case that it 👏🏼👏🏼 is 👏🏼👏🏼 not, because Biden is not listening to you and is saying the opposite. And there’s no road to a better candidate because you’re not 👏🏼👏🏼 backing 👏🏼👏🏼 one (the excellent analysis you all did on The Next Level notwithstanding, all you’ve done since is whine and swing at Biden’s kneecaps). Disgustedly y’rs

Whether you are on the right or left of the political spectrum, these smart and probing interviews are informative. Tim Miller rocks

To be honest, I was nervous about Charlie stepping back. And although I have been a big fan of Tim, I thought that doing a daily show would not be a good fit for him. So I worried. But it turns out that Tim knows how to pace himself. And my worries were not needed. The podcast remains my Daily Vitamin to keep my sanity in these worrisome times. One request is to identify the ending music artist/song with a reference to it in the show notes. These music selections are so well done.