Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Firing Line With Margaret Hoover
  • 4.9 (161)
  • POLITICS
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Author, feminist, gay rights activist and political commentator Margaret Hoover leads a rigorous exchange of ideas with America’s political and cultural newsmakers. In the spirit of William F. Buckley Jr.’s iconic “Firing Line,” Hoover engages with thought leaders on the pivotal issues moving the nation forward. New podcast episodes drop weekly, and sometimes more, featuring bonus content you won’t hear on TV.

  1. 8 HR. AGO

    Journalists under attack abroad: Alsu Kurmasheva, Maria Ressa, and Jonathan Munro

    Three journalists on the frontlines of the global fight for press freedom sit down with Margaret Hoover at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York to discuss threats to the media around the world and how free countries in the West can help protect the press abroad. Alsu Kurmasheva, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist wrongfully detained in Russia for more than six months, reflects on her captivity, the global campaign for her release, and the dangers her colleagues still face. Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, who faced prosecution for standing up to autocracy in the Philippines, assesses the role of social media and advanced technology in spreading misinformation and undermining democracy. BBC News Global Director Jonathan Munro, who oversees reporters working in conflict zones in Ukraine and the Middle East, explains what governments can do to defend the truth across the globe and hold tech platforms accountable. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Peter and Mary Kalikow. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

    32 min

  2. NOV 23

    The Fight to Free Jimmy Lai: Sebastien Lai and attorney Jonathan Price

    Sebastien Lai, whose father publisher Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong, and Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy Lai’s international legal team, talk to Margaret Hoover about their effort to build global support for his release. Jimmy Lai had been a leading voice in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement before his arrest in 2020 under a controversial national security law. Now 77 and in ailing health, he took the witness stand at his trial this week as he faces a possible sentence of life in prison. Sebastien explains what led his father to launch Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper that was often critical of Beijing, and why he stayed to fight even when he knew he was risking arrest. Price talks about how the national security law implemented in 2020 changed Hong Kong and how difficult it is to defend someone charged under it. Sebastien responds to the British government’s advocacy for his father’s release, as well as President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to help. He also addresses the Vatican’s silence on the case despite his father’s devout Catholicism. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

    45 min

  3. NOV 16

    AEI’s Kori Schake on the ‘genuine risk’ and potential upside of Trump 2.0 foreign policy

    Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute joins Margaret Hoover to discuss Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy in his second term and how it may impact the U.S. and the world. Schake, a defense policy expert who served in Republican and Democratic administrations, makes the case for conservative internationalism and details the flaws she sees in Trump’s “America First” worldview. Although she has opposed Trump since 2016 and sees him as a genuine threat to constitutional order, Schake recognizes some areas–like defense spending and Middle East policy–where he might improve on existing policies and advance America’s interests. Schake assesses Trump’s Cabinet choices for foreign policy roles, including the selection of Fox News host Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense, and she warns against politicizing the military. She defends America’s alliances and raises concerns about the influence of Elon Musk. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

    43 min

  4. NOV 9

    Jon Meacham on what Trump’s reelection means for the soul of the nation

    After Donald Trump’s historic reelection, presidential biographer Jon Meacham joins Margaret Hoover to discuss what the outcome means for the soul of the nation and what comes next. The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian had warned Americans against the “genuine risk” of returning Trump to power, but he explains why he accepts the results. He also reflects on how history can offer inspiration in this moment. Meacham, who has advised President Biden and helped him draft speeches, assesses the institutional guardrails that could constrain Trump in a second term–and tells Hoover why he fears they will not. Meacham responds to calls from conservatives for Biden to pardon Trump and reflects on whether Trump’s norm-shattering behavior and election denial will prove to be an aberration in American history or a new status quo. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

    32 min

  5. NOV 2

    H.R. McMaster: America is electing a wartime president

    H.R. McMaster, Donald Trump’s second national security advisor, joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his tumultuous experience in the Trump White House, what he characterizes as Trump’s “disruptive” leadership, and what a second term could look like. McMaster, who recently published At War With Ourselves about his nearly 14 months in the administration, assesses the global threats facing the next president and offers insight into challenges posed by Iran, China, and Vladimir Putin’s Russia. McMaster reflects on how Trump’s approach benefited American interests in some instances but undermined them in others. The retired Army lieutenant general also explains why he holds both Trump and President Biden responsible for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. While he says Trump’s threats and promises about his second-term agenda should be taken seriously, McMaster has confidence there would be effective checks on abuses of presidential power like deploying the military against Americans. However, he also tells Hoover Trump’s preemptive efforts to cast doubt on the election results “should give us all pause” and cautions against demagoguery on both sides. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

    48 min

  6. OCT 26

    Counting the vote: A bipartisan panel on voting, elections & Elon Musk

    Margaret Hoover sits down with Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer (R), Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D), and veteran GOP election attorney Benjamin Ginsberg for a bipartisan discussion of the facts about elections and voting in America. After a screening of “Counting the Vote” at the 92nd Street Y in New York, the experts talk about preparations for the 2024 election and legal and logistical challenges that may emerge in the weeks ahead. They also comment on litigation already underway over noncitizens voting, overseas voters, and voter roll maintenance. Benson and Richer address their efforts to correct misinformation spread by Elon Musk and the threats they have faced for defending election integrity. Ginsberg also assesses the legality of Musk’s PAC giving away $1 million a day to swing state voters. The guests lay out their concerns about potential chaos and violence surrounding the vote count and whether they see reasons for hope. They also answer questions from the audience and explain how to effectively engage with election skeptics. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

    53 min

  7. OCT 19

    Gov. Josh Shapiro says the 2024 race is a ‘jump ball’ in Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the state’s pivotal role in the race for the White House and what Kamala Harris needs to do to win it. At the Abington Arts Center in Shapiro’s hometown, the Democratic governor assesses Harris’ strategy and contrasts her agenda with Donald Trump’s. He also defends Harris’ efforts to distinguish herself from President Biden and to explain her shifting positions on energy. Shapiro, who was on the short list to be the vice presidential nominee, highlights support for Harris from prominent Republicans–like former Rep. Charlie Dent–and denounces Trump’s false attacks on immigrants in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. After a slow vote count sowed confusion in 2020, Shapiro addresses the state’s failure to approve preprocessing of absentee ballots, explains why votes will still be counted faster this year, and assures voters that he and Republican Secretary of State Al Schmidt are prepared to defend the integrity and accuracy of the results. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

    37 min

  8. OCT 12

    Condoleezza Rice on Israel, Ukraine, and the perils of American isolationism

    Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joins Margaret Hoover to discuss America’s role in the world amid multiple crises and the dangers of retreating from global leadership. In a recent Foreign Affairs essay, Rice warned about the “perils of isolationism.” She explains why these sentiments concern her and how leaders should reframe arguments in favor of globalization and international engagement to counter them. Rice assesses the current state of the conflict in the Middle East as Israel fights Iran’s proxies in Gaza and Lebanon and the threat of escalation looms. She offers insight into the weaknesses of the Iranian regime and opportunities for the U.S. and Israel to exploit them. Rice makes the case for continued U.S. support for Ukraine and for promotion of democracy more broadly, and she reflects on lessons learned from the 2006 Gaza elections that put Hamas in power.  Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

    32 min
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About

Author, feminist, gay rights activist and political commentator Margaret Hoover leads a rigorous exchange of ideas with America’s political and cultural newsmakers. In the spirit of William F. Buckley Jr.’s iconic “Firing Line,” Hoover engages with thought leaders on the pivotal issues moving the nation forward. New podcast episodes drop weekly, and sometimes more, featuring bonus content you won’t hear on TV.

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