Beg to Differ with Mona Charen The Bulwark

Former GOP Congresswoman Barbara Comstock drops in to discuss the debate, the shutdown, the impeachment, and the general dysfunction.

highlights/lowlights:

Linda Chavez

A New Cohort of Transgender Kids by Lisa Selin Davis at Persuasion.

Damon Linker

The re-release of Stop Making Sense.

Barbara Comstock

The recent testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson.

Mona Charen

Inside the Unfounded Claim That DeSantis Abused Guantánamo Detainees by Matthew Rosenberg and Carol Rosenberg (NYT).

Francis Fukuyama joins Damon Linker, Ben Wittes, and A.B. Stoddard to analyze the UAW strike, the attacks on the "Deep State," and whether Kristen Welker blew it with Trump. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, A.B. really doesn’t like the new Senate dress code, but loves that Henry Winkler and Dolly Parton have forthcoming books. 

highlights/lowlights:

A.B.'s:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/21/style/senate-dress-code.html

https://dollyparton.com/life-and-career/books/dolly-parton-announces-new-book-behind-the-seams-my-life-in-rhinestones/21344

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250888099/beinghenry

Frank's:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66793900

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/20/1200705608/senate-tuberville-hold-military-promotions

Ben's:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?530429-1/department-justice-oversight-hearing

David Frum joins the group for a wide ranging discussion including the impeachment investigation, Biden's trip to the G20, Hunter Biden's indictment, and Mitt Romney's lonely stand. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Mona calls out Mike Pence for midwifing our Trumpian politics.

show notes:

McKay Coppins' piece:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/11/mitt-romney-retiring-senate-trump-mcconnell/675306/
 
David's highlight:
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-mexico-china-us-trade-opportunity/

Bill's lowlight:
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-so-many-americans-are-unhappy-about-the-economy/
Linda’s highlights:
https://thetriad.thebulwark.com/p/terry-eastland-rip-legend
https://www.americanpurpose.com/articles/orbans-tainted-democracy/

Damon's highlight:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/09/18/ross-douthats-theories-of-persuasion

Kori Schake, head of defense and foreign policy studies at AEI, shares her views on China, Ukraine, and Tuberville's stunt. The panel then debates whether Biden should, even now, step aside. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Bill sings the praises of Antony Blinken’s performance as secretary of state, and Linda sees hopeful signs of sanity among local GOP officials in very red Wyoming.

show notes:

Column that Kori referenced:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2023/ukraine-war-maps-progress-aid/

Substack post Damon mentioned:
https://josephklein.substack.com/p/hidin-biden?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2

Linda's highlight:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/07/opinion/nationalization-politics-wyoming.html

Mona's highlight:
https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/buck-tells-colorado-gop-leaders-to-stop-spreading-misinformation-about-jan-6-defendants/

Damon's highlight:
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/09/samuel-moyn-liberalism-against-itself-critical-review.html

Law professor and AEI scholar Adam White joins the show to answer legal questions about Trump's trials. The panel then discusses whether prosecuting a former (future?) president is wise or necessary. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Adam celebrates the arrival of a new monograph about director Whit Stillman, whose films include ‘Metropolitan’ and ‘The Last Days of Disco.’

highlights/lowlights:

Adam's: https://firefliespress.com/Whit_Stillman

Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/nyregion/march-on-washington-harlem.html

Bill's: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/end-china-economic-miracle-beijing-washington

Damon's: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/trump-disqualified-president-14th-amendment/675163/

Mona's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/29/free-trade-common-enemy-congress/

Walter Olson of CATO joins the panel for debate analysis, including the rise of “RamaSMARMY.” Plus, a discussion of the 14th Amendment argument for disqualifying Trump, and disentangling the Hunter Biden story threads. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Linda celebrates the election of Bernardo Arévalo, an anti-corruption crusader, as president of Guatemala.

show notes:
University of Pennsylvania Law Review article on the 14th Amendment

Linda's highlight:
https://www.vox.com/world-politics/2023/8/20/23838763/guatemala-elections-alvarez-torres-democracy-corruption

Walter’s lowlight:
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/06/republicans-rehash-vaccine-mandate-policies-ndaa-amendments/387774/

Damon’s highlight:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/09/disabled-children-institutionalization-history/674763/

Mona's lowlight:
https://twitter.com/Heritage/status/1694012835842375809?s=20