Welcome back everybody for another deep dive.
And today we're gonna be looking
at the US political landscape.
Things are always changing.
Always shifting.
Yeah, always shifting.
And we've got some pretty juicy stuff to cover this time.
We do.
Yeah, so Electoral Vote has been doing
some great analysis as always.
They always do.
And we're gonna be taking a look
at some of their recent articles
to kind of get a sense of what's going on
and what to watch out for in the coming years.
Yeah, and it's remarkable how these
seemingly isolated events can kind of converge
and create these moments of political tension
and opportunity.
So that's what we're gonna kind of unpack today.
For sure.
Starting with the Senate.
The Senate, exactly.
Yeah.
So first up, we've got Florida.
And this is always a hotbed of political activity.
Oh yeah, always something going on in Florida.
Yeah, and we've got two Senate seats
that are potentially up for grabs,
which is pretty wild.
Yeah, that's gonna be something to watch.
And it seems like every ambitious Republican in the state
is eyeing these seats.
So, you know, this could be a real bloodbath.
Yeah, I think it's safe to say that
Governor DeSantis' appointment of Ashley Moody
to fill Rubio's seat was not a surprise to anyone.
To nobody.
She's already popular with voters.
So that's not really gonna be an issue.
But it does create another vacancy for DeSantis to fill.
Exactly.
But this appointment triggers a special election
in 2026.
Right.
And now we have some big names like representatives
Kat Kamak and Corey Mills,
who are potentially jumping into the race.
So this is gonna be a real showdown.
Yeah.
And we also can't forget about DeSantis himself.
Oh, that's right.
He's term limited.
He is.
In 2026.
Yes, so you've got all these ambitious Republicans
and they're all vying for a very limited number
of powerful positions.
It's a lot of political ambition.
It is.
Yeah, so do you think all this infighting
among the Republicans could actually open a door
for the Democrats?
Well, that's an interesting question.
You know, Florida is definitely trending red.
It is.
But all this competition within the party,
you know, it could create an opportunity
for a strong Democratic candidate.
You know, the Republican vote could get split
among all these different contenders
and that could allow a Democrat to slip through.
Right, right.
I mean, it's a long shot.
Sure.
But you know, it's definitely something to watch.
Definitely.
Even if a Democrat doesn't win outright,
there's still a potential upside for them, right?
That's right.
Because remember, several of the Florida representatives
who are considering running for Senate or governor
would have to resign their house seats
once they qualify as candidates.
Right.
So that could shift the balance of power
in those house races.
Absolutely.
That ripple effect from the Senate race
could have significant consequences down the ballot.
Yeah.
You know, creating opportunities for Democrats
to pick up seats in the house.
That's a great point, yeah.
All right, so let's switch gears a little bit.
OK.
And head north to Ohio, where we've
got another Senate seat about to open up.
Right.
Senator Vance is stepping down.
Yes, he is.
Which leaves Governor DeWine with a bit of a tricky situation.
A tricky situation indeed.
He's got a coin replacement.
Right.
And his preferred choice, Lieutenant Governor Husted,
seems more interested in running for governor
than taking a Senate seat.
Oh, interesting.
Yeah.
So that kind of throws a wrench in the works.
It does.
And it brings us to a rather surprising contender.
OK.
Vivek Rameswamy.
Vivek Rameswamy, the venture capitalist.
Yes.
With, shall we say, limited political experience?
That's one way to put it.
Yeah, that would be an interesting choice.
Some are speculating that this could be a strategic move
by DeWine.
You know, maybe a favor to former President Trump, who,
according to some sources, is looking to, shall we say,
redirect Rameswamy's ambitions.
Oh, so get him out of his hair, basically.
Essentially, yes.
Yeah.
So DeWine appoints Rameswamy, potentially gets him out
of Trump's orbit, but then risks losing the seat
to Sherrod Brown in the 2026 special election.
Exactly.
It's a gamble.
It is.
And appointing someone with little political experience
to such a high profile position, you know,
it could backfire on the GOP.
Yeah.
On the other hand, having Rameswamy in the Senate
for two years, that could present some challenges
for both sides of the aisle.
I can already see the headlines.
I think we all can.
Oh, man.
All right, well, this is just the beginning,
and we've already got a lot to untrack.
But before we dive into how the media is adapting
to this new political landscape, let's
take a moment to consider what all of this
means for you, our listeners.
That's right, because these Senate races,
they may seem like these distant political games,
but their outcomes can have a real impact on your life.
Absolutely.
You know, they can influence the direction of policy,
the confirmation of judges, and even the balance of power
in Washington.
So it's important to stay informed and engaged,
because what happens in Florida and Ohio,
it could ultimately affect all of this.
Excellent point.
OK, so let's move on to how the media is navigating
these choppy political waters.
Things are already getting pretty interesting
with some media outlets seemingly
trying to stay in the good graces of the new administration.
It's fascinating, isn't it, how the media landscape shifts
and evolves in response to these political changes?
It is.
Yeah, it really is.
It's a delicate dance they have to do right.
It is.
Like, maintain their journalistic integrity,
but also navigate the reality of, you know.
New political climate.
A new political climate.
Yeah, and we're seeing some interesting examples
of how they're trying to do that.
Like, take the Washington Post, for instance.
They've been known for their hard-hitting journalism,
especially with that Democracy Dies in Darkness slogan.
But lately, there's been this subtle shift.
Their tone and their strategy.
They've definitely toned down the Democracy Dies in Darkness
Yeah, they have.
Haven't they?
And that new mission statement,
riveting storytelling for all of America.
It's a little ambiguous.
Ambiguous, softer.
Yeah.
Softer, yeah.
A little bit.
Like, are they trying to not be a target?
Yeah, it makes you wonder.
In this new political environment.
And it's not just the slogan, right?
They're also putting a lot of emphasis on, like, happy
customers and making money.
Which sounds more like a business strategy
and a commitment to.
Investigative journalism.
Yeah.
And it's interesting this shift seems to coincide
with several, like, high-profile journalists
leaving the paper.
It does, doesn't it?
So it's a development worth watching.
Yes, definitely.
And then there's this whole plan to become, like,
an AI-fueled platform for news.
Oh, yeah.
I got to say, that makes me a little uneasy.
Yeah, it's a bold move, for sure.
And it's not without its risks.
You know, relying on AI to curate and deliver the news
raises all sorts of questions about potential biases.
Right.
And, you know, the spread of misinformation.
Right.
Because the algorithms are only as good as.
The data they're trained on.
The data, exactly.
The data can be, you know, flawed or incomplete.
Right.
It's like they're prioritizing speed and efficiency
over, like, accuracy and depth.
Yeah.
You know?
I hope they don't lose sight of the importance
of, like, careful human-driven journalism.
Yes, exactly.
You know, it's a crucial balance.
It is, I know.
Right, to strike.
For sure.
And it's not just the Washington Post, either.
Like, CNN also seems to be making some adjustments.
They do.
They've reportedly moved Jim Acosta.
Oh, yeah.
You know, who?
He wasn't exactly.
Tohom's favorite?
No, he was not a fan of it.
From his primetime slot to.
The midnight hour.
That's a pretty big demotion.
It is.
You know, it's got to be a tough pill to swallow.
Yeah, the overnight shift is often seen as a less desirable
slot in TV news.
Right.
So moving Acosta there.
Yeah.
You know, it could be interpreted as a way
to minimize his visibility.
Right.
And, you know, potential for controversy.
It's definitely a sign of the times.
It is.
Yeah.
And speaking of CNN, there's this fascinating defamation
lawsuit that was filed against them by Zachary Young.
Oh, yeah.
You know, the Navy veteran who's been extracting refugees
from Afghanistan and other dangerous places.
Yeah, this case has been getting a lot of attention.
It has.
Especially from right wing media outlets.
Right.
Young claims that CNN defamed him by implying
that he was engaged in illegal activities
during his work extracting Afghans.
So basically, Young was charging the substantial fee
to help these Afghans escape.
And CNN did a report on this.
And they used the phrase black market.
Right.
And Young argues that that language
implied that he was breaking the law.
Which he denies.
Which he denies, yes.
It's a complex case.
It is.
And it raises questions about the limits
of journalistic freedom.
For sure.
And the potential for media bias, you know,
proving defamation, is a high bar legally.
Yeah.
You got to really show intent.
Right.
Young would have to demonstrate that CNN
acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
Well, it'll be interesting to see
how this plays out in court.
It will.
It definitely touches on some very sensitive issues.
It does.
Surrounding media coverage.
Especially in this kind of politically charged environment.
It's a case that could have significant implications
for the way news organizations report
on controversial figures.
Yeah.
And it's a case of events.
Yeah.
Especially when those events are tied
to sensitive political issues.
All right.
So for a bit of a lighter note, let's
talk about former President Trump's latest move, shall we?
OK.
He's appointed Mel Gibson, John Voight, and Sylvester
Stallone as special ambassadors.
To Hollywood.
Interesting.
What do you make of that?
It's a rather unconventional move, to say the least.
It is.
It's hard to say what tangible impact these ambassadors will
actually have.
Right.
They're somewhat waning star power
in the industry these days.
Right.
But it could be seen as a symbolic gesture.
OK.
Maybe an attempt to bridge the gap
between the entertainment industry
and the new administration.
Or maybe it's just a way for Trump to like.
Stay relevant.
Yeah.
Stay in the conversation.
Stay in the headlines.
Right.
He's always been good at generating headlines.
He has.
So this is just another way to do that.
Yeah.
It's definitely a shrewd move from a publicity standpoint.
It'll be interesting to see how Hollywood studios respond
to this, especially Disney.
Right.
They've had their own kind of complex relationship
with Trump.
They have.
In the past.
And their upcoming Star Wars film
is sure to be a blockbuster.
It is.
Could this appointment influence their creative decisions
in any way?
It's a possibility.
But Disney is this global company.
Right.
With a diverse audience.
So they're likely to be pretty cautious.
Right.
About alienating any segment of their fan base.
Yeah.
All right.
Well, speaking of potentially controversial decisions.
OK.
Let's shift gears and talk about PEPFAR.
Yes.
The AIDS Fighting Initiative in Africa.
An incredibly successful program.
Incredibly successful.
It saved millions of lives.
It has.
But now it's facing this potential threat
from Senator Rish, the chair of the Foreign Relations
Committee.
Right.
PEPFAR has been this remarkable achievement.
It has.
Providing life saving treatment and prevention programs
to millions of people in Africa.
And for a relatively modest cost.
Relatively modest $5 billion per year.
Yeah.
Billion dollars.
Yeah.
It's a testament to the power of global cooperation.
Yeah.
And the impact that well funded initiatives
can have on combating global health challenges.
Absolutely.
It's a truly remarkable program.
It is.
But now Senator Rish is threatening to cut funding.
He is.
And the reason he's given for this potential cut
is well it's pretty surprising.
OK.
Even treat.
Apparently a single clinic in Mozambique.
OK.
Which was receiving a tiny fraction of PEPFAR funds.
OK.
Performed abortions.
OK.
Which violates US law.
So you're telling me the fate of this entire program
which has saved millions of lives is being jeopardized.
Potentially.
Yeah.
Because of one clinic's actions.
It does raise questions about proportionality.
Yeah.
And the potential for political motivations.
Yeah.
To overshadow the humanitarian impact of this program.
Right.
So is Senator Rish truly concerned
about this one clinic's actions.
It's hard to say for sure.
Right.
The timing of this threat coming so soon
after a new administration takes office.
Yeah.
Suggests that there might be some broader
political calculations at play.
It's a complicated situation.
It is.
And it really highlights how easily politics
can get intertwined with these humanitarian efforts.
Yeah.
So it's crucial to keep a close eye on how this develops.
Absolutely.
And advocate for the continued funding
of this vital program.
It's vital.
It had millions of lives at stake.
They are.
All right.
So let's take a little step back.
OK.
From the current political landscape.
And delve into the world of political predictions.
Always fun.
Yeah.
You know it's always fascinating to look back
and see what the experts got right and wrong.
It is a guilty pleasure isn't it.
It is.
Seeing all those confident assertions just crumble.
Crumble.
Yeah.
In the face of reality.
The electoral vote actually has this whole collection
of predictions.
They do.
That went spectacularly wrong.
They do.
It's pretty entertaining.
It is.
So remember Derek Thompson's prediction
that 2024 would be this boring election year.
Oh yeah.
I think we can all agree that boring is not
the word that comes to mind.
Not at all.
Between the assassination attempt on Trump,
Biden dropping out and then Harris getting the nomination.
I mean it was anything but predictable.
Yeah.
And then there was John Harwood who was so sure
that Biden wouldn't pardon Hunter.
Oh yeah.
He was adamant about that.
Even after Biden himself said that he wouldn't do it.
Right.
And then boom a pardon.
A pardon.
It just goes to show you that in politics
things can change so quickly.
They can.
And even the most ironclad pronouncements
can be overturned.
Absolutely.
Rob Reiner also had a pretty memorable prediction.
Oh yeah he did.
He said that a woman would give birth
to a renewal of our democracy.
He was so sure that Harris would win.
Yeah I think he.
Let his hopes.
Let his hopes get the better of him.
Influences analysis a little bit there.
Yeah it happens.
It does.
To the best of us.
It does.
And who could forget Scott Galloway's prediction
that Elon Musk would either lose control of Twitter or sell it.
Oh yeah.
I guess he underestimated Musk's like determination
to hold onto that platform.
Yeah Musk is.
He's tenacious.
Yeah he's not one to back down easily.
No he's not.
OK this next one is a real head scratcher.
Michael McKenna predicted riots in Washington and New York
if Trump won.
Oh yeah.
But I don't recall seeing any widespread unrest
after the election results were announced.
Well you know predictions about social unrest
are notoriously difficult to make.
There are so many variables involved
it's almost impossible to anticipate how people will react.
That's true.
To a given event.
And speaking of predictions that didn't pan out
George Conway was pretty sure that Trump would be imprisoned.
Oh yeah he had that whole timeline laid out.
Yeah he did.
With Trump losing his immunity case
and going on trial in March.
Yeah it's amazing how some of these predictions
really reveal more about the predictor's own biases
and desires.
Right.
Than the actual likelihood of the event.
Yeah we tend to project our own.
Hopes.
And fear.
Onto these predictions.
Exactly and that can cloud our judgment.
Yeah he.
And lead to these inaccurate assessments.
Very true.
OK let's wrap up this prediction post-mortem
with a few rapid-fire misfires.
OK.
James Carville thought Trump would skip the debate.
Howard Lutnik was certain that RFK Jr. wouldn't be leading
HHS.
Right.
Nickel Killian expected a female running mate for Trump.
And Ari Fleischer believed that Nikki Haley would be the no
labels candidate.
It's a veritable graveyard of predictions.
It is.
Highlighting the inherent unpredictable politics.
It is unpredictable.
It is.
And reminding us to maybe take these pronouncements
with a grain of salt.
A big grain of salt.
Big grain of salt.
Yeah all right so for a change of pace let's indulge in our weekly
dose of Schadenfreude and Freud and Freud.
Oh yes a delightful exploration of those contrasting emotions.
They are contrasting aren't they.
They are.
Where should we begin.
Let's start with some Schadenfreude shall we.
Our star this week is state senator Colton Moore from Georgia.
This guy.
He's made a bit of a habit of landing in this category.
He's a repeat offender.
Or a repeat offender.
If I recall correctly he was even banned from the House chamber
by his own Republican colleagues.
You recall correctly.
Did he really.
Yeah it seems like even his fellow Republicans can't stand him.
Wow.
But during Governor Kemp's state of the state speech.
Right.
Moore decided to crash the party.
Oh no.
Even though he was explicitly told he wasn't welcome.
Oh Colton.
So guess what happened.
I'm going to guess he got arrested.
You nailed it.
Of course.
And to make things even more satisfying.
What could be more satisfying.
He ended up in the same jail as Trump.
I can only imagine the social media frenzy that ensues.
Oh the irony is just.
It's too delicious.
They're delicious.
OK.
So now for a dose of Freud and Freud to lift our spirits.
OK I mean that.
Yeah let's turn our attention to state representative
Vinton Jones from Texas.
One of the first openly gay black men elected to the Texas
legislature.
That's fantastic.
He's been on the front lines you know fighting against this
wave of anti LGBTQ bills.
Right.
During his time in office.
It's a tough job.
It is a tough job.
But amidst all this negativity.
Uh huh.
Jones chose a really powerful way to celebrate
his recent reelection.
Oh how so.
After being sworn in for his second term he proposed
to his partner.
Oh.
Right there in the legislature.
That's beautiful.
It was a beautiful and defiant act of love.
It wasn't.
When the face of such adversity.
It really was.
And in Jones' own words he said in a time when our love
and our very existence are challenged often in the halls
of this very building this moment is a reminder
that love conquers all.
Powerful words.
They are powerful words.
Well that brings us to the end of another deep dive.
It does.
We've covered a lot of ground today.
We have.
From Senate races and media maneuvering
to political predictions and even a touch of shot
and Freud and Freud.
A little bit of everything.
We hope you've enjoyed the ride.
Yeah as always we encourage you to stay engaged,
stay informed and never stop asking critical questions
because as we've seen today.
Right.
The world of politics is full of surprises.
This is never a dull moment.
Never a dull moment.
So until next time keep exploring the world
with a curious mind and remember even amidst
the chaos and uncertainty.
Right.
There's always room for hope and a little bit of fun.