This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the $787.5 million settlement of the Dominion Voting v. Fox News defamation lawsuit; the political game being played with raising the U.S. debt ceiling; and the Russian detention of American journalist Evan Gershkovich. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jim Rutenberg and Katie Robertson for the New York Times: “ A $787.5 Million Settlement and Embarrassing Disclosures: The Costs of Airing a Lie ” Matthew Ig...
Apr 20, 2023•51 min
This week, David Plotz and Emily Bazelon discuss the federal court rulings on the F.D.A.-approved abortion medication mifepristone, the expulsion of two Democratic representatives by the Republican-supermajority state legislature in Tennessee, and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ latest ethics problem. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Adam Unikowsky for Adam’s Legal Newsletter: “ Mifepristone and the rule of law, part II ” Allison McCann for the New York Times: “ I...
Apr 13, 2023•51 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Washington Post’s Ruth Marcus discuss Donald Trump’s arraignment; the elections of Janet Protasiewicz to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Brandon Johnson for Chicago mayor; and the possibility of No Labels playing spoiler in 2024 presidential politics. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office: “ District Attorney Bragg Announces 34-Count Felony Indictment of Former President Donald J. Trump ” Ruth Ma...
Apr 06, 2023•47 min
In a Gabfest Special edition, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss Donald Trump’s indictment. Here are some notes and references from today’s show: The New York Times: “ Live Updates: Trump Likely to Be Arraigned on Tuesday ” Slate Political Gabfest: The “Trump Will Be Indicted Next Tuesday” Edition Email your questions and chatters to gabfest@slate.com or Tweet us @SlateGabfest . (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Che...
Mar 31, 2023•23 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to pause the legislation that will weaken Israel’s judiciary; the Congressional testimony of TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew; and the possibility of Chris Christie for President in 2024. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “ Behind Protests’ Fury in Israel, Fear of a Quiet Slide From Democracy ” Peter Baker for The New York Times: “ A Four-Decad...
Mar 30, 2023•44 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss Trump’s announcement he expects to be arrested; what ChatGPT means for the world; and interview Rachel Donadio, contributing writer for The Atlantic , about the unrest in France. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Rachel Donadio for The New York Times: “ Macron May Keep the Presidency, But Le Pen Has Already Won ” Annie Gowen for The Washington Post: “ Iowa’s Sharp Right Turn: From Centrist State To ‘Florida...
Mar 23, 2023•59 min
John Dickerson talks with author Chris Miller about his new book, Chip War: The Fight for The World’s Most Critical Technology . They discuss how semiconductor chips became so important, why everyone is so dependent on Taiwan for chips, and what lessons China can glean from what’s happening in Ukraine. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com . (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Hosted on Aca...
Mar 18, 2023•33 min
David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the Silicon Valley Bank bailout with David Leonhardt; Ron DeSantis coming out against aid to Ukraine; and free speech fights at elite law schools. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: William Saletan for The Bulwark: “ The Ukraine Untruths of Disingenuous DeSantis ” Ken White for The Popehat Report: “ Hating Everyone Everywhere All At Once At Stanford ” David Lat for Original Jurisdiction: “ Yale Law Is No Longer #1—For ...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 3 min
David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign, the end of pandemic-era medicaid & food security protections, and the many legal fights over medication abortion. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show Hannah Dreier and Kirsten Luce for The New York Times: “ Alone and Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the U.S. ” Jeff Stein and Tony Romm for The Washington Post: “ Biden Calls For Trillions In Tax Hikes And New Dome...
Mar 09, 2023•49 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the Supreme Court challenge to loan forgiveness; lab leak v. wet market Covid politics; and the future of humanities education–with John Plotz. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Nathan Heller for The New Yorker: “ The End of The English Major ” Recall This Book podcast with John Plotz Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea , by John Plotz “ The Eden of the Author of Sleep ,” by Brian Teare Sarah Fullerton for UC Berkele...
Mar 02, 2023•54 min
* Due to an audio issue, the original episode has been replaced. This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the year of war on Ukraine with Anne Applebaum; the smoking gun Fox News text messages; and Google’s defense of Section 230 at the Supreme Court. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Anne Applebaum and Nataliya Gumenyuk for The Atlantic: “ ‘They Didn’t Understand Anything, But Just Spoiled People’s Lives’ ” Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “ Bide...
Feb 23, 2023•57 min
Emily Bazelon talks with author Rebecca Makkai about her new book, I Have Some Questions For You . They discuss why it’s so easy to suspend disbelief with this type of story, the “cancelled” subplot, and whether we’d be better off without Twitter. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com . (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 18, 2023•33 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign; the legal history likely to lead to the end of affirmative action; and Slate How To! podcast host Amanda Ripley’s reporting on the congressional committee that got things done. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Emily Bazelon for The New York Times Magazine: “ Why Is Affirmative Action in Peril? One Man’s Decision. ” Amanda Ripley for The Washington Post: “ These Radicall...
Feb 16, 2023•52 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the raucous State of the Union; the spy balloon and U.S.-China relations; and Susan Dominus’s reporting on missed opportunities in treating menopause. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Katie Rogers and Peter Baker for The New York Times: “Kamala Harris Is Trying to Define Her Vice Presidency. Even Her Allies Are Tired of Waiting. ” Susan Dominus for The New York Times Magazine: “ Women H...
Feb 10, 2023•52 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the killing of Tyre Nichols; violence interruption efforts–with guest Alec MacGillis; and the upcoming State of the Union. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “ The Police Cannot Be a Law Unto Themselves ” Radley Balko for The New York Times: “ Tyre Nichols’s Death Proves Yet Again That ‘Elite’ Police Units Are a Disaster ” Alec MacGillis for The New Yorker and ProPublica...
Feb 02, 2023•56 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and guest host Josie Duffy Rice discuss the rise of Marjorie Taylor Greene; Ron DeSantis’ attacks on educators; and the bipartisan bashing of monopolist Ticketmaster. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jonathan Swan and Catie Edmondson for The New York Times: “ How Kevin McCarthy Forged an Ironclad Bond With Marjorie Taylor Greene ” God's Harvard: A Christian College on a Mission to Save America , by Hanna Rosin Josie Duffy Rice for ...
Jan 26, 2023•50 min
David Plotz talks with author Shahan Mufti about his new book, American Caliph: The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood Epic, and the 1977 Siege of Washington, DC . They discuss an Islamic group’s multi-location attack in D.C., the terror that hostages experienced while held captive for the two days, and the movie that started the whole thing. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com . (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)...
Jan 21, 2023•32 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the discovery of classified documents at Biden’s home; the justices of the Supreme Court exhibiting open animosity toward one another; and fears of a “polycrisis” at Davos. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Matt Viser, Tyler Pager, Carol Leonnig and Yasmeen Abutaleb for The Washington Post: “ Inside The White House Document Strategy And Its Pitfalls ” Steven Mazie for The Atlantic: “ The Supreme Court Justi...
Jan 19, 2023•48 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the House GOP’s “Weaponization of Government” subcommittee; the insurrection in Brazil–with Marcos Nobre; and what Prince Harry’s book, Spare, means for the British Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Matthew Yglesias for Slow Boring: “ A New Plan To Get Around The Debt Ceiling Hostage ” Matt Levine for Bloomberg: “ Financial Engineering the Debt Ceiling ” Spare , by Prince Harry Here are this week’s chatters...
Jan 12, 2023•57 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss GOP’s speakership debacle; George Santos; and improving access to medication abortion. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “ The Dawn of the Post-Clinic Abortion ” Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “ Risking Everything to Offer Abortions Across State Lines ” Mark Oppenheimer for The New York Times: “ Why Did George Santos Lie About Being Jewish? ” Here are this week’s...
Jan 05, 2023•47 min
Special thanks to: Andy Andrews Sarah Chapin Marc Colello David Duesing Alan Dybner Phil Goldstein Jason Howard Andrew James Pierce Eric Koleda Carrie Jerm You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest . Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast produ...
Dec 29, 2022•53 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the January 6th Committee’s findings and criminal referrals; the brewing water crisis in the West–with Washington Post reporter Josh Partlow; and the biggest stories of 2022. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Joshua Partlow for The Washington Post: “ Officials Fear ‘Complete Doomsday Scenario’ For Drought-Stricken Colorado River ” Joshua Partlow for The Washington Post: “ Disaster Scenarios Raise The Stakes...
Dec 22, 2022•52 min
John Dickerson talks with author Gautam Mukunda about his new book Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World . They talk about how Mukunda’s first book, Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter laid the groundwork for Picking Presidents . Later, Dickerson and Mukunda dig into why ‘intellectual brilliance’ – which goes beyond IQ - is a strong predictor of presidential performance and how the human portion of the job of president is changing. Tweet us your quest...
Dec 17, 2022•39 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Krysten Sinema leaving the Democratic party; Republicans’ good turnout, poor performance midterms; and the new documentary, Pelosi in The House . Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Pelosi in the House Here are this week’s chatters: John: Watch Richard Nixon’s Watergate speeches at the Miller Center’s website. Emily: Jessica Blatt Press for The Philadelphia Citizen: “ Hey, Phillly! Let’s Hire A Mayor! ” David...
Dec 15, 2022•43 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Raphael Warnock beating Herschel Walker, and oral arguments at the Supreme Court in the anti-gay marriage website designer case and the “independent state legislature” election case. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Fr. James Martin, S.J. for Outreach: “ When Is Religious Liberty A Fig Leaf For Homophobia? ” Ian MacDougall for ProPublica: “ What’s Really at Stake in a Politically Charged Supreme Court Case...
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr 2 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Trump hosting prominent antisemites Ye (f/k/a Kanye West) and Nick Fuentes; Chinese protestors challenging their authoritarian government–with Sheena Chestnut Greitens; and Congress legislating to protect marriage equality through the Respect For Marriage Act. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Sheena Chestnut Greitens for Foreign Affairs: “ Xi Jinping’s Quest for Order ” Sheena Chestnut Greitens and Julian ...
Dec 01, 2022•50 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the future of Twitter, the ghoulish World Cup, and a minister’s allegation that Justice Alito leaked the outcome of the Hobby Lobby case. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jodi Kantor and Jo Becker for The New York Times: “ Former Anti-Abortion Leader Alleges Another Supreme Court Breach ” Jodi Kantor for The New York Times: “ Allegation of Supreme Court Breach Prompts Calls for Inquiry and Ethics Code ” Ro...
Nov 24, 2022•57 min
Emily Bazelon talks with author Beverly Gage about her new book, G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century , a detailed account of the life of the first FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover. They discuss Hoover’s hostile relationship with Martin Luther King Jr., why he should have quit at the end of the 1950s, and how Hoover’s childhood shaped his reign [MOU1] as director. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com . (Messages could be quoted by name unle...
Nov 19, 2022•33 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Trump’s campaign announcement, election denying candidates’ failures in the midterms, and guest Matthew Zeitlin on the impact the implosion of Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto exchange FTX may have on the Effective Altruism movement. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Donie O'Sullivan for CNN: “ Facebook Fact-Checkers Will Stop Checking Trump After Presidential Bid Announcement ” Matthew Zeitlin for Grid: “ Sam Ba...
Nov 17, 2022•46 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the midterm results we have so far and the Supreme Court case that could upend family law and more for Native Americans. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Stefan Becket for CBS News: “ The Unresolved 2022 House And Senate Races That Will Determine Control Of Congress ” Rebecca Nagle for The Atlantic: “ The Supreme Court Case That Could Break Native American Sovereignty ” Leah Litman and Matthew L.M. Fletche...
Nov 10, 2022•48 min
