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The Dispatch Podcast

Host Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle and guests for a thoughtful discussion on politics, policy and culture.
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Episodes

War and Lies in Gaza

Sarah, Steve, Chris, and David French discuss the war an Israel as a ground invasion of Gaza seems imminent and Western media spreads disinformation about a deadly blast in a Gaza hospital. The roundtable then turns to the House speaker race, this time giving the topic appropriately-lengthed shrift. Also: -Illusion of Israel’s invincibility -Information warfare -The power of confirmation bias -Trump's praise of Hezbollah -Can Republicans be united? -Matt Gaetz and the Seven Dwarves -Worth Your T...

Oct 19, 20231 hr 7 min

The Doug Burgum Candidacy

Economy, energy, and national security are the three major platforms Governor Doug Burgum is running on for his GOP presidential bid. Burgum joins David on The Dispatch Podcast to talk about the state of his campaign and: -Israel-Hamas war -Regimes going nuclear -World War III prospects -Pulling out of Afghanistan -Containing China and US policy to help Taiwan -Energy policy -State of Burgum’s campaign -Ignore national polls? -Trump lost the election -January 6th outlook Learn more about your ad...

Oct 16, 202343 min

Axis of A-Holes

It's day six since the massacre in Israel and Sarah, Steve, Jonah, and David French are in it for a somber episode. They discuss: -Bad allies -Two-state solutionism -What is Hamas' goal? -Biden's Iran hostage deal -Anti-zionism vs. antisemitism -The left's cultural credibility -America's role -The ethics of sharing snuff videos -The House is a mess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Oct 13, 20231 hr 6 min

Rep. Buck: No Moral Fortitude in Speaker’s Race

In between voting for House speaker, Representative Ken Buck joins Steve and Declan to talk about House politics, GOP reluctance to acknowledge who won the 2020 election, and whether an honest speaker can yet be found. Plus: -Buck’s relationship with GOP colleagues -Scalise not wanting to bring wrath of MAGA base -Jordan and Scalise voted to decertify elections -Why Buck voted for McCarthy in the 15-round melee in January -Will colleagues support reform? (Spoiler: no) Show Notes: -Watch this epi...

Oct 11, 202328 min

Worried About Inequality? Fix Marriage.

Melissa Kearney, a professor of economics at the University of Maryland joins Assistant Editor Luis Parrales to talk about her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind. The two discuss the decline in married households over the past decades, how that decline has exacerbated inequality and negatively impacted parents and children, and why it’s so controversial to talk about marriage as a policy matter in the first place. Show notes: -Mel...

Oct 09, 202341 min

Bad Vibes at the Border

Sarah left The Dispatch Podcast and now there's no speaker of the House. What went wrong? Steve and Jonah join the flagship host's return to discuss the speakership battle, Joe Biden's Trump-era border wall, and corruption writ large. Also: -Small dollar donor problems -Democratic blame game -Anti-transparency in government -There's a secret speaker?? -Trump and Menendez corruption inquiries -The return of Not Worth Your Time Show notes: -Jonah's G-File on government transparency -Rep. Matt Gaet...

Oct 06, 20231 hr 12 min

The Future of the Pro-Life Movement

Jon Schweppe, policy director at the American Principles Project, joins Andrew to discuss the state of the pro-life movement: political uncertainty, mixed messaging, states rights, and next steps. Show Notes: Jon's profile at the American Principles Project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 02, 202324 min

Members Only: America's Classless Society

A sneak peek from our regular members-only Dispatch Live discussion: Kevin, Chris, and Jonah discuss elites versus elitism and America's increasing decline from authenticity. The conversations was spurred by Chris' piece on America's classless society. If you want to join our live discussions, support the work we're doing, and help us do a lot more: become a Dispatch member. https://thedispatch.com/join -If you're a member, you can watch the full live discussion here: https://thedispatch.com/art...

Oct 01, 202325 min

Are We Doomed Yet?

Making sense of the latest carnival of inanity posing as a presidential debate is a task too great for Steve and Jonah. So they have summoned the fabled (and bingo'd) Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural and constitutional studies at AEI, to help them analyze the GOP primary debate, rank pre-government shutdown asininity, and determine whether we should even be paying attention at all. Show Notes: -Yuval Levin's profile at the American Enterprise Institute -Watch our pre-debate discussion f...

Sep 29, 20231 hr 12 min

On the Brink of a Government Shutdown

GOP hardliners aren’t negotiating with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as government shutdown looms. Government Relations Strategist Liam Donovan joins The Dispatch to break down how we got here and: -Ukraine’s funding -Senate pushing a Continuing Resolution to stave off a shutdown -McCarthy’s House resistance -Gaetz pushing for a betrayal Show Notes: -Watch this episode on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Sep 26, 202331 min

Shut It All Down (Dispatch Politics Takeover)

The general incompetence of GOP's leadership has prompted a Dispatch Politics coup of today's Dispod. Mike hosts as David and Andrew join to discuss the shutdown fiasco, voters perceptions of GOP candidates, and John Fetterman's depression wear. Show Notes: -Watch this episode on YouTube -Real Clear Politics 2024 Iowa Republican Presidential Caucus -CNN Poll: Trump leads in New Hampshire while Ramaswamy, Haley, Christie and DeSantis battle for second -Wednesday's Dispatch Politics newsletter -Re...

Sep 22, 20231 hr 8 min

Cotton to Biden: Send More Support to Ukraine

Sen. Tom Cotton joins The Dispatch Podcast and pushes back against the growing GOP opposition to sending aid to Ukraine. David Drucker also asks Cotton his thoughts on: -U.S.-China policy -Dealing with Iran -McConnell's current aptitude Show Notes: -Watch this episode on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 18, 202340 min

Members Only: The GOP Flirts With Civil War

A quick preview from our regular members-only Dispatch Live discussion: Kevin, Steve, Drucker, and Grayson discuss the right's embrace of violent rhetoric and the disputed value of Mike Pence's last-minute anti-populist turn. (Steve, a few Spanish wine glasses in, gets extra ranty... you've been warned.) If you want to join our live discussions, support the work we're doing, and help us do a lot more: become a Dispatch member. https://thedispatch.com/join -If you're a member, you can watch the f...

Sep 16, 202324 min

Putin's Bromance

A perfect storm of congressional battles has formed over the upcoming legislative session, just as the grown ups are leaving. Mike is joined by Steve and Jonah to discuss the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden and: -Biden’s problematic Iranian prisoner deal -Kim Jong Un and Putin now BFFs? -Biden needs a nap Show notes: - The Morning Dispatch: A Rogue State Visit -Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns: This Will Not Pass - The Dispatch Podcast with Martin and Burns Learn more about your ad choices...

Sep 15, 20231 hr 7 min

Ken Paxton's Impeachment Trial

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been dodging accusations of malfeasance for years, but now they might be catching up with him. Show Notes: -Kel Seliger's biography -Oprah sued for defamation in Amarillo -Food libel laws -Kevin's article on Paxton impeachment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Sep 10, 202339 min

The Election Nobody Asked For

Many polls are telling the same story: Americans don’t want either Joe Biden or Donald Trump for president. And yet a rematch seems all but inevitable. Mike Warren is joined by Steve, Jonah, and Chris Stirewalt to commune in despair. Plus: -Pence’s overdue attack on populism -Great white sharks with Hitler’s brain -Eric Adams: migrant issue ‘will destroy New York City’ -9/11 anniversary and easy explanations Show notes: – CNN Polling on a Biden vs. Trump rematch – You need to calm down, Democrat...

Sep 08, 20231 hr 5 min

Brittle Regimes

Steve and Jonah join Mike as he takes over the host’s chair in this week’s Dispod. The trio discuss China’s version of manifest destiny and: -Biden’s economic outreach -Big dollar donors desperately scanning the Republican field -Kari Lake being a loser (and proud of it) -Mob rule of institutions -Vivek: worth voters' time? Show Notes: -Jonah's China piece for The Dispatch -Scott Lincicome’s newsletter on China -Poll: Georgia Republicans are unusually skeptical of Trump’s 2020 actions -David Bro...

Sep 01, 20231 hr

Threats and Allies in the Indo-Pacific

South Korea, Japan, and the US are facing growing tensions against North Korea and China. The trilateral relationship was on full display in a show of strength at Camp David on August. 18th. TMD Reporter Mary Trimble speaks with Michael Beckley, an associate professor of political science at Tufts University and a non-resident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to explore the threats towards this alliance and the possible escalating conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region. Show Not...

Aug 28, 202333 min

The Debate That Didn't Matter

Sarah, fully ready for her hiatus, is joined by Steve, Jonah, and Dispatch Politics reporter Audrey Fahlberg for a dispiriting recap of the first GOP primary debate. Also: -Vivek Witherspoon's moment -A crummy night for DeSantis -Death of Wagner leader Prigozhin -Biden's response to Maui -Not Worth Your Time (?): Jonah's writing Show notes- - G-File : Who Will Stop Him? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 25, 20231 hr 2 min

The A.I. Arms Race in Political Ads

Artificial intelligence has become a common weapon in political information warfare. The Morning Dispatch reporter, Grayson Logue, is joined by Darrell M. West, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and the co-editor-in-chief of TechTank, to explain the unique threat that A.I. poses. - West's profile at Brookings - TechTank Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 21, 202328 min

Braindead Partisanship

Chris joins Sarah and Jonah to discuss the upcoming GOP primary debate. How much will the candidates praise the guy they're primarying? Will there be anything to talk about besides the hedonic treadmill of indictments? Can any candidate successfully be a gateway drug out of Trump? Also: -Biden's shrinking incumbent advantage -Republican Party as a suicide pact -Jonah goes Schlappian on third parties -Eric Adams vs. Joe Biden - "Rich Men North of Richmond" Show notes- - Jonah's attack on small do...

Aug 18, 20231 hr 1 min

No Labels, No Problem

Not since Abraham Lincoln has a 3rd party candidate been successful, but political nonprofit No Labels thinks the time for change is near. No Labels chief political strategist Ryan Clancy joins Sarah Isgur to discuss why he thinks there's a moderate majority in America that's ready to bust the two party system. Show notes - - No Labels' website - No Labels on North Carolina ballot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 16, 202334 min

Wrath of the Normals

A "reserve army of voters" rejected a proposal to change the constitutional amendment process in an Ohio special election. What does the abortion proxy war for mean pro-life politics and the legacy of Dobbs? Sarah is joined by Steve and Jonah to discuss. Also: -DeSantis campaign reset -Will the GOP debates matter? -Revisiting the Dean Scream -Are adult sites worth your time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 11, 20231 hr 4 min

Israel's Constitutional Moment

Israel is undergoing a sea change. The battle over a judicial overhaul hides much deeper national schisms. The Times of Israel Senior Political Analyst Haviv Rettig Gur joins Senior Producer Adaam James Levin-Areddy to try and make sense of the mess. Will the reform fix or break Israeli democracy? Why doesn't Israel have a constitution? Why are elite military volunteers joining the protest? Does Benjamin Netanyahu have a plan? Is the Israeli left dead? Is the Israeli right broken? And what does ...

Aug 06, 20231 hr 8 min

Schrödinger's Trump

Sarah, Steve, and Jonah discuss Trump's indictment for the listeners not privy to niche legal podcasts. Can special counsel prove Trump's intent? Will Trump voters care? Also: -Addressing stupid arguments -Jonah's grudge against lawyers - NYT Siena Poll on Trump indictment - Fitch downgrades our credit score -(Not?) Worth Your Time extended Show notes: - The Collision newsletter -David Brooks: What if We're the Bad Guys Here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 04, 20231 hr 5 min

Washington Is A Mess

Steve is back to monitor the Dispod as the Sarah, Mike, and David discuss Hunter Biden plea deals and GOP primary wackiness, but the conversation eventually derails into UFO territory. Tune in to hear the four discuss: -The wackiness of the GOP primary field -Ron DeSantis going bonkers with RFK Jr. potential appointments -UFO marketing campaign for skeptics Show Notes: -Check out Mike and Sarah's Collision newsletter for The Dispatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 28, 20231 hr 13 min

Self-Abasing Gestures and Canine Loyalties

It’s the never-ending story with Trump’s ongoing legal battles, but how exactly will the latest investigation impact Trump’s 2024 campaign? Kevin Williamson and Mike Warren join Sarah Isgur to break down the latest in MAGA land and: -Kevin McCarthy’s lack of self-respect -Ron DeSantis, so hot right now? -The trouble with RE-words -Nerds throwing punches -Barbie’s CCP map Show Notes: -Sarah and Mike's joint project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 21, 20231 hr 16 min

Conservatives Abroad

Robert Tyler, senior policy advisory for New Direction, joins Dispatch executive editor Adam O’Neal to sample the different flavors of the European right. -America the good, America the bad -Is Italy's Meloni fascist? -Fusionism and the Czech Republic -Brexit and deregulationLike what we're doing? Please consider becoming a member of TheDispatch.com. You'll be getting a suite of newsletters (including Kevin Williamson's Wanderland , our news-breaking Dispatch Politics, and our flagship daily new...

Jul 17, 202343 min

Donors and Grifters

Sorry, Steve Hayes. Sarah, Jonah and Mike start with Ukraine’s request for cluster munitions and the state of NATO. Jonah cynically uses Steve's absence to flex his juvenile humor chops. Spanish wine is wildly overrated. Then: - Pence campaign prognosis -A scavenger hunt to get on the debate stage - Ramaswamy's Mary Kay pyramid scheme -Sarah on Sesame Street - War of words and farting at RFK Jr. press dinner - GOP leads in midterm turnout - 56% of voters think Biden took bribes -Not worth your t...

Jul 14, 20231 hr 15 min

Will Taiwan Fight?

Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund, joins Executive Director Adam O'Neal to discuss how the U.S. and China manage their differences over Taiwan. Also: -Taiwan’s relationship with Trump and Biden -China’s military transformation -The significance of 2049 Show Notes: - Bonnie Glaser's profile for the German Marshall Fund -U.S.-Taiwan Relations: Will China's Challenge Lead to a Crisis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

Jul 10, 202337 min
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