Mike talks with Harvard historian of science Naomi Oreskes and Cal Tech historian of science Erik Conway. They've -coauthored a number of books including Merchants of Doubt, and The Collapse of Western Civilization. Their latest book is The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market, which is the focus of this discussion. Topics Mike, Naomi, and Erik discuss include: - the Big Myth and the Tripod of Freedom - why power companies once argued against el...
May 03, 2023•59 min
Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Tucker Carlson’s abrupt ouster at Fox and what it says about political media. They then turn to President Biden’s 2024 announcement, considering Biden’s likely opponent and chances of winning a second term. After that they get into the opening of Donald Trump’s rape trial and close the episode talking about what, if anything, should be done to improve transparency and ethical standards at the Supreme Court. The Politics Gu...
May 02, 2023•19 min
Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of whether the Supreme Court was right to issue a stay in the mifepristone case, a decisions that allows women to continue to have access to the abortion drug as the matter winds its way through the appeals process. Mike & Jay both agree that a stay was the right call, though Jay argues that Justice Alito makes some valid points in his dissent. Then they turn to the party-line passage of a debt ceiling increase (among many other things) by Ho...
Apr 29, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Ryan & Mike open this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at the controversy over Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney, followed by a discussion of Justice Thomas’ integrity (which Mike defends) and his ethics (which both Mike and Ryan have serious issues with). They close with a Politics Guys tradition – talking taxes in honor (dishonor?) of Tax Day. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support...
Apr 25, 2023•20 min
Ryan & Mike kick off the show with a discussion of Fox’s $787 million settlement with Dominion over claims that the news network defamed the voting machine company. They get into why Fox felt compelled to settle, what this may mean for other defamation lawsuits, and if it will have a chilling effect on defamatory speech by the news media. Next they consider whether 89 year old California Senator Diane Feinstein should resign her seat after being away since February recovering from shingles a...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Trey & Ken finish up Article I this week by looking at all the powers denied to states. Article I, Section 10 of the constitution is a mishmash of prohibitions on states. This includes prohibitions on treaties, money, but with a special focus on the contract clause. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @Politics...
Apr 18, 2023•24 min
The 400th regular weekend episode of The Politics Guys! Trey & Ken start the 400th show with a long investigation into Justice Thomas’ undisclosed gifts from Harlan Crow. Trey, who was initially skeptical of the claims of impropriety, finds there is good reason to find issue. Ken agrees but goes further in his arguments for curruption. Next they turn to the recent rulings on Mifepristone by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal. The focus is primarily on what, if anything, the FDA can or should do...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 33 min
Mike, Jay, and Ryan discuss the ramifications of liberals taking control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the wake of the recent election to replace a retiring conservative justice, the recent mayoral election in Chicago, and a proposed rule from the Biden administration on transgender athletes. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support...
Apr 11, 2023•26 min
Mike, Jay, and Ryan open the show with a discussion of the dueling district court rulings on the FDA-approved abortion pill mifepristone, with a federal judge in Texas ordering a nationwide injunction against the drug and a federal judge in Washington State ruling the opposite way the same day. Because the story broke just before the show was recorded, the guys didn’t get into the specifics of the rulings, focusing their discussion on forum shopping and nationwide injunctions. Following that, Ry...
Apr 08, 2023•1 hr 9 min
In this supporters’ midweek episode, Mike and Ryan open with a look at oral arguments in United States v Hansen, a case that could have a major effect on free speech rights, the filibuster in Nebraska’s unicameral state legislature in opposition that state’s anti-trans bill – the latest in a line of such legislation from Republican-controlled states, and a consideration of the costs and benefits of the Iraq war on the 20th anniversary of its start. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listene...
Apr 04, 2023•20 min
Mike welcomes a new co-host to the show: political scientist Ryan Teten. (Jay’s not going anywhere – he’s working on a special project for the podcast we hope to unveil sometime this spring.) Mike & Ryan open with a discussion of Donald Trump’s indictment on charges related to hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Neither Mike nor Ryan expect a conviction, and consider the wisdom of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg seeking an indictment in the first place. Next they turn to the tragic ...
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Trey & Ken continue working through the U.S. Constitution working through the entirety of Article I, Section 9. This section of the constitution, coming immediately after the powers of Congress, outlines the limits on Congressional power. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. Interested in starting...
Mar 28, 2023•25 min
Trey & Ken open discussing the major investigations into Trump, focusing on NY’s grand jury and recent developments in the crime and fraud exception for Trump lawyer Corcoran. Relatedly they discuss Ron DeSantis’ commentary on Trump. This leads to a discussion of the Republican primary. Next is a conversation about Xi Jinping and his visit to Russia and Vladimir Putin. Here Trey & Ken discuss the evolution of U.S. foreign policy in relation to China and how the hostility there has seemin...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 26 min
Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at the Biden administration’s approval of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. Mike isn’t crazy about it due to environmental concerns but feels that the administration probably couldn’t have legally halted the project. Jay agrees, but would like to see even more drilling, as he doesn’t entirely share Mike’s environmental concerns. After that they turn to recent comments made by GOP presidential frontrunners Ron DeSantis...
Mar 21, 2023•19 min
Mike & Jay open with an extended discussion of the recent failure of three banks, focusing on the largest of the three, Silicon Valley Bank. They discuss why depositors were made whole, banking regulation, and the importance of risk in capitalism. After that they turn to the growing threat of a US ban of the hugely popular TikTok app due to national security concerns. Jay has his own concerns that this might run afoul of the 1st Amendment whereas Mike is less inclined to see a platform ban a...
Mar 18, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Ron DeSantis' continuing battle against "woke" Disney, as well as his efforts to rein in press freedom. They also look at California Governor Gavin Newsom's move to punish Walgreens for its policy on selling abortion drugs in states threatening lawsuits for doing so, what CPAC and recent polls say about the state of the GOP, and a public school district refusing to allow an After School Satan Club to meet on school grounds...
Mar 14, 2023•14 min
Mike & Jay open with a discussion of the use Fox News personality Tucker Carlson has made of the exclusive January 6th footage given to him by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Carlson did exactly what Mike & Jay predicted he would on the show several weeks back – the guys discuss how much it potentially matters. Next, they move to President Biden’s recently announced budget for FY 2024. Like most presidential budgets it’s more a political than a policy document, but it does give us s...
Mar 11, 2023•59 min
Trey & Ken continue their exploration of the constitution by exploring Article I, Section 8 and Article I, Section 9. What is the extent of Congress' spending power? What are its limits? The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The ...
Mar 07, 2023•16 min
Trey & Ken start the episode discussing student loan forgiveness and the Supreme Court. The pair discuss the major questions doctrine and disagree over the proper ruling. Next, they discuss the recent revelations from the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News. Following that is an extended conversation on Scott Adams’ comments on race. The pair do precisely what he asks: look at his actual claims and ask him to respond. After that it is a discussion about the Energy Department’s lab leak possibi...
Mar 04, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Mike & Jay open this supporters exclusive midweek episode with a discussion of oral arguments in two recent Supreme Court cases in which it’s argued that the companies aided and abetted terrorist acts. The guys discuss whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects the companies from civil liability, and if they’re potentially guilty of violating antiterrorism laws by knowingly providing assistance to terrorist groups. After that, they turn to a domestically-focused case the ...
Feb 28, 2023•25 min
Mike & Jay open the episode with an update on their segment from last week on candidate cognitive health in the wake of comments from Nikki Haley and Donald Trump this week. Following that is an extended discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one year in, and then a look at why Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy would give Fox News host Tucker Carlson exclusive access to thousands of hours of January 6th surveillance footage. Mike’s Recommendation We All Got COVID! (Except for Linus) Ne...
Feb 25, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Mike & Jay kick off this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of all of the unidentified aerial objects the United States has been shooting down of late. They follow that by considering the state of Medicare & Social Security and what should be done to put them on a sustainable footing, whether the Senate should eliminate the practice of allowing home state senators an effective veto on judicial nominations, and the greatness (or lack thereof) of American healthcare. The Politic...
Feb 21, 2023•17 min
Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of what we know about the conclusions reached by a special grand jury in Fulton County Georgia concerning election interference. It’s yet another win for those who say that the election wasn’t stolen, but it remains to be seen if Donald Trump’s efforts to “find” enough votes to give him Georgia will result in his being indicted. Next, the Guys consider the train derailment in East Palestine, OH. Mike argues that the government response was fairly...
Feb 18, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Mike talks with Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University, prolific author, and blogger at Bet on It. He's the author of multiple books and essay collections - five of which we've previously discussed on the show. Today, they talk about Professor Caplan’s latest collection, Don't Be A Feminist: Essays on Genuine Justice. Topics Mike & Bryan cover include: - what it means to be a feminist - underrepresentation of women in top political & business roles - pay differen...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 10 min
In this midweek show Trey & Ken continue the journey through the U.S. Constitution by examining the necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8. Topics include McCulloch v. Maryland Constitutional debates on the necessary and proper clause Modern court cases on the necessary and proper clause The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com...
Feb 14, 2023•13 min
Trey & Ken open the episode with a discussion of Biden's State of the Union Address. Following that they move to recent federal gun law cases in the wake of the Bruen decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. Following that they consider the importance of the recent Pennsylvania special election putting Democrats in control of the House for the first time in 10 years. They conclude the episode with a revisiting of the Chinese spy balloon in wake of Thursday's hearings and the U.S.'s decision to ...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 6 min
In this supporters’ midweek episode, Mike & Jay discuss whether the party-line vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar was the right thing to do, Nikki Haley’s entry into the 2024 presidential race, if the Biden administration’s waiver allowing solar panels from four Asian countries into the US should be rescinded, and American economic power. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.c...
Feb 07, 2023•24 min
Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of the Tyre Nichols killing and what can be done to better hold police accountable and change the culture of policing. Following that they consider whether former Attorney General William Barr acted improperly in the Durham investigation of the FBI’s investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, and US relations with China in light of a new US / Philippines agreement and a Chinese balloon that violated US airspace this we...
Feb 04, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Mike talks with former federal prosecutor and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig about his just released book, Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It. Topics Mike & Elie Cover Include: - the tactics powerful people use to avoid prosecution - the legal strategies of Donald Trump and The Trump Organization - using cutouts and innuendo to avoid direct responsibility - how fear of reprisal helps to protect the powerful - the use and abuse of presidential pardons - the cases against D...
Feb 01, 2023•51 min
Mike & Jay open this supporters’ exclusive midweek episode with a discussion of the shooting on the Rust set, why Alec Baldwin waived his right to an attorney, and broader 5th amendment issues including false confessions and why police can lie to suspects and how some states are changing that, at least for minors. In the full episode, the move on to their new midweek series on American greatness, with a look at how Americans feel about the greatness of the United States, what Mike & Jay ...
Jan 30, 2023•26 min
