The Dispatch Podcast James Comey Indicted, Again
45 snips
May 1, 2026 
Megan McArdle, columnist who focuses on fiscal realism; Sarah Isgur, legal and political commentator on norms and First Amendment issues; Jonah Goldberg, conservative author analyzing populist movements. They debate left- and right-wing populism, why insurgents surge, fiscal limits on big promises, and the politics and legal questions surrounding the latest indictment of James Comey.
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Policies Give Left Populists Political Edge
- Left-wing populists today often combine clear policy proposals (e.g., Medicare for All) with anti-establishment signaling, giving voters tangible platforms to rally around.
- Jonah argues that centrists offer vague promises while progressives offer policy 'meat,' which attracts energized bases.
Modern Left Populists Are Overeducated Urban Cohorts
- Contemporary left populists are disproportionately overeducated, public-sector–oriented, and status-anxious rather than the classic agrarian or industrial populist stereotype.
- Jonah compares their sociology to French protest movements and the Netroots' online activism roots.
Reality And Budgets Will Curb Progressive Promises
- Fiscal constraints make grand progressive promises harder to implement, increasing the temptation for populists to pursue symbolic executive actions instead.
- Megan notes higher deficits and interest costs limit realistic large-scale spending like Medicare for All at state level.
