The Gist Not Even Mad: Anthony Weiner and Nick Gillespie
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Mar 20, 2025 
Anthony Weiner, former Congressman and NYC Council candidate, joins Nick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large at Reason Magazine, for a lively discussion on pressing political issues. They debate whether the national debt poses a real crisis and explore the challenges of running a campaign in a polarized climate. The duo also critiques the perception of effort in sports, questioning the cultural narratives surrounding success. They tackle the legacy of Walter Cronkite and the realities of fiscal responsibility, touching on the complexities of Social Security sustainability.
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Schumer Chose The Least Bad Option
- Chuck Schumer chose the least-bad option between a continuing resolution and a shutdown, prioritizing keeping services open over a symbolic stand.
- Anthony Weiner argues shutdown leverage was limited because Republicans largely deferred to Donald Trump and offered no cooperative votes.
Debt Is Real But Low On Voter Radar
- The national debt has grown from $16T to $36T and is politically unpopular but not electorally motivating for most voters.
- Nick Gillespie and Anthony point out debt concerns exist but get deprioritized because constituents want services now.
Pandemic Relief Created Tradeoffs On Inflation
- COVID-era spending and tax cuts both complicated inflation and public finances, creating trade-offs between immediate relief and long-term fiscal health.
- Anthony defends emergency aid for hungry families; Nick warns stimulus size likely contributed to inflation.