The Mona Charen Show

Discussion on the Speaker debacle; Blaming Democrats for McCarthy's downfall; Red State politics impacting American lives; John Kelly confirming disturbing stories about Trump; Public support for assistance to Ukraine waning; Rise of right wing intellectuals embracing tyrannical government; General John Kelly speaks out against Trump and the importance of preventing his re-election

Former GOP Congresswoman Barbara Comstock drops in to discuss the debate, the shutdown, the impeachment, and the general dysfunction. highlights/lowlights: Linda Chavez A New Cohort of Transgender Kids by Lisa Selin Davis at Persuasion. Damon Linker The re-release of Stop Making Sense. Barbara Comstock The recent testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson. Mona Charen Inside the Unfounded Claim That DeSantis Abused Guantánamo Detainees by Matthew Rosenberg and Carol Rosenberg (NYT).

Francis Fukuyama joins Damon Linker, Ben Wittes, and A.B. Stoddard to analyze the UAW strike, the attacks on the "Deep State," and whether Kristen Welker blew it with Trump. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, A.B. really doesn’t like the new Senate dress code, but loves that Henry Winkler and Dolly Parton have forthcoming books.  highlights/lowlights: A.B.'s: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/21/style/senate-dress-code.html https://dollyparton.com/life-and-career/books/dolly-parton-announces-new-book-behind-the-seams-my-life-in-rhinestones/21344 https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250888099/beinghenry Frank's: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66793900 https://www.npr.org/2023/09/20/1200705608/senate-tuberville-hold-military-promotions Ben's: https://www.c-span.org/video/?530429-1/department-justice-oversight-hearing

David Frum joins the group for a wide ranging discussion including the impeachment investigation, Biden's trip to the G20, Hunter Biden's indictment, and Mitt Romney's lonely stand. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Mona calls out Mike Pence for midwifing our Trumpian politics.show notes:McKay Coppins' piece:https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/11/mitt-romney-retiring-senate-trump-mcconnell/675306/ David's highlight: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-mexico-china-us-trade-opportunity/Bill's lowlight: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-so-many-americans-are-unhappy-about-the-economy/Linda’s highlights:https://thetriad.thebulwark.com/p/terry-eastland-rip-legendhttps://www.americanpurpose.com/articles/orbans-tainted-democracy/Damon's highlight:https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/09/18/ross-douthats-theories-of-persuasion

Kori Schake, head of defense and foreign policy studies at AEI, shares her views on China, Ukraine, and Tuberville's stunt. The panel then debates whether Biden should, even now, step aside. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Bill sings the praises of Antony Blinken’s performance as secretary of state, and Linda sees hopeful signs of sanity among local GOP officials in very red Wyoming.show notes:Column that Kori referenced:https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2023/ukraine-war-maps-progress-aid/Substack post Damon mentioned: https://josephklein.substack.com/p/hidin-biden?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2Linda's highlight: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/07/opinion/nationalization-politics-wyoming.htmlMona's highlight: https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/buck-tells-colorado-gop-leaders-to-stop-spreading-misinformation-about-jan-6-defendants/Damon's highlight:https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/09/samuel-moyn-liberalism-against-itself-critical-review.html

Law professor and AEI scholar Adam White joins the show to answer legal questions about Trump's trials. The panel then discusses whether prosecuting a former (future?) president is wise or necessary. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Adam celebrates the arrival of a new monograph about director Whit Stillman, whose films include ‘Metropolitan’ and ‘The Last Days of Disco.’highlights/lowlights:Adam's: https://firefliespress.com/Whit_StillmanLinda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/nyregion/march-on-washington-harlem.htmlBill's: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/end-china-economic-miracle-beijing-washingtonDamon's: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/trump-disqualified-president-14th-amendment/675163/Mona's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/29/free-trade-common-enemy-congress/

Debate analysis including the rise of 'RamaSMARMY', 14th Amendment argument for disqualifying Trump, disentangling the Hunter Biden story threads. Linda celebrates the election of anti-corruption crusader Bernardo Arévalo as president of Guatemala.

Kristin Du Mez and Peter Wehner join the group to analyze evangelical support for Trump, as well as the Georgia indictment. Accountability, danger, and many unknowns. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Kristin notes the start of the school year and gives a shout-out to the teachers, while Bill extols the healing benefits of a vacation. show notes: Kristin's book, Jesus and John Wayne Linda’s highlight: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-sanitized-french-connection-vs-the-hip-hop-gutter-film-music-rap-slur-culture-the-exorcist-6b8f73d0 Mona's lowlight: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12413181/ALAN-DERSHOWITZ-Al-Gore-2000-Donald-Trump-indictment.html Pete's remembrance: https://www.christianpost.com/news/tim-keller-remembered-by-thousands-at-st-patricks-cathedral.html

Tim Mak, an independent journalist reporting from Kyiv, discusses how Ukrainians are handling the strain of war. The panel also talks about the upcoming GOP debate, the effect of abortion on elections, and highlights a nurse practitioner's care. Topics include adapting to war, preparations for winter, support for Ukraine, factors contributing to Biden's low approval rating, the Democratic Party's stance on abortion, the impact of shoplifting and hard drug decriminalization on society, and gratitude for immigrants.

George Conway joins the group to discuss the various Trump defenses—and the party that supports him. Then the regulars discuss 'Oppenheimer,' and the bombing of Japan. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Bill points to a possible US-brokered Israel-Saudi peace deal.highlights/lowlights:Bill's:https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/bidens-moral-calculus-in-brokering-a-saudi-israeli-peace-dealMona's:https://reason.com/volokh/2023/07/29/congress-can-regulate-the-supreme-court-but-there-are-limits-to-that-power/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/27/opinion/columnists/citi-bike-karen-white-woman.htmlDamon's:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/opinion/trump-meritocracy-educated.htmlLinda's:https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/a-landmark-study-debunks-populist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices