Political Gabfest

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the big wins of Donald Trump and Senate Republicans; the what-next of the second Trump presidency; and the electoral victories and possible setbacks for abortion rights. Join us on December 4 for Political Gabfest Live in Brooklyn! Tickets are on sale now. And send us your Conundrums at slate.com/conundrum.Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Cheyna RothResearch by Julie Huygen Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen.Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nate Persley, a Stanford Law School professor and expert on election interference, joins the discussion on election integrity and the final stretch of the presidential campaign. They delve into rising concerns over misinformation and legal challenges, particularly in Pennsylvania. The conversation highlights the unpredictable nature of voter dynamics, intensified by celebrity endorsements and political rhetoric. They also explore the role of media in shaping public trust during these tumultuous times, emphasizing the necessity of safeguarding electoral integrity.

In this intriguing discussion, Rachel Simmons, an expert on girls' leadership, sheds light on the challenges young men face today, emphasizing their feelings of marginalization. Nicholas Confessore, a New York Times journalist, tackles the complexities of diversity and inclusion at the University of Michigan, questioning the effectiveness of current DEI initiatives. The conversation also dives into the sociocultural issues affecting youth engagement in politics and the importance of addressing boys' struggles within empowerment movements.

Dan Harris, author of "10% Happier" and host of the "10% Happier" podcast, shares insights on managing election anxiety with John Dickerson. They discuss transforming stress into personal growth opportunities and the importance of mindfulness during tough times. Harris emphasizes the role of community in mitigating despair, along with practical meditation tips for navigating life's challenges. The conversation highlights how embracing resilience can lead to deeper happiness, even amidst the chaos of the election cycle.

This week, intriguing discussions unfold about Kamala Harris's outreach to Black and Hispanic voters and the tight Senate races in states like Nebraska and Texas. The impact of misinformation on hurricane relief efforts raises eyebrows, while the complexities of racial and gender dynamics in voter sentiment take center stage. Independent candidates shake up traditional party politics, particularly in conservative strongholds. Lastly, the podcast touches on the societal implications of climate misinformation and explores the curious mix of humor and serious topics.

Ben Strauss, CEO of Climate Central and climate change expert, joins the discussion to dissect the impacts of global warming on extreme weather, specifically hurricanes. He shares insights on how climate change intensifies storms and the science behind attributing these disasters to human activity. The conversation also dives into the close presidential race dynamics, highlighting challenges in traditionally Democratic regions, and the looming concerns of politicization within the Justice Department if Trump returns to power.

Jamelle Bouie, a New York Times columnist, and Nathan Guttman, a US correspondent for Israeli Public TV, explore deep political waters. They dissect the vice-presidential debate and its implications for voters while diving into the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conversation touches on corruption allegations facing New York Mayor Eric Adams, revealing the intersections of political ambition and ethical dilemmas. Their insights challenge listeners to consider the broader implications of these pressing issues.

The hosts dive into the heated race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, while analyzing the wild gubernatorial campaign of Mark Robinson in North Carolina. They also explore the evolving dynamics of youth voters and the implications of careerism in elite colleges. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by the Republican Party amid MAGA extremism and critiques the pressures students face in high-stress career paths. In a lighter note, they discuss quirky animal behaviors and the surprising environmental impacts of littering.

In this conversation, author Elizabeth Strout, celebrated for her interconnected stories, discusses her new book, 'Tell Me Everything.' She dives into the complexities of human relationships intertwined with a murder mystery, highlighting how ordinary lives can be extraordinarily captivating. Strout emphasizes the art of listening and the search for recognition, while also exploring character dynamics and the essential role of the narrator in storytelling. Join her as she reveals the threads that connect her beloved characters, including Olive Kitteridge.

Josh Levin, a Slate journalist and host of the Slow Burn podcast, dives deep into the troubling rise of political violence in the U.S. He discusses how violent rhetoric echoes through history and its implications today. The conversation shifts to Fox News and its significant role in shaping political discourse, along with personal anecdotes about its influence. Levin also touches on the intersection of media dynamics and political strategies, raising critical questions about extremism and public perception amid an increasingly polarized environment.