The Dispatch Podcast

Understanding The Electoral Count Act, as it’s currently worded, requires a team of legal experts. So we got one! Sarah is joined by John Fortier, senior fellow at AEI, and Matthew Seligman, fellow at the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School. Together they try to make sense of the law’s history, explain the difference between the two reform bills coming up through the House and the Senate, and debate whether either one goes far enough to prevent a constitutional crisis in 2024.Show Notes:-Matthew in support of the Senate bill-What the Vice President can’t do-John’s guide to the electoral college-Matthew’s 2024 risk assessment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when Vladimir Putin starts feeling cornered? Sarah, David, Steve, and Jonah react to Russia announcing military mobilization and think through the implications of Putin’s nuclear chest-thumping. They then turn to the politics of immigration (still very bad), and conclude with some rank punditry: is the Democrats’ momentary surge in the polls already bust?Out of context: “To me, it’s a little like the fight: Hiter-Stalin – who is worse?”Show Notes:-NBC poll showing decline in GOP loyalty to Trump-Politico: using cartoons as political ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At long last in the same room, Sarah, Steve, David, and Jonah debate whether the conversation around abortion is changing, why it doesn't feel like Republicans are out of power, and whether lawmakers will ever do the right thing on border security. Plus: Sarah offers a troubling glimpse of the gents' problematic footwear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rapid developments in the Justice Department’s investigation of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago may be hard to follow, but not to worry, Sarah, Steve, Jonah, and Declan are here to clarify and discuss. Plus: a look at the long-term impact of COVID-19, and the internal battles as both parties look to the midterms. Show Notes:-TMD: How Sarah Palin Lost Alaska’s House Special Election-The Dispatch: Trump Is Hurting the GOP’s Midterm Prospects Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week saw the Justice Department disclose new evidence that the former president and his legal team likely sought to conceal classified documents from investigators. Sarah, Steve, Jonah, and Declan are here to discuss. Plus: Alaska says no to Sarah Palin, and how should we view Mikhail Gorbachev’s legacy? Show Notes:-TMD: Trump Team Likely Sought to Conceal Classified Documents From Investigators, DOJ Says-The Sweep: How Will Abortion Play in the Midterms?-G-File: Grading Gorby on a Curve Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve is joined by Mark Leibovich to discuss his new book Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission. How did the Republican Party get to its present predicament? Leibovich gives us his eyewitness account of how the former president transformed Washington, and a major American political party. Show Notes:-Thank You for Your Servitude by Mark Leibovich-Leibovich’s page at The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden announced a plan to provide tens of millions of Americans with student loan debt relief. The fallout was swift. Our hosts are here with their reactions. Plus:  Jonah, David, and Declan discuss the results of this week’s primary elections. Show Notes:-TMD: Biden’s Base Gets a Student Loan Gift-The Dispatch: The GOP Is Shrink-Wrapping Itself Around Trump-The Dispatch: Tim Ryan Keeping the Pressure on J.D. Vance in Ohio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's Dispatch Live, which is a weekly live stream for Dispatch members only, ran into some issues because Substack was completely down on Tuesday. So, because most members did not get to hear it we are offering it in its entirety as The Dispatch Podcast. If you're not a member of The Dispatch and liked what you heard here, click the link below to join so you can tune into Dispatch Live weekly on Tuesdays at 8pm ET.In this episode, David, Declan, Andrew, and Audrey discuss the Senate GOP candidates for the midterm elections, the latest in the Mar-a-Lago search, and the chances of DeSantis 2024. Show Notes:- Join The Dispatch Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Liz Cheney lost her re-election bid to her Trump-backed primary challenger in the Wyoming Republican primary on Tuesday. Sarah, Steve, Jonah, and David discuss the result, and share their thoughts as the primary season wraps up. Plus: What’s the latest from Ukraine? Our hosts discuss the state of the conflict. Show Notes:-The Dispatch: Liz Cheney: ‘There Is Actually Precedent for ... Vice Presidents to Testify’-The Dispatch: Choosing to Lose-The Sweep: Warning Signs for the GOP’s Senate Hopes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. Scott Lincicome, director of general economics at the Cato Institute, joins Declan to help us better understand the legislation. What’s actually in the law? How questionable is the budget math? Show Notes:-Uphill: Breaking Down the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022-Read Declan in The Morning Dispatch-Read Scott in Capitolism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices