New York Times contributor Peter Wehner joins the panel to evaluate the GOP presidential field, consider whether Republicans care about issues, and ponder the Trump indictment. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Damon and Linda praise the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Alabama voting rights case, and Pete pays tribute to his family’s beloved dog, Romeo. 
highlights/lowlights
Linda's and Damon's:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/us/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-alabama.html
Bill's:
https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-06-06/commentary-on-pgas-merger-with-liv
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/06/08/the-new-right-patrick-deneen-00100279
Mona's:
https://www.freedomforum.org/freeexpressionawards/
https://www.slowboring.com/p/misinformation-isnt-just-on-the-right-214
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Incredibly Weak Field

Beg to Differ is a weekly roundtable podcast brought to you by http://TheBulwark.com. Host Mona Charen is joined by Linda Chavez of the Niskanen Center, Bill Galston of the Brookings Institution, and Damon Linker, who writes "Notes from the Middleground," to discuss the news of the week in a respectful, rational forum.

News

Politics

News Commentary

Sarah Longwell, Chris Cillizza, Will Saletan join Mona and Bill to discuss the upcoming debates, the polls (and Biden's response to them) and how to spend a record $61 million on a Senate primary and still get trounced.



highlights / lowlights



Mona: Thousands sign petition urging canceled concerts by Israeli ensemble to go ahead in Amsterdam (Times of Israel)



Sarah: GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says Biden should have pardoned Trump (NBC)

Biden killing the presidential debate commission. 



Chris: The beauty of no audience at the Presidential debate.



Bill: Can the Declaration of Independence’s Ideals Hold America Together? (Colin Woodard, Washington Monthly)  



Lowlight: The reports from the battlefield in Ukraine, after the GOP delayed aid for so long.



Will: RFK Jr.’s Rich Running Mate Just Added $8 Million to His Effort. 

The hypocrisy of Congressional Republicans who voted against aid to Ukraine and Israel but lectured Biden over withholding 2,000 pound bombs for Rafah.

Will Debates Reset the Race?

Gregg Nunziata joins to discuss the NY and other cases against Trump; Biden's pivot on weapons to Israel, and RFK, Jr's brain worm.

Does This Make Me Look Weak?


FT's Ed Luce joins the group to discuss campus protests and whether Biden is losing.



highlights / lowlights:



Mona: Country Music, a film by Ken Burns



Ed: The Colombia student asking that the protestors be brought food in their encampment.



Linda: MTG's bizarre defense of her anti-Semitism vote.



Bill: Netanyahu: Israel will invade Rafah — regardless of hostage deal



Damon: The new Steve Martin documentary.


The Revolution Will Not Be Catered

Anne Applebaum joins the panel (with Philip Bump) to discuss Ukraine's war effort, Russian disinformation, campus protests, and a change of pace for final segment.



What would you have put on the Voyager Spacecraft?



Mona: Images of human love: parents interacting with babies (joy), a dog reacting to being reunited, humans taking care of other humans with a handicap (compassion).



Damon: Holy texts of major religions, Plato's Republic, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and the Beatles.



Philip: The vessel itself is a message, and a Haiku by Issa.  



Linda:, a reproduction of Aphrodite of Knidos Sculpture by Praxiteles, Michelangelo's David, Gorecki and Beethoven.






"Ukraine is anti-Christian" and other Russian Lies

Ben Wittes joins to discuss Iran's attack on Israel, Congress's action on Ukraine, Trump's NY trial, and the Supreme Court.

An Incredibly Weak Field

Download our free app to listen on your phone