A two-part Need to Know this week begins with the American Enterprise Institute’s James C. Capretta, who knows everything there is to know about Obamacare and related questions. Mona asks him about the Aetna decision to withdraw from exchanges and what the state of the law is generally. He’s not optimistic, but then, who is?

Jay then joins from Salzburg (within sight of Mozart’s home) to discuss Louisiana flooding, Bill Clinton, music, what we expect of politics, and many other subjects. The one topic not covered: Trump. Everyone needs a break from time to time.

The music, apropos of Salzburg, is Mozart’s Requiem.

That was the name of a Mel Brooks flick. And that’s how many people think of Election 2016 – including Mona and Jay. They go over the latest. Trump and Hillary. The media. McMullin, Johnson, and Stein (yes, Stein). At the end, the hosts leave off politics to talk about an extraordinary incident in Rome – involving a quarreling old couple and their tender, sweet treatment by the police. The closing music is Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” conducted by the great Fritz Reiner, leading his Chicago band.

What is up with the relationship between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump? Michael J. Totten of World Affairs Journal joins NTK to talk about the connections. They go way back.

Jay and Mona then discuss the Kahns, partisanship poisoning, rigged elections, economic growth (remember that?) and “Article XII” of the Constitution, among other topics.

Music From this week's show: Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36 · Leopold Stokowski

 

J.D. Vance joins to discuss his fantastic new book Hillbilly Elegy, a book that gets to the heart of the troubles of working class white Americans, which could hardly be more topical.

Jay and Mona then speak of Democrats – who continue to act like themselves, sowing racial disharmony, for example – but have added odd moments this year because it’s a year like no other. And nothing will ever be the same.

Mona and Jay welcome Wall Street Journal foreign affairs columnist Bret Stephens to pick over the wreckage, er, evaluate the Republican National Convention. Putin seemed the big winner, both in style (we all worship strong men now) and substance (Trump kicked the Baltic States away in a NY Times interview).

They consider whether the Republican Party is any longer the freedom party, and where this leaves conservatives.

Jay and Mona then consider the Trump family, the leftism of this new Republican Party, and the psychology of it all. They close with really hairy thoughts.

Note: we had some audio issues with the Bret Stephens segment (which is why it ends abruptly). Our apologies.

Music from this episode: Hair from Hair original Broadway cast album

It’s the Ides of July. Trump has chosen Mike Pence and Jay and Mona have chosen to withhold laurels. They consider the state of the Republican Party – is there room for Reaganism anymore? – as well as who’s being asked to pay for the big show. (Hint: The guy who claims to be worth $10 billion ain’t the one.) The week saw another horrific terror attack, a discouraging Obama speech in Dallas just when the moment demanded largeness of spirit. Mona and Jay disagree about W’s performance at the memorial service for slain officers, wonder about who is the biggest liar this year, and note the Pokemon craze.

Music from this week's episode: Berklee Percussion Ensemble, "Ogoun Badagris"

It has been a week heavy with news, most of it bad. Shootings in Louisiana, Minnesota, and Texas. The FBI/Hillary drama. On hand with Mona and Jay is Andrew C. McCarthy, the onetime prosecutor and a friend, as it happens, of the FBI director.

In due course, Mona and Jay talk about the presidential race: Trump and Saddam. Trump and Newt (who was once immensely proud of NAFTA). The Libertarian nominees, Johnson and Weld.

The hosts get into some television too, commenting on PBS – which essentially doctored a Fourth of July broadcast – and Fox News. Is Fox a force for good? In any case, people have to be savvy media consumers, as well as savvy consumers of other products.

Also included in this “Need to Know” is the Raid on Entebbe – which took place on America’s Bicentennial Day, July 4, 1976. The podcast goes out with an old theme song. Do you remember “To Tell the Truth”? Well, we have the song for you.

For a limited time The Great Courses Plus is offering Need To Know with Charen and Nordlinger listeners a chance to stream their new Video Learning Service: The Great Courses Plus popular collection of business courses – Absolutely FREE! Go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/NTK

 

This episode was brought to you by Casper mattresses. Get premium mattresses for a fraction of the price delivered to your door! Casper is revolutionizing the mattress industry by cutting the cost of dealing with resellers and showrooms and passing that savings directly to the consumer. Bookmonger listeners can get $50 coupon. Go to Casper.com/NTK and use the coupon code “NTK” at checkout.

Hugo Gurdon, editor of the Washington Examiner, English born and bred, joins Jay and Mona to talk about Brexit and the slightly lurid accounts of internecine battles within the Tory party in the aftermath of the vote.

Mona and Jay then speak of Loretta Lynch’s meeting — on the fly, as it were — with Bill Clinton, the Benghazi report, how conservatives size each other up in the Trump era, the Labour Party’s Jewish problem, and why Republicans should think twice before rejoicing at the idea of a Hillary indictment.

 

 

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For a limited time The Great Courses Plus is offering Need To Know with Charen and Nordlinger listeners a chance to stream their new Video Learning Service: The Great Courses Plus popular collection of business courses – Absolutely FREE! Go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/NTK

Corey Lewandowski was fired on Monday (and quickly hired by CNN). Michelle Fields, late of Breitbart, now of the Huffington Post, joins Jay and Mona to recount her experiences with Lewandowski, Trump, and some of his more vicious followers.

Jay and Mona then speak of Brexit (Jay isn’t happy about how the debate was conducted in the UK), the EU, immigration, trade, multiculturalism in Europe and here, and the DOJ’s boneheaded decision to redact the Orlando shooter. They are beyond dismayed by Donald Rumsfeld – among other things. But there are still great concerts to attend, and ballets to love.

 

Support Our Sponsors!For a limited time The Great Courses Plus is offering Need To Know with Charen and Nordlinger listeners a chance to stream their new Video Learning Service: The Great Courses Plus popular collection of business courses – Absolutely FREE! Go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/NTK

That’s the question former CIA officer Herb Meyer answers on this podcast. Meyer was one of the only people, maybe the only person, to predict the fall of the Soviet Union, and he offers insights on Orlando and the terror threat generally.

Jay and Mona then consider the left’s unwillingness to confront homophobia if it comes wearing a hijab, what killed JFK, the “see something/say something” fraud, Muslim allies in the fight against extremism, boots on the ground, and, naturally, some Clinton/Trump.

Music is the Neapolitan Dance from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky.

For a limited time The Great Courses Plus is offering Need To Know with Charen and Nordlinger listeners a chance to stream their new Video Learning Service: The Great Courses Plus popular collection of business courses – Absolutely FREE! Go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/NTK

This episode was brought to you by Casper mattresses. Get premium mattresses for a fraction of the price delivered to your door! Casper is revolutionizing the mattress industry by cutting the cost of dealing with resellers and showrooms and passing that savings directly to the consumer. Bookmonger listeners can get $50 coupon. Go to Casper.com/NTK and use the coupon code “NTK” at checkout.