DePauwlitics

On this week’s edition of DePauwlitics, we discuss the tension surrounding the Trump presidency with Graham Votaw. We begin by unpacking Michael Cohen’s fiery congressional testimony about his associations with the President. Then, we try to figure out what went wrong with the most recent North Korean summit. We then move to the interview portion of the show where we discuss Graham’s political involvements and his thoughts on hot-button civil rights and civil liberties issues.

This episode of DePauwlitics features an hourlong conversation with Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter. First elected in 2005, Mr. Bookwalter shares what the role of a prosecutor actually entails and clears up some common misconceptions. We discuss some broader questions about the criminal justice system including its purpose, plea bargaining, and civil forfeiture. Then, Mr. Bookwalter explains his office’s relationship with Putnam County as a whole and with DePauw University specifically.

This week's episode features Professor of Political Science, Bruce Stinebrickner! In our current events section, we discuss Bernie Sanders, the 2020 Democratic primary field, the Amazon pullout of NYC, and the legal challenges to Trump's National Emergency Declaration. Then, Professor Stinebrickner talks about his political involvements and public teacher salaries.

Is Chief Justice John Roberts the new swing vote on the Supreme Court? Did the Virginia governor really do the moonwalk in blackface? Can Trump bypass Congress and declare a National Emergency to fund a wall on the Southern border? After we answer these burning questions, we hear from Emily Schabes about her experiences studying at Oxford, interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and writing and editing for a college newspaper.

On our return from the winter hiatus, we are joined by Luka Ignac. We recap the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and explain the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Then, Luka shares how his experiences working for the Croatian embassy, the EU, and as a student policymaker at major conferences have shown him an emerging pessimism among young people regarding the future.

This week, we talk to Richard Melville! We discuss Paul Manafort’s fallout with the Mueller investigation, the turmoil on the Southern border, and Cindy Hyde-Smith’s win in the Mississippi Senate run-off election. During the interview, we dive into British politics, Brexit, and soccer’s diplomatic value!

On this bonus episode, we discuss the history of the National Endowment of the Arts, ARTSpeaks, and contemporary issues facing federal funding of the arts. Check out the great sources that are included in this episode: 

Americans for the Arts Timeline:

https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/reports-and-data/legislation-policy/what-is-arts-policy/national-arts-policy-history-timeline

Oyez page on NEA v. Finley

https://www.oyez.org/cases/1997/97-371

ARTSpeaks website:

https://www.artspeaks.net/

NEA Quick Facts Sheet

https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/nea-quick-facts.pdf

Huckabee Wa-Po Opinion:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mike-huckabee-a-conservative-plea-for-the-national-endowment-of-the-arts/2017/03/22/8d6d746a-0d94-11e7-9d5a-a83e627dc120_story.html?fbclid=IwAR0cCIfHeKsIYQbYAjemxq_VZOIYBDG_SLCv1w1x_3Tks8Od3TZ1igORFTE&noredirect=on&utm_term=.c3ddb0032014

The Hill Economic Argument:

https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/uncategorized/320235-funding-the-arts-is-more-than-preserving-culture-its-big

With the help of Olivia Roberts, this week's episode contains our full breakdown of the midterm elections! We also cover the wildfires in California, the Thousand Oaks shooting, and Jeff Sessions' resignation. Then, Olivia walks us through the firsthand experience of campaigning for the midterms with Liz Watson in Indiana's 9th congressional district and we explore potential 2020 democratic candidates!

In our Halloween episode, we bring on TWO guests, Reid Cooper and Luke Patty, to help us understand what to expect in the midterms from differing perspectives. In the first half, we discuss the limits (if any) of free speech through the lens of recent events such as the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the mailing of pipe bombs to Trump critics, and the firing of Megyn Kelly. Then, our guests discuss what's at stake in the midterms, what issues they care most about, and which races they'll be watching most closely.

This week we cover the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the migrant caravan, and the pipe bombs sent to the homes of prominent Trump critics. Then, we speak with Grace Evans about her philosophy background, Catholicism, and the visit of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.