KPFK - BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

Guest: Tom Bonier, Target Smart

The new Republican U.S. House majority again failed to select a new Speaker of the House on Day 2, after multiple rounds of voting, as far-rightwingers nominated a new candidate for Speaker whose troubled past is very on-brand for today's GOP. Election data expert TOM BONIER explains new reporting demonstrating how partisan Republican pollsters, using dodgy methodologies, succeeded in gaming 2022 midterm election polling averages, creating a false narrative that succeeded in misleading the media, voters, and Democratic campaigns, materially affecting outcomes in the 2022 midterm elections. Bonier offers insight into House Republicans' dumpster-fire fight for control.

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The new Republican U.S. House majority failed to elect a new Speaker of the House after three attempts, for the first time in 100 years. No House business can proceed until a Speaker is selected, delaying Republicans' radical agenda of impeachment and politically-motivated investigations. Democrats in Arizona won all remaining statewide 2022 election contests -- Dem Katie Hobbs was sworn in as AZ governor after a judge scathingly dismissed election denier Kari Lake's baseless lawsuit, and a recount again confirmed Democrat Kris Mayes' win for state Attorney General.

Guest: Heather 'Digby' Parton, Salon and Digby's Hulaballoo

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Encore: original air-date 12/20/2022. A debunking of several provably false claims made by erratic Twitter CEO Elon Musk that he used to justify suspending the accounts of legitimate journalists. Salon columnist Heather 'Digby' Parton discusses what the hell happened in 2022, the surprising midterm elections, the House January 6 Committee's criminal referrals of Trump to the Justice Department, and more. Parton also offers a look ahead to 2023, with Republicans taking over the U.S. House amid an internal power struggle with far-right members, and their pledges of retribution for their political adversaries. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

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Encore: original air-date 12/19/2-22. The House Jan. 6 Committee voted unanimously to issue 4 criminal referrals for disgraced ex-President Trump to the US Justice Department for investigation. The referrals include obstruction of an official proceeding; conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to make false statements; and for inciting insurrection. Callers weigh in.

Guest: Susan Greenhalgh, Free Speech For People

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Encore: Original air-date 12/15/2022. Newly-appointed DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger (R) in his criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's efforts to steal the 2020 election. Election security expert SUSAN GREENHALGH explains the new effort by nationally-recognized election integrity experts to push the feds to open a criminal investigation into the still-ongoing, post-2020 multi-state plot, coordinated by Trump's top MAGA lieutenants, to unlawfully breach election system security in Coffee County, Georgia and several other states, why it matters, and much more. Also today: Trump hawks 'digital trading cards' in an unintentionally hilarious, dumb ad. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Michal 'Spocko,' Media activist

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Encore: original air-date 12/14/2022. Since purchasing global social media giant Twitter, Elon Musk's erratic decisions have devolved from dumb to dangerous, unleashing chaos and a surge of hate speech and disinformation on the site. Musk's selective 'Twitter Files' don't show evidence of political bias against Donald Trump or rightwing figures, as he falsely claims. Pseudonymous media activist 'SPOCKO' explains actions and pressure methods that can help push back against Musk's increasingly threatening actions in order to 'reduce potential harm.' Outgoing Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) commuted all death sentences on the state's death row. The Senate will vote on critical reforms to the Electoral Count Act to clarify the law and prevent a repeat of Donald Trump's attempts to exploit it to steal the 2020 election.

Encore: Original air-date 12/13/2022. Dept. of Energy announced a major scientific breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology, and fossil fuel promoters are freaking out about it. Economic data show US gas prices and inflation are easing. Control of the statehouse in PA is mired in a confusing mess. Other late-concluding election results include GOP nut Rep. Lauren Boebert winning re-election in CO. Overall, the 2022 election was an extraordinary and historic midterm election. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Mark Joseph Stern, Slate legal correspondent

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Encore: Original air-date 12/8/2022. WBNA star Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap with Russia. US House passes Respect For Marriage Act protecting same-sex and interracial marriages; most Republicans voted against it. Slate's SCOTUS expert Mark Joseph Stern explains the landmark new law, and delves into the wildly dangerous case heard by the Supreme Court this week, 'Moore v. Harper,' focused on Republicans' fringe 'independent state legislature' theory that would grant gerrymandered state legislatures the absolute, unreviewable power over federal elections. Stern also explains the case of an anti-LGBTQ website designer who pre-emptively sued for the right to discriminate. DOJ request Trump be held in contempt for failing to turn over all classified government documents he stole. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: 'BradCast Very Special Holiday Special'

It's the 'BradCast' Very Special Holiday Special!
Featuring the BradCast Radio Theatre Players from the 1930s & 40s!
Call in the family, curl up around the fire and return to radio yesteryear with Our Very Special (And Somewhat Subversive) BradCast Holiday Special! Featuring The BradCast Radio Theatre Players in some of our very first BradCast broadcasts from the 1930s and 1940s! Don't miss this award-wanting holiday tradition in the making! And Merry Christmas, world!

Guest: David Daley, FairVote.org

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KPFK: Encore: original air-date 12/7/2022. Incumbent Sen. Rafael Warnock (D) won re-election in Georgia run-off, and other late-concluding 2022 election results. Gerrymandering expert DAVID DALEY explains what happened in the US Supreme Court during oral arguments over 'Moore v. Harper,' a disturbing case brought by NC Republicans who argue that their radical, fringe 'independent state legislature' theory grants state legislatures total, unchecked, unreviewable power to enact laws regarding federal elections with no constraints. Daley unpacks what the theory entails, how it would 'shake the very foundation of our democracy,' how the Court's far-right super-majority is likely to rule, and much more.