From polls and pundits to dramatic headlines, sorting through the chaos of the presidential election is no easy task. To help parse madness, Rick had a conversation with Elaine Kamarck, political expert and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. The two give their view of the current state of American politics and the presidential election. They discuss the dynamics of the primary elections, voter demographics, and the strategic approaches of both political parties. The discussion also touches on the influence of third-party candidates, the role of money in political campaigns, and the changing landscape of voter behavior.

Timestamps:

[00:02:00] Surveillance capitalism

[00:14:22] Where does RFK play into the election?

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Big tech collects our data, this much we know. But to what extent? To explore this question Rick speaks with Byron Tau, a former Wall Street Journal reporter and author of "Means of Control." Together, they unravel the complex alliance between technology companies and government agencies, exposing how this partnership has birthed a new American surveillance state. They explore the evolution of data brokers, the commercialization of personal data, and the implications for individual privacy and public freedom. Tau shares insights from his book and his reporting journey, offering a chilling yet fascinating glimpse into the invisible world of surveillance capitalism.

Byron's book, "Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance of Tech and Government Is Creating a New American Surveillance State," available now.

Timestamps:

[00:01:52] Surveillance capitalism

[00:06:13] How is government using this data?

[00:09:58] Total Information Awareness

[00:17:57] How much of this information is being used?

[00:23:00] Notable bad actors

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America is no stranger to extremist political groups, a phenomenon further highlighted on January 6th. However, one thing we don't understand clearly enough is the overlap with our veteran community. On this episode Rick speaks with Ken Harbaugh, veteran and co-producer of "Against All Enemies," a documentary exploring why veterans are drawn into extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Harbaugh discusses the search for belonging post-military service, the political endorsement of these groups, and the threat they pose to democracy. The conversation highlights the importance of personal outreach, the role of misinformation, and the need for alternatives that provide veterans with a sense of purpose. Harbaugh calls for awareness and action to prevent the exploitation of veterans by organizations aiming to undermine democratic foundations.

Timestamps:

[00:01:25] Against All Enemies

[00:11:08] What are their objectives?

[00:12:48] A feeling of betrayal

[00:20:22] The one who missed the war

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Many Americans are asking the question "what's going on with Trump's legal battles?" Today on the show Rick speaks with author and legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin to dissect the intricate legal battles Trump faces in Georgia, Florida, and D.C., scrutinizing their procedural complexities and wider implications. Their discussion extends to the repercussions of Trump's actions on American democracy, examining themes of executive power and the rule of law. They discuss the societal impact of Trump's rhetoric and the polarized media landscape.

Timestamps:

[00:01:52] The Fani Willis case

[00:10:16] John Robert's position

[00:13:12] The worst case scenario

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Barbara Comstock is a former Republican Congresswoman and longtime RNC veteran. We were excited to have her on the show to discuss the dramatic shifts within the Republican Party and the repercussions of its current trajectory. Together, the two discuss the challenges posed by aligning the party too closely with Trump, the impact on election integrity, and the future of the party. Comstock shares insights from her work on bipartisan efforts to combat election denialism, underscoring the conversation with reflections on the importance of democracy and the need for an inclusive political environment.

Timestamps:

[00:01:23] The past week at the RNC

[00:05:42] Virginia post Trump

[00:14:55] Working on election integrity

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In a time when it can be difficult to find common ground in American politics one thing feels widely agreed upon, our collective dread for the upcoming presidential election. This week on the show we discuss just that with Time Magazine's Charlotte Alter, dissecting the current political landscape and the looming "Dread Election." Rick and Charlotte examine the widespread political fatigue among activists, the crucial role of young voters, and the influence of cancel culture on political discourse. Charlotte also highlights emerging young leaders and the quest for a message that resonates beyond the politically initiated.

Timestamps:

[00:01:41] The Dread Election

[00:06:46] Young voters on this election cycle

[00:12:10] Future candidates

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It’s difficult to tell where white Evangelicalism ends and Trumpism begins, so we’re excited Rick is joined by Sarah McCammon, NPR's national political correspondent and co-host of the NPR Politics podcast, about her book "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church." McCammon shares her personal narrative of growing up within the evangelical movement in the Midwest, her gradual estrangement from its teachings, and her eventual departure. The two discuss the complexities of evangelicalism's intertwined relationship with American politics, particularly in the context of the Trump presidency. They also explore the contradictions within evangelical Christianity, the generational shifts, and the evolving identity of evangelicalism in the political sphere.

Sarah's book, "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church" available now.

Timestamps:

[00:01:41] Motivation behind the book

[00:06:46] Leading into the Evangelical movement

[00:12:10] Justifying the contradiction of Trump

[00:23:51] Business Christianity

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This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by former Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson. As a Republican who ran in the primary against Donald Trump, Hutchinson shares his unique perspective on the state of the Republican Party, emphasizing the importance of returning to its traditional values of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and integrity. The discussion explores the challenges and strategies for reviving these core principles in today's insane political climate. The two also discuss the implications of Trump's potential re-election on the party's future, the importance of standing with allies, and the critical need for a Republican Party that actually solves problems.

Timestamps:

[00:01:49] The 2024 field

[00:07:54] Talking to the other side of the aisle

[00:09:59] Playing in the hands of a dictator

[00:15:08] A consistant conservative

[00:21:33] Looking forward 

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This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Michael Cohen, former attorney and fixer for Donald Trump, to dive into the complex web of legal and financial troubles surrounding the former president. With Cohen's insider knowledge, the conversation illuminates the recent legal developments, including Alan Weisselberg's guilty plea and its limited impact on Trump. Cohen provides a candid look at Trump's precarious financial situation, debunking myths of his wealth and detailing the challenges of covering substantial legal debts without sufficient liquid assets. Cohen offers an intimate exploration of Trump's transactional approach to relationships, his struggle to navigate a maze of legal battles, and the potential consequences for his future.

Timestamps:

[00:01:10] Allen Weisselberg's guilty plea

[00:02:58] Trump's current finances

[00:13:39] Trump's testimony

[00:20:42] Did he think he would get caught?

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This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Jonathan Martin, Senior political columnist at Politico, for a pointed conversation on the state of American politics. They dive into the legacy of Mitch McConnell and the future of Senate leadership, analyzing potential successors and the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party. They cover the impact of Donald Trump on the party, examining his influence over potential leaders and the direction of the GOP. Furthermore, they discuss the presidential race, highlighting the role of third-party candidates like Bobby Kennedy and their potential to sway the outcome.

Timestamps:

[00:01:26] Mitch McConnell's tenure and departure

[00:03:26] Who has the vote if Trump loses?

[00:07:51] How well is Mike Johnson sleeping lately?

[00:09:57] The end of the beginning

[00:17:15] Processing Trump's charges

[00:20:26] What should people be paying attention to?

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