Episode 139: Texas, Tears, and Trump-Voter Makeovers

Dan Savage, Rich Smith, and Eli Sanders talk about this week's primary election in Texas, where Democratic turnout surged, a strong challenger to Ted Cruz emerged, and a huge lefty vs. lefty fight broke out over the Democratic Party throwing its weight around in one particular Congressional district. If the Democratic Party wants to win control of Congress in November, is throwing its weight around in local Democratic primaries really a bad thing? Or, as Rich Smith argues, is it a dangerously counter-productive thing? After that, the massive and very successful teacher’s strike in West Virginia—a deeply red state with minimal labor protections—and what it shows us about the future of unions (at a time when the US Supreme Court seems poised to deal organized labor yet another blow). Finally, ten years after it first launched, Queer Eye is back and… it's actually, shockingly great and so moving it’s making us cry. How the fuck did that happen? And why is Queer Eye suddenly at the cutting edge of getting rural Trump voters to admit their own flaws, open up about their own failings, own their own roles in creating their own frustrations, and warmly enter into meaningful dialogue with five well-groomed liberal elites? Chase Burns is back to help us figure out what the hell is going on. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo!   This episode of Blabbermouth is brought to you by Quip electric toothbrushes. Go to www.GETQUIP.COM/BLABBERMOUTH right now, you’ll get your first refill pack FREE with a QUIP electric toothbrush.