President Biden is having a no good, horrible, very bad summer. The gang, with Chris Stirewalt subbing in for David, discuss whether Biden can recover from the last few weeks. Is the only thing that can save Biden a reemergence of former President Trump? Trump is slated to visit Iowa and the group discusses what that means for 2024. And finally, Afghanistan is still in shambles and we’re coming up on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Listen to hear what Sarah, Jonah, Steve, and Chris were doing 20 years ago and how it impacted the rest of their lives.

Show Notes:

-Amy Walter on Biden’s approval rating

-Jonah’s 9/11 piece

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This week, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, declined to block a Texas abortion law from going into effect. In Thursday’s Advisory Opinions podcast, Sarah and David tackled the legal aspect of the law and the court’s decision. Today, they turn to the politics--not just of the Texas law, but of the issue of abortion itself. Where does the pro-life movement stand today? Where does it go from here?

Show Notes:

-David’s piece breaking down the Supreme Court’s decision

-David and Sarah’s legal analysis of the Supreme Court’s ruling

-Study: “How Americans Understand Abortion”

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There are no more troops in Afghanistan, and President Biden is telling us we had no other option. The gang talks about all the problems with Biden’s speech from the White House at the end of the war in Afghanistan. Plus, as political violence seems to be ticking up recently our hosts debate whether or not that is something to worry about. And finally, creeping a little bit into Advisory Opinions territory, what’s going on with all of the big cases in the Supreme Court?

Show Notes:

-Biden’s speech on the end of the Afghan War

-McConnell honors Joe Biden in 2016

-David’s latest newsletter on political violence

-Sen. Ron Johnson is a closet normal

-Eviction moratorium ends

-Texas abortion law

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Rep. Mike Gallagher joins Sarah and Steve on the podcast and tries (with no luck) to understand the logic behind the Biden administration’s withdrawal plan in Afghanistan. Gallagher puts it quite bluntly, “The whole thing is a mess, and there are very few options we have right now.” The Marine Corps veteran explains what he’d like to see from the Biden administration going forward and how the GOP should handle national security issues going forward. Plus, find out what brutal book the congressman just finished reading (hint: it’s about Sarah’s home state).

Show Notes:

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Today, the gang leads the podcast with yet another conversation about the crisis in Afghanistan. As they tick through all the bad takes floating around the internet surrounding the situation one by one, it’s clear the main takeaway is that it’s still really bad and sad to watch. Plus, more infrastructure talk! Has Nancy Pelosi lost her political touch? The Dispatch Podcast team breaks down how the political maneuvering of infrastructure will affect 2022. And for dessert: the California gubernatorial recall election.

Show Notes:

-Can the Taliban become a reliable partner to the U.S.? Only time will tell. - David Ignatius

-History of the Dunkirk evacuation

-David subs for Jonah on The Remnant

-TMD tries to explain the House infrastructure rule

-TMD on California recall

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In this episode, Steve moderates a conversation with David French and Tom Joscelyn about the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. They cover the Biden administration’s decision not to begin evacuations before the Taliban captured Kabul, intelligence failures, the state of the Afghan military, and much, much more.

Show Notes:

-Read Vital Interest for Tom’s latest analysis on Afghanistan

-Read The French Press for David’s latest analysis on Afghanistan

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For the large majority of today’s podcast, our hosts discuss the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and how it will affect domestic politics in the United States. Perhaps David summed up the conversation around the Afghanistan situation as succinctly as possible, “There’s no way to spin this as anything other than a direct American defeat.” Plus, short conversations about the state of COVID-19 and the new census data.

Show Notes:

-The Remnant with Eli Lake

-The Sweep on issue polling

-All of Thomas Joscelyn’s latest Vital Interests

-New census data

-Americans Color Outside the Lines - Chris Stirewalt

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In his first interview after voting yes on the historic bipartisan infrastructure bill, Sen. Bill Cassidy joins Sarah and Steve to talk about how it feels to see that bill pass the Senate. Plus, Cassidy puts on his doctor hat to talk about COVID-19. Then Steve is joined by Tom Joscelyn to discuss the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. How much longer until the Taliban seizes full control of the country?

Show Notes:

-Closer look at passing of the infrastructure bill from Uphill

-David French’s view on Afghanistan

-Read Vital Interest for the latest analysis on Afghanistan

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At long last, infrastructure week is here! The gang contemplates what the bipartisan plan and Democratic reconciliation package mean for the country and the economy. Also, how would Sen. Goldberg vote on the bipartisan bill? Then the discussion turns to what should be done about the latest damning climate report. Plus, everyone’s worst fears about Afghanistan from a few weeks ago seem to be coming true. And finally, for dessert, Andrew Cuomo.

Show Notes:

-Uphill’s latest update on infrastructure

-IPCC report

-Pentagon press secretary John Kirby

-State Department spokesman Ned Price

-Cuomo resigns

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How do you solve a problem like Iran? Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, is here to talk with Sarah and Steve about the Biden administration's approach to Iran after six months in office. Was moving away from the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign the right move?

Show Notes:

-Goldberg’s piece in The Dispatch

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