US of Ed

"It's easier, as Lincoln said, to be critical than to be correct."

One year out from the 2024 presidential election, Joe Biden is battling personal unpopularity in the polls as well as dissatisfaction with cost of living and his handling of Gaza. Meanwhile, his presumptive Republican opponent, Donald Trump, has done a disastrous job of testifying in his own defense at his New York civil fraud trial but that doesn't seem to be doing his own popularity any harm. This week also looking at some decisive wins for Democrats in state elections, Russia's withdrawal from a Cold War-era security pact, and Australia walking a delicate line between the US and China.

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"No one would have anticipated this outcome from getting rid of McCarthy, we've gone from bad to worse."

The hard right of the Republican party have gotten their way in electing Louisiana rep Mike Johnson to the position of Speaker after Kevin McCarthy refused to go far enough in shutting down the government simply to mess with the Biden government, so what has 'MAGA Mike' got in store? Meanwhile, there's little reputable information coming out of the Gaza region following an Israeli ground invasion and little chance of a resolution in sight. Also looking at Donald Trump's New York fraud trial, a win for United Auto Workers, fears of artificial intelligence, and the meteoric rise of homeschooling.

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"The US is doing their best to restrain any more actions and incursions but this is going to be a mess for many, many years."

A bloody sort of stalemate in the Israel-Gaza conflict as Israel continues to consider a ground invasion, but tensions are bubbling over in the wider region. Meanwhile, Trump allies are rapidly abandoning the sinking ship, and grabbing onto any plea deal they can, as several former lawyers plead guilty over accusations of 2020 election interference in Georgia. Also discussing the ongoing House Speaker fight, aid for domestic and international crises, and poll worker fears for 2024.

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"The United States runs to the rescue and a whole lot of people get killed, get hurt, get maimed and the like."

As fighting continues in and around Gaza, President Joe Biden has ventured to the region to discuss the path forward for Israel and to try and avoid a bloody ground invasion. Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives had been paralysed by the Republican Party's battle over the position of House Speaker following the ousting of Kevin McCarthy. Also discussing George Santos, crackdowns on anti-abortion protestors, a code of ethics for the Supreme Court, and Australia's rejection of constitutional recognition for Indigenous peoples

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"This will not end until all the blood stops."

Escalation over fresh conflict around the Gaza Strip has left thousands dead and many more injured, homeless, or living in terror. Ed and Sean look over how planning for the coordinated mass attack by HAMAS was overlooked and the likelihood of further US involvement. Also discussing what this means for Ukraine, Donald Trump's latest legal issues, Biden building the wall after all, and RFK Jr.'s split from the Democratic party.

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"This is what you call hara-kiri, the Republicans killed themselves and they killed the whole government."

Government shutdown was narrowly averted last week as Republicans abandoned their negotiating positions, but not everyone is happy with the deal leading to the historical ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Meanwhile, Joe Biden seems to largely keep his head down and stay out of the news cycle, but is the lack of coverage helping or hurting? Also discussing the latest on Trump, record flooding in New York, and the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein.

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"It's not about governing, it's about destroying government."

Another government shutdown looms as members of the Republican-controlled House refuse to come to the negotiating table despite the urgings of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, is there anything they actually want? Joe Biden has become the first US president to walk a picket line in support of United Auto Workers, regaining some of the union credentials lost during last year's rail workers' strike. Also discussing the latest on Trump, the Hollywood Writers' Strike, net neutrality, and El Niño.

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"If you have to go this dark and this deep... you are just hunting for almost nothing."

The first hearing in the Biden impeachment inquiry is set for next week with Republicans united behind the effort, but unable to come together on a deal to continue funding the running of the government or much of anything else. Meanwhile, Biden aims to create a new office for the prevention of gun violence but with a lack of meaningful firearm legislation will more bureaucracy make much of a difference? Also discussing the latest on Trump, Ukraine, and attempts to form a defense pact with Saudi Arabia.

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"They're not talking about preserving the democracy, they're talking about destroying the democracy so we've got to be very, very clear about what the game is."

Kevin McCarthy has bent to the will of the far-right of his party and moved forward with an impeachment inquiry for Joe Biden in spite of a total lack of evidence, further dismantling the tools of American governance. Meanwhile, attempts made to put the brakes on China's massive economic ascent at this week's G20 Summit. We're also looking at the retirement of Mitt Romney, latest on Trump, Ukraine, Russia and North Korea, and the Opioid Crisis.

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"This was a good storm, it hit at just the right time."

More struggles for Republicans this week, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton looks down the barrel of impeachment proceedings in the Lone Star State, and Mitch McConnell faces pointed questions about his health. Meanwhile, Biden splashes the cash on student loan forgiveness and Ukraine. Also looking at Hurricane Idalia recovery, Burning Man, and the latest on Trump and January 6th convictions.

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