32 Comments

Late listening. I like the term "concern trolling." That's what I find all the performative R concern about antisemitism to be

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Thanks for giving Sacramento some love in this podcast. I don't often hear about my hometown outside of the political context. It really is a lovely place to live.

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Interesting discussion about Gavin Newsome and I agree that he's been on the forefront of same sex marriage.

The only problem is his timing. He held City Hall weddings in February of 2004 and, as I recall, the Republicans nationally used it as a rallying cry to elect the most right wing candidates available. Had he held off until November, could history have been different (if not in the Presidential race but maybe down-ballot)?

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author

Interesting counterfactual, had never considered it.

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founding

Wow throwback on the tune at the end!!!

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I wish Biden was younger. I just don’t see in history or with these “other” candidates why we would be better off.

I loved all the politicians that mark listed as potential nominees but I think people would find another reason to not vote for the “other” Dems. Too black. Too liberal. A woman!!! A black woman!!! From California? Etc etc etc.

Biden has been doing the job, well imo, for 4 years. That doesn’t mean he will do it well for 4 more but when you look at the competition you have to ask yourself “is the problem with Biden or the voters?”

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founding

The 2012 election did seem joyless at the time. Romney & Obama weren't into drama. It was dull compared to '08 which was so riveting...Hillary v Obama....Sarah Palin etc.

Tim is right, obviously 2024 will be utterly barbaric & hate-filled.

We'll be praying for joyless.

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At bc.com (Boston College) found article "Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill: A real life friendship" by Rich Gorecki. Former Reagan Aide recounted that ONeill was one of the first people to visit Reagan in the hospital. Reagan lit up. While holding one of Reagan's hand O'Neill got down on his knees, recited the 23rd Psalm, then got up & kissed Reagan on forehead.

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founding

I can actually imagine Mike Johnson & Biden in this scene!

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How can Palestinians be Communist? Communist has a real definition, and is not a catch-all slur to anyone you don't like. Palestinians are pro Hamas and Hamas is an Arab authoritarian, far right terrorist group. Against all religions except Islam and free elections.

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I think he was referring to the protesters on college campuses.

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8 was walking and I accidently responded to someone's post. I responding against them going on and on about Bidrn being old when Trump is only 3 years younger and seems to have speech problems.

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founding
May 10·edited May 11

Refreshing to hear Leibovich say he's surprised Nikki hasn't yet just folded and endorse Trump. I've been saying for weeks Nikki will eventually toe the line and endorse Trump. Sorry Mark, but Sarah's "permission structure" phrasing is dead on.

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May 11·edited May 11

Trump being a crazy, traitorous nearly felon isn't a big problem. Trump looks old.

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founding

Ugh

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Sorry I was walking and didn't mean to respond to your comment. I do agree with your take on Halely. Too bad.

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founding

no problem. BTW Axios reported earlier that Trump was considering Nikki for VP but now Trump claims he's not. And why wouldn't we believe Trump?

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I think he won't puck her because she was popular and said bad bad things about him.

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founding

You may be right. Offering the VP slot to Nikki is the smartest thing Trump could do, but it requires him to suppress his narcissism. On the other hand, his last 3 weeks in court have given him some idea of what his life will be like if he loses in November because he will eventually go to trial again in the other 2 federal cases and the GA case. Perhaps that thought will motivate him, but perhaps not.

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founding

Bulwark Pod Songs is updated for Apple Music listeners.

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/bulwark-pod-songs/pl.u-0embfxV15e

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Once again, why is my "ads-free" podcast starting with an ad? Is this going to be a permanent feature, because if it is, you're going to lose a listener.

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Quite right- what's the deal with ads on a Podcast we pay for?? Please rethink this, Bulwark!

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I was just about to make the same comment

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I feel the same way!! I hate ads. I’m paying for no ads and that’s what I expect.

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I waited tables at Balboa Cafe in San Francisco which is owned by Newsom & Billy Getty of PlumpJack, Inc. This was the Cow Hollow watering hole where regulars were Dianne Feinstein, George Lucas and Gordon Getty. This was also the Kimberley Guilfoyle era and they would have lunch. At the time he was on the Board of Supervisors. His father would come in regularly and was a very nice man to talk to. In my experience, Gavin gave little notice to the staff but his partner, Billy Getty was more engaging. I wasn't a big fan of him personally but have watched his career and see him as a very talented politician. There was no downside for getting out front on gay marriage as the Mayor of SF and that the rest of the country would catch up soon enough. One of his good qualities is to get out ahead on an issue. I'm hoping his Prop 1 initiative for Care Courts to deal with homelessness pays off. I don't see how he can mount a national campaign if the homelessness issue in California doesn't see improvement. I think he has grown up and out of his early issues, like many of us.

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Ha. Love balboa cafe. I saw Gavin around town too. He was a huge womanizer. I’m actually kind of surprised he was able to remake himself in politics in California. Pretty impressive

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May 10·edited May 10Liked by Katie Cooper

The Tip O'Neill kissing Reagan's head appears in this 2013 article by Chris Matthews

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna53150184

"Once they’d finished, the Speaker let go of the president’s hand, stood up, and bent to kiss him on the forehead.“ ‘I’d better be going,’ he told the patient.‘I don’t want to tire you out.’”"

But is oddly absent in Tip O'Neill's own recount here from 1987.

https://wapo.st/3yhWjQ7

"This was three days after the shooting, and he was clearly exhausted and in pain. I stayed only a moment, as he obviously was in no shape to receive visitors."

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author

🤔

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Only a conservative could get annoyed by free food...

smdh

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mike johnson only deserves the minimal amount of credit for doing the right thing. especially now that he's back to stoking the flames for election denial 2.0

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Very minimal.

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