Political Gabfest

This week, hosts Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson are joined by Washington Post associate editor and columnist  Ruth Marcus . They President Joe Biden’s big step down, how the race is evolving with Kamala Harris stepping in as the presumptive nominee, and the fallout of the Secret Service.  Email your chatters, questions, and comments to  gabfest@slate.com . (Messages may be referenced by name unl...

John Dickerson talks with author Roland Allen about his new book,  The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper . They discuss the historical origins of notebooks, how to keep a notebook and their own personal journeys documenting their lives. If you enjoyed this conversation, you’ll love an exploration into John Dickerson’s notebooks with his  podcast Navel Gazing . Season one is out now. Tweet u...

This week, John Dickerson is joined by What Next host Mary Harris to discuss Donald Trump’s pick for vice president, the excitement at the Republican National Convention (and why they’re talking about a victory), and the aftermath of the Trump assassination attempt. Here are this week’s chatters: John: The television series, Shetland on BritBox Mary: The New York Times: “ 100 Best Books of the 21s...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz continue to debate if Joe Biden should stay in the presidential race and who might replace him if he goes; discuss Project 2025; and ponder if Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett deserves a strange, new respect.   Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:   George Clooney in The New York Times:  I Love Joe Biden. But We...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the Supreme Court decisions on presidential immunity in  Trump v. United States  and the administrative state in  Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo  as well as the future of Joe Biden’s nomination to be re-elected president.   Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Supreme Court of the United States:  Opinions...

The morning after, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the first presidential debate of 2024 and President Joe Biden’s disastrous performance.    Here are some notes and references from the show:  CNN Presidential Debate: President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump Will Weissert for AP:  Here’s why it would be tough for Democrats to replace Joe Biden on the presidentia...

This week, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz discuss the recent Supreme Court rulings on emergency abortions and guns with Yale Law School’s  Linda Greenhouse  and Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s loss in a New York Democratic primary. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Supreme Court of the United States:  Moyle v. United States ;  United States v. Rahimi ; and  Murthy v. Missouri Gr...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the 2024 presidential debates; a possible warning on social media and another ban of smartphones in schools; and the future and failures of one-party rule.   Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Ashley Lopez for NPR:  Biden vs. Trump remains close, so next week’s debate offers them an opportunity James Oliphant...

David Plotz talks with author Sierra Greer about her new book,  Annie Bot . They discuss how much discomfort Annie (a “Cuddle Bunny” type of robot) can feel, how the story of a robot is really about the right to control a body, and more.   Tweet us your questions  @SlateGabfest  or email us at  gabfest@slate.com . (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast p...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss President Biden’s new asylum policy; the recent European Parliament elections with The Atlantic’s  Anne Applebaum ; and the jammed congestion pricing in New York City.   Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Corvid Research:  Help, I’ve found a baby crow! Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Hamed Aleaziz for The New York Time...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the fallout from Donald Trump’s felony conviction; the spin-up for Hunter Biden’s trial; and the upshot for college speech from campus protests with Charles Homans.   Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Nathaniel Rakich for 538:  Trump’s conviction may be hurting him – but it’s early Sarah Longwell in The Atlan...

In this week’s essay, John discusses instinct versus obligation, his daughter’s wit, how he has changed since episode one, and more.   Notebook Entries: Notebook 58, page 10. September 16, 2021 “You don’t measure your life the way you measure your writing.” - Nan Notebook 75, page 46-47. September 2021 When your dog dies and son goes to college and you are confronted with your life’s work it all b...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the U.S. Senate seats that might turn from blue to red in 2024;  The Fall of Roe  with The New York Times’s  Elizabeth Dias  and  Lisa Lerer ; and the rise of Lauren Boebert with City Cast Denver’s  Bree Davies and Paul Karolyi .    Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter: ...

In this week’s essay, John discusses Mothers’s Day, playing tennis with the Attorney General, medical scares, and more   Notebook Entries: Notebook 19, page 16. April 2011 Is it possible, through applied thought, to become systematic in an approach to life? If you were to do that how would you proceed?  Notebook 16, page 6. July 26, 2005 “I’m here with a bunch of midshipmen and wondering what ther...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s right-wing flag-flying;  David Leonhardt ’s take on  A New Centrism ; and OpenAI’s use – or not – of Scarlett Johansson’s voice.    Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jodi Kantor for The New York Times:  At Justice Alito’s House, a ‘Stop the Steal’ Symbol on Display ; Jodi...

Emily Bazelon talks with authors Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy, about their new book,  Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals . They discuss the evolution of animal treatment in America, moral duties to animals, and how to care about more animals than our pets.  Tweet us your questions  @SlateGabfest  or email us at  gabfest@slate.com . (Messages could be qu...

In this week’s essay, John discusses the differences between moving around New York in 1991 and 2021; remembering 9/11 twenty years later; and more.    Notebook Entries: Notebook 75, page 12. September 2021 Notebooks to Garret Notebook 75, page 13. September 2021 Can you make a typo with handwriting? What’s a typo with handwriting called? Notebook 4. 1991 We have to unplug the light to run the vac...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the latest New York Times presidential poll and the Maryland primary results; the presidential debates; and who’s talking inside and outside Donald Trump’s Manhattan trial courtroom.    Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Nate Cohn for The New York Times:  Trump Leads in 5 Key States, as Young and Nonwhite Vote...

In this week’s essay, John discusses the Pomodoro Routine (among other productivity routines), why he especially needs a meditation pillow, and how a particular teacher captured his heart.      Notebook Entries: Notebook 75, pages 8 and 9. September 2021 OReinstating the Pomodoro Routine… Starting Marshall again… Write Brice… Send Laura the larger project list… Work on budget to get accounts in or...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Stormy Daniels’s testimony in Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial; marijuana rescheduling; and the media’s role and responsibility in defending democracy.   Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Josh Gerstein for Politico:  Stormy spoke. Trump fumed. Jurors were captivated – but also cringed. Ivana Saric for A...

In this week’s essay, John discusses an onboarding memo for his assistant Laura, and recounts his early days living and working in New York City.    Notebook Entries: Notebook 75 Onboard memo for Laura Notebook 3, page 44. May 1991 June 17 start job. Good stuff Notebook 3, page 46. May 1991 Tips on buying renting in NYC Ask about broker 20s and 30s East side. Murry Hill Live on no major avenue Int...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the increasing and increasingly violent campus protests of Israel’s war in Gaza, Emily’s article on  How ‘History and Tradition’ Rulings Are Changing American Law , and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s chances of a vice presidential nomination after killing her dog and writing about it.   Here are some notes and references from t...

In this week’s essay, John discusses the art of attention and how to develop the skill of slow-looking.    Notebook Entries:   Notebook 75, page 8. September 2021 1016   Notebook 1, page 54. June 1990 -        Magna carta 1215 at Salisbury -        Girls skipping -        The Haunch of Venison -        Chris     References: Georgia O’Keeffe Museum A Little History of the World  by E.H Gombrich Art...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the testimony of prosecution witness David Pecker in Donald Trump’s criminal trial, student protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, and the Supreme Court argument on presidential immunity.    Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:  Matthew Haag for The New York Times:  David Pecker, Ex-National Enquirer Publisher,...

In this week’s essay, John dives deep into the loss of his beloved dog, George, the essayist’s dilemma, the comfort of quiet mornings, and more.   Notebook Entries: Notebook 75, page 5. September 5, 2021 I go to the morning alone.   Notebook 75, page 6. September 6, 2021 Phantom nails on the stairs     References: “ Every Dog Is a Rescue Dog ” by John Dickerson for  The Atlantic “ Oxytocin-gaze po...