The Mona Charen Show

Walter Olson of CATO joins the panel for debate analysis, including the rise of “RamaSMARMY.” Plus, a discussion of the 14th Amendment argument for disqualifying Trump, and disentangling the Hunter Biden story threads. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Linda celebrates the election of Bernardo Arévalo, an anti-corruption crusader, as president of Guatemala. show notes: University of Pen...

Kristin Du Mez and Peter Wehner join the group to analyze evangelical support for Trump, as well as the Georgia indictment. Accountability, danger, and many unknowns. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Kristin notes the start of the school year and gives a shout-out to the teachers, while Bill extols the healing benefits of a vacation. show notes: Kristin's book, Jesus and John Wayne L...

Tim Mak reports from Kyiv about how Ukrainians are handling the strain of war. The panel then looks at the upcoming GOP debate on Fox and the effect of abortion on elections. Plus, in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Mona has a lovely recognition of a nurse practitioner who cared for her husband in urgent care. Highlights/lowlights Tim's: https://counteroffensive.substack.com/ Bill's: https:/...

George Conway joins the group to discuss the various Trump defenses—and the party that supports him. Then the regulars discuss 'Oppenheimer,' and the bombing of Japan. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Bill points to a possible US-brokered Israel-Saudi peace deal. highlights/lowlights: Bill's: https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/bidens-moral-calculus-in-brokering-a-saudi-israeli-peac...

Will Saletan joins the panel to discuss whether DeSantis's campaign is moribund, and whether the right or the left learned the lessons of COVID policy failures. Plus, in our "Highlights and Lowlights "segment, Damon spotlights the political crisis in Israel, and Linda shares a story of love and loss.  Damon's: https://gideons.substack.com/p/break-the-barrel-to-get-rid-of-the Will's: http://brightl...

The Economist's John Prideaux joins the panel to discuss the latest likely indictment, the GOP response, and what MAGA world is planning for a Trump 2.0. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Linda flags the tactics Texas officials are using at the border that are injuring migrants. highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/19/us/texas-border-migrants-abbott.html John'...

Noah Smith tries to bring a little sunshine to the dour regulars (and Cathy Young) who are worried about the economy, the threat from third parties, and more. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Mona celebrates the fact that a famous Trumper has to liquidate. highlights/lowlights Mona's: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mypillow-auction-mike-lindell_n_64acffa0e4b0e5efaaddd535 https://apne...

The Washington Post's Megan McArdle joins to discuss the pros and (mostly) cons of affirmative action. Also, will anyone watch August's GOP debate? Who will show up? Plus, in our highlights/lowlights segment, Linda points to a new draconian law in Florida that targets undocumented immigrants and those who employ them. highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.wsj.com/articles/migrant-workers-flee-...

Bob Shrum, Steve Vladeck, and David Kramer join the show this week to discuss momentous Supreme Court cases and the tremors out of Russia. Plus, in our highlights/lowlights segment, Damon shares details about how a bloc of right-wing influencers and DeSantis supporters are rallying behind an antisemite. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/desantis-infl...

Former Rep. Tim Ryan reports from Ohio that the GOP base there remains in the tank for Trump, DeSantis is in a no-man's land, and most voters probably aren't paying any attention to Hunter Biden's plea deal. Meanwhile, there's a country to run, but Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene made time for a catfight. Plus, remembering compelling testimony from the Jan 6 hearings a year ago in our hi...

Arc Digital's Nicholas Grossman joins the panel to help analyze the Republican reaction to Trump's indictment—both the officials and the voters—as well as the Ukrainian summer offensive. Plus, renaming Southern military bases, inflation, the steak-price indicator, and must-watch TV starring Keri Russell. show notes: Sarah Longwell's Iowa Focus Group featured on the PBS NewsHour Highlights/lowlight...

New York Times contributor Peter Wehner joins the panel to evaluate the GOP presidential field, consider whether Republicans care about issues, and ponder the Trump indictment. Plus, in our highlights and lowlights segment, Damon and Linda praise the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Alabama voting rights case, and Pete pays tribute to his family’s beloved dog, Romeo.  highlights/lowlights Linda's and...

New York Times columnist David French joins the show to discuss signs of sanity from Texas Republicans and the averted default. Plus, the dangers of AI, and our highlight and lowlight segment, including Mona's shout-out to Mississippi's successful effort to raise reading test scores. highlights/lowlights Mona's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/31/opinion/mississippi-education-poverty.html David's:...

Tom Nichols joins the panel to consider the botched DeSantis announcement, the primary campaign so far, and Biden's debt limit dilemma. Plus, for a break from politics this holiday weekend, Damon recommends “Still,” the documentary about Michael J. Fox, as his highlight of the week. highlights/lowlights Tom's: https://apnews.com/article/stewart-rhodes-oath-keepers-seditious-conspiracy-sentencing-b...

Will Saletan joins to talk about his special project on The Corruption of Lindsey Graham. The panel also tackles the Durham Report and Comer's damp squib, as well as high and low points of Biden's presidency. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/us/politics/feinstein-illness-shingles-senate.html Bill's: https://apnews.com/article/biden-papua-new-guinea-australia-debt-li...

Eric Edelman and Benjamin Wittes join to discuss Ukraine's coming offensive, the end of Title 42 and a looming immigration crisis, and the 30-car pile up that was CNN's town hall with Donald Trump. highlights/lowlights Ben's: https://www.dogshirtdaily.com/p/defect-and-repent Linda's: https://www.americanpurpose.com/articles/mission-accomplished/ Eric's: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/16767 https://...

Sarah Longwell joins the panel to discuss debt ceiling brinksmanship, possible indictments, and the contours of the 2024 race —as of now. To continue the conversation go to  https://b2d.thebulwark.com/ highlights/lowlights Bill's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/business/media/tucker-carlson-text-message-white-men.html Sarah's: https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2023-05-01/no-thoughts-and-pray...

Jill Lawrence joins the show to discuss Biden's 2024 announcement, Kamala's rehabilitation, Tucker's tumble, E. Jean Carroll's testimony, and Disney's counterattack on DeSantis. To continue the conversation go to https://b2d.thebulwark.com/ highlights/lowlights Jill's: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3970356-sanders-cassidy-will-mark-up-drug-pricing-bills-next-week/ https://www.washingtonpos...

DeSantis is even more charmless than Nixon. And while Fox avoided one embarrassing trial—the truth and lies are plain for all to see. Plus, the panelists share their current TV viewing recommendations. Guest host Sonny Bunch takes over the director's chair on this week's episode.  highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://libertiesjournal.com/articles/the-once-and-the-now/ Linda's: https://www.nytimes...

Matt Bennett joins the team to discuss the ill-considered No Labels third party gambit. The group then turns to Trump's return to Fox, Greg Abbott's proposed pardon of a murderer, and how abortion is roiling elections. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://substack.com/profile/12665540-damon-linker?utm_source=substack-feed-item https://on.substack.com/p/notes Bill's: https://www.politico.com/news/...

Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget discusses our broken budget and the fiscal gridlock that is undermining America’s economic strength. Plus, why people are taking to the streets in Israel. highlights/lowlights Damon's: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/ Bill's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/29/investigating-low-fertility-rates/ Mona's: https://www.new...

Philip K. Howard joins the group to discuss his book on public sector unions. The panel — with special guest Cathy Young — also addresses Trump's possible indictment and looks back at the 20th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. highlights/lowlights Philip's: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-03-23/lausd-strike-ends-with-no-settlement-but-classes-to-resume Bill's: https://www.nyt...

Ken White (Popehat) joins the panel to consider the wisdom of the Manhattan DA's Trump indictment, as well as DeSantis joining the surrender caucus, SVB, and a low moment at Stanford Law. highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2023/03/law-school-mismatch-is-worse-than-we-thought/ Damon's: https://jabberwocking.com/silicon-valley-bank-was-fine-its-silicon-valley-thats-broken/...

A.B. Stoddard joins the group to discuss the Fox News retcon of January 6, whether Biden should/will run again, and "messaging bills." highlights/lowlights A.B.'s: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/03/08/norfolk-southern-train-derailment-ohio-senators/ Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/opinion/english-literature-study-decline.html https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/opinion/hum...

Axios's Josh Kraushaar helps analyze the lab leak story, the Chicago election results, and Trump v. DeSantis. highlights/lowlights Josh's: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-nikki-haley-is-running-for-president/id1570872415?i=1000602459553 Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/25/us/unaccompanied-migrant-child-workers-exploitation.html Bill's: https://www.chicagotribune.com/voter-guide/c...