The Mona Charen Show

Jill Lawrence joins B2D to discuss the revelations about Fox, Biden v. De Santis on Ukraine, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's national divorce talk. highlights/lowlights Jill's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/21/tucker-carlson-kevin-mccarthy-jan-6-insurrection/ Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/17/opinion/desantis-florida-african-american-studies-black-history.html Damon's: htt...

Bill Kristol joins the group to consider Haley's possible hidden strengths. Also, Biden, the GOP, and the war in Ukraine. highlights/lowlights Bill Kristol's: https://thetriad.thebulwark.com/p/lets-talk-about-aliens Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html Bill Galston's: https://apnews.com/article/politics-2023-turkey-syria-earthquake-government-i...

New York Magazine's Jonathan Chait helps evaluate the SOTU: politics, visuals, and substance. The group then considers Kamala Harris's unprecedentedly terrible press. highlights/lowlights: Jonathan's: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3849811-greenes-viral-outfit-was-meant-to-echo-chinese-spy-balloon-her-office-says/ Linda's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/09/supreme-court-eth...

The Atlantic's David Frum joins the panel to discuss the coming GOP nomination fight, the Democrats' white liberal problem, and problems with policing. highlights/lowlights: Linda's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/02/canada-uyghur-refugees-resettle-china/ David's: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/02/mortgage-rates-five-percent-range-first-time-september.html Damon's: https://www.newyorke...

The George W. Bush Institute's David Kramer joins B2D to consider the decision (at last) to send tanks to Ukraine. What does the dithering say about the Western alliance? Also, the regulars discuss Florida's rejection of an AP African American studies curriculum. highlights/lowlights: Damon's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/opinion/rural-voters-republican-realignment.html Bill's: https://www.h...

The Atlantic's Ron Brownstein joins the group to discuss Kevin McCarthy giving the crazies the keys. Plus, Biden's attempt to pivot on immigration, and will Ukraine get the tanks it needs? highlights/lowlights Linda's: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/19/supreme-court-could-not-identify-who-shared-draft-abortion-opinion-00078602 Ron's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/18/us/politics/republican...

Arc Digital's Nick Grossman joins the group to discuss Biden's classified documents mess, the GOP majority's foreign policy confusion, free speech on campuses (and in Florida) — and more. highlight/lowlights: Bill's: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/12/poland-leopard-tank-company-ukraine/ Linda's: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/11/opinion/republican-party-future.html Damon's: https://...

Charlie Sykes joins B2D to discuss the House soap opera — from the comical to the consequential. Highlights/lowlights Charlie's: https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-ohio-kentucky-mitch-mcconnell-6123aeccfa1c71bad84f57e735962f2f Damon's: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/12/ron-desantis-just-as-bad-as-donald-trump-2024 Bill's: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/gop-hardliners-angle-for-plum-posts...

Katherine Gehl — the originator of Alaska's Ranked Choice Voting system — discusses progress on reforming our primary elections. The group then weighs in on Zelensky's historic visit, Elon's fate, Trump's taxes, and the immigration stalemate. Highlights/Lowlights Bill's: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tucker-carlson-zelenskyys-visit-represented-bipartisan-masochism Damon's: https://www.nytimes.co...

Jesse Singal joins to discuss the fraught discourse on trans treatment. The group then turns to Ron DeSantis' possible big blunder embracing anti-vaxers and a great scientific breakthrough (and its detractors). Highlights/lowlights: Mona: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/helping-trans-kids-means-admitting-what-we-dont-know.html Damon: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/15/us/politics/trump-nft...

Amir Tibon of Haaretz joins to explain how Netanyahu won again and what his new coalition means for Israel, for US/Israel relations, and possibly, for Ukraine. Also, the shape of American politics after Georgia's runoff. Highlights/Lowlights: Mona's https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/12/03/president-emergency-power-student-loan-forgiveness/ Damon's https://damonlinker.substack.com/p/germ...

Richard Reeves discusses his book Of Boys and Men. The panel then considers China's COVID turmoil, and the poisons unleashed by Trump into our national bloodstream, including anti-Semitism. Highlights/lowlights: Mona: https://www.thebulwark.com/putins-bogus-blame-nato-excuse/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/palo-alto-recycling-asia-garbage-waste-rcna58633 Linda: https://www.nytimes.com/video/...

Bret Stephens joins the group to share reflections on Trump's prospects, lessons for both parties from the midterms, and changing your mind in public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah Longwell joins the group to evaluate the momentous midterms. highlights/lowlights Mona's:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/11/07/putin-backs-down-ukraine-turkey-china-india/ Bill's:  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/09/world/europe/ukraine-russia-kherson-retreat.html Linda's: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/10/21/texas-republican-democrat-hispanic-voters/ Learn more about your...

Ruy Teixeira joins the panel to evaluate the coming election, the attack on Paul Pelosi, and the argument that both Biden and Harris should stand down. highlights/lowlights: Mona's  https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/sohrab-ahmari-thinks-that-the-anti?r=6jqoy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Linda's https://quillette.com/2022/10/27/fdr-and-the-holocaust/ Bill's  https://www.npr.org/2022/11/0...

The Washington Post's Charles Lane joins the panel (along with Benjamin Wittes) to discuss the progressives' Ukraine letter to Biden, prospects for the midterms, and misreading Latinos. Highlights/lowlights: Mona's https://rollcall.com/2022/10/26/fda-delays-key-advisory-committee-meeting-on-otc-birth-control/ Linda's  https://www.npr.org/2022/10/23/1130712231/the-trump-tapes-reveal-much-about-bob-...

Kori Schake of AEI joins the group to discuss Ukraine and some of the world's most malign actors: Russia, China, and Iran. Plus, the panelists' favorite books this year. Highlights/Lowlights:  Mona: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/10/19/texas-dna-kits-schools-shootings/ Damon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stephen-colbert-grateful-for-grief/id1643163707?i=1000580162304 Linda: ht...

Senatorial candidate Evan McMullin joins the panel to discuss his race against Mike Lee. Also, should Biden be talking about Armageddon? The panel begs to differ. Highlights & Lowlights: Evan: 'The Most Serious Threat The Iranian Regime Has Faced Since 1979' - MSNBC ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5Pu1qxk498 ) Mona: Introducing The Prince - The Economist ( https://shows.acast.com/theintelli...

Prof. Steve Vladeck joins the group (plus Bill Kristol) to consider how far the Supreme Court will go this term on matters of race and elections. Also, will GA really make Herschel Walker a US Senator? Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: Russia’s Nuclear Bluster Is a Sign of Panic - The Atlantic ( https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/10/putin-nuclear-weapons-threat-us-sanctions-military/67...

Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss populism's rise in Europe, the crisis in evangelical churches, and some personal stories. Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: Arizona’s School Choice Election - The Wall Street Journal ( https://www.wsj.com/articles/arizonas-school-choice-election-katie-hobbs-education-savings-accounts-governor-doug-ducey-11663335266 ) What Country Is the Wall Street Journal L...

Benjamin Wittes joins the panel (including Will Saletan) to discuss Trump's triple legal woes, Putin's nuclear saber rattling, and Electoral Count Act reform finally happening. Highlights & Lowlights: Benjamin Wittes: Show of support for Ukraine takes ugly turn outside Russian Consulate in Montreal - CBC ( https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/russian-consulate-montreal-ukraine-1.6588382) Mo...

Noah Smith joins the group to consider Ukraine’s stunning counterattack, as well as inflation and DeSantis' stunt with asylum seekers. Highlights & Lowlights: Mona: The Demagogue's Playbook ( https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250303042/thedemagoguesplaybook ) Linda: How Trump lost one of his biggest fights — and nobody noticed - Washington Post ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/0...

Josh Barro joins the group to reflect on Queen Elizabeth, analyze President Biden's democracy speech, interpret the midterm tea leaves, and evaluate what lessons we must learn from the poor US response to COVID-19. Highlights & Lowlights Mona: How Not To Write A Constitution - Persuasion ( https://www.persuasion.community/p/how-not-to-write-a-constitution ) Bill: How reactionary is MAGA? Try t...

Republicans know the 'Trump magic' isn't working, so when is the party going to get rid of him? Plus, ground zero in the midterms meme warfare, the politics of student loan relief, and special segment "What Are You Watching?" Megan McArdle and guest host Sonny Bunch join the panel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Edelman joins the panel to discuss how to help Ukraine win. The panel also addresses Biden's student loan forgiveness and yea or nay on prosecuting Trump. Highlights & Lowlights Mona: What Biden could gain from pardoning Trump - The Washington Post ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/08/18/trump-pardon-biden-benefit/ ) Linda: The Trump Warrant Had No Legal Basis - The Wall Stre...