The Ricochet Podcast

Direct link to MP3 file This week on the one and only Ricochet Podcast, Peter is MIA, but Rob and James soldier on in style with guests AEI President Arthur Brooks (read his WSJ op-ed The GOP’s Hispanic Opening) and The Weekly Standard’s Mark Hemingway on the IRS scandal. Also, we ponder whether taking the fifth always implies guilt, and Lileks v. Buzzfeed. We bet they’re going to regret taking......

Direct link to mp3 file It’s another action-packed edition of the Ricochet Podcast, as we’re joined by Texas governor Rick Perry and National Review columnist and author Kevin Williamson. The governor explains why he won’t accept federal heath care dollars, why the President has come to his state twice in the past month, and what the immigration issue looks like from the perspective of a border......

This week, The Washington Examiner’s Byron York on Benghazi and immigration, Rob correctly ID’s a blintz and assails the lickspittle press, Peter orders some unmentionables online, and James keeps the whole show on track. In other word, a normal week. Music from this week’s show: Underwear by Pulp The Ricochet Podcast opening theme was composed and produced by James Lileks. Boxers or briefs... Sou...

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (visit his site, Gingrich Productions) stops by to discuss disruptive technology, rail against big government, celebrate the rise of the states, examine the future of education, and suggest how to get Congress to promote entrepreneurs. And, of course, he also has a few thoughts on where the party goes from here. Then, National Review’s Bob Costa on the Ted...

This week we’re all about The Big Issues. First, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus stops by to talk about how we get back to the business of winning elections — yes, we can! Better organization, better messaging, and more sophisticated databases. Then, our hosts take center stage for a rousing conversation on immigration and yes, gay marriage. Our thanks to Ricochet member GayFreedomLover for his post A...

This week on the podcast, we’re, of course, all about Boston. Also, our own Mollie Hemingway on the media and the Gosnell trial and National Review’s Andrew McCarthy on Boston, the investigation, and what comes next. Also, what happens if the perp is right wing, the Thatcher funeral, and high fives all around. Music from this week’s show: Dirty Water by The Standells You’re a wicked pissah, EJHill...

This week on the podcast, we take a look back at Margaret Thatcher with someone who knew and worked with her: the great John O’Sullivan. We discuss her policies, how she changed Britain, her relationship with this country and with Ronald Reagan, and the country Great Britain would be without her. Then, Mark Krikorian checks in to discuss immigration and what the Republican response and strategy......

This week on the podcast, a double shot of big guests. First, our old pal Dennis Prager stops by for some cogent views on SSM, religion, and why it’s important to link and fight for both. Then, Ricochet contributor Rick Wilson gives perhaps a more pragmatic view on the issue from the perspective of someone whose job it is to win elections. Who is right? Tell us in the comments. Also... Source Beco...

Do you like good debates about politics and policy? All right, then we’ve got a podcast for you. This week on The Ricochet Podcast, Rob and Peter (Lileks was temporarily banished by the Skype gods) get into a crackling debate on a progressive’s advice to conservatives (thanks, virus cop!). What do you think the great Republican achievements over the past 40 years have been? Tell us in the comments...

This week, we’re all over the place. First, Fouad Ajami joins to discuss the 10th anniversary of the Iraq war. Was it worth it? Fouad says yes. Tell us what you think in the comments. Then Obama in Israel, Pat Caddell on the scourge of political consultants, Peter Robinson outs himself as an unabashed Rick Santorum supporter, and a crackling conversation on the role of video games in the... Source...

We’re live from CPAC this week, as we cover all the news and controversy from the conference with Troy Senik, our man on the ground in Maryland, and Keith Urbahn, one of the most plugged in members of the movement. Also, a franc (pun intended) discussion on French dogs, and we go around the horn on the new Pope. Music from this week’s show: Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum We devoutly thank.....

After a brief hiatus, the Ricochet Podcast returns this week with our old friends Pat Sajak and Mickey Kaus. We talk filibusters, drones, that dinner with the President, democracy Twitter-style, the benefits of free online courses, sequestration, immigration, and tax cuts. It’s a veritable verbal verisimilitude of vocal viscosity — in other words, our own homegrown filibuster. Music from this week...

This week on The Ricochet Podcast, social conservatives make their case to Rob, Haley Barbour makes his case for a new party coalition, Victor Davis Hanson is optimistic about the future and schools us in the finer points of pistachio farming, Lileks defends cruising, and Peter is under the weather. Still, it’s a sweet day for a podcast. Music from this week’s show: It’s A Beautiful Morning by The...

It’s action packed post-State of the Union podcast. We chat with GOP rising star Artur Davis on the President’s speech, the GOP response, and how to attract more minorities to the party. Then, an actual President for a change: Hillsdale College’s Dr. Larry Arnn joins to discuss the Constitution, the rising cost of higher ed, and whether online education really is the future. Finally... Source Beco...

This week on The Ricochet Podcast, Lileks is MIA with Skype issues, but we soldier on without him as we ponder nothing less than the future of the party and the nation at large. Our guests are RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Red State.com’s Erick Erickson. It’s an honest, self-critical, and perhaps even hopeful conversation about where we’ve been and where we’re going. Let us know what you think.....

This week on the Ricochet Podcast, Dr. Walter Russell Mead joins to discuss U.S. foreign policy. Then, author Amity Shlaes discusses her important new biography Coolidge. Also, Peter Robinson on the burdens of writing a Big Book, Rob Long reports on what he saw in DC, and James Lileks covers and an important legal dilemma ongoing in Minnesota. All that and more and just a click away. Source Become...

Inauguration blues, liberalism coming on strong, Roe v. Wade is 40: what to do, what to do? Our guests Fox News contributor and talk radio host Monica Crowley and Ricochet’s own Mollie Hemingway help sort through the low points and show us the way forward. Also, Peter asks a burning question late in the show that we ask you to answer in the comments: What Simpsons character best captures each of.....

It’s another super-sized edition of the podcast with our guests The Weekly Standard‘s Andy Ferguson and The Washington Free Beacon’s Matt Continetti. We cover James’ dental adventures, Lance Armstrong, guns and the Chicago way, dueling Nixons, Republicans adrift, and Zero Dark Thirty. Music from this week’s episode: Bicycle Race by Queen The Ricochet Podcast opening theme was composed and produced...

This week on the podcast, new minted CNN Chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper stops by to discuss his new book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor as well as the politics of covering…politics. Then, our old friend Bill Kristol joins for a bracing conversation about no less than the future of the party and the conservative movement. Nothing like a little light conversation for your...

First podcast of 2013 and it’s a doozy: Rob Long checks in from Paris and New York, Peter reveals his secret workout routine, and James explains how to have a successful New Year’s Eve. Later, AEI president Arthur Brooks joins to discuss the fiscal cliff and what Boehner should have done. Then, Governor Mitch Daniels joins us for his final interview as the chief executive of Indiana. Source Become...

Ricochet members, here’s a treat especially for you, courtesy of James Lileks: A special edition of James’ legendary radio show (and later, a podcast) The Diner. Not a member? No worries — you can join right now and be listening to this audio goodness in mere moments. A note of introduction from James himself: Christmas music ranges from the glorious to the banal to the utterly unlistenable... Sou...

This week we take on guns, super heroes, the meaning of Christmas, the people who ring the bells, and parse that darned figgy pudding song. And yes, of course we give an update on the state of Ricochet. It’s the last Ricochet Podcast of 2012 (but not the last ever, we promise). Thanks for another great year, folks. We’ll see you on January 4th. Merry Christmas, everyone! Music from this week’s......

This week on the Ricochet Podcast, we’re joined by political consultant Mike Murphy for a look at the GOP’s future. Are demographics destiny? Is gay marriage a bellwether issue. We tackle those issues ourselves, with Mike, and later with The Transom’s (required reading around these parts) Ben Domenech, who takes the opposing view from Mike. It’s a passionate and spirited conversation about right.....

This week, Greg Gutfeld, host of Fox News’ The Five and Red Eye stops by to talk about his new book The Joy of Hate: How to Triumph over Whiners in the Age of Phony Outrage. Also, Romney visits Costco, fiscal cliffs, incentivizing birth rates, Jon Stewart vs. Greg Gutfeld, “The Boss” becomes the “The Man”, big box store heath care, a tax plan debate, and a Ricochet Podcast tribute to jazz great......

The Ricochet Podcast has returned from the high seas and this week it’s all about you, the Ricochet Member. Rob, James, and Peter answer your questions on the election, the best way to deal with the opposition, the way forward for the GOP, who takes care of Rob’s dog when he’s galavanting around the globe, and much more. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions, we’ll do this again in a few... S...