LISTEN

Veteran Washington observer Norm Ornstein tracks the erosion of norms that once allowed Washington to work. From Newt Gingrich instructing Republicans to demonize Democrats as “sick, corrupt, traitors” to Mitch McConnell denying Merrick Garland a hearing. The abandonment of fact-based evidence, shutting down the government, using the filibuster to grind the Senate to a halt, to a pathological President attacking the media as “enemies of the people.”  

The Felicity Huffman/Lori Loughlin scandal pales in comparison to the scandal of our higher education admissions system, which protects the privileged and leaves everyone else behind.

Lawrence O’Donnell – Son of Dorchester, West Wing writer, Moynihan Senate Staff director – tears Trump and CNN a new one.

Conan and I discuss our time together at SNL, including Tina Fey’s shameless theft of my Fart Doctor sketch and the time I scared the bejeezus out of George Harrison. Very little public policy discussed.

This week, I rant about the dishonesty (and/or stupidity) of House Republicans during the impeachment debate. Also, about the shameless bad faith exhibited by Mitch McConnell. And the unraveling of Donald Trump’s mind – to the extent it was ever raveled. Plus, my frustration with the Democratic presidential debate our candidates failing to lay a glove on Trump. And with the Democratic candidates, who beat up each other, but failed to lay a glove on Trump.

I conclude that Trump is guilty, yes, guilty!, of high crimes and misdemeanors and so is AG Bill Barr after discussing facts with Gertner and Bergmann (“Mountain Man”) who make the case that assuming Trump will be acquitted in the Senate is a mistake.  I conclude that “When you assume, you ‘Make an Ass out of Uma Thurman.’” Uma discusses Pulp Fiction.

Susan Rice and I discuss how immensely consequential decisions are made in real time. Sometimes you get it right.  Sometimes you don’t. And how you deal with tragic mistakes but have to keep on going.

Foreign service veteran Peter Galbraith talks about his 35 year history with the Kurds and how Trump’s rash decision to sell them out in Syria will undermine America’s standing and security in the world for years to come.

Al talks to his former senior education counsel Sherry Lachman about her great organization, Foster America. She helped with a piece of legislation that is one of Al’s greatest achievements as Senator. In the process of getting it passed, Sherry broke a cardinal rule of the Senate and got in a heated conversation with a sitting Senator, much to Al’s delight. Plus, Al has some thoughts on the first day of the impeachment hearings. It turns out that the Republicans are acting as protectors for Donald Trump! Learn more about Foster America at www.foster-america.org

This week, The New Yorker’s Hendrick Hertzberg and I discuss how the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact will guarantee that the winner of the popular vote will become POTUS. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is a compact to award member states’ electors to the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide It will take effect when states with 270 electors adopt it. So far, 14 states and DC (representing 187 electoral votes) have  compact. Colorado’s legislature and governor have approved it (9 more electors) and nervous Conservatives have put it on the ballot as a Referendum in 2020. Hertzberg explains … Read More…

Jeffrey Toobin and Dahlia Lithwick examine the potential legal issues that may take center stage between now and the day the Senate decides whether Trump is guilty or not guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors.

Writer, director, producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The Larry Sanders Show, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Girls, Anchorman, Trainwreck) discusses comedy, mental health and politics. I laugh and get depressed.