Will the Blue Wave Be Bigger Than 2018?
Summary
Alex Wagner promotes his new book on the conservative judicial takeover while the hosts analyze worsening economic indicators, including record gas prices and Fed rate hikes, that are fueling midterm backlash against Trump. They discuss polling data showing a significant Democratic advantage and the Supreme Court’s temporary block on Trump’s mail-in ballot restrictions. The episode also covers the lack of congressional action on AI safety despite growing existential risks and features an interview with Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborne on his race against Pete Ricketts.
Topics discussed
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Book promo: Origin of judicial corruption
Fed rate hike and Trump's broken promises
Critique of VP's campaign rally performance
Humor: VP's awkward Q&A moment
Kevin Warsh and high interest rates
Economic despair and dropping home sales
Iran war and stalled diplomatic progress
Oil pipeline bombing and supply chain risks
Diesel prices and agricultural costs
Polling: Democrats holding Trump responsible
Immigration enforcement and Hispanic voters
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2026 Midterms: Blue wave potential
Money influx and voter turnout
Farmageddon: Fertilizer and tariff impacts
Media perception vs rural reality
Warning signs: NH and MN Senate races
New Hampshire race dynamics and history
Sununu family influence in NH politics
Supreme Court and originalism critique
Book details: Four key characters
Reagan era plot and current court actions
Post-election legal challenges and courts
Alito retirement and SCOTUS reform
Democratic unity and legislative priorities
Court packing and partisan battles
Building defensive mechanisms vs Frankenstein
AI chatbot identity and autonomy claims
Jeffrey Hinton and AI regulation urgency
Partisan spin on AI doom warnings
Public perception of AI extinction risk
Terminator analogy and anthropomorphism debate
Responsibility of officials and media on AI
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AI salience surpassing other issues
Polling: Support for slowing AI development
Data centers and Big Tech influence
AI politics mirroring COVID polarization
Framing AI regulation as leftist extremism
Bipartisan support and voter alignment
National security and China AI race
Kennedy Center closure and legal battles
DC architecture and Trump's imprint
Legal standing and court enforcement
Demolition threats and immunity claims
Feckless courts and executive power
Joke: Obama statue and 2028 debate
Joke: Renaming landmarks and resistance
Podcast media universe and rotation
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Crooked Con 2025 event announcement
Interview: Dan Osborne on Trump voters
Leaked audio and opponent criticism
Regret over tone in leaked recording
Engaging voters without condescension
Fertilizer costs and farm crisis
Opponent strategy and audio leaks
Handling disagreement on immigration
Immigration reform and corporate money
Fiscal conservatism and government spending
Deportation logistics and feasibility
Historical antitrust and monopoly breaking
Cost pressures and policy creation
Senate leadership and party conditions
Healthcare as top priority for voters
Shared human experience and policy
Production credits and staff
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