The Data Center Will Not Hold
Summary
Host Emily Peck joins Slate's Jim Newell and Patrick Rice to analyze the final stretch of the midterm elections, focusing on the explosive rise of AI and data centers as a dominant political issue. The trio discusses how public backlash against data centers is forcing candidates from both parties to adopt anti-tech stances, while President Trump defends AI development as vital to GDP growth. They also examine specific high-stakes races, including the Texas Senate contest and the Alaska gubernatorial debate, highlighting how local economic concerns are shaping voter sentiment.
Topics discussed
Intro: Midterms countdown and the rise of AI as a key issue
The backlash against data centers and political avoidance
Trump's contradictory stance: AI hoax vs. AI czar
Why AI is a 'layup' for populists and polling data
Why Trump supports AI despite public opposition and economic risks
GOP candidates' shifting stances and the 'Data Center David' attack
The limits of anti-AI sentiment and industry money influence
Ohio's specific skepticism and the Sherrod Brown race
Political 180s: Texas, Florida, and the Foxconn parallel
Post-election outlook and AI as a 2028 defining issue
Race watch: The Texas Senate race and Tallarico's lead
Race watch: The Alaska Senate debate on fisheries
Outro and credits
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