What Can We Do About Abusers in Congress?
Summary
Host Mary Harris and guest Jill Filipovic examine the credible abuse allegations against Ohio Congressman Max Miller, including scalding his ex-wife and fracturing their daughter’s collarbone. They analyze Miller’s defensive strategy, which mirrors Donald Trump’s resilience narrative, and criticize the Republican Party’s failure to hold him accountable despite years of known misconduct. The discussion highlights how embedded patriarchal norms allow such figures to retain power, contrasting this with the swift consequences faced by Democratic officials like Graham Platner.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Max Miller's abuse allegations and the midterm stakes
Jill Filipovic on the pattern of abuse in the Republican Party
Reviewing specific allegations from ex-wife and ex-girlfriend
The 'blue bunny' incident and Miller's controlling behavior
Miller's public defense: Tapper interview and leaked evidence
Party leadership's response and the deadline to replace Miller
Historical context: Trump's endorsement and prior scandals
Miller's embedded status in MAGA royalty and the party
Comparing GOP and Democratic responses to misconduct
The normalization of Trump's behavior as a party standard
Senator Bernie Moreno's delayed and cautious statement
Moreno's public grandstanding vs. family protection
Tallying recent GOP scandals: Gonzalez, Edwards, Mills
Structural patriarchy and sexism within the Republican coalition
Why Miller is staying in the race: Lack of party pressure
The future of accountability and media numbing effect
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