Friendly Fire

The pod returns after a hiatus to discuss the recent debt ceiling crisis and content of the so-called Fiscal Responsibility Act that included (bad) policy provisions on student loan repayments, work requirements for SNAP recipients, and construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.  Articles referenced: "We May Be About to Find Out How This Republican Party Really Works" by Ezra Klein (New York Times) Enjoy Your Last Days of Not Paying Student Loans (New York Magazine)

The gang discusses what to make of the almost but not quite yet final results of the midterm elections. Intro music: "O Fortuna" (Carl Orff) 

On this episode, we tried to discuss everything that's been going on in the U.K. over the past few months, including the appointment of the country's third prime minister this year, the death of the Queen, a self-inflicted financial crisis, and why everyone can't stop talking about lettuce. Intro music: "Panic" by The Smiths 

Recording in the same room for the first time since Devin moved to L.A., the podcast sought to deliver what it originally promised: arguments. On this episode, we tackled three topics that have polarized the discourse: the public hearings of the House Select Committee on the January 6th attack, what to make of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and debates on the left around how to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Intro music: "Feud" by Band of Horses

Two-ish years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., we discuss what we've learned, the big policy successes and failures, and which variants to keep an eye on in year three. Warning: lots of ambivalence and frustration, per usual. Note: this was recorded in March 2022. Intro music: "These Days" by Nico

Both podcast hosts live in states with 2021 gubernatorial elections, so on this episode Kevin reports from the field on the situation in Virginia. What happened? How much trouble are Democrats in heading into the midterms? Does anyone remember the week in 2019 when every statewide elected official in the commonwealth almost resigned? (59:16) - leaked audio from the McAuliffe election night party Intro music: "Mr. November" by The National  

On the first episode in awhile, we catch up on the effort to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom ahead of the September 14th election (2:30) and discuss the latest on the wide-ranging "infrastructure" legislation currently making its way through Congress (39:35). Intro music: "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & The Papas

We reflected on the recently passed American Rescue Plan and delved into the outlines of the Biden administration's next legislative push: a (broadly defined) infrastructure package. Where should all this federal money be directed over the next ten years? Does a massive investment in electric cars make sense? And why is it being framed as necessary to "compete" with China? Articles referenced: “Senate Parliamentarian Rules in Favor of Democratic Reconciliation Effort” (Wall Street Journal) Larry Kudlow comments after passage of the American Rescue Plan (via Jeff Stein) White House — “Fact Sheet: The American Jobs Plan” “There’s One Big Problem with Electric Cars” (New York Times) “White House dramatically increased tax proposal as it sought to address tensions over next big spending plan” (Washington Post) “President Biden’s second big bill may be China package pushed by top Senate Democrat” (Washington Post) Intro music: "April Come She Will" by Simon and Garfunkel 

(...and low-wage workers) The American Rescue Plan/COVID-19 relief round whatever is making its way through Congress, and so the gang tackled two aspects of the proposed legislation: expansion of the child tax credit to be fully refundable and a gradual hike in the minimum wage to $15/hour.  Article mentioned: "A Year of Hardship, Helped and Hindered by Washington" (New York Times) Intro music: "Logan's Loop" by Andrew Bird 

Recorded just before Inauguration Day, Kevin and Devin discuss the key questions facing the incoming Biden administration. Is bipartisanship back on the menu? Will the pandemic end? Are there any reasons for hope? Intro music: "Maestranza” by Fleet Foxes

We talked about the reports of deal in Congress to provide a second round of economic relief during the COVID-19 recession. The short version is that it's not big enough and comes months after it was needed, though is perhaps better than nothing. Caveat: this was recorded before the actual legislation was made public, please forgive us if anything is out of date!

We recap the chaos of election night and discuss Joe Biden's projected victory in the presidential election. Why was Biden's victory narrower than expected? What can we conclude from Democrats performing so poorly down the ballot? And how was Kevin's experience as a poll watcher on Tuesday?

Since we last spoke, Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. Donald Trump is still president and Republicans control the Senate, so during this episode, we discuss the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. What does this inauspicious situation means for abortion, the Affordable Care Act, and the election? Can Democrats do anything about it? Will they? 

With the Democratic National Zoom Convention being held this week, we discussed Joe Biden's recent selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate, the state of the presidential campaign, and just how much of a mess the election will be in the fall. Lastly: some fun and not at all painful memories of the primary, which neither of us are at all bitter about. 

Devin is unemployed and no longer in D.C., and (major American men's team) sports are in the process of returning, so Friendly Fire took a break from politics takes. On the latest episode, we discussed the eerieness of watching empty stadium games, Opening Day excitement or lack thereof, and whether any of this should be happening at all.

We talked about the wave of demonstrations across the country following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, the violence against protesters in multiple cities, the thorny question of how to gather safely in a pandemic, and where things might go from here.

On the latest remote episode, Kevin provides an update on the CARES Act and the congressional response to the coronavirus recession. Then, the gang welcomes reporter and friend Mark Lieberman on to discuss how distance learning is going at American schools and talk about the experience of re-watching Contagion during a real life pandemic.

Friendly Fire enters the social distancing era with an episode about the economic impact of coronavirus and the measures that Congress and the Federal Reserve are taking to mitigate the damage. Warning: angst levels high.

Devin and Kevin react to the early returns from the Super Tuesday primaries in real time and discuss where the race for the Democratic nomination goes from here.

We wade into the never-ending health care debate on the latest episode, discussing the origins of America's uniquely bad system and the road ahead for Medicare for All.

The Iowa caucuses are in less than a week, and so we finally talked about the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. The takes are hot, listen at your own peril.

We considered the merits and challenges of universal basic income and federal job guarantee proposals. Spoiler alert: we didn't come to a neat resolution on either one but still think you should listen!

Impeachment hearings have arrived in Washington, D.C. and Devin and Kevin are here to talk about how we got to this point, what the stakes are, and how this process will factor into the 2020 campaign.

The U.K. is having an election in six weeks, and Devin and Kevin dropped everything in order to let you know why a Labour government is the Christmas present the country badly needs.References/reading:Question Time audience member sparks fury with ‘idea’ for a united Ireland (Irish Post) The polls may seem dismal. But here’s how Labour could win a general election (The Guardian)"Oh, Jeremy Corbyn" explained  

On the latest episode, Kevin looks into the crystal ball given to all economics majors when they graduate and tells us whether a recession is imminent. We discuss his highly scientific forecast and the possible ramifications for next year's election. References:The yield curve inversion panic, explained (Vox)

On this episode, the gang discusses the Friendly Fire origins story, the structural problems with American democracy, and what reforms Democrats can pursue in order to stop losing elections and legislative fights.References: It’s Time to Fight Dirty, by David FarisThe Fair Representation Act, FairVote

On the latest episode, Devin and Kevin discuss the problem of poverty in the U.S.: what the root causes are, the history of anti-poverty programs, some meta-commentary on the discourse, and where we go from here.

The crew discussed the Elizabeth Warren campaign's plan for the future of higher education, as well as how to deal with the high cost of attendance, existing student debt, and what to do about other victims of unfree college.

On the latest episode, Devin and Kevin discuss Modern Monetary Theory, the new economic theory sweeping the discourse: what's behind it, whether it has any value, and what the implications are for proposals like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.

With just weeks to go until the United Kingdom is set to leave the European Union, Devin and Kevin try unpack the causes and consequences of Brexit, why the departure process has been so chaotic, and explain what exactly the U.K. is leaving behind.

On our first episode of 2019, Devin and Kevin go back revisit everyone's favorite subject: the 2016 election. Ahead of another long presidential campaign cycle, we discuss lingering grievances, regrets, and observations about what happened last time with the benefit of hindsight and at least some perspective. Forgive us for the extra long episode, there was a lot to talk about! (Standard disclaimer that we only speak for ourselves when offering opinions, both good and bad)

On our final episode of 2018, we discuss the newly signed USMCA free trade agreement and evaluate the Trump administration's trade policy more broadly. We also re-evaluate our own positions from three years ago and rehash old arguments.

On this episode of Friendly Fire, we discuss the midterm election results, including the ramifications of Democrats retaking the House, Republicans gaining seats in the Senate, and what the results might mean for 2020. (Opinions expressed in the episode are our own and don't reflect the views of either of our employers)

On the second episode of Friendly Fire, Devin and Kevin discuss the implications of last month's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and what policy changes could meaningfully address the climate crisis. They also try to avoid a sophomore (episode) slump.

On the first episode of Friendly Fire, we discuss the potential ramifications of Justice Brett Kavanauagh's confirmation to the Supreme Court and how those opposed to the conservative legal movement should respond to the Court's right turn.