Podcast appearances and mentions of ben joravsky

Dave Portnoy, who made his name being politically incorrect, says Jimmy Kimmel went too far. Ben riffs. Holly Kim explains why she's running for state comptroller. And what she will do if she wins. Get ready for the TIF debate. Holly Kim is treasurer of Lake County, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dems start to realize they have to get out of their comfort zone to take back the country. Ben riffs. Kevin Lamm explains how it can be done. What are the issues that rally red district voters? What's the lesson from Catelin Drey and Debra Shigley? How they apply to the 16th congressional district in Illinois--one of the reddest districts in the country. Kevin is a candidate for state Democratic Committeeman in the 16th. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joe Rogan finally weighs in on Jimmy Kimmel and free speech. Ben riffs. Kat Abughazaleh talks about getting thrown to the ground by ICE thugs. If you think it's bad outside an ICE facility, imagine the horror of what goes on inside where it can't be seen. How to confront fascism? Hint—don't take bad-faith arguments in good faith. Speaking of bad-faith arguments, Trump on Tylenol. Kat is running in the Democratic primary for Congress in 9th congressional district. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D have so much to discuss and so little time in which to discuss it. Starting with Brendan Reilly going a little MAGA to try to beat Toni Preckwinkle. Is a little MAGA like a little pregnant? And Chicago is going to the dogs—if Lincoln Park gets its way. And Raja wins big in Rock Island. And Juliana says she doesn't need corporate pac money cause she has JB's money. Well, she didn't say the last part. And Robin talks gun control. And DB makes it official. He's running for governor again and this time he promises to be nice to Chicago. We shall see. Anything else? Oh, yes—Ben buys a chocolate-colored tux! For real…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have we finally, at long last, reached the beginning of the end of the MAGA craze, when America says, you know, maybe it's not a good idea to let a demented authoritarian run the country. With Trump playing the role of Senator McCarthy and Jimmy Kimmel playing the role of Edward R. Murrow? Ben riffs. Congresswoman Robin Kelly explains why she thinks progressives should vote for her in the Democratic primary to replace Senator Durbin. Also, Robin's take on the congressional leadership of Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Charles Schumer. And her position on gun laws and health care. And her thoughts about Trump--and more. Robin Kelly is the congresswoman for the second congressional district and a candidate for U.S. Senate.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson's political enemies take a poll and guess what? It discovers that nobody likes Mayor Johnson. Funny how that works. Ben riffs. Asha Ransby-Sporn makes her debut, discussing how the mayor's opponents work the press against the mayor. It doesn't hurt that the mainstream press is more than happy to go along for the ride. Get ready for lots of local political conversation--as well as some national talk. Cause Ben can't help himself. Asha is a writer, activist and political strategist whose organizing work helped elect Mayor Johnson.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breaking news! As the recording starts, word arrives that a judge has dismissed Trump's $15 billion defamation suit against the New York Times. Ben riffs. Denali takes the long view--to understand what Trump is doing as president today, you need to go back in time to the Biden years, when MAGA was preparing to seize control. So she takes the deep dive on a particularly ugly campaign waged in Georgian by white moms against a Black educator. That leads to the question--what do people mean when they say "just a mom"? A few words about Kirk, Kamala and other things. Denali is an activist in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The week's news gets personal for Ben and Dr D, as you shall see. But first! A roundup of the week's events, including Aurora and the flag, Kevin Ryan's plea, JB in London, and then…Ice comes to Dr D's neighborhood. And one woman's courageous stand.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Turns out there are divisions in MAGA—who knew? Ben riffs. Mayor John Laesch explains what's going on in Aurora. Specifically... why he ordered flags flown at full mast after Trump ordered all flags everywhere lowered to half-mast to commemorate Charlie Kirk. Turns out Trump isn't the absolute Boss of everything everywhere—though he thinks he is. John is the mayor of Aurora..See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump sues the New York Times for defamation. Ben riffs. Kevin Ryan talks about his long-shot campaign for the U.S. Senate. He's a 33-year-old southwest side, Marine vet, public school history teacher, bartender, self described New Deal Democrat who wants to take money out of politics so billionaires don't control the process. And what's so wrong with that? Kevin's taking his case to the voters, driving from one end of Illinois to the other—MAGA counties included—in a converted school bus inscribed with quotes from great thinkers, like Dr King.. All the experts scoff he can't win. Here's why you might want to vote for him anyway. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the spirit of peace and reconciliation, Ben gives a shoutout to a Tribune editorial. “If Americans cannot speak without fear of being shot, then democracy is dead.” David Faris talks about Charlie Kirk's legacy. Was he the Jordan Klepper of the right? A modern day William F Buckley? A descendent of Joe McCarthy? Is being open minded a sign of political weakness? Do militants on the right believe in free speech for all? Or just for themselves? And more, including a few words about Ezra Klein…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D have so much to discuss. The Sky. The Jackal's Mistress. School board democracy. Meet Scotty G, the Antioch Republican. Not to confused with Teddy D, the Wilmette Republican. Why DB will beat them both to win the Republican nomination to face off against JB. Also, could Kevin Ryan be Ben's Daiber? Finally, a shoutout to Kenny D's shoutout to the late Bruce Dumont. It took a conservative Republican to put an anti-Daley leftie on the mic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA ties itself into knots trying to dislodge Trump from Epsteingate. Ben riffs Monroe talks Epstein, Biden, Kamala and Roger Taney. Who? He's the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who wrote the opinion that slavery is legal. Is the current Supreme Court worse? Monroe advances that argument. How Money by the O'Jays is misunderstood. And why its theme applies to the Bears. In the middle of our recording, word breaks from Utah that Charlie Kirk has been shot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Supremes say its okay to round up people for no crime other than the crime of being Hispanic, which is no crime at all. Ben riffs. Then Natalie Hopkinson connects the dots, so to speak. How Trump manipulates our stereotypes and prejudices to scare people into cheering or at least tolerating authoritarianism. And how the media helps him, frightening white America with sensational images of Black people. Also, the parallels between Smollettgate and Big Balls' story. Funny, Trump didn't send the guard to Chicago after Jussie said he was mugged by white guys in MAGA hats. A few words about Trump as an FBI informant. And Mayor Bowser's predicament. Natalie is an associate professor of Media, Democracy and Society at American University.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dennis decided to start collecting comedy albums and Ben was kind enough to join him to talk all about it. It's the first episode of I Find That Funny. Stick around for Marlon—one of Dennis's oldest friends—to make his debut.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clever investors devise a scheme to make money off of tariffs--oh, those capitalists. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner picks up where she left off with her latest essay in The New Republic--Trump's war on cities. Especially D.C. You know, real people live in D.C. As always Dems left their most dedicated voters hanging by allowing the District to be used as a bargaining chip. A few words about MAGA's hatred of government. And Chicago as an avatar. Meredith writes for The New Republic. She covered Capitol Hill for years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D take on all the issues, including…The new alliance between Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker to stand up against Trump's invasion. And the governor talks about his weight. And all the latest local updates.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Boss Donnie and his baby boys make big bucks off of Crypto. Ben riffs. State Senator Rachel Ventura explains why she's recording today's show in her car--in contrast to the Trumps flaunting their disdain for ethics and propriety. Rachel offers one riff after another on AI, crypto, the need for progressive taxation, the impact of tariffs on farmers, the five to eight ratio and more--like why she doesn't take corporate PAC donations. Rachel is the state senator from the 43rd district in and around Joliet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Trump prepares to invade Chicago, a federal judge rules that the invasion of Cali was unconstitutional. Ben riffs. Nick Uniejewski makes his show debut. He's running against Senator Sara Feigenholtz, an entrenched incumbent in a North Side district that's not had a contested Democratic primary since—get ready for this—Ben was in high school. In short, a long time ago. Why he's running. What are his issues. And what he learned from his old boss, Congresswoman Marie Newman. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After experimenting with making nice to MAGA, Gavin Newsom goes for the jugular. Ben riffs. Jack White talks fascism, Trump, racism and the military occupations. Also, a conversation about the MAGA attempt to deny the existence of the trans-Atlantic slave trade elicits this confession from Jack: "I don't know how to combat stupid." But he goes on to do a good job at it, nonetheless. Jack is a former columnist and editor for Time, among other publications. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D have a week's worth of news to discuss. But first! Ben apologizes to Cameron Maine for calling him British. He's Australian. Cameron explains how he turned a passion for gaming into a career covering Illinois politics for WMBD in Peoria. Then back to the beat for B and D…News on Pritzker, Trump, Alderman Sposato, Darren Bailey and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Rummana Hussain talk about the new Netflix documentary on Jussie Smollett. What Smollettgate says about Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump makes a Daley-like power move against Intel. Ben riffs. Kam Buckner talks about Trump's threat to send the national guard to Chicago--or just about any blue state city with a Black mayor. How Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson should respond. Redistricting battles state by state. Winning statehouse seats is the key to saving democracy. Why Kam thinks the Bears are squirrelly when it comes to their stadium games. Did they try to pull a fast one on Chicago? Finally, a tribute to Candace Parker. Kam is the state representative from the 26th district. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An article in the Nation shows how the best-and-brightest Dems screwed up 2011 redistricting so bad, we're still paying for it. Ben riffs. Then David Faris goes deeper into the topic--as he co-wrote that Nation article with David Daley. In short, everything you need to know about how the game of redistricting. Stick around for a maestro David Faris riff on what Trump is doing to D.C. and why. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek. His views are his own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NYT political writers are up to their old tricks—scaring anxious liberal Boomers. Ben riffs. On the eve of his rally with Bernie Sanders, Robert Peters explains why he's running for Congress from the Second District and what he intends to do if he wins. Why he's proud to have co-sponsored the bill to end cash bail. On being Black and Jewish. And more. Robert is the state senator from in and around Hyde Park.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As MAGA Republicans in the Texas statehouse threaten to jail their Democratic colleagues for opposing their newly gerrymandered map, Bill Daley calls for Illinois to essentially give more legislative districts to Republicans. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Daleys and Republicans. And Trump's demand that the Smithsonian concentrate on the good side of slavery. Whatever that is. Governor Newsom trolls Trump. Michelle Obama gets strategic regarding her infamous when-they-go-low quote. Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson ask Michelle Obama: "do we sill have to go high?" And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben returns from Michigan with good news. Sorta. Mick Dumke, lover of all things Michigan, takes the Mitten State political trivia challenge--which counties voted for Kamala over Trump? Proving...as goes Michigan, so goes the country. Can Abdul El Sayed defeat Congresswoman Haley Stevens in next year's Democratic senate primary? Think of it as Bernie Sanders versus Hillary Clinton with Israel and Gaza sorta on the ballot. Back to Chicago--the legacy of Congressman Danny K. Davis, who's not running for re-election. And a few words about former Alderman Walter Burnett and the Chicago Housing Authority. Finally, Ben and Mick nerd out over a Bob Dylan interview from 1965--thank you Leo Herman for sending it to us. Mick is an editor and writer for Block Club.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A liberal friend complains about Epsteingate getting too much attention. Ben riffs. Flint Taylor tells the long, sordid story of the torture of Black prisoners by Jon Burge and his cronies on the police force. It's a crime that was made possible because powerful people in a position to stop it, were looking the other way. Flint is the “lefty lawyer” who represented Jackie Wilson, who recently settle his police torture case against the city. Flint wrote The Torture Machine. Among the many cases he's handled over the years was the lawsuit on behalf of Fred Hampton. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thirty years ago, the institutions intended to protect Chicago's most vulnerable residents melted in the face of a brutal heatwave that killed over 700 people. Ben riffs. Eric Klinenberg, who wrote the book on what happened, talks about how the heatwave exposed inequities that plague Chicago to this day. How Mayor Daley tried to dismiss the deaths as relatively insignificant. How the media was too chicken to challenge Daley. How the city council fell in line with the Boss. How the powers that be looked the other way because the people who died were low-income. Eric's book, published in 2002, changed the narrative. It's called Heatwave: A Sociological Autopsy of a Disaster in Chicago. I urge you to read it. Eric is a sociology professor at New York UniversitySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Baby Bobby pulls the plug on Covid vaccines—will Trump get a shot? Heidi Henry on the Democrats. They're like the children of alcoholics, trying to please everybody. And what happens when Country-Club Dems take over the party. Heidi is the president of Illinois Valley Indivisible and host of the Heartland Mamas podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Woody Allen shows love for Jeffrey Epstein. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan talks about the degradation of justice and the Justice Department under Trump. Perhaps best epitomized by Todd Blanche, the number 2 lawyer in Justice and Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell in prison. Speaking of degradation, Trump gets Texas Republicans to do what Georgia Republicans refused—politicizing the system to win elections for MAGA. Jim is the managing partner of Coogan Gallagher.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr. D slice and dice the news of the week. Including...Teddy D makes his move. That is, Ted Dabrowski says he may be running against Governor Pritzker as a Republican. He tells John Oliver (not really, John Oliver) all about it. Anyway--meet Teddy D. Gregory Pratt breaks another big story--leading Ben to rant and rail (I mean, passionately orate) about the inability of Mayor Johnson to stand up for what he needs. In his case--money for our deadbroke public schools. How deadbroke are they? Apparently, too broke to fix broken computers. Texas Dems come to Illinois to get away from Texas Republicans. And JB invites them to the state fair to meet the Butter Cow. That gives Ben a chance to rant and rail (I mean, calmly pontificate) about gerrymandering. JB breaks from the state fair to visit the Stephen Colbert Show. And Ben adds some salt to a new poll about the governor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Right-wing Hindus try to scare Jewish New Yorkers into voting for anyone other than Zohran Mamdani--another sign the world's gone mad. Ben riffs. Leor Galil dissects Lollapalooza. What does it say about Chicago that it happily turns over prime downtown lakefront park space to a mega-money-making machine. Same question regarding NASCAR. Speaking of money-making machines, a few words about how Spotify treats musicians. Leor is a music writer for the Reader.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rich guys sucking up to Trump to get favorable rulings receive a surprise--apparently, the recipe to win him over includes an ingredient they overlooked. Ben riffs. Jacob Kaplan talks Democratic slating. Why Hynes got slated over Kaegi. And Croke over Villa. And what is the party's position on Gaza. And redistricting fights--will Illinois retaliate if Texas follows Trump's command to redistrict Democratic seats into Republican ones? A word or two about Mamdani's impact on Democrats. Jacob is the executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A year ago, Democratic political activists like Kina Collins were the only people urging congress to stop unconditionally arming Israel. Now even mainstream reporters are singing this song. Ben riffs. Kina Collins returns to talk Dems, Israel and Gaza. Once again, a major Epsteingate story breaks mid recording. In this case, Ghislaine Maxwell gets moved to a minimum cell prison after meeting with Trump's Justice Department flunkies. Get ready for pardongate. Also Kina pays tribute to Congressman Danny Davis, the man she tried to defeat twice. Davis announced he's not running for re-election. Will Kina run?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

South Park's creators show there are other ways to deal with King Donnie--other than kissing his ring. Ben riffs. Kevin Blackistone talks about the impact of media mergers on media independence. Also, the latest on Washington, DC football arena. Trump orders the Washington Commanders to change their name to the Redskins or he won't let them build a new arena. Mayor Bowser walks a fine line as she tries to keep the stadium deal alive without selling out everything she believes in. Finally, a few words about RG3, who apparently figured out what a sports talking-head must do to make a name for himself. Hint--it's the opposite of what the South Park's creators did. Kevin is a columnist for the Washington Post, a journalism professor and proud alumnus of the Chicago Reporter. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Rahm and Governor Shapiro have harsh words for Zohran Mamdani, but silence as kids starve in Gaza. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin talks Gaza, Israel, Dems and Mamdani. And why Netanyahu telling Trump he's nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize just may be the the most cynical act of suck up in the history of politics. Also, a few words about Epsteingate. Miles is in the middle of talking conspiracies when a passing thunder storm shuts down Ben's computer. Cue the X Files music. Miles is an editor and writer for In These Times.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apparently, Trump's Justice Department and Ghislaine Maxwell are playing footsie--got nothing but nice things to say about each other. Ben riffs. Monroe says what he thinks they're saying without them coming right out and saying. If you dig what I mean. Get ready for Espteingate to transform into pardongate. In the middle of our recording, the Wall Street Journal breaks another about Trump and Epstein story. "Justice Department told Trump in May that his name is among many in Epstein files." Damn, Murdoch's not scared. Tulsi Gabbard attacks Obama on behalf of King Donnie. Let's see how MAGA spins this stuff.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another day, another story links Trump to Epstein. Ben riffs. Joanna Klonsky talks creeps in politics.. Trump being the face of this type. And Bill Clinton. Speaking of which--why do Dems still suck up to Clinton? And why didn't Merrick Garland release the Epstein files? What is the playbook pols follow to divert attention from their misbehavior? What does Mayor Rahm mean when he tells Megyn Kelly he will be the "strong man" America needs? There's so much to talk about, we don't get to WNBA players making their move to get paid more. Next time. Joanna is a political and communications strategist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben & Dr D cruise all over the place as they survey a week's worth of news. Including...Cleveland, where Mayor Johnson meets with other mayors. And Springfield, where Governor Pritzker runs for president and governor. And Kerry Wood Field, where aldermen play police in softball. And CTA trains, where Mayor Johnson tries to crack down on smoking. And MAGAland, where Megyn Kelly records her show. And a Chicago landfill, or wherever Mayor Rahm buried the Laquan McDonald video. And Kumbaya, a song Mayor Rahm swears he does not know. Though he also swears he never saw the Laquan McDonald video before he buried it. And the Sky bandwagon, which Ben jumped aboard, after he saw them get clobbered the other night. Proving that Ben will support any Chicago team, especially if it's losing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zohran Mamdani plans to build a grocery store in a food desert--mainstreamers lose their minds. Ben riffs. Mueze Bawany returns! And promptly compares Mayor Johnson to the Z-man. And explains why he's going to New York City to campaign for Mamdani. Also, he tries to convince Ben to give millennials a break--even if they no nothing about the parking meter deal. What's the worst sports deal in Chicago history and what's the worst political deal in Chicago. Why Chicagoans love bad mayors. And why Mueze is optimistic about the Bears. Mueze is a school teacher, a coach and an activist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump tries to bamboozle MAGA on Epstein by asking the court to unseal grand jury testimony. Is MAGA so dumb as to fall for this ruse? Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain weighs in. Also, "good" versus "bad" Muslims. A few words about Zohran Mamdani who answers the intifada question--again! Why do capitalists hate socialism so much? Finally, Ben welcomes Yuki Kawamura to the Bulls. Rummana is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Espteingate rises from the swamp--again. Ben riffs. David Faris offers his thoughts. Is there a list of clients? Did Epstein try to blackmail the rich and powerful deviants who flocked to his perverted world? Did he get murdered? Also, the cognitive dissonance of MAGA cultists who simultaneously despise the crimes of Epstein and worship the man who hung with him. Finally, did King Donnie really use the word enigma in a birthday card to Epstein? On a different front--the utterly wretched budget bill. Trump "punishes" the elite by giving them a big tax break. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D return! Just in time to talk nepotism. Or meet the new alderman—same name as the old alderman. And Comptroller Mendoza says she's running for mayor. Sorta. And JB selects a running mate--Christian Mitchell. Who may be acting Governor Mitchell, should JB run for president. Speaking of running for president, Mayor Rahm rewrites more history. And Raja leads in the money race in the senate campaign. And Ben apologizes to Laura Fine for saying she's from Wilmette. Not that there's anything wrong with being from Wilmette. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the name of budget reform, Michael Madigan's favorite alderman messes with Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette returns to explain the ins and outs of Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill Act.” How it impacts Medicaid, taxes, the deficit, food stamps, state and municipal taxes, ICE and military spending. Dylan is the vice president of Policy and Government Affairs for the Project On Government Oversight.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A lefty wins in New York, the Supremes go MAGA. Ben riffs. Denali explains the difference between New York and Chicago politics. And more. Raised in NY, Denali is a political activist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump sues federal judges because he disagrees with their rulings. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan explains the difference between appealing a judge's ruling you disagree with and suing the judge for making that ruling. One is constitutional. The other is not. Unless, of course, the Supremes say—ah, the hell with the constitution, let's give the boss what he wants. Also, the Emil Bove threat. And governors versus Trump on the national guard. Jim is founding partner of Coogan Gallagher.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speaking for corporate Dems everywhere, Lawrence Summers says he's "profoundly alarmed" about the future of our country in light of Mamdani's victory--as if being alarmed isn't strong enough. Ben riffs. Marc Sims talks about the "Iron Law of Oligarchy." That's Marc Andreesen's theory about democracy. Which is taken from a book Andreesen once read. Andreesen is a fabulously wealthy venture capitalist. His theory basically says that everything he believes is true because he believes it. About the only thing Marc Sims and Andreesen have in common is their first name. Also, the state of State. That's 115th and State on the far south side. Marc is host of Just A Few Questions, a Chicago-based podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zohran Mamdani, the young lefty, beats Andrew Cuomo, the old centrist, in the NYC Democratic mayoral primary. Ben riffs. Monroe talks about the irony of Mayor Eric Adams, a Black man, running an updated version of Bernie Epton's vote-for-me-before-it's-too-late campaign. Earthquake makes his Ben Joravsky Show debut--sorta. On how MAGA believes anything Trump tells them--even if it contradicts whatever he told them the day before. You gotta laugh, to keep from crying.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mainstream Dems seem madder at Mamdani than they are at Trump. Ben riffs. David Faris explains his latest theory, the Trump cycle. And how it applies to the bombing of Iran. Also, the fallacy of bombing as an alternative to negotiation. The MAGA split. The post hoc MAGA rationalization Machine for whatever stupid thing Trump comes up with. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek. His views are his own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.