POPULARITY
Send us a text Anthony Freda is an accomplished educator, artist, and activist whose creative journey shaped by moral reckoning and bold shifts in perspective ultimately led him to Jesus and a renewed focus on Christian art. A tenured professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Freda has built a distinguished career as an award-winning illustrator, with work featured in major publications such as The New Yorker, Time, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. His art is showcased in a permanent exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial, and he has been honored by The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and American Illustration. Known for his provocative, politically charged imagery, Freda blends vintage American ephemera with modern commentary, using his work as a platform for cultural critique and creative activism. His StoryHe began his career in advertising, notably working on the infamous Joe Camel campaign. When the FTC ruled the campaign illegal for marketing cigarettes to children, Freda experienced a profound moral awakening that led him to leave advertising behind. He went on to work with prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, but it was his work on an OpEd piece for The New York Times promoting the Iraq War that sparked another ethical reckoning. Realizing he had gone from selling cigarettes to selling war, Freda transitioned once more, joining the early alternative media movement in the 2000s.Freda's work has often pushed boundaries, both politically and artistically. His art is part of the permanent collection of the 9/11 Museum and Memorial in New York, where his piece is one of the only works that questions the official narrative of the events of 9/11. His ten-year tenure with Infowars as an illustrator and writer further cemented his place in the world of controversial alternative news, and he has been vocal about his role in the space.Freda's work, especially his art, continues to stir debate. In 2024, an author in Germany faced legal consequences for simply posting one of his book covers on social media, and Freda himself has been extensively censored for his dissent against the official COVID-19 narrative. He has even been flagged as a potential domestic terrorist for his critical stance and controversial imagery. One of his most notable works is a covert illustration for The Wall Street Journal in 2025, where he secretly adorned Xi Jinping's tie with skull motifs as a subtle critique of global politics.In 2024, Freda worked as an illustrator and media consultant for RFK Jr.'s Super-Pac, AV24, further cementing his role in the political and media landscape. However, in recent years, Freda has pivoted his artistic focus towards Christian art. After decades of political commentary, he now sees the battle as spiritual and has committed to dedicating much of his creative work to Christ, producing original pieces as a devotion to his faith.Freda is also working on an ambitious project called Jesus Park, a sculptural earthen garden designed as a peaceful space for prayer and meditation. The project aims to provide a tranquil setting for spiritual reflection and devotion.To explore his ongoing projects, including his Christian art, visit his website: AnthonyFreda.com, https://www.instagram.com/anthonyfredaart/,The Thought Crimes of Anthony Freda - Book PreviewConnect with Angie Taylor on:IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrsangietaylor/?hl=enFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090424997350
John and Kurt continue their conversation. In this episode, they discuss how strong relationships help in both business and family life, why it's important for entrepreneurs to be good on camera, the value of personal branding, and how Kurt's company uses data to help businesses and political campaigns. In Part 1, they talked about Kurt's journey into political campaigns, how he built a successful fundraising company, and Liberty Spenders. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Recap of Part 1 [01:22] - Advice to entrepreneurs about being camera-ready [04:00] - "You are the brand" [04:54] - Does Kurt still help political fundraising? [05:45] - Kurt's ideal client [07:07] - How Mustard Seed uses data to target the right audience [09:14] - Statistics about political donors [10:43] - How much does it cost to run for President? [13:42] - Campaign finance rules and how Super PACs work [16:21] - How working with his wife has helped his family and business [21:24] - Kurt's definition of success [24:24] - #1 daily habit [24:54] - Traits of a great leader [26:12] - How Kurt invests in himself [28:15] - Creating memories with family [30:26] - How Kurt improves his marriage [31:23] - Best way to connect with Kurt [32:53] - Wrap-up NOTABLE QUOTES: "If you (entrepreneurs) don't have a lot of experience behind the camera, you need to work on that. It is a skill set. Don't just assume that because you're passionate about your thing, you're going to be good on camera, because I can promise you it's going to blow up in your face spectacularly." "Remember, you are the brand. You may have a company, you may have multiple companies, the companies fit under you as the brand. So if there ever comes a time where you remove yourself from the company, you sell the company, it's still you as the brand. Because if all you're focused on is that particular company and that becomes your branding, then if you sell it or leave it, it's like, 'Well, what do I do now?' You still have your branding when it's you." "If your problems are operational or you don't really know what you're selling yet, it's a little hard to pump in and build out a good marketing and brand strategy, because we're still not sure what we're marketing." "My wife and I are partners in the business, and I've always believed that's one of the reasons our marriage has been healthy. If one of us was building it and working all those extra hours while the other stayed at home feeling lonely and neglected … we'd have been in trouble. But we were always working on it together." "We started with a commitment that we took our vows seriously, that this was 'till death do us part.'" "I've got to do some stuff I don't want to do, because I don't want the consequence of a really ugly, unhappy marriage that I'm stuck in for 30 years." BOOK MENTIONED: Sacred Pace: Four Steps to Hearing God and Aligning Yourself with His Will by Terry Looper (https://a.co/d/bVRz3on) USEFUL RESOURCES: https://www.prospergroupcorp.com/ https://libertyspenders.com/ https://www.kurtluidhardt.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/prosper-group-corp/posts/?feedView=all https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtluidhardt/ https://www.instagram.com/kluidhardt/ https://www.facebook.com/ProsperGroup https://www.facebook.com/libertyspenders https://www.facebook.com/kurtluidhardt https://x.com/theprospergroup https://x.com/kurtluidhardt https://www.youtube.com/@Prospergroupcorp https://www.youtube.com/@luidhardts Liberty Spenders: How to Reach the $5 Trillion Market of High-Value, Conservative or Faith-Based Clients to Grow Your Business (https://a.co/d/bXFYB8C) CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX_NchE8lisC4NL2GciIWA EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/
Next week in Tennessee, the biggest and most important election since Election Day is happening. And it could be a key bellwether for the mid-term elections next year. But most of America doesn't know it's happening. Or that an independent veteran is running in it. But this fascinating and intense race is a reflection of all that is broken in American politics today. And also, may give you hope for the future. Can the Republicans hold this solidly red district? Will the Democrats continue their hot streak and win again? And will this little-known independent candidate be the determining factor? Independent veteran Congressional candidate Jon Thorp joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) from rural Tennessee to break down his high‑stakes special election outside of Nashville, why he walked away from the GOP to run as a true independent, and how MAGA money, Democrat Super PACs, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, gerrymandering, and broken election rules are all stacked against independent candidates like him. We'll take you inside this fight for a Congressional seat that could alter the entire balance of power in Washington. In this latest special “Meet the Independent Candidate” episode, Paul talks exclusively with the former Army soldier and independent veteran who is running in a December 2nd special election in Tennessee's 7th District—a race drawn to be safely Republican but now suddenly competitive. Jon explains how a district that stretches across 14 counties from the Kentucky line down toward Alabama was carved to exclude downtown Nashville, why that gerrymander matters, and what he is hearing from disillusioned voters who feel politically homeless and ignored by both parties. Jon is facing a Trump-supported loyalist and extreme Republican Matt Van Epps, AND a Kamala Harris-supported far left Democrat Aftyn Behn–and presenting himself as the moderate voice of reason in the middle. Trump is watching this race closely. You should too. And Paul also breaks down the top stories of the day–including reaction to the breaking news that the cases against James Comey and Leticia James have been dropped–and that Secretary of Defense and Pete Hegseth are considering launching an investigation and UCMJ legal action against political opponent, Navy Veteran and Democrat Senator Mark Kelly. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Jon Thorp and his independent campaign. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the holidays. -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Ways to Listen: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Podcasts Ways to watch: YouTube Instagram Social Channels X/Twitter BlueSky Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Through his paintings and projects, Anthony's message is clear: art is not only for expression, but for communion with God and an invitation for others to encounter His presence.Anthony has made the journey from mainstream success to spiritual purpose and has seen his social-political art evolve into devotion to Christ, demonstrating how art can be a prophetic voice in culture.Freda's award-winning illustrations and paintings have appeared in numerous publications, including the New Yorker, Time, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times. He has a permanent art exhibit at the 9/11 memorial In NY. Anthony Freda Anthony began his career in advertising, notably working on the infamous Joe Camel campaign. When the FTC ruled the campaign illegal for marketing cigarettes to children, Freda experienced a profound moral awakening that led him to leave advertising behind. He went on to work with prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, but it was his work on an OpEd piece for The New York Times promoting the Iraq War that sparked another ethical reckoning. Realizing he had gone from selling cigarettes to selling war, Freda transitioned once more, joining the early alternative media movement in the 2000s.Freda's work has often pushed boundaries, both politically and artistically. His art is part of the permanent collection of the 9/11 Museum and Memorial in New York, where his piece is one of the only works that questions the official narrative of the events of 9/11. His ten-year tenure with Infowars as an illustrator and writer further cemented his place in the world of controversial alternative news, and he has been vocal about his role in the space.Freda's work, especially his art, continues to stir debate. In 2024, an author in Germany faced legal consequences for simply posting one of his book covers on social media, and Freda himself has been extensively censored for his dissent against the official COVID-19 narrative. He has even been flagged as a potential domestic terrorist for his critical stance and controversial imagery. One of his most notable works is a covert illustration for The Wall Street Journal in 2025, where he secretly adorned Xi Jinping's tie with skull motifs as a subtle critique of global politics.In 2024, Freda worked as an illustrator and media consultant for RFK Jr.'s Super-Pac, AV24, further cementing his role in the political and media landscape. However, in recent years, Freda has pivoted his artistic focus towards Christian art. After decades of political commentary, he now sees the battle as spiritual and has committed to dedicating much of his creative work to Christ, producing original pieces as a devotion to his faith.WebsiteInstagramJesus Park KickstarterSubstack Example
Options flashing a bullish, but cautious, signal ahead of Nvidia earnings. Bernstein sees near-term risk for the country's biggest retailer. Plus, the $100M AI Super PAC picks its first target. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Maine overwhelmingly voted last year to end Super PACs. A federal judge blocked the ballot measure — but left a kill switch inside the ruling. Larry Lessig, a professor at Harvard Law School and head of the nonprofit Equal Citizens, is ready to flip that switch and take his case to the Supreme Court. In our final episode of Lever Time's MONEYBOMB series, David Sirota speaks with Lessig about the legal battle against Super PACs and why he believes that we can stop Citizens United without touching it. To read more about Larry Lessig's case against Super PACs, click here. Click here to order our new book, MASTER PLAN: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America. Get ad-free episodes, bonus content and extended interviews by becoming a member at levernews.com/join. To leave a tip for The Lever, click here. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 12, 2025Court Case Defending Maine's Limit on Contributions to Super PACs Gets Unlikely Allies: BillionairesMaine voters approved a ballot question limiting contributions to a Super PAC to $5,000 dollars in 2024. It was overturned by a federal district court, but it's now headed to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals with some unlikely allies: Billionaires.Some podcasting platforms strip out our links. To read our resources and see the whole script of today's report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgToday's LinksArticles & Resources:American Democracy Minute - (2024) Maine Voters Overwhelmingly Pass Limits to Individual Contributions to SuperPACs, and Lay the Groundwork for SCOTUS CaseAmerican Democracy Minute - (July) A Maine Ballot Initiative Limiting State Contributions to SuperPACs was Also Ruled Unconstitutional. This One, However, Might Reach SCOTUS. Open Secrets - Federal judge blocks voter-approved Maine law capping super PAC contributionsU.S. First District Court of Appeals - BRIEF OF MARK CUBAN, WILLIAM VON MUEFFLING, STEVE JURVETSON,VIN RYAN, AND REID HOFFMAN AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS AND REVERSALSportico - Mark Cuban Joins Legal Fight Against Dark Money and Super PACsMaine Morning Star - Latest filings in campaign finance court battle argue Maine has legal right to regulate super PACsEqual Citizens - Outline of the case by former Acting Solicitor Neal K. KatyalGroups Taking Action:American Promise, Citizens to End SuperPACs, Equal CitizensPlease follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #EndCitizensUnited #BigMoneyCorruption #SuperPACs #Maine
Listen to the full episode The nonprofit organization (and its adjoined Super PAC), MAHA Action, is leading semi-regular Zoom calls featuring a host of wellness influencers and RFK Jr appointees, including Jillian Michaels, Dr Oz, and Russell Brand. Derek listens into a recent call to see just what they're saying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Co-founder and Board Member of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson is a renowned political strategist, infamous award-winning ad-maker and podcast host, writer, speaker, and political commentator on MSNBC, CNN, ABC News, NPR, Real Time with Bill Maher, and various American and international news national outlets. A 30-year veteran of national Republican politics, Rick got his start in the 1988 Presidential campaign of George Herbert Walker Bush and has produced groundbreaking and award-winning political advertising, strategic counsel to winning political candidates, SuperPACS, state parties, the national campaign committees, and corporate, association, and government clients across the nation and around the world. Rick has authored two New York Times bestsellers – Everything Trump Touches Dies and Running Against The Devil – A Plot To Save America from Trump And Democrats From Themselves – and often writes for The Washington Post, Politico, Rolling Stone, The Hill, The Bulwark, and the London Spectator. Rick brings his inimitable wit and wisdom back to The Back Room for a post-election wrap up! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel
For a final pre-election preview of the 2025 race to be the next Mayor of New York City, a three-part episode: 1) Political analyst Michael Lange and pollster Adam Carlson on the final polls of the mayoral race, the early voting turnout, & expectations for the outcome; 2) Nada Al-Hanooti of Defend and Advance, a Super PAC working to turn out Muslim voters to support Zohran Mamdani; and 3) Republican strategist Chapin Fay with his thoughts on GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa, calls for Sliwa to drop out and endorse Andrew Cuomo, and various related political dynamics. (Ep 543)
1. Cuando Washington cierra, Puerto Rico siente la tormenta. El impacto delas políticas de Trump en PR2. "Blue flu” se hizo sentir en la Policía durante fin de semana deHalloween3. Se reportan seis incidentes de violencia doméstica y dos feminicidios encuatro días4. Turista denuncia que fue drogado y robado por tres mujeres en Santurce5. Mantenimiento a planta de energía podría generar apagones en el sur dePuerto Rico6. Hoy se decide si Mandani gana la primaria Democrata em NYC7. El secretario de Defensa, Pete Hegseth, ha confirmado la operaciónextrajudicial. Ya son al menos 64 los civiles asesinados por este procedimientoen dos meses8. Estados Unidos anuncia ayuda para Cuba tras huracán Melissa Este es un programa independiente y sindicalizado. Esto significa que este programa se produce de manera independiente, pero se transmite de manera sindicalizada, o sea, por las emisoras y cadenas de radio que son más fuertes en sus respectivas regiones. También se transmite por sus plataformas digitales, aplicaciones para dispositivos móviles y redes sociales. Estas emisoras de radio son:1. Cadena WIAC - WYAC 930 AM Cabo Rojo- Mayagüez2. Cadena WIAC – WISA 1390 AM Isabela3. Cadena WIAC – WIAC 740 AM Área norte y zona metropolitana4. WLRP 1460 AM Radio Raíces La voz del Pepino en San Sebastián5. X61 – 610 AM en Patillas6. X61 – 94.3 FM Patillas y todo el sureste7. WPAB 550 AM - Ponce8. ECO 93.1 FM – En todo Puerto Rico9. WOQI 1020 AM – Radio Casa Pueblo desde Adjuntas 10. Mundo Latino PR.com, la emisora web de música tropical y comentario Una vez sale del aire, el programa queda grabado y está disponible en las plataformas de podcasts tales como Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts y otras plataformas https://anchor.fm/sandrarodriguezcotto También nos pueden seguir en:REDES SOCIALES: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, Tumblr, TikTok BLOG: En Blanco y Negro con Sandra http://enblancoynegromedia.blogspot.com SUSCRIPCIÓN: Substack, plataforma de suscripción de prensa independientehttps://substack.com/@sandrarodriguezcotto OTROS MEDIOS DIGITALES: ¡Ey! Boricua, Revista Seguros. Revista Crónicas y otrosEstas son algunas de las noticias que tenemos hoy En Blanco y Negro con Sandra.
FREE SPEECH FRIDAY SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/taylorlorenz Buy a subscription to my Tech and Online Culture newsletter, User Magazine to support my work!!!!
On this Salcedo Storm Podcast:Congressman Wesley Hunt represents the 38th Congressional district in the great state of Texas. He's a Houston native with a proud family tradition in the U.S. armed forces. He's a running to replace the left-wing senator from Texas, John Cornyn..
A new pro-AI Super PAC reportedly under fire from the White House after it said it aims to support candidates from both political parties. Plus, a look at who could lose out as OpenAI expands its enterprise AI business. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We discuss how the everyday voter can make strategic political campaign donations just like a billionaire. Brian's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Find an election you've never participated in before and get involved 2) Check out the Supreme Court races in Pennsylvania, governor's races in NJ and VA, and the California redistricting ballot measure Brian Derrick is the co-founder of Oath, a donor advising platform whose mission is to empower donors to participate in our democracy by offering civic education and helping users manage their political giving to maximize impact. Let's connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: https://www.futurehindsight.com/spark Follow Mila on X: https://x.com/milaatmos Follow Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianderrick_/ VOTE FOR FUTURE HINDSIGHT! https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signal4_finalists_finalistnotification_092325&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2025/individual-episodes/genre/news-politics Sponsor: Thank you to Shopify! Sign up for a $1/month trial at shopify.com/hopeful. Early episodes for Patreon supporters: https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Brian Derrick Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis
Chuck Todd breaks down the political fallout as the government shutdown begins disrupting air travel—and both parties claim they're “winning.” He argues that when politicians are upending people's lives, no one is really winning. The conversation turns to Israel, where Prime Minister Netanyahu faces deepening domestic backlash and a loss of international allies. With 66% of Israelis wanting the war in Gaza to end and growing calls for Bibi's ouster, Israel's reliance on the U.S. has never been greater—or more politically divisive.Chuck also examines how the Israel issue is surfacing in U.S. campaign politics, from Democratic primaries to GOP power plays. With Republicans clearing primary fields and Democrats facing scandals like Jay Jones' in Virginia, both parties are wrestling with internal fractures—and the risks of clinging to power at any cost.Then, Chuck sits down with Stanford political scientist Adam Bonica to unpack the dark underbelly of political fundraising. Bonica reveals how the Democratic consulting firm Mothership Strategies helped shape modern campaign fundraising — and how their tactics, often resembling internet scams, have extracted hundreds of millions from small-dollar donors, many of whom are elderly or unaware they've been opted into recurring donations. Together, they explore how much of that money never reaches campaigns at all, instead being funneled into consultant fees and internal operations that border on money laundering.The conversation broadens into the systemic corruption of campaign finance: both parties' use of apocalyptic fear-mongering, the rise of Super PACs with minimal voter impact, and how America's extreme wealth inequality has distorted democratic accountability. Bonica explains why the public now views the very need to raise money as inherently corrupt — and how anti-corruption could be the strongest defense against authoritarian drift. As billions pour into elections with diminishing effect, Chuck and Adam question whether the next era of U.S. politics can ever be disentangled from the cash that drives it.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 governor's seats most likely to flip parties, and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction04:30 Government shutdown begins affecting air travel06:15 Both sides think they are winning the shutdown07:30 Congress created the conditions for regular shutdowns08:30 When you're disrupting people's lives, you aren't “winning”09:30 Israel's public support is eroding in the United States10:30 Under Bibi, Israel has never been more powerful and alone11:30 Israel alienated allies, incredibly reliant on the United States13:15 Partisan split between R's and D's over support for Israel14:15 Growing skepticism for Israel's actions in Gaza16:00 66% of Israelis want to end the war in Gaza17:30 Majority of Israelis want Netayahu gone after war is over19:00 Most Israelis goal is the getting hostages home, not eliminating Hamas20:15 Bibi is clinging to power to avoid accountability21:15 New ad in New Hampshire targeting Andy Beshear over support for Israel22:45 Tough to know how salient Israel issue will be in a Democratic primary24:45 Republicans are clearing primary fields across the country25:30 If Ken Paxton is nominee in Texas, the senate could flip27:30 Susan Collins is the only Republican that can win in Maine29:15 Dem voters tired of establishment that isn't winning30:30 MAGA gave Republicans most power they've had in decades31:30 If Jay Jones allegations in VA surfaced a month ago, he'd be replaced33:00 If elected, Jay Jones should resign and let assembly choose replacement36:00 Democrats playing with political fire with Jay Jones38:30 Adam Bonica joins the Chuck ToddCast 41:30 Fundraising tactics are beyond bizarre 44:00 Mothership strategies behind much of the Dem advertising 46:30 Democratic candidates were enamored by Mothership's strategy 48:45 Many donors had been suffering from cognitive decline 50:00 PAC's were basically money laundering 52:05 Most fundraising dollars were spent internally on consultants 53:30 Both parties use apocalyptic language when fundraising 55:30 Campaign fundraising using the same tactics as scammers 57:00 Political fundraisers prey on older people 59:00 Donors have to actively uncheck recurring donations 59:45 ActBlue adopted new rules after Adam's reporting 1:02:30 Mothership has raised hundreds of millions of dollars 1:06:30 Mothership claims their fight is a "necessary evil" 1:09:30 The public is very concerned about corruption 1:10:15 Anti-corruption is the #1 anti-authoritarian strategy 1:11:45 Public sees the need to raise money as a form of corruption 1:13:15 There is so much corruptibility on the fundraising side of politics 1:14:00 Money spent by Super PACs has almost no effect on public opinion 1:15:15 Trump was outspent and still won 1:16:00 Democrats have fundraising advantage they are squandering 1:16:45 Most Republican donor money came from $1M+ earners 1:17:30 Democrats dominating donations from young professionals 1:20:30 Democrats would gain credibility advantage disavowing dark money 1:23:00 American wealth inequality is reaching extreme territory 1:24:45 Billionaires aren't aligned with root Democratic party politics 1:27:45 Will we see $5B presidential elections in 2028? 1:29:15 There is more money per swing voter than ever 1:31:00 $500m will be spent on CA redistricting 1:33:30 Mainstream journalism rarely audits where money goes1:37:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Adam Bonica 1:39:15 Toddcast Top 5 - Governor's seats most likely to flip parties 1:39:45 #1 Virginia 1:42:15 #2 Kansas 1:44:00 #3 Wisconsin, #4 Michigan 1:46:15 #5 Iowa 1:50:15 Ask Chuck 1:50:30 Will there ever be amendments to prevent corruption in government? 1:53:15 Does Trump think the public will believe misinformation about the economy? 1:58:15 Should Democrats offer a "Project 2029" to offer a clear vision for change? 2:00:45 How would you handle bad faith Republican arguments over shutdown?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Stanford political scientist Adam Bonica to unpack the dark underbelly of political fundraising. Bonica reveals how the Democratic consulting firm Mothership Strategies helped shape modern campaign fundraising — and how their tactics, often resembling internet scams, have extracted hundreds of millions from small-dollar donors, many of whom are elderly or unaware they've been opted into recurring donations. Together, they explore how much of that money never reaches campaigns at all, instead being funneled into consultant fees and internal operations that border on money laundering.The conversation broadens into the systemic corruption of campaign finance: both parties' use of apocalyptic fear-mongering, the rise of Super PACs with minimal voter impact, and how America's extreme wealth inequality has distorted democratic accountability. Bonica explains why the public now views the very need to raise money as inherently corrupt — and how anti-corruption could be the strongest defense against authoritarian drift. As billions pour into elections with diminishing effect, Chuck and Adam question whether the next era of U.S. politics can ever be disentangled from the cash that drives it.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Adam Bonica joins the Chuck ToddCast03:00 Fundraising tactics are beyond bizarre05:30 Mothership strategies behind much of the Dem advertising08:00 Democratic candidates were enamored by Mothership's strategy10:15 Many donors had been suffering from cognitive decline11:30 PAC's were basically money laundering13:35 Most fundraising dollars were spent internally on consultants15:00 Both parties use apocalyptic language when fundraising17:00 Campaign fundraising using the same tactics as scammers18:30 Political fundraisers prey on older people20:30 Donors have to actively uncheck recurring donations21:15 ActBlue adopted new rules after Adam's reporting24:00 Mothership has raised hundreds of millions of dollars28:00 Mothership claims their fight is a “necessary evil”31:00 The public is very concerned about corruption31:45 Anti-corruption is the #1 anti-authoritarian strategy33:15 Public sees the need to raise money as a form of corruption34:45 There is so much corruptibility on the fundraising side of politics35:30 Money spent by Super PACs has almost no effect on public opinion36:45 Trump was outspent and still won37:30 Democrats have fundraising advantage they are squandering38:15 Most Republican donor money came from $1M+ earners39:00 Democrats dominating donations from young professionals42:00 Democrats would gain credibility advantage disavowing dark money44:30 American wealth inequality is reaching extreme territory46:15 Billionaires aren't aligned with root Democratic party politics49:15 Will we see $5B presidential elections in 2028?50:45 There is more money per swing voter than ever52:30 $500m will be spent on CA redistricting55:00 Mainstream journalism rarely audits where money goesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With school back in session and fall in the air, it's the perfect time to get back to basics on the Rules of the Game podcast. On today's episode, we'll review how the advocacy rules differ across the various types of tax-exempt organizations, including 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and PACs. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just starting out, understanding these fundamentals is crucial for crafting bold advocacy plans that maximize your capacity and comply with the appropriate rules. Join us for a quick refresher! Attorneys for this Episode Melissa Marichal Zayas Natalie Ossenfort Susan Finkle Sourlis Comparison of tax-exempt organizations There are many different types of tax-exempt organizations – our federal tax code offers 29 different types of tax exemptions to choose from! 501(c)(3)s 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-exempt, and donations to 501(c)(3)s are tax deductible. With this favorable treatment come some restrictions related to lobbying and election season advocacy. · Public Charities (including Community / Public Foundations) o Prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for public office o Allowed to lobby so long as they stay within certain lobbying limits and use unrestricted dollars to pay for lobbying activities o May also conduct nonpartisan election-related activities including voter outreach, voter education, voter registration, etc. · Private Foundations o Prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for public office o Effectively barred from lobbying due to a steep excise tax that applies to private foundation lobbying expenditures o Should also be aware of specific rules related to voter registration activities 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, 501(c)(5) unions, and 501(c)(6) trade associations These organizations enjoy tax exempt status, but donations to them are not tax-deductible for the donor. However, they can engage in a wider array of advocacy activities than 501(c)(3)s. · They are allowed to lobby without tax code lobbying limits. · They can engage in some partisan political activity as a secondary purpose (for example, express advocacy). · When engaging in partisan activities, they need to be aware of campaign finance regulations and reporting thresholds. · At the federal level (and in most states), corporations - including tax-exempt organizations - are prohibited from making monetary or in-kind contributions to candidates or political parties. 527 – political organizations 527 political organizations include political parties; campaign committees for candidates running for federal, state, or local office; and federal or state political action committees (“PACs”). · The primary purpose of a 527 must be to engage in activities that influence the selection, nomination, election or appointment of an individual to a public office or an office in a political organization. · They do not generally engage in lobbying. Their lobbying expenditures may be subject to tax if the lobbying does not further political purposes. · There are many types of PACs, including traditional PACs and Super PACs. How can these organizations work together? Despite the different restrictions on lobbying and political activity, there are several ways to safely collaborate with organizations that have a different type of tax exemption. 501(c)(3) private foundations & 501(c)(3) public charities · Private foundations and public charities can engage in joint nonpartisan, non-lobbying activities, like public education campaigns. · Private foundations can also fund public charities, but they must ensure that they don't earmark any funds for lobbying. 501(c)(3) private foundations & 501(c)(4)s/501(c)(5)s/501(c)(6)s · Private foundations can also fund 501(c)(4)s, (c)(5)s, and (c)(6)s, but they must follow what are called the expenditure responsibility rules when granting to any non-(c)(3) organization. 501(c)(3) public charities & 501(c)(4)s/501(c)(5)s/501(c)(6)s · Public charities, including public and community foundations, can also collaborate with and fund (c)(4)s, (c)(5)s, and (c)(6)s. · Remember, your tax-exempt status follows your organization into any coalition work, so (c)(3)s must track any lobbying they engage in on behalf of or in support of the coalition and continue to stay within their lobbying limits. · All joint activities and campaigns must be nonpartisan, and any grants from a c3 to a c4 must prohibit the use of funds for partisan political activity. · The IRS will count the full grant from a c3 public charity to a c4 as a (c)(3) grassroots lobbying expenditure, unless the grant agreement explicitly prohibits the use of funds for lobbying or states what portions may be used for direct and for grassroots lobbying. 501(c)(4)s/501(c)(5)s/501(c)(6)s & 527 political organizations · 501(c)(4)s, and all other corporations, should avoid making monetary or in-kind contributions to a political organization or candidate. These types of contributions are prohibited in federal elections, as well as in most state and local elections. · However, 501(c)(4) corporations may establish a traditional federal PAC via a Separate Segregated Fund. o 501(c)(4) corporations may not contribute to this federal PAC or any other political organization, but they can pay for a connected SSF's administrative costs. o There are other special limitations for this type of PAC, including that it can only raise funds from the connected organization's bona fide members and its executive and administrative personnel and their families. Resources · Alliance for Justice, The Connection: Strategies for Creating and Operating 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and Political Organizations (See p. 11 for chart comparing tax-exempt organizations) · Alliance for Justice, Focus on Foundations · Alliance for Justice, An Introduction to PACs · Alliance for Justice, How to Fund a 501(c)(4)
Unpack the shocking influence of money in politics with us! We dissect how large donations and Super PACs are shaping elections and explore the crucial role of grassroots movements and community engagement in fighting back. Discover strategies for building political support, navigating the path to candidacy, and fostering meaningful conversations across political divides. We delve into the complexities of political discourse, the power of empathy, the necessity of intergenerational dialogue, and the urgent need for term limits. Learn about the lasting impact of Citizens United and why engaging marginalized communities, especially the disability community, is paramount. Hear personal stories on how family shapes political views and the undeniable importance of grassroots support for impactful campaigns.money in politics, super pacs, large donations, grassroots movements, community engagement, political campaigns, running for office, candidacy, political discourse, empathy in politics, intergenerational dialogue, term limits, citizens united, disability vote, disability community, marginalized communities, family and politics, grassroots support, election influence, campaign strategies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith talks with Harvard professor Larry Lessig about the ill-fated attempt to restrict Super PAC contributions in Massachusetts and the successful effort in Maine that was struck down by the lower court. The Maine coalition thinks it has a shot at convincing higher courts, not to overturn Citizens United but to embrace an originalist argument to limit money in politics.
The U.S. Supreme Court has vastly reshaped American democracy — rolling back voting rights, enabling secret money in politics and expanding presidential power. These decisions have a real impact on all Americans by making it harder for citizens to exercise their freedom to vote, easier for wealthy interests to sway elections and more difficult to hold leaders accountable.In this episode, host Simone Leeper speaks with law professor and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny Podcast Leah Litman, Campaign Legal Center Senior Vice President Bruce V. Spiva and Campaign Legal Center Campaign Finance Senior Counsel David Kolker. Together, they unpack the real-world impact of landmark Supreme Court decisions — from voting rights cases like Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich v. DNC to campaign finance rulings like Citizens United — and explore what reforms could restore balance, accountability and trust in the Court.Timestamps:(00:05) — What do Americans really think about the Supreme Court?(02:18) — Why does the Supreme Court's power matter for democracy?(07:01) — How did Shelby County v. Holder weaken voting rights?(16:39) — What was the impact of Brnovich v. DNC?(23:39) — How has the Supreme Court reshaped campaign finance?(29:24) — Why did Citizens United open the floodgates for money in politics?(32:37) — How have super PACs changed elections?(34:02) — How have wealthy special interests reshaped U.S. elections?(35:44) — What does presidential immunity mean for accountability?(37:30) — How do lifetime seats protect the Supreme Court from accountability?(39:22) — What role can Congress play in restoring trust and democracy?Host and Guests:Simone Leeper litigates a wide range of redistricting-related cases at Campaign Legal Center, challenging gerrymanders and advocating for election systems that guarantee all voters an equal opportunity to influence our democracy. Prior to arriving at CLC, Simone was a law clerk in the office of Senator Ed Markey and at the Library of Congress, Office of General Counsel. She received her J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2019 and a bachelor's degree in political science from Columbia University in 2016.Leah Litman is a professor of law at the University of Michigan and a former Supreme Court clerk. In addition to cohosting Strict Scrutiny, she writes frequently about the Court for media outlets including The Washington Post, Slate, and The Atlantic, among others, and has appeared as a commentator on NPR and MSNBC, in addition to other venues. She has received the Ruth Bader Ginsburg award for her “scholarly excellence” from the American Constitution Society and published in top law reviews. Follow her on Bluesky @LeahLitman and Instagram @ProfLeahLitman.Bruce V. Spiva is Senior Vice President at Campaign Legal Center. He is an attorney and community leader who has spent his over 30-year career fighting for civil rights and civil liberties, voting rights, consumer protection, and antitrust enforcement.Over the past three decades, he has tried cases and argued appeals in courtrooms across the country, including arguing against vote suppression in the United States Supreme Court in 2021. In 2022, in his first run for public office, Bruce mounted a competitive run in the primary election for Washington, D.C. Attorney General. In addition to founding his own law firm where he practiced for eleven years, Bruce has held several leadership and management positions as a partner at two national law firms. Most recently, Bruce served as the Managing Partner of the D.C. Office and on the firm-wide Executive Committee of Perkins Coie LLP, where he also had an active election law practice. He first-chaired twelve voting rights and redistricting trials across the country, and argued numerous voting rights appeals in U.S. circuit courts and state supreme courts during his tenure at Perkins. David Kolker is Campaign Finance Senior Counsel at Campaign Legal Center. He focuses on both short- and long-term strategies to improve campaign finance laws across the country, and precedent interpreting those laws. David has spent decades litigating cases in both the public and private sectors. He worked for nearly 20 years at the Federal Election Commission, where he litigated cases on federal campaign finance law and for several years led the agency's Litigation Division. He represented the government in dozens of oral arguments, including the government's defense in SpeechNow.org v. FEC before the D.C. Circuit sitting en banc. He litigated many cases decided by the Supreme Court, including the landmark cases of McConnell v. FEC and Citizens United v. FEC. David joined CLC from the Federal Communications Commission, where he served as the deputy bureau chief, Enforcement Bureau. He previously was a partner at the law firm Spiegel and McDiarmid in Washington. Early in his career, David worked as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. Links:The Supreme Court Needs to Start Standing Up for Democracy – CLCThe Supreme Court's Role in Undermining American Democracy – CLCSupreme Court's Impact on Voting Rights Is a Threat to Democracy – CLCWhy the Current U.S. Supreme Court Is a Threat to Our Democracy – CLCU.S. Supreme Court Reinstates Illegal Virginia Voter Purge at the Eleventh Hour – CLCWhat Does the U.S. Supreme Court's Recent Arizona Decision Mean for Voters? – CLCAlito Flags the Fatal Flaw of the Supreme Court Ethics Code – CLCU.S. Supreme Court Reinstates Illegal Virginia Voter Purge at the Eleventh Hour – CLCImproving Ethics Standards at the Supreme Court – CLCSupreme Court tossed out heart of Voting Rights Act a decade ago, prompting wave of new voting rules – The HillU.S. Supreme Court Significantly Limits Restraints on Unconstitutional Presidential Actions – CLCCampaign Legal Center Responds to SCOTUS Ruling Limiting Court Restraints on Unconstitutional Presidential Actions – CLCProtecting the Promise of American Citizenship – CLCBringing the Fight for Fair Voting Maps to the U.S. Supreme Court – CLCThe Supreme Court Must Uphold Fair Voting Maps for Fair Representation – CLCAbout CLC:Democracy Decoded is a production of Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to solving the wide range of challenges facing American democracy. Campaign Legal Center fights for every American's freedom to vote and participate meaningfully in the democratic process. Learn more about us.Democracy Decoded is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Plus - Google Photos users on Android can now edit their photos by talking to or texting the AI; Disney is raising the price of Disney+ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meta has raised the stakes in Big Tech's fight against AI regulation. The Facebook-maker is investing “tens of millions” of dollars into a new super PAC to fight state-level tech policy proposals that could stifle AI advancement, reports Axios. Also, Sydney, Australia-based Alloy thinks it can help with that issue: the startup is building data infrastructure for robotics companies to help them process and organize all the data their robots collect from various sources, including sensors and cameras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
David Nicholson labels Nvidia (NVDA) as the "super PAC" of tech. The Mag 7 company's $5 billion investment into Intel (INTC) is what he attributes as a leading indicator to Nvidia's strength of amplifying the A.I. ecosystem. Angelo Zino says the upside to Intel has yet to be acknowledged but expects Nvidia to continue its industry dominance. The big question revolves around China. Angelo argues that if China opens back up to buying Nvidia chips, it will serve as a substantial revenue driver for the tech giant.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
With the announcement of a new $100 million Super PAC for pro-AI political influence, lines are being drawn between different styles of AI boosterism in Silicon Valley. There are those who worship at the altar of AGI and believe any other position is an intolerable impediment to innovation. There are those who want the tech sector to focus on using existing AI systems for everyday economic applications. And there are those who see AI as a techno-realpolitik power struggle over who is gonna kick whose ass: America or China? And then there's Eric Schmidt, who holds all three positions — and writes op-eds touting each one — at the same exact time. ••• Silicon Valley Launches Pro-AI PACs to Defend Industry in Midterm Elections https://www.wsj.com/politics/silicon-valley-launches-pro-ai-pacs-to-defend-industry-in-midterm-elections-287905b3 ••• Silicon Valley Is Drifting Out of Touch With the Rest of America https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/opinion/artificial-general-intelligence-superintelligence.html ••• AI Could Usher In a New Renaissance https://www.wsj.com/opinion/agi-could-usher-in-a-new-renaissance-physics-math-econ-advancement-ed71a02a Standing Plugs: ••• Order Jathan's new book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite ••• Subscribe to Ed's substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble ••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)
H2 - Segment 2 - Fri Aug 29 2025 Pres Trump and his Super PAC announced they raised $ 1.5 Billion for Midterms in ‘26 Campaign strategy is to hold on to House and Senate
SpaceX has successfully launched the Starship for its 10th test flight after it was delayed a couple of times due to weather conditions and other issues. This time, the company was able to achieve its objectives without the vehicle and its booster exploding mid-test. In other tech news, Anthropic has settled a class-action lawsuit brought by a group of authors for an undisclosed sum. The move means the company will avoid a potentially more costly ruling if the case regarding its use of copyright materials to train artificial intelligence tools had moved forward. And, Meta is throwing its resources behind a new super PAC in California. According to Politico, the group will support state-level political candidates who espouse tech-friendly policies, particularly those with a loose approach to regulating artificial intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
#contrato #corrupción #gobernadora Jeniffer González canceló el contrato de inspección de furgones en el Puerto de San Juan, luego de conocer que el Centro de Periodismo de Investigación (CPI) tenía evidencia de que el goboerno del PNP pagó desde el 2021 $50M sin tener una enmienda radicada en la Oficina del Contralor. | Entre los personajes que cabildearon por el contrato desde la administración de Luis Fortuño está el cuñado de Pedro Pierluisi, Andrés Guillemard y Álvaro Pilar, quien participó en el esquema de llenar las arcas de la campaña del 2020 del ex gobernador a través del Super Pac, Salvemos a Puerto Rico. ¡Conéctate, comenta y comparte! #periodismoindependiente #periodismodigital #periodismoinvestigativo tiktok.com: @bonitaradio Facebook: bonitaradio Instagram: bonitaradio X: Bonita_Radio
#contrato #corrupción #gobernadora Jeniffer González canceló el contrato de inspección de furgones en el Puerto de San Juan, luego de conocer que el Centro de Periodismo de Investigación (CPI) tenía evidencia de que el goboerno del PNP pagó desde el 2021 $50M sin tener una enmienda radicada en la Oficina del Contralor. | Entre los personajes que cabildearon por el contrato desde la administración de Luis Fortuño está el cuñado de Pedro Pierluisi, Andrés Guillemard y Álvaro Pilar, quien participó en el esquema de llenar las arcas de la campaña del 2020 del ex gobernador a través del Super Pac, Salvemos a Puerto Rico. ¡Conéctate, comenta y comparte! #periodismoindependiente #periodismodigital #periodismoinvestigativo tiktok.com: @bonitaradio Facebook: bonitaradio Instagram: bonitaradio X: Bonita_Radio
Chuck Todd begins with new polling that shows that the more Donald Trump enacts his promised agenda, the less the public likes it. He also highlights that Trump is underwater with the public on immigration, which was his strongest issue. Chuck also discusses the many distraction tactics Trump has unsuccessfully deployed to distract from the Epstein files, and previews the brewing battle over gerrymandering.Then, Harvard professor and former presidential candidate Lawrence Lessig joins Chuck Todd to tackle one of America's most persistent political problems: campaign finance reform. Despite overwhelming public support for getting money out of politics, meaningful reform has remained elusive for decades. Lessig discusses his innovative legal strategy to challenge Super PACs at the Supreme Court, arguing that if direct campaign contributions can be limited, then unlimited Super PAC spending should face the same restrictions. He explains how an originalist interpretation of the First Amendment could win over conservative justices like Barrett and Gorsuch, potentially ending the era of unlimited political spending that has dominated elections since Citizens United.The conversation expands beyond campaign finance to explore broader constitutional reforms, including the possibility of a constitutional convention that could address everything from electoral college reform to fractional voting systems. Lessig argues that both Trump supporters and traditional Democrats share a desire to reduce the influence of money in politics, creating unprecedented bipartisan momentum for change. He envisions citizens assemblies that could help reconnect politics with ordinary Americans' concerns, while discussing practical reforms like multi-member districts and proportional electoral vote allocation that states could implement immediately. The episode offers both hope and concrete pathways for restoring democratic governance "by the people" rather than by wealthy donors and special interests.Finally, Chuck gives his thoughts on The Open Championship, the lack of leadership for the Washington Nationals and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:45 The more Trump succeeds on his terms, the less popular he becomes04:15 Trump's aggressive immigration approach is receiving backlash08:00 The public is starting to feel the pain from Trump's economic agenda10:00 A strong majority believe Trump isn't prioritizing deporting criminals12:00 Immigration was Trump's best issue, now he's underwater in polling14:00 Deportations will have a massive negative effect on the economy15:30 All of Trump's policies will contribute to inflation17:15 The public wants the Fed to remain independent.19:15 Trump's approval rating has continually dropped21:00 America could end up with a string of one term presidents22:00 89% of Americans want the Epstein files released23:00 Tulsi Gabbard's Obama/Russia conspiracy is a distraction from Epstein26:00 Russian election interference has been proven28:00 Trump's latest distraction is demanding sports teams change names29:45 Trump demanded release of grand jury testimony to buy time32:15 Michael Wolff says Epstein believed Trump turned him in 33:45 Huge battle brewing over gerrymandering/redistricting35:15 Democrats willing to cede the moral high ground and aggressively gerrymander37:00 Trump has normalized anti-democratic behavior39:00 A constitutional convention could address many modern issues40:15 Professor Lawrence Lessig joins The Chuck ToddCast! 42:15 Why can't we get traction on campaign finance reform? 43:45 Most Americans want reform but don't think it's possible 45:45 Is Trump's "pay to play" system making reform more likely? 47:30 Effort to challenge Super PACs at the Supreme Court 49:30 If outside money isn't quid pro quo, then why aren't campaign contributions? 50:45 If you can limit campaign contributions, why not Super PACs? 52:45 When can you get your case in front of the Supreme Court? 54:15 The 1st amendment doesn't say anything about contributions 56:15 Does Congress need to pass a new law if you win the case? 57:15 Winning the case would effectively end Super PACs 1:00:30 The two justices to win over are Barrett and Gorsuch 1:02:30 Winning the argument by following originalism 1:04:30 There are clear examples of quid pro quo for donations 1:05:30 Will they try to change contribution limits if you win? 1:06:15 Trump supporters also want money out of politics 1:08:30 Electors not being able to vote their conscience is unconstitutional 1:11:00 Conservatives have been pining for a constitutional convention 1:12:00 What issues would be on the table at a convention? 1:13:45 There's bipartisan energy to reform campaign finance 1:15:15 Issues addressed at a convention would need support of 34 states 1:17:15 What would surprise the founders the most about modern politics? 1:20:15 The voters need to be trusted, or it's not a government "By the People" 1:22:15 We should have citizens assemblies in the states to review amendments 1:24:00 Politics has become detached from citizens' concerns 1:25:45 Fractional voting would be healthy for our democracy 1:28:00 State legislatures can decide how to deliver electoral votes 1:29:00 Unintended consequences of fractional voting 1:30:45 Viability of multi-member districts? 1:33:30 Unequal representation between big and small states in the Senate 1:34:45 Political environment is ripe for a convention 1:38:15 Many donors would love to do away with Super PACs1:40:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Larry Lessig 1:41:15 The great weather at the Open Championship made it boring 1:42:15 The moment is never too big for Scottie Scheffler 1:43:00 The Washington Nationals have no leadership 1:46:00 Ask Chuck 1:46:15 Should we hold a constitutional convention? 1:48:00 Could Ohio's gubernatorial and senate races be competitive? 1:51:45 A Democrat wins a statewide race in Texas when ____ happens?
This Day in Maine for Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
What if I told you that in a country not much larger than Indiana, you could vote in a national election where your ballot didn't force you to choose just one imperfect candidate? Where campaigns cost $50K instead of $500 million? Where politicians knock on your door more often than they show up on CNN? And what if I told you that this system has been working just fine—for over 100 years?That's not a political utopia. That's Ireland.In my latest Nerds for Humanity livestream, I had the chance to talk with Alana Rush, an American-Irish dual citizen now living in Dublin. Alana is one of the few Americans who has both a deep understanding of ranked choice voting (RCV) and the rare experience of watching it operate at the national level in a functioning democracy. Our conversation turned into a sobering and often jaw-dropping look at how different things could be—if America had the courage to reform how we vote, how we campaign, and how we govern.This post will walk you through Alana's observations and insights, along with my reflections on what it means for us here in the United States. Spoiler: it's not all roses across the Atlantic, but there's a lot to learn.A Voter's Menu, Not a Single OptionBefore she moved to Ireland, Alana admits she didn't understand much about how the Irish political system worked. “It's nearly embarrassing given that I have citizenship here,” she laughed. But after five years of living in Dublin and getting involved in politics—including campaigning in a general election—she now sees what the U.S. is missing.Ireland uses a system called proportional ranked choice voting. Each constituency (analogous to a congressional district) elects multiple representatives—typically 3 to 5—using RCV. Instead of choosing just one candidate, voters rank their preferences.This seemingly simple change has powerful consequences.“When I went into the ballot box for the first time, there were candidates from nine different parties,” Alana explained. “It wasn't just binary Democrat vs. Republican. There were shades of left, right, and center. It felt like I could vote for someone who actually aligned with me, rather than just the lesser of two evils.”This multi-representative, ranked choice system protects minority voices and prevents the all-or-nothing dynamics we've come to expect in U.S. elections. Because voters can express multiple preferences, it discourages vote-splitting and strategic voting. It encourages coalition-building and reduces the pressure to cast a so-called “wasted vote.”And perhaps most importantly, it changes the tone of campaigns.Campaigns Without Character AssassinationIn Ireland, attacking your opponent doesn't win you votes—it can actually lose them. Because second- and third-preference votes matter so much in RCV, candidates have a direct incentive not to alienate voters who already favor someone else.“We'd knock on someone's door, and they'd say, ‘I'm voting for Candidate X,'” Alana told me. “Even if that candidate was the opposite end of the spectrum from our campaign, we'd say, ‘Great—what issues matter most to you?' Then we'd try to earn their second preference.”This nuance-rich campaigning is reinforced by Ireland's strict campaign finance laws. Campaigns are limited to spending about $40,000 to $50,000 total. There are no TV ads. No Super PACs. No billionaires bankrolling disinformation blitzes.“You can't really buy your way in here,” Alana said. “If you're not knocking on doors, you're not winning votes.”Let that sink in: in Ireland, all politicians, including the equivalent of their Prime Minister, go door-to-door. Voters expect it. “I've seen voters put Post-it notes on their door with questions for candidates,” she told me. “People are engaged because they know their voice matters.”As an American who's worked on primary campaigns in New Hampshire, I found this retail politics culture deeply familiar—and inspiring. But in Ireland, it's not just for presidential primaries every four years. It's baked into every election.The result? A culture where politicians are more accountable, more accessible, and more focused on policy than on personality cults.From Pendulums to CoalitionsWe've all seen the swing: red wave, blue wave, repeal, reverse, gridlock, repeat. America's political pendulum is whiplash-inducing. Every few years, the country veers dramatically in one direction, only to lurch back again—undoing reforms, re-litigating the past, and paralyzing progress.Not so in Ireland.Because the government is typically made up of a coalition of multiple parties, wild ideological swings are rare. “There's always an opposition, and they play an important role,” Alana said. “But because you need coalitions to govern, parties are incentivized to work together.”That doesn't mean Ireland has no conflict or partisanship—of course it does. But there's a structural restraint on extremism that America sorely lacks.“It's harder to go hardcore in one fringe direction,” Alana said. “And there's more room for people to actually represent what their communities care about.”No Big Donors, No Billionaires, No ProblemThis was one of the most shocking parts of the conversation.Candidates in Ireland can't spend more than around $50K on a campaign. Individuals can donate a maximum of around $15. There are no Super PACs. No shadowy dark money groups. No endless email fundraising spam.And yet, elections still happen. Politicians still campaign. People still vote.This upends everything we've been told is “necessary” for modern democracy in America. The endless campaign season? In Ireland, campaigns legally last only three to five weeks. Fundraising marathons? They don't exist.I mentioned, “Congressional representatives in the U.S. spend 20 to 30% of their time fundraising.” Alana observed, “Here, politicians spend that time knocking on doors.”But Does It Work at Scale?Critics of RCV often argue that it's too complicated, too slow, or too confusing to be implemented at scale. But Ireland—a nation of over 5 million people—has been using it nationwide since 1922.“Elections are on a Friday. By Monday, all the senators were elected,” Alana said. “The fastest constituency took about nine hours to count, even with seven or eight rounds of redistributions.”Votes are counted manually, in public, with observers from all parties watching. It's not high-tech—but it's high-trust. Ballots are weighed, reviewed, and publicly tallied. And most importantly, the public has confidence in the outcome.“It's not perfect,” Alana acknowledged. “But it expresses more of your voter DNA than just picking one name.”Why Americans Fear RCV—and Why They Shouldn'tSome Americans worry that RCV will confuse voters, especially those with less formal education or exposure to the process. Alana rejects that idea.“We make ranked choices all the time in everyday life,” she said. “Once you explain it to someone once or twice, they get it. And if you don't want to rank everyone, you don't have to. Just rank your favorite and stop there.”The idea that voters are too ignorant to handle RCV feels more like elite paternalism than a legitimate critique. And it conveniently preserves a broken system that benefits the two dominant parties.What the Irish Think of UsAs our conversation shifted to foreign policy and America's global standing, things got… heavier.“I get a lot of sympathy and people asking, ‘What's happening over there?'” Alana said. “There's concern about global geopolitical stability. But also fear.”She described Irish neighbors who once dreamed of visiting New York, now saying they'll wait a few years until things calm down. Some even wipe their phones or travel with burner phones when visiting the U.S.—just in case.Let that sink in. We've become the country that people are afraid to visit.On Gaza, Ireland is staunchly pro-Palestinian. “There are historical parallels here,” Alana explained. “Because of our experience with British colonization, there's a lot of empathy for the Palestinian cause.”On Ukraine, Ireland has taken in many refugees and expressed full-throated support, though military aid is limited due to the country's longstanding policy of neutrality.On Iran, public sentiment leans toward de-escalation. “Ireland is a diplomacy-first country,” Alana said. “We don't send military into conflicts, so we push for calming the temperature.”There was one moment that stuck with me. Alana said: “I've heard people say, ‘I just won't be going to the States anytime soon.' These are people in their 60s, going on vacation, wondering if it's safe.”We're not just losing trust in ourselves—we're losing the world's trust in us.The Nerds TakeawayIreland's democratic system isn't perfect. No system is. But it offers a tangible counterexample to the dysfunction we've normalized in the United States.What if our representatives had to win a broad base of support, not just the loudest 25% of their primary electorate?What if campaign donations were capped at $15 and campaign seasons were capped at five weeks?What if every congressional district had three or four representatives, forcing collaboration and moderation?What if our votes truly represented the range of our values, rather than forcing binary choices?None of this is fantasy. It's just Ireland.If you're as tired as I am of the American political roller coaster, I hope this conversation gives you hope. Reform is possible. There are working models. We just need the political will—and enough nerds to make it happen.If you found this post thought-provoking, please consider supporting my channel by becoming a YouTube channel member. Your membership helps cover operating costs like streaming software, editing tools, and podcast hosting. Plus, you'll get a shoutout on every livestream.You can also subscribe to the podcast and newsletter at nerdsforhumanity.substack.com to get longform summaries of every major interview like this one.Bye nerds. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nerdsforhumanity.substack.com
For the holiday weekend - John interviews author and cinema historian Michael Koresky about his new book "Sick and Dirty: Hollywood's Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness". Then, he speaks with Pennsylvania State Representative Jessica Benham about her disability activism and her work with LGBTQ+ Equality. She is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman and first openly autistic person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. And lastly, John jokes with actor, writer, director, and co-creator of Super Troopers and Beerfest... Paul Soter. They chat about his new satirical mission: EvilPAC.org. As Creative Director of Americans for Prosparody, Soter is skewering the billionaire class and political corruption with biting wit and a fake "Super PAC" that imagines what it would look like if the ultra-rich were openly proud of buying American democracy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Democratic Party has become too focused on appeasing its billionaire donors and has failed to communicate its commitment to the working class, argues long-time political journalist David Sirota. The question moving forward, he says, is if the party can ever refocus its brand orthodoxy from prioritizing social and cultural issues to economic populism.Sirota joins Bethany and Luigi to dissect the outsized role of money in American politics and how it has rendered Democratic messaging incoherent by prioritizing wealthy donors over the public. He describes the current moment of populist rage against the Democratic leadership, as evidenced by polls, as a “long overdue” opportunity and offers an explanation for how economic populism became pivotal to winning elections – thus shedding light on how to reclaim the platform moving forward. He describes how former President Barack Obama's "selling out" to Wall Street and big banks became a “generational tragedy,” why Trump's tariffs are more of a power grab than legitimate economic policy to revive manufacturing, and responds to Luigi's hypothesis that populist rhetoric and policy are much easier from the right than from the left.Sirota is the founder and editor of the investigative news outlet The Lever, served as a speechwriter for Bernie Sanders, earned an Academy Award nomination for screenwriting the 2020 Netflix climate apocalypse drama Don't Look Up, and has written three books, including one on how corporate interests have shaped American economic policy.Over the last four years, Capitalisn't has interviewed conservative thinkers like Oren Cass, Patrick Deneen, and Sohrab Ahmari to understand how the political right developed a new platform after President Joe Biden's victory in 2020. With this episode, we continue the same project with the left, by asking: What could be the economic basis for a new progressive platform?Also check out: How Democrats Forgot to Be Normal, with Joan WilliamsHow Big Money Changed the Democratic Game, with Daniel ZiblattWhat Happened to the American Dream? With David Leonhardt
Political fundraising groups have funneled millions of dollars into ads for the Boston mayoral contest, setting the stage for the most expensive — and perhaps, most contentious — election for the city in recent memory.
Marjorie Taylor Greene went ballistic on Donald Trump over the weekend for his decision to bomb Iran, potentially entering the United States in another Middle Eastern conflict based on lies. Greene went on an epic rant about how the US was never attacked by Iran and how there is no real justification for anything that's happening, clearly telling us that Trump is lying without having to use that language. A furious Donald Trump launched a verbal assault on Republican Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky on Sunday, calling him a "pathetic loser" for opposing him on a few issues. Not long after the verbal attack, it was revealed that Trump has launched a new Super PAC with the sole purpose of funding a primary challenger to Massie in next year's midterm elections. This will be a test to see how much sway Trump actually has.During an interview on Meet The Press over the weekend, Vice President JD Vance attempted to calm Americans' fears about a potential war with Iran by telling us that this was nothing like the lead up to the Iraq War. But his statement didn't leave anyone feeling better, as Vance claimed that the difference was that back then we had leaders who were "dumb." While that may be true, we also have leaders today who are very, very dumb, and Americans know that.A top political analyst believes that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is about to hit her breaking point after just 5 months on the job. Salon's Amanda Marcotte said that the signs are there that Leavitt is struggling to keep her head above water, and that a breakdown could potentially come at any minute. This is likely going to happen before the end of the year, but that doesn't mean that we'll be free of Leavitt for good. Text and and let us know your thoughts on today's stories!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on all of Farron's content: https://www.youtube.com/FarronBalancedFollow Farron on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarronBalanced Twitter: https://twitter.com/farronbalanced Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farronbalanced TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farronbalanced?lang=en
Co-founder and Board Member of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson is a renowned political strategist, infamous award-winning ad-maker and podcast host, writer, speaker, and political commentator on MSNBC, CNN, ABC News, NPR, Real Time with Bill Maher, and various American and international news national outlets. A 30-year veteran of national Republican politics, Rick got his start in the 1988 Presidential campaign of George Herbert Walker Bush and has produced groundbreaking and award-winning political advertising, strategic counsel to winning political candidates, SuperPACS, state parties, the national campaign committees, and corporate, association, and government clients across the nation and around the world. Rick has authored two New York Times bestsellers – Everything Trump Touches Dies and Running Against The Devil – A Plot To Save America from Trump And Democrats From Themselves – and often writes for The Washington Post, Politico, Rolling Stone, The Hill, The Bulwark, and the London Spectator. Rick brings back his inimitable wit and wisdom for a chat about Trump's incendiary autocratic actions in Los Angeles and his epic break-up with Elon Musk. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel
Plus - The City warns of parking meter scam involving fake QR codes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
WBZ NewsRadio's Mike Macklin reports.
The Senate advanced a crypto regulation bill on Monday night after Democratic opposition tanked an initial attempt to advance the measure earlier this month. Meanwhile, Ripple and Coinbase are reportedly competing to acquire Circle, with supposed offers exceeding $10 billion.~This episode is sponsored by Uphold~Uphold Get $20 in Bitcoin - Signup & Verify and trade at least $100 of any crypto within your first 30 days ➜ https://bit.ly/pbnuphold00:00 intro00:15 Sponsor: Uphold00:49 Elizabeth Warren Defeated01:29 Genius Act Second Vote02:25 Stablecoin Marketcap 10X'ing03:37 Elizabeth Warren Fear Mongering04:51 Elon & Zuckerberg Stablecoins05:48 Big Tech restraints in Bill06:54 State Stablecoins07:17 Vote Results: Elizabeth Loses Big07:45 Who Voted No?08:30 Super PAC worked09:03 No FDIC & Interest Yields... Yet09:44 Ripple vs Coinbase Bidding War10:44 Lummis Won't Meet Ripple11:15 Lummis has Bitcoin bags11:40 Lummis Bitcoin Maxi Family12:40 Lummis controlled by Bitcoin Maxis14:00 Biased Senators are a problem14:25 Steak & Shake Bitcoin Payments Fail15:24 Lightning Network Payments Suck16:08 DeLorean Dunks on Saylor16:26 Ethereum & XRP Win16:49 ISO 20022 Incoming!18:12 XRP POS System Coming Soon19:06 outro#Crypto #XRP #Bitcoin~Stablecoin Bill Passing!✅XRP MASSIVE WIN!
Rep. Al Green already filed Articles of Impeachment against Trump. Trump posts that Taylor Swift is not hot. The House fails to get a budget out of committee. Former FBI Director James Comey posts an Instagram photo insinuating Trump should be assassinated. Kid Rock says we have a low birth rate in America because “who's going to sleep with these ugly ass broke liberal women”. Delegate Plaskett tells Congress to “take away some shit from the rich as well”. Squad Member Ayanna Presley demands slavery reparations NOW. Dana explains how this is historically inept. Democrats continue to turn heel about Biden's cognitive decline. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said the word “injunction” like Adam Sandler's Cajun Man character. Bernie Sanders admits dems are afraid to get attacked by Super PACs if they speak against the war on Gaza. Historian and Former MO Treasurer, Karan Pujji, explains how the separation of Balochistan from Pakistan could affect a shift in Western Civilization. Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…Relief Factorhttps://relieffactor.com OR CALL 1-800-4-RELIEFTurn the clock back on pain with Relief Factor. Get their 3-week Relief Factor Quick Start for only $19.95 today! Goldcohttps://DanaLikesGold.com My personal gold company - get your GoldCo 2025 Gold & Silver Kit. PLUS, you could qualify for up to 10% in BONUS silver.Byrnahttps://byrna.com/danaGet your hands on the new compact Byrna CL. Visit Byrna.com/Dana receive 10% off. Patriot Mobilehttps://patriotmobile.com/DanaDana's personal cell phone provider is Patriot Mobile. Get a FREE MONTH of service code DANA.HumanNhttps://humann.comSupport your metabolism and healthy blood sugar levels with Superberine by HumanN. Find it now at your local Sam's Club next to SuperBeets Heart Chews. KelTechttps://KelTecWeapons.comSee the third generation of the iconic SUB2000 and the NEW PS57 - Keltec Innovation & Performance at its best.All Family Pharmacyhttps://AllFamilyPharmacy.com/DanaCode Dana10 for 10% off your entire order.PreBornhttps://Preborn.com/DanaWith your help, we can hit the goal of 1,000 ultrasounds this month! Just dial #250 and say “Baby”. Ancient Nutritionhttp://ancientnutrition.com/DanaCollagen and wellness, powered by Ancient Nutrition—get 25% off your first order with promo code DANA.Home Title Lockhttps://hometitlelock.com/danaProtect your home! Get a FREE title history report + 14 days of coverage with code DANA. Check out the Million Dollar TripleLock—terms apply.Ground Newshttps://Groundnews.com/DANAGet 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan.
Sam Amsterdam, Senior Policy Analyst for Unicoin. Make America Wealthy Again' Super PAC. Liberation Day
This week we take on Super Pac-Man, but is it truly a step forward for the already overcrowded dot-eating genre?! We also check out Angler Dangler, Diamond Hunt, and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in today's episode!MysteryDisc #1 Playthrough - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEEwZkbSmEU&t=3740sWebsite -https://historyofvideogamespodcast.comYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/@historyofvideogamespodcast1994Twitter - https://twitter.com/HistoryofVideo1Email - historyvgpodcast@gmail.comHosts - Ben & WesMusic - Arranged and recorded by Ben
Super PACs, lobbyists, deep fakes, oh my! We're not too thrilled about the fact that politicians are motivated by money & power rather than the interests of their constituents. While echo chambers and the culture war keep us divided to our detriment. If we could find common ground, we might viva la revolution. This 'reality contradicts the messaging' extends to corporate girlbossery, too - because if you've been told gender equality has been achieved, you've been lied to. But we've got ideas on how to make some difference, or at least how to soothe your mind to make life more tolerable. Alt title: believing a politician cares about you is like believing the stripper likes you.Source list: https://bit.ly/4hIRv7oPatreon ~ patreon.com/sadgapMerch ~ sadgap-podcast.com/merch ig: @sadgap.podcast / @misandristmemes / @txgothgf / music producer @iamjonnibrooks.eth
Elon Musk is different than prior American business tycoons. Arguably, he is more powerful. More poignantly, as my guest argues, he is less dedicated to democracy, and that makes him frighteningly more dangerous. In this interview, I discuss the following with my guest scholar: ►Who was Andrew Carnegie? ►How was he similar to Musk? ►How was Carnegie - once the richest man in the world - different than Musk? ►What was Carnegie's political relationship with Washington and his outlook for America? ►Who was William Randolph Hearst? ►How was his promotional reach bigger than Musk's?►Was Hearst a Nazi? ►How was Hearst's relationship with politics and Washington different than Musk's? ►How did Hearst finally get into trouble with the people? ►Who was Joseph P. Kennedy? ►How did he make his money? In what aspects was he similar to Musk? ►Was Kennedy a Nazi sympathizer? ►How was Kennedy's relationship with FDR different than Musk's relationship with Pres. Trump?
In today's episode, Managing Editor Ari Weitzman and Executive Producer Jon Lall discuss various themes surrounding political dynamics, feedback on the podcast, and the implications of Elon Musk's actions with Doge. They talk about the challenges within the Democratic Party, the quest for authenticity in politics, and the complexities of government efficiency.Ari then speaks with Ray Brescia, a law professor and author, about the legal implications of Elon Musk's involvement with the government, particularly through the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). They discuss the legality of Musk's actions, privacy rights concerning data access, the limitations on government funding and agency operations, and the implications of civil service protections.Finally, Ari and Jon play a game of Super PAC or 'The West Wing' episode. And last but not least, the Airing of Grievances.This is a preview of today's special edition that is available in full and ad-free for our premium podcast subscribers. If you'd like to complete this episode and receive Sunday editions, exclusive interviews, bonus content, and more, head over to ReadTangle.com and sign up for a membership.Ad-free podcasts are here!Many listeners have been asking for an ad-free version of this podcast that they could subscribe to — and we finally launched it. You can go to ReadTangle.com to sign up! You can also give the gift of a Tangle podcast subscription by clicking here.You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was hosted by Ari Weitzman and Jon Lall and edited and engineered by Jon Lall. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall. Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Hunter Casperson, Kendall White, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Our logo was created by Magdalena Bokowa, Head of Partnerships and Socials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
... and he might actually be right! Listen in and hear why. OA1105 - Harvard Law professor and anti-corruption advocate Lawrence Lessig is almost certainly the only person on Earth to have had a personal relationship with both visionary hacker Aaron Swartz and former Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia. We warmly welcome Professor Lessig back to OA to share--among many other things--his experiences with each of these very different people, why he remains optimistic about campaign finance reform going into the second Trump administration, and the originalist argument against Super PACs. “Why They Mattered: Aaron Swartz,” Lawrence Lessig, Politico (12/22/2013) They Don't Represent Us: Reclaiming Our Democracy, Lawrence Lessig (2024) Republic Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress--and a Plan to Stop It, Lawrence Lessig (2011) Support End Super Pacs Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do! If you'd like to support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!
In episode 1766, Jack and Miles are joined by head of RepresentUs, Josh Lynn, to discuss… Billionaire's Super PACs And Their Harmful Influence On Politics, Dark Money Is Only "Dark" To Us, Getting Dark Money Out Of Politics and more! LISTEN: ROCKMAN by Mk.geeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks about the “Real Time with Bill Maher” audience's reaction to Bill Maher shutting down Mark Cuban and MSNBC's Joe Scarborough for making excuses for Democrats on the California Coastal Commission restricting SpaceX's ability to increase its number of launches because of Elon Musk's support of Donald Trump; Elon Musk tricking the media into publicizing his Super PAC's constitution petition by promising to give out 1 million dollars every day at random to someone who signs it; Donald Trump roasting Chuck Schumer to his face at the Al Smith Dinner; Jim Gaffigan devoting his Al Smith Dinner speech to exposing the Democratic Party for conducting a coup against Joe Biden; Stephen A. Smith's brutal attack on Barack Obama for his insulting message to black male voters; Shermichael Singleton pointing out the elite cluelessness of Brian Stelter live on CNN; and much more. WATCH the MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE segment of the show here: https://rubinreport.locals.com/ Check out the NEW RUBIN REPORT MERCH here: https://daverubin.store/ ---------- Today's Sponsors: Gravity Defyer - Sick of knee pain? Get Gravity Defyer shoes. Minimize the shock waves that normal shoes absorb through your feet, knees and hips with every step. Use the promo code "RUBIN30" at checkout, to get an extra $30 off orders over $130 or more. Go to: http://gdefy.com and Use the promo code "RUBIN30" PDS Debt- PDS Debt has customized options for anyone struggling with credit cards, personal loans, or medical bills. Everyone with $10,000 or more in eligible debt qualifies and there is no minimum credit score required. Go to: https://PDSDebt.com/RUBIN 1775 Coffee - Their new Protein Creamer is a game-changer. With 10 grams of whey protein per serving. Rubin Report viewers get 15% off their order. Go to: https://1775coffee.com/RUBIN and use code RUBIN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss election integrity, how our elections are more secure than they've ever been, and the opportunities bad actors are going to use to cast doubt on the election. Then, we'll discuss Vice President Harris's “media blitz” and who she's trying to reach. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the U.S. government using its power to take out banks when it doesn't like their customers—and shed some light on why crypto created the biggest Super PAC in the 2024 campaign. Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel: David Becker (CBS News' election law expert; Executive Director of The Center for Election Innovation and Research) Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) Susan Del Percio (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) Segments this week: (03:27) Election Integrity (26:41) Harris's media blitz Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at (202) 455-4558 Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/beckerdavidj https://x.com/lucymcaldwell https://x.com/DelPercioS Related reading: Segment 1: WP - On private call, Arizona's top Democrats debated a ‘dire' ballot dilemma - The Washington Post NPR - Arizona's high court rules that thousands can vote a full ballot after records flaw CNN - Republicans are suing more election officials over voter rolls in several battleground states | CNN Politics PBS - GBH's New Special DEADLOCK Encourages Civil Discourse about Ethical Dilemmas Segment 2: ABC News -In media blitz, Harris broadens reach but struggles to differentiate herself from Biden - ABC News WP - How Kamala Harris's media blitz went - The Washington Post Axios - Harris: "Not a thing" she'd have done differently than Biden Axios - Behind the Curtain: America's shocking agreement NYT -Poll Finds Harris Rising as She Challenges Trump on Change - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices