Defeat or death in a video game isn’t final, you get to respawn. Following their defeat in November, Democrats are hoping to find a way back and new reporting in the New York Times by Shane Goldmacher sheds light on a prospectus for a $20 million project that would have Democrats study young men, their syntax, and that recommends that Democrats advertise in video games. In this episode we discuss the challenge Democrats have with young men and masculinity, and how that outreach plays into or against the return of politicians like former Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York, and former Ambassador, Mayor, and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who may be testing the presidential campaign waters.
Spoiler alert, we do NOT make any endorsements, but Rahm would be a formidable and strong candidate — “tough as nails” — who could handle the type of political combat defining national politics today. Rahm may also be the kind of candidate who can stand up for the institutions and democratic ideals that are losing favor with both the far right and left, but his talk of Democrats as woke and weak also speaks to baggage from a decades-long career at times marked by positions that in all truth, have not aged well.
We also delve into the Trump Administration’s war on Harvard following news of Secretary of State Marco Rubio suspending international student visa interviews. You will hear straight talk about the realities of vetting, due diligence with regards to national security, and how these aggressive moves could hurt American competitiveness.
Of course, it’s also good to disconnect, so we cover the summer blockbusters that are helping Hollywood anticipate — per Vulture’s Chris Lee — a $4 billion season in movie theaters. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane may make the Superman reboot worth seeing, but we also talk about how flawed heroes and complex characters on the big screen can help us make sense of political differences with each other.
And on a final note, the New York Knicks are showing they have some fight left in them. Even if you’re not rooting for them, you have to respect what they’ve brought to the NBA playoffs! It’s a good lesson for us all.
-Luis.
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