Political Gabfest

Voted “Favorite Political Podcast” by Apple Podcasts listeners. Stephen Colbert says "Everybody should listen to the Slate Political Gabfest." The Gabfest, featuring Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, is the kind of informal and irreverent discussion Washington journalists have after hours over drinks.

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News
Government
Politics
151
Go Ahead, Call It A Bailout
The Silicon Valley Bank bailout; DeSantis advocates abandoning Ukraine; and free speech fights on campus.
62 min
152
Another Florida Man Is Running For President
Ron DeSantis’ pre-campaign, the end of pandemic-era medicaid & food supports, and legal fights over medication abortion.
49 min
153
So It Was A Lab Leak?
Loan forgiveness at the Supreme Court; lab leak politics; and the future of humanities education.
54 min
154
What Tucker Carlson is Saying When You’re Not L...
Anne Applebaum on the year of war on Ukraine; the smoking gun Fox News text messages; and Section 230 at the Supreme Court.
56 min
155
Gabfest Reads: A Boarding School Thriller, But ...
Rebecca Makkai’s new book I Have Some Questions For You is a murder mystery that feels ripped from Twitter.
33 min
156
President Nikki Haley?
Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign; taking the “affirmative” out of affirmative action; and Amanda Ripley on the congressional committee that got things done.
52 min
157
Biden Gets Frisky
The raucous State of the Union; the balloon and U.S.-China relations; and missteps in treating menopause.
52 min
158
Is Police Reform Possible?
The killing of Tyre Nichols; Alec MacGillis on violence interruption efforts; and the State of the Union.
55 min
159
DeSantis University
The rise of Marjorie Taylor Greene; Ron DeSantis’ anti-anti-racist academics; & the bipartisan bashing of monopolist Ticketmaster.
50 min
160
Gabfest Reads: Two Horrifying Days in D.C.
Shahan Mufti discusses his new book, American Caliph: The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood Epic, and the 1977 Siege of Washington, D.C.
32 min
161
Does Alito Hate Sotomayor?
Biden’s document debacle; SCOTUS justices’ open animosity; and Davos during “polycrisis”
48 min
162
Weaponization of Government
The House GOP launches investigations; Marcos Nobre on the insurrection in Brazil; and the British monarchy.
56 min
163
Kevin McCarthy In Hell
The GOP’s speakership debacle; fabulist Rep. George Santos; and improving access to medication abortion.
47 min
164
Conundrum 2022 with Alison Bechdel
Emily, John, and David close out 2022 puzzling over life’s perplexing questions—with special guest Alison Bechdel!
53 min
165
Inciting Insurrection
The January 6th Committee’s findings; Josh Partlow on the brewing water crisis in the West; and looking back on 2022.
52 min
166
Gabfest Reads: Everything You Need to Know Abou...
Gautam Mukunda explains how to predict presidential success – and how to make the right choice for the job - in his new book, Picking Presidents.
39 min
167
Is Kyrsten Sinema Toast?
Sinema ditches the Dems; Republicans’ good turnout, poor performance midterms; and the Pelosi documentary.
42 min
168
Can We Stop Talking About Georgia Now?
62 min
169
Is Antisemitism Back?
Trump elevates proud antisemites Ye and Fuentes; protestors challenge China’s authoritarian regime, and Congress protects marriage equality.
49 min
170
What If Twitter Dies?
The future of Twitter, a ghoulish World Cup, and Justice Alito is accused of a pre-Dobbs leak.
57 min
171
Gabfest Reads: Rethinking J. Edgar Hoover
Beverly Gage talks about writing the first major J. Edgar Hoover biography in over a quarter century.
33 min
172
SBF FTX WTF?
Candidate Trump, election denying candidates lose, and a crypto firm’s implosion shakes the Effective Altruism movement.
46 min
173
Extremely Surprising Midterms
Midterm surprises; what the midterm results might mean for governance in the U.S.; and the challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act at the Supreme Court
48 min
174
Live From Atlanta!
Georgia & the midterms, the potential for more political violence, and affirmative action at the Supreme Court.
77 min
175
Bonus Episode: The PA Midterms Edition
A special episode of the Political Gabfest on the midterm races in Pennsylvania.
20 min