The politics of hurricanes
My family's prayers are with everyone in the Carolinas today as Hurricane Florence wreaks havoc.
Aside from the obvious human suffering natural disasters cause for our friends, families, and communities, these events often have political stories, as well. For many observers, President George W. Bush's mishandling of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the beginning of the end of his political influence.
Likewise, Donald Trump recently aroused criticism for bizarrely claiming that Americans who died in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (as the result of power outages, etc.) don't count as part of the death toll. Sensing the political storm this might create at home among Puerto Rican Americans, Florida governor and U.S. Senate candidate Rick Scott has distanced himself from Trump's tweet, as has U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who is running to replace Scott as Florida Governor.
This week on the DMZ Show, Bill Scher and I discuss the politics of hurricanes and Trump's neglect of Puerto Rico.
Please stay safe!
Every Man a King
It's a line that Huey Long stole from William Jennings Bryan, and now, it's the name of a great new book. Fox News’ politics editor Chris Stirewalt came on the podcast this week discusses Every Man a King: A Short, Colorful History of American Populists.
Also on the podcast this week, I talked to Chris Novembrino, co-host of The All In The Family Podcast. Make sure to check out these terrific conversations. And please don't forget to rate and review the podcast on iTunes.
And if that's not enough...
If you're interested in thoughtful, long-form discussions, there were two amazing ones this week on other people's podcasts (OPP). First, liberal Ezra Klein interviewed National Review's David French about "The Great White Culture War." And conservative "Never Trumper" Jamie Weinstein interviewed CNN media reporter Brian Stelter about the state of modern media. Actually, Weinstein put the whole "breaking news"/panel discussion format on trial. To his credit, Stelter responded with a lot of interesting insight, as well as thoughts on how the smartphone dramatically changed the cable news business. It's worth your time to listen to both of these terrific conversations.
TR's Last War
Friend of the podcast David Pietrusza is out with a new book, TR's Last War: Theodore Roosevelt, the Great War, and a Journey of Triumph and Tragedy. Get your copy, today!
Swag Is Here!
Attention Patreon supporters: Show off your “Never Trump” bonafides in this stylish t-shirt—and drown your center-right sorrows in a “Matt Lewis & The Brews” beer stein (pictured here).