Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
With a hot line up of guests, we're burning rubber this week. Strategist Mike Murphy returns to the podcast for a fascinating discussion of what happened in California, the future of the party, and yes, a certain candidate from Delaware. Then we're joined by John Yoo and Richard Epstein who labor against a spotty Skype connection to explain what the recent court decision on health care and where the battle for repeal goes from here. Also, Rob discusses why his script is late and Peter boasts about his hot new wheels. Or his hot wheels.
A hail of bullets:
- Peter Robinson's poodle Crusoe carefully guards the family's new ride.
- We don't know why James Lileks couldn't make it today, but perhaps it had something to do with this.
- As noted last week, the script Rob is trying to finish is for Indian/Canadian comedian Russell Peters. If the pilot is picked up, it will be on NBC in the fall.
- Jeffrey Toobin's New Yorker piece accuses the Roberts court of "willingness, even its eagerness, to overturn the work of legislatures."
- The "No Labels" convention is currently being held at Columbia University. Featured speakers include Charlie Christ, Michael Bloomberg, and Joe Scarborough. Sounds like a party.
- Here's the clip of Justice Alito mouthing "not true" during last year's State of The Union speech. Dramatic stuff.
- The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 was signed by President Clinton on August 22nd, 1996, a little less than 21 months after the 1994 mid-term elections.
- Ricochet member Scott Reusser's post about the gaming of unemployment benefits maybe found here.
- Professor Randy Barnett has his very own website.
- Richard used the example if government required auto insurance to help explain why government mandated health insurance may be unconstitutional. There was a similar debate recently in the member feed on Ricochet.
- Don't miss Richard and John's various Ricochet posts on Obamacare and the recent court decision. They also duke it out in the comments.
- Once again, apologies for the Skype issues. Skype is kind of like democracy -- it's the worst solution except for all the others.
Music from this week's episode:
- Let Yourself Go by James Brown
- Camaro by Kings of Leon
The direct link to this week's episode is here, but we'd really love it if you'd subscribe. Don't use iTunes? Visit our Feedburner page for a number of other subscription options.
The Ricochet Podcast is sponsored by Encounter Books. Our featured title this week is How the Obama Administration Has Politicized Justice by Andrew C. McCarthy. Available for $5.99 at EncounterBooks.com.
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Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
Rob Long:
"OK! Why don't we take a few calls?"
Peter Robinson:
"Rob, I thought we'd agreed not to do this..."
Rob Long:
"Hello, Walter in Cleveland...you're on Ricochet!"
Caller:
"I wanted to ask John...when you were shooting "Mission Impossible, 2", how did you get Tom Cruise to look, like, regular? I mean, he's practically a midget, right?"
John Yoo:
"Uh?"
Rob Long:
"He's got you confused with John Woo, the film director..."
Caller:
"I really liked that scene where the missile hits and Cruise goes, like, wang!, flying backwards. He's gay, right?"
Rob Long:
"OK! Let's go to Meg in Atherton!"
Caller:
"Mike, where'd my money go? $165 million and I got nothing to show for it."
Mike Murphy:
"Meg, come on. I told you right from the start it was a crapshoot."
Caller:
"You know what you should have told me, Mike? You know what you should have told me?"
Mike Murphy: (sighs)
"Meg, come on..."
Caller:
"You should have told me that we were gonna waste 165 million bucks because I have all the political charisma of a flounder!"
Edited on Dec 15, 2010 at 6:14pmJun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
I always hate when the podcast ends. Seems extra quiet afterwards. Plus, just for a moment, I thought I had received a special early-adopter monthly firesale rate for Ricochet.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
May I just say, this was a delight from beginning to end. I usually email these to somebody or another who's not terribly political, and they always enjoy them, cause I give em a cutoff point ("listen to the first five minutes"). Am struggling to come up with a cutoff point here.
PS, alas the Code of Conduct prevents us from appending the proper adjective before "Camaro".
Edited on Dec 15, 2010 at 6:33pmMay '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
I'm glad Mike stuck around.
I'd still say that a RINO who might be worth something if we were playing politics as usual is utterly worthless when the changes Republicans must make (addressing entitlements, eliminating programs and agencies, attacking federal laws with the world's biggest eraser) require spine and heartfelt principles. Some of the Republican candidates who lost might have really stunk, but I don't think voters were wrong to vote for whomever they believed were the most genuinely conservative candidates.
Rob and Peter, you're exactly right that the Supreme Court will be accused of "judicial activism" if Obamacare is ruled unconstitutional. The Left has a long history of accusing conservatives of every offense the Left is guilty of.
Usually, John and Richard focus like a laser on specific laws and legal history. I was shocked to hear them talking philosophically about freedom. Bravo! I appreciate their normal routine, but it's better with a little extra-legal discussion mixed in. In a system that has succumbed to the whims of individual judges, a little respect for society before and beyond law goes a long way.
Speaking of lawyers, has Adam been on a podcast?
Sep '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
I always look forward to the podcasts. They are great! I say this as someone who has been listening to talk radio for 20 years, as well as other podcasts. The content is always stimulating, there is plenty of humor and unexpected delights. It is a perfect blend of politics pop culture, art and wit.
That said, I'm not looking forward to listening to Mke Murphy. I may be surprised, but I have the feeling I'm going to come away incensed, so I think it is worthwhile saying this before I listen to the podcast.
In another post Murphy says something about his prediction about the Delaware race and that he was gloating. I don't mind people gloating when vindicated, but I don't know what he could possibly gloat about in this case.
We all knew she was going to lose. What is remarkable, and something I'm quite happy about is that Castle is not representing the GOP in the Senate. Why, pray tell, can't Republican strategists take the long view and understand that appeasing the middle gets the GOP in more trouble than the loss of a seat or two?
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
1) I thought that Mrs. Robinson had vetoed the dark blue Camaro dream....?
2) I live in the Minneapolis area. We have had no snow since last weekend in town (South of here they had a little bit). The roads are all clear. No problem driving; I went to work at 60 MPH most of the way.
So what was Sir James really off doing wile neglecting his solemn duty?
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
Aaron Miller: I'm glad Mike stuck around.
Speaking of lawyers, has Adam been on a podcast? · Dec 15 at 8:19pm
Well, Mike loves to mix it up. I think it's great that he does, and great that the Ricochet community mixes it up with him right back. How many other national big-time pundits can say the same?
And you're right, Aaron -- we haven't had Adam on. Frankly, I'm surprised he hasn't complained about that! We'll rectify as soon as possible....
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
Official fan of the podcasts here. Like Dave M., I don't like it when the podcast ends, either. I even found myself muttering out loud, "What? Where is everyone going? Come back!" The sad thing is if or when I ever do meet the Contributors in person, I'm probably going to be a little too forward and assuming. Y'all have been living in my MP3 player all year. I talk to you all the time. We're buds now!
I agree that Aaron is a smart guy. He also comes across as very kind-hearted in his posts.
So, were you just teasing us about putting the winners of the election prediction contest (Pilgrim & Kenneth) on a podcast? I took you seriously, and I keep finding my hopes dashed every time I listen to a new podcast.
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
I just joined, so this was my first podcast. I liked it, though I don't know all the personalities yet.
The answer to Mike Murphy on electing RINO's is that we're better off running true conservatives than RINO's. Yes, Angle and O'Donnell lost. In retrospect, the Tea Party in those states should have come up with better conservative candidates.
RINO's fill a seat and contribute to a majority, it's true. But they also water down the conservatism factor and that makes the party look bad. In elections we can't say why we're better than they are. Because we're not, at least not demonstrably so. Look at who's supporting DADT from our side right now: The usual suspects, including Lisa Murkowski. Think Joe Miller would be voting for this? She is happy to call herself a Republican and vote like a Democrat. Who needs it? That's what got us into this mess in the first place.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
A welcome return to form. (The 'four media guys discuss the smell of the New York Times' episode was a personal nadir.) The John and Richard Show goes from strength to strength. And I salute Peter's quixotic quest to discover why California sucks.
Not that Mike's answer really helped: 'Why did CA vote D?' Because it leans blue. O.K. But Mike's millimetre deep and next-five-minutes focus is important to hear, because I suspect it's how most of the folks in DC (the DC that lives in the heads of politicians and their hangers on) think. (And I don't deny for a second that the top millimetre is very important, especially if it's your skin...)
Sep '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
Michael Kellogg: I just joined, so this was my first podcast. I liked it, though I don't know all the personalities yet.
The answer to Mike Murphy on electing RINO's is that we're better off running true conservatives than RINO's. Yes, Angle and O'Donnell lost. In retrospect, the Tea Party in those states should have come up with better conservative candidates.
Welcome to the conversation Michael. There are many here who agree with your sentiments. For a bit of background on richocheteers' sparring with Mike Murphy, check out these two threads, obliquely referenced in the podcast. Mike Murphy peacemaker and Mike Murphy innocent reporter of poll results
I'm sure you will find this an interesting and compelling read!
Funny how Mike ignores the many salient points made there, both in the thread itself and now on the podcast, and and boils his opponents arguments into thoughtless invective.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
Franco
Welcome to the conversation Michael. There are many here who agree with your sentiments. For a bit of background on richocheteers' sparring with Mike Murphy, check out these two threads, obliquely referenced in the podcast. Mike Murphy peacemaker and Mike Murphy innocent reporter of poll results
I'm sure you will find this an interesting and compelling read!
Funny how Mike ignores the many salient points made there, both in the thread itself and now on the podcast, and and boils his opponents arguments into thoughtless invective. · Dec 17 at 3:34am
Sounds to me like Rob needs to moderate a "Beer Summit" with Mike Murphy and some of his more vociferous debaters.
Welcome to the par-teh, Michael!
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
Welcome, Michael. If you want catch up, all of our past podcasts are here or on our iTunes page.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
Mike Murphy's "3 for 3" comment is - to quote "The Mote in God's Eye" - "not in accordance with the facts".
Those facts include exit polls which show Mike Castle would have lost in the general election, as well as the power of Harry Reid's vote machine (like SEIU managing much of the voting hardware).
Murphy also conveniently ignores the "establishment" Republicans who lost statewide races.
I'm afraid my opinion of Murphy is more in alignment with Robert Stacy McCain's opinion. I don't know whether I can express that opinion here, given the "civility" requirement. So I simply suggest that others search "theothermccain.com" for Murphy's name to view that opinion.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
One other item which Murphy didn't mention is that the primary defeats of people like Castle and Bennett put the fear of God - or, at least, the voters - in the hearts of current Republican senators, and that's credited with the defeat of DREAM and OmniPorkulus in Harry Reid's lame-duck cramdown session.
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
I've listened to them all since the very beginning. Lots of highlights over the past year but the exchanges between John and Richard are always the very best of the best.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
Probably too late to matter, but I'm just catching up on my podcasts and have a word or two to add about Mike Murphy's senate analysis. First of all, I love the podcast, but for the life of me I can't figure out why y'all are panty-waists with Mike.
Virtually his entire Delaware/US Senate comment was a straw man argument. He can only win that argument by caricaturing what happened and the people involved...which he does so well.
Just once - ONCE! - I'd like to hear one of O'Donnell's detractors explain how having another Arlen Specter on our side of the Senate aisle would benefit the conservative cause. NO ONE, to my knowledge, has taken up that point. Instead, y'all slap each other on the back and guffaw when one of you trots out yet another inanity about O'Donnell's candidacy and/or the people who supported her over Castle. C'mon already, man up! Tell us, Mike, how the Arlen Specter act would play out differently with Mike Castle. Hmmm? Jonah? How about it? Anyone? Helllllooooo out there.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #48: The Camaro
And a second point that the O'Donnell and Angle detractors refuse to consider (probably because they know they'd lose this argument, too) is the fact that the ton of money the Dems poured into Delaware and Nevada was NOT spent in PA or IL.
Which means the victories Kirk and Toomey eked out would likely NOT have been victories at all, if the DE and NV Dem dollars were available to spend in PA and IL.
Which means this: instead of having Deeds and Toomey and Kirk (one lib Dem and two Repubs (one conservative, one moderate)) in the US Senate we would have had Castle and Sestak and Giannoulias (one lib Repub and two lib Dems).
Gee, I wonder which scenario is more favorable to the conservative cause? Christine O'Donnell did more for the conservative cause in defeat than Mike Castle would ever have done for the cause in victory. Furthermore, a Senator Castle would've given bipartisan cover to all manner of terrible Dem legislation (is there any other?), a la Specter and to a lesser degree Snowe and Collins, that Senator Deeds can't.
And Mike Murphy is considered to be a top strategist??!!