Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
We talk Turkey with Claire Berlinski, baseball with Ursula Hennessey, and California and national politics with Mike Murphy. Plus we answer member questions and ponder a certain candidate's future. All this and more on this week's Ricochet Podcast. Join the conversation at Ricochet.com or write us at podcast@ricochet.com.
Run Down:
00:40 No bull, it's Claire Berlinski -- live from Istanbul
22:20 Rob, Peter, and Claire discuss South Carolina politics, Sarah Palin, and elections results from around the country.
26:57 Ursula Hennessey joins to discuss her family, the non-perfect game, and why we should care about the World Cup.
1:05:20 Mike Murphy on Meg Whitman's landslide victory, Republican prospects for the fall, and the future of our favorite Democratic politician.
1:25:20 Wrap Up
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Comments :
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
The big chest swelling and tear welling moment for me (other than mentioning my comment :-) ) was hearing Ursula and Peter talking about the bad call baseball event. Hearing about how the fans and players first reacted then how they calmed down and let bygones be bygones seemed like a perfect distillation of America.
Studying U.S. history and the wars she's been involved in, I'm struck by the American ability to seek restoration after every war. WW2 specifically comes to mind. Japan viciously attacked the U.S. It was a bloody and protracted war. Yet, at the end of the war, the American victors went into Japan, not to occupy it in perpetuity, but to rebuild it. That rebuilding effort propelled Japan the "kick up" making it one of the most advanced societies post WW2 societies.
And now we're in Iraq. No matter how much one opposed the Iraq invasion, it's impossible to deny the U.S.'s good will in bringing restoration to that nation. There aren't many other nations in history where the victor of a war seeks to restore a nation toward self-governance. So, could it be said the U.S. is a benevolent hegemon?
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
I have a fervent request. First, the background.
I live in the Midwest. I am one of those "Ya-sure-you-betcha" hicks who went to a state university, didn't take English classes and thus didn't read Toni Morrison or Foucault, and likes Palin precisely because she is like us.
Do I think that she knows anything about foreign policy? Nope. Would I nominate her for president? No (VP, yes). Would I prefer that she run almost any cabinet department in preference to the current occupants (including AG)- or better than almost any of the literary people at Ricochet? Yes. Yes.
Do I think that she would fit in at the Algonquin with Benchley and Dorothy? No. Neither would I. Her book is cliche-ridden- you betcha- and plain-spoken. It was not written for sophisticated coastal or international glitterati- it was written for my elderly mother, who also had five kids and never heard of Derrida.
If Ricochet contributors cannot appreciate why Palin, with all of her warts, is good for and connects with so much of America, it is destined to turn into yet another elitist, coastal echo chamber.
Please- next time that topic comes up, have Matthew Continetti in the conversation.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
I'm with you, Duane. I love Ricochet thus far, but sometimes it feels like a conference of professors. It needs a bit less Tocqueville and a bit more John Wayne. But I don't want anything watered down. I just hope we can get the lawyers and the truckers talking with each other more.
Palin is genuine and driven by common sense. That's why she appeals to so many Americans and why no conservative should feel embarrassed by her success. I'm encouraged by straight-shooters with courage like her and Chris Christie, but I'm not familiar with many of their views at this point.
I like Claire's reminder that a nation's foreign relations aren't as simple as identifying its best interests. Human nature is always at play. We're not just calculating machines.
When I think of Obama acting as a citizen of the world, I wonder what wonderful new programs the U.N. might propose that the U.S. will have the privilege of funding.
As a Texan and Gulf Coast Southerner, California politics is as foreign to me as Merkel and Erdogan. All I can do is raise an eyebrow and grab some more popcorn.
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
Duane, Aaron, I hear you. As far as the tone of Ricochet is concerned, it's a work in progress. The more constructive criticism, the better. We're trying to launch a site that hosts lots and lots of conversations -- we're trying to make a place where, every moment of the day, you can find someone to debate, make a joke, agree or disagree with in a sporting and friendly atmosphere. And we're trying to get enough of the well-known center/right thinkers and writers on here to create exactly that kind of exchange. We may not hit it all the time -- although I predict we'll get better and better each day -- but that's what we're going for.
Okay, that said: this Palin thing sort of bugs me. Look, you don't have to be a toffee-nosed snoot to find her unimpressive as a potential president -- and I include in that category the actual definition of a "potential president," the office of Vice President of the United States. Liking Sarah Palin should not be a litmus test for being a "regular person," and disliking her isn't dispositive proof that someone is an east coast elite.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
"Toffee-nosed snoot"? ;-)
Boy, great phrase- never read it in Wodehouse. I had to go back to remember Simon Templar's contemporaires to dig it up! Never heard my kid say anything like that, and she is an expat bacterium living right in the intestines of the beast.
Rob, on the substance I don't necessarily disagree (I don't necessarily agree about VP either). But in the podcast it bugged me that Peter started out by making positive comments, then after the subject had gone around the table he essentially flipped (go back and listen to the exchange) after Ursula weighed in. To balance this out, you need Matthew, who is something of an expert, to come and share his book research. And invite Steve Biegun on as a guest- that would be interesting regardless.
It is not good for the conservative movement to have instant reactions- prior to any words or gaffes- from David Frum, David Brooks, and Kathleen Parker- saying that she was "dangerous", and "eeeeouuw!" regarding someoine who has so obviously and easily gripped the vital nerve of so many on the Right.
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Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
I totally agree. What I really like about Sarah Palin is that she's a great compass for the conservative movement. She points, pretty much always, in the right direction. The more people we have like that, in the culture, the better. She's worth about seventeen zillion left-wing nutjobs out of Hollywood.
As president, though, that's where I jump off the train. Brooks and Frum et al may be wrong about a lot. But I recall something a foreign diplomat told me, back during the Bush administration. He said it was impossible to convince certain people that some things are true even if George W. Bush says they're true.
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
"It is not good for the conservative movement to have instant reactions- prior to any words or gaffes- from David Frum, David Brooks, and Kathleen Parker- saying that she was "dangerous", and "eeeeouuw!" regarding someoine who has so obviously and easily gripped the vital nerve of so many on the Right"
Here,here. And now we have the EXACT same thing happening with Sharron Angle. Krauthammer, et al calling her wacky. Your Murphy guy doing the same. Why are you pundits such damn conformists? Why not have her on Ricochet for a conversation? It would be nice to actually hear from the woman herself before casting her into the asylum. Do conservatives have some kind of death wish? Just remember one thing. We will never get any love from the left...no matter how brilliant, no matter how perfect...we may be.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
Why not? Even if Palin's unlikely to agree, there's no harm in inviting her onto the podcast. She would appreciate the casual atmosphere of Ricochet. At the very least, maybe one of Ricochet's resident governors could try to land a brief one-on-one chat with his fellow politician.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
Scott Reusser from a related conversation: "Dave: I do not want Palin to be president primarily because I wish to avoid what Rob recently called the"high wire act" whenever someone on our side is championing our positions. I'm on edge whenever Palin speaks for fear that she'll screw up."
I agree and I would add that I do not feel at all comfortable with the idea of Sarah Palin as our president and handling all of our National Security (although I would prefer her to the current administration).
I think she is perfect doing exactly what she is doing - facilitating the grassroots movements and championing conservative candidates.
And she would be a great Ricochet guest!
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
Actually, Aaron, I was referring to Sharron Angle, but Palin would be great, just not quite as immediately relevant as she is not currently running for an office.
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
To be sure, cdor, there are many on the left who won't give people right of center any love, if by love you mean applause and support for someone who disagrees fundamentally with their principles and policies. And there are even some lefties who are permanent haters. But in my view these facts don't get us very far in helping us decide when internal criticism on the right is productive and when it's counterproductive. I doubt Charles Krauthammer is trying to endear himself to the left, or get invited to more cocktail parties. When it comes to Palin I'm hard pressed to find conformity ruling the punditocracy on the right. In part, this is because what Palin's done post-election has changed opinions and minds. Some like her more. Some less. And some like her more as a whole, but less for higher office.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
It reminds me of the common business situation where a great specialist gets promoted to management and does terribly at the new position. I can certainly respect the view that Palin might be more effective in her present role.
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
Cdor, Aaron -- great suggestions. It would be terrific to have both Angle and Palin on the podcast. I can't say I'm really educated on Angle -- she may be great -- but I know Mike Murphy, and it's his job to analyze strengths and weaknesses of a candidate, based on what he knows about the state and the opponent. As far as Palin goes, she'd be a terrific podcast guest. (And probably a terrific Ricochet contributor. We'll have to see about that....)
But, again, it's one thing to be a great podcast guest and a great Ricochet contributor and a great all-around right-wing thinker. It's quite another to be president. My guess is that Palin is going to be a magnificent evangelist for our cause, but not necessarily the best chief executive. And that's not an insult by any means. I'd say the same about my friend (and idol) Mark Steyn. And I'd bet that Mark would say the same about Mark Steyn.
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
Excellent, Rob. It does irritate me that Angle is being typecast by our own. Are we trying to cripple her before she even has a chance? She is running against Harry Reid for God's sake. We need to support her. We need her to win. She has a wonderful opportunity if our intellectuals would back off with the premature critiques. She will get plenty of that crap from Reid himself...probably about $25 million dollars worth.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
Actually, Palin would probably be perfectly fine as a chief executive, which is why she would, in my view, be a decent VP candidate. She would, however, be a hopeless presidential candidate for the next decade or so because she is too easy to caricature in a way that resonates with the independents who are not politically active and just get the MSM vibe. That is political image death; Ronald Reagan went through much of that and had a stronger base from which to battle that painted perception, along with a disastrous economy and hostage futility to exploit.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast Episode 20: The Year of the Spanking
I was thinking one other thing when chewing around on Peter's and Mike Murphy's California talk. There was a lot of negative talk about Fiorina not being adequately conservative, especially compared with her completely unelectable primary opponent. One of the popular lines was about how she destroyed the HP company culture, partly by pushing to merge with Compaq, plus other sins, to the extent that the Packard son on the Board was opposed to her.
I wonder in what other arena conservatives would promote the views of a hidebound trust-fund baby over a CEO who sees that the biggest problem in a successful corporation is rigid stasis?