Mona and Jay have a guest, Russ Roberts, the economist and podcaster. He talks about, among other things, immigration. There is hardly any topic today that generates more liveliness. Roberts is lucid on the subject, and Mona and Jay contribute their own lucidity, in their fashions.

Then Mona pays tribute to Marco Rubio, who has just ended his campaign. Jay agrees entirely, except for a jot or tittle here and there. Then the topic is the fate of America: What’s it all about, Alfie? How will it turn out?

National Review’s Charles C. W. Cooke joins Jay and Mona to speak of the campaign, the citizenry, the candidates, the press, incitement to violence, and other matters, including whether he, as an America-loving immigrant, has had any second thoughts about his adoptive nation due to this campaign – or rather what this campaign has revealed about the state of the nation.

Jay and Mona then discuss Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, confiscating other people’s property, and the comforts of music among other topics. The podcast closes with a Richard Rogers song that Jay thinks many an opera composer would have been proud to create.

It’s the morning after the “small hands” debate. Mona is joined by the Ethics and Public Policy Center’s Henry Olsen, an expert on elections and politics. They pick over the pieces of what was once a great American political party. Can it be saved? Is it worth saving? What about a contested convention – is that even possible? How in the world did this happen?

Note: We had some technical difficulties with this show and the recording abruptly cuts off at the 32 minute mark. Do not adjust your listening device. We apologize and promise to do better in the future.