Glenn and Mark debate whether intellectuals should be partisans in an election year. They argue about whether voter ID laws amount to voter disenfranchisement. Glenn complains about the political influence of unions. Mark accuses the Republican Party of climate change denial. Glenn reveals that he has been unimpressed by Obama’s performance, and reveals who he will vote for. Mark recalls an old essay of Glenn’s about political correctness, but gives it a new twist. Finally, they criticize the tactics of both presidential campaigns.
On the premiere episode of Adamize, Adam Serwer talks to Anna Holmes about the London Olympics, touching on the racial politics surrounding gymnast Gabby Douglas and the fetishization of biracial women like hurdler Lolo Jones. Adam notices that female athletes are overshadowing the male athletes this year. Pivoting to the election, Anna asks whether attempts to paint Obama as a cultural “other” will work. Adam wonders what’s in Mitt’s tax returns, and stands in awe of Harry Reid’s wild allegations about Romney’s taxes. In closing, Anna suggests that Democrats should “troll” Republicans more often.