On Foreign Entanglements, Rob speaks with Sean about the recent Greek election. Rob asks Sean how the conservative New Democratic Party managed to put together a winning message on austerity, and Sean points out that Greece’s leverage over the EU may be on the decline. Rob wonders whether the European Central Bank is simply trying to break the southern European social democratic model. Finally, Rob and Sean discuss whether the United States can enjoy the luxury of a dysfunctional political system for the foreseeable future. Rob concludes by acknowledging the existence of a blue whale.
On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with Jamelle about his piece on how the Democrats shouldn’t count on demographics turning the GOP into an electoral minority. Jamelle suggests we might see a Marco Rubio-George P. Bush GOP ticket at some point in the future. They discuss Romney’s reaction to Obama’s decision to stop deporting children of undocumented immigrants. Is the “browning” of the evangelical movement a real thing? Is the “Catholic vote” a real thing? Plus: Is the evangelical movement losing younger members?
On The Glenn Show, Ann and Glenn discuss the constitutionality of President Obama’s healthcare law. Ann suggests that the Supreme Court striking down the law might help Obama’s political fortunes. Glenn disputes this, while observing that conservatives have certainly benefited over the years from the Court’s pro-abortion rulings. They discuss the uproar over Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren’s Native American ancestry, and, invoking the career of Justice Clarence Thomas, debate the politics of affirmative action. Responding to the failed attempt to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Ann thinks her formerly blue state is turning redder by the day. Glenn defends and Ann criticizes efforts to promote public employment during this recession.
On Friedersdorf, Noah begins by accusing libertarians of turning a blind eye to the Bush-Obama national security state. Conor argues that supporting the Libertarian Party in a two-party system is not quixotic, even though libertarianism has an image problem. Moving to the debate over higher education, Noah suggests that a college degree doesn’t just signal intelligence, but that education actually transforms students. Conor, on the other hand, worries that college might cost society more than it’s worth.