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6 October 2026

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Sep 2, 2012 — Mike Konczal & Michael Grunwald
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Fireside Chats

On Fireside Chats, Mike talks to Michael Grunwald about his new book, The New New Deal. What was actually in President Obama’s stimulus bill? Despite conservative criticism of Solyndra, Michael defends Obama’s investments in clean energy. To what extent was the stimulus designed with Obama’s broader policy agenda in mind? Mike asks about a range of liberal critiques of the bill. Has Obama created a new social contract comparable to FDR’s New Deal?

Sep 1, 2012 — Matthew Duss & Meir Javedanfar
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Foreign Entanglements

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Meir discuss the new IAEA report on Iran’s nuclear program. Meir is concerned that war with Iran has become an identity issue for some Americans. Turning to the recent Non-Aligned Movement conference in Tehran, they discuss the surprising roles of Ban Ki-moon and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. Matt argues that Obama’s strategy of diplomatic engagement at the UN has been vindicated. Is Israel or the US ever likely to bomb Iran? Matt worries that the tension between US and Israeli red lines increases the risk of war.

Aug 31, 2012 — Robert Wright & Christopher Ryan
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Aug 30, 2012 — Adam Serwer & Daniel Foster
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Adamize
On Adamize, Adam and Dan discuss the GOP convention in Tampa. Can Ann Romney humanize her husband, or should she just portray him as a job-creating robot? Dan recounts how the pro-life movement disowned Todd Akin, and Adam explains why rape exceptions for abortion are a tricky issue for Republicans. Gay and lesbian Republicans may be an awkward fit for the GOP convention, but Dan reports that they’re making themselves known. Finally, Adam argues that Ann Romney’s favorite TV show, Modern Family, proves that the gay rights movement is destined for victory.
Aug 29, 2012 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
On The DMZ: Has the modern political convention outlived its usefulness? Matt and Bill have a contrarian take on Ann Romney’s speech. Was Chris Christie truth-telling or self-promoting? Matt explains what is a “dog-whistle” and what isn’t. Can our political debate ever be color-blind? Plus: Race and Obama’s campaign strategy.
Aug 28, 2012 — Sarah Posner & Mollie Ziegler Hemingway
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The Posner Show
On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with Mollie about religion and the Republican National Convention. Why has Romney decided to open up about his Mormon faith? For the first time, the GOP ticket doesn’t have a Protestant on it, and Sarah and Mollie discuss why. Do Paul Ryan’s economic proposals reflect Catholic teaching, and does it matter? They debate the importance of Todd Akin, and Mollie argues that President Obama is the real abortion extremist. Does America have an “abortion culture“? Plus: Is the election still about the economy?
Aug 27, 2012 — Glenn Loury & Brink Lindsey
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The Glenn Show
Under discussion on The Glenn Show is Brink’s new book, Human Capitalism: How Economic Growth Has Made Us Smarter and More Unequal. Glenn asks Brink how his argument differs from that of Murray and Herrnstein in The Bell Curve. Brink explains how the human capital divergence contributes to growing inequality, and how the complexity of the modern world exacerbates class differences. Can education overcome the class gap? Brink describes the problems with “working class culture.” Brink closes with proposals for educational and economic reform to improve the lives of the lower class.
Aug 26, 2012 — Yong Kwon & Chris Green
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Worldwise
Aug 25, 2012 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
Matt returns to the DMZ from vacation, and relates his adventures traveling with children. Turning to politics, Matt has a theory on why ThinkProgress attacked him for thinking out loud about Todd Akin. Bill sees irony in Rush Limbaugh‘s warning against epistemic closure. Did Republicans turn on Akin just to attract women voters? Bill wants to know why the GOP is so much worse at abortion politics than it was two decades ago.
Aug 24, 2012 — Robert Wright & Gary Krist
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)

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