Ep. 151 - Every Time A Cop Dies, Obama's Approval Rating Goes Up

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that U.S. racial conflict around policing is being intensified by political and media narratives rather than driven primarily by police racism. It uses the Baton Rouge officer killings to criticize Obama, CNN, and Black Lives Matter, while contrasting Trump’s mixed rhetoric with his stronger law-and-order messaging. The show also covers the RNC, ISIS, Iran, and Turkey’s coup attempt.

Main Topics: Obama, media, and anti-police rhetoric (Priority: 5/5): The host argues Obama and mainstream media fuel racial division by promoting claims of systemic police racism without sufficient evidence, then condemning police violence in the wake of attacks on officers. Baton Rouge officer shootings and race relations (Priority: 5/5): The transcript centers on the murder of three Baton Rouge officers and the wounding of others by a black nationalist anti-police attacker, using it as the main example of anti-cop extremism. Black Lives Matter and public perceptions of police (Priority: 4/5): The host claims Black Lives Matter and related media narratives encourage distrust of police among black Americans, citing polling and high-profile cases as evidence of anti-cop bias. Trump’s law-and-order positioning (Priority: 4/5): Trump is praised for correctly emphasizing law and order and support for police, though the host criticizes his confusion about the shooter’s ideology and his awkward campaign style. Republican National Convention and the Trump-Pence ticket (Priority: 3/5): The episode discusses Trump selecting Mike Pence, the awkwardness of their joint interview, and the idea that Trump still needs a meaningful pivot to appeal to general-election voters. Foreign policy: ISIS, Iran, and Turkey (Priority: 3/5): The show criticizes Obama/Kerry for underestimating ISIS and failing on Iran, while framing Turkey’s failed coup as a last chance to stop Erdogan’s Islamist consolidation of power.

Key Arguments: Obama and liberal commentators are accused of escalating racial tension by repeatedly claiming systemic police racism without adequate evidence. The Baton Rouge killings are presented as proof that anti-cop hatred can become violent and that police are more often victims than perpetrators in interracial violence. Black Lives Matter is described as a movement that amplifies anti-police bias while ignoring black-on-black crime and the role of crime in police encounters. Polling is used to argue that many black Americans distrust police more than whites do, which the host attributes partly to media and political influence rather than lived experience alone. Trump’s strongest political advantage is on law and order, where he can contrast himself with Democrats who, in the host’s view, vilify police. Mike Pence is portrayed as more disciplined and coherent than Trump, but the Trump-Pence pairing appears awkward and politically uncertain. The Obama administration is criticized for foreign-policy weakness, including its handling of ISIS, the Iran deal, and support for Erdogan after Turkey’s coup attempt.

Data Points: Obama approval rating (ABC): 56% - The host cites this as evidence that Obama benefits politically after police shootings. Obama approval rating (Gallup): 51% - Used alongside the ABC figure to show continued presidential support. Confidence in police among whites: 59% have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence; 14% have little or none - Presented to contrast white and black perceptions of police. Confidence in police among blacks: 37% have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence; 25% have none at all - Cited as evidence of substantial distrust of police in black communities. Belief police use deadly force too quickly (2014): 74% of black people; 28% of white people - Used to support the claim of different racial perceptions of policing. Black people more likely to be shot by police than whites: Rejected by the host; he cites a Harvard study saying whites are significantly more likely to be shot by police - Referenced as a challenge to the dominant anti-police narrative. Territory held by ISIS in Iraq reclaimed: 40% to 45% - Used in John Kerry’s discussion of the anti-ISIS campaign. Possible centrifuge replacement under Iran deal: Up to 3,500 advanced centrifuges after 11 to 13 years - Used to argue the Iran deal made future Iranian weaponization easier. Time for Iran to make a weapon: Reduced from about 1 year to 6 months - Derived from the centrifuge upgrade details in the AP report. Number of officers killed in Baton Rouge: 3 killed, 3 wounded - Describes the attack that anchors the segment on policing and race. DeRay McKesson view on All Lives Matter: Described as a distraction technique - Quoted from McKesson’s CNN appearance to criticize the slogan and movement framing. Poll on O.J. Simpson guilt among blacks: 60% didn’t believe he was guilty - Used as an example of black skepticism toward prosecution narratives. Poll on Freddie Gray officers being charged: 80% of blacks, 60% of whites - Cited to show racial differences in evaluating police conduct.

Pivotal Quotes: "Attacks on police are an attack on all of us." — Barack Obama: Obama’s statement after the Baton Rouge officer killings, which the host says conflicts with his prior rhetoric on police racism. "We don't have a vicious cycle of black men shooting at police." — Baraki Sellers (CNN): Used by the host to argue that media figures minimize anti-police violence and police danger. "The conversation about police brutality is a lie and dishonest." — Jason Whitlock: Whitlock’s critique of media and political framing of police violence, presented as a more candid perspective.

Implications: The episode frames policing, race, and media as a political battleground likely to intensify during the election. It argues that law-and-order messaging may help Republicans, while Democrats risk further alienating voters by reinforcing racial grievance narratives.