Ep. 704 - Everybody In The Pool!

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on the exploding 2020 Democratic field, with Ben Shapiro arguing that Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Howard Schultz each reflect a fractured party driven by identity politics, socialism, and media favoritism. He also critiques Holocaust remembrance messaging, Twitter’s reported protection of journalists from “learn to code” taunts, and the shutdown aftermath, while repeatedly accusing opponents and the press of hypocrisy and anti-conservative bias.

Main Topics: Kamala Harris's presidential launch (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro frames Harris as a media-favored, far-left candidate with strong identity-politics advantages but weak qualifications and a controversial record as California AG and senator. Democratic primary fragmentation (Priority: 5/5): He argues the 2020 Democratic race is overcrowded, ideologically lurching left, and vulnerable to a brokered or deeply divisive primary that could help Trump. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders as populist left contenders (Priority: 4/5): Warren is portrayed as an overt socialist policy wonk embraced by the Times, while Sanders is presented as a durable, charismatic-left figure with real delegate potential. Howard Schultz as spoiler candidate (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro discusses Schultz's possible independent run, suggesting he could split anti-Trump or anti-socialist votes and trigger Democratic panic. Holocaust remembrance and selective anti-Semitism (Priority: 5/5): He criticizes the left for invoking Holocaust language broadly while downplaying specific anti-Semitism, citing Planned Parenthood, Jeremy Corbyn, and Ilhan Omar. Media hypocrisy and Twitter moderation (Priority: 3/5): He says the media and platforms enforce one standard for conservatives and another for journalists and Democrats, using the 'learn to code' issue as an example. Government shutdown and political optics (Priority: 3/5): He notes polling that showed Nancy Pelosi, not Trump, became the most unpopular figure during the shutdown, arguing media narratives missed that reality.

Key Arguments: Kamala Harris benefits from being a black woman in a media environment eager for symbolic firsts, but Shapiro says her record is poor and ethically compromised. The Democratic field is so crowded and ideologically diverse that it could split the party and hand Trump an advantage. Elizabeth Warren is being rebranded by mainstream media as a policy genius, even though Shapiro sees her platform as simplistic redistribution and socialism. Howard Schultz could act as a spoiler, but only in a limited way; Democrats are overreacting because they fear vote-splitting. Holocaust remembrance is being diluted when activists use it as a generic anti-bigotry slogan rather than a specific warning about anti-Semitism and dehumanization. Twitter’s reported move to ban 'learn to code' attacks on laid-off journalists reflects elite protectionism and media double standards. The shutdown harmed Nancy Pelosi’s popularity more than Trump’s, contradicting media framing. The press routinely excuses Democrats’ flaws as brilliance or sensitivity while harshly portraying Republicans as cynical or racist.

Data Points: Trump vote in Oakland (2016): 5% - Shapiro uses this to explain why Kamala Harris drew an easy crowd in Oakland. Democratic primary base that was black in 2008: About 30% - Cited to explain why Kamala Harris may have an advantage among Black primary voters. Quoted Barack Obama label for Harris: 'the hottest attorney general in the country' (2013) - Used to illustrate her prominence within Democratic circles. Public opinion on the Holocaust among millennials: Two-thirds could not identify Auschwitz - Referenced from a 2018 poll on Holocaust knowledge. Millennials who had not heard of or were unsure about the Holocaust: 22% - Used to argue historical ignorance among younger Americans. Refusal to identify Auschwitz correctly among respondents: 41% of respondents; 66% of millennials - From the cited Holocaust knowledge survey. Planned Parenthood annual abortion figure: Some 300,000 unborn children every year - Shapiro uses this to criticize Planned Parenthood's Holocaust messaging. Government shutdown popularity figure for Democrats: 35% positive / 40% negative - NBC/Wall Street Journal poll cited after shutdown. Government shutdown popularity figure for Republicans: 34% positive / 43% negative - NBC/Wall Street Journal poll cited after shutdown. Government shutdown popularity figure for Trump: 39% positive / 51% negative - Cited to show Trump was less unpopular than Pelosi and close to party numbers. Government shutdown popularity figure for Mitch McConnell: 17% positive / 35% negative - Used as part of the broader shutdown polling comparison. Government shutdown popularity figure for Nancy Pelosi: 28% positive / 47% negative - Identified as the most unpopular politician during the shutdown. Poetically cited Democratic polling snapshot: Biden 26, Bernie 16, Harris 9, others 5 - Referenced as an early 2020 race poll ranking. Legacy Box discount: 40% off first order - Promotional sponsor read, not a substantive political statistic.

Pivotal Quotes: "Who are we as Americans? So let's answer that question to the world and each other right here and right now. America, we are better than this." — Kamala Harris: Excerpt from her Oakland presidential launch speech. "This billionaire NFL owner just paid 100 million dollars for a super yacht with its own IMAX theater. I'm pretty sure he can pay my new ultra millionaire tax to help the millions of yachtless Americans struggling with student loan debt." — Elizabeth Warren: Tweet cited by Shapiro as an example of her populist anti-wealth messaging. "I'm told by a person in the know that tweeting, learn to code at any recently laid off journalist will be treated as abusive behavior and as a violation of Twitter's terms of service." — John Levine (citing Twitter policy): Reported change regarding harassment of laid-off journalists.

Implications: Shapiro predicts a messy Democratic primary shaped by identity politics, socialism, and media bias, with the potential to fracture the party or elevate Trump. He also argues that selective outrage over anti-Semitism and platform moderation reveals deep institutional double standards.