Ep. 930 - When The Media Don’t Care About Iranians

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on two major political stories: Iran’s accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger jet and the resulting anti-regime protests, and the shifting Democratic presidential primary, where Bernie Sanders gains momentum as Cory Booker exits. Shapiro argues Trump’s Soleimani strike was justified deterrence, Democrats are misreading Iran, and Sanders’s rise reflects the party’s foreign-policy confusion.

Main Topics: Iran protests and the downing of the Ukrainian jet (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro frames Iran’s admission that it accidentally shot down Flight 752 as proof the regime is dangerous, corrupt, and dishonest, and highlights the surge of anti-government protests after the disaster. Trump’s Soleimani strike and deterrence strategy (Priority: 5/5): He argues the killing of Qasem Soleimani was planned, justified, and effective in deterring Iranian aggression, contrary to media claims that it was impulsive or reckless. Democratic response to Iran and the Pelosi critique (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro criticizes Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats for refusing to fully back Iranian protesters and for allegedly protecting the Obama-era narrative on Iran. Bernie Sanders vs. Joe Biden in the 2020 race (Priority: 5/5): The transcript shifts to the Iowa/New Hampshire contest, where Sanders is portrayed as rising, Biden as inconsistent, and Warren as vulnerable. Cory Booker drops out of the race (Priority: 3/5): Booker’s exit is presented as proof that identity-based Democratic optimism cannot overcome weak candidacy and limited support. Impeachment as a failed Democratic strategy (Priority: 3/5): Pelosi’s impeachment approach is described as ineffective, with Democrats failing to corner McConnell or produce meaningful political gains. Abortion study and regret/counseling debate (Priority: 2/5): Shapiro uses a Washington Post piece to argue that the absence of regret after abortion should not determine policy and that repentance is morally significant.

Key Arguments: Soleimani was a lifelong terrorist, so killing him was justified even if no specific imminent attack could be publicly proven. Iran’s accidental missile strike on a civilian plane and its initial denials expose the regime as deceitful and reckless. Anti-government protests in Iran show many citizens reject the theocratic regime and its regional terror priorities. Democrats undercut Iranian protesters because acknowledging their legitimacy would validate Trump’s Iran policy and undermine Obama-era assumptions. Bernie Sanders’s foreign policy is dangerous isolationism; Joe Biden is inconsistent but more aligned with traditional U.S. global leadership. Booker’s exit reflects the collapse of a weak campaign, not just fundraising or impeachment timing. Pelosi’s impeachment strategy failed to constrain McConnell or produce a decisive public win. A lack of regret after abortion does not settle the moral issue; people often rationalize past wrongdoing.

Data Points: People killed in Ukrainian plane crash: 176 - Passengers aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 killed when Iran shot down the plane Protesters killed in Iran over the last year: 1,500 - Shapiro cites this figure to argue the regime has been brutally suppressing dissent Attack planning timeline for Soleimani strike: up to 7 months - Report that Trump had given standing green light months before the strike Trump quote about protesters: "Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you" - Tweet directed at Iranian leaders supporting protesters Iowa Sanders polling: 20% - Des Moines Register/CNN poll cited as Sanders leading Iowa Iowa Biden/Warren/Buttigieg polling range: 15%-17% - Same Iowa poll places the next three candidates close behind Sanders New Hampshire Buttigieg polling: 20% - Monmouth poll places Buttigieg narrowly ahead New Hampshire Biden polling: 19% - Same Monmouth poll New Hampshire Sanders polling: 18% - Same Monmouth poll CBS/YouGov Sanders polling in New Hampshire: 27% - Poll cited by Shapiro showing Sanders leading Biden CBS/YouGov Biden polling in New Hampshire: 25% - Same poll Nevada Fox News polling lead for Biden: 6 points - Shown as a small Biden lead suggesting Sanders can compete there Abortion study sample size: 667 women - UC San Francisco study discussed from the Washington Post article Abortion study sites: 30 sites - Women recruited from across the country Abortion emotions one week after procedure: 51% positive, 17% negative, 20% few or none - Initial emotional response in the UCSF study Abortion emotions at five years: 84% positive or none; 6% negative - Long-term emotional findings from the study Immediate post-abortion agreement with decision: 95% - Interviewees saying they made the right decision right after the abortion Five-year agreement with decision: 99% - Same metric after five years

Pivotal Quotes: ""Do not kill your protesters."" — Donald Trump: Tweet in support of Iranian demonstrators after the regime’s admission ""Khamenei have shame, leave the country"" — Iranian protesters: Chant reported in Tehran during anti-government demonstrations ""There are different reasons why people are in the street."" — Nancy Pelosi: ABC interview where Pelosi avoided fully endorsing the protests as anti-regime in character

Implications: Listeners are told Iran’s regime is weaker than Democrats admit, Trump’s foreign-policy posture is being vindicated, and Bernie Sanders’s rise signals a more radical 2020 contest. The segment suggests the next debate will sharpen Democratic divisions and foreign-policy stakes.