Bill Kristol and Mona Charen on the Morning After

TL;DR

Despite unexpected outcomes and a lack of repudiation of Trumpism, Joe Biden is likely to win the election, but the Republican Party remains intact.

Transcript

welcome to the bulwark podcast the morning after america's hangover i'm charlie sykes we are joined by bill crystal and mona charon who were up very very late with all of us doing a live stream and trying to make sense of you know what happened i mean look uh guys it didn't go the way that we we expected or hoped for but you know i joe biden's goin... Read More

Key Insights

• 😉 Joe Biden is projected to win the election, potentially with victories in key states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
• 🤢 The Republican Party's strong showing in retaining the Senate and potentially gaining seats in the House indicates a lack of urgency for major party reforms.
• 🤨 Trump's ability to garner significant support, despite his controversial presidency, raises concerns about the state of public opinion and divisions within the country.
• ⚾ The future of the Republican Party may involve a continuation of Trumpism, appealing to his base and focusing more on populism rather than traditional conservative principles.
• 🖤 The lack of a clear repudiation of Trump and his policies signifies a deep divide within the country and the potential for ongoing ideological battles.
• 🥺 The outcome of the election may lead to a strengthening of the progressive left within the Democratic Party, creating tensions with more moderate voices.
• 🤩 The prospect of bipartisan cooperation and compromise under a Biden presidency will depend on the leadership and decisions made by key figures such as Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the projected election results for Joe Biden?

Joe Biden is projected to win the presidency with potential victories in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and Wisconsin, totaling at least 270 electoral votes.

Q: How did the Republican Party fare in the election?

The Republican Party held onto the Senate and potentially gained seats in the House, indicating that there may be little urgency within the party to pursue significant reforms.

Q: How does the lack of a repudiation of Trumpism impact the political landscape?

The absence of a clear rejection of Trump and his ideology suggests that the Republican Party may continue to embrace Trumpism, with future candidates appealing to his base.

Q: What are the potential implications of Joe Biden's victory not being a massive one?

Biden's more narrow victory may embolden the more progressive elements within the Democratic Party, leading to divisions and tensions within the party.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Joe Biden is very likely to be the next president, with a projected win in Pennsylvania and potentially even more electoral votes.

• The GOP is holding the Senate and may even gain seats in the House, suggesting that the Republican Party doesn't feel the need for major reforms.

• The lack of a full repudiation of Trump and Trumpism is a disappointment for those hoping for a clear rejection of his policies and rhetoric.