Democratic Socialists Poised to Upset Establishment Democrats in Colorado and New York
"Was 9/11 an inevitable consequence for America based on US foreign policy? Inevitable in the sense that we destabilized a lot of the Middle East that forced people to believe that another act of violence was the only response."
About this episode
Host Leland Vittert examines the Supreme Court's pivotal role as the last functioning branch of government after the Court delivered mixed rulings to President Trump, including a significant defeat on birthright citizenship and a win on transgender sports policies. The 5-4 birthright citizenship decision, with Trump appointees Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett voting against him, sparked debate about judicial independence and constitutional interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Vittert argues the Court is working properly precisely because both parties attack it depending on daily outcomes, making it now more important than ever as Congress remains gridlocked and presidential power expands.
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told the program that Vladimir Putin is cornered as Ukrainian drone strikes devastate Russian energy infrastructure, creating fuel shortages in Moscow and forcing Putin to acknowledge attacks publicly for the first time. The assessment suggests Trump's Ukraine approach has proven more effective than Biden's strategy, though Panetta urged Trump to more explicitly support Ukraine's efforts.
The episode highlighted the rise of Democratic Socialist candidates poised to upset establishment Democrats in Colorado and New York primaries, including 29-year-old Malat Curos who was fired for anti-Israel statements and leads against a 15-term congresswoman. Panelists debated whether socialism's appeal comes from wealthy, college-educated progressives rather than working-class voters, with only 23% of non-college voters supporting democratic socialists versus 40% of graduates. Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich blamed Chicago's violence crisis on failed leadership and sanctuary city policies after a mother testified about her daughter murdered by an illegal immigrant. The program also examined midterm election dynamics, including tight Texas races and Republican plans for a September convention in Dallas.
Key takeaways
- Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against Trump on birthright citizenship with his appointees Kavanaugh and Barrett in the majority, prompting Trump to lash out on Truth Social while conservatives debated the 14th Amendment's original intent.
- Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta declared Putin cornered as Ukrainian drone strikes devastate Russian energy infrastructure, creating Moscow fuel shortages and validating Trump's Ukraine policy over Biden's approach.
- Democratic Socialist candidates are leading in Colorado and New York primaries, with 29-year-old Malat Curos who attended October 8th pro-Hamas rally poised to defeat 15-term Congresswoman Diana DeGette.
- Supreme Court's independence demonstrated by handing Trump three wins and four losses this term, making it the last functional branch as Congress remains gridlocked and presidential power expands.
- Chicago mother testified her daughter was murdered by Venezuelan illegal immigrant in sanctuary city as eight died and 39 were wounded during one Juneteenth weekend in the city.
- Texas polls show Democratic socialist Tarek Rico tied with Republican Ken Paxton despite Trump winning Hispanic vote, prompting Republicans to plan September Dallas convention to nationalize midterm elections.
- Only 23% of non-college voters support democratic socialists compared to 40% of college graduates, suggesting the movement is driven by wealthy, educated progressives rather than working class.