Topic: Caucuses

NPR correspondent Domenico Montanaro analyzes Donald Trump's continued dominance in the Republican primary despite multiple indictments. The segment highlights Democratic concerns regarding third-party candidates siphoning votes from Joe Biden. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is cited as a Republican who successfully rebuffed Trump's election claims while maintaining electoral success in a swing state.

The hosts theorize that the timing of the Senate impeachment trial was orchestrated to keep rival senators in Washington D.C., allowing Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg to campaign unimpeded in Iowa. They argue the DNC is actively working to thwart Bernie Sanders' momentum. They also note the DNC's rule change regarding donor thresholds to accommodate Mike Bloomberg.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee, a single-issue climate candidate, accused the Democratic National Committee of "silencing" activists by refusing to hold a dedicated climate change debate. The DNC reportedly threatened to ban candidates from future official debates if they participated in non-sanctioned climate forums. The hosts view this as the DNC trying to avoid a "sideshow" that could be mocked by Republicans.

Adam Curry broadcasts from an Airbnb in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, describing the city's extensive skywalk system that connects buildings to protect pedestrians from the 11-degree cold. The hosts discuss the city's status as an insurance capital and its role in the political primary cycle, noting that Tulsi Gabbard was recently in town.

As the Iowa caucuses approach, Bernie Sanders uses a Simon & Garfunkel song in a campaign ad while Hillary Clinton questions if Americans are ready for a socialist president. The hosts mock Sanders' choice of 1970s music. The episode concludes with a series of audio clips and a reminder of the next broadcast on Thursday.

The cost of conducting primary elections, estimated at $10 to $17 per voter, is currently borne by taxpayers rather than the political parties themselves. Critics argue that since primaries are private party functions used to select candidates, the Republican and Democratic parties should fund these events independently. The segment suggests that the current system serves as a "scam" that benefits media organizations through increased advertising revenue at public expense.

The hosts briefly discuss a $5 million grant challenge from the Knight Foundation but decide against pursuing it to avoid editorial interference. They then analyze the media's attempt to demean the importance of caucus states, like Washington, because caucuses do not generate the same advertising revenue for media outlets as traditional primaries.

The hosts compare the current political cycle to a reality show where candidates are "voted off the island." They predict that at least two candidates will be eliminated after the Iowa caucuses. Adam Curry notes with irony that a broadcast of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" received higher television ratings than the political debate.