Topic: Gop Primary

23 chapters across the catalog

Bub
Episode 1624 8:32 - 13:08

1624: Bub

Chris Christie Suspends Presidential Campaign and Hot Mic Incident

Chris Christie suspended his 2024 presidential campaign five days before the Iowa caucus, vowing to prevent Donald Trump from returning to office. Before his announcement, a hot mic captured Christie telling an aide that Nikki Haley is "going to get smoked" and is "not up to this." Media outlets, including NBC News, are scrutinized for their cautious framing of the recording despite the specific financial details Christie mentioned regarding Haley's campaign spending.

Twerkin' Russians
Episode 1617 1:34:34 - 1:36:58

1617: Twerkin' Russians

New Hampshire Primary, Trump and Nikki Haley

Reports from New Hampshire cover Donald Trump's campaign speeches where he mocks his GOP rivals and Governor Chris Sununu. Governor Sununu has endorsed Nikki Haley, claiming she can deliver a Republican landslide. Ron DeSantis is also featured, brushing off the idea of serving as Trump's vice president.

Balconazi
Episode 1582 29:31 - 35:22

1582: Balconazi

NPR Political Analysis, Trump Primary Support and Third-Party Candidates

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.

Balconazi
Episode 1582 38:43 - 41:09

1582: Balconazi

Vivek Ramaswamy, Eminem Rap and Viral Campaign Strategy

Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy gained significant social media attention after performing Eminem's "Lose Yourself" at the Iowa State Fair. Former Andrew Yang campaign manager Zach Graumann comments on the necessity of viral moments for long-shot candidates. The hosts compare the performance to the "Dean Scream," questioning if such stunts translate into actual votes.

Spook Head
Episode 1568 39:14 - 41:32

1568: Spook Head

Paul Ryan and the "Not Named Trump" Strategy

Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan appeared on CNBC to advocate for any Republican candidate "not named Trump" to lead the 2024 ticket. Ryan, who now sits on the board of Fox Corporation, argued that Trump is unfit for office and cannot win a general election against Joe Biden. The hosts find Ryan's refusal to name a specific alternative, such as Ron DeSantis, to be a bizarre political strategy.

Bomb Rotterdam!
Episode 1464 26:51 - 27:47

1464: Bomb Rotterdam!

Trump Primary Endorsements, Media Bias

Former President Donald Trump saw a 12-for-12 success rate for his endorsed candidates in recent GOP primaries. The hosts argue that this significant demonstration of political influence is being ignored by mainstream media in favor of negative coverage regarding the January 6th hearings. They contend that the media's primary goal is to marginalize Trump's influence.

Antigenic Drift
Episode 1306 2:04:51 - 2:08:18

1306: Antigenic Drift

GOP Loyalty Test, Primary Challenges, Constitutional Obligation

The upcoming January 6th vote is framed as a "clear and clean discernment" of which Republicans stand with the Constitution versus the "swamp." Barnes suggests that any Senator or Congressman who fails to object to unconstitutional election results should be targeted for primary challenges in 2022 and 2024.

Episode 399 1:20:34 - 1:25:02

399: Hip-Check China

Rick Santorum Suspends Presidential Campaign

Rick Santorum suspended his campaign for the GOP nomination, leaving Mitt Romney as the presumptive nominee. The hosts note that Ron Paul remains in the race as the last conservative alternative. They discuss the delegate math in unbound states and speculate on the pressure applied to Santorum to exit the race.

Episode 395 26:33 - 30:25

395: Multi Modal Mutt

Ron Paul Interview, Piers Morgan, GOP Delegate Strategy

Congressman Ron Paul appeared on Piers Morgan's CNN program, defending his continued presence in the GOP primary race despite trailing in the polls. Paul emphasized his strategy of accumulating delegates in caucus states like Maine, North Dakota, and Nevada while criticizing Morgan's line of questioning.

No Specific Plot
Episode 384 1:18:54 - 1:22:10

384: No Specific Plot

Jeb Bush Rumors and Ron Paul's Media Treatment

Rumors suggest the Republican Party may turn to Jeb Bush if Mitt Romney fails to win Michigan. Meanwhile, Ron Paul continues to face media pressure to drop out of the race, despite maintaining a consistent anti-war platform that contrasts with both the GOP establishment and President Obama's record.

Hot Rods
Episode 383 37:12 - 41:55

383: Hot Rods

Rick Santorum and Piers Morgan on Celebrity Deaths

Piers Morgan interviewed GOP candidate Rick Santorum regarding the "epidemic" of celebrity prescription drug deaths. Santorum's responses, which compared celebrities to American royalty, are analyzed as evidence that he is not yet briefed on the specific pharmaceutical legislative agenda.

Party@Ecropolis
Episode 376 11:04 - 15:01

376: Party@Ecropolis

Newt Gingrich South Carolina Primary Victory, Media Scripting

Newt Gingrich's victory in the South Carolina primary is analyzed as a scripted media event designed to prolong the GOP primary race. The hosts suggest that Gingrich's aggressive response to John King's debate question about his ex-wife was a calculated move to gain voter sympathy. Media figures like Aaron Burnett are criticized for their analysis of Gingrich's "passion," which the hosts interpret as part of a broader reality-show narrative.

Problematic Woman
Episode 375 40:17 - 44:07

375: Problematic Woman

Rick Perry Exit, Mitt Romney Tax Returns

Rick Perry officially withdraws from the 2012 presidential race and endorses Newt Gingrich. The hosts discuss the implications for Mitt Romney, who faces increasing pressure to release his income tax records. Romney's hesitant response during a debate is highlighted as he suggests he might release them in April, following the tradition of previous candidates.

Problematic Woman
Episode 375 1:29:28 - 1:35:58

375: Problematic Woman

Ron Paul, Media Strategy and Elite Manipulation

The hosts analyze CNN's coverage of Ron Paul, suggesting that media elites are using his popularity to undermine President Obama while simultaneously positioning Mitt Romney as the inevitable GOP nominee. They point to interviews by Gloria Borger and Erin Burnett as evidence of a strategy to encourage Paul supporters to write him in or run him as a third-party candidate to split the vote.

Phobos Grunts
Episode 369 26:39 - 28:36

369: Phobos Grunts

Eric Dondero and the Role of Political Shills

The hosts identify Eric Dondero, a former Ron Paul staffer appearing on CNN, as a professional political shill. They highlight an interview where Dondero avoids admitting he is currently working for competing GOP campaigns while attacking Paul. The segment serves as an example of how mainstream media uses "insider" sources to push specific narratives.

Phobos Grunts
Episode 369 1:05:14 - 1:07:23

369: Phobos Grunts

Rick Santorum's Iowa Caucus Surge

The hosts mock CNN's coverage of Rick Santorum "surging" to third place in the Iowa caucus polls. They characterize the media's sudden focus on Santorum as a manufactured narrative to keep the Republican primary race exciting. The segment critiques the cozy relationship between candidates and news anchors like Wolf Blitzer.