7 chapters across the catalog
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program from Austin and Silicon Valley, reflecting on the ongoing Republican National Convention in Cleveland. They highlight a specific moment during the roll call where a delegate's microphone was cut after he began making repetitive "woo-woo" sounds. The hosts compare these vocalizations to those of teenage girls and critique the fashion choices of the men involved.
The hosts review the roll call vote from Virginia, delivered by Subba Kolla. They mock his thick accent, specifically his pronunciation of "vote" as "wort," and jokingly claim to hear the word "bunghole" in his delivery. The segment touches on the Republican party's efforts to showcase diversity during the convention.
Senator Patrick Leahy is observed chairing a committee hearing involving Senators Cornyn and Grassley. His speech patterns during the roll call and amendment filing process lead to speculation regarding his physical state or level of exhaustion.
During the DNC roll call, Cece Goldwater, granddaughter of Barry Goldwater, cast votes for Barack Obama. A delegate from Kansas used his floor time to claim that the modern Republican Party has repudiated Bob Dole in favor of the "extremism" of Ayn Rand and the Koch brothers.
The hosts conduct a live roll call for listeners tuning in from across the globe, including locations such as the Netherlands, New Zealand, Argentina, and Germany. They emphasize that while 99.9% of the audience consumes the podcast, the live stream attracts a diverse international crowd. The chat room participants are acknowledged for their engagement during the Sunday morning broadcast.
In honor of the 333rd episode, the hosts read a comprehensive list of every producer who has donated exactly $333 to the show over the past several months. This "roll call" serves as the official credit for the episode, acknowledging the financial support that keeps the program running during the "dog days of summer."
Dennis Kucinich, Deval Patrick, and Convention Roll Calls
Dennis Kucinich's energetic "Wake Up America" speech is praised for its passion, despite being taken out of context by news outlets. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is identified as a standout orator who was given a poor time slot to avoid upstaging the main nominee. The hosts mock the traditional convention roll call for its focus on trivial state facts like "the biggest ball of twine."
