Topic: Ted Kennedy

The upcoming film "Chappaquiddick," detailing the Ted Kennedy scandal, includes a unique "historical smoking" disclaimer in its rating. This is noted as part of a broader trend of strict regulations regarding the depiction of drinking and smoking in modern media. The film is rated PG-13 for its thematic material and disturbing images.

The hosts review a clip from the show "High School USA" involving an Amish sex change plotline. They then play a C-SPAN clip of Nancy Pelosi claiming that the late Senator Ted Kennedy helped pass the healthcare bill from heaven. The hosts mock Pelosi's "unbelievable" rhetoric and the Democratic Party's reliance on her leadership.

Members of Congress, including Joe Kennedy and Ted Deutch, are criticized for using the Benghazi hearings to praise Hillary Clinton's career rather than asking substantive questions about the attack. The hosts mock the "exemplary career" rhetoric used by the representatives.

Nancy Pelosi is heard in a C-SPAN clip claiming that the late Senator Ted Kennedy helped pass the healthcare bill from heaven. The discussion also touches on the rising costs of health insurance premiums for families, which often exceed $1,000 per month despite the "affordable" branding of the legislation.

A clip from MSNBC features a debate over the reauthorization of "No Child Left Behind," with one guest criticizing the law for focusing solely on testing. The host is mocked for a "dickish" move in jumping on a guest who accidentally called John Boehner "John Baker."

Dick Morris compares a potential Clinton challenge to Bobby Kennedy's 1968 run against Lyndon Johnson. The hosts argue that Clinton's move to the State Department was a strategic play to avoid a Senate voting record that could be dissected, contrasting her position with that of Mitt Romney.

The FBI is allowing the Kennedy family to review and object to the release of Ted Kennedy's secret files before they are made public. In other news, it has been revealed that several major health insurance companies are heavily invested in fast-food chains. This is viewed as a conflict of interest, as the companies profit from the very industries that contribute to poor health outcomes.

A quiz based on a Good Morning America segment hosted by Diane Sawyer reviews notable deaths from 2009. The list includes Walter Cronkite, Ted Kennedy, Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze, and Ed McMahon. Michael Jackson is noted as having received a separate special tribute rather than being on the primary list of seven names.

The inclusion of a posthumous letter from Ted Kennedy in the presidential speech is dismissed as a staged emotional anecdote. This leads to a broader philosophical critique of a "mass vibe" in American culture that promises universal care and harmony, which the hosts argue is an unrealistic rejection of the natural "winners and losers" in life.

The passing of Senator Ted Kennedy prompts a discussion regarding media coverage of flag-draped coffins and his burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Potential successors for the Massachusetts Senate seat are analyzed, including Michael Dukakis and Carolyn Kennedy. The hosts recall Dukakis's failed presidential run and the infamous tank photograph that damaged his public image.

The death of Senator Ted Kennedy is dominating U.S. media coverage, specifically on networks like CBS. This saturation of coverage coincides with the release of reports indicating the U.S. national deficit will rise by two trillion dollars more than previously expected. Claims are made that the timing of the funeral news serves to bury negative economic data regarding unemployment and the costs of proposed healthcare reform.

A long-form joke submitted by a listener depicts House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attempting to be declared a "saint" by a Catholic Cardinal. The punchline suggests that while she has many flaws, she appears saintly only when compared to other prominent Democratic senators like Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.

Caroline Kennedy's sudden withdrawal from consideration for a New York Senate seat is discussed in the context of Ted Kennedy's health emergency during the inauguration. The hosts speculate on the internal family dynamics and the "pleasant quality" of Caroline Kennedy despite her exit from the political spotlight.

The transition of the Kennedy legacy is explored as Ted Kennedy's career nears its end. Additionally, the hosts discuss the strategic move of appointing Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State to remove her as a potential political threat in the Senate.

Political analysts suggest Hillary Clinton may have a strategic interest in Barack Obama losing the 2008 election so she can run again in 2012. If Obama wins, he would likely be the nominee again in 2012, effectively ending Clinton's presidential aspirations for at least eight years. This dynamic draws comparisons to the 1980 primary challenge by Ted Kennedy against Jimmy Carter.