Words Matter

Each day of Trump?s election interference trial manages to be more salacious than the last. From the testimony of Stormy Daniels to Trump?s inability to stop smearing everyone involved, it?s clear that the trial will continue to be a roller coaster until the very end. Norm and Kavita take us through the latest from the trial, and what could be around the corner.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There?s much to unpack with the ceasefire protests at universities across the country. From students occupying a building at Columbia to the abysmal response by USC?s administration, it is clear that there is no easy way to address the issue. Norm and Kavita break down the latest news on this contentious topic, and why it may be even more impactful than we realize.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the Supreme Court and college campuses, leaders aren?t leading. As the court weighs incredibly consequential decisions and colleges grapple with divisive protests, we need clear leadership more than ever. Norm and Kavita discuss this unique problem and where we go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The House is its own special kind of crazy, but the Senate is no slouch either. Tom Cotton?s recent comments calling for Americans to ?take matters into their own hands? in response to protests reminds us that Senators can seemingly call for acts of violence and get away with it. Norm and Kavita break down the fall of accountability in the Senate and why some Senators continue to embarrass the institution.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Republicans are fighting or floundering, Mike Johnson is traveling to Mar-a-Lago to pray at the altar of Trump, and Arizona lawmakers grapple with an archaic abortion law. All in a week?s work for this Republican Party. Norm and Kavita discuss the farce that is the contemporary Republican agenda and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biden administration?s policy towards Israel has been controversial to say the least. As the conflict grinds on and the election approaches, it is clear that the conflict will loom large in the voting booth. Norm and Kavita break down the key issues that Biden faces, and why the administration desperately needs a new strategy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court recently commenced hearings on a case that could restrict access to mifepristone, and the results were surprising. Only Justices Alito and Thomas appeared inclined towards supporting the ban on the drug, raising questions about the court's future direction. Norm and Kavita delve into the nuances of the hearing and the significant influence of women on the case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It?s an open secret that Congress is broken. Between extremism from House Republicans to an inability to pass a budget, there is something deeply wrong on the Hill. Norm and Kavita discuss the ways in which we can fix our ailing system, and why some solutions even have the ever elusive support of Republicans.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 13, 2020, COVID was declared a national emergency. Four years on, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel reflect on fallout of the COVID pandemic, what we learned, and why we're more prepared than ever for the next pandemic. Members get exclusive access to a discussion on the chaos around Representative Ken Buck's surprise early departure from Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump is the healthiest, most successful, and most innocent man in America ? according to Donald Trump. The grifts and lies show no signs of slowing even as the walls close in around the former president. Norm and Kavita go over the many machinations of the former president, including the New York criminal trial, his efforts to turn the RNC into his personal piggy bank, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republican crusade against families continues. The Alabama Supreme Court ruling equating embryos with babies makes clear the fact that they won?t stop any time soon. So what comes next? Norm and Kavita break down the ruling and the political fallout.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court is finally hearing Trump?s appeal of the Colorado ruling removing him from the ballot. The decision will be massive, but it is not the only legal challenge on Donald Trump?s plate. Norm and Kavita break down the case before the Court, and the state of Trump?s numerous legal battles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Abbott and the House Republicans are using the border as a political poker chip, with disastrous implications for immigrants. As Abbott continues to defy the Supreme Court and the House refuses to pass immigration reform, what does the Biden administration need to do? Norm and Kavita discuss the answers and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump is now the GOP's presumptive nominee. How should the Biden team be responding? What should they be doing differently.?David Rothkopf joins Norm and Kavita to analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly of the election so far and what comes next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Iowa caucus was a blowout. Trump trounced DeSantis and Haley, leaving us all wondering how much longer they will hold on. But how much can we actually learn from the caucus? Norm and Kavita are back to break down the lessons from Iowa and the trouble for Trump looming on the horizon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With 2023 in the rearview mirror, many of our greatest political challenges remain unresolved. Norm and Kavita are back for a new year with new political prognostications about what 2024 holds for Congress and what will undoubtedly be a dramatic campaign season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats have their work cut out for them moving into the new year. With monumental elections on the horizon, Norm has plenty of ways the Democrats can press the advantage. In this insightful episode, David Rothkopf fills in for Kavita to discuss the House, Senate, and presidential elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm and Kavita are back! Republicans at both the state and national level have continued to chip away at abortion rights, with a case in Texas drawing national attention and the ire of the state?s AG, Ken Paxton. In addition, Senate Republicans have blocked Ukraine funding, demanding border action. Join us as we break down all this and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm and Kavita are breaking the rules this week to talk about congressional fight club. With threats of violence by multiple GOP members, its clear that tensions are high as Republicans struggle to govern. With the government shutdown pushed to next year, join us as we break down the political field heading into 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recent polls on a Biden and Trump showdown in 2024 aren?t great for the incumbent president. But with just under a year to go before the election, how worried should we really be? David Rothkopf joins Norm to explain how Biden can bounce back and why the lunacy of the Republican Party will be its own undoing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the face of such overwhelming bad news, it?s all too easy to feel hopeless. Dr. Ben Miller joins Kavita and Norm to talk about the narrative of mental illness in mass shootings, and shares ways that we can maintain good mental health even when the news is bleak. Don?t miss this important episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two failed votes for Jim Jordan later, and the House is still no closer to electing a speaker. Norm and Kavita break down what could come next for a speaker pro tempore-led Congress and where the Republican caucus will go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Norm away this week, Kavita is joined by Laurie Garrett for a conversation on a potpourri of topics. From the situation in Israel, to the House speaker race, to updates on COVID, there is a little bit of everything in this week?s episode. Don?t miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another average week for the US Congress. With the shocking removal of Speaker McCarthy by a small cadre of his own party, the divisions within the Republican Party have reached new levels. Thankfully, Kavita is back with Norm to try and make sense of it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republican Party is falling apart before our very eyes. Between the anarchic second presidential debate and the impending threat of a destructive government shutdown, it?s clear that the party is not going quietly. David Rothkopf and Norm discuss all this and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm and David are not happy, and for good reason.The latest judiciary committee hearing reminds us all how far down the rabbit hole the Republican party has gone in the pursuit of scorched-earth politics, but it is not the only example of Republican lunacy this week. Norm and David break down the latest news and more in suitably ranty fashion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is no secret that the media remains hyper-focused on Joe Biden?s age and the growing desire for a younger generation of politicians. As the election cycle continues to ramp up, Norm and Kavita break down how the conversation around Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will make waves in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest special grand jury report from Georgia reveals recommended charges against 39 people including Senator Lindsey Graham. With Senator Graham and other high-profile individuals being named, Norm and Kavita break down DA Fani Willis?s potential course of action and more, including the latest on Trump's numerous cases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

School is back in session this week as Norm and Kavita tackle the latest in Trump's many trials. Trump remains the frontrunner despite a deluge of legal woes, but new information coming to light daily and the threat of the 14th amendment could imperil his candidacy. Tune in for all this and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last night?s Republican debate may not have had a clear winner, but America was the clear loser. In this special episode, David Rothkopf joins Kavita Patel and Norm Ornstein to discuss the Republican presidential debate and what it means for the future of the party, why Ramaswamy is the front-runner for most unhinged candidate, and how Donald Trump still won - even though he wasn?t there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm and Kavita are taking a much deserved break this week, so we're bringing you one of the best episodes of 2022. Original Description: July 23, 2022 On this week's episode, we talk about how the Republican Party is embracing ideologies that used to be fringe, how the media is missing the mark, and what the future of the GOP could look like. We ground all of our analysis in the words of Matt Birk, David Brooks, and Joe O'Dea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the sound defeat of Issue 1 in Ohio, Norm and Kavita discuss whether Democrats can apply the lessons learned to 2024. Also on the agenda are the latest developments with Trump?s documents case in Florida, and whether or not the myriad legal woes will actually help Trump in the next election. Don?t miss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've been watching as much coverage of the indictment as we have, then you're probably more confused than ever. Norm and Kavita are here to make sense of it all, discussing what the indictment really means, how we got to this point, and what it will mean for Trump and the Republicans moving into 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It?s hot here in DC, but we?re not alone. Norm and Kavita talk climate change and what the administration can do to combat disinformation to change the conversation around climate. Additionally, we discuss what the Democrats can and should be doing to stop Governor Abbott?s abhorrent policies at the border. For all this and more, tune in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republican party is not sending their best. With the 2024 election cycle ramping up, Norm and guest Mary Trump break down the lackluster field of Republican candidates and the issues propelling their narrative. Also on the table are Trump?s latest legal woes. What effect could they have in 2024, and why are people upset about the January 6th indictment? Join us and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the economy continuing to rally despite the odds, why are conversations about Biden?s economic performance so negative? Norm and Kavita discuss why voters have differing perceptions of the economy, and how they will play a key factor in the 2024 election. They also discuss the Vice President?s performance so far, and whether she will be an asset or liability to Biden?s reelection campaign. All this and more on the latest episode of Words Matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With recent developments around the indictment of Donald Trump, Norm and Kavita discuss how the executive branch and Congress can work to repair agencies damaged by the Trump presidency. Looking to the future, how do the administration and other elected officials craft a more responsible federal government? Discover the answers in this week's episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm and Kavita are back to discuss today?s headline story; the Supreme Court?s decision striking down Affirmative Action. Norm and Kavita break down the implications of the ruling, as well as the state of the Biden presidency with recent discussions surrounding the President?s health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm and Kavita are back this week to discuss the 8-1 ruling in favor of the Biden administration?s immigration enforcement guidelines. From there, they turn their attention to Justice Alito, who earlier in the week wrote a preemptive opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal addressing the ProPublica investigative piece which disclosed his fishing trips with a Billionaire Hedge Fund manger that petitioned the Supreme Court to rule in his favor in his business dealings. Don?t miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lies and deflections from Republicans defending Trump have spun up the ire of "Words Matter" co-host Norm Ornstein. So in this episode he not only explains why but guest co-host David Rothkopf tries unsuccessfully to defuse his anger. Instead, both recount the facts surrounding the case for which Trump was arraigned this week and the likely cases to come and frankly, the outrage only grows. Join them to understand why it is fully justified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm and Kavita discuss the passing of the debt ceiling deal in the House of Representatives. Since taping, the bill also passed the Senate and is expected to be signed as early as Friday, June 2, 2023 by President Biden. In the members-only section, they discuss the recent alleged recordings of former President Trump stating that he knew that documents in his possession were classified. Tune In! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm and Kavita are both traveling, but that doesn?t stop them from discussing the issues. This week, in this abbreviated version of Words Matter, Norm and Kavita discuss Ron DeSantis?s presidential bid announcement, the Surgeon General?s announcement on the impact of social media on adolescents and the Nebraska Abortion Case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Norm and Kavita discuss the latest developments in the negotiations between the White House and lawmakers on the debt ceiling. In the members only segment, they discuss some wins for Democrats in elections in Florida and Pennsylvania. Tune In!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Norm and Kavita discuss the E. Jean Carroll Civil verdict and Trump?s CNN town hall meeting. In the bonus section, they discuss Congressman?s Santos? legal woes and the latest in the debt ceiling negotiations. Join us for this timely discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Words Matter, Norm and Kavita discuss the latest developments on the debt ceiling, the Seditious Conspiracy convictions of the Proud Boys, Trump's legal woes and Clarence and Ginni Thomas.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, as Kavita so eloquently put it, there are so many issues to discuss. Norm and Kavita tackle the debt ceiling, touch on the Disney/DeSantis dispute and in the members only section, discuss the Biden 2024 announcement. Don't miss this timely discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week?s episode of Words Matter, Norm and Kavita discuss the GOP?s debt ceiling proposal. In the members only section, Norm and Kavita discuss the situation with Dianne Feinstein and how it?s impacting the Senate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week?s episode of Words Matter, Norm and Kavita discuss a number of judiciary issues, including reproductive health. In a special extended bonus section, Norm and Kavita tackle Clarence Thomas and Diane Feinstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note: This episode was taped prior to the announced indictments of Donald Trump. The absence of real indictments against Donald Trump allows him to set the narrative. That's not a good thing. So maybe prosecutors should consider drinking a little more Red Bull, having a few more cups of coffee. This is getting ridiculous. We discuss with Dr. Kavita Patel, Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf. We also discuss who will be the GOP candidate for president when Trump and DeSantis flame out. And we consider the imponderable: Why is George Santos still a member of Congress. Join us for answers to all the most pressing political questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of yet another tragic mass shooting--and we're averaging two per day this year in the US--Americans are again asking the question what can be done. The response of the GOP: "Nothing." That's their plan and it has worked so far to make the U.S. a very dangerous place. So what can we do to help combat this national gun pathology? On this episode of "Words Matter" Dr. Kavita Patel, Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf discuss. Don't miss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices