Bulwark Takes: "The Center Left Needs Someone With Balls (w/ Tim Miller)" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: March 9, 2025
Hosts: Bill Kristol and Tim Miller
Episode Title: The Center Left Needs Someone With Balls

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Bill Kristol and Tim Miller delve deep into the pressing political issues of the day, focusing primarily on U.S. foreign policy, internal party dynamics, and the troubling actions of the Justice Department. The conversation underscores the necessity for bold and principled leadership within the center-left to effectively counter current adversities.

1. U.S. Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine

Discussion Highlights:

The episode begins with an in-depth analysis of the Biden administration's decision to halt real-time intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move Kristol and Miller argue is markedly pro-Putin and detrimental to Ukraine's defense efforts.

• Bill Kristol emphasizes the gravity of this decision:
  "The intelligence cut off just for me. First of all, people should watch that or listen to that podcast or at least read the transcript. It's really interesting and moving." [03:46]

• Tim Miller echoes these concerns, highlighting the immediate impacts on Ukraine's defense capabilities:
  "Zelensky's tweeted a couple of these examples, but there are more of, you know, I mean, just massive bombing. They're going after infrastructure, but like people getting injured." [04:34]

Key Points:

• The cessation of intelligence sharing hampers Ukraine's ability to fend off Russian attacks effectively.
• The reduction in U.S. support undermines Ukrainian morale and strength, potentially prolonging the conflict.
• Kristol asserts that this move unequivocally benefits Putin, facilitating increased Russian aggression:
  "It just helps him fight the war, kill more Ukrainians." [04:34]

2. GOP Criticism and Public Protests

Discussion Highlights:

Kristol and Miller examine recent incidents involving GOP figures, particularly focusing on J.D. Vance's criticism of Ukrainian protesters and the backlash it has generated.

• Tim Miller recounts Vance's contentious interaction:
  "If you saw this, he's like tweeting, complaining that. And if you looked at the video, they were totally appropriate and what they were doing, the protests." [06:23]

• Bill Kristol criticizes Vance's stance as morally indefensible:
  "I don't think Trump does have to say, oh, they're getting along great. You know, Sean, it's an easy guy to get along with." [07:29]

Key Points:

• J.D. Vance's public denunciation of Ukrainian protesters for interacting with his family has sparked significant backlash.
• The protest involved a poignant moment with a three-year-old Ukrainian girl who lost a leg, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
• Kristol and Miller argue that Vance's actions reflect poorly on the GOP, showcasing a lack of empathy and strategic misalignment with U.S. interests.

3. Budget Discussions and Appropriations

Discussion Highlights:

The conversation transitions to the contentious U.S. budget negotiations, focusing on proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, and the likelihood of government shutdowns.

• Bill Kristol expresses skepticism about the Republicans' commitment to substantial budget cuts:
  "It's a ridiculous budget, as if you are talking about cutting the deficit and debt, right? I mean even the most friendly assessment of it, I think by one of the MAGA economists had like 890 million increase and it's going to be much more than that." [20:42]

• Tim Miller discusses the dynamics within the Republican Party and the challenges in passing the budget:
  "Like, if you want to protect the Ukrainians, you could just say to the White House, like, I'm not going to vote for your budget unless you turn the intel back on and we start working with Ukraine." [10:16]

Key Points:

• The Republican-led budget proposes significant cuts to essential social programs, raising concerns about the welfare of millions of Americans.
• Kristol and Miller question the feasibility of passing a "clean" continuing resolution, given the deep divisions within the GOP.
• The duo suggests that Democratic lawmakers could leverage their voting power to compel Republicans to reverse their stance on intelligence sharing with Ukraine in exchange for budget support.

4. Justice Department's Targeting of Law Firms

Discussion Highlights:

A critical segment of the episode addresses the Trump administration's actions against prominent law firms, viewing these moves as emblematic of a broader authoritarian trend.

• Bill Kristol laments the politicization within the Justice Department:
  "They're trying to shape all the institutions on the periphery of the government or outside the government in business world and civil society and so forth. And that is real authoritarianism." [32:48]

• Tim Miller underscores the threats posed to legal representation and civil liberties:
  "It's extremely scary and alarming to have like the federal government individually targeting law firms, limiting their ability, limiting people's ability to get good representation." [31:50]

Key Points:

• The administration's targeting of law firms like Perkins Coie is seen as an attack on legal advocacy and civil society.
• These actions limit access to high-quality legal representation, especially for marginalized groups and causes.
• Kristol draws parallels between these tactics and overt authoritarian regimes, warning of a slippery slope toward broader societal control.

5. Internal Democratic Strategies and Party Unity

Discussion Highlights:

Kristol and Miller explore the internal challenges within the Democratic Party, particularly the need for diverse and assertive voices to counter Republican advances.

• Tim Miller advocates for a more dynamic and courageous center-left:
  "The left needs a Rogan. I want the center left to have an AOC, like somebody with some balls, like she has." [29:10]

• Bill Kristol stresses the importance of multiple voices within the party to effectively oppose Republican policies:
  "It helped the Democrats to have a lot of different voices actually. It helped to have the kind of troublemakers and indignant people and then the kind of sober, oh no, we're going to govern a responsible way." [28:16]

Key Points:

• The Democratic Party must cultivate leaders who are both principled and bold to effectively challenge GOP policies.
• Encouraging a plurality of voices within the party can enhance its ability to connect with a broader electorate.
• Kristol and Miller argue that a unified and diverse Democratic front is essential for resisting authoritarian tendencies and protecting democratic institutions.

6. The Need for Courageous Leadership on the Center Left

Discussion Highlights:

The episode culminates with a call to action for the center-left to embrace leadership that is both strong and morally grounded.

• Tim Miller emphasizes the strategic importance of bold leadership:
  "A lot of these tactical conversations are a little bit of fart sniffing among a bunch of people who are hyper engaged in politics and they have different views and some views are better than others." [26:20]

• Bill Kristol reinforces the necessity for leaders who can inspire and mobilize:
  "Provide them intelligence that saves lives. And it does save lives. That's what it does." [11:44]

Key Points:

• Effective leadership on the center-left requires individuals who are willing to take decisive stands on critical issues.
• The ability to inspire and galvanize support is crucial for advancing progressive policies and countering conservative agendas.
• Kristol and Miller advocate for a proactive approach, urging Democrats to utilize their platforms to energize their base and implement meaningful change.

Conclusion

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Bill Kristol and Tim Miller provide a trenchant critique of current U.S. policies and internal political dynamics. Their discussions highlight the urgent need for the center-left to adopt bold leadership to effectively advocate for democracy, human rights, and social welfare. By addressing issues ranging from foreign policy missteps to internal party strategies, the hosts offer a comprehensive analysis aimed at fostering a more resilient and proactive Democratic movement.

Notable Quotes:

• "It just helps him fight the war, kill more Ukrainians." – Bill Kristol [04:34]

• "We're not asking for more funds. We're not even asking for more military material. It's like, we're just asking that we continue our alliance with you with the Ukrainian victim." – Tim Miller [12:24]

• "If you want to protect the Ukrainians, you could just say to the White House, like, I'm not going to vote for your budget unless you turn the intel back on and we start working with Ukraine." – Tim Miller [10:16]

• "They're trying to shape all the institutions on the periphery of the government or outside the government in business world and civil society and so forth. And that is real authoritarianism." – Bill Kristol [32:48]

• "The left needs a Rogan. I want the center left to have an AOC, like somebody with some balls, like she has." – Tim Miller [29:10]

This episode serves as a clarion call for the center-left to embrace leadership that is both courageous and compassionate, essential for navigating the complex political landscape and safeguarding democratic values.