Podcast Summary: Part Of The Problem – Election Preview 2024

Hosts: Dave Smith & Robbie the Fire Bernstein
Release Date: November 5, 2024

In the final episode before the 2024 Election, Dave Smith and Robbie the Fire Bernstein delve deep into the current political landscape, offering a critical analysis of the upcoming presidential race, media influence, and the overarching state of American governance from a Libertarian perspective.

1. Robbie the Fire Bernstein’s Comedy Special

[01:08] - [03:00]

The episode opens with Dave congratulating Robbie on the debut of his new comedy special, which premiered the previous night on YouTube. He highlights the positive reception, stating:

“People loved the special. A lot of positivity. It was actually very cool because we do have our own little world, our own little community here, but people are loving it.”
— Dave Smith [02:45]

Robbie expresses his excitement and the challenges of creating new material, setting a lighthearted tone before transitioning into the election discussion.

2. Election 2024: Trump vs. Kamala Harris

[03:00] - [20:55]

A. The Media’s Weak Fourth Quarter

Dave and Robbie critique the corporate media's performance in the election cycle, pointing out its apparent exhaustion from covering scandals and controversies:

“It seems like the media has played every hand they had. They've played every hand they had and decided that they would risk losing the entire country if they tried again.”
— Dave Smith [11:10]

They argue that the media's diminished fervor in opposing Donald Trump indicates a potential shift in political dynamics, with less aggressive campaigning against him.

B. Comparing to the 2008 Election

Dave draws parallels between the 2024 election and the 2008 race between Barack Obama and John McCain, noting the evident predictability in Obama’s victory due to Bush's declining approval ratings:

“There is not a single election like that since then, until this one, where it is just like by every tangible metric that you can observe.”
— Dave Smith [12:21]

This comparison underscores their belief that Trump is positioned to secure a significant victory in 2024.

C. Kamala Harris’s Campaign Struggles

The hosts discuss Kamala Harris’s campaign, suggesting it lacks the vigor and new policy propositions needed to captivate voters:

“I haven't heard a new story, a new argument, a new policy from Kamala Harris. It seems like it's just been more of the same over the last three weeks.”
— Robbie the Fire Bernstein [12:00]

They highlight the absence of dynamic debate performances and policy discussions, which they believe weakens her candidacy.

3. Media Critique: Trust and Bias

[20:55] - [35:22]

A. Declining Trust in Corporate Media

Dave and Robbie emphasize the deteriorating trust in mainstream media, attributing it to persistent misinformation and biased reporting:

“Trust in media today compared to trust in media in the year 2000... it’s gone drastically downhill since then.”
— Dave Smith [29:10]

They argue that events like the Iraq War misinformation and COVID-19 reporting have significantly eroded public trust.

B. Media’s Handling of Trump’s Statements

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on recent inflammatory statements made by Donald Trump, particularly his remarks about Liz Cheney:

“Donald Trump’s closing argument has been... ‘Liz Cheney should be in front of a firing squad.’”
— Dave Smith [48:46]

The hosts critique the media’s sensationalist portrayal of Trump’s comments, suggesting a deliberate distortion to vilify him.

C. The Washington Post’s Endorsement Decision

Robbie points out that the Washington Post’s refusal to endorse Kamala Harris led to a 15% drop in their membership, reflecting a broader disillusionment among readers:

“Nearly 15% of the Washington Post dropped their membership over it. 15% of people were like, ‘We're in on a LARP here’.”
— Robbie the Fire Bernstein [26:33]

This move, according to the hosts, signifies a loss of influence and credibility for the publication.

4. Analyzing Trump's Controversial Remarks

[48:19] - [62:13]

A. Trump’s “Firing Squad” Comments

A pivotal moment in the episode is the analysis of a montage depicting Trump’s statement suggesting that Liz Cheney should be placed before a firing squad. The hosts dissect the media’s reaction, labeling it as exaggerated and dishonorable:

“He basically called for executing Liz Cheney.”
— Dave Smith [49:01]

Robbie likens the media’s portrayal to a “sales call,” where sensationalism overshadows factual reporting.

B. Media’s Lack of Accountability

The hosts lament the media’s inability to challenge or correct false narratives, even when they clearly distort statements:

“Look, Rob, they’re trying their best to empty the well. It’s just too cartoonish.”
— Dave Smith [58:02]

They argue that the media’s repetitive lies contribute to its own downfall and the public’s growing distrust.

5. The Future of Media and Politics

[62:13] - [67:08]

Dave and Robbie ponder the long-term implications of media manipulation and political discourse, suggesting that the erosion of media credibility could lead to more informed and skeptical voters:

“Regardless of the outcome, the media’s continual death spiral is more important to me than any of it.”
— Dave Smith [42:48]

They foresee a political landscape where media transparency and honesty become pivotal, potentially reshaping voter behavior and trust.

6. Concluding Thoughts

[67:08] - End

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the tumultuous election cycle, acknowledging both the predictable outcomes and unexpected twists. They reiterate their commitment to providing unfiltered analysis and urge listeners to seek out alternative media sources for a more truthful perspective.

“This is going to be a fascinating thing over the next few weeks and few months.”
— Dave Smith [66:45]

They close by promoting Robbie’s comedy special and thanking their audience for their continued support.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dave Smith [11:10]:
  “It seems like the media has played every hand they had. They've played every hand they had and decided that they would risk losing the entire country if they tried again.”

• Robbie the Fire Bernstein [26:33]:
  “Nearly 15% of the Washington Post dropped their membership over it. 15% of people were like, ‘We're in on a LARP here’.”

• Dave Smith [48:46]:
  “Donald Trump’s closing argument has been... ‘Liz Cheney should be in front of a firing squad.’”

• Robbie the Fire Bernstein [62:13]:
  “Just enough contempt in the world to have for these people. Think about that montage of how all of those people are lying through their fucking teeth.”

Key Takeaways

1. Media's Declining Trust: The hosts highlight a significant decline in public trust towards corporate media, attributing it to consistent misinformation and bias.

2. Election Predictions: With corporate media's waning influence, Dave and Robbie predict a strong likelihood of Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election despite close polls.

3. Critique of Political Discourse: The episode underscores the problematic nature of extreme political rhetoric, exemplified by Trump’s derogatory comments towards Liz Cheney, and the media’s sensationalist coverage of such statements.

4. Need for Media Transparency: Emphasizing the importance of honest reporting, the hosts advocate for greater media accountability to restore public trust and ensure informed voting decisions.

5. Impact of Media on Policy and Public Opinion: The discussion reveals how media narratives can shape and sometimes distort public perception of political figures and their policies.

For listeners seeking an in-depth and unapologetically candid analysis of the 2024 Election, this episode of "Part Of The Problem" offers a compelling perspective on the interplay between politics and media in contemporary America.