Pod Save America: Thanksgiving Mailbag Summary

Episode: Thanksgiving Mailbag: Trans Rights, Progressive Media, and Skinny Jeans
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Hosts: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, Tommy Vietor
Guest: Various hosts (Ben Rhodes)
Duration: Approximately 50 minutes

Introduction

In this heartfelt Thanksgiving episode of Pod Save America, hosts Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor dive into listener-submitted questions from their subscriber Discord. The discussion spans crucial political topics such as trans rights, the role of progressive media, and even lighter subjects like fashion trends and favorite holiday movies. The hosts aim to provide insightful, no-bullshit conversations that help listeners navigate the complex political landscape.

1. Engaging with the Democratic Party

Listener Question: “I'm on the left end of the spectrum, but I'm a Democrat because I have long believed that this party was the best viable option to hitch my wagon to, so to speak, after this election. Why is the Democratic Party still worth my time and energy?”
— Subscriber Ian ([03:08])

Discussion Highlights:

• Ben Rhodes emphasizes the two-party system in the U.S., noting the lack of viable alternatives:

  “In the US we have a two-party system for better or for worse. They haven't really figured out a viable path for an alternative.” ([03:32])

• Tommy Vietor suggests reforms like ranked-choice voting and encourages engagement within the Democratic Party to effect change:

  “Our job is to try in every election to get ourselves to the best choice possible and then make the choice in front of us at the national level.” ([04:00])

• Jon Favreau adds that engaging with the party doesn't mean you owe it allegiance, but acknowledges the importance of politics in shaping societal outcomes:

  “Politics affects us for good or bad times.” ([04:00])

2. Trans Rights and Democratic Party Strategy

Listener Question: “I'm trans and I'm really worried about the ability of the Democratic Party to win while keeping me in mind. I would vote for them if they go quiet about trans issues. But do you think that they could turn against us or just stay silent as we lose our rights? If so, what can I practically do? Or am I out of luck?”
— Subscriber Jessica ([07:25])

Discussion Highlights:

• Tommy Vietor passionately defends the Democrats, condemning the notion that the party would abandon trans individuals:

  “I don't believe that [Democrats] will throw trans people under the bus. It should not happen. It is both... toxic... but also politically stupid.” ([08:04])

• He criticizes the right-wing media's manipulation of trans issues to create political distractions:

  “Why are we talking about trans bathrooms?... They have nothing to do with the day-to-day life for a trans person in America.” ([08:04])

• Jon Favreau highlights that no prominent Democrat has advocated for stripping trans rights, reinforcing the party's commitment:

  “I haven't seen any Democrats say we should compromise on any other... rights protections.” ([12:18])

• Ben Rhodes underscores the importance of framing debates around fairness without compromising core values:

  “We have to respond... make an argument that will resonate... without capitulating on tolerance and acceptance.” ([10:40])

3. Joe Biden's Legacy and Foreign Policy Challenges

Listener Question: “Do you believe Biden's legacy will be similar to that of LBJ's, i.e., he had a lot of good domestic policy, but the one thing people will remember him by is his foreign policy (Gaza failure)?”
— Subscriber Jay Walker ([19:48])

Discussion Highlights:

• Ben Rhodes acknowledges Gaza as a significant blemish on Biden's foreign policy but commends his decision to end the Afghanistan war:

  “I believe that Gaza is and will continue to be a massive stain on Joe Biden's record... Joe Biden ended the war in Afghanistan, which no other president had the courage to do.” ([20:03])

• Tommy Vietor compares Biden to LBJ, noting that Biden's efforts to restore the country's soul are overshadowed by Trump's presidency:

  “Joe Biden's term, in which he wanted to restore the soul of the country and protect democracy, is sandwiched by Donald Trump.” ([22:12])

• The hosts discuss potential threats to Biden's legacy based on future policy reversals by a possible Trump administration, such as repealing key legislations and withdrawing from international agreements.

4. Sustaining the Anti-Trump Coalition’s Energy

Listener Question: “Do you worry that we won't see the same energy behind the anti-Trump coalition as we did in 2017 going into 2025?”
— Subscriber (Unnamed) ([24:04])

Discussion Highlights:

• Jon Favreau believes the coalition's endurance depends on Trump’s actions and the form the opposition energy takes:

  “It depends on what Trump does and it depends on what form the energy takes... I would worry if people just tune out altogether.” ([24:16])

• Tommy Vietor emphasizes that relying solely on anti-Trump sentiment is insufficient for future elections, advocating for building a positive political vision:

  “We need to have... be excited about the vision of whoever we put forward. We just can't just... look inward.” ([25:45])

5. Influencing the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Selection

Listener Question: “What is the best way for us to influence who gets named the next DNC chair? Who to call/email? There are about 450 DNC members.”
— Subscriber Jay Walker ([35:01])

Discussion Highlights:

• Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes suggest grassroots efforts, such as writing notes to DNC members and organizing state-level support:

  “Your win number is 225 people. It's not a policy-making job. It's fundraising and grassroots and press.” ([35:16])

• Jon Favreau advises leveraging social media and targeted communication to make voices heard among political insiders:

  “The 450 members are... political insiders and they're probably on social media and very engaged in politics.” ([35:16])

6. Supporting Left-Aligned, Non-Political Media

Listener Question: “I feel like the biggest right-wing podcasts/media are all 'not political.' How do we go about getting left-aligned, non-political media?”
— Subscriber Catherine ([27:29])

Discussion Highlights:

• Ben Rhodes argues that Democrats shouldn't be blamed for hosting guests with diverse views and highlights the importance of choosing the right platforms:

  “Democrats should not be attacked for going on shows... limits to this.” ([28:03])

• Tommy Vietor points out the cultural shift where progressive media outlets may avoid certain interviews to maintain audience appeal, urging the left to engage more authentically:

  “We need to build a political movement and a culture on the left in which you're welcome in those spaces.” ([30:09])

• Jon Favreau emphasizes the necessity for the left to embrace varied personalities and not alienate potential allies by hostile interactions:

  “If Democrats could respond... by being like, hey, that was stupid.” ([31:11])

7. Lighter Topics: Fashion, Fitness, and Holiday Favorites

a. Fashion Trends: Skinny Jeans and Socks

• Listener Question: “Can I keep wearing skinny jeans in 2025?”
  — Subscriber Emily Selka ([37:05])

Discussion Highlights:

• Tommy Vietor humorously debates the relevance of skinny jeans amidst evolving fashion trends, ultimately encouraging listeners to wear what makes them comfortable:

  “But I can't see it. I have jeans blindness... wear whatever jeans you like.” ([37:42])

b. Fitness Routines

• Listener Question: “What are the guys' fitness routines?”
  — Subscriber Defiant Emily ([39:40])

Discussion Highlights:

• Tommy Vietor advocates for Pilates, sharing his positive experiences with the Reformer:

  “I'm becoming a Pilates person. I'm doing it all the time.” ([40:07])

• Jon Favreau and Ben Rhodes discuss their own fitness challenges and routines, emphasizing adaptability and personal comfort:

  “I'm going to try some crew socks now. But I'm not giving up on the skinnier jeans.” ([38:34])

c. Favorite Holiday Movies

• Listener Question: “What’s your favorite holiday movie?”
  — Subscriber Leah Kahan ([42:15])

Discussion Highlights:

• Ben Rhodes votes for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as his top choice.
• Tommy Vietor adds classics like Die Hard and The Nightmare Before Christmas to the list.
• Jon Favreau mentions Home Alone and A Christmas Story, discussing the nostalgia factor:

  “It's more of the nostalgia about remembering stuff from my youth.” ([42:53])

d. Anticipated 2025 Releases

• Listener Question: “What do you have to look forward to in 2025? Movie premieres, albums, games.”
  — Subscriber Maha ([43:08])

Discussion Highlights:

• Exciting TV releases like Andor Season Two, Severance Season Two, White Lotus Season Three, and The Last of Us Season Two.
• Anticipation for new movies, including Gladiator 2 and the Squid Game Season Two.
• Interest in upcoming albums and books, with mentions of artists like Ariana Grande and authors like Neal Stephenson.

Conclusion

As the hosts wrap up the Thanksgiving Mailbag, they reflect on the importance of political engagement, community building, and maintaining a positive vision for the future. They also share personal anecdotes and lighter moments, fostering a sense of camaraderie and holiday spirit among listeners.

Notable Quotes

• Ben Rhodes ([03:32]):
  “In the US we have a two-party system for better or for worse. They haven't really figured out a viable path for an alternative.”

• Tommy Vietor ([04:00]):
  “Our job is to try in every election to get ourselves to the best choice possible and then make the choice in front of us at the national level.”

• Tommy Vietor ([08:04]):
  “I don't believe that [Democrats] will throw trans people under the bus. It should not happen. It is both... toxic... but also politically stupid.”

• Ben Rhodes ([20:03]):
  “I believe that Gaza is and will continue to be a massive stain on Joe Biden's record... Joe Biden ended the war in Afghanistan, which no other president had the courage to do.”

• Jon Favreau ([24:16]):
  “It depends on what Trump does and it depends on what form the energy takes... I would worry if people just tune out altogether.”

• Ben Rhodes ([28:03]):
  “Democrats should not be attacked for going on shows... limits to this.”

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Thank you for tuning into this Thanksgiving episode of Pod Save America. We wish you a joyous holiday and look forward to continuing the conversation in our next episodes.