Ruthless Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Why Democrats Caved On The Shutdown
Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Absent: Comfortably Smug (“on assignment”)

Overview

This episode of Ruthless delivers a characteristically sharp and irreverent breakdown of the recent government shutdown and the Democratic response post-2025 election. The hosts revel in having predicted the outcome, lampoon Democratic leaders—especially Chuck Schumer—for what they describe as a political, rather than substantive, maneuver. The team also plays audio clips to illustrate media coverage and political maneuvering, before switching gears for segments on the animal kingdom and, in the final half, an in-depth, lively interview with Kevin Keene, President of the American Beverage Association. The episode closes with sports banter and feedback from listeners.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Democrats’ Shutdown Strategy and 'Cave' (00:00–09:24)

• The hosts open with a victory lap, claiming foresight into Senate Democrats’ eventual cave on the shutdown.
• They contend Democrats had no real demands and engineered the shutdown simply to push past the election, painting it as a political move to protect Chuck Schumer’s leadership.
• Quote:
  “They didn't get any of them. They didn't get a single one of these demands. What they did get was a shutdown that extended beyond election day, which I think is what they really wanted.”
  —Michael Duncan [00:14]
• Ashbrook asserts the entire exercise was to “save Chuck Schumer's career.” [00:44]
• Holmes frames the Democrats’ public narrative around “restoring the pride of making products here at home,” tying this to American workers—a theme that will resurface in the later interview. [00:49]

2. Media Coverage and Narrative Shifts (04:13–08:12)

• The hosts play clips from MSNBC and CNN, highlighting what they say is the media’s tardy acknowledgment of a “Democratic filibuster.”
• Quote:
  “We only find out that it's a Democratic filibuster once it's been broken.”
  —John Ashbrook [07:23]
• They accuse outlets of running cover for Democrats, “flummoxed” by how the facts were spun to the public.

3. The Predictability of Democratic Maneuvers (08:12–12:19)

• Holmes and Ashbrook rehash the show’s past predictions, reinforcing their claim of political inevitability.
• The segment references earlier guest appearances, including Senator John Thune discussing Schumer’s balancing act with the left wing.
• Audio reminisces about early warnings of a shutdown (“the light that was blinking shutdown had been blinking for months and months” —John Ashbrook [11:19]).

4. Election Timing and the Meaning(lessness) of the Shutdown (12:50–17:19)

• Ashbrook predicted the shutdown would end right after the Virginia election, advising listeners to “consider a date after Virginia’s election on November 4th.” [12:50]
• Post-election, the hosts deride the “deal” as entirely empty, listing the Democrats’ original demands (ACA subsidies, Medicaid reforms, public broadcasting funding), noting none made it into the agreement.
• Quote:
  “It’s almost as if nothing fucking happened at all.”
  —Josh Holmes [16:19]
• They posit federal employee anger in Virginia and the election as pivotal in Democratic timing.

5. Inside the Democratic Conference: Tim Kaine’s Admitted Priorities (18:58–23:19)

• An audio cut features a Virginia senator (implied Tim Kaine) openly focusing on the election rather than worker pay during the shutdown.
• Kaine admits, “I was so focused on elections. I wasn’t in this discussion on the health care…” [19:39]
• The hosts ridicule the admission, with Ashbrook noting, “Just very brazen overall to be like, I was more focused on this election than my job while none of you got paid...” [21:49]
• They frame this as emblematic of a leadership void in the Democratic Party, reliant on symbiosis with media and activist left.

6. Democratic Infighting: Schumer’s Perilous Position (23:19–31:54)

• The hosts discuss progressive calls for Chuck Schumer to step down (highlighting Ro Khanna’s statement), lampoon progressive belief there was ever a true policy fight.
• Holmes observes how Schumer attempts to pose as a leftist by voting against reopening the government, trying to outflank AOC.
• Quote:
  “He tricked AOC out of running... I think AOC will now say, I’m not running in a primary against you, Chuck Schumer, because you’re an actual left wing leader for this country...”
  —Michael Duncan [28:14]
• Broader discussion follows about the tension all Congressional leaders face between grassroots demands and feasible action, but the show sharply critiques Schumer for “conceding that you have no power whatsoever to effectuate your desired outcome.” [29:49]
• The hosts pose the “Question of the Day”: How long will Chuck Schumer last as leader? [31:54]

Notable Media & Cultural Segments

7. Animal Kingdom Chaos (32:01–42:33)

• The team segues into a bizarre NPR story: rats attacking bats in Germany, raising concerns about virus transmission.
• Quote:
  “What people see as a delicate dance between a winged and a land rat. I see the casual indifference of nature.”
  —John Ashbrook, as Werner Herzog [41:20]
• The segment blends dark humor, biohazard anxieties, and a (humorous) impromptu Werner Herzog impression.

8. American Culture Abroad: NFL in Germany (42:33–44:38)

• The hosts comment on Germans enthusiastically singing “Country Road” at an NFL game in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, reflecting on American cultural dominance—juxtaposed with historical references to the stadium.
• “America wins!” —Michael Duncan [43:40]

Feature Interview: Kevin Keene, President of the American Beverage Association (45:02–61:14)

a. American Jobs and Manufacturing

• Keene details the soft drink industry’s expansion, pointing to 24 new facilities and $1.3 billion in new investment across the country.
• “We're American companies making American products with American workers in America's hometowns.” —Kevin Keene [45:26]

b. Market Innovation and Health

• The discussion covers the beverage industry’s pivot to healthier, low- or no-sugar options—sparked by consumer demand, not regulation.
• “60% of what Americans buy actually put a dollar down for has zero sugar in it right now.” —Kevin Keene [50:26]

c. Transparency and Consumer Tools

• Keene announces the “goodtoknowfacts.org” website: a resource for consumers to research product ingredients, their use, nomenclature across regions, and regulatory assessments.
• “Our role was to put down the basics. So this is a good first stop for a consumer looking for more information.” —Kevin Keene [55:01]

d. Community Roots and Reputation

• Keene emphasizes community ties through networked, often family-owned bottlers, local sponsorships, and economic impact.

e. Football Fandom & Parting Gifts

• The interview wraps with Vikings fandom chatter and Keene gifting Holmes Vikings merch.

f. Final Commentary

• The hosts praise Keene’s industry as responsive to both criticism and consumer preference, contrasting market dynamics with top-down regulation.

Memorable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• “It was entirely a political exercise to save Chuck Schumer’s career.”
  —John Ashbrook [00:44]
• “We only find out that it’s a Democratic filibuster once it’s been broken.”
  —John Ashbrook [07:23]
• “It’s almost as if nothing fucking happened at all.”
  —Josh Holmes [16:19]
• “Just very brazen overall to be like, I was more focused on this election than my job while none of you got paid...”
  —John Ashbrook [21:49]
• “If you’re a leader of one of the two parties and your way out is conceding that you have no power whatsoever... not good, Bob.”
  —Josh Holmes [29:49]
• “They are making a choice as free consumers to pursue a different type of product. And what you’re describing is an industry that’s responsive to that first and foremost and not like a government telling you what to make and what not to make.”
  —Michael Duncan [52:20]
• “What people see as a delicate dance between a winged and a land rat. I see the casual indifference of nature.”
  —John Ashbrook, as Werner Herzog [41:20]
• “America wins.”
  —Josh Holmes / Michael Duncan [43:40]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Dems’ shutdown cave & media coverage | 00:00–08:12 | | Calls to Schumer’s leadership and shutdown predictions | 08:12–17:19 | | Tim Kaine & Dem priorities revealed | 18:58–23:19 | | Progressive dissent v. Schumer: Ro Khanna, conference rifts| 23:19–31:54 | | Animal Kingdom & Werner Herzog impression | 32:01–42:33 | | NFL in Germany / “America” segment | 42:33–44:38 | | Kevin Keene ABA Interview (jobs, transparency, Maha) | 45:02–61:14 |

Tone & Style

The episode embodies Ruthless’ trademark: sarcastic, brutal but well-informed conservative analysis, with recurring bravado over “calling it,” ridicule of Democratic leaders, and a breezy, conversational style. Banter about the animal kingdom, cultural moments, and sports ensures the show stays energetic and audience-friendly—even in policy-heavy segments.

For Listeners Who Missed It

• The hosts drive home their interpretation of the shutdown and Democrats’ political calculus, bolstered by clips and in-studio debate.
• Media complicity and narrative-flipping are thoroughly roasted.
• The second half turns to lighter fare—animal chaos, European culture clash, and a surprisingly substantive, user-friendly discussion of beverage industry innovation and consumer transparency.
• The touchpoints for policy, politics, and pop culture are all here, making for a balanced “variety progrum” as advertised.

Don’t miss Thursday’s follow-up teasing “the Democratic civil war”—the hosts hint at ongoing drama and fresh audio fodder.

End of Summary