The Bulwark Podcast

Episode: "Jessica Tarlov: Republicans Are in the Barrel"

Host: Tim Miller

Guest: Jessica Tarlov (Co-host of The Five on Fox News & Raging Moderates)

Date: November 7, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tim Miller sits down with Jessica Tarlov to dissect the aftermath of the latest midterms, the Republican Party's stumbles, and the state of the U.S. economy under Trump. They dive into the shutdown, media echo chambers, the problem with both parties' strategies, and the challenges moderates face within the Democratic coalition. The episode is full of sharp, reality-based political analysis, personal anecdotes, and darkly funny zingers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Code-Switching and Media Worlds

Opening banter highlights the oddity of code-switching between Fox News and CrookedCon (01:04–02:47).

• Jessica Tarlov jokes about moving between Fox and Crooked Media events:
  • “She’s the only woman in America who was on stage at the Fox Patriot Awards yesterday... and will be on stage today at Proud Save America’s Crooked Con. That’s code switching.” — Tim Miller (01:06)
• Both riff on TV personalities and what it’s like to “know” people just from seeing them on-screen.

2. The “Sandwich Man” Trial and Open Justice

(03:10–09:11)

• Discuss the humorous but telling trial of “sandwich man” being prosecuted for assault for throwing a sandwich at a police officer.
  • “He said that he got... the mustard and onions on himself. But we can see in the video the sandwich is still wrapped!” — Tim Miller (04:26)
• Both Tarlov and Miller use this to talk about the politicization of minor offenses and the transparency of public trials:
  • “Airing this stuff out publicly is so important in this moment... See a jury result. Makes me feel better about all of it.” — Jessica Tarlov (04:56)
• They glance at the performative aspects of the Trump administration’s National Guard deployments: “It’s mostly been guys in fatigues doing selfies...” — Tim Miller (07:44)

3. Midterm Elections—A Bad Day for Republicans

(09:11–15:51)

• Miller: “Let’s go to the election results. And they do seem weak... there’s a lot of cope happening.”
• Tarlov pushes back on right-wing excuses:
  • “I don’t think the argument holds that this is blue turf... the lesson of the 2024 election was that solid blue turf is not so solid.” (10:35)
  • Highlights surprising Democratic margins in places like Virginia and New York: “15 points is the biggest margin in Virginia since JFK, like, that’s a big deal...” (11:01)
• Both note right-wing media is not engaging in any self-reflection:
  • “It didn’t feel like... this was a big rebuke and we need to change things.” — Miller (12:14)
  • “There’s a strong cope, which is interesting...” — Tarlov (12:14)
• Tarlov notes a difference after previous Democratic setbacks:
  • “I thought everyone was really introspective and thoughtful about it. I didn’t see anyone get on TV and be defiant.” (12:34)
• Miller craves just one candid video of Republicans sulking: “If they’re ever sad... I just want like a little sneaky video of them being sad.” (15:51)

4. The Economic Backdrop: Stagflation and Republican Denial

(18:22–23:41)

• New Bulwark contributor Catherine Rampell highlights economic warning signs:
  • “Layoff announcements have reached recessionary levels. Subprime borrowing is back...” (18:25)
• “We appear to be suffering from the dreaded S word—stagflation. So that’s bad.” — Tim Miller (18:52)
• Tarlov analyzes the dissonance:
  • “People showed up and said, we hired you for one job... and none of that [cost of living relief] has happened. I wish the asylum system was working better, but... that’s not the main job.” (19:45)
  • “Everything’s been going in the opposite direction that they’ve said it should.” (21:02)
  • Republicans’ only focus: “Get really rich while you have power...The Trump family is doing great because... They are crypto people now.” (22:53 & 23:09)
• Miller: “What’s the first step of solving a problem? Admitting you have one. Trump’s never going to admit he has a problem.” (22:28)

5. The Tariff Plan & Failures of Trumpian Economic Strategy

(25:53–27:52)

• Tarlov on the administration’s “plan” to fix things with tariffs:
  • “It’s like a thousand things have to go perfectly right... None of those things have gone right.” (26:35)
  • “They were going with a plan that had to be pinpoint, precise—like a sniper rifle from thousands of miles away. And that is just bombing at this particular moment.” (27:17)
• Both agree: Dems have (finally) gotten better at focusing on cost-of-living over cultural issues.

6. Media Silos & Shutdown Politics

(29:33–46:01)

• Miller on how the government shutdown is processed in completely divorced media realities:
  • “The shutdown conversations literally exist in two completely different silos... On Fox it’s entirely the Democrats’ fault... On MSNBC, it’s the Republicans.” (29:29)
• They discuss gridlock, the human toll, and the incentives for Democrats to let Republicans wallow:
  • “It’s hurting people, which is what your job is supposed to be about. I saw yesterday that Democrats were like, Oh, I think we should go a bit longer on this...” — Jessica Tarlov (34:46)
• Tim’s argument:
  • “They’ve already lost. [The GOP is] down at minus 13 [approval]...there isn’t another election until next November.” (40:22)
• Tarlov notes the contradiction: “Democratic base is happy right now with the party. You’re not rolling over...I imagine it comes to a conclusion.” (40:25)
• On healthcare:
  • “Obamacare is still too expensive and there’s no reform plan coming...That’s something that’s been bothering me.” — Tarlov (41:22)
  • Miller: “If I was a Democratic politician going on your podcast...I also would not answer that question.” (43:31)
  • “Your feelings aren’t really the most important thing right now, I’m sorry.” (43:34)
• The consensus: The next election will turn on cost-of-living/economic pain, not the mechanics of the shutdown.

7. Moderates in the Democratic Party: The Jared Golden Dilemma

(47:39–57:55)

• Discussion of Rep. Jared Golden dropping out, and the loss of moderates:
  • “He’s a working class dude...he could go into the manosphere and hang out. He cares about economic issues...and he’s out. He dropped out because some dweeb in Maine [pushed him out].” — Tim Miller (47:55, 48:05, 48:16)
• Tarlov: “He had the reddest district that a Dem carried... Nancy Pelosi always told her caucus...just win. We can’t do anything unless we’re in office. And Jared Golden did the impossible three times.” (49:29)
• On Democratic strategy and coalition:
  • “If you have a pro-life Democrat who still votes for pro-choice policies, what the fuck do you care?” — Tarlov (50:26)
• Miller on candidate mismatch: “The main Senate primary is a microcosm of how both factions in the party are fucking up.” (52:20)
  • Platner “is running basically on AOC’s platform, but just in a dude with tattoos’ body...that is not going to be...a path to win in red areas.” (53:26)
  • Mills is “not really...compared to other governors. Her favorability is pretty low.” (55:22)
• Tarlov: “People have...a financial interest in doing those things...Jared Golden should have run for Senate. That was my dream scenario.” (54:31)
• Miller’s bottom line: “I just want everybody to be like, let’s get ruthless. Let’s get ruthless.” (56:52)

8. On Political Ruthlessness and the Path Forward

(57:06–57:55)

• Miller and Tarlov both see the opportunity to be more cutthroat and meet the moment:
  • “Gavin Newsom is demonic ruthless.” — Tarlov (57:11)
  • “I think we’re meeting the moment, more or less. Is that too moderate a thing to say? No, I wanna be positive.” — Tarlov (57:55)
  • Miller: “I’m hungry, I’m voracious, I want more. And I don’t want people to feel like, oh no, things are going wrong. No, no, no.” (57:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On media echo chambers:
  “The shutdown conversations literally exist in two completely different silos...” — Tim Miller (29:29)

• On Democratic self-sabotage:
  “If you have a pro-life Democrat who still votes for pro-choice policies, what the fuck do you care?” — Jessica Tarlov (50:26)

• On economic populism:
  “Everything’s been going in the opposite direction that they’ve said it should.” — Jessica Tarlov (21:02)

• On candidate strategy and party discipline:
  “Nancy Pelosi always told her caucus, I’ll do whatever you want...just win. We can’t do anything unless we’re in office.” — Jessica Tarlov (49:29)

• On the general mood:
  “It feels like the Republicans are in the barrel...but I think behind closed doors that people know what’s going on.” — Jessica Tarlov (15:32)

• On the practicalities of the shutdown:
  “It’s hurting people, which is what your job is supposed to be about.” — Jessica Tarlov (34:46)

• On the future:
  “I just want everybody to be like, let’s get ruthless.” — Tim Miller (56:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Media Code-Switching: (01:04–02:47)
• “Sandwich Man” and Open Courts: (03:10–09:11)
• Elections Recap & GOP Reactions: (09:11–15:51)
• Economic Outlook & GOP Denial: (18:22–23:41)
• Tariffs & Trump Strategy: (25:53–27:52)
• Media Silos, Shutdown, Healthcare: (29:33–46:01)
• Moderates & Party Strategy: (47:39–57:55)
• Ruthlessness & Forward Strategy: (57:06–57:55)

Tone & Style

The discussion is casual, sardonic, and deeply reality-based, balancing policy with snark, empathy, and the occasional gallows humor. Both hosts are lucid about how politics and media distort or obscure real consequences, and urge the center-left coalition to be more strategic and less self-flagellating in the face of an economically flailing, fact-denying GOP.

Final Takeaway

The theme: Democrats are ascendant but at risk of squandering their position due to a lack of ruthless pragmatism and internal coalition issues; meanwhile, Republicans are mired in denial and bad ideas, which is hurting everyday Americans. The moment calls for both more self-awareness in politics and less obsession over purity—“just win” and help people.

End Summary.