The Bulwark Podcast: Susan Glasser – "A Lame Lame Duck"
Episode Release Date: December 10, 2024
Hosts: Tim Miller and guest Susan Glasser
Podcast Description: Tim Miller and guests dissect the latest political developments, offering insightful analysis and robust defense of liberal democracy, while steering clear of both-sides rhetoric.
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The Bulwark Podcast, host Tim Miller welcomes Susan Glasser, a respected staff writer at The New Yorker and co-author of The Divider: Trump in the White House. Together, they delve into the tumultuous political landscape as Joe Biden's presidency edges toward its conclusion, Donald Trump's ongoing influence, and the broader implications for American democracy.
1. Biden's Lame Duck Status and Trump's Ascendant Role
Timestamp: 02:10
Susan Glasser opens the conversation by characterizing the current political climate as “a terrible, terrible timeline” that underscores the necessity for individuals to foster real-world connections over online interactions. She paints a stark picture of Joe Biden as an “instant psychological transition” to a lame duck president, highlighting his lack of reelection ambitions as a key factor in his perceived irrelevance.
Notable Quote:
Susan Glasser (02:25): "I've never seen a lamer lame duck than Joe Biden in terms of just a sense, an almost instant sense of irrelevance."
Glasser critiques Trump's unconventional approach, noting that despite not holding official presidential responsibilities, Trump continues to engage in activities typically reserved for the sitting president, such as foreign diplomacy. This blurs the lines of presidential norms and raises concerns about the erosion of established political structures.
Notable Quote:
Susan Glasser (03:11): "Trump is doing things that would have been, of course, head exploding even in the first Trump transition."
2. The Possibility and Implications of Preemptive Pardons
Timestamp: 06:34
Glasser addresses rumors surrounding Trump’s potential use of preemptive pardons. She emphasizes that pardoning individuals who haven’t been accused of crimes would break significant precedents and faces strong opposition from those on Trump’s “enemies list.” This includes individuals unwilling to accept pardons, asserting their desire to “stand and fight” for their country.
Notable Quote:
Susan Glasser (06:52): "Please do not give me a pardon. This is my country. I'm not leaving the country. I would like to stand and fight."
She remains skeptical about the White House’s intentions, suggesting that such actions could be another step in undermining respect for government institutions, especially in light of Trump’s recent attacks on the January 6th committee.
3. Underestimation of Trump's Resurgence by Political Leaders
Timestamp: 08:06
Glasser critiques the Biden administration and key Republican figures like Mitch McConnell for underestimating Trump’s enduring influence. She cites internal remarks dismissing Trump as merely a “sideshow,” which she deems a critical misjudgment that facilitated his potential reelection.
Notable Quote:
Susan Glasser (08:39): "Donald Trump, forget about him. He's just a sideshow. He's irrelevant, essentially. And you know that. That was a mistake."
This miscalculation, according to Glasser, reflects a broader failure to anticipate Trump’s ability to mobilize his base and impact the political landscape even without formal office.
4. Scandals Among Trump’s Cabinet Appointees
Timestamp: 09:43
Glasser shifts focus to the controversies surrounding Trump’s cabinet nominees, highlighting widespread personal and moral failings among appointees. She underscores that the presence of multiple individuals accused of sexual misconduct and extremism signifies a deliberate strategy by Trump to undermine institutional integrity.
Notable Quote:
Susan Glasser (10:06): “It's as if Trump went out of his way to seek out potential nominees who had an array of allegations against them as a group.”
She differentiates between Trump 1.0, who sought establishment figures like Jim Mattis and Wall Street executives, and Trump 2.0, characterized by loyalists whose primary qualification is unwavering support for Trump, regardless of their capability to lead effectively.
5. The Controversial Nomination of Pete Hegseth to the Pentagon
Timestamp: 18:02
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon. Glasser critiques Hegseth’s suitability, pointing out his lack of military experience and extremist views, which could potentially jeopardize the Pentagon’s leadership.
Notable Quote:
Susan Glasser (20:18): "Hegseth has been publicly misrepresenting and not telling the truth about what these allegations even are."
She anticipates fierce scrutiny from senators and the possibility of opposition based on documented misconduct and misrepresentations. Glasser warns that relying on MAGA media support without substantial qualifications could lead to detrimental outcomes for the military’s integrity and effectiveness.
6. Foreign Policy Shifts: Assad's Fall and U.S. Alliances
Timestamp: 25:26
Glasser examines recent developments in Syria, noting Assad’s fall and its implications for Russian and Iranian influence in the region. She asserts that Assad’s dependency on Russia and Iran was pivotal to his regime’s longevity and that his ousting marks a significant geopolitical shift.
Notable Quote:
Susan Glasser (27:55): "This is a major defeat for those powers as a direct result of October 7th."
She contrasts Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy—with an emphasis on deals over traditional alliances—with the strategies of previous administrations that focused on strengthening global partnerships and defending sovereignty.
7. The Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine and Potential Trump-led Peace Deals
Timestamp: 29:19
The conversation turns to the war in Ukraine, where Glasser expresses skepticism about the feasibility of Trump’s proposed peace deals. She raises concerns about the absence of meaningful security guarantees for Ukraine, which could result in only temporary ceasefires without addressing the root causes or ensuring long-term stability.
Notable Quote:
Susan Glasser (31:27): "I have a lot of questions about that."
Glasser highlights the disparity between public optimism and the harsh realities of international conflict, emphasizing that without substantial commitments, any peace agreement could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future aggression.
8. Conclusion: The Danger of Simplistic Narratives in Complex Situations
Timestamp: 38:52
In his closing remarks, Tim Miller shifts the discussion to recent incidents involving Luigi Mangione and Daniel Penny, criticizing the oversimplified narratives of radicalization. He argues that attributing such tragedies to broad societal issues like "radicalization" undermines the complexity of individual motivations and the need for nuanced solutions.
Notable Quote:
Tim Miller (41:16): "Things are complicated. There are tragedies in life. We all need to work together as a society to try to improve them gradually over time."
Miller calls for empathy and systemic improvements rather than attributing violent acts to generalized societal failings, advocating for a more thoughtful approach to addressing the root causes of such incidents.
Final Thoughts
This episode of The Bulwark Podcast offers a thorough exploration of the precarious state of American politics as the Biden administration approaches its end. Susan Glasser provides critical insights into the miscalculations surrounding Trump’s enduring influence, the problematic nature of his cabinet appointees, and the potential ramifications for both domestic and foreign policy. The discussion underscores the importance of recognizing the complexities inherent in political transitions and the necessity for informed, strategic leadership to uphold democratic principles.
Notable Takeaway:
Susan Glasser (39:55): "Donald Trump is the guy who seems to admire the autocrats and adversaries and be very dismissive of the allies. So it's not clear to me what he'll do."
This reflects the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s second term and its potential impact on both the United States and the global political landscape.
Note: This summary intentionally omits advertisements, musical interludes, and non-content segments to focus solely on the substantive discussions between Tim Miller and Susan Glasser.