The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "Common Sense and the Liberals" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: February 6, 2025

Hosts and Contributors:

• John Podhoretz – Editor of Commentary Magazine
• Abe Greenwald – Executive Editor
• Matthew Continetti – Washington Commentary Columnist

1. Executive Order on Transgender Athletes

The episode opens with John Podhoretz discussing President Donald Trump's recent executive order, which bans biologically born males from participating in girls' sports. Podhoretz labels this action as the "layup of all time" due to its high popularity in polling, estimating it as an 80% issue (00:41). He criticizes Democrats and liberals for mishandling the issue, arguing that they inadvertently empowered conservatives by failing to address the underlying common sense concerns about gender definitions.

Notable Quote:

"This is something like an 80% issue in polling... the liberals have handed Republicans... a gigantic baseball bat to smash them repeatedly over the head." – John Podhoretz (00:41)

2. The Evolution of Wokeness: From Race to Gender

Podhoretz delves into the origins of the "woke movement," tracing its roots back to racial justice issues such as the legacy of slavery, segregation, and ongoing poverty in Black communities. He contends that while early movements like Black Lives Matter had radical elements, mainstream wokeism has expanded into contentious areas like gender fluidity, which he argues defies traditional and biblical definitions of gender (02:14).

Notable Quote:

"The WOKE movement began as the next iteration of the fight for black equality... pressed on this question of human nature." – John Podhoretz (02:14)

3. Political Implications for the 2024 Election

Matthew Continetti draws parallels between conservative counterintuitive ideas and their newfound accessibility to the average voter. He suggests that issues like gender equality, traditionally seen as counterintuitive, are now perceived as intuitive by the conservative base, reversing the traditional dynamic and making conservatism more appealing to a broader audience (05:14).

Notable Quote:

"When the transgender issue was implemented... it pressed the question of human nature, which was too much for radicals and Democrats, creating the conditions for this Trump revolution." – John Podhoretz (04:40)

4. The Role of Moderation and the Radical Middle

Abe Greenwald discusses the concept of the "radical middle," highlighting the challenges moderates face in a polarized political landscape. He references political theorists who advocate for reasoned discourse and common ground, but notes that in reality, moderates often find themselves overwhelmed by ideological extremes on both ends (28:15).

Notable Quote:

"Moderation is the avoidance of fighting and the belief in free, fair discussion... but in reality, radicals overpower these efforts." – Abe Greenwald (28:15)

5. Democratic Party's Struggles and Internal Conflicts

Podhoretz critiques the Democratic Party's inability to manage its radical factions, leading to policy missteps and a loss of public confidence. He attributes the party's current weakness to their inability to counterbalance movements like Black Lives Matter and transgender activism, which have diverted focus from mainstream issues and fragmented the party (26:01).

Notable Quote:

"The collapse of mainstream liberalism created a conservative counter revolution. And I think that's what we're beginning to see." – John Podhoretz (26:01)

6. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Federal Audits

The conversation shifts to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative aimed at auditing federal spending for waste, fraud, and abuse. Abe Greenwald critiques DOGE's effectiveness and raises concerns about political ramifications, including increased scrutiny from the Democratic Party. He highlights issues such as the audit of USAID, pointing out significant missing funds and questioning DOGE's access to sensitive government data (50:44).

Notable Quote:

"DOGE has been given administrative access to OPM computer systems within days of Trump's inauguration... They're in their early twenties and just hitting delete on improper payments." – Abe Greenwald (50:44)

7. Concluding Insights into the American Political Landscape

In their concluding remarks, the hosts emphasize the unpredictable nature of the current political environment. Podhoretz remains optimistic, viewing the conservative counter-attacks against liberal overreach as a restoration of common sense and constitutional values. In contrast, Greenwald portrays the Democratic Party as being in disarray, struggling to respond effectively to the administration’s aggressive reforms. Matthew Continetti echoes this sentiment, noting that Democrats are reacting with hysteria and being unable to manage internal and external pressures, thereby weakening their position and potentially paving the way for a conservative resurgence (55:11).

Notable Quote:

"When you have a kind of binary choice, he [Trump] now knows how to face down the binary choice that liberals have foisted." – John Podhoretz (17:18)

8. Recommendations and Final Thoughts

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts briefly discuss entertainment recommendations, advising against certain TV shows for their lack of creativity and coherence. While these segments are minor compared to the political discourse, they provide a glimpse into the hosts' views on contemporary media.

Conclusion

This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of the current political climate in the United States, focusing on the impact of President Trump's policies on transgender athletes and the broader implications for the 2024 election. The hosts critique the Democratic Party's handling of radical movements and explore the role of initiatives like Elon Musk's DOGE in auditing federal spending. Through a blend of political commentary and strategic insights, the episode underscores the shifting dynamics between liberal and conservative forces in American politics.

Timestamp References:

• [00:41] – Discussion on Trump's executive order.
• [02:14] – Origins of the woke movement.
• [04:40] – Impact of gender ideology.
• [05:14] – Conservative counterintuitive ideas.
• [17:18] – Binary choice in political stance.
• [26:01] – Democratic Party's struggles.
• [28:15] – Radical middle and moderation.
• [50:44] – Details on DOGE's federal audits.
• [55:11] – Democrats' current response to Trump.