The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "Keep Your Powder Dry" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: November 18, 2024

In the "Keep Your Powder Dry" episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host John Podhoretz engages in a dynamic discussion with Executive Editor Abe Greenwald, Senior Editor Seth Mandel, and returning guest Noah Rothman. The conversation delves into recent political developments, controversial cabinet nominations, the evolving landscape of social media, the decline of liberal media outlets, and the United States' policy on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

1. Aftermath of the 14th Annual Commentary Roast

The episode opens with a recount of the 14th Annual Commentary Roast held at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Contrary to expectations of a traditional roast, the event transformed into a series of tributes honoring Natan Sharansky, a revered Jewish hero.

• John Podhoretz [02:06]: "We roasted Natan Sharansky... but instead, it was just a series of tributes to a great Jewish hero."

• Seth Mandel [04:51]: "There was a roast of Natan Sharansky. It was done by Natan Sharansky himself."

Sharansky's unexpected twist impressed the attendees, highlighting his wit and admirable qualities, leaving little negative to critique humorously.

2. Controversial Nominations for Trump's Cabinet

A significant portion of the discussion centers on President Trump's contentious cabinet nominations, including Pete Hegseth, Matt Gaetz, and Tulsi Gabbard. The hosts express concerns over the potential scandals and lack of thorough vetting for these nominees.

• John Podhoretz [06:10]: "The nominations for Trump's Cabinet remain controversial and maybe getting a little more controversial by the day."

• Noah Rothman [08:47]: "In an earlier age, personal peccadilloes like that would be a bigger obstacle to your advancement onto this Cabinet."

The conversation highlights how nominees with turbulent personal histories could pose risks of compromised positions within the federal government. There's skepticism about the Senate's role in appropriately vetting these appointments, emphasizing the potential fallout from confirmations based on questionable backgrounds.

3. Impact of Controversial Nominees on Senate Politics

The hosts explore the dynamics within the Senate regarding these nominations, questioning whether senators will prioritize constitutional duties over political pressures.

• Seth Mandel [16:02]: "Tulsi Gabbard, in trouble... she can just kicker to the curb. And who's gonna say her nay?"

• Noah Rothman [14:41]: "They're asking the Senate to set a fuse on a time bomb... the Senate would have to absorb whatever damage results when the thing blows up."

There's a consensus that confirming such nominees without thorough vetting could lead to significant political and ethical dilemmas, potentially damaging the Senate's credibility and the administration's integrity.

4. Social Media's Role in Political Polarization

The discussion shifts to the rise of alternative social media platforms like Blue Sky, where liberal factions engage in internal disputes and "cancel" each other, exacerbating political divides.

• Seth Mandel [31:32]: "Apostasy is, in some ways, a lot nastier and brutish than anything else... People inside the bubble making trouble."

• John Podhoretz [33:14]: "Blue sky announced... more than 42,000 reports, an all-time high... complaints by people on the left about the political incorrectness of other people on the left."

The hosts critique the liberal community's withdrawal into these platforms, highlighting how internal conflicts and self-cancellations undermine their political efficacy and public presence.

5. Decline of Liberal Media Outlets

A substantial segment addresses the diminishing influence of liberal media voices, particularly MSNBC and CNN, citing plummeting ratings and financial challenges.

• John Podhoretz [35:06]: "I'm talking about how they’re shrinking, because it’s not getting any news it likes to hear."

• Abe Greenwald [43:30]: "They already know who voted for Trump and why. They don’t like them already."

The hosts lament the lack of proactive engagement from liberal media in understanding and addressing their voter base, attributing this to strategic failures and internal biases that have weakened their ability to influence public discourse.

6. US Policy and the War in Ukraine

The final discussion revolves around the United States' shifting stance on the war in Ukraine, particularly the decision to supply Ukraine with ATACMs (Army Tactical Missile Systems).

• John Podhoretz [67:01]: "We are following smaller and less powerful militaries in providing the aid that we should have been providing a year ago."

• Noah Rothman [75:47]: "There's nothing, there's no trade here. So I'm going to take something so I can trade. These are very simple concepts."

The conversation critiques the Biden administration's incremental and delayed military support, questioning its effectiveness and strategic coherence. The hosts speculate on how these policies may influence future administrations, particularly the potential for President Trump to adopt a more assertive or alternative approach in dealing with Russian aggression.

7. Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

As the episode concludes, the hosts reflect on the broader implications of the discussed topics, emphasizing the need for vigilance and strategic foresight in political and media landscapes.

• John Podhoretz [81:38]: "We have a crisis because before the election, then right after the election, the owner of the Washington Post said, we're not endorsing because we're doing everything wrong."

• Noah Rothman [81:56]: "Our friendship with MSNBC... they are trying to intervene to save themselves in some fashion."

The hosts advocate for maintaining awareness and preparedness ("keeping our powder dry") in navigating the complexities of current political and social environments.

Notable Quotes:

• John Podhoretz [04:04]: "Except that he's very short, but that's about it." (Referring humorously to Natan Sharansky)

• Noah Rothman [08:47]: "I think she's probably offered herself up to being compromised by foreign hostile powers." (Discussing Tulsi Gabbard)

• Seth Mandel [16:02]: "If Tulsi is any kind of trouble, he can just kicker to the curb." (On Trump's potential management of controversial nominees)

This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast offers a critical examination of contemporary political strategies, media influence, and international policy decisions, providing listeners with deep insights into the evolving American socio-political fabric.