The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "Slandering Bibi and Dems Who Want Blood" Release Date: July 11, 2025

Introduction and Episode Overview

In the July 11, 2025 episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, hosted by John Podhoretz, the panel delves into pressing political issues surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the internal dynamics within the Democratic Party in the United States. The discussion is marked by sharp analysis, insightful critiques, and robust debates among the contributors: Abe Greenwald (Executive Editor), Seth Mandel (Senior Editor), and Christine Rosen (Social Commentary Columnist).

Slanderous Allegations Against Netanyahu

John Podhoretz (00:24): The episode opens with Podhoretz addressing a contentious New York Times article that accuses Prime Minister Netanyahu of prolonging the war in Gaza for his own domestic political gains. He vehemently criticizes the piece, labeling it as slanderous unless definitively proven.

"This is very important because... that Bibi Netanyahu prolonged the war in Gaza for his own domestic political needs, which is slander unless you can prove it definitively." (00:24)

Christine Rosen (09:50): Rosen challenges the notion that Netanyahu alone is responsible for prolonging the conflict, pointing to actions by other political figures such as President Joe Biden and the ongoing strategies of Israel's adversaries.

"I love the whole idea that Bibi's the one who prolonged this war in the first place. Who prolonged the war? Well, Joe Biden." (09:50)

Israeli Political Landscape and Netanyahu's Position

Seth Mandel (07:07): Mandel underscores Netanyahu's strong political standing, noting his coalition's robust majority in the Israeli parliament, which grants him a secure four-year term barring any unforeseen political upheavals.

"Bibi Netanyahu's coalition got 64 seats. I think the coalition is now up to 68 seats... you have a four-year term as prime minister, as Israeli law dictates." (07:07)

Abe Greenwald (08:47): Greenwald critiques the New York Times' motivations, suggesting that internal editorial politics drive the newspaper's antagonism towards Netanyahu, rather than genuine concerns over Israeli domestic politics.

"But, you know, to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail... internal New York Times politics where these sorts of stories have become so commonplace." (08:47)

Democratic Party's Internal Struggles and Radicalization

John Podhoretz (02:50): Shifting focus, Podhoretz examines the Democratic Party's challenges in addressing extremist elements within its ranks. He references Zoramdani, a figure advocating for defunding the police and adopting socialist policies, highlighting the party's dilemma in managing such radical voices.

"Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois... some of them have suggested what we really need to do is be willing to get shot when visiting ICE facilities." (32:06)

Abe Greenwald (16:27): Greenwald echoes concerns over the Democratic Party's inability to self-regulate, drawing parallels to historical instances where the party failed to effectively counter extremist candidates like David Duke.

"But there's a lot of confusion on the Democratic Party's part about how to deal with this new force." (16:27)

Christine Rosen (26:11): Rosen points out the media's role in normalizing extremist rhetoric within the Democratic Party, making it challenging for internal critics to oppose such narratives without facing backlash.

"The media landscape is so different. They don't treat people who say 'globalize the intifada' as they would people in the Klan." (26:11)

Polling Data: Republican Advantage and Changing Party Identification

John Podhoretz (35:11): Podhoretz presents polling data from Republican pollster Bill McInterf, illustrating a significant shift in party identification over the past 13 years. The data indicates a growing advantage for Republicans, with Republicans now identifying with 43% of registered voters compared to Democrats' 41%.

"In 2025... party identification of registered voters is now 43% Republican and 41% Democrat. In 2012, that number was 46% Democrat and 37% Republican." (35:11)

Seth Mandel (41:03): Mandel discusses the advantages Republicans hold on key issues such as border security, federal spending, and the handling of the Israel-Hamas-Gaza war, emphasizing Trump's role in driving perceptions of effective change.

"Trump remains change. That's pretty staggering." (41:03)

Media's Role and the Democrat's Struggle with Extremism

Abe Greenwald (44:08): Greenwald critiques the Democratic Party's alignment with technocratic elites, who are increasingly distrusted by the American public due to perceived mishandling of crises over the past decades.

"Democrats are really putting all their cards in a kind of misery that and the mishandling of specific crises..." (48:34)

John Podhoretz (50:51): Podhoretz contrasts the Democratic Party's current trajectory with past political shifts, arguing that Democrats have failed to offer a compelling vision for the future, unlike Republicans who leverage strong, change-oriented messaging.

"What are they promising people? I mean, you can say... Trump promises everything." (50:51)

American Political Culture and Voter Disillusionment

Abe Greenwald (61:30): Greenwald reflects on the erosion of individual empowerment in American political culture, attributing it to the relentless politicization of daily life and the overwhelming influence of elite narratives that discourage civic engagement.

"We have a country that provides people with personal freedom, then they're supposed to act on what their personal freedom might provide them." (61:30)

John Podhoretz (63:04): Podhoretz laments the loss of the "biographical America" where individual stories and personal agency once drove the nation's progress, now overshadowed by systemic and cultural narratives that stifle personal empowerment.

"It is still part of the American ethos, that it is overwhelmingly now associated with the right and with the Republican Party by default." (63:04)

Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

John Podhoretz (64:35): Concluding the episode, Podhoretz recommends Adam Ross's novel Play World, highlighting its insightful portrayal of Generation Z and its critique of adult irresponsibility in the late 20th century Manhattan. He underscores the book's relevance to understanding contemporary societal issues.

"It's a remarkable achievement. Playworld by Adam Ross. So you got two of us recommending it." (70:20)

Key Takeaways

• Netanyahu's Political Fortitude: The panel defends Netanyahu against allegations of war prolongation, emphasizing his strong political position and questioning the motives behind critical media narratives.

• Democratic Party's Internal Challenges: The discussion highlights the Democratic Party's struggle with extremist factions, their impact on the party's image, and the broader implications for American politics.

• Shifting Party Dynamics: Polling data indicates a steady increase in Republican party identification, driven in part by effective change-oriented messaging under Trump.

• Media Influence: The role of media in shaping and normalizing extremist views within political parties is scrutinized, with concerns over biased reporting impacting public perception.

• Civic Disempowerment: The conversation touches on the decline of individual empowerment and civic engagement, attributing it to media saturation and politicization of everyday life.

• Literary Insight: The recommendation of Play World serves as a cultural reflection on generational dynamics and societal breakdowns, offering a narrative lens to understand current political and social climates.

This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast provides a comprehensive examination of both Israeli and American political landscapes, offering listeners deep insights into the interplay between media narratives, party dynamics, and voter psychology. Through articulate discourse and pointed critiques, the panel underscores the complexities facing contemporary politics and the urgent need for informed and empowered civic participation.