The Commentary Magazine Podcast: Episode Summary - "Why He Picked RFK"
Introduction
In the November 15, 2024 episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host John Podhoretz, alongside executive editor Abe Greenwald, senior editor Seth Mandel, and Washington Commentary columnist Matthew Continetti, delve into President Elect Donald Trump's recent cabinet appointments. The focal point of their discussion is the controversial nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The panel also touches upon other key appointments, the Senate's role in confirmations, and the broader implications for American governance and public policy.
Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior
John Podhoretz opens the discussion by congratulating Governor Doug Burgum on his selection as the next Secretary of the Interior. He humorously reflects on his own investment in Burgum merchandise during the presidential campaign, highlighting the strong visual branding Burgum brought to the table.
"[...] I ordered all of the Doug Burgum merch. And one of the reasons I did so is that he did have the best logo, presidential campaign logo I've ever seen."
[02:13] - John Podhoretz
Matthew Continetti praises Burgum's expertise in land management, infrastructure, and energy conservation, suggesting that Burgum's tenure will bring significant changes to Washington.
"He was, I think, kind of... the only person picked yesterday, right? I mean, that's really the only headline, Right."
[03:07] - Matthew Continetti
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nomination to HHS
The conversation shifts to RFK Jr.'s nomination, with John Podhoretz expressing strong reservations about Kennedy's suitability for the role due to his long history of anti-vaccine stance and personal controversies.
"He is a tool of the tort lobby. He has been a tool of the tort bar for 30 years... He's a malign actor."
[24:XX] - John Podhoretz
Podhoretz details RFK Jr.'s problematic background, including his opposition to vaccines, involvement in environmental lawsuits, and the tragic history surrounding his first wife's suicide following the discovery of his personal diaries.
"His first wife... found a diary of his in which he detailed his 37 sexual encounters in the previous year with other women and killed herself."
[05:25] - John Podhoretz
Matthew Continetti provides context on RFK Jr.'s influence, linking it to a cultural distrust of expertise exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight how this has paved the way for figures like Kennedy to gain traction.
"There is such a widespread distrust of expertise in this country... that opens up the door for people whose views are marginal and fringe to become now a legitimate point of view."
[10:50] - Matthew Continetti
Cultural and Political Implications
Seth Mandel and Abe Greenwald expand on the cultural phenomena enabling RFK Jr.'s rise, discussing the erosion of trust in public health institutions and the proliferation of alternative theories in mainstream media platforms like podcasts.
"There are a great many people walking around who support RFK... think they know more and they have wacky theories."
[15:00] - Abe Greenwald
Mandel draws parallels between the current climate and past populist movements, emphasizing the challenges experts face in regaining public trust amidst rising skepticism.
"[...] the experts have lost my trust over this period of time and therefore I'm willing to give a chance to other experts or something like that."
[12:05] - Seth Mandel
Senate's Role and Confirmation Challenges
The panel discusses the critical role of the Senate in confirming cabinet nominees, highlighting the potential obstacles RFK Jr. and other controversial appointees might face. Continetti notes the historical precedent of stalled or withdrawn nominations, comparing current appointments to past instances under different administrations.
"This is the time of trial, November and December. These nominations are coming fast... but if any of them are forced to withdraw, it will be in this period before the inauguration and not after."
[38:46] - Matthew Continetti
Podhoretz underscores the Senate's conservative elements that may oppose RFK Jr.'s confirmation based on both his personal history and policy views, citing Senators John Barrasso and John Cassidy as potential dissenters.
"[...] there are two doctors among the Republican senators, John Barrasso and John Cassidy. And you could see them saying... we cannot in good conscience have a person with these views."
[59:11] - John Podhoretz
Comparative Analysis of Cabinet Confirmations
The hosts compare the current wave of nominations with previous administrations, particularly under George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and the challenges faced during those periods. Continetti references failed nominations like Bernace Kerik and Tom Daschle to illustrate potential pitfalls Trump might encounter.
"There was a famous case in Houston... [about vaccine distribution] and he ended up giving it to his wife."
[20:34] - Seth Mandel
Impact on American Institutions and Future Outlook
Throughout the discussion, the panelists express concerns about the erosion of institutional norms and the potential long-term consequences of Trump’s appointment strategy. Greenwald warns of the rise in "crank theories" and the need for scientific and logical reasoning to counteract misinformation.
"It's no longer sufficient to say, oh, you can't just listen to that guy's a crank... the challenges are too great."
[15:00] - Abe Greenwald
Podhoretz argues that Trump’s approach threatens the functionality and credibility of American institutions, suggesting that his appointments might undermine established practices and regulatory frameworks.
"[...] Trump opened the door to this destruction of our institutions and the dismantling of our common understanding of how to run things."
[54:50] - John Podhoretz
Conclusion
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate the significance of these cabinet appointments in shaping the incoming administration's policies and the broader political landscape. They emphasize the Senate's pivotal role in either legitimizing or challenging these nominations, with substantial implications for future governance.
"[...] Trump's appointment choices are reshaping the government in ways that could have profound impacts on public health, environmental policy, and beyond."
[Concluding Remarks]
Notable Quotes
-
John Podhoretz
"He is a tool of the tort lobby. He has been a tool of the tort bar for 30 years... He's a malign actor."
[24:XX] -
Matthew Continetti
"There is such a widespread distrust of expertise in this country... that opens up the door for people whose views are marginal and fringe to become now a legitimate point of view."
[10:50] -
Seth Mandel
"It's almost 10 years since Trump rode that wave in and it's just the same kind of popular discontent..."
[12:05] -
Abe Greenwald
"There are a great many people walking around who support RFK... think they know more and they have wacky theories."
[15:00]
Final Thoughts
The episode "Why He Picked RFK" offers a critical examination of President Elect Trump's cabinet selections, particularly focusing on the ramifications of nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for HHS. Through insightful analysis and pointed commentary, the podcast underscores the tension between populist movements and established institutional norms, highlighting the potential shifts in American public policy and governance.