The Daily Beans: Refried Beans | Maybe He’s Born With It, Maybe It’s Fascism

Podcast: The Daily Beans (MSW Media)
Hosts: Allison Gill (AG), Dana Goldberg (DG)
Original Air Date: October 1, 2024
Refried Beans Re-air: October 5, 2025

Overview

This episode offers a snarky yet substantive survey of political and social news at a pivotal moment during the 2024 election cycle. The hosts dive into a series of breaking stories: Trump’s misleading statements about hurricane relief, controversy over CBS’s approach to debate fact-checking, Democratic party lawsuits over Georgia’s election rules, Judge McBurney’s ruling against Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, economic policy polling, Federal Reserve updates, and a heartening good news segment focused on resilience and community support. Throughout, the conversation is driven by a blend of humor, sharp progressive analysis, and candid personal insight.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. State of the 2024 Campaign and Debate Night (00:45–05:05)

• Setup for a Busy News Day: October 1, 2024 is described as “one of the busiest and most consequential news days of the cycle."
• Debate!: The Vice Presidential debate is happening that night between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Sen. JD Vance (R-OH).
• CBS’s Controversial Fact-Checking Decision:
  • CBS announces it will not real-time fact-check candidates on-air during the debate. Instead, real-time checks will happen on social media and post-debate analysis.
  • Quote [03:18, DG]: “CBS said the onus will be on Vance and Walz to point out misstatements by the other… moderators will facilitate those opportunities during rebuttal time.”
  • Quote [03:38, AG]: “You know, the super popular CBS live blog that everybody follows.”

2. Trump’s Hurricane Helene Response and Political Visit (05:56–10:06)

• Kamala Harris Interrupts Campaign for Hurricane Briefings:
  • Harris returns to DC, demonstrating federal leadership and support for victims of Hurricane Helene—described as the most powerful hurricane to hit Florida’s Big Bend.
  • At least 100 fatalities; widespread destruction; millions without power.
  • Quote [07:55, Harris per AG]: “We stand with these communities for as long as it takes to make sure that they’re able to recover and rebuild.”
• Trump’s Photo Op in Valdosta, GA:
  • Trump continues rallies despite devastation and criticizes Harris/Biden for campaigning, while he himself does not stop for the crisis.
  • Trump’s visit diverts emergency responders, disrupting relief efforts.
  • Quote [09:02, AG]: “Donald Trump's visit dragged multiple first responders away from helping people in the area so that he could be protected and have his photo op.”

3. Georgia’s Turbulent Election Law Fights (05:05–07:55)

• Bench Trial Begins on Georgia Election Rules:
  The DNC and Georgia Democrats are suing over hand count requirements and board powers to delay certification.
  • Live-streamed trial, highlighting transparency.
  • Shout-outs: Election lawyer Marc Elias and journalist Anna Bower are cited as key figures to follow for updates.

4. Georgia Six-Week Abortion Ban Struck Down (13:53–20:59)

• Judge Robert McBurney overturns Georgia’s restrictive abortion law, citing fundamental rights to privacy and liberty.
• Key excerpts from Judge McBurney:
  • Quote [16:09, Judge McBurney, per AG]: “This dispute is fundamentally about the extent of a woman’s right to control what happens to and within her body… Forcing a woman to carry an unwanted, not yet viable fetus to term violates her constitutional rights to liberty and privacy…”
  • Invokes “The Handmaid’s Tale”:
    • Quote [17:38, Judge McBurney, per AG]: “It is not for a legislator, a judge, or a commander from the Handmaid’s Tale to tell these women what to do with their bodies…”

5. Kamala Harris’ Economic Platform Outpaces Trump’s in Blind Poll (10:06–13:53)

• Guardian/Harris Poll Results:
  • Harris’s “opportunity economy” platform resonates, especially a proposed federal ban on food/grocery price gouging (44% support).
  • Four of the five most popular economic proposals in a blind taste test come from Harris, including child tax credit expansion and small business tax breaks.
  • Trump's most popular proposal: cutting Social Security taxes (42% support)—but hosts warn this is cover for possible future attempts to privatize Social Security.
  • Quote [13:47, AG]: “She’s got a 91-page economic policy. Just economic.”
  • Quote [13:52, DG]: “Yeah, it’s such bullshit [that Harris is ‘light on policy’].”

6. Federal Reserve Economic Update (20:59–24:23)

• Chair Jerome Powell Signals More Rate Cuts, But Gradually:
  • Rates to be reduced slowly, possibly two more times in 2024, aiming for a “neutral stance.”
  • Inflation is easing, economy considered “in solid shape,” but no rapid, emergency cuts expected.
  • Quote [22:45, Powell per DG]: “We’re looking at it as a process that will play out over some time… not something that we need to go fast on.”

7. Notable Lighter Moments & Show Banter

• The ongoing running gag about JD Vance:
  • Quote [02:40, AG]: “Maybe he’s born with it. Maybe it’s fascism.”
• Local Election/Court Streaming:
  Encouragement for listeners to watch Georgia’s legal proceedings on YouTube for transparency.
• Social Media Jokes:
  • CBS’ reliance on live blogs gets lampooned.
  • Satirical Instagram campaign: “Cats on a Couch” is trying to beat JD Vance’s follower count.

Good News & Listener Shout-Outs (25:20–37:51)

A hallmark segment of The Daily Beans, featuring uplifting stories and community notes.

• Western North Carolina Listener Survives Hurricane Helene:
  • Emotional account of surviving the storm, gratitude for community support, and a call for climate-conscious voting.
  • Quote [28:55, Lauren]: “It is critically important to get out the vote for candidates who understand the threat of climate change and will act to address it. Our lives depend on it.”
• Shout-outs to Relief Organizations:
  “Beloved Asheville” brings food and supplies to hurricane survivors.
• Creative Pro-democracy Activism:
  Listener’s sister, a cancer survivor, paints motivational voting rocks and leaves them around town.
• Positive Experiences with Government Programs:
  Quick, refreshed passport turnaround celebrated; reminder of inclusive gender marker updates.
• Teachers’ Supplies Project:
  Listener self-funds and delivers supplies to first-year Michigan teachers each year.
• Animal Antics and Community Pet Pictures:
  Hosts delight over podpet stories and photos—including dogs sunbathing, and Instagram’s “Cats on a Couch.”
• Listener Celebrations of Medical Success and Resilience:
  Stories of remission, research presentations at the VA, and grassroots efforts to boost democracy.

In Memoriam (37:51–38:37)

• Tributes to Kris Kristofferson:
  • Remembered as a “wonderful, respectful, patriotic American” and for comforting Sinead O’Connor.
• Broadway Community Loss:
  Gavin Creel remembered, impact on the artistic community.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On abortion rights (Judge McBurney):
  “Women are not some piece of collectively owned community property, the disposition of which is decided by majority vote.” [16:55]

• CBS debate criticism:
  “We're not going to call out lies on air, but we'll do it on Facebook Live.” [03:45, DG]

• On Trump’s hurricane photo-op:
  “Trump’s visit dragged multiple first responders away from helping people in the area so that he could be protected and have his photo op.” [09:02, AG]

• On climate urgency:
  “That an entire region this far inland could be taken out by a hurricane like this should scare the hell out of everyone.” [28:55, Lauren]

• Snarky debate on JD Vance:
  “Maybe he’s born with it. Maybe it’s fascism.” [02:40, AG]

• On Harris’s policies being ‘light’:
  “She’s got a 91-page economic policy. Just economic.” [13:47, AG]
  “Yeah, it’s such bullshit.” [13:52, DG]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• CBS Debate Fact-Checking Controversy: 02:53–03:54
• Trump's Hurricane Helene Misinformation: 08:59–10:06
• Georgia Election Lawsuits and Bench Trial: 05:05–07:55
• Kamala Harris’ Economic Policy Polling: 10:06–13:53
• Georgia Abortion Ban Struck Down: 13:53–20:59
• Federal Reserve Update: 20:59–24:23
• Listener Good News & Community Shout-outs: 25:20–37:51
• In Memoriam (Kristofferson, Creel): 37:51–38:37

Takeaways

• Progressive vigilance matters: The episode emphasizes the significant legal and political fights playing out—on election integrity, abortion rights, and economic policy.
• Factual clarity and media responsibility: Wry criticism of CBS’s debate approach underscores the challenge of confronting disinformation in real time.
• Grassroots resilience and community action: Listener stories reflect solidarity, activism, and everyday acts of hope, underscoring the importance of civic participation.
• Humor and humanity: Amid heavy news, the hosts’ rapport, jokes, and listener good news sustain a sense of optimism and engagement.

Closing Message:
Check your voter registration, help your community however you can, and—as always—“Vote blue over Q and take all that framily with you.” [38:54, DG]