Podcast Summary: The Next Level – Episode: "If Only It Were Opposite Day"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Next Level
• Host/Authors: Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last of The Bulwark
• Release Date: May 22, 2025
• Description: The trio brings their political insight and engaging banter to discuss weekly news, campaigns, elections, and pop culture feuds.

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage

The episode kicks off with Jonathan V. Last (JVL) introducing himself alongside co-hosts Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller. The hosts blend personal anecdotes with political discourse, setting an informal yet incisive tone for the discussion.

2. Kristi Noem and the Habeas Corpus Incident

Timestamp: [06:10] – [10:24]

A major segment delves into South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's apparent misunderstanding of habeas corpus during her congressional testimony.

• JVL: Highlights Noem's incorrect definition, stating, "She gave the exact opposite of the definition, which is why she was kind of in the ballpark but ultimately wrong." ([07:52])

• Tim Miller: Criticizes Noem's grasp of constitutional principles, emphasizing her role in homeland security should prioritize understanding such legal tenets. "It shouldn't be some theoretical part of something..." ([08:03])

• Sarah Longwell: Expresses concern over Noem's prioritization of photo ops over substantive policy understanding. "How is she supposed to have the time?" ([10:48])

The discussion underscores the broader implications of political figures lacking fundamental legal knowledge, questioning the efficacy of leadership roles.

3. Critique of Democratic Leadership and Bernie Sanders' Claims

Timestamp: [14:21] – [22:43]

The hosts transition to scrutinizing internal Democratic dynamics, particularly focusing on Bernie Sanders' assertions about election rigging.

• Carrie Champion: Argues against Sanders' claims, attributing his losses to insufficient support among Black voters rather than systemic rigging. "Bernie didn't succeed because Black voters didn't support his progressive agenda." ([16:43])

• Tim Miller: Critiques Sanders' approach as "petulant" and undermines his credibility by stating, "Bernie ran a fair campaign and lost based on genuine voter preferences." ([19:48])

• JVL: Highlights the divisive nature of Sanders' rhetoric, exacerbating distrust within the Democratic base. "This undermines any value he has when going on confrontational platforms." ([22:43])

The conversation emphasizes the tension between grassroots movements and party establishments, questioning the sustainability of internal conflicts.

4. Media Influence and Cultural Impact on Politics

Timestamp: [25:02] – [42:38]

A profound exploration into how media and culture intersect with political discourse.

• Tim Miller: Discusses the imbalance in media influence, noting, "Conservative media platforms like Joe Rogan and Ben Shapiro hold significant sway over public opinion." ([30:01])

• Carrie Champion: Suggests that the fusion of politics and culture complicates traditional political strategies. "Politics and culture are now very much fused, making it harder for Democrats to engage effectively." ([36:25])

• JVL: Raises concerns about the appropriation of influencer culture by Democrats, arguing that without authenticity, political messaging becomes ineffective. "Democrats trying to emulate Joe Rogan's style may end up producing unrelatable content." ([38:57])

• Carrie Champion: Advocates for Democrats to maintain authenticity and not dilute their message to fit influencer molds. "Be genuine and let influencers who naturally align with Democratic values handle the cultural engagement." ([42:38])

This segment underscores the challenges political parties face in adapting to evolving media landscapes while maintaining authentic engagement with the electorate.

5. Legislative Battle: The "Big Beautiful Bill"

Timestamp: [63:03] – [66:35]

The hosts analyze a significant piece of legislation, colloquially referred to as the "Big Beautiful Bill," highlighting its controversial aspects and potential fallout.

• Tim Miller: Describes the bill as "one of the most irresponsible and politically toxic pieces of legislation imaginable," criticizing its economic implications, including a "$6 trillion debt increase" and adverse effects on healthcare and social benefits. ([65:16])

• Carrie Champion: Emphasizes the long-term economic repercussions, such as "skyrocketing interest rates and exacerbating the national debt," arguing that this will disproportionately affect lower-income Americans. ([67:00])

• JVL: Expresses skepticism about the bipartisan handling of the bill, remarking, "Donald Trump could have proposed a more balanced approach," but the legislature chose an unfavorable path instead. ([73:43])

The debate reveals deep-seated frustrations with fiscal policies perceived as favoring the wealthy while neglecting broader socioeconomic impacts.

6. Democratic Strategies and Media Complications

Timestamp: [27:00] – [58:30]

A continuation of the discussion on Democratic media strategies and internal challenges.

• Tim Miller: Critiques Democratic efforts to bolster their media presence, suggesting that existing pro-Democratic content is sufficient but lacks reach among younger demographics. "Investing in new platforms to engage young voters is necessary, but duplicating existing content won't bridge the gap." ([30:22])

• Carrie Champion: Proposes open primaries and broader engagement strategies to combat the narrow and extreme faction influence within the parties. "Open primaries can help moderate candidates emerge, appealing to a wider electorate." ([27:31])

• JVL: Raises concerns about the lack of effective Democratic influencers in cultural spaces dominated by conservative voices, making it harder to counterbalance the messaging ecosystem. "Reaching younger audiences requires innovative approaches beyond traditional political discourse." ([34:26])

The conversation highlights the need for strategic adaptation within the Democratic Party to navigate a fragmented and media-saturated political landscape.

7. Internal Democratic Conflicts and Funding Issues

Timestamp: [48:06] – [58:30]

Focus shifts to internal conflicts within the Democratic Party, particularly regarding funding and endorsements.

• Carrie Champion: Criticizes Cory Booker's vote to confirm Jared Kushner's father, viewing it as a betrayal and an example of party mismanagement. "Confirming Jared Kushner's dad was an absolutely offensive move that undermines Democratic integrity." ([48:06])

• Tim Miller: Expresses frustration over perceived favoritism and corruption within the party, linking it to broader systemic failures. "Mike Donilon's massive paycheck exemplifies the party's misaligned priorities." ([52:52])

• JVL: Questions the transparency and motivations behind Democratic funding strategies, suggesting that they are more about maintaining power than serving the electorate's interests. "Democratic donors are spending excessively to create their own media influencers, but it's unclear if this is effective or ethical." ([30:22])

This segment underscores significant disenchantment with Democratic leadership and raises questions about the party's commitment to transparency and ethical governance.

8. Concluding Thoughts: The State of American Politics

Timestamp: [66:35] – [75:32]

In the closing discussions, the hosts reflect on the broader state of American politics, the influence of legislation, and the challenges facing both major parties.

• Tim Miller: Summarizes his view on the legislative battles and their long-term consequences, stressing the irresponsible nature of certain political maneuvers. "The political pressure to pass harmful legislation is too great, and it's unfolding as a catastrophic public policy failure." ([65:16])

• Carrie Champion: Advocates for accountability and transparent crisis management within the Democratic Party, urging leaders to acknowledge mistakes and reclaim trust. "Democrats need to take responsibility for missteps to prevent further erosion of public trust." ([53:25])

• JVL: Highlights ongoing issues with influential political figures like Elon Musk and the Tesla Cybertruck debacle, linking it to broader themes of political and economic instability. "Tesla's struggles are emblematic of larger economic challenges and mismanagement within influential sectors." ([72:09], [74:35])

• Closing Remarks: The episode wraps up with a brief mention of upcoming content and acknowledgments of personal engagements, maintaining the conversational and dynamic nature of the podcast.

Notable Quotes:

• Carrie Champion: "This is not about them getting it right. It's about people like Donlin and Joe Biden getting it wrong." ([54:37])

• Tim Miller: "Bernie is using his platform to weaponize against Republicans and big corporations, but his failure to address internal Democratic issues undermines his credibility." ([19:48])

• JVL: "When nothing matters, it becomes impossible to predict what will matter. We're living in a world where fundamental principles are misunderstood." ([70:23])

• Sarah Longwell: "Politics and culture are now very much fused, making it harder for traditional Democratic strategies to resonate with the public." ([36:25])

Conclusion

In "If Only It Were Opposite Day," The Next Level podcast delivers a critical examination of current political dynamics, focusing on internal Democratic conflicts, the interplay between media and politics, and the ramifications of significant legislative actions. Through spirited discussions and incisive critiques, Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last underscore the complexities and challenges facing American politics today, urging for greater accountability and strategic adaptation within political parties.