The Victor Davis Hanson Show

Episode: "Barack, Regrettably, Re-Emerges."

Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler

Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode explores the resurgence of Barack Obama and Eric Holder in political advocacy, focusing on their campaign against Republican redistricting and broader cultural and political trends. Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler analyze current controversies around prayer after tragedy, the politicization of the military, water politics in California, the plight of American farmers, the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal, hypocrisy in public policy and media, and the implications of redistricting battles for the future of American politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mockery of "Thoughts and Prayers" After Tragedy

Time: 05:00–12:52

• The hosts address recent criticism from left-leaning figures and politicians who downplay or mock calls for "thoughts and prayers" after the Minnesota Catholic school shootings by a transgender individual.
• Victor Davis Hanson condemns what he perceives as an ideological double standard, arguing that progressives often empathize with perpetrators when it fits their ideological narrative, while ignoring the suffering of victims.

  "They always sympathize or side with the victimizer and play down the victimize…they have no moral bearings at all." — Hanson (07:10)

• The tendency for politicians to suppress details like the attacker's manifesto or mental state is seen as part of a cultural reluctance to confront issues objectively if they conflict with approved narratives (e.g., on gender ideology, DEI).
• Jack Fowler adds that the hostility to public prayer betrays a disconnect with American traditions rooted in Judeo-Christian values.

  "Prayer, which is central to religious practice and worship, is something that is anathema to the Democrat Party in America." — Fowler (12:52)

2. California Water Politics and Regulatory Overreach

Time: 16:19–22:57

• Hanson describes the historical and ongoing conflict between California's agricultural communities and environmental regulators, highlighting water cutoffs to farmers by agencies like PG&E.
• He criticizes the shifting of water priorities away from agriculture in favor of environmentalist policies and urban interests, which he frames as driven by disconnected bureaucrats.

  "The most dangerous person in America is a PhD, JD, MBA that lives in the bicoastal corridors…They love the idea that they can go out and tell some guy that's covered with dirt...this is what you're going to do." — Hanson (19:50)

• The broader issue is seen as a clash of lifestyles: rugged, risk-taking producers vs. insulated, risk-averse regulators.

3. General Milley, Afghanistan Withdrawal, and Military Politicization

Time: 26:54–37:37

• The hosts respond to reports implicating General Milley in shaping misleading narratives about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan (e.g., "collapsed in 11 days" storyline).
• Hanson draws parallels with Dr. Fauci regarding deflection and shifting of blame, condemns the military leadership's focus on progressive "optics" (e.g., George Floyd murals, pride flags) over operational competency.
• He criticizes how blame was placed solely on Biden, noting that Milley and Pentagon brass were deeply involved in the withdrawal's execution and subsequent public relations spin.

  "It was all geared to the perception that this administration was a multicultural, left wing, radical administration…these generals had to toe the line." — Hanson (30:52)

• The discussion further highlights double standards in holding military leaders and the political class accountable.

4. Human Trafficking, Media Hypocrisy, and Cultural Decline

Time: 41:27–47:39

• The problem of child trafficking among migrants, and perceived indifference among Democrats, is discussed.
• Hanson contends the progressive elite only cares about people as abstract victims, not in concrete crises, which leads to neglect of real issues (e.g., missing children at the border).

  "Their view is simply we are morally superior...we can use any means necessary for our exalted ends." — Hanson (42:25)

• The hosts reflect on the performative nature of virtue signaling ("This house doesn't do racism" lawn signs) vs. meaningful action, with a humorous jab at Martha's Vineyard progressives' handling of migrants.

5. Obama & Holder's Redistricting Campaign — The Main Event

Time: 49:49–59:30

• Key segment: Obama and Holder release a video calling GOP redistricting an "existential threat to democracy" and urge support for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.
• Hanson exposes the strategic nature of Democratic outrage:
  • Democratic gerrymandering in blue states is at or near its maximum, while red states have potential to gain more seats through aggressive redistricting.
  • Democrats rely on Republicans' respect for "norms"—a one-sided moral argument—while pushing the envelope themselves.

  "They're playing with fire. But it's predicated on the idea that we're morally superior, so you wouldn't dare use the tactics that we're using." — Hanson (51:30)

• Obama is critiqued for his "projection" and moral grandstanding, despite his own record on executive overreach and divisive identity politics ("the filibuster was a racist relic" only when it served Democrats; identity politics began in earnest under Obama).
• Fowler and Hanson agree: neither Obama nor Holder retains the political capital they once wielded, and constant appeals to race undercut the possibility of electing another national black candidate.

  "It started under Obama...he just introduced racialization and weaponized it." — Hanson (54:25, 55:55)

• Gerrymandered districts, they argue, intensify extremism and actually hinder minorities from achieving statewide/national office.

6. Final Segment: Trump Tariffs and Administrative Overreach

Time: 59:30–61:30

• Discussion of a federal appeals court ruling against Trump's unilateral tariffs, primarily on procedural/constitutional grounds concerning emergency powers.
• Conclusion: The filibuster, executive orders, and court challenges are all double-edged tools, inconsistently denounced or defended depending on political winds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Virtue Signaling:

  "This house doesn't. This house doesn't. Racism." — (46:54)

• On DEI and Policy Inconsistency:

  "With DEI it always excludes people from rational thought. They always make exceptions." — Hanson (06:41)

• On Obama's Political Legacy:

  "The longer his presidency fades…the radicalization of the Democratic Party…didn't start under Jimmy Carter…It started under Obama." — Hanson (54:25)

• On Generals & Accountability:

  "If a general leaves $50 billion in munitions and airplanes…nothing will happen to him. Nothing." — Hanson (34:18)

• On Trucking Industry Problems (Listener Section):

  “Statistically I think Indian truck drivers are about 40% of California truck drivers and 20% nationwide. But…the ethos…is completely shot.” — Hanson (62:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:00–12:52: Mockery of "thoughts and prayers" and societal values in tragedy
• 16:19–22:57: California water politics, farmers vs. regulators
• 26:54–37:37: General Milley, Afghanistan withdrawal, politicized military leadership
• 41:27–47:39: Human trafficking, border hypocrisy, virtue signaling
• 49:49–59:30: Obama & Holder's redistricting campaign, racialization, political consequences
• 59:30–61:30: Federal court ruling on Trump’s tariffs; executive authority limits

Tone & Language

The conversation is strongly opinionated, often sardonic and caustic, with a blend of historical analogy, policy critique, and personal experience. Both hosts adopt a "common-sense" conservative stance, mixing personal anecdotes, scholarly observation, and populist rhetoric.

Summary

For listeners seeking a deep-dive on the ways cultural, regulatory, and political trends intersect—with sharp criticism of progressive norms and the "re-emergence" of Barack Obama in the redistricting debate—this episode offers rich commentary and biting perspective. The hosts see a country beset by elite hypocrisy, regulatory overreach, and declining civic and institutional standards, with the Obama-Holder partnership emblematic of an unconstructive, race-driven political revival that threatens to further entrench divisions.