Logo

Tommy Vietor: Deniability Is All That Matters

en-us

January 30, 2025

TLDR: Republican senators disregard truth during confirmation process, while some nominees flip on signature issues. RFK Jr., Tulsi and Kash have shown reversals. Nominee Kash was on a Nazi-adjacent podcast eight times. Meanwhile, Democrats should try understanding the programs they'd administer, Fox hosts/reality stars performed poorly post-plane crash, and Tommy Vietor joins Tim Miller.

1Ask AI

In the latest episode of Can’t Stop the House, hosts Tommy Vietor and Tim Miller delve into the troubling dynamics of modern political confirmation processes, particularly around Trump's nominees. This summary highlights the pivotal discussions, insights, and expert opinions shared during their conversation.

Key Themes

  • Deniability Politics:
    Vietor emphasizes that for many Republican senators, the confirmation processes have become a mere formality. When nominees are caught lying—such as Kash Patel downplaying his connections to far-right figures—truth becomes secondary to the facade they present.

  • Inconsistent Views from Nominees:
    The episode discusses how figures like RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard are flip-flopping on critical issues. This inconsistency raises concerns about their competency in managing the departments they aspire to lead. For example:

    • RFK Jr. has notably shifted his stances on vaccines.
    • Tulsi Gabbard has changed her views on essential intelligence operations.

The Trump Effect on Political Discourse

  • Reacting to Tragedy:
    The hosts critique Trump's handling of a tragic plane crash incident, wherein he chose to speculate about its causes rather than address the victims respectfully. Vietor argues that prior presidents like Obama, Bush, or Reagan would have handled this situation with more decorum, focusing on collective mourning rather than political theatrics.

  • The Shift in Communication Strategies:
    Vietor reflects on how Trump's approach has fundamentally altered political communication norms, where commanding attention often takes precedence over compassion.

Hearings Under Fire

  • RFK Jr.’s Hearing:
    The discussion highlights RFK Jr. having dubious knowledge about key healthcare programs he would be overseeing. Vietor points out that Kennedy's missteps during his hearing exemplify how unqualified nominees are becoming commonplace, emphasizing a need to challenge these figures on their credentials.

  • Tulsi Gabbard’s Qualifications:
    Gabbard's nomination reignites debates about her history and qualifications for national security roles. Critics question her commitment to truth given her past interactions with controversial foreign figures.

The Bigger Picture

  • A Broader Commentary on Political Culture:
    The episode critiques how the GOP often validates unqualified nominees while exploiting inconsistencies and accusations to further their agenda. Marks highlight a trend where nominees lack accountability and transparency, leading to a public that feels increasingly distrustful of political institutions.

Actionable Insights

  • For Democrats:
    Vietor offers pragmatic advice for Democrats in light of these hearings. To oppose nominees effectively, Democrats should focus their efforts on core issues like healthcare, and look to sway moderate Republican senators by addressing the implications these nominees have on constituents.

  • On Public Engagement:
    The episode advocates for a more engaged Democratic response that could include leveraging social media to highlight nominee failures and their consequences for everyday Americans.

Conclusion

Overall, this episode of Can’t Stop the House reveals deep-seated issues in contemporary politics, where the interplay of lies, deniability, and consequences underscores the dysfunction within the political system. Readers are urged to engage with these discussions and stay informed about how these dynamics shape our political landscape.

Was this summary helpful?

Recent Episodes

Anne Applebaum: Outside the Rule of Law

Anne Applebaum: Outside the Rule of Law

The Bulwark Podcast

If the Chinese hacked the U.S. government the way private citizen Elon has, it would be a major act of cyber warfare. And since Elon is a government contractor, he's now in a position to make policy calls that benefit his own companies and hurt his competitors—following the Russian oligarch model. We are in a completely lawless realm, and this is likely to continue until he is stopped. Meanwhile, government employees are being forced to choose between conforming or protecting the public. Plus, Elon is also sabotaging America's soft power and influence in Africa while he and the other tech overlords plot how to derail Europe's effort to regulate them. Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller. show notes Wired article on the young, inexperienced engineers helping Elon Anne's 2020 piece about complicity (gifted) Josh Marshall's piece about Elon's operative *already* rewriting code at the Treasury Department Book Anne mentioned, "The Captive Mind" Anne's piece, "Europe's Elon Musk Problem" (gifted) 

February 04, 2025

Will Saletan and Scott Lincicome: A Crime Boss Has Taken Over

Will Saletan and Scott Lincicome: A Crime Boss Has Taken Over

The Bulwark Podcast

The president of the United States is putting his Jan 6 accomplices in charge of the Justice Department and the FBI, and clearing out any officials who would be willing to investigate the administration. It's anti-democratic, it's a coup, and it's allowing Elon and his 20-something DOGE buddies to act with impunity as they illegally access classified information and the Treasury's payment system. Meanwhile, the White House can't even get its messaging straight on the tariffs as they sabotage our relationship with allies in the process. Plus, the ethnic scapegoating continues and the Dems at the DNC go all Portlandia when they need to be fighting the aspiring authoritarians.  Will Saletan and Scott Lincicome join Tim Miller. show notes Tim's interview with J.J. McCullough on Canada's retaliatory tariffs

February 03, 2025

Andrew Weissmann: A MAGAtocracy and a Babytocracy

Andrew Weissmann: A MAGAtocracy and a Babytocracy

The Bulwark Podcast

Republican senators protect Kash Patel from answering tough questions during his confirmation for the FBI position. The new administration is dismissing seasoned FBI officials, Elon Musk seeks private financial records, Paramount concerned about a Trump-blocked merger deal, and Tim Miller makes an appeal to Senator Bill Cassidy.

January 31, 2025

Mona Charen: A Moment of Truth

Mona Charen: A Moment of Truth

The Bulwark Podcast

Mona Charen and Tim Miller discuss Trump's attempts to bypass congressional powers and potentially disobey Supreme Court orders, as well as his efforts in spending appropriated money. They also touch upon RFK Jr.'s funding sources for conspiracy theories and Elon Musk's management moves seen as replacing competent personnel with loyal appointees

January 29, 2025

AI

Ask this episodeAI Anything

The Bulwark Podcast

Hi! You're chatting with The Bulwark Podcast AI.

I can answer your questions from this episode and play episode clips relevant to your question.

You can ask a direct question or get started with below questions -

Sign In to save message history