We begin the show, as usual, with an update on the latest crazy news of the day. Yes, we deal with Trump’s horrific attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar and the rest of this week’s insanity.
Last night, CNN turned the next presidential debate into a reality TV show by staging a ridiculous live on the air drawing of podium positions. But I noticed that in all of their coverage of the coming debate, CNN has disappeared Sen. Mike Gravel who is running and did qualify on Thursday for the debate by garnering more than the prescribed 65,000 individual donors. As you’ll notice in these two examples (here and here), Mike Gravel is conspicuous in his absence. Not even a notation that he did qualify.
By contrast, this article from fivethirtyeight.com rightfully reports that Gravel was the 21st to qualify, but only 20 would be on stage, and explained the tortured methodology they used to keep him from the debate.
I spoke with Gravel’s national press secretary Marlon Ettinger about what happened.
Then on to the main event. Elie Mystal!!
Elie is the executive editor of Above the Law and a contributing writer for The Nation, where he has the cover story in the July 29 issue: “Donald Trump and the Plot to Take Over the Courts“. Take the time to read this important piece because it tells of Trump’s most devastating legacy– fucking up our courts for at least a generation to come.
We also touched on a piece that went up at The Nation today, “Tom Friedman Has No Idea What He’s Talking About,” in which Elie explains why the Democrats must nominate a progressive and not a “moderate”.
