Pantsuit Politics

This week's primary results gave Democrats and independents a few reasons to pay attention — and behind closed doors, the Republican caucus is finally showing some friction. Beth and Sarah go deep on Delaney Hall, a Newark ICE detention facility where protests are escalating, lawsuits are piling up, and conditions are becoming impossible to ignore. Outside of politics, what we're doing with our "time confetti." Topics discussed:• Primary results in California, New Jersey, New Mexico, Iowa, South Dakota, and Montana• Republican caucus friction: the anti-weaponization fund, Todd Blanche's AG nomination, and Bill Pulte as acting DNI• Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark• New Jersey's lawsuit against the GEO Group and escalating protests• The civil (not criminal) nature of ICE detention• Immigration reform proposals• Outside of Politics: using wait time for fictionWant to be in a hotel full of Pantsuit Politics listeners this summer? The deadline to book in Minneapolis is one week away — find everything you need at https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/p/join-us-in-minneapolis-94f.
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Graham Platner is running for Senate in Maine and trailing a string of controversies — a tattoo with Nazi-era symbolism, old Reddit posts, and now a Wall Street Journal exposé on explicit texts with multiple women. Sarah and Beth use his candidacy as a lens on what we actually want from politicians: how normal is too normal, what "progressive vs. moderate" names and misses, and whether emotional maturity is a reasonable standard to hold. Plus: a new Instagram obsession and significant news about changes at Pantsuit Politics.Topics discussed:- Graham Platner and the Maine Senate race- Political scandals and changing voter tolerance- "Normie" politicians and the unapologetic posture in American life- Progressive vs. moderate framing in the Democratic Party- What we actually need from candidates: policy, biography, communication style- Emotional maturity as a political standard- Partisan identity and double standards - Bronte the Stylist on Instagram- Team changes at Pantsuit Politics

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On today's Pantsuit Politics: Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn by 28 points — the widest primary margin against a sitting senator in nearly 50 years — and we dig into what it means for the Senate map and the midterms. Plus a redistricting roundup from South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. And Outside of Politics: summer movies, from Project Hail Mary to The Odyssey to The Mandalorian & Grogu (the popcorn was excellent).

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Over the weekend, I started a “lessons learned” Google doc. I love the stark, in-your-face, no-hedging clarity that comes from a bullet point list: “Here are the words that distill years or months of experiences, emotions, decisions, triumphs, and set-backs.” 

That energy seems to be in the air as Memorial Day unofficially kicks off summer. Pope Leo has distilled his thoughts on the dignity of humans. The public at-large seems to be with him on the indecency and foolishness of war. Universities and schools are changing policies in light of lessons learned, and people running for office are asking what we want our literal lessons to be. 

Sarah and I discuss the headlines and the lessons we’re learning about school as parents and from teachers. Then, we end in the only way a podcast kicking off summer should: with an ode to ice cream. - Beth

Topics Discussed:

Texas Senate Primary

Iran War

Pope Leo and Human Dignity

Tulsi Gabbard Resigns

Education Policy

Outside of Politics: Ice Cream

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Beth’s daughter, Ellen, asked why our books aren’t on the bestseller list, and honestly? Great question, Ellen. That one question opens up the whole can of worms today: how popular consensus gets manufactured — from the mysterious black box of the New York Times bestseller list to music catalogs being protected like the financial assets they literally are, to the Vulture piece that confirmed what I’ve suspected for a while now, which is that nothing on your social media feed is actually organic. We also wade into the Michael Jackson biopic, which I have real feelings about, and we end in a much better place, talking about songs that have nothing to do with romantic love. I am warning you now that I cannot discuss Brandi Carlile without crying, so just be ready for that. — Sarah

Topics Discussed


Cultural Consensus and Its Impact


Art, Trust, and Marketing in the Digital Age


Outside of Politics: Nonlove Songs

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