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Recode Decode: Joe Walsh

Decoder with Nilay Patel · with Joe Walsh · May 11, 2020 · 52 min

Summary

Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh offers a scathing critique of the Republican Party under Donald Trump, detailing his motivations for challenging Trump and predicting a new conservative third party. He argues the coronavirus is shifting public opinion against Trump and advises the Biden campaign on VP selection. This episode provides a raw, insider perspective on political dissent and party transformation.

Key takeaways

Topics covered

republican party transformationdonald trump critiqueconservative third partycoronavirus impact on elections2020 election dynamicsvice president selection strategy

Episode description

Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about why he tried to primary Donald Trump earlier this year, how the Republican Party became a "cult," and his recent book, F*ck Silence: Calling Trump Out for the Cultish, Moronic, Authoritarian Con Man He Is. Walsh, who also hosts a podcast called F*ck Silence, says the coronavirus crisis is finally starting to convince people who don't pay attention to politics that they should vote against President Trump in November, and that the centrality of Trump to the election means Joe Biden's campaign is fairly irrelevant. He also predicts that a conservative third party led by anti-Trump former Republicans is inevitable, and says Biden's nominee for Vice President must be someone who's already well-known to voters. >> Start your free trial of New York Magazine today - go to nymag.com/decode Featuring: Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom), author, F*ck Silence: Calling Trump Out for the Cultish, Moronic, Authoritarian Con Man He Is Host: Kara Swisher (@karaswisher), Recode co-founder and editor-at-large More to explore: On Reset, Arielle Duhaime-Ross explores why — and how — tech is changing everything. On Recode Media, Peter Kafka interviews business titans, journalists, comedians and podcasters about the collision of tech and media. On Pivot, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway talk about the big tech news stories of the week, who's winning, who's failing, and what comes next. And on Land of the Giants, Jason Del Rey chronicled the rise of Amazon. Season 2 will focus on Netflix and is coming soon! About Recode by Vox: Recode by Vox helps you understand how tech is changing the world — and changing us. Follow Us: Newsletter: Recode Daily Twitter: @Recode and @voxdotcom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Frequently asked about this episode

What's takeaway #1 from this episode?
The Republican Party, according to Walsh, has transformed into a 'cult' under Donald Trump, moving away from its traditional conservative principles.
What's takeaway #2 from this episode?
The coronavirus crisis is predicted to increase political engagement among previously disengaged voters, potentially leading to votes against Trump.
What's takeaway #3 from this episode?
A conservative third party, formed by anti-Trump Republicans, is an inevitable future development in American politics.
What's takeaway #4 from this episode?
For the 2020 election, the focus on Donald Trump makes Joe Biden's campaign messaging less relevant; the election is largely a referendum on Trump.
What's takeaway #5 from this episode?
The Biden campaign should choose a Vice Presidential nominee who is already well-known to voters to immediately boost recognition and trust.

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