Logo
    Search

    There’s Something About Romney

    enNovember 07, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • Mitt Romney's Alarm Over American DemocracyMitt Romney, despite his age and accomplishments, remains active in politics, alarmed by the state of American democracy, and committed to upholding democratic values.

      Mitt Romney, despite his age and past accomplishments, continues to be an active player in American politics. His decision to stay in the Senate and his concerns about the fragility of democracy are highlighted in McKay Coppins' new book. Romney, who has observed the rise and fall of civilizations throughout history, has become particularly alarmed by the state of American democracy in the wake of events like the January 6th Capitol riot. He believes that the weight of personal acclaim and political power should not outweigh the importance of upholding democratic values. This perspective is reflected in his continued presence in the Senate and his public statements on the issue. The historical context provided by the "histo map" in his office serves as a reminder of the rarity and importance of democratic institutions throughout history.

    • Romney's Senate tenure defined by TrumpRomney hoped for problem-solving in Senate, instead found political maneuvering, defined by Trump relationship

      Mitt Romney's sense of purpose in politics was redefined by the rise of Donald Trump. Romney had initially hoped to steer the Republican party away from Trumpism and ignore Trump himself. However, he was disappointed to find that many of his colleagues in the Senate were more interested in making noise and performing than in working on legislation. When Trump was impeached, Romney saw his role as a juror in the trial, but most of his Republican colleagues treated it as a partisan crusade. Despite his intentions, Romney ended up becoming defined by his relationship to Trump. This experience showed Romney that the Senate was not the place of serious problem-solving he had hoped for, but rather a stage for political maneuvering.

    • Romney's difficult decision based on convictionRomney believed his oath demanded a conviction despite potential backlash and hoped it'd be remembered positively in history

      Mitt Romney's decision to vote to convict former President Trump during the impeachment trial was a difficult and emotionally charged choice for him. He knew it would lead to backlash from his party and potentially even public heckling. However, Romney believed that his oath before God demanded him to make this decision based on the evidence he had seen. Despite the consequences, he wanted to be remembered for making the right choice and standing by his convictions. This moment in his career was significant for him, as he hoped it would be his "good line in history."

    • Mint Mobile's Affordable Plans with ConditionsMint Mobile offers $15/month wireless plans with high-speed data, talk, and text on the largest 5G network, but requires a $45 upfront payment, applies only to new customers, and slows down speeds above 40GB.

      Mint Mobile offers wireless plans for $15 a month with high-speed data, unlimited talk, and text on the nation's largest 5G network. However, there are some conditions such as a $45 upfront payment, new customers only, and slower speeds above 40GB. Regarding the text discussed from "The Veil," it's an international spy thriller on Hulu featuring Elisabeth Moss. Mitt Romney's experience during the January 6th Capitol riots was foreshadowed by a warning from Senator Angus King about potential danger due to online extremist chatter. Despite receiving warnings, Romney stayed in the chamber until he received a text that the barriers had been overcome. Notably, Mitch McConnell did not respond to Romney's warning text.

    • Romney's Anger and Frustration During Capitol InsurrectionRomney, a former GOP nominee, was angered by the Capitol insurrection and believed some Republicans had fueled the situation, misunderstanding the Tea Party's true motivations.

      Mitt Romney, a former Republican presidential nominee, found himself in the midst of the chaos during the U.S. Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021. Romney, who had previously struggled to understand the Tea Party movement and its latent authoritarianism within the GOP, was angered by the events unfolding around him. He believed that some elements of his party had contributed to the situation and expressed his frustration towards Senators Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz. Romney acknowledged that he had misunderstood the Tea Party's motivations in 2012, assuming they wanted to hear about deficit reduction and low taxes. Instead, they craved anger and aggression from their leaders. Trump, who was not the sole cause, had tapped into this sentiment and eventually came to embody the far-right elements of the Republican Party. Romney's experience during the insurrection served as a stark reminder of the party's transformation.

    • Romney's Unique Perspective Drove His Decision to Convict TrumpMitt Romney's faith, past experiences, and desire to uphold his father's legacy influenced his decision to vote against Trump in both impeachment trials, making him an independent voice in today's Republican Party.

      Mitt Romney's decision to vote to convict Donald Trump in both impeachment trials can be attributed to his unique perspective shaped by his faith, past experiences, and a desire to uphold his father's legacy. Romney, who has been criticized for warning about authoritarian leaders, was particularly alarmed by Trump's authoritarian tendencies. His Mormon faith, which views American founding documents as divinely inspired, and his upbringing under a liberal Republican father who opposed extremist conservatives, influenced his stance. Additionally, having been unsuccessful in his presidential ambitions, Romney was freed from political constraints and able to make decisions based on conscience and principle. Despite being a somewhat independent thinker, Romney's dissenting voice has left him isolated in today's Republican Party, which may not have room for figures like him at the national level.

    • Understanding Romney's compromises reveals insights into current political climateThe Republican Party's intolerance for dissent and independence leads to compromises by elected officials, impacting their principles and the political landscape as a whole.

      The political landscape, particularly within the Republican Party, is increasingly intolerant of dissent and independence. Mitt Romney, a former Republican nominee, faced backlash for not fully aligning with the party's current direction and for making compromises in his career. The author of a book about Romney, Jonathan Allen, believes that understanding these compromises is crucial to understanding the current political climate and the incentives that drive elected officials to prioritize reelection over their principles. The lack of challenge or contention within the party towards figures like Donald Trump is a concern for many, and the consequences of these choices are still unfolding.

    • Investors expanding real estate portfolios despite decreasing demandSome investors, like Fundrise, are capitalizing on decreasing real estate demand and falling prices to expand their portfolios, while Anthropic offers various AI models for businesses to make informed decisions at different price points.

      While high interest rates are negatively impacting the real estate market with decreasing demand and falling prices, some investors, like the Fundrise flagship fund, are capitalizing on this trend by expanding their portfolios. The Fundrise flagship fund, which can be added to your portfolio with a minimal investment, aims to grow its $1 billion real estate portfolio further. On the other hand, in the realm of enterprise AI, Anthropic offers a range of models at various price points, allowing businesses to make informed decisions without having to compromise between intelligence, speed, and cost. With offerings like Claude 3 Opus, Sonet, and Haiku, Anthropic is helping thousands of enterprises navigate the new frontier of AI. For more information, visit fundrise.com/fox for the Fundrise flagship fund and anthropic.com/claud or claudetoday.com for Anthropic's AI solutions. Please remember to carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing in the Fundrise flagship fund. This text contains paid advertisements.

    Recent Episodes from Today, Explained

    Criminalizing homelessness?

    Criminalizing homelessness?
    The Supreme Court has weighed in on homelessness for the first time in decades. The Economist's Steven Mazie tells us what the decision means, and Vox's Rachel Cohen has some ideas for tackling the problem. This show was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Amanda Lewellyn and Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Julia Longoria. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJuly 02, 2024

    Once again, immunity is back up for grabs

    Once again, immunity is back up for grabs
    The Supreme Court sent the question of Donald Trump’s presidential immunity back to the lower courts. Vox’s Andrew Prokop explains. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Patrick Boyd, Andrea Kristinsdotter, and Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJuly 01, 2024

    Panic! At The White House

    Panic! At The White House
    Joe Biden needed to win the debate. He didn’t. Vox’s Christian Paz explains if Democrats can find a better candidate. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Denise Guerra, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Patrick Boyd, Rob Byers, and Andrea Kristinsdotter, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJune 28, 2024

    How Spotify picks its winners

    How Spotify picks its winners
    No, Sabrina Carpenter probably isn’t paying the streamer to play “Espresso” every time you’re listening to music. But the app is making changes to its business model that could impact your listening. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers and Andrea Kristinsdotter, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJune 27, 2024

    The end of Made in China?

    The end of Made in China?
    President Biden recently raised Trump-era tariffs, which could lead to even higher prices on Chinese imports. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai explains the Biden administration’s approach to trade with China, and Vox’s Dylan Matthews helps make sense of the changes. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan with help from Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJune 26, 2024

    It’s not Islamophobic, it’s anti-Palestinian

    It’s not Islamophobic, it’s anti-Palestinian
    Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents are on the rise. Author Moustafa Bayoumi and Vox’s Abdallah Fayyad tell us about another kind of invisible discrimination: anti-Palestinian racism. This show was produced by Haleema Shah and Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJune 25, 2024

    Why investors look past Elon’s musk

    Why investors look past Elon’s musk
    Elon Musk has had inappropriate relationships with SpaceX employees. Tesla shareholders knew that, and chose to reward him with a massive payday anyway. The Wall Street Journal’s Joe Palazzolo and The Verge’s Andrew Hawkins explain. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJune 24, 2024

    How UFC explains USA

    How UFC explains USA
    The Ultimate Fighting Championship went from niche bloodsport to multibillion-dollar league. Donald Trump might be its biggest fan. Journalists Luke Thomas and Sam Eagan explain the culture and politics of the UFC. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Lissa Soep, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJune 21, 2024

    It’s not easy being a green conservative

    It’s not easy being a green conservative
    Fighting climate change is not a very common Republican position. Climate activist Benji Backer argues it should be, and Climate Capitalism author Akshat Rathi explains how the free market could play a role. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJune 20, 2024

    France's far-right youth

    France's far-right youth
    President Macron has called snap elections in France that could lead to him sharing power with the far right. Le Monde's Gilles Paris explains how the anti-immigrant party of Marine Le Pen is becoming more popular among young voters. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra with help from Victoria Chamberlin and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Today, Explained
    enJune 18, 2024

    Related Episodes

    Can We Become Re-sensitized to Crazy Before It’s Too Late? ft. Tara Setmayer

    Can We Become Re-sensitized to Crazy Before It’s Too Late? ft. Tara Setmayer

    This has not been a great week for Fox News or Ron DeSantis. Tara Setmayer joins us to discuss the fallout from the Dominion Voting Systems settlement with Fox News and weighs in on the 2024 presidential election. She expresses deep concern for the way in which the media is contributing to the “desensitization of crazy” and how some channels are already covering 2024 presidential election as if it were a regular election. “It feels like Groundhog Day,” says Setmayer, about the media making the same mistakes as they did in 2016. This is the time for journalists and media to seriously consider the way they approach coverage and content of politics generally and elections specifically. Tara also discusses what the Republican Party should do to rebuild. “People don’t change until they’ve paid enough of a price. Republicans need to get with it. They can’t continue to shrink their voting base.” 

    Tara Setmayer is contributor to ABC News, MSNBC and former GOP Communications Director on Capitol Hill. She’s appeared on ABC‘s The View, ABC’s Good Morning America, and on HBO‘s Real Time with Bill Maher. In January 2020, she joined The Lincoln Project as a senior advisor and hosts the live show “The Breakdown” along side co-founder Rick Wilson, on the organization’s streaming channel, LPTV.

    What Happens When Democracy Threatens to Unravel? ft. Liz Cheney

    What Happens When Democracy Threatens to Unravel? ft. Liz Cheney

    Center for Politics Professor of Practice Liz Cheney sat down with Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato and other members of our team this week for a discussion about the challenges facing American politics and democracy. She speaks out for the first time about the new Speaker of House Mike Johnson (R-LA-4) and why he is dangerous. Cheney’s forthcoming book, Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning, is now available for pre-order and will be released on December 5, 2023. Cheney, former chair of the House Republican Conference, joined the Center for Politics as Professor of Practice in March.

    Which States Will Have the Most Important Elections Downballot in 2024?

    Which States Will Have the Most Important Elections Downballot in 2024?

    Which states will have the most important elections downballot in 2024? David Nir and David Beard, co-hosts of The Downballot, join Kyle Kondik and Carah Ong Whaley to share their expert insights. They also discuss how Donald Trump continues to impact candidates down ballot and what new turnout data by demographics from the Census Current Population Survey tells us about the 2022 midterm elections and how should candidates and campaigns be thinking about their approaches to different constituencies looking ahead to 2024.

    David Nir is the Political Director at Daily Kos and publisher of Daily Kos elections, and David Beard is contributing editor at Daily Kos Elections. 

    Links in this episode: