157 Comments
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Anand Giridharadas's avatar

For those asking why I’m posting this conversation before watching the conversation, one possibility is to watch in order to understand why.

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Lynne's avatar

Sorry, buy I’m sick of hearing from these two guys. Disappointed to see you’re still interested in what they have to say.

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LA Star's avatar

Ugh. Book sales at a time like this. If you are arguing that we should have this conversation about Trump, just have it. I'm not sitting through Tapper's BS to see.

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tal's avatar

Understood, but I won't be watching this one. No need.

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Cate Byrd's avatar

Gross

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BHR's avatar

Fair -but it’s so blatantly self serving of Tapper and so obviously the wrong President to be tearing down that it begs the question is it worth an hour of my time-I heard his disdain for anyone challenging him clearly in the first minutes -bc he’s said some things about DT he now gets a pass for this?? He’s not listening to those of us who see this book as harmful and merely serving the interests of him, CNN owners and the party dismantling democracy

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Melissa KDC's avatar

I know you believed this would be a conversatin of introspecition but it comes across to me as journalists supporting each other, our democracy be damned. We can have an introspection without trying to sell Tapper's book. I am very critical of THE PARTY and of Biden. I don't need this guy shilling his book. There is ZERO reason to platform Tapper. He has never been a good-faith actor. Disappointed. I have lost some respect for you.

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An Mcgreevy's avatar

Not a vey open minded group, are they? Thanks for sticking up for voters.

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Stef f's avatar

Here's the deal, Anand...if you want to have self reflection from within dem party, interview Bernie Sanders. These 2 are opportunists....bernies critique is much more accurate.

So disappointed that you did this.

Dems lost because they left their base not because of Biden. So disappointed that you did this.

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Stef f's avatar

Unbelievable! LA is happening and you have these guys on? Shame on you! Looks like I'll be canceling my subscription.

I used to appreciate your work and shared with everyone but no more.

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Mary Mammarella's avatar

Sorry Anand but this one is bad. Their book is worthless, self serving, ethically questionable. Neither author has the expertise, experience or integrity to warrant a conversation. This will only serve to demoralize the many people who are hanging on by a thread to the fight for our democracy. “Regardless of the timing…? Really? It’s celebrity journalism at its worst. Jake doesn’t know Jack about the self reflection of democrats or he would have written a book about that instead of turning a serious matter into gossip. What good boys they are for revealing a “scandal” to sell books ! I will hang in on your platform for now, but this is the kind of event has introduced some doubt about your judgement and a step too far into the book promotion business. Hope you can find different and more serious people to talk about this topic. And TIMING DOES MATTER NOW!

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taxbarbie's avatar

No for Tapper. I lost my respect for the man. Tell him to write a book about Trump or maybe better, if we ever have another Presidential debate, tell him to fact check Trump in real time.

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Marsha's avatar

Why? This is beyond disappointing, Anand. And off-brand. LA is *far* more important. These two guys have not taken their feet off the accelerator on this. Nor has CNN. You're indulging shameless self-interest.

They're covering the military parade, but they didn't mention covering No Kings Day. I wonder why....

This is BS Monday morning quarterbacking.

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Jen Bloom's avatar

Not even close to the time!

I get that it’s important to take a multi-dimensional look at people and events, but this is not the moment for yet another “journalist” to sit on info so he can write a g_ddamned book. The US is burning and this is drivel.

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Nancy Luque's avatar

So—it would be one thing if journalists, particularly Tapper, used the same ‘tools’ to scrutinize/question/criticize Trump, not to mention his megalomaniacal decision to run again, but they don’t and they didn’t. Daily they fail to ask Trump the kind of questions that would expose that he is unfit to be a public servant. The only thing I would like to hear from them is why they were afraid to write that book?

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Blue Loon's avatar

This 100 percent.

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Rachel's avatar

I'm listening with an open mind and appreciate some of the context. But Tapper's sanctimonious responses and attitude in his responses is really obnoxious. Forget about the questionable timing of this book ... how about trying to engage an audience by helping them understand what you're trying to convey, not just telling them to fuck off if they're not interested?

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Stef f's avatar

How do I unsubscribe?

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Jamie S's avatar

Lol

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Stef f's avatar

No worries. Figured it out!

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Leah Baer's avatar

This is fecking brilliant! Thank you!

I especially love this discussion about the need for the deep inward journey and the daring to have difficult, painful conversations!

And I love this exploration of the meaning of power.

This is exactly what I needed to hear, to think about right at this moment. Yes, even this moment of the occupation of LA right now.

All of you have helped me to think more deeply.

PS

I’m 80 years old.

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Misty's avatar

We aren't here because you wouldn't question Joe- you did that constantly. We are here because you wouldn't, and still won't question Trump's mental wellness at all!

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Jamie S's avatar

Trump's mental wellness is irrelevant. He holds all the levers of power, and Republicans are the only ones who could do anything about this. They don't seem interested in wrestling power back from him. Voters have 10 years of evidence of his ignorance about the Constitution, narcissism, and stupidity, and they voted for him.

We can change the Democratic Party, but we will not be able to convince Republicans Trump is unfit. Trying to do so would likely only backfire.

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Marcia's avatar

I can't even listen to this. You're wasting our time while a mad and demented fascist is ruining lives.

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Kirsten L. Held's avatar

THANK YOU, ANAND!! I am so sick of people saying things like, "Now's not the time to talk about (insert issue here). There is often NO good time for self reflection. These guys are absolutely correct that there's a huge possibility that we wouldn't be dealing with Trump now had the Democratic party handled the Biden situation correctly. We have to admit that and make sure this doesn't happen again going forward. If we don't understand how a second Trump term happened, it is an incredibly damaging mistake that is likely to be repeated.

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tal's avatar

Joe had a functional Cabinet.

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Kirsten L. Held's avatar

Meaning what exactly? To my husband and I and most people we spoke to at the time, it was obvious in the fall of 2023 that Biden should have stepped aside as he said he was going to do and allow another candidate to emerge. By the time he did so, it was tragically too late. He's always been a fighter, and I have great respect for the man, but the painful truth of life if we live long enough is that each one of us is going to have to continuously be willing to take a hard, honest look at ourselves and determine whether we can still perform the duties to which we are currently obligated. It is very, very hard to admit to one's limits, but it is also absolutely necessary and is part of being an emotionally mature adult. And to help us travel this journey you need to have people around you who love you and care enough to help you do the right thing for the greater good. Biden served the public for so many years and did it with honor and integrity for most of that time, but sadly, both for his legacy and for the country to which he dedicated so much of his life, he didn't step down when he really should have. That's not an indictment. It's a matter of fact assessment of the situation as I see it.

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Sabrina's avatar

It was not tragically too late. Kamala was on the right track out of the gate. But then she turned towards Liz Cheney instead of Tim Walz. Also, voter suppression played an enormous role. Blaming Biden for where we are now is short-sighed and misguided.

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T. Wu's avatar

1000%. Liz Cheney was supposed to help get the 5 voters in America who really couldn't see the difference between Harris and Trump, and needed her imprimatur. Instead, Walz would have pulled in just enough of the millions of non-voters to tip the balance.

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Kirsten L. Held's avatar

Well you are certainly entitled to your opinion, and really we'll never know for sure. It's not a question of blaming any one person. It is part of a necessary analysis into why things turned out the way they did and what could have been done differently. There were many factors that led us to where we find ourselves. This is indeed not the only one for sure.

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Kate Weissmann's avatar

Why?

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SNorris's avatar

Nope. Not buying it. So disappointed that you are. Biden deserved better and so do we. The only reason to look back is to learn how to move before. But there are better ways to use the past than taking advantage of an honorable man to make a buck.

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