What are the patterns of Donald Trump's rhetoric and how does it compare to candidates campaigns of the past? After being fired in October, former USC head coach Steve Sarkisian is suing the university for more than $30 million; we discuss Texas' landmark redistricting case and TIME magazine's nation editor weighs in on finalists for "Person of the Year."
Explaining Trump's rhetoric
GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is calling for a ban on Muslims being allowed to enter the U.S. When asked by "The Hill" whether that travel ban would apply to American Muslims, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks replied over email: “Mr. Trump says, ‘everyone.’"
Then today, on "Good Morning America," Trump said American Muslims would be able to come and go. The travel ban was quickly denounced by pretty much everyone else in the field, in either party. Experts in domestic and international law say the ban would be illegal.
"The New York Times" reports Trump's most extreme rhetoric on the campaign trail has coincided with dips in his poll numbers, which then surge again.
Is there a precedent for a candidate regularly inflaming his rivals, while connecting with supporters who cheer on the rhetoric?
Guests:
Kurtis Lee, LA Times reporter. He tweets from
Mary E. Stuckey, professor of rhetoric and politics at Georgia State University and author of "Defining Americans: The Presidency and National Identity"
Douglas Brinkley, Presidential Historian & Professor of History, Rice University; Fellow, James Baker, III Institute for Public Policy
Weighing legal chances of Sarkisian’s lawsuit against USC
The University of Southern California’s former head football coach says he was wrongfully terminated from his job and he wants the school held accountable.
Former USC head coach Steve Sarkisian filed a lawsuit against USC on Monday for more than $30 million, claiming that athletic director Pat Haden fired him hastily, without giving him an opportunity to get treatment for alcoholism.
He also claims the school breached contract and invaded his privacy.
The issue stems from an incident at an annual USC booster dinner called Salute to Troy. Sarkisian had slurred his words and swore during his speech, which the lawsuit claims was a result of mixing two light beers with prescription anxiety medication. Sarkisian saw a school psychologist after the incident, but did not seek outside treatment.
When Sarkisian was fired on October 12, he was on his way to an in-patient treatment facility after leaving a team meeting because he was “upset, teary, and nearly hyperventilating,” according to the lawsuit.
How strong is Sarkisian’s claim against USC? How does the Americans with Disabilities Act apply when it comes to alcoholism or substance abuse? Do you think this case will even make it to court or will USC and Sarkisian settle?
Guests:
Ruth Colker, Heck Faust Memorial Chair in Constitutional Law in Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University and an expert on disability law and rights
Geoffrey Rapp, professor of law & values at the University of Toledo and an editor for the Sports Law Blog
Supreme Court heard landmark Texas redistricting case
The Supreme Court today heard a case that many legal observers say could have a huge impact on the country’s democratic process.
The case, Evenwel v. Abbott, is asking the High Court to reconsider how congressional districts should be drawn. The plaintiffs want district boundaries determined by the number of eligible voters, as opposed to the number of people in a given area.
They argue that by including all people -- even those who are not qualified to vote like ex-felons, children, and immigrants -- urban districts are unfairly given a bigger say in elections.
Guests:
Michael Li, counsel for the Democracy Program for the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. His work focuses on redistricting, voting rights, and elections
Ilya Shapiro, senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute who wrote an amicus brief in support of the appellants in the case
Sen. Feinstein seeks mandate for social media companies to monitor terror threats
Sen. Dianne Feinstein is working to reintroduce a bill that would enlist the help of social media to report suspected terrorist activity.
The legislation would require social media platforms such as Facebook to alert law enforcement when suspicious postings are noticed. Social media groups killed the earlier version of the bill in August of this year.
The renewed push for the legislation comes after last week’s San Bernardino shootings in which one of the suspected shooters, Tashfeen Malik, pledged allegiance to ISIS on a Facebook post.
Guests:
Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Public Knowledge, an organization that promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. He tweets from
Nancy Scola, tech reporter for POLITICO
Trump, Black Lives Matter, & IS leader among TIME's Person of the Year finalists
Time Person of the Year will go to who Time’s editors think has been the most politically influential person of the year.
There are eight contenders for 2015: Abu Bakr Al-Baghdad (the leader of ISIS), Black Lives Matter (activists protesting inequality towards African Americans), Caitlyn Jenner (transgender woman, formerly known as Bruce Jenner), Travis Kalanick (CEO of Uber), Angela Merkel (German Chancellor), Vladimir Putin (President of Russia), Hassan Rouhani (President of Iran) and Donald Trump, (Republican presidential candidate and businessman).
Love them or hate them -- it’s all about political influence. What’s your vote?
Guest:
Ben Goldberger, Nation editor at TIME Magazine. He tweets from