The start of the week brings a whole new list of political happenings that need mulling over: a battle of the IQ's between Trump and Rex Tillerson, Steve Bannon declaring internal "war" on the GOP, the decertification of the Iran nuclear deal, and more. We also look into the realities actors face in speaking out against major studio heads; discuss Ron Chernow's new biography with the author himself; and more.
Week in Politics: Divisions within the GOP, Iran nuclear deal gets decertified, NAFTA is being renegotiated and more
We discuss the latest from last week, the weekend and the biggest stories pending for the days ahead:
- Division is being sowed in the GOP. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon spoke at the Values Voter Summit in D.C. this Saturday, where he announced “war” on the GOP establishment. Meanwhile, questions about President Trump have dominated the conversation surrounding the Virginia governor’s race. And on the opposite side of the country, Arizona senator and vocal Trump critic Jeff Flake (R) is running for re-election and pushback from Trump is putting a damper on his ratings. We discuss the question posed by the New York Times yesterday: is this a bellwether for other Republicans who cross the president?
- On Sunday’s “State of the Union,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson responds to questions about Trump’s “IQ” barb, as well as diplomatic strategy with North Korea.
- On Friday, Trump decertified the Iran nuclear deal. Now, Congress has 60 days to decide on next steps.
- Last week, the White House continued undermining the Affordable Care Act, with Trump’s executive order to loosen health insurance requirements, and his announcement that he will stop paying key subsidies to insurance companies next year.
- Renegotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement conclude tomorrow, Tuesday, and it’s looking likely that the deal will fall apart. What does that mean for the U.S.?
- California Senate leader Kevin de León announced that he will run against incumbent Dianne Feinstein for the U.S. Senate Seat. Does he have a shot and will this move splinter the California democratic party?
Have a question or comment for our partisan analysts? Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist and founder and chief executive officer of Rodriguez Strategies; he is also a former senior Obama advisor in 2008; he tweets
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; he is a former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Reagan and H.W. Bush
What price fame? The tradeoffs of keeping secrets about Hollywood harassment
It seems like every day, someone new is coming out with condemnations of Harvey Weinstein.
The latest? He was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Saturday, the same day Kate Winslet told the Los Angeles Times that she deliberately did not thank the disgraced movie producer in 2009, when she won the lead actress Oscar for “The Reader.” The film was financed and produced by the Weinstein Company, and her first movie, “Heavenly Creatures,” was made in 1994 for Weinstein’s Miramax Films. Winslet said that she was not sexually harassed by Weinstein, but that he was “bullying and nasty” on a business level and that she was forceful in speaking out against him in her 20s, but in her 30s she felt it unnecessary to bring up his behavior again.
Winslet is joining a growing list of actresses with complaints against Weinstein, including Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow and Mira Sorvino. Allegations of despicable behavior from Weinstein have shed new light on the dark side of Hollywood and on the dynamic of powerful executives exploiting actors trying to build a career.
But questions have risen about the tradeoffs of staying quiet about incidents of sexual harassment, exploitation and bullying in the entertainment industry. How practical is it for an actor to speak out about these types of indiscretions? What would be the consequences of refusing to be harassed if you’re an actor, and would that be worth the price of standing up to a Hollywood power player?
Call in with your thoughts at 866.893.5722.
Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow turns his gaze on Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant may be most notable as the 18th president of the United States, and a Union Civil War general, but he’s also been dismissed throughout history as a drunk and a failed
businessman.
Even Walt Whitman weighed in, describing the general as “nothing heroic... and yet the greatest hero.”
While the contradicting nuances of his leadership and his life have been analyzed throughout history, Grant’s post-civil war contributions are largely unknown. He became a strong opponent of the Ku Klux Klan, and worked to pass the 15th amendment, restricting federal and state governments from denying citizen voting rights based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Frederick Douglass even hailed Grant as a “vigilant, firm, impartial and wise protector of my race.”
Ron Chernow is the author of the new book “Grant” and explores the general’s life including his boyhood squeamishness, ruthless reputation as a general and longstanding battle with alcoholism. As the debate on national monuments looms, Grant’s story gives insight to the dark history of racism in the U.S., and paints a fuller picture of the general.
Larry speaks to Chernov today for an inside look at the revelations of his research for the book.
Ron Chernow will be in conversation with historian Bill Deverell tonight, Oct. 16, at 7:00pm for his new book, “Grant.” The event is presented by Vroman’s Bookstore and takes place at All Saints Church in Pasadena. For more information and to purchase a ticket, click here.
Guest:
Ron Chernow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of many books, including “Grant,” his latest biography on Ulysses S. Grant