Episode 59: Andrew and Jerry Draft Cal For Senate!

With a senate seat opening up in Maryland, rumors abound that Cal Ripken, Jr., the Hall of Fame baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, might run for the US Senate. Andrew and Jerry break down the rumor, but this leads into the greater question of the role of "celebrity" candidates, and what history has taught us about where they help and where they hurt. The question then turns to former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, and whether he has his sights on the US Senate or the Presidency. What would a third-party run by Larry Hogan mean in the 2024 presidential election--and again, what has history taught us about 3rd party candidates as spoilers? Would a run by Hogan help Trump or Biden?

Andrew and Jerry then get into a discussion of movement politics--why is it that conservatives seem to be perpetually behind the 8-ball in terms of aggressiveness and a unified effort? What has changed in the last 15 or 20 years to keep the conservative movement fractured, working at cross-purposes, or to have their voices minimized. They talk about the 80-20 rule, and Andrew mentions Bono's "one issue" message from a concert a few weeks ago. This leads Jerry into questioning his ability to trust Bono when it comes to activism.