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For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, the hosts attempt to diagram an interminable sentence by Donald Trump. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at www.slate.com/gabfestplus.
Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the upcoming inaugural Republican primary debate on Fox News, the powerful and haunting New York magazine cover story detailing the many allegations of sexual assault against Bill Cosby, and the ascension of Uber despite powerful opposition.
Here are some of the links and references mentioned during this week’s show:
- The first 2016 GOP primary debate, hosted by Fox News, will take place Aug. 6 in Cleveland. How are the candidates polling, who’s in and out of the debate (for now), what are their positions on the issues, and how should they prepare for a debate that is likely to include Donald Trump?
- As the race to finish in the top 10 in the polls intensifies, will the candidates respond with civility or confrontation? And is it really all that bad for the second-tier candidates?
- Read more of Slate’s coverage of the 2016 campaign.
- Noreen Malone’s cover story in New York magazine offers powerful first-hand accounts of the allegations of sexual assault against Bill Cosby. Why were Cosby’s accusers ignored for so long, are we finally taking sexual assault seriously, and is it OK to separate the artist from his art?
- Bill Cosby’s own words reveal a very troubled and disturbed man. As his legal team moves forward with a vigorous public defense, what consequences might he face (if any)? Could a California court ruling lead to the punishment he deserves?
- With victories in New York City and despite setbacks in California, Uber appears well on its way to replacing taxis (and the medallion system). Is Uber a better option for its drivers or is it driving economic inequality?
- What does Uber mean for the “gig economy” and the 2016 presidential election? And what happens next?
- Read more of Slate’s coverage of News and Politics.
Emily chatters about the death of Zimbabwe’s Cecil the lion.
John chatters about an anecdote from William Manchester’s The Glory and the Dream, an evocative exploration of the American way of life from 1932 to 1972.
David chatters about Mike Huckabee’s penchant for comparing things to Nazism.
Slate’s Political Gabfest is coming to San Francisco on Sept. 15 at the historic Nourse Theater. Tickets are available at slate.com/politicalSF. If you are a Slate Plus member, you will be eligible for a discount on your ticket purchase. If you’d like to become a Slate Plus member, visit slate.com/gabfestplus.
Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest (#heygabfest). (Tweets may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)
Podcast production by Mike Vuolo. Links compiled by Tarik Barrett.
