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For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, the hosts discuss former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and the dead pig. 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.

On this week’s Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s surprising fall and sudden withdrawal from the Republican primary, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina’s rapid rise in the polls following the second GOP debate, and Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States and seeming universal appeal.

Here are some of the links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Koch brothers’ darling and former Republican favorite Gov. Scott Walker suspended his campaign (surprising some). How did it happen, what went wrong, and what happens next?
• What happened to the “strong” Republican field, and how will Scott Walker’s departure impact the GOP primary?
• John discusses how Scott Walker’s campaign is one of the fastest flameouts in recent political memory. Slate’s Jamelle Bouie explains how Scott Walker was flanked on all sides.
• Read more of Slate’s coverage of the GOP primary.
• Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has surged to the front of the GOP primary polls. (What a difference a debate makes!) How did she do it, what does it mean, will it last, and is she more than just the CNN-created flavor of the week?
• Jamelle Bouie argues that Carly Fiorina’s surge is very likely to be short-lived.
• Read more of Slate’s coverage of the 2016 campaign.
• This week marks Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States. During his visit, the Pope called for environmental stewardship, respect for life and the traditional family, and compassion toward immigrants.
• How is Pope Francis proving so appealing across the political and ideological spectrums, can his visit help repair the upheaval within the Catholic Church, and can the Pope convince Cafeteria Catholics—both Republican and Democratic—to fully embrace his inclusive message?
• Read more of Slate’s coverage of Pope Francis’ U.S. visit.

Emily chatters about Jonathan Weisman’s latest novel No. 4 Imperial Lane.

John chatters about how a video game can help increase focus and attention.

David chatters about the You Must Remember This podcast’s 12-part series, “Charles Manson’s Hollywood”.

Slate’s parenting podcast Mom and Dad Are Fighting is coming to the Woolly Mammoth Theater in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 20. Hosts Allison Benedikt and Dan Kois will be joined by John Dickerson of CBS’ Face the Nation and Slate’s Political Gabfest, plus other special guests! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for cocktail hour and 6:30 p.m. for the live show. Get your tickets now at slate.com/live. Slate Plus members will receive a discount on their tickets.

The Slate Political Gabfest is looking for its next paid intern. Interested candidates should email their cover letters and résumés to gabfest@slate.com.

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 Jason De Leon. Links compiled by Tarik Barrett.