The Gist with Mike Pesca on Obama’s restrained West Point speech, and the Loser’s Lounge

Does Obama Need More Drama?

Does Obama Need More Drama?

Slate
The Gist
A daily news and culture podcast with Mike Pesca.
June 3 2014 7:13 PM

Does Obama Need More Drama?

The Gist on the pros and cons of rhetorical restraint, and a visit to the Loser’s Lounge.

The Gist has moved! Find new episodes here.

President Barack Obama arrives at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, for its commencement ceremony on May 28, 2014.
President Barack Obama arrives at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, for its commencement ceremony on May 28, 2014.

Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Listen to Episode 21 of Slate’s The Gist:

Subscribe in iTunes ∙ RSS feed ∙ Download ∙ Play in another tab

gist_dailyemails

President Obama’s speech to West Point graduates drew criticism for its restrained foreign policy prescriptions and less-than-lofty oratory. Today on The Gist, a look at Obama’s turn toward more subdued rhetoric with former Jimmy Carter speechwriter and New Yorker staff writer Hendrik Hertzberg. Then, Joe McGinty from the Loser’s Lounge explains how his band performs tributes to our guiltiest of guilty musical pleasures. In the Spiel, we sniff through Mike’s browser cookies until we uncover a truffle. 

Advertisement

Email: thegist@slate.com
Twitter: @slategist
Facebook: facebook.com/slategist 

Mike Pesca is the host of the Slate daily podcast The Gist. He also contributes reports and commentary to NPR.