Pardon My Parsing Political Podcast: Recent Episodes
US Policy
Pardon My Parsing Political Podcast is an upbeat, funny, and nerdy show with the goal of providing political and public policy information, education, entertainment. What we do that others podcasts don’t is take the words of the politicians – speeches, papers, and news releases - and breaking them down to the their basic form. A 25-page hour long speech becomes a 1.5 page outline after we parse it out. Then we discuss the facts, the message, and the overall impact of any given speech – while throwing in a few jokes.
It is with sadness that I post this episode, but at the same time I am glad that we had the opportunity to record it. The world was recently robbed of Kelly, but he left his mark not only on this show and his family, but the world. He was a personality, a friend, and everyone's cheerleader. I am going to miss Kelly a lot.
Speaker McCarthy is an amazing story as Speaker of the House, but his recent debt ceiling win cements his spot in the history books. However, that doesn't mean that he is speaker.....oh no it doesn't.
Truthfully, this speech isn't that bad - at least after we edited out 1/2 or more of it. And, some of the information and points that are made in the speech will drive political discourse for at least the next couple of years.
We get to hear a new story from the President that is actually interesting, but the rest of the speech contains so much pandering that it is demeaning. It seems like this would hurt him, so why does it seem to endear him?
Politics is about compromise, it isn't about hypocrisy. However, modern politics, on both sides of the aisle, is seemingly more about hypocrisy than ideology.
In this speech one track down one of those moments.
Lina Khan the "Khan" Artist is at it again. In this speech she talk about the "problems" that data creates, but her only solution seems to be an internet that only serves the rich. In other words - she doesn't understand the value that data can supply.
Trump announces his campaign - no - that isn't it. Trump announces that he isn't guilty - no - that isn't it either. Trump attacks everyone else and makes a campaign speech with a side of indictment. Honestly, kind of an impressive ego.
Congressional Hearings are usually boring. They are like scripted shows with members looking to deliver messages, and representatives of the Administration just trying to make it out without making a large gaffe. However, sometimes there are intelligent exchanges that deserve not only our attention, but also a more in depth exploration. This is one of those exchanges.
Secretary Pete Buttigieg always seems to be a little behind the action - and this time he is called out by a reporter. It is amazing to witness - and sad at the same time.
There are too many Congressman to keep up with all of the crazy things that they say or do, but sometimes it is worth highlighting some of the absurdities that can come out of this group.
Sometimes the media is biased, and sometimes they are just oblivious. While this might be a case of oblivious - they missed the relevant weirdness in this speech. Biden was quick, he was fake, and he was gaffe prone.
However, he also accomplished his goals.
President Biden is not the best public speaker, but there are some issues where he is better than others. Giving an Martin Luther King Day Speech should be one of those areas where he should stand out. However, he again bungles this speech.....and we think that at least one of his speech writers should be fired.
How much Tea can be spilled in one speech? A lot - More than we could have imagined. From nerdy insider tea - to overt contemptuous tea. There is no tea saucer big enough for the attacks in this speech. And given the Director of the FTC - Lina Khan - it is a glorious attack and it is well deserved.
A speech is like a good wine. It can be good on its own, but when paired with a good dinner the true notes can be unlocked.
If this speech was a wine it would be mad dog, but it could have easily have been much better.
In a low key setting - former President Trump announced that he was running for President - again. Is he doing it for real? Does he want to win? Does he want revenge? Does he just want to avoid legal trouble?
Whatever the answer - this speech wasn't a good look for the former President.
With Republicans poised to take over both the House and the Senate - Biden took to the podium to make his case to vote for Democrats - but might have actually made the case to vote for Republicans.
This Senate debate for the PA Senate seat that could decide control of the US Senate is equal parts entertaining and sad.
A speech given by Ronald Reagan in 1964 has shaped public policy and political discourse for the last 60 years. Reagan called it "The Speech" it is now known as "A Time for Choosing", but if we have anything to say about it - the speech will again be called "The Speech".
While this speech has a few killer lines - this is one of those speeches that is more about the why and when that is almost more important. We were interested in this speech because it is something that the King had waited his whole life to deliver - it didn't really live up to that.
Sometimes the news is good - sometimes it is bad - sometimes the news is more of a lie than the truth - but when a Governor of the Federal Reserve Speaks it is mainly just nerdy.
In this case - it is both nerdy and frightening. We try to take the edge off, but this episode might be best enjoyed with a glass of scotch, bourbon, or your favorite spirit.
With the death of the Queen we explore some of the speeches and messages around the death of our first President, and one of the best leaders of all time, George Washington.
The comparisons between the Queen's leadership and George Washington's aren't very comparable, but the words that are used to discuss these two leaders are. While the Queen's eulogies almost feel hollow (and we appreciate who she was as a person), George Washington's are almost underrated.
This is also our first speech from John Adams - this has enough personality that we will be doing more.
Some people take responsibility for problems while others will attempt to blame anyone else they can - Biden takes the low road in this Constitution Hall speech and blames the Republicans for everything wrong with the Country while ignoring everything the Democrats have done over the past several years.
However, he still delivers a better speech than Kevin McCarthy did before him - but just barely. That isn't to say that this speech will win Biden any votes. It probably won't.
Kevin McCarthy, the likely Speaker of the House in 2023 delivered a speech in Scranton PA hours before President Biden did the same. He pre-attacked the President in an excellent strategic move, but the speech - both as written and in the delivery - was just ok.
He definitely got in some good punches and it had some great info as well.
Check back next week for Biden's Speech.
We might have uncovered the most inspirational, yet negative, line in American politics, "Doubt Yourself".
In this speech to wrap up the Constitutional Convention - Benjamin Franklin drives home the idea that compromise - is necessary and can be good. The everyone has biases, but that can be good. And that even the constitution is likely flawed - but that is ok.
Thomas Jefferson makes his case that his former Vice President was committing treason and attempting to take over a large portion of the United States.
Did you know about it? We didn't.
A very cool speech about a piece of history - that was very important at the time, and yet not many people talk about today.
If we could delete the middle of this speech we would, but it is still an amazing and moving speech. It conveys both the sinister nature of the time, while foreshadowing the future. However, it also exposes some of the issues that we ourselves in our own government - especially during important times.
With the January 6th "Hearing" going on and speculation about the intent of the President - it is interesting to think what would have happened if something bigger happened - and Pence was made President. Would he have Pardoned Trump? Would it have cost him his career the way that it cost Ford? And, would people come to realize the benefit of allowing the country to move past the issue.
We explore it all.
On Pardon My Parsing we examine speeches by breaking them down to their basics. When listening to President Biden this time though - something caught our attention - he changed a story from his youth. His folksy manner is what it is, but this is a weird low.
He didn't need to change the story - he could left it alone - and it could have still worked.
The amazing thing is that this was likely added by a speechwriter - who probably wrote the previous version as well. Collusion for a pointless lie.
This isn't Watergate - but if the President is willing to lie when there is literally nothing at stake - what is he willing to do when the lie means something?
In Pennsylvania in 1876 there was a big celebration. A lot had happened in our young country in just 100 years - but women were still not equal. One of the women invited into the VIP area of the event - and not allowed to speak still wanted her presence to be known. So, not only did she write a speech, but she made copies and she and her friends handed them out to those in the crowd.
Boom. Now that is a firework.
Vice President Pence recently presented his plan for the economy at the University Club of Chicago. It is notable for several reasons - but primarily because this can easily be listed as the first real campaign speech of 2024.
Buckle up People.
Can you like a speech by a politician that you don't agree with or like? Yes, yes you can.
This speech is simple and to the point. It could have a little tighter - and dropped the bad jokes - but otherwise it was almost all informational without much fluff or extra language.
This speech marks at least the public unveiling of the most influential periods in politics - where many of the biggest programs that shape our society today were passed.
This is a great speech delivered by then Vice Presidential Candidate, and Senator, Richard Nixon. Nixon was under attack for an "illegal campaign account" and was able to turn the whole argument around, by defending a dog......ok....and fully disclosing his finances, and paying a few expensive firms to audit the accounts in question.
A politician can easily - although sometimes begrudgingly deliver a speech. But, a good politician can move a room - turn opponents into supporters - and turn a negative into a positive. Kennedy delivered a masterclass of a speech - during a time and a political climate that made it very hard.
It is no wonder than many modern politicians seem to be echoing his words and arguments today.
If ever there was a political speech that didn't need to be delivered - this was it. However, gun shot wound and all it was delivered - and made the speech unbelievable and one for the ages. The interesting thing about it though - is that many modern politicians seem to be attempting to convey the very same message that was delivered in this speech.
Trump speeches are a subject themselves. He has a style that is simple - yet meandering. Too the point, and not. They are wild, but they are a well constructed show - and the speech he delivered in Pennsylvania did not disappoint.
Biden has been on a barn storming tour trying to build support for his a bill that was dead months ago, so he is getting bored - and for Biden that means going off script, and in this version of his Build Back Better Speech - he endorses Autocratic government.
Truly bewildering - and something that will come back to haunt him.
JD Vance's Victory Speech in Ohio's Senate Primary has some interesting talking points - from claiming to run against the Republicans and Democrats - to bragging about not preparing. Is the new direction in politics - or just laziness rising to the top?
Emanuel Macron does something in his victory speech that most US politicians would refuse - admits that he likely won because people were voting against his challenger and not for him.
In this episode we look at proclamation from Governor Desantis regarding Disney and social media companies. It is an interesting look at the a new generation of republicanism....populism.
As inflation is starting to grab more and more headlines - President Biden and his team decided to start talking about it. However, instead of creating new messaging - they just adjusted the speeches that they had already written.
In other words - he doesn't really address inflation. And, instead attempts to blame his decisions (right or wrong) on Putin.
Everyone knows that a part of Uncle Joe's (President Biden) career is built on the idea that he supports Unions, but the level that the Union's are allowed to dictate his administration's moves might not have been known - or at least public until this speech. However, over the course of this speech he makes it abundantly clear - that he doesn't do anything without their permission first.
This episode has a little bit of everything - history, education, jokes and laughs. But, really it is a glimpse into the style of speech of one our most famous Presidents before he was ever elected President.
In a speech that was actually remarkable in which Biden appears to answer Zalensky's call to help lead the world - he also sounded like he might have needed a nap.
In an awkwardly delivered speech, Biden addresses some big issues.
A foreign President addressing Congress is a rare occasion, but addressing Congress amidst a war, while his people are under attack, and mercenaries are attempting to assassinate them is a different level.
Addressing a tragic event that a large number of people - including students across the country - witnessed live, President Reagan delivered an almost perfect speech - hitting all of the right notes, messages, and feelings. And, caps off the speech with what might be the best closing to a speech ever written - or it is at least in the running.
President Biden delivered his State of the Union Address last week. This week, we look at his speech, talk about what is in it - and grade him on it.
Spoiler - He gets a "D", but it could easily have been a B or an even an "A" speech.
George Washington had the opportunity to shape our country in many ways, but one of the overlooked ways was that he was the first President to deliver a State of the Union. It is both the shortest State of the Union and one of the more interesting ones to look at and discuss!
President Biden delivered this speech in order to justify sanctions on Russia. However, he falls way, way, short in providing anything meaningful - while admitting that Americans families and businesses were going to feel the pain.
Barack Obama's 2004 DNC speech was one of the best speeches that has ever been delivered - ok, maybe it squeaks by onto that list - but it is at least one of the best speeches in the past 20 years. It introduced him to the country, and propelled him into the national spotlight in a way that few speeches have ever launched a career.
Senator Josh Hawley Delivered a 14 page speech on the Left's supposed war on men. However, none of his points addressed any of the problems that the left has brought up - or the #metoo movement for that matter.
It is a tough read of a speech - and harder to stomach once broken down - but provides a great window into the thinking of Hawley and the other Republicans that are taking up cause of populism instead of small limited government policies.
That said - we have some fun discussing it.
In this episode of the Pardon My Parsing Political Podcast we look at the 1978 State of the Union Address by none other than the cardigan wearing Jimmy Carter. It is a truly surprising look back in time.
On episode #2 we parse a speech by Lina Khan, Chair of the FTC, at a joint FTC and Department of Justice Event. Chair Khan wanted to make the case the labor is being hurt by large corporations, but the problem with her is timing is that it is currently very obvious that we are currently in a pro-labor market - where workers get to decide where they work, what they are paid, and what kind of working conditions that they have.
Chair Khans speech becomes a 1/2 page outline after our parsing which makes it easy to discuss and address each of her points.
In our first episode we breakdown a speech that President Biden used to push one of his top campaign promises - his Build Back Better and Infrastructure plan.
While the speech was an hour long - our breakdown makes it easy to understand and discuss.
The Pardon My Parsing Political Podcast is non-partisan in our breakdowns. And, whichever party is in the White House is likely to be the one that we focus on. Parsing these speeches out allows us to look closer at the facts - closer at the arguments - and remove the distractions of the niceties and political correctness that make political speeches to hard to follow.