Leading The Bulwark…
Big Country’s MAGA Bulletin
JIM SWIFT: Visit businesses around Abilene, Texas and you might encounter this free local paper packed with conspiracy theories.
🎧 On the Pods… 🎧
INTRODUCING: SHIELD OF THE REPUBLIC
Read Bill Kristol’s introduction…
"A Strategic Failure": The War in Afghanistan with Carter Malkasian
A discussion of why the war in Afghanistan was in General Mark Milley’s words “a strategic failure,” why the Afghan government failed to inspire Afghans to fight for their own country, and the legacy of former ambassador and peace agreement negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad.
David Priess: Getting the Truth on January 6
Not only is Trump doubling down in support of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, he's turning Ashli Babbitt into a martyr. Plus, when will Biden build back better bumper sticker-style messaging from the White House? Lawfare's David Priess joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
ATMA Has 'No Time to Die'
Plus, what's the deal with the IATSE strike?
For Bulwark+ Members… 🔐
MORNING SHOTS: The Poltroons of Texas 🔓
CHARLIE SYKES on panic punditry about Biden.
THE TRIAD: Counterpoint: Everything Is Awesome! 🔐
JVL: Some people think the D's are doing just fine.
BONUS ATMA: Which Bond Is Best? 🔐
On this week’s special bonus episode, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter debate which Bond is best—and discuss how they came to the series initially.
From The Bulwark Aggregator…
Democrats aim to hold off GOP gains in South Texas - Mini Racker and Erin Covey, National Journal
Glenn Youngkin’s Complicated History on Critical Race Theory - Roger Sollenberger, The Daily Beast
How Government Devastated Minor League Baseball - Matt Welch, Reason Magazine
Grassley's embrace of Trump shakes GOP landscape - Alexander Bolton, The Hill
Biden is going big on testing. It still may not be enough. - David Lim, Politico
John Eastman’s employer tries to whitewash his road map for overturning Trump’s loss - Aaron Blake, The Washington Post
Orban Trails Opposition in Poll as Primary Mobilizes Voters - Zoltan Simon, Bloomberg Quint
In Today’s Bulwark...
Dear Democrats: Only 10% of People Even Know What You Are Fighting For
TIM MILLER: Even if Democrats can pass their big bill, they won’t be able to sell it.
Remembering Gen. Ray Odierno, a Key Leader of the Iraq Surge
ERIC S. EDELMAN: His was a quiet but compelling voice in the highest wartime deliberations.
🚨OVERTIME 🚨
39,000 FEET OVER MEMPHIS, TN— As much as Republicans want the delays Southwest airlines is experiencing to become a partisan football they can spike to own the libs, reality (read the company and the pilots’ union) has other explanations. Womp womp.
Meanwhile, Gov. Abbott, who previously said he didn’t want to get the government messing around with the decisions of private businesses decided to change his mind and ban employers from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination.
Texas-based airlines American and Southwest, which I am flying right now, said that they were going to ignore Abbott because President Biden’s mandate supersedes his. Burned.
Despite paying for in-flight wifi so I could write this newsletter, it is not working very well. And without the ability to access the internet, I can’t provide much in the way of internet goodness today. Sorry. But flying 400 mph at this altitude, it’s still just a wonder to me that internet ever works at all.
We’ll see you back here tomorrow. Tech support questions? Email support@substack.com. Questions for me? Drop me a line: swift@thebulwark.com
—30—
Editorial photos provided by Getty Images. For full credits, please consult the article.