Visions of China

Jim Geraghty, National Review’s esteemed purveyor of punditry and “Morning Jolt” mastermind, joins Jonah today to ...

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Jim Geraghty, National Review’s esteemed purveyor of punditry and “Morning Jolt” mastermind, joins Jonah today to become the Remnant’s first 11-time visitor (his very own Episode 11, if you will…). The pair explore the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, including recent rumblings that the virus might have originated in a Wuhan lab after all, before examining the Republican Party post-Cheney and ongoing confusion over masks. Should bats be anally swabbed? Are beets toxic? And will the Irish and English ever get along? Listen closely to hear these vital questions answered.

Show Notes:

–Jim’s page at National Review

–An eerily prescient pandemic piece from 2017

–Jim: “The Taboo on the COVID Lab-Leak Theory Lifts”

–That time a fire at a Russian lab released smallpox

–Jim: “The Wuhan Lab-Leak Hypothesis Goes Mainstream”

–Last week’s first Remnant with Klon Kitchen

–Last week’s second Remnant with Niall Ferguson

–Jim: “No, Really, Why Is Joe Biden Wearing His Mask Around Other Vaccinated People?”

–Bush declares “Mission Accomplished”

–Biden’s private, ego-boosting meeting with historians

–The National Review editors discuss Liz Cheney

–Jim clarifies his Liz Cheney position

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Comments (31)
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  1. Randall Briggs

    I hate, but an not surprised by, Jim Geraghty's desire to get past Trump without repudiating Trumpism. It is typical of National Review's inability to consistently oppose the wrongs of Trumpism. Geraghty's strategy will have the GOP becoming an ever more idiotic, white-supremacist, damaging, destructive party incapable of promoting any positive agenda for all of America.

    As to his hopes that the GOP will support an investigation of the January 6th insurrection, well, the Republicans in the Senate have blocked that. That's the sort of GOP-Trump relationship that he's willing to accept and that will be disastrous for both the party and the country.

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    Eric Sharf

    A friend was a regular at Schwartz’ in Montreal, B.C. (before Celine). He took someone there who ordered a meat platter — and a glass of milk. The waiter smacked my friend.

    Geraghty would be the milk guy.

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    Ben Connelly

    I’ll have to go back and listen to all of Jim’s old episodes on the Remnant now!

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  4. Jason Runyan

    YES! Yay Jim! My favorite guest (now tied with Chris Stirewalt)! Strangely I was turned onto The Remnant years ago by Chris Stirewalt and Dana Perino's podcast (RIP) and was turned onto the Editors podcast (also listening for years now) via the Remnant podcast. World's colliding! My only note about this episode is I wish you could have spoken with Jim about his new book Hunting Four Horseman. I'm about to start reading it and would have liked to hear the scoop.

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    Cyprian

    Gavrilo Princip's actions weren't as consequential as the covid pandemic? I dissent. Besides the millions of lives lost in WWI, the war ended with the destruction of four empires. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire. I would also posit that the Treaty of Versailles led to the rise of Hitler and the carnage of WW2. In what universe is covid worse?

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      Cyprian

      Update: In the latest Dispatch podcast, Jonah tangentially referenced his Gavrilo Princep argument but changed it enough to make sense. The assassin meant to do it, but the lab leak was an accident. So his argument is that there has been no bigger accident. Well OK. Completely different. LOL.

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      Stomaino

      And if you add the establishment of the Soviet Union and all the Communist governments after that, especially China, you up to 100 million people dead.

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    Bel Aves

    Trump is the American Antaeus. McConnell has the right approach. We cannot win with Trump. We lost the House, White House, Senate. How to move on. In 2015-6 a bunch of Republicans tried the frontal attack approach (Bush, Rubio, Cruz). When Antaeus was attacked he got stronger so Hercules lifted him and crushed him in a bear hug. Trump's bear hug is lack of attention-might strangle him. With normal people ignore and they will go away is terrible advice but Trump is not normal and that is worth a try.

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    1. Randall Briggs

      It has the advantage of being easier for the 85+% of Republicans in Congress who are terrified of being primaried out and/or killed by Trump supporters, but it won't work. It will just kick the can down the road.

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    BWG

    So glad you could get Senator Cruz in for that last little bit. How much did he charge, or was that a freebie like arguing Paxton's lawsuit before SCOTUS? (Btw, tell Geraghty he needs more twang in that.)
    Jim was definitely focused on the meat and cheese. Maybe he lumps the bread in with the veggies, which he clearly disdains. But really I think he just needs to think it through some more, he was clearly taken somewhat off guard. I mean, nobody who wasn't somewhat flustered would suggest putting Swiss and cheddar on the same sandwich, right? So I think he needs to define the meat and cheese better, and the bread choice will naturally follow. (On the topic of sandwiches, I'm headed back east in June, but most unfortunately it will be to the Poconos, not DC, so I'll miss a trip to the Parkway deli.)
    You may have seen my previous comments on various TD offerings, so this may not come as a surprise, but I agree that there are some things more important than the near term prospects of the GOP. But it is a really good question, how do you change attitudes, opinions, convictions? I think you have to speak up, even if it seems like that will create big short term downside. I think of Sen. Joe McCarthy, who's not a bad comparator for Trump. Everybody was afraid to speak out, it took a few people who just decided it had to be done regardless of the cost, and eventually the tide turned. If that 46% hears from 90% of GOP senators and representatives and other GOP leaders that the election was NOT stolen, a large portion of that 46% will eventually come around. But until people start speaking up NONE of that 46% will change their opinion.
    It really is a headscratcher that so many, mostly on the left, treat the idea that SARS-CoV-2 was accidentally released from the Wuhan Institute of Virology as ridiculous, with overtones that it's probably motivated by anti-China sentiment. You're right, if some VX or sarin turned up at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, suspicion would turn immediately to Aberdeen. Why is it so outlandish to think the WIV, which specializes in coronavirus research, should be investigated as a possible source?

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  8. GregS

    Sorry but Geraghty is just being a good GOP soldier here. He thinks Cheney was wrong to call put Trumps lies and instead the GOP should just ignore Trump. But apparently he's fine with the entire GOP leadership continuing to be Trump bootlickers *because that's what necessary to won elections.* about as clear an admission that he puts party above country.
    I had zero respect for this before Jan 6th, and I have negative respect for it now.

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    Dave Carson

    My two favorites, but wait there's more! Anal bat swabbery for the win!

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  10. IamJACKSventedSPLEEN

    I listened to this the whole time thinking "Jeez, THIS is how a conservative talks"...and then every once in a while, Jim would stop talking and Jonah would say something, and completely harsh my buzz.

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