Let Me Be Frank

Biden's relationship with Kamala, Obama, and his party.

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Is Joe Biden a secret genius? Today’s Remnant guest—Atlantic staff writer Franklin Foer—wouldn’t quite go that far, but he does believe that the president is much more politically adept than you might think. Foer developed a newfound respect for the commander in chief while writing his new book, The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden’s White House and the Struggle for America’s Future, and he joins Jonah to explain why. Listeners are also encouraged to tune in to hear Jonah and Frank yearnfully reflect on their misspent youth and the joys of cross-partisan lunches.

Show Notes:

– Frank’s page at The Atlantic

– Frank’s new book, The Last Politician

–Jonah: “Advice for Biden: Be Like Ike”

–Nate Cohn: “Why Less Engaged Voters Are Biden’s Biggest Problem”

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Comments (38)
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  1. Jon Snare

    I’m no fan of Joe Biden, but I understand Frank’s arguments. What drives me crazy is listening to how inside the Beltway people talk about the economy and the President’s role in managing it. At one point, Frank says something like “Biden decided to allow the economy to run hot”. Really? He just decided that and in the Oval Office he just pushes the correct buttons to enable that to happen? Political journalists should probably not talk about economics.

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    Christopher Jenkins

    The comment that are critical of Frank's mere appearance on the podcast are funny. There's value in listening to smart people make arguments with which you disagree, obviously.

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    Ben Connelly

    This was a good interview. Franklin makes a good case for positions I disagree with and he is articulate and thoughtful.

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    John.Rogers

    All I’m saying is Frank’s admiration for Silver Alert Joe has clouded his assessment of the POTUS.

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      BillAZ

      Might it just be that covering Biden and gathering more information may have just changed his opinion or is that out of the realm of possibility? Perhaps your assessment of Joe Biden is clouded or is that too out of the realm of possibility?

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        John.Rogers

        By nearly objective measure Biden’s presidency is a failure. Biden is also a decrepit, mean SOB and a liar.

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          BillAZ

          Oh well then, you must be right.

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            John.Rogers

            Sure, it’s easy to dismiss me. I’m not center-right, I’m right-right. Look at the polling, 39% approval with some 60% of Democrats saying they want someone else to run. Biden is hot garbage and Frank should know that.

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    C C Writer

    Yay! Comments are back on podcasts!

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  6. Philip.R.M.Hunt

    I too have been hoping that Biden would have a Sister Souljah moment with the woke left. Hopeful this Israel / Hamas divide better them is it.

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    1. Acre00

      If his pivot to a "humanitarian pause" is any indication, I very strongly doubt it. More likely is that he will continue to move left with the rest of his party just like with every other issue he's had the opportunity to assert himself on.

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      1. Philip.R.M.Hunt

        Hard to say what he is going to do. It is tough political dilemma. About 30% of the Democratic voters appear to be in the woke camp (judging by the max percentage that voted for Berni in the 2020 primary). Biden needs the votes of the 70% of mainstream Democrat voters and the 30% woke and at least half the independents. To get Berni's 2020 endorsement, he negotiated a compromise agenda - they threw away half of Beni's agenda that would have alienated too many independents and watered down the other half until it was where Biden thought it could get through a narrow Democrat majority congress. He did get most of that reduced package through, much to everyone's amazement. Now the woke left is demanding more and threatening not to vote for Biden unless he delivers more of their wish list. However, what is left on the woke wish list would likely alienate too many independent voters, so the smart play is to call their bluff. Are they really going to not vote for Biden and let Trump win? The woke left will suffer far more under a Trump presidency than any other group. But counting on the woke left to be realistic, rational and prudent is not a great bet. If they were any of those things, they would not be woke. I don't see any better play here than calling the woke's bluff.

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      BillAZ

      It would be emotionally satisfying if he picked a fight with the Progressive Left but I’ll take the solid support he’s offered Israel in lieu of that.

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  7. Philip.R.M.Hunt

    Good interview. I went and bought the audio book but have not listened to it yet.

    Re slowing parsing weapons to Ukraine to avoid escalation, I think Joe Biden’s theory is that this is more like boiling frogs than the straw that breaks the camel’s back. If he increases the heat slowly the Putin frog won’t jump out of the pot and go nuclear before it is too late and he is cooked.

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  8. RGS

    I don't get Biden's unpopularity. If I were a Dem or an independent, I'd say "Eh, not bad Joe." Everyone has their own inflation rate, and mine may be low. But all the howling about it is not matched by the stats showing strong consumer spending, filled airplanes, etc. Maybe like me a lot of people just don't like the guy. He's creepy.

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    Markdavis918

    Excellent podcast Jonah. I found it to be very informative. Lordy knows I am no Biden Fan, it was nice to at least hear from one defender of him and his policy's.

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  10. Phillyex1

    This was an enjoyable conversation but Mr Foer is delusional if he thinks Biden’s main problem is an inability to message his great accomplishments.

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