The Ed Morrissey Show

Just how well did Blake Masters do in his debate against Mark Kelly in the AZ Senate race? Duane Patterson brings the clips and we analyze the status of the race. We also discuss Mary Katharine Ham's revelation of her secret suspension at CNN ordered by Jeff Zucker, and discuss the new jobs report and the war in Ukraine. I also speak with Janine Marrone about her organization Support After Abortion and a new study's findings on the damage abortion does.

Will Andrew Malcolm retain his title as Prince of Twitter? Elon Musk has agreed to stick to his original deal to acquire Twitter, and Andrew and I discuss the potential impacts. We also talk about the almost-certain futility of Donald Trump's defamation suit against CNN, and then discuss the new media talking points emerging from the White House on gas prices. Plus, we compare Subaru experiences and chat a bit about Musk's diplomacy flop.

Duane Patterson and I dissect the top stories this morning, including Kamala Harris' latest embarrassment on the DMZ. We delve into Vladimir Putin's annexation plans and how little connection they have to reality in Ukraine, or in Russia. In another other foreign policy crisis, Joe Biden has been absent as Iranians revolt against Ali Khamenei's mullahcracy ... but Khamenei has been absent as well. Where is he and what does his absence portend? Plus we look at breaking economic data which shows that inflationary erosion of buying power is worse than first reported -- much worse.

Will the first lawsuit against Biden's student-loan debt forgiveness giveaway succeed in stopping it? Michael Poon, one of Pacific Legal Foundation's attorneys working on the case, spoke to me about Frank Garrison's lawsuit and its prospects. Not only does Poon believe that Garrison has established enough standing to fight the case in court, Poon also believes that he has a good chance to win. And Garrison may not be alone as a plaintiff for long, either. Plus, I review the top stories of the day. What happened to the Nord Stream pipelines? Why doesn't Don Lemon listen to his own interview guests? And also, why I think Mitch McConnell made the smart political and constitutional move on the new, bipartisan, and "modest" Electoral Count Act reform.

Are American media outlets ignorant about European politics, or just hoping to keep us that way? Andrew Malcolm and I discuss the shrieking coverage of the Italian elections, and we also take note of the coverage of our own. Why aren't more pollsters using likely voter models by now? Why did the WaPo avoid reporting LV results in their own poll? Andrew also talks about his Two Bidens VIP column, and we do plenty of fun cutting up as well. Plus, I review the morning's top stories, including the prospects of a legal block against Joe Biden's Academia bailout.

For nearly sixty years, environmentalists have shrieked warnings about overpopulation and Peak Everything. What will happen if population falls significantly, however? Marian Tupy warns of an economic and political collapse in a new book, Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet. Human innovation holds much greater potential than projected resource limitations and alleged scarcity. Plus, I review the top stories of the day. What does the new poll from the Washington Post and ABC tell us about the midterms -- and about other polls? In Russia, their war effort has grown so desperate that Putin and his cronies are trying to sell martyrdom. Finally, don't believe everything you read in the media about Georgia Meloni's victory in the Italian elections.

Ready for the weekend? Harry Crocker gives us another literary change of pace in his new Regnery book Armstrong and the Mexican Mystery, a re-imagining of George Armstrong Custer into an adventurer and detective. Harry and I discuss the need to use fiction to teach greater truths, and the value of sheer entertainment in a 60-second-news-cycle world. I also cover the top stories today, including Stacey Abrams' conspiracy theory about ultrasound machines, Joe Biden's lies about the Catholic Church and abortion, and the apparently sudden end to the Matt Gaetz probe at the DoJ.

Will Duane Patterson achieve the vaunted -- and mythicall -- status of "senior VIP columnist"? We debate that, but there's no debating the usefulness of the 2024 primary program he's building for VIP members. We discuss that series, as well as the latest from Axios on Google data showing waning interest in abortion but an explosive increase in searches on the border crisis. What could possibly have caused that? Plus, we take a look at Vladimir Putin's mobilization, the fantasy thinking behind it, and the backfire it's causing among heretofore compliant Russians.

Salena Zito returns! The Middle of Somewhere report covers the Fetterman-Oz race, and I try to get her to comment on the Steelers. We have lots of fun, and I also cover the top stories of the morning.

Had enough of all things royal? Andrew Malcolm has, although not so much as to ignore Joe Biden's embarrassing faux pas at the queen's funeral. We focus more on the embarrassing interview on 60 Minutes, which should shame both sides of that show. Scott Pelley tossed softballs, including "Republicans pounce" approach to Hunter's legal problems ... and Biden didn't even manage to make contact on those. Plus, a look at this morning's top stories!

Joe Biden finally did a one-on-one interview -- and got the softball treatment from Scott Pelley. Nevertheless, Biden managed to lie about inflation, declare an end to the same pandemic that he's using to justify his Academia bailout, and once again blow up strategic ambiguity over Taiwan. Biden seems a lot more interested in strategic ambiguity when it comes to the Federal Election Commission, however.

What happened to Daisy Buchanan after the events of The Great Gatsby? F. Scott Fitzgerald never wrote more about this central character, but my friend Libby Sternberg has in her new novel Daisy. We discuss Fitzgerald's brilliance, why Sternberg wanted to write about this seminal character, and even debate about The Great American Novel -- a bit, anyway. Plus, I review the developments in the Russo-Ukraine war, Vladimir Putin's humiliation in India and Germany, and the prospects for a negotiated end to the war. I do a quick review of Donald Trump's tactical victory in court over the Mar-a-Lago raid, and the sheer avalanche of hypocrisy in Martha's Vineyard.

Duane Patterson and I heave a sigh of relief over the railroad deal that averted a catastrophic strike -- at least so far. However, the economic realities have not changed for the rest of us, and may not even for the rail workers who have to ratify the deal. We wonder what Chris Licht is doing by making Don Lemon the morning-show anchor, and we have competing theories about it. We have the same opinion about Lindsey Graham's strategy on abortion, though. Plus, a new development on the FBI and Russian "collusion" emerged as we spoke!

How did the White House use a ballad about suicide and loss as an anthem for celebration? Joe Biden's victory lap turned into a humiliation, and inflation is as bad as ever. Plus, I discuss the latest developments in John Durham's probe and more about today's top stories. David Limbaugh then joins me to discuss his new book The Resurrected Jesus, the depth of Paul's epistles, and the joy of working with his daughter on his latest project – and how much he misses his brother Rush.

What comes next for the Brits? Andrew Malcolm and I discuss the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and whether King Charles III can keep the institution afloat. We also discuss the media's distraction campaign in the midterms, which is also the topic of my Townhall commentary this week. In my opening monologue, I also address today's inflation report, the unbelievably incompetent White House decision to schedule a "celebration" today, and more!

Do the families of the victims of 9/11 want closure -- or justice? In today's podcast editorial, I warn that the dangers of plea deals with the masterminds of 9/11 outweigh any supposed benefits of "closure" and argue that we need to return to regular military tribunals rather than try these in quasi-civil court proceedings. Also, I look at the amazing turn of events in Ukraine over the weekend and what it may mean in Russia for Putin.

Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik has worked tirelessly to help Americans and allies escape from Afghanistan after the debacle of our retreat. A year later, nothing has changed -- not even accountability for the disgrace of abandoning both groups in our hasty exit. We also talk about recent developments in Ukraine, and how John is working to raise awareness of the plight of Ukrainians and work to get them the support they need.

The world held its breath this morning as the family of Queen Elizabeth II gathered at Balmoral. Duane Patterson and I discuss what a monumental figure the monarch has been for seven decades and wonder what will follow her -- if she doesn't recover. On the home front, a new set of data from the Washington Post puts a stake through the argument that abortion has changed the turnout model in the midterms. Plus: Do Republicans really have a shot at Senate control in this cycle?

What can we assume from the leaks reported by the Washington Post about the documents found at Mar-a-Lago? Based on the history of such leaks, not a lot, I argue in today's news in review. Mark Meckler of ConventionofStates.com joins me to rebut the NYT's freak-out over an Article V convention -- and to discuss Russ Feingold's more honest opposition to it. Mark also has new polling on how voters feel about Joe Biden's "soulless screed" last week. Join us!

What is missing from politics these days? Listening, says Andrew Malcolm, and you'll want to listen to all of what he has to say. It's why we're throwing political tantrums instead of getting tasks accomplished, and why we need to find people who can turn it around. Plus we discuss some of the new changes at Hot Air, including a big surprise coming later this week.

Joe Biden's "wartime address" was Biden at his worst -- at least so far. Remarkably hypocritical even for Biden, it nevertheless demonstrates what the *real* affliction America faces is: authoritarianism, and Biden's as bad as any of his predecessors. I also talk with TUSC Network's Rob McNealy about all the basics of crypto, why consumers should embrace it, and why they need to educate themselves first. Plus, I briefly review today's jobs report, and say goodbye to a good friend.

Can John Fetterman make it to Election Day? His inability to get through a softball question from MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle raises serious questions about the Dem hopeful for US Senate and his ability to serve. Plus, Duane Patterson and I discuss the new 4th-grade test score plunge that demonstrates the deep and lasting damage of school closures in the pandemic.

Today's look at our top stories includes a deconstruction of Joe Biden's midterm pitch in Wilkes-Barre, PA, yesterday. Which dogs *didn't* bark in Biden's harangue? Hint: James Carville should be having an allergic reaction today. Plus, Glenn Youngkin's fight against the Californication of Virginia reminds us why he's still ascending in the Old Dominion -- and what that might mean for 2024.

Does it make sense for the US to invest in Ukraine's resistance to the invading Russians? Andrew Malcolm argues yes, but both of us question the federal government's "investment" in student loans. Joe Biden's bailout of Academia hides a failed system that would be prosecuted in any other context. But is Biden's plan just a PR dodge facing certain death in federal court?

Just how desperate are Democrats to shift blame for the consequences of their policies? Senator Elizabeth Warren argued that we have a "strong economy" and prefers the high prices of inflation to Jerome Powell's actions to combat it. CNN gives a surprising if incomplete takedown of Joe Biden's bailout of Academia, and I discuss Ben Shapiro's diagnosis for what ails the GOP of late.