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Dinner Table Politics
by Bonneville International
The Bennett family has been at the heart of Utah politics for over half a century. So what happens when they talk about the issues of the day around the dinner table? Join Jim, the dad, and Abby, the daughter for a free- wheeling political discussion with an intergenerational perspective. College student Abby is a political independent, while her father Jim is a former Republican who became the first candidate of the new United Utah Party in 2017, running for Congress and garnering over 14,000 votes. Jim's father, Bob Bennett, served as a GOP senator from Utah for eighteen years after being unceremoniously ousted by the Tea Party. Bob was well-respected and, toward the end of his life, co-created the Utah Debate Commission, facilitating public discourse between leading candidates. Jim was the first non-Republican/non-Democrat to participate in a UDC debate. Abby may well be the next.
Episodes
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Human Scum
Donald Trump called all Never Trump Republicans "human scum" this week, and Jim and Eliza note how all the people who affiliate with Trump end up getting closer to that description themselves. From Rudy Giuliani to congressional Republicans, anyone who gets close to this president is sullied by…
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Advice for Republicans
Mick Mulvaney, Donald Trump's Chief of Staff, admits to a quid pro quo! Donald Trump doubles down on impeachable offenses by violating the emoluments clause and holding the G-7 at his own hotel! More and more Republicans, including Gov. John Kasich and Rep. Francis Rooney of Florida, are saying...
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Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!
Dinner Table Politics returns! Impeachment takes center stage as Jim and Eliza discuss President Trump's fate, which Jim points out has a greater-than-zero percent chance of resulting in removal from office. Will Mitt Romney save the nation and unwittingly fulfill a dubious prophecy? Are there...
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Generation Z
Sam Bennett, age 18, joins Dinner Table Politics for the first time, despite the fact that he hates politics. (His friend Chandler Glauser whispers the right answers in his ear.) Where does Sam stand on issues like gender equality, international relations, and whether America is the greatest...
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Patriotism
President Trump's 4th of July speech talking about the liberation of 18th Century airports serves as the catalyst for Abby and Jim's discussion about patriotism. The rising generation is less interested in visiting old patriotic landmarks like Colonial Williamsburg and the National Air and Space...
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Concentration Camps, Godwin's Law, and Winning Debates
Abby and Jim begin by discussing the horrific treatment of children detained on the Southern border, which both agree will be a defining moment in American history for generations to come, and not in a good way. Jim then introduces Abby to the concept of Godwin's Law, the Internet standard for...
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Wag the Dog
Are we heading to war with Iran? As the Trump administration tries to figure out a commensurate response to the downing of an American spy drone, Abby and Jim review the possibility of what a war would look like, and why it would likely be more disastrous than the invasion of Iraq. Jim introduces...
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Debt!
Debt! Everyone's favorite thing. How much is too much - for a future medical student like Abby or for the country at large? As the Trump administration continues to run up the red ink and the deficit looks to approach the $1 trillion mark for the first time since the 2008 financial meltdown, Jim...
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Every Single Candidate
Since Donald Trump seems to be stealing his European itinerary from the Bennett trip to Europe last summer, Abby and Jim rate his performance (high marks for D-Day tribute; low marks for bate outfit with the Queen) and review what every single candidate running for president is doing. Turns out...
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Impeach!
Has Jim changed his mind about the wisdom of impeaching Donald Trump? Abby and Jim review the political ramifications of impeachment in the wake of Robert Mueller's pointed non-exoneration. Professor Allan Lichtman of American University says Trump will be reelected unless the Democrats impeach.…
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Stimulating Politics
Remember when Republicans were opposed to spending $1 to $2 trillion on prom barrel politics? Jim does, but Abby doesn't. President Trump's refusal to work with Democrats on an infrastructure bill reminds Jim of his father Bob Bennett's TARP vote (for) and stimulus package vote (against). The...
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Alabama and Abortion
The slate of new restrictive abortion laws creates an uncomfortable conversation around the dinner table, with Abby wanting - and trying - to talk about anything else, including the Beatles, Twilight, and seahorses. Jim predicts it will likely get worse before it gets better, seeing the Alabama…
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Of Trump, Taxes, and Facebook Bans
The New York Times gets its hands on Trump's taxes, and it isn't pretty. Abby and Jim break it all down and discuss what's appropriate to share on social media, especially in light of the social media giant's decision to ban Alex Jones and Linda Loomer. Is social media a public accommodation like…
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Who's Christian Enough to be President?
Jim and Abby discuss Nancy French's article in the Washington Post titled "Romney was never Christian enough for some Republicans. Somehow, Trump is." Jim recalls the 2012 presidential campaign, in which Mitt Romney's personal faith went largely undiscussed, and how his cousin Grant Bennett spoke...
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Jamie Weighs In
Jim is joined by his youngest son Jamie Bennett, aged 13, who really wants to talk about sports more than politics. Nevertheless, Jamie offers insight into whether or not Donald Trump should be impeached, which four Republican senators would be most likely to vote for impeachment, and Jamie...
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Burning Down the House
This episode was recorded the day Notre Dame caught fire, and Jim and Abby recall their visit the previous summer and the iconic role that landmark building has played in world history. They also discuss Julian Assange, and the role Wikileaks played in burning down the Hillary Clinton campaign…
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Presidential Campaign Primer
What does it take to run for president? Abby and Jim review the history of the campaign for the Oval Office, beginning with George Washington's (non) campaigns, Abraham Lincoln's debates with Stephen Douglas, and the history of campaigns that Jim and Abby can remember personally. (Jim remembers...
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Not So Funny
Abby and Jim review things that have happened in the past week that aren't funny - notably Utah Senator Mike Lee's stand-up comedy routine on the Senate floor that featured tauntauns and Aquaman. Would he have been as condescending if Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had been a middle-aged man? Jim also...
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Dinner Table Politics: COMPLETE EXONERATION Edition
COMPLETE EXONERATION! That's what Donald Trump is saying about Robert Mueller's nothingburger of a report. Abby and Jim break it down and figure out what we got out of those two years and $30 million that produced this, and whether there are time bombs in it we just don't know about yet. (Spoiler...
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Eliza's Legislative Report
Eliza returns to Dinner Table Politics to discuss her experience as an intern for Senate President Stuart Adams in Utah's latest legislative session. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at Medicaid expansion, the failed conversion therapy and tax overhaul bills, criminal justice reform, and...
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Legislative Disappointments: Conversion Therapy
Another session of the Utah State Legislature is almost complete. Lawmakers did a number of disappointing things this session, including changing ballot initiatives and fumbling an ill-conceived tax overhaul. But perhaps the most disappointing thing that happened was the derailing of a ban on...
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Michael Cohen
Abby and Jim finally talk about what everyone's talking about - and no, it's not Khloe Kardashian and some guy named Tristan that Jim's never heard of. It's the Michael Cohen testimony! Will it bring down Trump? (No.) Jim applies lessons from Wonder Woman's husband and stock price analogies to...
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What's Up at the Legislature?
The Utah State Legislature is almost done with its legislative session! Abby and Jim review some interesting developments happening local, such as a bill to get rid of straight party voting, changes to voter initiatives, and how delegates elect candidates. (Bernie Sanders comes up at the end.)…
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Emergency!
Abby and Jim break down President Trump's national emergency declaration and recount the history of previous presidential action going back to the National Emergencies Act signed by Gerald Ford back in 1976. Is Trump misusing his power? How expensive is the wall? What did the late Sen. Bob…
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The Green New Deal
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal has been endorsed by several presidential hopefuls, but is it a good idea? Abby agrees in principle, but Jim worries that it's too expensive and accomplishes nothing. Abby and Jim then recount the mess surrounding the GND rollout, with AOC previously...
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State of the Union
Donald Trump's big speech! How did he do? Abby and Jim break it down, including all the shout-outs to Buzz Aldrin and other celebrities in the audience as Abby assures us that the moon actually exists. Where did Trump succeed? (In highlighting abortion extremism.) Where did he fall flat? (In...
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Third Party
Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, is teasing a possible independent candidacy for president. How well have third-party presidential candidates done in the past? (Abraham Lincoln did pretty well.) Jim tells Abby stories of H. Ross Perot, and how Abby's grandfather made a $10,000 bet with him in a...
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Martin Luther King
Recorded on Martin Luther King Day, this episode of Dinner Table politics recounts MLK's time as a Trekkie, and how the civil rights leader persuaded Nichelle Nichols to keep playing Lt. Uhura. (The geeky nature of this story does not make Abby very happy.) Jim and Abby also discuss the fallout...
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Dinosaur Politics
Did the dinosaurs have politics? That's just one of the insightful questions Abby asks as Jim and Abby discuss the fallout from what is now the longest government shutdown in history. Who can save us from this national nightmare? Probably not Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who seems to think that…
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Why Are You Running?
Why are you running for office? It's a question every politician is asked, and very few have a good answer. Abby thinks there's only two reasons: money and power. Jim recalls Mitt Romney's answer when he ran for Governor of Massachusetts in 2002, and he breaks down Elizabeth Warren's most recent...
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2019
Abby and Jim make predictions for 2019, but neither predicted that Mitt Romney would come out swinging against Donald Trump in a scathing op-ed in the Washington Post. Jim predicts that there are rough times ahead and laments that our president, supposedly a great businessman, doesn't have the...
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The End of the Year
In preparation for the New Year, Abby and Jim clean up after 2018. From the lowlights - Donald Trump shutting down the government over the wall Mexico won't pay for to his conversation with a 7-year-old' "marginal" belief in Santa Claus - to the highlights, notably the president's surprise visit…
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The Politics of Christmas
Abby is buried in finals, so her cousin Steven Prawitt joins Jim to discuss the Republican gamesmanship that's putting the country on the brink of another government shutdown. Jim tells his nephew how that didn't work out well for Newt Gingrich and the Republicans in '94, or for Ted Cruz and Mike...
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The Mueller Investigation
Abby and Jim discuss Donald Trump's deepening legal woes as Robert Mueller's long-running investigation draws closer to a conclusion. How much trouble is Trump really in? Can a sitting president be indicted? Can he pardon himself? And why is every federal building in West Virginia named after...
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George H.W. Bush
Abby and Jim discuss the passing of George H.W. Bush, which calls to mind Abby's policy disagreements with our 41st president, as well as the misunderstood history of the broken "No New Taxes" pledge and the mislabeling of the World War II hero as a "wimp." Jim takes the occasion to recall the...
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The Final Frontier
Space: The Final Frontier! Abby only lets Jim say that once, although a second mention sneaks in near the end of the podcast. This was recorded minutes after NASA's InSight spacecraft landed on the surface of Mars, and Abby and Jim discuss the significance of that accomplishment, as well as the...
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Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from Dinner Table Politics! Abby and Jim discuss the history of Thanksgiving in America, notably the first pardoned turkey inspired by Abraham Lincoln's youngest and "dumpiest" son. (We didn't make that up.) We also explore the fate of 21st Century turkeys that don't live long...
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Voting Trends
The votes are (mostly) all in, and Abby and Jim discuss the trends going forward. What are the demographic characteristics that best determine how someone will vote? (Hint: Its not Zodiac signs, as Abby incorrectly guessed.) Why did only 1/2 of millennials show up to the polls? Which is worse -...
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Election Night Special
Abby and Jim, live from the United Utah Party Election Night Headquarters! The Democrats win the House; the Republicans keep the Senate. What does this mean for the country? Also, Utah sends a Democrat to DC, Mitt Romney wins but doesn't dominate, and the Beehive State approves medical marijuana....
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Pittsburgh's Pre-Midterm Poison
Abby and Jim discuss the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and the MAGA bomber and why entrenched racism and partisan hatred show no signs of going away. What will this mean for the upcoming midterm elections? What does "Braceros" mean in Spanish? And what does Apu from The Simpsons have anything to…
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Political Ghost Stories
For a special Halloween podcast, Abby and Eliza take over Dinner Table Politics and tell ghost stories from the White House. Did the spirit of Abigail Adams truly return to the mortal world to hang laundry from a clothesline? Did Harry Truman really get ding-dong-ditched by the ghost of Andrew...
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Surprise!
The Democrats are poised to ride the "Blue Wave" to retake Congress, but is there a 2016-style upset in the making? Abby and Jim discuss the biggest political surprises in history, notably the hanging chads of Bush v. Gore, and how that relates to one of Abby's favorite episodes of "How I Met…
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Utah's Ballot Propositions
Turning back to Tip O'Neill's adage that "All politics is local," Abby and Jim break down Utah's four ballot initiatives, which focus on school funding, medical marijuana, Medicaid expansion, and an independent redistricting commission to draw legislative boundaries. Which ones does Abby endorse...
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Surviving the Kavanaugh Mess
Both Abby and Jim wish they could talk about anything but the Brett Kavanaugh nomination mess, but the intricacies of Jim's Facebook newsfeed come under scrutiny anyway. How do we navigate our way out of this? What reforms could make future confirmations less of a nuclear war? Abby also names all...
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Natural Disasters Edition
How do natural disasters define a presidency? (And what if the presidency IS a natural disaster?) From Andrew to Katrina to Sandy to Maria to Florence, Abby and Jim discuss how hurricanes and other disasters can make or break the man in the Oval Office - or both, in the case of George W. Bush…
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Scandal! Scandal! Scandal!
The accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh prompt Abby and Jim's discussion about scandals past and present, including Clarence Thomas, Bill Clinton, and presidents stretching all the way back to George Washington. Kennedy, Eisenhower, Roosevelt, Jefferson - even Washington...
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Who Wrote It?
Who was the "Senior Trump Official" that write the anonymous Op-Ed in last week's New York Times? Abby and Jim review the list of suspects, including Jon Huntsman, Jr., Larry Kudlow, Mike Pence, Kellyanne Conway, and Melania Trump. (It probably wasn't Melania Trump.) Also, are we living in a...
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Save the Polar Bears
Abby and Jim discuss Climate Change and what's to be done about it. Did Obama do enough? Should Trump do more? How did the problem start? What's to be done about it? And will any of the measures designed to fix it do any good? Bjorn Lomborg and James Hansen get their say, and the Paris Climate...
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Church and State Edition
Abby and Jim discuss the passing of John McCain, an American hero, and then discuss the separation of church and state. What does the Constitution have to say about religion? Is Utah's Proposition 2 a political issue or a moral one? And should Scientology become the state religion of Rhode…
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Eliza Returns: The Final Segment
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Bennett family has been at the heart of Utah politics for over half a century. So what happens when they talk about the issues of the day around the dinner table? Join Jim, the dad, and Abby, the daughter for a free- wheeling political discussion with an intergenerational perspective. College student Abby is a political independent, while her father Jim is a former Republican who became the first candidate of the new United Utah Party in 2017, running for Congress and garnering over 14,000 votes. Jim's father, Bob Bennett, served as a GOP senator from Utah for eighteen years after being unceremoniously ousted by the Tea Party. Bob was well-respected and, toward the end of his life, co-created the Utah Debate Commission, facilitating public discourse between leading candidates. Jim was the first non-Republican/non-Democrat to participate in a UDC debate. Abby may well be the next.
HOSTED BY
Bonneville International
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dinner Table Politics have?
Dinner Table Politics currently has 68 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dinner Table Politics about?
The Bennett family has been at the heart of Utah politics for over half a century. So what happens when they talk about the issues of the day around the dinner table? Join Jim, the dad, and Abby, the daughter for a free- wheeling political discussion with an intergenerational perspective. College...
How often does Dinner Table Politics release new episodes?
Dinner Table Politics has 68 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Dinner Table Politics?
You can listen to Dinner Table Politics on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dinner Table Politics?
Dinner Table Politics is created and hosted by Bonneville International.
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