David Plotz, correct yourself you said stupid musk was an engineer and you are 100% wrong!! musk does not have an engineering degree! that’s the point. he didn’t create tesla, a couple of men did all musk did was buy the company. i thought you were smart enough to have read that but i guess not! you lied, retract it.

Podcast has gotten super wimpy about the Trump coup and out of touch because THESE HOSTS ARE RICH. John plays it safe because he's the CBS anchor now. Emily continues to live in a gilded academic tower out of touch but "really trying to relate to normal Americans." And David has never evidenced good popular instincts. Garbage. Folks, you can't understand America if you don't shop at Walmart. I've been saying this to silver spoons for 30 years. Mensans are all over this country Emily. 🇺🇸💙

Look forward to it every week! One of my main sources for understanding what’s going on in politics.

Why is Emily so hung up on learning loss during covid? She sounds like a weirdo living in an ivy league bubble. Yes, preventing death is more important than not learning math for a year! She is as unbearable now as she was in 2020.

“Changing the op-ed section of WashPo isn’t anticipatory compliance” are you serious??? Bezos JUST RANDOMLY decided to make this change? So dumb

What happened to this show? Since the election I feel like the gabfest is stuck in the summer of 2024. The president and DOGE are ripping the wires out of our government and these three are debating if public research universities get too much funding? I don’t need their recommendation for the latest Atlantic article—I need some urgency. I can’t anymore.

I always learn something!

What's with David Leonhart, whose analysis I've admired, saying he "doesn't think" immigrants are a net positive? The data is widely available. Is this because NYT has not honestly covered it? Surprised and disheartened.

Always appreciate the hosts’ insights. I especially appreciate David mentioning the cruelty of zoos at the end of this week’s episode.

Cooperate and normalize the actions of the dementia addled Felon47 seem to now be the order of the day at what used to be a decent political gabfest. Plots disgustingly suggests that Jan 6 investigations were ill advised. Bazelon suggests Biden were unnecessary while admitting she never thought 1500 Jan6ers were pardoned, no matter what they did. Dickerson is still restrained by the notion of access. Vichy politics has taken hold at the Gabfest!

Good Culture brand is so delicious, high in protein, and will change your views of it forever!

If you have only voted for democrats you will like this show, but if you are an independent and less narrow minded. You will find these 3 as simpletons.

Not very varied in regards to political thought. They have an odd habit of asking if they can ask a question during the conversation. A lot of vocal fry coming out of Connecticut most weeks. They also have a case of the ummms. John says Ummmm 50 times a show

I’ve been listening since I was in high school, so 10+ years. I’ve even gone to a live event in Oakland when I was in college. More recently the crew just seems out of touch and boring. I used to love their conversations and the back and forth.

These people are so so so out of touch with reality.

Having listened to this podcast for 15+ years, I’ve witnessed its descent into mediocrity. Years ago, the gabfest was full of lively commentary. But at some point in the last few years, the hosts became scarcely disguised cheerleaders for the Democratic Party. John, in particular, has become a shill, and mainly repeats the Dem talking points of the moment. His prominence at CBS has made a bad situation worse, as he can’t discuss anything that might offend progressive sensibilities. Their coverage of Covid and then the failed Biden and then Harris campaigns was unilluminating and, frankly, boring. The Dispatch and the NR Editors podcasts are far more interesting as they cover multiple dimensions of each key issue. Hope the gabfest trio can rebound—but the only way that will happen is if they do some soul searching.

The conundrum concept was good but it is old and tired and must be stopped. I listen to all your shows and the conundrum shows are my least liked. End the boredom!

Devolved into a grief support group without a therapist

Points to David for including a reference to this week’s parsha. I will add that “how can they do this?” and “but they said the opposite thing last year” don’t seem relevant. What “they” said before means nothing. Whether it makes sense in any sort of logical context means nothing. Those coming to power will clearly do anything, and it’s a disservice to keep clutching pearls about norms while Rome is burning.

David Plotz is insufferable and arrogant

After listening to the latest episode where the panel discussed Luigi Mangiano, I realized just how out of touch and play-by-the-rules they are. I once thought they offered a meaningful liberal perspective, but now they feel like detached spectators—pantomimes watching the world burn without truly engaging. After hearing their spineless commentary in recent years, I no longer have the stomach for it. In a time when information is coming from all directions, they need more than just a summary of today’s events. They need a sharper, more honest understanding of the fire raging outside their gated communities.

Yes, poor people feel this way about CEO’s and health insurance. Didn’t realize y’all were bootlickers.

Been listening for. More than a decade. Now, with john working a high-profile job at a major network David always raising money for a new venture and Emily firmly planted in Connecticut at Yale there is simply too much at stake and they are far too privileged to be worth listening to over some talking heads on CNN or MSNBC. Gaza, Bezos/Wapo oped and Luigi have really put this into focus.

I was a slate plus subscriber but this year has seen a big dip in the quality of this podcast. I canceled by subscription because of it. They don’t talk about the stories they should, David has outlived his stay as host, the segments keep getting shorter and shorter and half the podcast is taken up by cocktail chatter which is the worst part of the show. Update. I can no longer listen to people who defend the US healthcare system and grasp their pearls at people who are sick and tired of the ruling corporations who kill people with impunity and hide behind their job to do it. These are the kind of people who would tell slaves it’s immoral to kill their masters. Good riddance.

Not a great take on a primary conversation topic to hear pundit declare who cares it’s no big deal. Was super excited for the discussion but that just came at a real bad time. It’s fine. I work for a living and it’s time I grew up and started listening to media that concerns me and mine.

With so much concern about how Joe Rogan and his ilk are degrading public discourse, we need to add David Plotz to that vile company. Ostensibly liberal, he will never pass up an opportunity to champion the status quo at the expense of the vulnerable, to excuse corruption and dismiss its victims. His defense of Oklahoma’s Bible mandate is only the most recent addition to a very long list of his illiberal arguments, always predicated on distortions, intentional misinterpretations, and outright bigotry. Shame on you, David Plotz. Shame.

Schumer needs to relinquish his minority leadership role next congress. We can’t have the optics of Schumer against Trump. Get someone younger. Hakeem as House Maj/Min leader is solid. But not another old New Yorker.

Girl, bye.

I like the show, and have listened for a few years. I wonder if Emily is aware that her vocal fry affectation is getting more and more pronounced? It's not too late to turn that habit around!

David’s defense of Bezoes is weak. Pity the multi-billionaire who lost “billions & billions going after Trump & Bezoes ( love to see the proof on that). When you have so much money that it becomes meaningless, how much are you really losing? Plotz does this a lot. He seems to have a soft spot for powerful people.

Nonsense. What happened to you guys? Signed, a former devoted listener

October 10 2024: Can’t give any less stars (due to Plotz). Hey Plotz, if you don’t like mountain climbing, say out of the freaking mountains. December 6. Oh, I can’t wait to not listen to Portland Citycast. I’m certain it’s full of rose-color-glass pov. I can’t imagine any Plotz associated source being worth any time. may as well leave a review here ‘cause I won’t go to the referred to podcast. October 13: oh, my disappointment! Not being a slate member, partly in account of Plotz, I can’t listen to the “how we made this” episode of the, well, bizarre new theme song I don’t get it, and I never will. September 27: well, not such a bad show this time, but discussing the “Space Force” anthem, at least Plotz didn’t get too critical (as much as it may be deserved), but… my god, what an awful theme song the podcast switched to. Who’s behind that choice??? August 8th: Both Plotz and Pesca. Ugh... One star demerit... I've listened for a long time, as much for the entertainment as the discussion. I'm going to contradict the "Emily haters" as I think she's the best on the show. Dickerson is passable, as long as he stays in his lane, I've heard him diverge into areas he doesn't know much about, and state fallacies with certainty (especially when they are in their "chatter" segment. Some were so off, they prompted me to send in emails, but I have never heard a correction. Get facts wrong, and everything else has to be questioned. Plotz, well, I think the word "putz" sums him up. I find myself more annoyed with his contributions the longer I listen.

My review is about Jon’s offputting comments at the beginning of the interview on Thursday, October 10. It’s fine if he doesn’t see himself as an academic, but I really wish he would lay down on the humble man he’s not running for office

I’ve listened weekly since 2007. I even went to their live show in Atlanta in 2022. But I’ve had enough. Without even listening to the latest episode after 17 years I’m unsubscribing from this show. Just from the title. In 2022, when Plotz offhandedly said Herschel Walker was probably going to win Georgia as my friends and I were out knocking on doors for Senator Warnock, it was a blow to morale. Spoiler Alert. Plotz was wrong. I don’t know what has happened to Plotz - true, it’s not his job to be anyone’s cheerleader - but he has turned toward negativity to the point where this show has become unlistenable. And I will no longer be listening. POD Save America is much better

This show has been a typical a typical LibDem center right leaning for the many years I’ve been listening. Decent coverage of the political tic-toc and various hours races, if tepid in their policy prescriptions for “changing” the system, and seeming alarmed when the tired old dem cliches of “get out and vote” fail to stem the rising tide of fascism in the US. But they really have their mask off moments in coverage of Gaza. Emily’s repeatedly dismissing any criticism of Israel as antisemitic. Plenty of “this all started in 10/7” and other repeated falsehoods. Now they’re just another trash outlet peddling State Department and IOF propaganda.

If the title is NC extremism, could’ve at least mentioned Bishop (Bathroom Bill, Life at Conception, *AG candidate*), Morrow (*Public School Superintendent* horrific extremist), + others that may actually win bc all attn is going to Robinson, who will not win.

Loved the book!

Emily Bazelon’s false equivalence between Republicans and Democrats inflaming political violence is absurd. Trump has multiple examples of calling for violence and excusing violence. Neither Biden nor Harris have done this. MAGA menace people at drop boxes, at drag story hours, in Springfield OH with militia weapons. Don’t tell me that we can’t speak the truth about Trump and Project 2025. They do want to dismantle American democracy. They are suppressing votes. They are planning to disenfranchise voters through the GOP lawsuits that purge voters, that disenfranchise disabled voters, that have election “boards” stating they won’t let Trump lose. I had to stop listening to her drivel. Not what you want in a podcast.

I used to love the gabfest and it’s sad to see what it’s become. The Trump years may have broken Plotz and Bazelon as there is nothing they discuss that doesn’t become “but this is somehow good for Trump” They are afraid of their own shadow at this point and it’s a depressing listen. I hope they recover their confidence but sadly I’m unsubscribing as I don’t need a weekly podcast that paints Trump as some monolithic inevitability. Dickerson remains amazing.

As usual represents the clueless Americans

I got the overall sense that this group is discussing a political race from the 1980s or 90s. They each seem to know one aspect of politics really well, but they’re way out of their depth otherwise. They deliver their old-fashioned takes with the naive confidence of a college freshman taking their first Poli-Sci class. It’s off-putting. I may give it a try another time, but the episode I listened to was a waste of time.

I have listened to the Political Gabfest for quite some time. I've enjoyed the show on the whole. As a long-time listener, I am accustomed to the hosts and their biases. David Plotz takes on contrarian stands occasionally. His ridiculous championing of Michael Bloomberg as a credible presidential candidate is a perfect example. A billionaire capitalist with some liberal-leaning social policy positions was the wrong person for the moment. It was mildly humorous watching Bloomberg try to run as a Democrat and easily get destroyed by Elizabeth Warren during a Democratic debate in 2019. The quick collapse of that candidacy afterward couldn't have been more proof of how wrong David was. The tragedy that is Gaza has become a new example of the same problem. The attack on October 7, 2023, was a vicious and brutal assault on innocent Israelis. The senseless death and destruction inflicted on the Palestinian people since that date have been equally vicious and brutal. It has highlighted the apartheid-like system that Palestinians in Israel live under. It should be easier to discuss the topic. Emily made it impossible to take her seriously when she labeled legitimate criticism of Josh Shapiro’s position on Israel as anti-Semitic. His unwavering support of Israel's conduct was a legitimate topic of discussion. We don't have to look any further back than to the Obama and George W. Bush administrations to find examples of Vice Presidents who had a significant influence on policy. What Shapiro thought about Middle Eastern foreign policy was a credible subject for conversation. It could have been done without prejudice becoming a factor. John has attempted to stay above the fray on most difficult subjects. He has wanted to appear as impartial as possible. John has tried to keep a credible distance between his opinions and discussing political policy. If John couldn't, he would simply go silent. Nonetheless, he is a Christian and a moralist. As such, John has been challenged by Donald Trump’s immoral and corrupting force in our politics. This has caused his veil of neutrality to slip from time to time. I don't mind it. We all have biases that cloud our judgment. Let's be honest about them.

Is it just me or how ironic that a podcast that has Ads for ZIP RECRUITER is asking listeners to apply for a specific job instead of using ZIP??? LOve this podcast anyway! Huh? Please tell me why u r doing a show on Jewish Families ( am one) btw!!! When the largest political convention of the 20th century wrapped up last night!!!?????? R U still political gabfest or I’m talking about whatever I want fest??? I’m out!

Hosts, please stop saying “like,” “sort of,” “kind of” with every sentence! Just say your thought without feeling a need to soft-peddle it. Listen to more experienced newscasters for guidance on various delivery issues, to lose a high-pitched (ow!) sing-songy voice, etc.

i wanted to enjoy this show & gave it try again. but c'mon: stop trying to make elections about pollicy happen. the 2024 campaign is about a ticket with two joyous middleclass folks, one gives car tips, one who does a youtube cooking channel so they're BOTH GOOD WITH THEIR HANDS, & both going viral; the other ticket is about two Ivy League weirdo poseurs representing the weirdo GOP clown car. ANYBODY CAN SEE THIS CAMPAIGN THEME WITH THE SOUND OFF. drop the DC cocktail chatter about white papers

Long time listener and I love this show

This guy ties himself into logical knots in order to provide a hot take that will boost Trump. I can’t stand him anymore. He doesn’t believe a word he says because he’s too smart for that but he believes we’re all dumb enough to take his devils advocacy seriously. I really like Emily and John and I used to like David but it’s too much now. Can’t do it anymore. You’re why we’re losing faith in mainstream journalism.

I’ve been a listener for well over ten years, and I just love this show. The hosts have amazing rapport, and every week they cover important political matters. The discussions are thoughtful and thought-provoking. I feel a little bit smarter every time I listen! Plus, they’re clearly having a lot of fun together, and the guests are always great! I could go on …

Wow. I just tried to listen to the 7/25/2024 show and you’d never know the excitement in the air from these three whiners. I stopped listening a couple years ago because I’m sick of David Plotz’ obnoxious “devil’s advocate” self pleasure, but I thought they might have a fun take on Biden passing the torch. NOPE. Low energy whining and boring, dry commentary. Talk about a buzzkill. Maybe I’ll try again in a few years.

Whoever decided to remove the bonus content for Slate Plus subscribers from the main program episode and create a separate shorty “BONUS” episode should be fired. I already subscribe to the Slate Plus feed for specific shows. I shouldn’t have to select 2 separate episodes to get the same content I used to get in one Slate Plus episode. This new format is definitely a inexplicable step backwards. Do you really think your paying Slate Plus subscribers are stupid enough to believe they’re now getting more paywalled content with this repackaging? Please go back to the old episode format and quit junking up my feed!