Political Gabfest is my favorite political podcast because it's pretty much the only one I've regularly consumed that doesn't either whip me into a rage or sink me into existential despair. No, I don't always agree with the hosts, and they can be tone-deaf when it comes to class and money. But I like their varied temperaments and areas of expertise, I always enjoy the guests, and I can catch up on stories I missed without suffocating on outrage or snark or cynicism, or feeling like I'm being manipulated. Besides politics, there's often a gratifying bit of frivolity or wonder or joy, or just an apt turn of phrase that really hits the spot. I look forward to it each week.

Interesting and fun

Congratulations on listening to a Palestinian voice only six months after the genocide began.

Your assertion that the “date doesn’t show” that teachers were at elevated risk quickly ignores the fact that teachers are older than students, and many have medical conditions that would have placed them at higher risk. Many live with adults with health conditions that would be at risk if teachers brought home COVID. Young students with healthy immune systems skew the data to make it seem like the fears were overblown. Instead of just saying that teachers failed and need to “own it” please express the limitations of your own limited analysis. As a teacher I can say from my first hand and ongoing experience that you have no idea what happened. I feel you owe and apology and a correction.

So disappointed and sad to hear that the Gabfest kept the intro “ you are hearing a lot of screaming voices about genocide” as your plug for Unraveling Israeli History. Why diminish resistance to US military aid like that? Perhaps we are trying to yell loudly because US media centers Israel and let’s no quiet voices of protest be heard. All the Atlantic articles you cite and discuss, for example, center Israel. Why not listen to lots of voices? Then you wouldn’t need to shame me into silence with your scathing gloss.

I tell everyone I know to listen to this pod. I love the chemistry between David, Emily and John. I learn so much every week…from each of them but particularly from Emily because I know nothing about the justice system. Thursdays are the highlight of my week. HIGHLY recommend.

The hosts have comprehensive knowledge about politics in the U.S. are good explainers.

Wait for it to drop every Thursday

I have to comment on your latest discussion on engagements. I was appalled at how conventional, and dare I say sexist, Emily B was. As a 68 yr old female physician married for 40 years, I can’t imagine my husband “proposing.” We are equals. It was a discussion. And we’ve had a lifetime of special memories without relying on a patriarchal proposal. On the other hand, my daughter-in-law proposed to my son. It was a surprise, but not a performance. Emily needs to get with modern times. And it’s pretty bad you have to be told that by a 68 yr old.

Offers not much insights beyond commentaries on whatever has been circulated in the mass media. Even the occasional quibbles fall within the narrow framework of the consensus.

I have been listening every week for years

I’ve listened to this podcast for around 7 years. I used to find the analysis interesting and relied on it heavily as the pandemic unfolded. Now I see that these three (Emily by far the least, but still) are all much closer to the center than I realized. They’re elitist and out of touch. Their coverage of Gaza and Israel has left me confused about their moral compasses.

OMG Hard to imagine how the other two hosts refrain from repeatedly running headlong into a brick wall after a brief time with Plotz and his baseless fantasies.

I’m done with mainstream pundits who seem to have almost no knowledge of what’s really going on with the right wing. I hear almost nothing on this show about most of the conspiracies, the religious extremism and the powerful think tanks who are not the fringe but are rather directing the GOP and the trump campaign. Stop ignoring what is vile, stupid and terrifying just to be “balanced.”

Longtime listener, I have always enjoyed the podcast. No issues with John or Emily but David Plots has become elitist, spoiled and kind of whiney. Democracy is at stake and he’s not bringing anything necessary, interesting or of value to the show. Sorry.

Started listening in the summer of 2016 and haven’t missed an episode! Three brilliant minds. I am constantly in awe of listening to David describe the things he takes interest in—makes me interested too!

Two years ago I, too, used to enjoy listening to the conversation here by the 3 hosts. But in the last year, I have found better podcasts by more authoritative voices when it comes to constitutional law and even politics. David Plotz seems out of his depth here. Emily Bazalon does not have the same chops to discuss constitutional law that others have. John Dickerson has the best /most interesting perspective on issues and the one I enjoy listening to.

When David Leonheart said that Americans care about who attends elite universities, I almost dropped my phone. Eat the rich, right? Every conversation on this show about the university system somehow starts with the premise that the continuation or protection of the Ivy system is paramount to the continuation or protection of America. It’s the shocking idea that because so many politicos or CEOs or judges come from that system that it must mean something good is happening. There is never a real conversation about how that system perpetuates the class distinctions in this country or how all of those powerful people coming from a handful of institutions might be bad for us. And the idea that sometimes they’ll let in a poor Black kid is the disguise of diversity and only seeks to hide the truth: the Ivy system is foundational to upholding Americas class system that depends on a mass of poor to maintain the wealthy few. David Leonheart is wrong; Americans don’t care who goes to Harvard. Americans are poor, overworked, tired, and would rather use Harvard for kindling to warm themselves through this long, cold winter. Can these very bright people get off twitter, stop naval gazing and see the privileged bubble they inhabit? Doubtful.

I’ve loved this for years but recently have been disappointed and bored by the episodes. They are repetitive (polls are unreliable!) and they seem so worried about offending campus Progressive types that they never really explore topics. I hope that they become more courageous and varied in their opinions again.

It’s been a few years since I stumbled on to the PG; but now I feel like one of the listener family. (Note that for quite a while—till I finally researched beyond the audio feed—John Dickerson was the only voice I could put a face to; but now—like family members chatting round the kitchen table—I see/hear you all!) In any case, I too applaud you for your chemistry, your impressive intellects, your ability to communicate, your collective Wit (& the more ascerbic, the better), plus some interesting guests & road trip shows. I’m also a fan of Cocktail Chatter & am a Slate Plus member. As someone who—as a constant companion for a disabled spouse—must stay close to home for most of my daily hours, I really look forward to my weekly Gabfest fix. THX & Keep gabbing! —Frank H., Petoskey, Michigan

Idk i find it listenable most of the time but sometimes it’s hard for the host to hide the fact their not liberal and just institutionalists and sometimes it comes off as just ignorant white voices.

I’ve listened weekly since 2007. I agree with some of the recent comments about David’s descent into madness but as a legacy listener I plod on with Plotz. But one thing I’ve never enjoyed is the Conundrum Show. Please kill it.

I found the guest pretty unlistenable. Just not my taste. Very disappointed for this year’s show but looking forward to 2024!

the hosts have no moral backbone. i’ve been incredibly disappointed with their representation of the palestinian genoicide. i’ve been a nearly decade long listened of the podcast but can’t listen in good conscious anymore.

The hosts have excellent chemistry and I truly look forward to seeing this in my feed :) they are just great, funny and also informative. I appreciate the lawyerly political perspective coupled with a more moderate devil’s advocate view from David.

I am a long time listener, and have been listening since 2010. However, the two episodes involving the genocide on Gaza by the Israeli government was lacking analysis and context. David and Emily failed to acknowledge the Israeli government’s absolutely atrocious actions over 75 years towards Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. There was absolutely no acknowledgement that Israel is occupying Palestine, and has created Hamas through its war crimes and torture on the Palestinian people. They parroted the Israeli government rationale that they are trying to “rid Gaza of Hamas” when statement after statement and video after video and image after image show that the Israeli government just wants to get rid of Palestinians and to take over Gaza and the West Bank. The most biased discussion and flippant disregard of Palestinian people I have heard from supposed liberals. Emily even said that people need to humble themselves (ie Palestinian supporters), and that this conflict is complicated (it’s not complicated. Killing 11,000 Palestinians for land is wrong). It sickens me. Just proves that this podcast is yet again made up of people who benefit from and encourage colonialism, and oppression of others.

Please state all of Biden’s successes rather than his age! The economy, technology jobs, climate jobs, environmental changes, supports union…there, I helped you out.

I’ve listened to Gabfest for six years. I have recommended it to many people, and enjoyed many episodes. However, I am exceptionally disappointed in the initial complete lack of discussion about Israel – Palestine. And now I am extremely disappointed in how they have finally addressed it. It is not complicated. I do not think anybody, including David Plotz, should be advocating that we just look away from this and stop talking about it. I understand that being Jewish and feeling an identity alignment with the concept of Israel might present some additional considerations, but what is happening is NOT complicated, and a political podcast should not be saying otherwise, especially without giving literally any context at all. I’m sad to unsubscribe, but I cannot, in good conscience, continue to support Israeli apologists who think that what Israel is doing is acceptable and who literally did not even mention the thousands and thousands of dead and injured Palestinians. Shame on you, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson. I expected more.

It’s really gross how open David is in his admiration of corrupt politicians. He has mentioned this in various ways for years. I suspect it’s because, like inflation, he is wholly unaffected by it. It’s merely something juicy to talk about.

Look forward to listening to David, Emily and John every week.

their dynamic. Always a great listen.

I’ve been listening to the Gabfest for as long as I remember. I’m so sad to let it go, but I can’t listen anymore. Every show is just pablum. No one says anything insightful - it’s so, so predictable and boring. Their latest episode on Israel was downright unlistenable. There was almost no compassion shown for the 1,300+ people who were slaughtered in their homes, just hand-wringing nothingness.

Because I can’t listen to another sneering journalist lecture listeners about how crime was worse in the 90s and therefore there ought to be zero concerns about crime now. It is so so clueless

There’s an incredible moment in the October 5th, 2023 episode of this show where David Plotz reveals over the course of ten minutes that: 1. He is very concerned about crime (said explicitly) 2. He lives in a rich neighborhood of dc where there is almost no crime (said explicitly) 3. His girlfriend is very concerned about videos of designer dogs being stolen (said explicitly) 4. He has never read or has failed to internalize any prison abolitionist literature (this you have to infer) A few minutes later John Dickerson helpfully reminds us that “cops are important” and that “they take care of us,” and you know exactly who “us” is.

I'm a long time listener and I love this show but I frequently have to turn it off because David plotz can't breathe, lower his voice, and stop talking over his colleagues. It's painful to listen to.

Girl, bye.

Otherwise very good.

The last episode was 6 minutes of ads, zero minutes of content

First he was an environmental lawyer for a long time before he addressed vaccines. On Covid I’ve a strict AMA GP he’s stated MRNA s don’t stop spread yet Biden to Maedow have said they do with no correct . The real Anthony Fauci references mainstream MD PHD s were have they been debunked. On the Ukraine war even Chomsky has stated the US has been provoking Russia have any of the MSM experts debate him with assistance from col McGreggor fmr CIA analyst Ray McGovern .

Who wants to militarize the police because he’s scared to ride the metro, which is 100x safer than driving

You people are quite stupid. He is the only one who can possibly save us. Why can’t you just let him work. He dose not lie.

:(

And a cite to Emily Bazelon’s irresponsible article that will go down in infamy as supporting anti-trans laws across the country. Just disgusting.

Sometimes David Plotz says ridiculous things and the others fail to adequately check him. I’m listening right now to discussion about the debt ceiling and Plotz is normalizing what happened in 2011. He seems to find Biden’s insistence on a clean raise extreme. He is not acknowledging history. Also, the three of them totally dismissed the $10,000 student loan forgiveness program as not following the statute on which it relies, whereas many legal scholars disagree. Despite these issues, however, this is my favorite political podcast. John Dickerson is probably most insightful and has great historical knowledge, and I often appreciate the observations and discussion among all three.

This lady is a TERF who hates trans people. Embarrassed that I ever listened to this podcast. She should be fitted.

I look forward to listening to Emily, John, and David every week. The trio is funny, smart, and entertaining, but is someone vigorously taking notes during the interview segments? While your guests are speaking, there’s an annoying scratching sound. Put down the pen! :)

You are totally irresponsible. Dept of Energy said it was possibly a lab leak "with low confidence." Meanwhile, several other agencies concluded it was likely a natural variant. And all the top evolutionary virologists argue for a natural outbreak. So as usual your group makes speculation into facts.

Every moment Emily Bazelon or John Dickerson is speaking is informative, entertaining, or insightful—often all three at once. I want more of both of them. Unfortunately, host David Plotz seems to like to hear himself speak, and he takes up way too much airtime—especially since he’s rarely informative, entertaining, or insightful. He often expresses opinions that really seem to miss the point, like when he suggested Fox hosts’ hypocrisy re. team Trump’s false claims of election fraud was typical journalistic behavior. That take was more egregious than most, so it landed with a “plotz,” and Emily and John pushed back.

The other hosts are good too, but Emily Bazelon’s humor and intelligence are what make this podcast work so well

David’s “hot takes” are the absolute worst!!! This pituitary disorder brain loves to defend the indefensible when it comes to terrible awful people. “Trump lies. But they’re great zingers.” If you ever wanted to know why the media is so distrusted, this is why. Praising someone for being a great liar is pretty pathetic. Trump is a liar. Period. Full stop. There is nothing great about it. Fox News KNEW they what they were reporting was a lie and went after it with reckless abandon!!! But David will defend all of them because he’s more worried about his own behind than the truth.