How do you write a speech for VP-Elect Kamala Harris? Or Amb. Susan Rice? Or Pete Buttigieg? What happens if you disagree with the person you are writing speeches for? What’s it like to write speeches on the road for an upstart presidential candidate? With Zev Karlin-Neumann, we address these questions and more. Karlin-Neumann was the chief speechwriter to Mayor Pete Buttigieg in his 2020 presidential campaign, then-Senator Kamala Harris’s speechwriter in the Senate, and Amb. Susan Rice’s speechwriter when she was national security advisor to President Obama. He started his career in the House of Representatives and at the communications firm West Wing Writers. I hope you enjoy! Speeches mentioned: President Obama’s speech to the Canadian parliament in 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAxaeB9-E70&feature=emb_title Mayor Pete’s concession speech on March 1, 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP3n1EtCdIQ Amb. Susan Rice’s remarks to the American Jewish Committee in 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkaTplfdJUA ________________________________________ 1. What's your favorite podcast? The Deciding Decade -- Pete Buttigieg 2. Most insightful person you follow on social media? Prof. Kevin Kruse 3. Book/s that have most shaped your thinking? "A Promised Land" -- Pres. Barack Obama "Master of the Senate" -- Robert Caro "These Truths" -- Jill Lepore *(Forgot to ask during the podcast, so followed up afterward. Sorry we couldn't have a discussion about these works and how they impacted Karlin-Neumann)

Everybody Assumes

Ep. 31 Speechwriting for Mayor Pete Buttigieg & more w/ Zev Karlin-Neumann

Although it has only been a few weeks, one of the major surprises from this year’s presidential election is the rise of support for President Trump in the Hispanic community.  Conversely, Latino organizations such as LUCHA, a grassroots political advocacy and social services provider for Hispanics in Arizona, have newfound strength having helped President-Elect Biden win Arizona and other battleground states. How did Trump’s efforts successfully engage Hispanics to win Florida, but not Arizona or Nevada? What was the pulse of the Cuban community in Miami in the lead-up to the election? How and why did the Biden campaign prove so inept at engaging and keeping Latinos, while the Trump and Sanders campaigns were seemingly so successful? With Stephania Taladrid, of the 'The New Yorker’s,' we dive into these consequential questions and more, touching on everything from Taladrid’s unique background to some of the lesser-known aspects of the Cuban-American community’s political identity. Stephania Taladrid is a contributing writer at 'The New Yorker,' covering the Spanish-speaking world. For over a year, Taladrid has been covering the Latino community’s role in the 2020 presidential election. Before joining the 'New Yorker' magazine, Taladrid was a speechwriter at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship. She is a native speaker of three languages (English, Spanish, French), and is also fluent in another two (Italian & German), and grew up in Mexico, Spain, France, and the U.S. I hope you enjoy this episode, and learn something new! ________________________________________ Articles mentioned: “Biden’s case to Latino Voters Comes Late. Will They Listen?” 9/16/2020 https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/bidens-case-to-latino-voters-comes-late-will-they-listen “Can Latino voter Tip Wisconsin in Joe Biden’s Favor?” 10/13/2020 https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/can-latino-voters-tip-wisconsin-in-joe-bidens-favor “How Pro-Trump Disinformation Is Swaying a New Generation of Cuban-American Voters” 10/26/2020 https://www.newyorker.com/news/us-journal/how-pro-trump-disinformation-is-swaying-a-new-generation-of-cuban-american-voters “As Trump Gained Latino Support in Florida, Biden’s Campaign Ignored Warnings” 11/10/2020 https://www.newyorker.com/news/campaign-chronicles/as-trump-gained-latino-support-in-florida-bidens-campaign-ignored-warnings ________________________________________ *For avid listeners, you make notice that the final three questions I usually ask about my guests's favorite podcasts, people to follow on social media, and books that have shaped their thinking, are missing. This was my fault, as I forgot to ask. My apologies. No doubt, next episode I will ask.

Ep. 30 Understanding the Hispanic Vote w/ Stephania Taladrid

One of the many things that have gotten swept out of the news during the Coronavirus economic and health crisis is the possible Israeli annexation of areas in the West Bank. That might sound like some legal jargon, but it has big implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the US-Israel alliance, and the stability of Jordan and Egypt. We talk about the importance of this move and its possible implications with David Makovsky and Amb. Dennis Ross. Additionally, we discuss their recent book, "Be Strong and of Good Courage" (חזק ואמץ/chezek vi'emetz in Hebrew, a biblical reference), and the role of history in Israeli leaders' thinking when they make historic decisions. David Makovsky is the Ziegler distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute, a former senior advisor to the Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in the Obama administration, and in the 1990's he reported on Yitzchak Rabin and the Oslo Accords for multiple publications. Our other guest is Amb. Dennis Ross, who is currently the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute, and served as a special advisor to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He has been involved in almost all major Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for the past quarter-century. You can find their new book, "Be Strong and Good Courage," here: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Strong-Good-Courage-Important-ebook/dp/B07MPX7LKR *The views here are solely my own. _____________________________________________ Dennis Ross-- Favorite Podcast: The Bill Simmons Podcast A book that has most shaped your thinking: “Inevitably of Tragedy: Henry Kissinger and His World” – by Barry Gewen David Makovsky-- Favorite Podcast: -Decision Points (Makovsky’s own podcast) -“NYT’s” “The Daily” A book that has most shaped your thinking: "Churchill: Walking with Destiny" - by Andrew Roberts ________________________________________________ Major takeaways from the interview can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-GTijQvIkuSKBy3ofho_e4HZjRenz3gj6TDwoKsHffw/edit?usp=sharing

Ep. 29 Annexation, Israel, and History w/ Amb. Dennis Ross and David Makovsky

We live in a time of deep division and confusion. It is naturally breeding a brand conspiratorial politics on both sides of the political aisle, creating a situation ripe for antisemitism. And that is exactly what is happening. Attacks on Haredim in the New York area are skyrocketing, in the past two years there have been four major terror attacks against Jewish communities across the nation, and more political figures have condoned or tacitly supported antisemites or their ideas. And now in a time of coronavirus, conspiracy theories blaming the Jews for the pandemic are rampant.  How might one counter this reemerging threat, especially gearing up for what will most likely be the most vicious election cycle yet? What is President Trump’s role in this issue – symptom, cause, unrelated? In such a polarized time, how does Ungar-Sargon manage the opinion page of one of the leading Jewish news publications?  With Batya Ungar-Sargon, the Forward’s opinion editor, we discuss these issues and many more in a fascinating and fun conversation. Ungar-Sargon also holds a PhD in English from University of California, Berkeley.  *Please note this was recorded before the coronavirus began afflicting places outside of China, and before former VP Joe Biden secured decisive victories in the Democratic primaries. _________________________________________________ Favorite podcasts: “The Daily” + “Criminal” + “The Promised Podcast” Most insightful person to follow on social media: Jarvis Good Books that have most shaped Ungar-Sargon's thinking: "Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil" + "Origins of Totalitarianism" – both by Hannah Arendt "Middlemarch" – George Eliot Works of Benny Morris and Norman Rush

Ep. 28 The Other Virus: Antisemitism Now w/ Batya Ungar-Sargon

Yossi Klein Halevi is someone I have wanted to interview for a while now. I immensely enjoyed his newest book, “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor,” and felt it was a developed emotional and political expression of thoughts from my own two summers of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. So I was thrilled when he agreed to do an interview at his home (a place that overlooks Arab East Jerusalem, something he has written about beautifully in Letters). The book is a New York Times bestseller, and is now out in a second edition with the responses of “neighbors” — Palestinians and Arabs from around the West Bank, Gaza, and around the world. He is also the author of three critically acclaimed books, "Memoirs of a Jewish Extremist," "At The Entrance to The Garden of Eden," and "Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation." The interview begins with Klein Halevi’s thoughts on Israel’s current political gridlock, then moves to the role of religion in both the Israeli and Palestinian narratives of the conflict. In the second half, we focus on Klein Halevi’s political development, beginning with the influence of his parents as Holocaust survivors and involvement in far-right youth movements as a teenager, and his transition to centrist politics later in life. I really enjoyed Klein Halevi’s balance of empathy and emotion with hard-hitting political analysis. I hope you take a listen! _________________________________________________ Link to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbors”: https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Palestinian-Neighbor-Yossi-Halevi/dp/006284492X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37AOMO8HP04MW&keywords=letters+to+my+palestinian+neighbor&qid=1581272753&s=books&sprefix=letters+to+my+pa%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C320&sr=1-1 The song by “The Who” called “We Won’t Get Fooled Again”: https://youtu.be/UDfAdHBtK_Q The short film Yossi Klein Halevi produced decades ago about his survivor parents and their influence on him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhG7bqINntU Favorite podcast: “Everybody Assumes” (!) Most insightful people to follow on social media: Hen Mazzig, Einat Wilf, Bari Weiss Book(s) have most shaped your thinking: -“Sacred Fire” — Rabbi Kalonymos Kalmish Shapira -“The Liberation of the Camps: The End of the Holocaust and Its Aftermath” - Dan Stone

Ep. 27 Empathy, Israel, and the Palestinians w/ Yossi Klein Halevi

Why is the Trump administration possibly rolling out the “Deal of the Century” for Israel and the Palestinians now? What’s Netanyahu like in-person, and what did someone who spent dozens of hours with Netanyahu learn about his leadership style? How would the US-Israel relationship change if Israel were to apply sovereignty over large swaths of the West Bank? What was Shapiro's view on the Iran deal? Would he recommend we go back into it under a new president? Finally, what skill is most essential for diplomats? In this timely interview with Amb. Dan Shapiro, we address these questions and many more. Dan Shapiro served as the United States Ambassador to Israel from 2011-2017, and before that was the senior director for the Middle East and North Africa on the National Security Council. Shapiro was a senior advisor on foreign policy issues and the Jewish outreach coordinator on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign. He is currently a distinguished visiting fellow at Israel’s premier defense think tank, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv, Israel, and a principal at the geopolitical consultancy firm WestExec Advisors. Shapiro has also worked in senior advisory roles in Congress and holds an M.A. from Harvard. _________________________________________________ Article that Amb. Shapiro wrote in the “Forward” on considering alternatives to Two-States: https://forward.com/opinion/403476/how-to-keep-the-two-state-solution-alive-when-no-one-cares/ Favorite podcast: “The Axe Files” (Specifically the Charles Barkley episode) Most insightful person to follow on social media: Tamara Cofman Wittes A book that has most shaped Shapiro’s thinking: “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor” — Yossi Klein Halevi

Ep. 26 Trump, Obama, and Israel w/ Amb. Dan Shapiro

What are Israel's famed (or infamous) intelligence agencies' role in its history and survival? And in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Specifically the highly effective yet ethically questionable "targeted killings"? On a more recent note, what's the situation with Iran? Could any deal between the US and Iran de-escalate the current tensions? How has Bibi Netanyahu handled the Iranian threat over his long tenure in power? What does Bergman think of Netanyahu's current challenger Benny Gantz and his leadership style?  With the intrepid Ronen Bergman, we touch on these issues and many more. Bergman is widely considered one of the best investigative journalists in the world on Israel's security establishment, the Middle East, and global cyber conflict. He is currently a staff writer at the “New York Times Magazine” and a senior political and military analyst at “Yedioth Ahronoth.” Bergman also holds a Ph.D. in history from Cambridge University. His latest book is "Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations," which is currently being adapted to an HBO+Keshet TV series. The link to the book is here: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Kill-First-Targeted-Assassinations/dp/1400069718 *(This podcast was recorded a few days before the Soleimani killing) _________________________________________________ The article mentioned by Bergman about Israel possibly striking Iran (Bergman interviewed PM Netanayhu with his "NYT" collleages for over 3 hours): https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/magazine/iran-strike-israel-america.html Bergman's reporting in the "New York Times” about the recent Soleimani strike (with over 26 other "Times" reporters): https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/11/us/politics/iran-trump.html Favorate podcast: "The Daily" _________________________________________________ Link to the application for the Tikvah Fund high school program: https://tikvahfund.org/hs/tsp2020/overview/

Ep. 25 Spies, Lies, and Targeted Assassinations: The Costs of Israel's Security w/ Ronen Bergman

In the past few months, we have had a bunch of episodes on Israel. Each one has been special in its own right, and for the foreseeable future we will continue to have a few more episodes on these topics. This episode is a bit different. It’s longer, and more importantly deeper. Our guest, Haviv Rettig Gur, touches on the usual newsy topics like Bibi Netanyahu, and we go to the places that beg for more attention, like the fraying ties between Israel and American Jews. He brilliantly illuminates everything from Israel’s long term strategy against Hamas to his motivation from Maimonides to explore journalism. Haviv Rettig Gur is "The Times of Israel" Senior Analyst, meaning he does the deep dive pieces on subjects beyond the headlines. Before that, he was a correspondent for "The Jerusalem Post," and Gur was also the director of communications for the Jewish Agency for Israel. _________________________________________________ The article by Micah Goodman that was mentioned: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/04/eight-steps-shrink-israeli-palestinian-conflict/585964/ Gur's Article on Gantz and Netanahyu on the Gaza situation: https://www.timesofisrael.com/why-netanyahu-and-gantz-bicker-most-over-the-policy-they-most-agree-on/ Gur's Review of Dr. Daniel Gordis's new book on the US and Israeli Jewry: https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-new-book-explores-the-ties-that-no-longer-bind-the-jews-its-a-good-start/ Favorite podcast: "Lexicon Valley" Most insightful accounts on Social Media: Facebook--The Hebrew Academy of Israel / Twitter--Pew Research Center Book(s) that have most shaped your thinking: "The Dispossessed" -- Ursula K. Le Guin "The Ethics of Authenticity" -- Charles Taylor "The Righteous Mind" -- Jonathon Haidt _________________________________________________ From our sponsor: Link to Tikvah Fund high school program application -- https://tikvahfund.org/hs/tsp2020/overview/

Ep. 24 In Search of Truth and Lies in Politics w/ Haviv Rettig Gur

For this podcast, we are taking a break from Israel's coalition chaos, and instead focusing on two of the most important topics facing the world: the rise of China and the revolution in technology. What are China's interests in the long run? How important are their efforts to invest (or coerce) smaller states in southeast Asia and Africa with economic investments? What are the larger ramifications of the trade war? On the tech front, how is the internet changing the way power is exerted across the world? And, what’s briefing former Vice President Dick Cheney like?  This episode's guest, David Gordon, offers a unique perspective of business and national security policymaking. Gordon is currently a senior advisor on geo-economics and strategy at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank, and previously held senior positions at the geopolitical consulting firm Eurasia Group. In the George W. Bush administration, Gordon helped set up the National Intelligence Council (which advises the president on national security issues), serving as its deputy and acting director. From 2007-09 he served as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's director of Policy Planning, basically meaning he did long-term thinking and analysis along with speech writing directly under the secretary. Gordon holds a PhD in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan.  _________________________________________________ Most insightful person to follow on social media: Ian Bremmer  A book that has most shaped your thinking: "Churchill: Walking with Destiny" - Andrew Roberts

Ep. 23 Understanding China Pt. 2 w/ David Gordon

What are the deeper trends in Israel influencing the current coalition negotiations? Or practical steps that can be taken toward peace? Even the dramatic decline of the Israeli left? In this episode, Anshel Pfeffer and I discuss these topics, along with some of the most recent developments in Israel's coalition talks, and Gantz's chances for forming a coalition. We also delve into the complexities of the Haredim (ultra-orthodox) in Israeli society, how Bibi Netanyahu operates, and the divisions within Palestinian society. The part of this episode that I found most fascinating was Pfeffer's ideas for practical steps to bring about some sort of peace, and his take on the Israeli left. I hope you take a listen! Anshel Pfeffer is a senior columnist for "Haaretz," a correspondent for "The Economist," and author of "Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu." ________________________________________________________ Favorite podcast: "The Totally Football Show" Most insightful person to follow on social media: Ravit Hecht and Gregg Carlstrom Favorite book: "Shooting an Elephant"- George Orwell (I know, it's a short story).

Ep. 22 The Other Side of Israel w/ Anshel Pfeffer

What defines Israel nowadays? Despite political gridlock, what is going right? What does that political paralysis indicate more broadly about Israel's fundamental divides? Plus, how do you manage the constant push-and-pull of speed and accuracy in an era of internet journalism, all while reporting in one of the most complicated areas in the world? In this podcast with "The Times of Israel" founding editor David Horovitz, we dive deep into these issues and many more.  David Horovitz is currently the founding editor of "The Times of Israel," a primarily English-language news source centered around Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish World. Before starting "The Times of Israel," Horovitz was the editor-in-chief of "The Jerusalem Post," and previously held senior positions at "The Jerusalem Report." He is the author of two books on the Second Intifada, "Still Life with Bombers: Israel in the Age of Terrorism" and "A Little Too Close to God: The Thrills and Panic of a Life in Israel," and co-author of a biography on Yitzhak Rabin titled, "Shalom, Friend: The Life and Legacy of Yitzhak Rabin."  _________________________________________ This is the Matti Friedman article that was mentioned: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/opinion/israel-election-netanyahu.html Most insightful people to follow on social media: Horovitz only uses it for breaking news updates.  Book(s) that have most shaped your thinking: "Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster" - Jon Krakauer  "Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster" - Adam Higginbotham;  Works by Graham Greene and John le Carré

Ep. 21 How do you cover Israel? Navigating Politics, the Internet, and Truth w/ David Horovitz

Whether you only read President Trump's tweets or listen exclusively to Democratic presidential candidates public statements, it is clear that China is not only a crucial national security challenge for the U.S., but it is quickly becoming a huge domestic political issue. In this episode, Susan Thornton and I unpack the hype inside and outside of Washington around China and discuss how it grew economically and strategically in the past 50+ years. We dive deep into how the Trump administration deals with China, and Thornton's own experience in that. For anyone interested in China, this is a great episode!  Susan Thornton was a career diplomat, serving almost 30 years at the State Department, and retiring as the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, basically meaning she ran everything Asia-related at the State Department. In addition to leadership roles in Washington, Thornton helped negotiate the U.S.-China Cyber agreement in 2015, and was involved in backchannel talks between the Trump administration and North Korea. She is currently a Visiting Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School and Senior Fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center, and also runs a family farm in Maine.  ___________________________________________ Recent Article by Thornton that much of the conversation is based on: https://www.afsa.org/american-diplomacy-china-dead Favorite Podcast: "Hidden Forces" Most insightful person to follow on social media: I don’t follow anyone closely, but I follow people from all sides of the spectrum and then use an aggregator to filter for the most useful stuff. But I mostly read for facts, not opinions and especially not twitter, which I despise. A book that has most shaped her thinking: "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Ep. 20 Understanding China, Pt. 1 w/ Susan Thornton

Want to know where things get done in politics these days? Look at the states. In this new podcast with Maryland Delegate Vaughn Stewart (D-19), we start with the role of a state delegate in the functioning of government, and continue to how he's able to implement a seemingly national progressive agenda at the state level. We end off on what Stewart thinks the Democrats are doing wrong and how it can be fixed, and what two bouts with cancer taught him. This makes for a really good episode! Vaughn Stewart is one of three state Delegates from Maryland's 19th district. He was formally an associate at the law firm WilmerHale, Policy Director for Rep. Jamie Raskin's 2016 congressional campaign, and a graduate of NYU Law School. _________________________________________________ Favorite Podcast: "S-Town" Most Insightful person to follow on Social Media: Prof. Mark Paul -- @MarkVinPaul Book(s) that have most shaped his thinking: "The Grapes of Wrath"--John Steinbeck & "This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate"--Naomi Klein

Ep. 19 Why State Politics Matter w/ Md. Delegate Vaughn Stewart

What is it like being thrust into the national spotlight at 17? What is the state of the gun control debate? How can progress be made on this issue? I ask all these highly relevant questions to Cameron Kasky, one of the founding members of March for Our Lives. What makes this interview special and different from some of the others, is Kasky's teenage authenticity when talking about the challenges that he felt leading March for Our Lives (MFOL), and simply what being a teenager thrown in the national spotlight while in shock is like. At the same time, Kasky talks about becoming far more interested in starting conversations that could heal the American social fabric, not on his fellow activist's pithy slogans (he eventually split from MFOL). The conversation is one that is both fascinating and fun. Cameron Kasky is a co-founder of March for Our Lives, a teen-led gun violence prevention organization, and currently a mental health advocate and activist for other movements (Kasky has split from MFOL). He is a member of the Columbia University class of 2023. _________________________________________________ Favorite Podcast: "The Joe Rogan Experience" Most insightful people to follow on social media: The Krassenstein Brothers Books that have most shaped your thinking: "The Toy Collector" - James Gunn and "Devil in the White City" - Erik Larson

Ep. 18 Reflections on Activism w/ Cameron Kasky

70 plus years in, Israel remains in conflict with the majority of its Arab neighbors. Why? In the long term, can Arabs -- whether they be Palestinians, Saudis, or Emirates -- make a long-term peace with Israel that accepts Israel back into its original neighborhood, as the original Zionist thinkers wanted? How does Bibi Netanyahu's worldview shape Israel's future with the Palestinians, American Jews, and even Asia? In this week's episode, Dr. Einat Wilf and I discuss delve into this question and many more, including the future of the US-Israel relationship, and what serving in the Knesset is like. Dr. Einat Wilf was a member of the Israeli Knesset from 2010 to 2013, first in the Labor Party and then the (now-defunct) Independence Party, and served on the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Before that, she was the Foreign Policy advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, where Wilf assisted in the 2007-08 negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Wilf is the author of "Winning the War of Words, and is co-author of the forthcoming "The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace." Most insightful person to follow on Social Media: Shimrit Meir Book that has most shaped their thinking: Aba Eban's books

Ep. 17 The Battle of Mutual Exhaustion: The Roots of the Arab-Israeli Conflict w/ Dr. Einat Wilf

Getting past the headlines, and to the underlying assumptions that shape our understanding of the world. I hope you enjoy...

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Everybody Assumes

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