This week the hosts discuss what was obscured by the civility of the V.P. debate, and consider what JD Vance and Tim Walz really offer their running mates and their parties’ futures.Plus, Michelle won’t be washing away her stresses any time soon.(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)Recommended in this episode:‘There’s a Trap Here’: Four Columnists Brace for the Vance-Walz Debate by David Brooks, Ross Douthat, Tressie McMillan Cottom and Pamela PaulThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Matter of Opinion

Unpacking the Role JD Vance Played on That Debate Stage

This week we're taking a break from the election and turn our attention to the allegations against Sean Combs: Where has #MeToo succeeded or fallen short? And what happens when the lines blur between rumor mill and conspiracy theory? The Opinion columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom and the Opinion writer Jessica Grose join the conversation. Plus, Jessica has a recommendation for Plath-heads.(A full transcript of this episode will be available on the Times website.)Recommended in this episode:“With Love, Sean Combs” by Tressie McMillian Cottom in Vanity Fair“Sean Combs and the Limits of the ‘Family Man’ Defense” by Jess Grose“Entitled | How Male Privilege Hurts Women” by Kate Manne, who coined the term “himpathy”“#MeToo Comes for the Archbishop” by Ross Douthat“Why We Can’t Quit Brad Pitt” by Scaachi Koul in Slate“Red Comet” by Heather ClarkThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Diddy and Our Culture’s ‘Himpathy’ for Powerful Men

Donald Trump and JD Vance have sparked panic over immigration in Springfield, Ohio. This week, the hosts talk about why our country’s immigration debate is now focused on a distraction instead of the core of the issue.Plus, Ross is hot and cold about a particular pet obsession.(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)Recommended in this episode:"Trump Has Crossed a Truly Unacceptable Line" by Lydia Polgreen"What  JD Vance Believes" by Ross Douthat“How the Trump Campaign Ran With Rumors About Pet-Eating Migrants — After Being Told They Weren’t True” by Kris Maher, Valerie Bauerlein and Tawnell D. Hobbs in The Wall Street JournalThe Real ‘Border Czar’ Defends the Biden-Harris Record, “The Ezra Klein Show”“Go West” by Lily Lynch in The Baffler“Melting Pot or Civil War? A Son of Immigrants Makes the Case Against Open Borders” by Reihan Salam“Chimp Crazy" on HBOThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Fine, Let’s Do What JD Vance Wants: Talk About Immigration

Kamala Harris may have won the debate by baiting Donald Trump. But is it enough to sway undecided voters?This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the Opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie joins our hosts to talk about how each campaign should reconsider its nominee’s visibility in the next seven weeks to win the White House.Plus, Michelle wants to be seen less.Want to see the Valentine's Day card for C-SPAN that Carlos's kids made him? Click hereThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

How Much More Does Harris Need to Say to Win?

Opinion columnist David French is voting for Kamala Harris to save conservatism. Ross  is… skeptical. On this very special episode, the two Christian conservatives debate how to chart the right’s course out of Trumpism and to the future.(A full transcript of this episode will be available on the Times website.)Recommended in this episode:“To Save Conservatism From Itself, I Am Voting for Harris” by David French“This Is Probably Not the Deal the Pro-Life Movement Bargained for With Trump” by Ross DouthatThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Two Christian Conservatives Debate the Merits of Voting for Kamala Harris

While we take a quick summer break, we wanted to recommend a new show: “The Opinions.”  Four times a week, in ten minutes or less, you’ll hear one of our columnists — Matter of Opinion hosts included — walk you through their take on an issue or idea you might not have considered. It’s like the Opinion pages come to life.In this episode, our very own Carlos shares what he learned reading Kamala Harris’s two memoirs. He reflects on how her criminal justice message has changed over time, and considers what that may reveal about her candidacy. Listen and subscribe to "The Opinions" on Apple, Spotify  or wherever you get your podcasts.Thoughts about Matter of Opinion? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Carlos Read Kamala Harris’s Memoirs. Here’s How She’s Evolved.

The hosts react to Kamala Harris’s convention speech in this special late-night edition of “Matter of Opinion”. Lydia, Ross and Carlos unpack how Harris had a “deft threading of a number of tricky needles” as she accepted her party’s nomination, and look at what the entire week revealed about the Democratic Party.(A full transcript of this episode will be available on the Times website.)Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

What We Learned About Harris — and the Democrats — This Week

If you believe JD Vance, the American family is in crisis. But are attacks on “childless cat ladies” and pitches for enfranchising kids actual policy platforms or merely culture war cudgels?This week on “Matter of Opinion,” Jessica Grose joins Michelle, Ross and Carlos to debate the weird ways gender and family are showing up in the election and share their own roads to parenthood.Plus, Jessica suggests a deep dive into a culture of “tin pot dictators wearing LoveShackFancy.”(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)Recommended in this episode:“Red Families vs. Blue Families: Legal Polarization and the Creation of the Culture” by Naomi Cahn and June Carbone“The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind” by Melissa S. Kearney“The Party of Julia” by Ross Douthat“Welcome to Bama Confidential,” Anne Helen Peterson’s essay series on her Culture Study newsletterThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

2024 Is Suddenly About Having Kids. Why?

This week on the show, Michelle Goldberg joins Michelle  and Ross to debate the gambles or gains Kamala Harris has made by picking  Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate. They also discuss the ways the Trump-Vance ticket could recalibrate to regain their lead. Plus, Goldberg is sunny on a new show you probably haven’t heard of.(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)Recommended in this episode:Don’t Listen to the Right. The Kamalanomenon Is Real. by Michelle GoldbergThe Focus Group Podcast episode “Kamala Needs a DEI Pick (Straight White Dude)” with Sarah LongwellSunny from Apple TV+Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Tim Walz Is Vibing

The 2024 presidential race is officially in its identity politics stage. From “White Dudes for Harris,” to “D.E.I. candidate” accusations, the hosts debate how race and racism are being deployed in the second week of the Harris v. Trump election.(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)Mentioned in this episode:“Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” by Barack Obama“Rising Stare: The Making of Obama” by David J. Garrow“Barack Obama: The Story” by David Maraniss“The Olympic Flame Isn’t a Flame at All” by Andrew KehThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

‘Mountain Dew and Racism’: Identity Enters the Election

Vice President Kamala Harris has gone from being one of President Biden’s many problems to the hope of the Democratic Party. This week Ross, Lydia and Carlos dissect the seismic campaign vibe shift in both parties. Plus, Ross criticizes another self-indulgent addition to the modern era’s Western canon.(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)Mentioned in this episode:Ross Douthat, David French, Michelle Goldberg, and Lydia Polgreen: Is It a Mistake for Democrats to Go All In on Harris? Four Columnists on the Party’s Moves.Harris’s Michigan event on abortionHarris’s first presidential rally in Milwaukee speechThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Has Kamala Harris Changed? Or Have We?

The former president was expected to offer “unity” in his convention acceptance speech. But, after a wild week, the speech revealed the same old Donald Trump. In this episode, the hosts debate: Is Trump a “man of destiny”?(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)Recommended in this episode:Donald Trump, Man of DestinyThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Trump Anoints Himself

“The dam is breaking!” Have the Democrats reached their “break glass in case of emergency” moment? This week, Michelle, Ross and Lydia dig into the Democratic Party fissures, consider what could happen if President Biden refuses to bow out, and debate just how much this moment mirrors the Republican scramble against Trump in 2016.(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)Mentioned in this episode:George Clooney: I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee.The Case for Joe Biden by Ross DouthatEzra Klein: A Path to Defeat from “The Bulwark Podcast”Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Who’s at the Wheel of the Democratic Party?

Matter of Opinion is off this week, but the news hasn’t stopped. So this week we’re bringing you something from columnists across New York Times Opinion. With President Biden’s candidacy in question, we asked them: Who would you like to see as the Democratic nominee? These are their answers.Lydia Polgreen on the case for Vice President Kamala HarrisNicholas Kristof on the case for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of MichiganRoss Douthat on the case for Senator Joe ManchinPamela Paul on the case for Gov. Wes Moore of MarylandDavid French on the case for Gov. Josh Shapiro of PennsylvaniaCharles Blow on the case for President Biden(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)If your opinion has changed on President Biden since the debate, we want to hear from you, too. What do you hope to see happen before the Democratic convention? Leave us a voice mail at 212-556-7440 or email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.comThis audio essay was originally made for the NYT Audio App, free for Times subscribers in the Apple App Store.  Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Who Should Lead the Democratic Ticket? Six Columnists Weigh In.

Ezra Klein joins Ross and Michelle to dissect the first presidential debate of 2024: “At some point Democrats have to decide if they want to try to win this election, or it is simply too uncomfortable for them to do anything but be on this train as it derails.”(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Is Biden Too Old? America Got Its Answer.

Thoughts, aloud. Hosted by Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat and Carlos Lozada. Every Friday, from New York Times Opinion. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to maintain access to this show's back catalog, and the back catalogs of other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

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Matter of Opinion

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