Us Of Ed

"Biden wins more approval by doing it even if Afghanistan goes to hell in a hand basket." After almost two decades and over 2,300 dead US troops, President Joe Biden has given the order to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan. What are the new threats the US will be dealing with and how will leaving the job half-finished affect US influence abroad? And while CEOs complain about the Biden corporate tax hikes, the love affair between big business and the GOP is also going stale. Also talking gun control, "election integrity", Russia massing troops on the Ukrainian border, and the death of Prince Philip. Check out the new podcast as well for in-depth discussions, Pacific Conversations. First episode with former Labor leader and ambassador Kim Beazley out now.

"Where is the growing population? It's not older, white males." Corporations have come out swinging over new Republican voting restrictions, and Republicans are fighting back but don't want to hurt the money. And with bipartisanship now a distant memory, Biden is pushing ahead on infrastructure plans and likely another couple of big bills through conciliation. We discuss what those might look like, as well as news on Iran, Israel, a possible Guantanamo Bay closure, and Matt Gaetz.

"You couldn't give Stacey Abrams a better platform for her next election." Voting rights are looking to become a key battle for the Biden administration, with Republicans in Georgia drawing widespread criticisms for their new restrictions and Democrats fighting back with the 'For the People' Act. Meanwhile, we have a better idea than ever about the price tag of Biden's upcoming infrastructure bill and where the money will be spent. Also talking about a surge in COVID cases, George Floyd, Suez Canal, and Baltimore to stop policing minor offenses.

"These kinds of killings went way, way down, and then the National Rifle Association got rid of [the Brady Bill] and they've gone back up." Just as it seemed America was reopening and getting back on track, news of two mass shootings, one in Atlanta and one in Colorado, hit our screens, the Colorado shooting coming only days after the blocking of a state assault weapons ban in court by the NRA. But for some, the prospect of tax hikes and arrivals at the southern border were far more frightening. We also talk what we know about the $3 trillion infrastructure bill, Russia, and Israel.

"What [Joe Biden is] doing is the same thing anyone does when they know they have the lead, and that is extending it." COVID vaccinations and relief, confirmations, and another big infrastructure bill on the way while the White House remains quiet and scandal free, it seems like everything is going Joe Biden's way. Trouble is brewing in the Asia region, however, with aggressive talk from North Korea and a humanitarian crisis in need of a response in China. Also discussing Merrick Garland, Michael Regan and Deb Haaland, and Republicans taking aim at voting rights and promising 'scorched earth' on filibusters.

"You get people up on their feet, in their homes, little money in their pocket, they need a job and that's where he's going after next." We're learning more all the time about the $1.9 Trillion COVID relief bill set to be passed by the Biden administration, with family payments, and provisions for native governments and black farmers outlining a new and liberal agenda. Not a single Republican voted for the bill, however, and it seems the GOP might be up to its Obama-era tricks of obstruction while doubling down on voter suppression. Also discussing anti-trans legislation, the latest front in the culture wars, and Donald Trump's attempts to ban the Republican Party from using his image.

"The Republican Party, as the Trump Party, probably has one or two years left to live." Good news on COVID with Americans looking to receive the jab faster than previously though, but the real fight is over the $1.9 Trillion in COVID relief and a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill to come, that will determine if Biden can keep his campaign promises. Meanwhile, a golden calf of sorts made an appearance at this week's CPAC sending clear signals that Republicans intend to fully remain the Party of Trump. Also talking, Syria, Russia, Jamal Khashoggi, and March 4th threats to the capitol once again.

"Ted Cruz is a cruise missile heading to oblivion." Fallout from the unprecedented cold front to hit the southern states has seen skyrocketing power bills for Texas residents and Ted Cruz forced to return from a family trip to Cancun with his tail between his legs. Meanwhile, the United States has surpassed a milestone that no one ever wanted to see, 500,000 deaths due to COVID, so how goes recovery efforts? Also talking about the minimum wage debate, Merrick Garland, Neera Tanden, ICE, and unpacking the crackdown on white nationalism in the US military.

"For the past four years we've paid attention to politics rather than policy." Donald Trump's second impeachment trial ended this week in an unsurprising acquittal and some are looking to take justice in other ways, but at what point can we stop paying attention to this fiasco? Let's talk policy instead, with economists warning millions of jobs are unlikely even once the COVID pandemic is over, with attitudes to travel and working from home vastly changed, and that retraining is needed. Also talking Republican obstructionism, Texas power failures, China and Taiwan, and Rush Limbaugh.

"Donald Trump's new lawyers, it looks like he went so deep in the barrel he got frogs, were not able to mount a decent opening set of arguments." Donald Trump's second impeachment trial underway at time of recording this week, a devastating case brought by Democrats to meagre defence but how much patience do we really have for proceedings? Meanwhile, debate over stimulus cheques, minimum wage and family security payments, should Biden go big or go bipartisan? Also touching on Georgia election interference and Trump's election fund sticky fingers, Iran, Julian Assange, and the Super Bowl.

"Biden, as he said yesterday, I'm not doing any governing yet, I'm just trying to get to the point where I can." Analysing the latest executive orders to come across the desk of Joe Biden including a new direction on immigration and push for American manufacturing, plus shoving $1.9 trillion of COVID relief across the line without bipartisan debate. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is struggling to mount a legal team or defence when it comes to his second round of impeachment proceedings. Also talking Biden's phone call with Vladimir Putin, ending the filibuster, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ted Cruz trying to be the new Trump, and six more weeks of winter according to Punxsutawney Phil.

"There are a lot of systemic inequalities that exist in the US and I think even starting to chip away will mean tremendous progress." Ed and Sean are joined again by Dana Rawls and Stephanie Zuniga-Maher from Democrats Abroad this week in a supersized chat! One week in and the Biden Administration has hit the ground running, we discuss the latest cabinet appointees and what is on the agenda for the first 100 days, including COVID economic relief, unemployment, immigration and racial inequality. Plus what the result in Georgia means for Southern Democrats and the role of Kamala Harris in the new administration.

"Talking about healing... Talking to the soul of America." Joe Biden has officially been sworn in as President of the United States of America, with Kamala Harris making history as his VP. Already the Biden administration is coming out swinging with a slew of executive orders looking at tackling the COVID crisis and breaking down the legacy of the Trump presidency. But it's not all good news coming back from the break over the new year, as Ed and Sean discuss the Trump insurrection and ongoing consequences of political violence becoming mainstream.

"The battle's not over, but at least we all have the same direction now." 2020 has been one for the history books, and most of us will be happy to see it consigned to history as well. Looking at the highs and lows of the year for the United States, including COVID-19 and the complete mismanagement that has led now to over 300,000 deaths. The ups and downs of the Black Lives Matter movement and need for change, and of course, the presidential campaign along with the utter depths of lows we've seen since the result in November.

"You cannot pardon yourself for the commission of a crime that was intended to interfere with the rules and rights of American citizens." While much of the world celebrates a COVID vaccine and looks toward recovery, the United States is registering single day highs in terms of COVID deaths. Meanwhile, Trump lawsuits are collapsing due to the weight of evidence in the 2020 election, and Trump, uninterested in governing, is collapsing as well. First though, talking new additions to the Biden cabinet, and we discuss William Barr, Rudy Giuliani, and unpack the Senate race in Georgia. Next week will be our final episode for 2020, discussing the highs and the (numerous) lows of the last year.

"You'd think they'd want to give people a Christmas present, a little turkey in the stocking or whatever." Looking at the latest Joe Biden cabinet picks and just how difficult the confirmation process is going to be, depending on the results in Georgia. And coming into Christmas, Mitch McConnell is more interested in playing Scrooge and leaving a mess for Biden than helping Americans through what could be a very lean Christmas. Plus surrender on COVID, Trump's pardon-for-pay, fundraising schemes, and threats against the $780 billion military funding bill.

"What [Biden is] trying to do is get people who know how to run the government, it's been mismanaged for four years." Taking a look at Joe Biden's picks so far for cabinet positions, and how they're likely to shape policy and foreign relations going forward. The transition preceding in earnest, yet it seems the Trump administration can't resist some more 'mischief' on the way out with Mike Pompeo reportedly in secret talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Also talking climate policy, a pardon for Michael Flynn, Georgia, and Thanksgiving - what are we most thankful for?

"Americans are dying because of Mitch McConnell, and people ought to know that." In spite of Donald Trump's best effort, the Biden administration has been busy transitioning into power with new appointees to White House roles and laying the groundwork for early policy. But Trump and Republicans seem determined to wreck the joint and hand Biden a poisoned chalice, even if it costs American lives thanks to raging COVID rates and a desperate need for economic stimulus. Also looking at a COVID vaccine, military uncertainty in Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran, the senate race in Georgia, and Lindsey Graham.

"We have to be patient, because [Trump] is going to use every trick in the book and some we haven't even seen yet." Its official, Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States of America. But if Biden and Harris are busy trying to build bridges and heal an America that's been broken down the middle, Donald Trump is busy blowing them up. Baseless claims of election fraud and interference, and an incumbent that refuses to concede, means it's still a rocky road ahead to inauguration day. With special guest Stephanie Zuniga-Maher from Democrats Abroad.

"There's more in the tank." While at time of recording we still cannot declare an official winner, the stage is set for Joe Biden to officially take over as the 46th President of the United States. It's not all good news for Democrats, however, with a much tighter race than suggested by polls, Republicans slated to hold the Senate, and Dems actually going backwards in the House, despite clinging to a majority. So where did it go right for Biden? Where did it go wrong? And what happens next, particularly if Donald Trump continues to claim victory?