Oct 7, 2026 · 2h 10m
Listen from 3:34
Listen at 3:34
Midterm economics sharpen a Republican fight over populism
The Key Midterm Issue, and Vance vs. Cruz, with Rich Lowry and Charles C.W. Cooke, Plus James Woods on His New Album and Our Culture | Ep. 1413
The episode connects voter frustration over prices and Senate races to a broader Republican argument about leadership, speech, and political judgment.
- 1Gas prices, inflation, tariffs, and Senate contests expose Republican vulnerabilities heading into the 2026 midterms.
- 2Ted Cruz’s criticism of J.D. Vance signals a larger Republican debate over populism, markets, foreign policy, and leadership.
- 3The Cornell case becomes a test of whether legal facts and due process can withstand emotional narratives and political pressure.
Don't miss
Harry Connick Jr. explains why he has never performed music written in response to the Sandy Hook shooting.
The brief
Megyn Kelly, Rich Lowry, and Charles C.W. Cooke assess the 2026 midterms through gas prices, inflation, tariffs, Senate races, and Republican anxiety about the economy.
The panel treats Ted Cruz’s criticism of J.D. Vance as an early signal of a Republican succession fight over populism, free markets, foreign policy, and American leadership.
The Cornell sexual-assault case drives a sharper dispute: the speakers argue that empathy matters, but emotional narratives cannot replace evidence, consent law, or due process.
James Woods joins the conversation on the Cornell case before explaining how The Killer’s Wife uses biblical imagery, personal experience, and cinematic storytelling to explore good and evil.
The closing reflection on Harry Connick Jr.’s response to the Sandy Hook shooting returns the episode to grief, restraint, compassion, and the limits of art after tragedy.
What was said on this episode
11 statements · 4 positive · 5 negative · 2 neutral
Mainers cannot afford bills through Susan Collins’s tariff-related statements.
“Mainers can't afford to pay their bills with a press release or a strongly worded letter like Senator Collins keeps talking about.”
Listen at 3:06
The WNBA will not allow men to play in its league.
“The WNBA is not actually going to let any men play in the league.”
Listen at 49:24
Sophie Cunningham is an asset to the Indiana Fever.
“She's an asset to the team.”
Listen at 49:57
Tish James’s appointment resulted from public pressure over the Cornell case.
“The appointment of Tish James is a function of that lynch mob.”
Listen at 1:24:33
Tish James’s role is to pursue punishment of the Cornell defendants.
“That is Tish James' job, to go try to punish them.”
Listen at 1:24:46
Tish James will likely pursue punishment of the Cornell defendants.
“Maybe there's some small chance she doesn't do it, but I think she will, and it's an outrage.”
Listen at 1:24:50
The Cornell accuser’s sworn statement does not say she was unconscious.
“I think based on her sworn statement, based on what we've seen in the Cornell report, she didn't say she was unconscious in any of this”
Listen at 1:26:48
The DA correctly declined charges based on the accuser’s account and available information.
“So just by her own account, they're not a crime there. That's why the DA made the right call based on what he knew.”
Listen at 1:29:34
Harry Connick Jr. does not want to profit from the private song.
“He doesn't want to make money off of such a thing.”
Listen at 2:07:24
Harry Connick Jr. does not perform the song publicly.
“he does not sing it publicly.”
Listen at 2:08:02
Some men perform extraordinary acts for vulnerable and suffering people.
“there are great men out there who do extraordinary things for other people who are vulnerable and suffering.”
Listen at 2:09:26
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.