The Ten New Rules of American Politics (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews leads a fascinating discussion about a recent analysis by Doug Sosnik of current and emerging trends among the American electorate. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Can the 14th Amendment Block Trump's Aspirations? (Audio: Podcast)
The latest effort to keep Donald Trump from running for president is to invoke Section 3 of the Constitution's 14th Amendment which prohibits certain individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the government of the United States from holding high office. In this podcast, IPI's Addie Crimmins and Merrill Matthews discuss the historical roots of the 14th Amendment, the notion that it's provisions are "self-executing," and why this may be the worst idea yet for denying Trump's presidential aspirations.
All Eyes on Texas (Audio: Podcast)
Suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial has drawn nationwide attention. In this podcast, Austin-based political analyst and Quorum Report editor Scott Braddock joins IPI's Addie Crimmins and Merrill Matthews to discuss ongoing developments in the Senate trial and how that may play out in the coming days.
IPI's Take on the First Republican Presidential Debate of 2024 (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews, Director of Development & Events Addie Crimmins, and President Tom Giovanetti share our thoughts and reactions to the first Republican Presidential Debate of the 2024 cycle. We discuss overall impression, FoxNews’ production, who helped themselves, who hurt themselves, and who surprised. And we wonder if our impressions reflect at all the impressions of today’s Republican Party.
The Gender Pay Numbers Game (Audio: Interview)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews joins radio talk show host Bill Meyer (KMED) to run the numbers on the myth of the gender pay gap. When equalizing factors are added into the equation, the current gap reduces from the claimed 84 cents to a 1.5-cent pay gap. That’s a positive economic sign, but it won’t get much attention because some politicians need a big pay gap to demagogue.
IPI Policy Basics: A Look At the Gender Pay Gap (Audio: Podcast)
What’s the truth about the gender pay gap? Is it explained by misogyny and discrimination, or by the choices women make? Maybe a combination of the two? Is it getting better? And with women outnumbering men in colleges, universities, and graduate programs, is it about to disappear altogether? IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews shares some information from the book “The Myth of Inequality” on the gender pay gap with IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Who Is the Most Reaganesque of the GOP Presidential Candidates? (Audio: Podcast)
Ronald Reagan put together an astonishing coalition that led to not only election and reelection, but also sweeping improvements to both America’s domestic economy and international standing. What was it about Reagan that attracted such a winning and successful coalition, and do any of the current Republican presidential candidates resemble him in any way? A conversation between IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews and IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
IPI Policy Basics: How Third-Party Candidates Affect Presidential Elections (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews takes us through the history of third-party presidential candidates in recent history, explaining that third party candidates never come close to winning but in some cases the third party candidate has arguable affected the outcome of the election. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Executive Branch Continues to Grab More Authority (Audio: Interview)
Merrill Matthews joins WAVA's Don Kroah as he chronicles the continued power grab of the executive branch and why this will continue to trend as long as Congress persists in delegating authority to the federal agencies.
The Rise of the Imperial Presidency Means the Decline of Constitutional Governance (Audio: Podcast)
According to a recent story in the New York Times, forces aligned with Donald Trump are determined to make structural changes to give Trump total control over the Executive Branch, including independent agencies, in a potential second Trump term. Conservatives have long believed that too much power has been concentrated in the Executive Branch, since the Legislative Branch is supposed to be the most powerful branch of government in our system. The desire to elect a strongman and imbue him with unlimited power to impose his will is a populist, not a conservative, impulse, which is why it’s disturbing to see quotes from leaders of formerly conservative organizations endorsing strongman populism. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.