We take a break from current events to share lists of our top three modern presidents finding more common ground than expected. Tim finds solace in the unlikely success of Harry Truman. We muse on which president we’d like to have dinner with and why.

John offers another presidential trivia question and gives the answer to last week’s query.

We explore the nuances of wearing a blindfold.

We call out inappropriate behavior from the Trump campaign and appreciate the DOJ this week.

Referred to in this podcast.

Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot

Truman by David McCullough

The Situation Room by George Stephanopoulos

We want to create an opportunity podcast, so with questions, suggested topics, or comments reach out to ideasfirst@substack.com.

We discuss the democratic convention and compare it to a superhero movie. We review what VP Harris may have said and did not say. John and Tim use bus driver analogies to capture aspects of the direction of the country.

John shares a new presidential trivia question for our listeners.

We offer a public service announcement on the outdated practice of blindfolding.

We review the whack-jobbery of price controls and John shares poignant thoughts on a visit to Shanksville, PA.

Referred to in this episode:

“Kamala Harris’s Price-Control Delusion” in the Wall Street Journal

The Lords of Easy Money: How the Federal Reserve Broke the American Economy by Christopher Leonard

As always, please send comments, questions, and suggestions to ideasfirst@substack.com.

First, we provide a podcast update. We are now heard in 13 countries on 3 continents.

We discuss the electric car as it relates to oil production, government intervention in the market, nuclear power, and issues of practicality. Is an EV an absolute good?

Our sponsor tries to help campaigns who need a clue.

John reveals his whack-job who’s done more for promoting electric vehicles than the entire U.S. government.

Tim shares two heroes who are building a new kind of bank.

Related to this podcast:

Burn Book by Kara Swisher

Vehicle Miles Traveled Taxes Rollout across States from the Tax Foundation

Credits for new clean vehicles purchased in 2023 or after – IRS.GOV

Prolife Fintech

As always, with questions, comments, or suggestions, write to ideasfirst@substack.com

We discuss the Governor Walz pick, review who was not chosen, and speculate on why. Was it political calculus or something worse? We discuss concerns raised about the timing of Governor Walz’s retirement from the military.

Tim addresses the Kamala Harris, “I’m wearing a blue suit” YouTube clip and the associated inclusive behavior. John reaches out to the White House and reveals his answers to last week’s trivia question.

We highlight whack-jobs who want to blow up Swifties and acknowledge a hero who used a gun to prevent crime.

Referred to in this episode:

The End of Race Politics by Collman Hughes

'Thin gruel': WSJ editorial page slaps down GOP attacks on Tim Walz's military record from MSN

Armed Texas teacher saves girl, 15, from being sexually assaulted in the New York Post

As always, with topic suggestions, questions, or comments, please reach out to ideasfirst@substack.com

We discuss college student debt, the universities complicity in the problem, and the return on investment of a liberal arts degree. We consider whether student debt relief is acceptable pandering or unfair wealth redistribution.

This is a podcast of firsts for us. We address our first listener question, John offers a listener trivia challenge, and we introduce a new, real, sponsor. As always, we call out our hero and whack-job.

Referenced in this podcast

The Debt Trap: How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe by Josh Mitchell

UW System president privately suggested chancellors ‘shift away’ from liberal arts programs in The Daily Cardinal

Wisconsin to begin selling alcohol at Camp Randall Stadium at start of 2024 season in Sports Illustrated

“Alcohol-related sexual assault: a common problem among college students.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement

Sober Up Bucky Petition

As always, with questions, trivia answers, comments, or suggestions, email ideasfirst@substack.com

We address Vice-President Harris’s candidacy, play the “design a president” game, and see if she checks the boxes. We review the relief she is bringing, while acknowledging her speaking style and difficulty retaining staff. We speculate on her confidence or its absence. Plus, a note from our sponsors and statesmen as whack-jobs and heroes.

Mentioned in this podcast:

“‘Bullying’ leaves Kamala Harris without a top team for White House bid.” in The Telegraph

Into the Wild by John Krakauer

Taking back the game by Linda Flanagan

See also.

Meet Kamala Harris’s 6-year-old speech writer

Trump Vows To Unite Nation Against Common Enemy Of Other Americans

https://www.theonion.com/trump-vows-to-unite-nation-against-common-enemy-of-othe-1851602546

Send suggestions, comments, and ideas to ideasfirst@substack.com

We review our thoughts on the assassination attempt, conspiracy theories, and the notion that evil isn’t an absence of good.

We discuss the VP pick, opinions of Trump’s speech in Wisconsin, and debate which party relies on fear.

We share our whack-job and acknowledge over a dozen freshly shaved heroes at the Wall Street Journal.

We begin with our condemnation of violence.

We review changes to the Republican platform. Then, we use Peyton Manning and Daniel Jones analogies to describe aspects of the presidency. We review the risks of ‘seeking to slay monsters,’ play Trump or University of Wisconsin trivia, share our whack-job and recognize two barbers who saved a child from a very close shave.

Referred to in this podcast

“Stop Soft-Pedaling the GOP's Extreme Positions” in the Atlantic.

“Complaint Alleges University of Wisconsin DEI Czar, Husband of Harvard's DEI Chief, Has Decades-Long History of Research Misconduct.” In the Washington Free Beacon