Breaking News—Illinois Supremes overturn Jussie conviction. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham talks lessons learned from the election. As the show’s resident centrist—every lefty show needs one—he says the Dems lost the message battle. Ben says—any old white guy could have beat Trump. And they’re off. Also, Mayor Johnson budget talk. Are city council “independents” the Jake Pauls of local politics? Peter is a political strategist who once wrote speeches for Mayor Daley.

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If you want to know why Chicago’s aldermen are talking tough to Mayor Johnson, think Jake Paul challenging a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. Ben riffs. Monroe talks local and national politics. Including Rahm, Trump, Gaetz, and the NFL. Will football ban players who do the Trump dance like they banned Colin Kaepernick? I think we all know the answer.

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Morning Joe goes down to Mar A Lago. Ben riffs. Ray Hanania explains why Trump won. Before admitting—you’re right, Ben, the women hating vote put Trump over the top. A few words about self hate as a force in politics. And Ray comes out for Mayor Johnson. So it’s now Ben and Ray and the Triib as the only media folks in Chicago who don’t hate on the mayor. Also, Ray discovers TIFs. Ray is a columnist, communications strategist and longtime journalist.

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Rummana Hussain and Ben discuss the curious refusal of Americans, including leftists, to acknowledge that hatred of women, especially Black women, prompted millions of voters to vote for a criminal over Kamala Harris. It is a betrayal of Black women. Even if America refuses to admit that. Ben says a demented Joe Biden, running in all his f-bomb-dropping demented glory would have defeated Trump. Does Rummana go that far? Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own.

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Clearly, the abortion rights movement did not lead to a Democratic triumph. Ben riffs. Julie Lynn elaborates. Bottom line—the strategy of using state by state referendums to lead the charge benefitted Trump. Just like Julie said it would. And if voters think these referendums will protect abortion rights they are seriously misguided. Just like Julie told you. And it’s pointless to vote yes on abortion rights and then vote for a candidate who will take that right away. Just like Julie told you. Julie is a political activist and strategist with a specialty in the politics of abortion.

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Meredith Shiner and Ben talk all things Trump II—the early days. We’d be laughing if the consequences weren’t so painful. Meredith is a political columnist for The New Republic.

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