Charlie Sykes | Full Episode 5.19.23 | Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Charlie Sykes | Full Episode 5.19.23 | Firing Line with Margaret Hoover | PBS

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Firing Line with Margaret Hoover | PBS

Күн бұрын

Charlie Sykes, a founder and the editor-in-chief of the non-partisan news site "The Bulwark," discusses why he disassociated himself from the Republican Party, the challenges of covering Trump, the 2024 race, and whether conservatism can be redeemed.
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FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER airs on PBS. Launched in June 2018, Firing Line maintains the character of the original series by William F. Buckley Jr., providing a platform that is diligent in its commitment to a balanced exchange of opinion. In weekly 30-minute episodes, host Margaret Hoover engages in a rigorous exchange of ideas with political leaders, cultural luminaries, thought leaders and activists who represent a wide range of ideas and perspectives. New episodes are available Fridays here on KZfaq at 8:30 pm ET.

Пікірлер: 203

@tommccutchen4552 Жыл бұрын

So many great podcasts, so little time ... the one I listen to every single weekday is The Bulwark Podcast.

@yvettesnananone4798 Жыл бұрын

I am a lefty and have been a paying member of the Bulwark for 3 years.Have immense respect for all the podcast staff and look forward to listening every day.Class act Charlie!

@stephaniel4679 Жыл бұрын

I am quite liberal and listentothe Bulwark religiously. I love Charlie. I never thought id be allied to Reagan conservatives but here i am. We need to unite to defeat fascism wrapped in an American flag.

@davidrichman9779 Жыл бұрын

Bernie isn't a leader of shit and is in his 80s. Even Bernie knows this

@davidrichman9779 Жыл бұрын

How is a narrow definition of progressivism that loses all over the country gonna defeat fascism

@anthrogurl4484 Жыл бұрын

It feels weird when a Progressive like me & a moderate Conservative like Charlie team up, but that’s where we are. And I’m thankful for it. Unlike many Progressives, I welcome former Republicans to the fold, knowing that policy disagreements are insignificant in light of the danger posed by the modern Fascist Republican Cult. 🌏✌️🇺🇸💙

@007ndc Жыл бұрын

Never forget that sometimes "Politics makes for strange bedfellows " as the saying goes. Also remember "that the enemy of my enemy is my friend"

@onomatopoeia162003 Жыл бұрын

the cult was always there. I wonder if these people are the kids of the 'kooks' from the late 60's as Nixon said. Even though he was a very flawed man himself.

@denisehall4818 Жыл бұрын

I agree.

@weston.weston Жыл бұрын

As a progressive and person on the far left, I have so much respect for Charlie Sykes.

@inspiredjoy Жыл бұрын

Ditto, I feel the same 👍

@leemdynamo Жыл бұрын

Absolutely, an honorable guy.

@blancheaxton5379 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely.

@a.e.jabbour5003 Жыл бұрын

I was just about to post pretty much the same thing. I'm about as far left as someone can be. And when I watch Charlie talk about these various issues, whether it's on this Firing Line, or on Morning Joe, wherever, I find myself constantly saying, "I can't disagree with a single thing he said."

@weston.weston Жыл бұрын

@@a.e.jabbour5003 Oh my goodness, I feel the same way. It is hard to believe he was/is conservative. I think he is an example of what it means to live a principled life.

@benqurayza7872 Жыл бұрын

Superb conversation, Margaret and Charlie!

@susanai56 Жыл бұрын

Charlie Sykes - the voice of reason. Thankyou Charlie.

@frederickklinge2885 Жыл бұрын

I'm a lifelong centrist Democrat and was raised by compassionate conservative parents. I consider Charlie Sykes to be one of the most important thought leaders of our time. A man of integrity, intelligence, and common sense. Bravo Charlie and I'll continue to listen to the Bulwark each and every day. There's hope.

@ruthcassidy6052 Жыл бұрын

My only paid 'membership' is with The Bulwark. I consider myself 'left of center with certain progressive sympathies'. I grew up in a hard-core straight-ticket Republican household, read Atlas Shrugged and turned Libertarian, and now I'm finally "at home" with the Democratic Party. The Bulwark is a fantastic group of people who've been doing this stuff for a long long time and I respect and enjoy each and every one of them.

@maryahhaidery7986 Жыл бұрын

My parents are immigrants so I didn’t really grow up in “a conservative household per se. But all my friends identified as Republicans and I was raised in a religious household so my parents had some sympathy for that aspect of conservatism (though even in the 80’s & 90’s, it seemed like conservatives were more concerned with Christianity as an “identity” rather than a “practice”). Other than minor difference, my story is almost identical to yours (including the Randian/Libertarian) phase. Like you, I feel much more “at home”with the Democrats but I’m wary of identifying myself with any particular tribe. But I can’t see myself voting for a Republican any time in the near future. Sorry, I know that was long but it’s comforting to know that my odd ideological journey isn’t unique and that there are more of us out there. Thank you!

@thfpnw7103 Жыл бұрын

Charlie Sykes showed incredible courage by leaving his radio host job and continues to speak truth with the Bulwark.

@theoldAlfmeister Жыл бұрын

Eloquent, concise, thoughtful answers, Charlie. Glad I watched this, thank you. You had the same reaction to the arrival of Trump down the escalator as my lifelong conservative sisters, and I, a lifelong Democrat. Working to bring back the day when the GOP once again believes character matters, and so does truth.

@doctorj2u2 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Charlie for being the voice of reason the past 8 years.

@markendicott6874 Жыл бұрын

Charlie is one of the very few on the Right I'm prepared to give a pass to, and listen to because at this extremely dangerous time for Democracy he has consistently chosen to speak truth to the Crazies and not bend the knee to Trump......that's admirable and vital.

@coreyham3753 Жыл бұрын

Anyone on the Right that is anti-Chump is at least somewhat still rationale and critical thinking.

@jaein7779 Жыл бұрын

@ mark Endicott: Elizabeth Cheney (R, Wyoming) Adam Kinzinger (R, Illinois) Tom Rice (R, South Carolina) Mitt Romney (R, Utah) There are a few others, but the top three were willing to lose their jobs to condemn Trump for Jan 6 and attempt to hold him accountable. All three lost their jobs.

@stampinsan Жыл бұрын

Great interview with Charlie! Thank you to Firing Line and Margaret Hoover!

@xerxescroes2281 Жыл бұрын

Love Charlie Sykes…. I’m no longer a Republican and I will also vote for Joe Biden in 2024.

@mariannegodwin3527 Жыл бұрын

Thank God we still have brave journalists/civil discourse advocates reporting amongst us ... USA in a pretty bad carnival show, but if you pay attention, hopefully we can move forward together.

@tajoumaru503 Жыл бұрын

I'm fairly left-leaning on most issues, and I have been a paid Bulwark subscriber for more than a year. Charlie is a national treasure and is frequently hilarious; the Bulwark is an endless font of quality journalism and truth-telling.

@justiceforall6412 Жыл бұрын

Mr. Sykes has my respect. I have not always agreed with him on some issues, but that's healthy. He, like precious few others, has stood up for his principals. I listen to the Bulkwark and salute Mr. Sykes for his courage of his convictions.

@jsharp3165 Жыл бұрын

"Something, something, something, unicorn, maybe he dies." Sums up the traditional conservative response to Trump perfectly. Thanks, Charlie.

@catpotlan Жыл бұрын

Charlie is a national treasure

@likesnoozn Жыл бұрын

Charlie Sykes…the voice of reason👍🏻

@crome2194 Жыл бұрын

Charlie is the best. Extremely rarely do I disagree with what he says. I became a listener of the bulwark podcast since its inception and became a bulwark+ subscriber very early on. Their commentary is very informative and very insightful. There's just enough humor to keep it light. But watch your mental health. These are dark times, and it is easy to fall into a state permanent malaise. It's profoundly depressing how the conservative movement mutated into MAGA. It's frightening that their minds are immutable and impervious to reason. We know why. As Charlie said, many know they are being lied to, and they don't care. They don't care because the lie benefits their tribe. I shudder thinking about what could happen with tens of millions of people submitting to this. The worst could be yet to come.

@-dash Жыл бұрын

“their minds are immutable” Immutability isn’t a term to be used figuratively. An immutable mind would be necessarily divine, which doesn’t seem to be what you meant.

@crome2194 Жыл бұрын

@@-dash It simply means their minds are unchangeable. Their minds cannot be changed when presented facts or new information. They cannot be reached because they know and accept they are lied to. There's nothing "divine" about that.

@maryahhaidery7986 Жыл бұрын

“Watch your mental health” is sage advice! Mona Charen recently mentioned a New Yorker cartoon I posted on FB years ago. It depicts a woman concerned about the dilemma of being “well informed” vs “staying sane”. I think we can probably all relate. My personal solution is to: 1) Interact with institutions like the Bulwark that remind me that thoughtful, sane, political discourse on even controversial subjects is still possible. 2) Make a point to go “offline” periodically and just enjoy life 3) Remember that there’s nothing wrong with America that whatever is right with America can’t fix

@gingermcdonald8966 Жыл бұрын

Do you know what truly frightens me? If you replace Trump’s name in this conversation with Hitler, it is all still true! The intimidation, the intentional division of the country, the warping of the media, the attempts by the “normies” to appease. Charlie is right. This is a grave challenge to Democracy.

@yoliesellen5799 Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mr. Sykes, for your your explanations on 2023 politics. I appreciate all you do to yell " hair on fire" in real time.

@wheelie63 Жыл бұрын

may i first say that i really don't like the fact that most PBS videos do not allow any comment. i am glad that this one does. My comment here is that i really like Mr. Sykes, and agree seemingly completely with him. Also, this is a great interview by the stunning Ms. Hoover. thx. wb

@deeone5326 Жыл бұрын

Thank you!❤❤❤ I just discovered Charlie Sykes - I think that I can survive now - sanity renewed, it’s not me😊

@desertportal353 Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview and Margaret Hoover is just the best I've seen in years. Thanks for this.

@KL-hy2jt Жыл бұрын

Thanks for doing an episode with Charlie Sykes 👍👍👍 Good idea to put Firing Line and The Bulwark/Sykes together. Might also be a good idea to get Bill Kristol (also The Bulwark) on the show, he was on FiringLine with Bill Buckley.

@tommorrissey4726 Жыл бұрын

Terrific from both hostess and guest.

@JanetHadnott-vl2gi Жыл бұрын

Glad to see he’s left the dark side. I hope there is a demand for the Lincoln Project and what they are trying to do. As a leaning left democrat, I certainly support them.

@shelleygilbert Жыл бұрын

Great interview

@ghostpos Жыл бұрын

This guy is totally dialed into the current climate.

@mattfoley6082 Жыл бұрын

The MAGAs who need to see this won't because it's not on Fox.

@ralphdagostino4984 Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Charlie. Ratch it up, as much as you can. We desperately need your points of view on our current political mess. Please, don't give up!!!

@christineferris8723 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Mr Sykes

@stelladonaconfredobutler9459 Жыл бұрын

Adore you Charlie, thanks!

@robynrains7252 Жыл бұрын

Great conversation thank you both

@schwinn434 21 күн бұрын

After hearing this interview, Charlie Sykes dramatcally took a step up in my thoughts; I didn't (for reasons of ignorance) originally appreciate his brilliance and remarkable insight in to the political right, in this nation. Great interview.

@MidwayGuy Жыл бұрын

"Republican thought leaders need to think, and lead." Well said.

@willfrey7589 Жыл бұрын

Margaret makes this show, consistently, the best talk/interview program on the air.

@bmunson4920 Жыл бұрын

Laws are only as good as the people enforcing them.

@HarmonDMark Жыл бұрын

excellent, excellent

@HarrisWoodward 11 ай бұрын

Miss Hoover, you are a beautiful lady. A presence on stage. Most importantly, you are a savvy interviewer and you carry the conversation so well. Your interviews bear this out. Please resist any solicitations from the for-profit media organizations. You are too good for them. I love your culturally flavored outfit in this interview. It conveys a worldly empathy and intellect that no Barbies could harness. Please please don't leave PBS. I am a building contractor in a sea of angry voices, with makeup and bling and nonsense. My twin 21-year-old daughters, 18 and 15-year-old sons, Revere your clarity. Please keep on keeping on, on PBS. Thank you for your honest, thoughtful discourse.

@JohnMcLaughlin48 Жыл бұрын

I have found Charlie's voice on the GOP trainwreck critical to understand and deal with the danger ahead.

@coreysgmail7261 11 ай бұрын

Great interview !!! Nice to hear level headed people talk with stupidness joining the conversation . Thank you

@annakingry9157 Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview.

@philippapay4352 Жыл бұрын

Those of us who are institutionalists who believe in the promise of our Constitution to get to a more perfect union must stick together and continue to vote against the hatred and violence and disbelief in the very system that defines us to starve the beast. I keep hoping this mess is the death throes of this frightening thing that has sprung up amongst us. But I fear not so.

@Tamara-qd5dc Жыл бұрын

Why do so many believe that Trump is an external disturbance to our political and social life? Trump is the product of our society and we should look into ills of our society, not just into the phenomenon of Trump.

@NapaValleyVegan Жыл бұрын

Exactly! Trump didn’t invent racism, he didn’t invent sexism…he was created by our society. Until he won the election, everybody loved him as a game show host and a billionaire!

@JohnJakeWilliam Жыл бұрын

Have you ever tried to interview a lunatic? It's not an interview, it's lunacy. A padded room is the answer.

@francisbird6290 Жыл бұрын

Great show great guest !

@odzychris7996 9 ай бұрын

Great show!

@jerrydeanswanson79 4 ай бұрын

Excellent discussion. Sorry it took me this long to catch it. How did I miss it?

@Phoenix-in-flight Жыл бұрын

You can't say it's just the base when they all vote along party lines. None of them deviate in fear.

@stevenstewart6349 13 күн бұрын

One year ago today. Hooray for Charlie and his ilk.

@WolfWoman23 6 ай бұрын

I love this guy❤

@davidsabillon5182 Жыл бұрын

I'm a Bernie supporter but i listen to his show everyday. I almost never agree with his politics but i agree with uniting with his ilk to stop Trump.

@TheMissingxtension Жыл бұрын

Impressive insight! Very honest, he should jump into the republican party

@jamesschneider2091 Жыл бұрын

Intriguing discussion & guest today. IF 45 gets the R nomination, yes, Charlie - it becomes a "referendum" on the 45th CRIMINAL in Chief ... most of us will be voting for DEMOCRACY & CHOICE ... these issues simply disqualify 45 or the Republican Party from winning the top office on the ballot! 😊😉

@AzEagletarian Жыл бұрын

I like Charlie Sykes. AND I like Asa Hutchinson. But I don't get to vote in GOP primaries. I agree w/Sykes that Biden's the guy to beat... and the GOP we know at this moment can't beat him.

@deeone5326 Жыл бұрын

Whomever said that Trump is a mirror of us totally missed the message. Only mini minds bind to Trump.

@brianjennings7644 Жыл бұрын

I haven't missed a Bulwark podcast, since they began...not one..or my player would tell me.

@THATBOISHAD Жыл бұрын

Donald Trump is a mirror of ourselves and what we continue to allow to happen in our society; just as long as it's not happening to us or our loved ones. I see value in capitalism but abuse of capitalism is what we've been getting and tolerating.

@mikejohnson4617 Жыл бұрын

Charlie in his Milwaukee radio show helped to "enable and empower the crazies". He has not admitted (that I know of) that he used to contribute to our current problem. I do appreciate that he was an early never trumper and he now seems to get that that we all have a big problem (especially Republicans).

@kevinwasserburger3119 Жыл бұрын

He wrote an entire book about it..."How the Right Lost its Mind".

@cybrtitan Жыл бұрын

He frequently calls Ron Johnson his biggest mistake trust me he regrets what he did.. And as someone who has listened to him for 14 ish years people forget he stood up to the NRA when they wanted the pass constitutional carry in Wisconsin. He was not perfect then but no one is.

@gerrybaker7155 11 ай бұрын

I can accept that Limbaugh was a principle architect of today's Republican Party, but I maintain that he could not have succeeded without the equally onerous contribution of Newt Gingrich.

@danmayberry1185 Жыл бұрын

That Buckley-Limbaugh clip was heartbreaking.

@user-lb2ub5ti3g Жыл бұрын

I will never understand why Buckley is respected by conservatives... I have always thought of him as an insufferable ass. Having said that Limbaugh was a monster.

@waynetaylor3692 Жыл бұрын

Confirmed his suspicion that Rush wasn't a real Conservative, just another huckster.

@Lesliesez Жыл бұрын

I lost my parents to Limbaugh years ago, followed by fox 💔

@mattfoley6082 Жыл бұрын

"Tobacco doesn't cause cancer." --Rush Limbaugh before killing himself with tobacco Say it all about the MAGA mindset.

@bertillassenius8604 Жыл бұрын

When interviewing citizen Trump online every two minutes, at least the sound, should be switched off for fact-cheking! And after that the interview could continue from the checked facts😁

@marcibunn Жыл бұрын

❤thank u!

@busabrye Жыл бұрын

Trump for prison 2023

@htimsxam Жыл бұрын

Charlie is wearing the same outfit in this interview that he’s wearing on the podcast artwork. Absolutely adore him!

@harlowk 11 ай бұрын

❤

@karinaz8756 Жыл бұрын

I have the upmost respect for this man. I put the Bullwark in front of a channel like Meidas Touch. Charlie has much deeper insight. He’s honest. Meidas touch is endless clickbait .

@cynthiahutchins5790 Жыл бұрын

The question is…..will we survive another round of trump? I truly do not think so.

@coreysgmail7261 11 ай бұрын

It’s nice to see not every conservative drinks the trump lemonade .

@tarabartee3424 Жыл бұрын

Stop giving Trump free media.

@rustynails68 Жыл бұрын

PBS is chasing an audience just like conservative talk radio is. The firing line is a precious exception and I think that they are only allowed to do this through the rich heritage of the program. I hope that The Firing Line doesn’t lose its ability to consider moderate in the same way that has happened to Sykes.

@JohnJakeWilliam Жыл бұрын

The baseball bat guy on the Dems was directly the idea of Donald Trump (Alvin Bragg).

@samiaint8043 Жыл бұрын

David Packman Show: Bidens Accomplishments So Far in Office. PBS Newshour: A look at Bidens first two years in office as administrations faces new challenges 2023.

@annakingry9157 11 ай бұрын

My frustration is that Biden's long list of accomplishments is seldom covered. Democrats don't fight for him because he's not glamorous. Legitimate media ignores him because it's not exciting to talk about somebody who works all the time for the people. Republicans hate him. I think he's done a great job under great disadvantages from the beginning.

@samiaint8043 11 ай бұрын

@@annakingry9157 You can type as a comment whenever it fits. Others will agree with you.

@ryansharp9222 4 ай бұрын

Margaret Hoover is the definition of the establishment.

@fretish5425 Жыл бұрын

One of the only points I disagree with Charlie is that no one is worse than trump. DeSantis is every bit as horrible a human being as trump is AND DeSantis actually has the focus & aptitude to dismantle American democracy. So, the situation is not “if DeSantis wins that’s a good thing, if trump wins that’s a bad thing”. The situation is “holy crap, the Republican Party is not a legitimate political party and they can never be given power because they will destroy the republic”.

@fairygaslight8660 Жыл бұрын

Agreed. What Desantis lacks in Hitlerian "charisma," he more than makes up for in anti-BIPOC/ LGBTQ+ laws and executive orders. Many Republican held state assemblies have passed severe voter suppression laws since 2020. So, how are pro-democracy Anericans going to cast votes in large enough numbers to stop a political coup? The GOP has already locked in power and is building their Whitetopia. America is in a war of Democracy vs. Fascism. The MSM needs to start reporting the truth and wake up!!

@briancase6180 Жыл бұрын

"I just want to...destroy American democracy so I can make some real money. Come on, gimme a break." Donald, you've had nothing but break after break in life. Give us a break...from you.

@paulhoffer3123 Жыл бұрын

"AMEN" BROTHER

@sherryjensen-mason8457 Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@markantrobus8782 11 ай бұрын

Not just lies but logical fallacies like argumentum ad hominem.

@karinaz8756 Жыл бұрын

Joe Walsh did the same thing. You have to drink the koolaide and tow the party line to entertain the MAGATs.

@user-lb2ub5ti3g Жыл бұрын

If you are going to give Chump tv time it has to be like a game show... I'm thinking of those big, red X's on American idol. Give the monster three lies - three strikes and a bucked of orange slime is dumped on his head. You have to treat him like the dangerous/ ridiculous figure he is.

@missnellie33 Жыл бұрын

Love this idea 😂

@ssshar2176 Жыл бұрын

9:33 that’s it

@jojo-fu4xh Ай бұрын

TRUMP2024!

@greedowins2917 Жыл бұрын

How have I never heard of this show before?!? Know and regularly watch The Bulwark, as one of the sane places remaining - and is probably 80% aligned with 80% of Americans. Political parties are unconstitutional.

@thfpnw7103 Жыл бұрын

I don’t think the ABC poll is an outlier. Inflation and economic uncertainty create incredible risks for President Biden.

@ssshar2176 Жыл бұрын

Does that mean the only option is Trump? We want to be better than that.

@thfpnw7103 Жыл бұрын

I absolutely want us to do better than Trump. But only Republicans can stop him during the primary, and it doesn’t look like they have the appetite or stomach to do it. And if he is in the general, then we need voters from a handful swing states who can stop him.

@cynthiahutchins5790 Жыл бұрын

I don’t think trump can do shit for the economy or inflation…..he wouldn’t want to anyway……the ONLY answer IS Biden.

@thfpnw7103 Жыл бұрын

He is all about grifting but 20 years on TV pretending to be a successful businessman has people believe in him.

@annakingry9157 11 ай бұрын

Inflation has gone down steadily. Unemployment is the best in 50 years or more. Gloom and doom are more fun to report than a busy President quietly doing the job.

@vega7204 10 ай бұрын

These two are so smug and unaware, it's suffocating

@-dash Жыл бұрын

I hate where we’re at, honestly. Conservatism is emasculated and lame. Burkian sensibilities were forsaken. China awaits. The game is coming to an end.

@THATBOISHAD Жыл бұрын

China is not going to be successful. America is really self destroying itself though.

@talonyoung6160 Жыл бұрын

Bulwark has given me hope to know quite a few conservatives are sane, funny, rational, pleasantly snarky yet definitely still kind. So I may become officially an Independent. LOVE Bulwark staff and also Meidas Touch staff. Smart, and they all deal in REALITY and VERIFIABLE FACTS while speaking not like practiced broadcasters ("straight out of Central Casting" so sayeth DJT) but more as we all do at home with friends and family. They openly discuss obnoxious aspects of personalities and issues in public eye, even people and issues the staff pretty much like or promote, because they sanely know EVERYONE can go a bit too far sometimes. They remind us it is a "good thing" (yeah, quoting another reality TV celeb...Martha Stewart) to bring up the hard things even with those we like and love, and okay for them to do the same with us. Because wise people know smart means when you learn more , instead of refusing to consider new things, ONLY then can you become SMARTER.

@THATBOISHAD Жыл бұрын

It doesn't matter what party you're affiliated with. Who you vote for is your party. You're not just voting for that person, you are voting to give that whole party more power. So no matter what " conservative" you vote for, you are giving MTG Matt Gaetz Paul Gosar more power.