Mehdi Hasan and Noam Chomsky on Biden vs. Trump

The Intercept・2 minutes read

Mehdi Hasan and Noam Chomsky discuss the severity of the US crisis, emphasizing the importance of voting for Biden in the upcoming election to prevent further catastrophe and influence policy decisions through popular movements. Chomsky dismisses concerns about Biden starting new foreign wars and highlights the need to unify against Trump, urging strategic voting to prevent the worst outcomes for humanity.

Insights

  • Noam Chomsky stresses the critical nature of the upcoming US election in preventing further catastrophe and emphasizes the importance of unifying against Trump, dismissing concerns about Biden starting new foreign wars.
  • Chomsky highlights the potential for popular movements to shape policies under a Biden presidency, advocating for strategic voting to prevent the worst outcomes and suggesting Biden incorporate elements of Sanders' program to appeal to the left.

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Recent questions

  • What is the current crisis in the US?

    Mehdi Hasan is broadcasting from Washington DC during the lockdown, discussing the crisis in the US with over 35,000 deaths and a dysfunctional healthcare system.

  • Why is the upcoming election crucial?

    Chomsky emphasizes the danger posed by the current crisis, stating that the upcoming election in November is crucial to prevent further catastrophe.

  • What is the importance of voting strategically?

    Chomsky reiterates the significance of small differences in power structures, emphasizing the need to vote strategically to prevent the worst outcomes.

  • Who should Biden appeal to for support?

    Chomsky suggests Biden should adopt elements of Sanders' program to appeal to the left.

  • What is the role of popular movements in politics?

    The speaker emphasizes the significance of popular movements in influencing political decisions and the need for continued engagement beyond election day.

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Summary

00:00

Chomsky Urges Strategic Voting to Defeat Trump

  • Mehdi Hasan is broadcasting from Washington DC during the lockdown, discussing the crisis in the US with over 35,000 deaths and a dysfunctional healthcare system.
  • Noam Chomsky, a renowned linguistics professor, joins the discussion, highlighting the severity of the current situation compared to historical events like the Spanish flu and Hitler's rise.
  • Chomsky emphasizes the danger posed by the current crisis, stating that the upcoming election in November is crucial to prevent further catastrophe.
  • Bernie Sanders endorsing Joe Biden is seen as a necessary step to unify the opposition against Trump, with the focus on removing the current administration from power.
  • The "Never Biden" movement is compared to historical mistakes where failing to unite against a common threat led to disastrous outcomes.
  • Chomsky stresses the importance of voting for the lesser evil in this critical moment to prevent irreversible damage to humanity.
  • The argument that Biden may start new foreign wars is dismissed by Chomsky, who points out Trump's current escalations and disregard for arms control agreements.
  • Chomsky highlights the potential for popular movements to influence a Biden presidency, emphasizing the importance of activism in shaping policies.
  • Chomsky reiterates the significance of small differences in power structures, emphasizing the need to vote strategically to prevent the worst outcomes.
  • Chomsky confirms he would vote for Biden in Arizona, a swing state, to prevent a Trump victory and suggests Biden should adopt elements of Sanders' program to appeal to the left.

19:18

"Reflections on Politics: Past, Present, Future"

  • The speaker reflects on their past political affiliations, mentioning voting for Republicans during the Vietnam War due to local representatives being perceived as the best.
  • They express concern over the current state of the Republican Party, noting its departure from traditional values and the lack of viable political choices.
  • The speaker discusses the upcoming election, highlighting Trump's continued support despite controversies and the importance of Biden's choice for vice president.
  • There is a debate on whether Elizabeth Warren as Biden's vice president would maintain progressivism or merely serve as a facade in a neoliberal administration.
  • The speaker emphasizes the significance of popular movements in influencing political decisions and the need for continued engagement beyond election day.
  • The conversation shifts to Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns, focusing on his policies, the lack of support from certain demographics, and the challenges faced by socialist candidates in the US.
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