Behind the veneer of civility that cloaked the 2 October US vice presidential debate, there are radical differences that can't be reconciled. Key topics: - Fact-checking and post-truth: the CBS News debate moderators couldn't fact-check the vice presidential candidates, but, weirdly enough, candidates were encouraged to fact-check each other. - JD …

We compare two radically different visions for America in the 10 September presidential debate. We talk about the ideas, the emotions and the communication tactics. Key topics: - Harris’ opportunity economy is aimed at a broad coalition of middle classes, workers and small business owners. Republicans identify as “working class” even when they are …

In this episode: - Russian interference and Tenet Media: paying American right-wing influencers to do what they already do; pro-Trump commentator Dave Rubin’s journey from left to right, or why libertarians ally with the far right. - Operation Doppelganger: impersonating mainstream media and mixing fact and fiction to sow division in US domestic po…

We discuss two different styles and visions of populism - the Democrats vs the Republicans. Kamala Harris accepts the nomination as presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention, Tim Walz is a "man of the people", Trump and Vance's weird politics focuses on doom and gloom and how to save Americans from catastrophe. Lack of engagement…