The Russian-Iranian Alliance, A Bill Protecting Marriage Equality & Trump 2024?

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about how things are looking bad for Rudy Guliani and Netflix. Then he discusses the meeting in Tehran between Vladmir Putin and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran and Russia expressed mutual animosity towards NATO and the west, they also highlighted a new alliance between the two countries that is a based on grievance. Alex discusses that this was not always meant to happen and that the West has pushed Iran further towards Russia due to sanctions and backing out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. Next, Alex discusses that the House passed a bill on Tuesday to protect marriage equality. It was somewhat bipartisan, it passed in a 267-157 vote. However, it will need to pass in the Senate which is split 50-50; in order to avoid the filibuster, the Democrats will need 10 Republican Senators to join. Finally, Alex looks at what may happen on the GOP side in 2024. Current polling shows that about 50% of Republicans want someone new in 2024 and a little under 50% will support. Unfortunately, there is no alternative with a strong share of the vote. For example, Ron DeSantis has 25% and then other potential candidates are polling in the single digits. Alex worries that Trump just needs a plurality (like in 2016) and since the opposition cannot coalesce behind one candidate, Trump could still win a plurality and the nomination.