Political Influence and Judicial Nominations

In this episode of Washington Week Extra, Robert Costa discusses the influence of dark money in American politics with Jane Mayer. They explore Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's strategies for Supreme Court appointments and the potential Democratic response, including court expansion and ending the filibuster. The conversation delves into the history and impact of dark money, highlighting the Federalist Society and other interest groups. The discussion also touches on the future of Republican influence, particularly the role of the Koch brothers and other donors. The episode concludes with an invitation to join the newsletter for political insights.

What is the main focus of the Washington Week Extra episode discussed in the transcript?

• Healthcare reform

• Education policy

• Climate change

• Dark money in politics

What challenge does Mitch McConnell face regarding the Supreme Court vacancy?

• Balancing conservative appointments with maintaining Senate majority

• Finding a suitable candidate for the vacancy

• Gaining support from the Democratic Party

• Avoiding media scrutiny

What potential action are Democrats considering in response to Republican strategies?

• Reducing the number of Supreme Court justices

• Ending the filibuster

• Increasing the number of Senate seats

• Impeaching the President

What is the Federalist Society's role in the judicial nomination process?

• It opposes all judicial nominations

• It supports liberal judicial candidates

• It is a conservative legal group influencing nominations

• It funds Democratic campaigns

How do Democrats plan to counteract the influence of dark money?

• By supporting Republican candidates

• By increasing their own dark money efforts

• By reforming campaign finance for more transparency

• By ignoring the issue

What historical event marked the beginning of conservative efforts to influence the courts?

• A 1971 paper by conservative businessmen

• The founding of the Democratic Party

• The election of Ronald Reagan

• The Watergate scandal

What is the main argument of Senator Whitehouse regarding dark money?

• It has no impact on judicial nominations

• It should be made more transparent

• It should be increased for both parties

• It is a necessary part of politics

What is the relationship between the Koch brothers and President Trump?

• They have always supported him

• They initially opposed him but later aligned on certain policies

• They have never interacted

• They are his main political rivals

Who is Bernard Marcus and what is his role in politics?

• A Supreme Court justice

• A journalist covering dark money

• A Democratic senator

• A founder of Home Depot supporting Trumpism

What is the potential future of the Republican Party according to the discussion?

• It will dissolve

• It will merge with the Democratic Party

• It will return to its pre-Trump state

• It will continue to be influenced by major donors and Trumpism