Triad Mailbag: Listeners Ask About UAE, 2028 Dems, Rahm Emanuel & More

Welcome back to the Triad Mailbag, the podcast where we answer your sharpest—and occasionally nosy—questions. This week, we’re diving into over 300 listener-submitted topics, from geopolitics to domestic politics and beyond.

For our audiophiles, this edition is available in the Bulwark+ Takes feed. For readers, we’ve included a full transcript below. Here’s what we covered:

Topics Discussed

1. UAE’s Exit from OPEC and the Petrodollar (1:42)

The UAE unilaterally leaving OPEC is another pillar removed in the house of the petrodollar. What do you think, JVL?

2. Democratic Strategy for 2028 (5:20)

Given the importance of 2028, Dems obviously need to win in places where they haven’t been doing so hot lately. Is left-wing populism the play? It almost feels like this moment calls for the opposite of the old ‘socially liberal, fiscally conservative’ platitude that would have described many Bulwark contributors a decade ago.

3. De-Trumpifying America: Top 3 Priorities for Democrats (7:26)

If Democrats, by some stroke of luck, win the White House and both chambers of Congress in 2028, what should their top 3 priorities be to de-Trumpify the nation?

4. The Constitution as a “Suicide Pact” (10:27)

I just want to put a quarter in the machine for ‘the constitution is not a suicide pact’ and what that means in practical terms to you?

5. Expanding the House to Counter Gerrymandering (12:28)

Do you think it is beneficial to expand the number of representatives in the House to counteract gerrymandering?

6. Rahm Emanuel’s Legacy (13:56)

JVL answers: Why do you not like Rahm Emmanuel?

7. The Evolution of JVL’s Political Thought (18:44)

I’m interested in hearing from JVL about the evolution of your political thought. What made you a conservative in the first place? Were you an actual supporter of the Republican Party? The reason I ask is that I just don’t hear any conservative views from you—and you might have them on abortion, but that seems like it would be about it. What I hear from you is a lot of Catholic Social Teaching. [...] What am I missing?

8. Voting in the NJ Special Election (26:19)

Sarah asked you if you voted in the NJ special election and you seemed to shrug it off saying, “No, I didn’t…it’s been a week.” [...] I will crawl through glass to vote these morons out of office, so it was painful to hear someone who I respect and admire shrug it off like it was inconvenient. [...] Thoughts?

9. JVL’s Relationship with Tucker Carlson (28:46)

JVL once considered Tucker one of his best friends. He very rarely comments about Tucker, staying relatively quiet when Sarah or Tim make biting comments about him. I’m curious when was the last time JVL spoke to Carlson, whether he thinks Carlson is putting on an act or is serious, and how he explains his turn over the last years?

10. What Americans Can Be Proud Of Today (34:15)

Please list some things an American can be proud of today. (I need some inspiration.)

11. JVL’s Favorite TV Shows (36:48)

JVL shares his top three.