Stubborn Things

This week, Jay and Sean tackle the results of the Senate primary in Texas. They discuss James Talarico’s victory in the Democratic primary and the religious dimension of Talarico’s candidacy. They also assess the strengths and weaknesses of Talarico’s two potential GOP opponents, incumbent John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who will face each other in a runoff in May, as well as how Texas demographics may play in the general election. Plus, Jay and Sean dip into the mailbag and answer a listener question about the books that have influenced them. Take a listen and let us know what you think!
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Show notes:
Sean’s Recommendations:
The Almanac of American Politics
Electoral Realignments, by David Mayhew
The Emerging Democratic Majority, by John Judis and Ruy Teixeira
Jay’s Recommendations:
Conjectures and Refutations, by Karl Popper
Micromotives and Macrobehavior, by Thomas Schelling
Reflections on the Revolution in France, by Edmund Burke

AEI’s Jay Cost and Sean Trende talk about the topic on everyone’s mind this week: the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Learning Resources v. Trump, which struck down President Trump’s use of tariffs under IEEPA. Throughout the episode, our hosts touch on the majority opinion, as well as the various concurrences and dissents, that came down last Friday. Jay and Sean address the history of tariffs in American political economy before moving on to a conversation about the separation of powers. They wrap up by discussing the ideological makeup of the Court and this case’s implications for questions of checks and balances. Take a listen and let us know what you think!
Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.
Comments? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected].
Show notes:
Jay’s review of The Constitution of Conflict

On this week’s episode, Jay and Sean continue their focus on the Senate. In particular, they talk about the formation, history, and modern uses of the filibuster. Our hosts explain the rationale for the filibuster before addressing several criticisms of the procedure. In the second segment, Jay and Sean address the unexpected effectiveness Mike Johnson has shown as Speaker of the House. Take a listen!
Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.
Comments? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

This week, Jay and Sean zoom out from the ongoing immigration enforcement debate to talk about the history and politics of immigration. In the spirit of Stubborn Things, Jay and Sean try to make sense of various views – right, left, and center – on immigration and discuss the radical politics that prevents compromise and consensus. During the second half of the episode, they talk about Senate dysfunction and the upcoming Senate election in Texas. Take a listen!
Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.
Comments? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

This week, Jay and Sean talk the Donroe Doctrine. They address the centuries-old historical precedent of American military intervention in the Western Hemisphere and analyze how the Trump admiration's forays into Venezuela fit into this story. On the second half of the episode, Jay interviews Sean about his experiences as an election lawyer and congressional map-drawing extraordinaire. Take a listen!
Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.
Comments? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected].