How real is the GOP crack-up over war ahead of the midterms? w/ Jim Antle & Jack Hunter

How real is the GOP crack-up over war ahead of the midterms? w/ Jim Antle & Jack Hunter

From Trip the Beltway Fantastic With Kelley Vlahos and Friends by Distributed by: OMG Media Partners, LLC

July 14, 2026 · 41 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the contrasting views on Lindsey Graham's legacy and the implications for the Republican Party ahead of the midterms amidst ongoing conflicts in Iran.

The death of Senator Lindsey Graham has drawn diametrically opposed eulogies and no shortage of grave dancing. We talk about that, and how Graham straddled two eras of the Republican Party — that of the old Cold War-neoconservative period and that of Trumpian MAGA. We discuss how the latter is about to face a reckoning at the midterms as the war in Iran continues without a seeming end. Guests: Jim Antle, executive editor of the Washington Examiner Jack Hunter, political writer for Responsible Statecraft and The American Conservative Chapter Markers 0:00 Welcome And Why It Matters 1:16 Lindsey Graham’s Record And Reputation 7:26 Political Skill Versus Policy Damage 17:21 Midterm Map And Wave Reality 21:33 Iran War Fallout And Gas Prices 24:41 Tucker’s Third Party Temptation 28:43 Vance Rubio And The 2028 Fight 36:13 MAGA Erosion And Rogan Democrats 39:51 Final Plugs And Wrap

People in this episode

Guests: Jim Antle, Jack Hunter

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Washington Examiner, Responsible Statecraft, The American Conservative

Places: Iran

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