"Ted Cruz is a cruise missile heading to oblivion."Fallout from the unprecedented cold front to hit the southern states has seen skyrocketing power bills for Texas residents and Ted Cruz forced to return from a family trip to Cancun with his tail between his legs. Meanwhile, the United States has surpassed a milestone that no one ever wanted to see, 500,000 deaths due to COVID, so how goes recovery efforts? Also talking about the minimum wage debate, Merrick Garland, Neera Tanden, ICE, and unpacking the crackdown on white nationalism in the US military.

US of Ed

Everything's Bigger in Texas (Including Power Bills)

"For the past four years we've paid attention to politics rather than policy."Donald Trump's second impeachment trial ended this week in an unsurprising acquittal and some are looking to take justice in other ways, but at what point can we stop paying attention to this fiasco? Let's talk policy instead, with economists warning millions of jobs are unlikely even once the COVID pandemic is over, with attitudes to travel and working from home vastly changed, and that retraining is needed. Also talking Republican obstructionism, Texas power failures, China and Taiwan, and Rush Limbaugh.

Policy Over Politics

"Donald Trump's new lawyers, it looks like he went so deep in the barrel he got frogs, were not able to mount a decent opening set of arguments."Donald Trump's second impeachment trial underway at time of recording this week, a devastating case brought by Democrats to meagre defence but how much patience do we really have for proceedings? Meanwhile, debate over stimulus cheques, minimum wage and family security payments, should Biden go big or go bipartisan? Also touching on Georgia election interference and Trump's election fund sticky fingers, Iran, Julian Assange, and the Super Bowl.

Impeachin' 2: Electric Boogaloo

"Biden, as he said yesterday, I'm not doing any governing yet, I'm just trying to get to the point where I can."Analysing the latest executive orders to come across the desk of Joe Biden including a new direction on immigration and push for American manufacturing, plus shoving $1.9 trillion of COVID relief across the line without bipartisan debate. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is struggling to mount a legal team or defence when it comes to his second round of impeachment proceedings. Also talking Biden's phone call with Vladimir Putin, ending the filibuster, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ted Cruz trying to be the new Trump, and six more weeks of winter according to Punxsutawney Phil.

Taking Care of Business

"There are a lot of systemic inequalities that exist in the US and I think even starting to chip away will mean tremendous progress."Ed and Sean are joined again by Dana Rawls and Stephanie Zuniga-Maher from Democrats Abroad this week in a supersized chat! One week in and the Biden Administration has hit the ground running, we discuss the latest cabinet appointees and what is on the agenda for the first 100 days, including COVID economic relief, unemployment, immigration and racial inequality. Plus what the result in Georgia means for Southern Democrats and the role of Kamala Harris in the new administration.

SPECIAL: The Biden Agenda

"Talking about healing... Talking to the soul of America."Joe Biden has officially been sworn in as President of the United States of America, with Kamala Harris making history as his VP. Already the Biden administration is coming out swinging with a slew of executive orders looking at tackling the COVID crisis and breaking down the legacy of the Trump presidency. But it's not all good news coming back from the break over the new year, as Ed and Sean discuss the Trump insurrection and ongoing consequences of political violence becoming mainstream.

The 46th President of the United States

"The battle's not over, but at least we all have the same direction now."2020 has been one for the history books, and most of us will be happy to see it consigned to history as well. Looking at the highs and lows of the year for the United States, including COVID-19 and the complete mismanagement that has led now to over 300,000 deaths. The ups and downs of the Black Lives Matter movement and need for change, and of course, the presidential campaign along with the utter depths of lows we've seen since the result in November.

Hindsight is 2020: Highs and Lows for the Year

"You cannot pardon yourself for the commission of a crime that was intended to interfere with the rules and rights of American citizens."While much of the world celebrates a COVID vaccine and looks toward recovery, the United States is registering single day highs in terms of COVID deaths. Meanwhile, Trump lawsuits are collapsing due to the weight of evidence in the 2020 election, and Trump, uninterested in governing, is collapsing as well. First though, talking new additions to the Biden cabinet, and we discuss William Barr, Rudy Guiliani, and unpack the Senate race in Georgia.Next week will be our final episode for 2020, discussing the highs and the (numerous) lows of the last year.

All Fall Down

"You'd think they'd want to give people a Christmas present, a little turkey in the stocking or whatever."Looking at the latest Joe Biden cabinet picks and just how difficult the confirmation process is going to be, depending on the results in Georgia. And coming into Christmas, Mitch McConnell is more interested in playing Scrooge and leaving a mess for Biden than helping Americans through what could be a very lean Christmas. Plus surrender on COVID, Trump's pardon-for-pay, fundraising schemes, and threats against the $780 billion military funding bill.

Nothing Much in the Stocking

"What [Biden is] trying to do is get people who know how to run the government, it's been mismanaged for four years."Taking a look at Joe Biden's picks so far for cabinet positions, and how they're likely to shape policy and foreign relations going forward. The transition preceding in earnest, yet it seems the Trump administration can't resist some more 'mischief' on the way out with Mike Pompeo reportedly in secret talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Also talking climate policy, a pardon for Michael Flynn, Georgia, and Thanksgiving - what are we most thankful for?

Putting the Wheels Back On

"Americans are dying because of Mitch McConnell, and people ought to know that."In spite of Donald Trump's best effort, the Biden administration has been busy transitioning into power with new appointees to White House roles and laying the groundwork for early policy. But Trump and Republicans seem determined to wreck the joint and hand Biden a poisoned chalice, even if it costs American lives thanks to raging COVID rates and a desperate need for economic stimulus. Also looking at a COVID vaccine, military uncertainty in Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran, the senate race in Georgia, and Lindsey Graham.

Salting the Earth

"We have to be patient, because [Trump] is going to use every trick in the book and some we haven't even seen yet."Its official, Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States of America. But if Biden and Harris are busy trying to build bridges and heal an America that's been broken down the middle, Donald Trump is busy blowing them up. Baseless claims of election fraud and interference, and an incumbent that refuses to concede, means it's still a rocky road ahead to inauguration day.With special guest Stephanie Zuniga-Maher from Democrats Abroad.

Victory Lap

"There's more in the tank."While at time of recording we still cannot declare an official winner, the stage is set for Joe Biden to officially take over as the 46th President of the United States. It's not all good news for Democrats, however, with a much tighter race than suggested by polls, Republicans slated to hold the Senate, and Dems actually going backwards in the House, despite clinging to a majority. So where did it go right for Biden? Where did it go wrong? And what happens next, particularly if Donald Trump continues to claim victory?

Sanity Prevails?

Leading into the close of the ballots, Ed and Sean literally counted down the final few hours of the election race in a broadcast for 2ser 107.3 (9am - 12pm AEDT)Discussing the states to watch and senate turnout, the battle for the soul of America, voter suppression and intimidation, what the mandate will be depending on Senate results and more... Joined by Dana Rawls and Stephanie Zuniga-Maher from Democrats Abroad and Brendan O'Connor from the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.Additional Producers:Rod ChambersTina QuinnRyan StantonMax Tillman

SPECIAL: Election 2020

"Go blue."Coming into the final week of the election race and all the polls look good for Joe Biden, but it's only the one on election day that counts. Amy Coney Barrett has been quickly confirmed ahead of the result as well though, raising fears about her role in a potential voting stalemate and questions about the future of the court. Talking the final debate, Barrett, swing states, bringing out the big guns in the Biden campaign, voting, as well as the latest from Lebanon and COVID cases in Europe.

Once More Unto the Breach

Ed Blakely has served in different capacities under a succession of presidential administrations, has guided government policy on urban planning and is a widely cited academic. My name is Sean Britten, and each week, Ed and I have a chat about what’s the latest news out of the United States, talking everything politics, planning and policy from sea to shining sea.

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US of Ed

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