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10 Questions with ... Michael Medved
August 25, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
After studying American history in college, and a year of law school, I spent several years as a speechwriter and political consultant before publishing my first bestseller at 26; Author of 14 books, most recently GOD’S HAND ON AMERICA: DIVINE PROVIDENCE IN THE MODERN ERA (released in paperback, autumn, 2020) Worked for many years as a TV/film critic (for CNN, Britain’s Channel 4, and PBS as cohost of Sneak Previews, as well as serving as chief film critic for the New York Post. A member of the USA TODAY Board of Contributors, and syndicated radio talk show host since 1996, based in Seattle.
1. Since we last spoke several years ago, Donald Trump happened, and you became known as a Trump skeptic even though you remain a solid conservative and independent. What's your take on the #NeverTrump conservatives like the Lincoln Project, and where do you think you fit in on the political spectrum as it stands right now?
I respect the courage and dedication of the leaders of the Lincoln Project, but I disagree with their scorched earth approach to the upcoming election. In particular, I think they make a profound mistake in seeking the defeat of Republican candidates for the US Senate, some of whom -- Cory Gardner of Colorado, Susan Collins of Maine, Joni Ernst of Iowa, John James of Michigan, Ben Sasse of Nebraska -- eminently deserve support. For two reasons, even Never Trump conservatives should work hard to help maintain GOP Senate control. If they don’t back mainstream conservatives in Senate races, they will have no role in reshaping the Republican Party after the election. And secondly, if Biden does prevail in November, he will be a far better, more moderate president if he’s forced to work with a Republican Senate than if the Democrats enjoy full control of the legislative branch.
2. A little while back, you speculated that if Trump loses the 2020 election, he could and would mount a comeback campaign in 2024 to try and get back into the White House. Right now (late August 2020), let's indulge in a little speculation: What's your prediction for the election, and do you still think Trump might try to get a delayed second term if he loses this round?
The election remains volatile and unpredictable, but unless there’s a sudden, dramatic improvement in the course of the pandemic, or a complete Biden meltdown in the debates, I suspect Trump will lose enough of the swing states that were painfully close last time (Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida) to give the Democrats a solid electoral college victory. It also seems obvious that the president has prepared for that loss by laying the groundwork for a new conservative television network to compete with Fox -- hence, all his nasty recent comments about why he no longer likes Fox. The Trump Network would allow him to communicate with his loyal followers every night in prime time, with televised rallies once a month at least, while offering regular shows with Donald Junior, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Kayleigh McEnany, Jared and Ivanka -- and maybe even Steve Bannon when he gets out of jail. In any event, as long as Trump stays healthy, and his media empire achieves substantial success, it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t run in 2024 -- “pulling a Grover” by following President Cleveland’s example and winning non-consecutive terms. After all, in 2024, Trump will be a sprightly 78 -- the same age as Biden at his inauguration (if he wins). The process of running for president is something Trump savors and loves, much more than he seems to enjoy the challenge of governing as president -- and it gives him the intensive attention he most deeply craves.
3. One of the things you're known for is being a reasoned voice -- you're not a screamer, you don't indulge in wild conspiracy theories, you're more open to debating opposing views. That, of course, is not the way a lot of political discourse goes these days. Do you think America will get back to where political divisions are less volatile and polarized -- can we get to something closer to unity, or has the fission become irreparable?
I believe that if Trump loses his bid for re-election in 2020, the polarization and apocalyptic rhetoric will decline almost immediately. Biden may not be the most impressive leader in the world, but he’s not scary – and by featuring Republicans at his convention he seemed to signal that he’ll make at least some attempt at working with the other party (especially if the GOP maintains Senate control). If, on the other hand, Trump wins, I fear that “woke” lunatics will take over the Democratic Party and throw all mainstream liberals overboard – only intensifying the divisions and the sense of a system at the edge of collapse. Just imagine: Donald Trump Jr. vs. AOC in 2024 (yes, she’ll be old enough by then -- just barely).
4. As a veteran movie critic, how are you handling the inability to go to the movie theater these days (okay, AMC's reopened some venues, but it's not "normal" yet)? Do you miss it? Do you think, now that the studios have released some originally-intended-as-theatrical films directly to on-demand, the theater experience (for all but the biggest superhero and action franchises) is endangered?
I still review five movies each week -- which I stream at home -- and the reviews go out to dozens of radio stations across the country (shameless plug: go to michaelmedved.com). I do occasionally miss the big screen experience, especially for great-looking epic films, like the recent Tom Hanks WWII naval adventure, GREYHOUND. Many theatres will close after the pandemic, but others will survive and perhaps even thrive, for one reason: going out to the movies, even if you invest in popcorn and bonbons, is still one of the cheapest dates around, and more and more American adults remain single till later and later in life.
5. You've written a couple of books, including your latest, on what you term "divine providence" in American history -- strange and/or miraculous moments that indicate the presence of a guiding hand. Sticking to the modern era, if you were to be asked for one example of an incident or chapter of American history to convince, or at least intrigue, a non-believer that there might just be a divine hand guiding the nation, what would it be?
The first chapter of my 2018 book THE AMERICAN MIRACLE tells the story of the most dumfounding coincidence in American history, involving two founding fathers whose lives had been hauntingly, fatefully intertwined. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, once close friends, ran against each other for president twice (they split the decisions), and then renewed their friendship in retirement after years of competition and criticism. They also died on the same day, both achieving astonishing old age for the era (Jefferson was 83, Adams 90). Most amazingly of all, the day of their double deaths -- July 4, 1826 -- wasn’t just an ordinary calendar date: it marked the precise 50th anniversary Jubilee of the Declaration of Independence on which the men collaborated as the primary authors. At the time of this eerie milestone (with Adams’ son, John Quincy Adams, in the White House) even religious skeptics saw the peaceful, perfectly-timed passing of the two giants as a signal of providential favor on the young Republic, which had flourished spectacularly in its first 50 years.
6. If you could have just one guest -- living or dead, any topic -- to have a three-hour, show-long conversation about anything, who would it be and what would you want to talk about?
Without hesitation, I’d invite Abraham Lincoln, not only the wisest, most skillful political leader our nation -- or any nation -- ever produced, but perhaps the greatest prose writer in the history of the English language (sorry, Shakespeare wrote poetry and plays). His mind, as well as his life, can only be described as miraculous. How did he grow into the giant he became with less than two years of formal schooling of any kind? The main subject: Lincoln’s secrets for persuasion and inspiration, and for turning enemies into allies. Too many of our contemporary leaders specialize in turning allies into enemies.
7. Do-over time: If there's one thing you could go back and change in your career, what would it be?
If I can only pick one thing, it has to be a significant, spectacular stupidity, right? Here’s the first example that comes to mind: as a senior in college, I had no interest in becoming a lawyer but I did apply to one law school: Yale. I had been a Yale undergraduate and I wanted to stay around New Haven; somewhat to my surprise, they not only admitted me at Yale Law but gave me a generous fellowship to cover my tuition and expenses. I actually enjoyed the classes in my first year, but before it ended, I took a formal leave of absence because I’d been offered a job as head-speechwriter for a Senatorial campaign. That began four years of kicking around, doing speechwriting and political consulting, and I never did go back to law school. Yes, I’m glad I’ve avoided the tedious toil of legal work, but I wish I’d completed that credential – especially since my classmates at the time included Bill and Hillary, Clarence Thomas, and other intriguing personalities.
8. Back to movies, and it's suggestion time: With people getting deeper and deeper into the streaming services' offerings (and new material running low), what lesser-known movies would you recommend to them as worth a few hours?
One recent release is just outstanding, a little documentary masterpiece. BOYS STATE tells the true story of more than a thousand teenagers traveling to Austin in 2018 to spend a week as “pretend politicians” in the state legislature. It’s part of an American Legion high school program that’s flourished for 85 years, and helped train Bill Clinton, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney, Cory Booker, and many more. The movie is touching, ultimately inspiring, and full of insight about what’s wonderful – and whacked – about our politics.
Another film that’s eminently worth discovering is a timeless, black-and-white gem from 1946: A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. Based on a marvelous novel, it tells the story of an immigrant family in the Williamsburg neighborhood in 1912, focusing on an aspiring teenaged writer and her father: an Irish singing waiter with big dreams but a drinking problem. The first film by the great director Elia Kazan, it’s one of the most moving father-daughter films ever made, and celebrates America as a land of miracles and a kingdom of kindness.
9. What's your general outlook for America? Whatever happens in the election, are you optimistic about the nation's ability to overcome -- and have the events of the last few years changed that or made you even more confident?
Without question, this is a dark time, but so were the ‘60s (I was in the building when Robert Kennedy was shot), and so were the ‘30s and ‘40s, and so was the Civil War (nearly 700,000 killed). As with all our most serious trials, I think the nation will emerge both stronger and better. It may take a few years -- it usually does -- but as Dr. King declaimed: “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” One of the subjects I write about in THE AMERICAN MIRACLE is George Washington’s seeming indestructability in the constant face of deadly danger. His contemporaries understood the phenomenon because of Washington’s status as “the indispensable man” in the struggle for a new nation. In the same sense, America remains the one indispensable nation on the planet: if our Republic did collapse, darkness and chaos and brutality would encircle the globe. I believe that most Americans understand that – as do most people around the world. That realization gives the nation an inexhaustible ability for renewal and reinvention and readjustment. In Lincoln’s words: “The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country…. We -- even we here -- hold the power, and bear the responsibility.”
10. What's one piece of life advice you'd give to someone starting out, maybe fresh out of college or high school? What wisdom can you impart to someone starting out?
Any ambitious American striver must embrace the power of partnership. If you seek to achieve something substantial, you’ll never do it alone: team with people who exemplify characteristics you’d like to develop in yourself. Of course, that starts with family (parents, siblings, and others, if possible), and may include professional associates, but features, most importantly, a spouse. My marriage, nearly 36 years ago, to Dr. Diane Medved literally changed everything – and every day – for the better. Nothing will matter as much over the years as making the right decision in that most intimate arena.
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