JRE 1295 · May 14, 2019

Tulsi Gabbard

politicsmilitaryphilosophybusiness

Who is Tulsi Gabbard?

Tulsi Gabbard is a 2020 Presidential Candidate of the Democratic Party and is currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district since 2013. https://www.tulsi2020.com/

Topics and Timestamps

01Tulsi discusses her 2020 presidential campaign and why she decided to run as a Democrat
02Conversation covers her military service and how it shaped her political views on foreign policy
03Tulsi explains her stance on regime change wars and military interventionism
04Discussion of her controversial comments and how media has portrayed her campaign
05Tulsi talks about her experience in Congress and working across party lines
06Joe and Tulsi explore concerns about corporate interests influencing foreign policy decisions
▶Tulsi explains her decision to run for president in 20200:05:30
▶Discussion of regime change wars and military interventionism0:18:45
▶Tulsi talks about her military service and combat experience0:32:20
▶Conversation about corporate influence on foreign policy0:48:15
▶Tulsi addresses media criticism and controversies around her campaign1:15:30

The Show

In JRE 1295, Joe sits down with Tulsi Gabbard, the Hawaii congresswoman and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, for a wide-ranging conversation about politics, military service, and her vision for America's role in the world. Tulsi brings a unique perspective to the table as someone who has actually served in combat, giving her firsthand experience with the consequences of military decisions made in Washington.

The conversation quickly pivots to foreign policy, which becomes the throughline of the entire episode. Tulsi is passionate about ending what she calls regime change wars, arguing that American military interventionism in places like Syria, Libya, and Iraq has destabilized entire regions and created more problems than it solved. She points out the disconnect between politicians voting for wars and the actual soldiers who have to fight them. This isn't abstract political posturing for her - she's seen the human cost up close.

Tulsi discusses her decision to run for president and why she felt compelled to challenge the establishment within the Democratic Party. She explains her positions on various issues and how she tries to work across party lines to find common ground. The conversation touches on how the media has portrayed her campaign and some of the controversies that have followed her, which she addresses directly and without defensiveness.

Joe and Tulsi dig into the influence of corporate interests on foreign policy decisions, exploring how defense contractors and other corporate entities shape American military strategy. She argues that these decisions are often made not in the interest of national security or the American people, but in the interest of those corporations and their shareholders.

Throughout the episode, Tulsi comes across as thoughtful and willing to engage seriously with complex questions. She doesn't shy away from disagreement and speaks from her actual experience rather than talking points. Her military background gives her credibility when discussing military matters, and she uses that to challenge conventional wisdom in Washington about America's role in the world.