Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"I think that he was probably getting a little handsy with these girls. And you'll take the credit. Forget about it. I will take the credit." — [Speaker 1]
"The best politicians would never want to be a politician. Like the best leader. It never wants to be like 100%." — [Speaker 2]
"The thing is that you've got to judge greatness within a vacuum, right? Like we're judging like the athletic greatness within a vacuum." — [Speaker 3]
The transcript centers on the resignation of Governor Cuomo, exploring the allegations of sexual misconduct and the controversial decision to publish a book about his pandemic response. Speakers discuss the potential motivations behind Cuomo's actions, drawing a distinction between accidental harm (pandemic response) and intentional misconduct (sexual harassment), and how the act of publishing a book about the pandemic response is seen as exacerbating his situation. The conversation delves into the perceived use of Italian cultural stereotypes as an excuse for behavior, with speakers questioning whether these stereotypes accurately represent the broader Italian community.
The discussion expands to consider the broader themes of power, ambition, and accountability in politics. Speakers suggest that a deep-seated desire for power can drive individuals to act inappropriately, especially towards those with less influence. They draw parallels to other historical and public figures, including figures like Bill Clinton and Anthony Weiner, to illustrate patterns of misconduct among powerful individuals. The episode also touches upon the role of media and public figures in shaping narratives and the challenges of historical judgment versus contemporary accountability.
Further analysis is given to Chris Cuomo's situation, questioning his potential complicity or awareness of his brother's actions and his role as a news anchor. The conversation critiques the concept of "greatness" in leaders, proposing that individuals achieving significant positions often possess a degree of ruthlessness or moral ambiguity, and that power itself can be corrupting. The episode concludes by exploring the idea that all actions of prominent figures become scrutinized and recorded, akin to a "blockchain," serving as a permanent record of their behavior, both positive and negative.