Deception and misdirection is endemic to our politics, in ways both unfortunate and necessary. It's tough to pinpoint exactly where that is most evident, but today, we'll spotlight one egregious example: whatever Republicans are trying to pull on America by asking us to trust Mitt Romney. (And, for that matter, trying to pull on themselves.)
Call it a Jedi mind trick, run amok. Remember when in "Star Wars: Episode IV," Obi-Wan Kenobi's trick got Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2D2 past a group of Stormtroopers in Mos Eisley, telling them that "these aren't the droids you're looking for"? (Apology for the nerd overdose, but then again, it is what it is.) They pulled that off because, as Kenobi said, those tricks work on the weak-minded. But judging by that standard, is the Republican Party, then, as weak-minded as those they're trying to sell on Romney?
That will be one of many questions Melissa will examine (and yes, there will be lightsabers). Other topics include policing the words of politicians (and TV hosts); the unique challenge of running for office while female (Rep. Joe Walsh's comments about Tammy Duckworth might come up); and an extended look at the battleground states in this November's presidential election. And now that school is out, Melissa will give all of #nerdland a summer reading list. (Check back here on the blog after the show for more.)
Our guests will include:
- Anthea Butler, professor of Religious Studies and Graduate Chair of Religion at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), who represents California's 9th Congressional District.
- Ari Melber, correspondent for The Nation and an msnbc contributor.
- Ed Rendell, former Pennsylvania governor, Philadelphia mayor and former Democratic National Committee chairman.
- Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List.
- Kyrsten Sinema, former member of the Arizona state legislature now running for Congress in Arizona as a Democrat.
We hope that you interact with us during the show here in the comments of this post, on Facebook, and on Twitter, using the hashtag #nerdland -- and encourage others to do the same. We look forward to having you join us at 10am ET on msnbc!