National Review editor Rich Lowry joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson to discuss Senator Cory Booker’s marathon filibuster, the Democratic victory in Wisconsin’s special election, and his take on the early days of Donald Trump’s second term. Lowry didn’t hold back on the political theater or the realities facing both parties in 2025.
Booker’s 25-Hour Filibuster: “All Style, No Substance”
Senator Cory Booker made headlines this week for delivering a dramatic 25-hour speech on the Senate floor, which he claimed was a protest against Republican efforts to strip health care, endanger the environment, and erode democracy. He invoked the Constitution, Rosa Parks, and even dedicated the speech to his former girlfriend Rosario Dawson. Booker also revealed he fasted for days to avoid bathroom breaks during his oratory marathon.
Lowry wasn’t impressed.
“It’s so Cory Booker to do a non-filibuster for 25 hours,” he quipped. “There’s no legislation. There’s nothing he’s stopping. He just wanted to talk.”
The National Review editor labeled Booker’s display “pathetic,” adding that there was “never any substance” to what he does. “It was all clichés and faux emotion,” Lowry said, dismissing the stunt as part of a long-term effort by Booker to rebrand himself ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Loss: A Familiar Political Cycle
Turning to the Democratic win in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court special election and narrower-than-expected Republican margins in Florida, Lowry urged Republicans not to panic.
“I’ve been through this so many times,” he said. “Every special election after a new president gets in, it’s ‘Oh my gosh, he’s in such trouble.’ But it’s just the way it goes.”
Lowry noted that lower turnout among Republican voters—particularly without Trump on the ballot—has become a recurring challenge. He likened these “marginalized voters” to the phenomenon of Reagan Democrats in the 1980s: loyal to a specific candidate but not necessarily to the party.
“Trump gets people who are sitting on their couches with a bong on the coffee table and an OnlyFans account to get out and vote,” he joked. “But they’re not coming out for a state Supreme Court race.”
He added that Elon Musk’s last-minute campaign support in Wisconsin, while financially helpful, may have been a distraction when the tech billionaire appeared personally at events. “It was probably a bad idea for him to go,” Lowry said. “He should have just funded it.”
Trump’s First 70 Days: Strong Border, Some Concerns on Tariffs
Lowry gave a largely positive review of Trump’s early second-term accomplishments, praising decisive moves on border security, deregulation, and the fight against DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) policies.
“The border success is huge,” he said. “He shut it down in 24 hours, like he promised. That’s fantastic.”
He also highlighted the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to dismantling DEI bureaucracies, pointing to the University of Michigan’s sweeping rollback as a major cultural win.
However, Lowry expressed caution regarding Trump’s tariff agenda, especially in light of rising prices.
“I’m old school—I think tariffs are tax increases,” he said. “They suppress the economy and could increase prices, which is politically risky. Voters really care about prices.”
Lowry warned that while Trump aims to revitalize American industry, the economic uncertainty from ongoing trade disputes could undercut the administration’s momentum.
“He promised to lower prices during the campaign, and now his policies might raise them. That’s a problem,” he concluded.
A Waiting Game for Democrats—and Republicans
Lowry predicted that Democrats, despite current disarray and performative politics, remain a threat due to the natural pendulum of American electoral cycles.
“In a two-party system, nobody stays down forever,” he said. “The out-party figures something out. Eventually, someone more compelling will emerge on the Democratic side. We just don’t know who that is yet.”
As for Republicans, Lowry emphasized that sustaining momentum will require more than culture-war wins and viral moments.
“It’s not just about Trump. The GOP needs to get those marginal voters to show up when he’s not on the ballot. Otherwise, races like Wisconsin will keep slipping away.”