Civitas Outlook
Topic
Politics
Published on
Contributors
John Yoo
Episode 15
The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: The Long March Back?

About this episode

This podcast episode was originally published at Ricochet.

Another whirlwird week of controversies that exceeded our bandwidth to keep up (or at least to compress into an hour), but John Yoo, this week’s host, leads us in revisiting the question of “birthright citizenship” under the 14th Amendment, which the Supreme Court has rather unusually agreed to take up in May—surprisingly late for such and important oral argument. We take note of the growing number of scholars who think the current conventional wisdom is not a slam dunk at all! Apparently at least four Juctices agree.

From there we discuss whether Trump’s attack on Harvard is correctly calibrated, with Steve, in a rare moment, being more extreme than Lucretia on this issue. The Harvard controversy elides into a discussion of whether conservatives ought to be openly emulating the deep political strategy of Antonio Gramsci, as the Wall Street Journal pondered on Thursday. There is a lot of dissent on this point from “Vichy conservatives” who seem willing to continue losing slowly to the left.

Finally, John can’t help himself, and baits Steve and Lucretia on whether, on this 250th anniversary of the “shots heard round the world” at Lexington and Concord this week in 1775 really justified revolution against British rule. Lucretia makes quick work of this provocation, and a hush fell over the virtual studio.

All other episodes on

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Why John Adams Would Get Sydney Sweeney

Historian Richard Samuelson joins the hosts of 3 Whisky Happy Hour.

EP
Nov 29, 2025

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Special Thanksgiving Day Edition

EP
Nov 27, 2025

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Bringing the Wood to Wood

The hosts of 3 Whisky Happy Hour sit down to address a recent speech delivered by historian, Gordon Wood.

EP
Nov 23, 2025

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Getting a Grip on Groypers

The hosts of 3 Whisky Happy Hour turn their attention to the serious matter of antisemitism on the right.

EP
Nov 14, 2025

Join the newsletter

Receive new publications, news, and updates from the Civitas Institute.

Sign up
More on

Politics

National Civitas Institute Poll: Americans are Anxious and Frustrated, Creating a Challenging Environment for Leaders

The poll reveals a deeply pessimistic American electorate, with a majority convinced the nation is on the wrong track.

Politics
Feb 19, 2026
Liberal Democracy Reexamined: Leo Strauss on Alexis de Tocqueville

This article explores Leo Strauss’s thoughts on Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1954 “Natural Right” course transcript.

Raúl Rodríguez
Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Long Distance Migration as a Two-Step Sorting Process: The Resettlement of Californians in Texas

Here we press the question of whether the well-documented stream of migrants relocating from California to Texas has been sufficient to alter the political complexion of the destination state.

James Gimpel, Daron Shaw
Politics
Feb 6, 2025
Who's That Knocking? A Study of the Strategic Choices Facing Large-Scale Grassroots Canvassing Efforts

Although there is a consensus that personalized forms of campaign outreach are more likely to be effective at either mobilizing or even persuading voters, there remains uncertainty about how campaigns should implement get-out-the-vote (GOTV) programs, especially at a truly expansive scale.

Grant Ferguson, James Gimpel, Mark Owens, Daron Shaw
Politics
Dec 13, 2024
Yes, President Trump Can Withdraw from NATO

John Yoo
Politics
Apr 17, 2026
America is the new Rome

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Apr 11, 2026
Activist local governments should not be regulators of energy markets

John Yoo, Michael Toth
Politics
Apr 7, 2026
Opinion Why Californians are leaving — and what Gavin Newsom is spending $19M to hide

Californians know better: Newsom is a failed governor.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Apr 5, 2026

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

Steven Hayward brings you the Power Line Blog's perspective on the week's big headlines.

View all
** items

All federal law enforcement agencies must answer to the president: Former deputy assistant AG

Politics
Apr 16, 2026
1:05

‘NO RIGHT to block passage’: John Yoo on Strait of Hormuz Dispute

Politics
Apr 10, 2026
1:05

John Yoo on DOJ fraud division and political weaponization

Politics
Apr 7, 2026
1:05

DHS Shutdown Enters Day 41 as TSA Agents Pushed to Financial Breaking Point

Politics
Mar 26, 2026
1:05

US citizen takes over Mexican drug cartel, sparking legal debate

Politics
Mar 20, 2026
1:05
No items found.
Antisemitism and the American Right

The future of the American experiment is at stake.

Melissa Langsam Braunstein
Politics
Apr 14, 2026
The Logic of Pressing for Change in Cuba Now

How can the Trump Administration effect political change that satisfies the United States while appearing organic rather than dictated by Washington?

Ryan C. Berg
Politics
Apr 8, 2026
Another Reason for Regime Change: Iran’s Flagrant Assault on the Rules of War

The rules of war are not complicated. Militaries may strike military targets. Militaries may not deliberately target civilians or threaten the commerce of neutral nations.

John Yoo
Politics
Apr 3, 2026
The Iran War and the Future of the American Right

Politics in America is never settled, and the shape and depth of the conservative movement, and its influence on the GOP, is no exception.

Thomas D. Howes
Politics
Apr 3, 2026
No items found.
No items found.
Join the newsletter

Get the Civitas Outlook daily digest, plus new research and events.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.