Synopsis

The conversation gathered a diverse group: Ray Kurzweil, the futurist; Ross Douthat, the columnist; Gretchen Hamel, executive director of Public Notice; Chris Matthews, the political pundit; and Kevin Nealon, the comedian. Their discussion spanned a range of current events and political figures. They touched upon Mitt Romney, FEMA's role in disaster response, and the political strategies of Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, and the unsettling notion that some Republicans might secretly desire Amer