John Dickerson

John Dickerson is co-anchor of "CBS Evening News" and anchor of "CBS Evening News Plus." He is also a Contributing Writer to The Atlantic and is co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest.

  • 12/05/2023: I asked Chat GPT to offer guidance to lawmakers offering their endorsement

    User
    You:
    Pretend I am a lawmaker and I have taken an oath to defend the constitution, how should I decide whether to endorse a candidate for president who will take an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
    ChatGPT:

    In your role as a lawmaker who has taken an oath to defend the Constitution, your decision to endorse a presidential candidate should be grounded in a thorough evaluation of how well the candidate’s values, policies, and character align with the principles and mandates of the Constitution. Here’s a structured approach to consider:

    1. Alignment with Constitutional Principles: Assess whether the candidate’s platform and past actions are in harmony with the fundamental tenets of the Constitution. This includes respect for individual rights, adherence to the separation of powers, commitment to the rule of law, and the preservation of democratic norms.
    2. Track Record and Integrity: Examine the candidate’s past conduct in public or private capacities. Integrity, honesty, and a history of ethical behavior are crucial indicators of how they might uphold their oath. Scrutinize any past instances where they faced constitutional challenges or decisions.
    3. Policy Analysis: Evaluate the candidate’s policy proposals for their constitutional implications. Policies should not only be effective and pragmatic but also constitutionally sound. Consider seeking expert opinions or analyses to understand the potential constitutional impacts of these policies.
    4. Public Commitment to Constitutional Duties: Consider how the candidate articulates their understanding and commitment to constitutional duties. Public statements, debates, and their proposed agenda can offer insights into their dedication to uphold the Constitution.
    5. Advisory Team and Appointments: Assess the quality and background of the advisors and potential appointees the candidate surrounds themselves with. These individuals often play a significant role in shaping policies and decisions, and their commitment to the Constitution is equally important.
    6. Bipartisanship and Unifying Ability: A president should be able to work across party lines and unify different factions, a principle that resonates with the Constitution’s intent to form a more perfect union. Evaluate the candidate’s ability to engage in bipartisan collaboration and their track record in building consensus.
    7. Public Perception and Support: While not a direct indicator of constitutional adherence, public opinion can sometimes reflect the collective judgment on a candidate’s suitability for the presidency. Consider how different segments of society view the candidate and their constitutional values.
    8. Personal Conscience and Values: Finally, align your decision with your own conscience and the values you hold dear as a lawmaker and a defender of the Constitution. Your endorsement should ultimately reflect a decision you believe in deeply and can stand behind.

    In opposition, one might argue that a lawmaker’s endorsement should primarily focus on party alignment, political pragmatism, or aligning with the most popular candidate among constituents, rather than a stringent constitutional analysis. This perspective might emphasize the practical aspects of politics, where strategic alliances and party unity are sometimes prioritized over strict constitutional interpretations.

    However, given your oath, a balanced and constitutionally grounded approach seems most fitting. It’s a decision that intertwines legal assessment, ethical judgment, and personal integrity.

    UPDATE: A follow-up

    User
    You
    What if the person the lawmaker is thinking about endorsing has had this said about them: Their former number two has said this person I am thinking about endorsing has promoted “no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president.” The House leader in the political party the person I’m thinking of endorsing said the person “bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters.” The attack took place in order to stop the lawful counting of electoral votes to certify the president. The Senate leader of the party of this person I’m considering said ” ‘There is no question that [this person is] practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day.’ The events the Senate leader was talking about was the attack on Congress. Finally, an ally in the Senate in the party of the person I’m considering said this about the attack on Congress: “When it comes to accountability, the president needs to understand that his actions were the problem, not the solution. “It breaks my heart that my friend, a president of consequence, would allow yesterday to happen and it will be a major part of his presidency. It was a self-inflicted wound.” “”There’s been a constant effort by people from the president’s legal team to provide misinformation, to distort the facts, to make accusations that cannot be proven. That needs to stop.” How should I use these statements to inform my decision to support this person to defend the constitution given that I have pledged to do the same?
    ChatGPT
    ChatGPT

    When evaluating whether to endorse a candidate for president, particularly one surrounded by such serious allegations from prominent figures within their own party, it’s essential to approach the decision with a high degree of scrutiny and responsibility, especially given your oath to defend the Constitution. Here’s how you might consider these statements in your decision-making process:

    1. Assessing the Seriousness of the Allegations: The allegations you’ve mentioned are grave and directly pertain to the fundamental democratic process and the rule of law, both key elements of the Constitution. If true, they suggest a profound disregard for constitutional principles.
    2. Evaluating the Sources: The statements come from high-ranking officials within the candidate’s own party, which adds weight to their credibility. These are not external critics but individuals who have likely worked closely with the candidate and are familiar with their actions and mindset.
    3. Context and Consequences: Understand the context of these statements. They refer to an event that was a direct assault on a constitutional process – the certification of electoral votes. This is a cornerstone of the democratic system. If the candidate played a role in provoking or supporting such actions, it raises serious concerns about their commitment to the Constitution.
    4. Legal and Ethical Implications: Consider the legal implications of these allegations. If they are accurate, they may not only reflect poor judgment but potentially criminal actions. Ethically, supporting a candidate under such circumstances could be seen as an endorsement of these actions.
    5. Public Trust and Legitimacy: Endorsing a candidate associated with such actions could erode public trust in the electoral system and the government’s legitimacy. As someone who has sworn to uphold the Constitution, maintaining public faith in constitutional processes is crucial.
    6. Personal Conscience and Oath: Reflect on your personal values and the oath you took to defend the Constitution. Supporting a candidate who is accused of undermining the Constitution could be seen as contradictory to your oath.
    7. Seeking Additional Information: Before making a decision, seek out more information and context. Are there ongoing investigations? What are the counterarguments? It’s essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
    8. Long-Term Implications: Consider the long-term implications of your endorsement. How will it affect the constitutional integrity of the office of the presidency and the broader political landscape?

    In contrast, an argument for endorsing the candidate might focus on political alignment, policy agreements, or maintaining party unity. However, given the severity of the allegations and your constitutional oath, these factors might seem secondary to the fundamental issues of democratic integrity and adherence to the rule of law.

    Ultimately, the decision should be guided by a careful consideration of the candidate’s actions in relation to constitutional principles, the credibility and gravity of the allegations, and your commitment to upholding the Constitution. This decision transcends mere political strategy, touching upon the core values and principles at the heart of democratic governance.

    • More Notions

  • 03/14/2023: T.R. Barista

    Another important contribution to history: presidents as wrestlers. Or, in Teddy Roosevelt’s case, a Brooklyn barista.

  • 03/14/2023: Essay for our 3/13/23 Show

    How it started: How it wound up: View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Prime Time with John Dickerson (@dickersonprimetime)

  • 03/14/2023: Tricky balance for presidents in a bank panic

    Usually, I’d just post this to the Twitter thread connecting public events to the book The Hardest Job in the World, but this passage is too big:

  • 03/07/2023: Quiet Hired

    Quiet hired seems like a good new term for an old thing. That’s distinct from fad expressions to name things that don’t exist or that have existed forever but aren’t illuminated by the new phrase. A wave of the Quiet Hired might lead to a Quiet Riot.

  • 03/07/2023: Getting off your Phone is just the first step

    Thank you to The Dispatch for the link to this article by Rhiannon Williams in MIT Review: “The problem isn’t necessarily the amount of time you’re spending scrolling on the phone as much as what you’re looking at.” The piece touches on something I wrote about in this piece for The Atlantic, which is about […]

  • 03/04/2023: Happy Birthday Time Magazine

    Time magazine celebrated its 100th birthday on March 3rd. We’re coming up on the 30th anniversary of my first professional byline on March 22, 1993. Tanks to Joelle Attinger, John Stacks, Sam Gwynne, Jonathan Beaty and Jill Smolowe for that first shot: It was not for a few months that I’d get a top byline […]

  • 03/04/2023: The Calvin Coolidge Colonic

  • 03/03/2023: Runaway Presidency

    When you are president, things can get out of hand: This is from Jimmy Carter’s White House diary. It demonstrates something about Carter but also the benefit of a presidential retreat where a president can have a minor mishap like this and it won’t get blown out of proportion by the press. Think it wouldn’t? […]

  • 03/02/2023: AI Rendering of Presidents with Mullets

    This Twitter thread of presidents with mullets is hit or miss, but reminds that LBJ essentially grew a mullet at the end of his life: It kinda came to that: https://t.co/qoZwjxBF4i pic.twitter.com/vRCsu57Zgz — John Dickerson (@jdickerson) March 2, 2023  

  • 03/02/2023: The Most Rarefied Presidential List

    The ranking of presidents provides hours of enjoyment for professionals and hobbyists alike. This ranking is perhaps the greatest of all: “…soon, remains of George Washington, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, and Dwight D. Eisenhower will join the DNA and cremated remains of many of the people who worked on Star Trek and be blasted into […]