Pretend I'm on the Ballot

<p>This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss why Republicans are holding an unusual midterm convention and what it says about the state of the race at the homestretch, talk about the new book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Profiles-Cowardice-Study-Collaboration-Trump/dp/B0GZTB2BPR/tag=slatmaga-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Profiles in Cowardice: A Study of Collaboration in the Trump Era</a> with author <a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/hosts/jacob-weisberg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jacob Weisberg</a>, and reflect on memories and historical consequences on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Here are this week’s chatters:</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Emily: Hansi Lo Wang for NPR: <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/09/09/nx-s1-5845147/trump-us-census-citizenship-question-race-categories" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trump officials propose sweeping changes to the census that would reshape voting maps</a>; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Data-Are-Made-Not-Found/dp/0226824977/tag=slatmaga-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Data Are Made, Not Found: A Story of Politics, Power, and the Civil Servants Who Saved the US Census</a> by danah boyd; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charity-Sylvia-Tillie-Walden/dp/1770468382/tag=slatmaga-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Charity and Sylvia</a> by Tillie Walden</p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p>John: Associated Press: <a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-salgado-ice-shot-killed-homebuilder-16dc563c5b602518e8a670f342ff3e9f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">US Attorney confirms no meth was found in van of Texas man shot by immigration officers</a>; Kristen Wong for Sports Illustrated: <a href="https://www.si.com/tennis/frances-tiafoe-viral-us-open-hug-why-we-love-sports" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">At His Highest Moment, Frances Tiafoe Rose Even Higher. His Viral U.S. Open Hug Is Why We Love Sports.</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>David: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyOEwiQhzMI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) - Official Trailer (HD)</a> (2:56 long on YouTube)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Listener chatter from Adam Forkner in Boston, Massachusetts: Dave Epstein for The Boston Globe: <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/12/metro/strait-of-hormuz-barnacle-invasion/?s_campaign=sharetool_Twitter_view" rel="