Ben and Joel bring Michael Anton -- a former speechwriter for a host of GOP bigwigs, including former New York Mayor Rudoph Giuliani -- to discuss Joel's Philadelphia Weekly essay suggesting that the Republican Party isn't equipped to compete for votes or actually govern Philadelphia ... or other big American cities.

Questions discussed in this podcast:

• Why aren't Republicans more popular in big cities in the northeast?
• Do they have to give up "culture war" considerations to make a dent with city voters?
• Should Republicans even try to build their party in those cities, or should they rely on the occasional great candidate?
• Can we do anything to save the tie from Casual Fridays?

Music heard in this podcast.

• "Bright Lights, Big City," by Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis.
• "My City Was Gone," by the Pretenders.
• "Fist City," by Loretta Lynn.
• "Beat City," by the Raveonettes.
• "Living for the City," by Ike and Tina Turner.