Democrats have long been accused of abandoning voters. Disillusionment with the Dems is particularly acute in the Rust Belt, where the long-cracking union wall has collapsed. In this episode, we interview Lainey Newman, the co-author of the book “Rust Belt Union Blues: Why Working-Class Voters Are Turning Away from the Democratic Party." The book, and Lainey's interview, is an insightful and important look into the collapse of once powerful unions and how historically Democratic voters shifted their allegiance to the Republican Party. It also helps, finally, better understand the outcome of the 2016 presidential race. For example, after reading the book and speaking with Newman, one of the people behind News Beat is more convinced than ever that Bernie Sanders would've defeated Donald Trump in 2016. Check out show notes and more from this episode at newsbeat.substack.com.

News Beat is produced in association with Manny Faces Media.

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Producer/Audio Editor: Michael "Manny Faces" Conforti
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