America at a Crossroads

Political commentator, The Atlantic senior editor, and former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum joins award-winning journalist and broadcaster Patt Morrison for a timely conversation on Donald Trump, the 2026 midterm elections, and the future of American democracy.

Drawing on his experience in Republican politics and his analysis of the Trump movement, Frum examines the political and cultural forces shaping the American electorate, the challenges facing traditional conservatism, and the implications of the upcoming elections for the nation's democratic institutions. Building on themes from his book Trumpocalypse, Frum explores the enduring loyalty of Trump's supporters, the role of cultural grievance in American politics, and what the midterms could mean for the country's political future.

Topics include:

• Donald Trump and his influence on the Republican Party  
• The 2026 midterm elections and the battle for control of Congress  
• Political polarization, cultural resentment, and voter loyalty  
• The future of conservatism and the Republican Party  
• The challenges facing American democracy and its institutions

Democracy advocate and former president of the National Democratic Institute Kenneth Wollack joins award-winning journalist and broadcaster Patt Morrison for a timely discussion on why democracies around the world are experiencing democratic backsliding—and whether that decline can be reversed.

Drawing on more than four decades of experience advancing democracy worldwide, Wollack examines the forces undermining democratic institutions, the rise of authoritarianism, and the lessons learned from countries confronting threats to political freedom. With extensive experience working across political divides, he explores how democratic resilience can be strengthened and what the United States can learn from international efforts to protect and restore democracy.

Topics include:

• The causes of democratic backsliding and rising authoritarianism
• Lessons from global efforts to defend and strengthen democracy
• The role of elections, political institutions, and civic participation
• Bipartisan cooperation and the importance of democratic norms
• Strategies for reversing democratic decline and rebuilding public trust

Political analysts Jessica Taylor and Erin Covey of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join award-winning journalist Madeleine Brand for a timely discussion of the 2026 midterm elections, the battle for control of Congress, and what the outcome could mean for the future of American democracy.

Drawing on their extensive reporting and analysis of congressional, Senate, and gubernatorial races, Taylor and Covey examine the political landscape heading into November, the most competitive battlegrounds, shifting voter sentiment, and the strategies Republicans and Democrats are using to secure electoral victories. With control of Congress at stake, they explore the key factors that could determine the balance of power in Washington.

Editor-in-chief of Israel's leading newspaper Haaretz, Aluf Benn, joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a timely discussion on Israel's political future, the stakes of its upcoming elections, and the challenges facing Israeli democracy.

Drawing on decades of reporting and political analysis, Benn examines the forces shaping Israeli politics, the country's leadership and security challenges, and the implications of the election for Israel's relationship with the United States and the broader Middle East. As one of Israel's most prominent journalists, Benn brings an insider's perspective on the political divisions, competing priorities, and critical decisions facing the nation.

Topics include:

• Israel's upcoming elections and the stakes for its future
• Benjamin Netanyahu's political leadership and electoral challenges
• Israeli democracy, political polarization, and public trust
• The impact of regional conflict on Israeli politics and security
• U.S.-Israel relations and the future of Middle East diplomacy  

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Stanford political scientist Michael McFaul joins renowned democracy scholar Larry Diamond for a timely conversation on the 2026 midterm elections, America's role in the world, and the growing global struggle between democracy and authoritarianism.

Drawing on decades of experience in diplomacy, foreign policy, and democratic governance, McFaul and Diamond examine how America's elections influence international alliances, embolden or constrain authoritarian powers, and shape the future of democratic institutions worldwide. The discussion explores themes from McFaul's latest book, Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder.

Topics include:

• The 2026 midterm elections and their global implications
• The rise of authoritarianism in Russia, China, and beyond
• America's leadership in defending democracy worldwide
• The future of U.S. foreign policy and international alliances
• The global struggle between democratic and authoritarian systems  

#AmericaAtACrossroads #MichaelMcFaul #LarryDiamond #Midterms2026 #Democracy #ForeignPolicy #Russia #China #Authoritarianism #GlobalPolitics

What can listening closely to voters tell us about the state of American politics—and where the country may be headed?

Sarah Longwell, CEO and Publisher of The Bulwark and host of The Focus Group podcast, joins Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Patt Morrison for a conversation about American voters, elections, and the forces shaping the country’s political landscape.

Drawing on years of qualitative research and conversations with voters across the country, Longwell discusses themes from her forthcoming book, How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time, and what she has learned from hearing directly from voters in focus groups.

Featuring:
Sarah Longwell — CEO and Publisher of The Bulwark; host of The Focus Group
Patt Morrison — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, and broadcaster

Recorded September 30, 2026.

Philosopher and leading scholar of propaganda and authoritarianism Jason Stanley joins veteran journalist and broadcaster Patt Morrison for a conversation on how propaganda, historical narratives, and attacks on truth shape democratic societies.

Drawing on his influential work on political philosophy and books including How Propaganda Works, How Fascism Works, and Erasing History, Stanley examines how misinformation, the manipulation of history, and assaults on education can weaken democratic institutions and reshape public discourse.

Topics include:

• Propaganda, misinformation, and political persuasion
• The role of history and collective memory in democracy
• Education, truth, and democratic resilience
• Authoritarianism and the defense of democratic institutions
• Media, public discourse, and civic responsibility  

#AmericaAtACrossroads #JasonStanley #PattMorrison #Democracy #Propaganda #Misinformation #PoliticalPhilosophy #History #CurrentEvents #CivicEngagement

Bloomberg Opinion columnist and political thinker Adrian Wooldridge joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a discussion on whether American government can regain public trust and effectively meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Drawing on decades of reporting on politics, capitalism, and governance, Wooldridge examines the forces driving institutional dysfunction, declining confidence in government, the rise of populism, and what reforms may be needed to restore effective democratic leadership.

Topics include:
• The crisis of trust in government and public institutions
• Populism, polarization, and democratic governance
• Government competence and institutional reform
• Meritocracy, leadership, and public service
• The future of liberal democracy in a rapidly changing world

Senior political analyst Ron Brownstein joins award-winning journalist Madeleine Brand for a timely analysis of the 2026 midterm elections and what the results could mean for the future of American politics and democracy.

Drawing on decades of reporting on presidential campaigns, demographic change, and electoral trends, Brownstein examines the key battlegrounds, shifting voter coalitions, and political forces shaping the fight for control of Congress and the direction of the nation.

Topics include:

• The 2026 midterm elections and control of Congress
• Demographic change and shifting voter coalitions
• Political polarization and electoral strategy
• What the election results could mean for governing
• The future of American democracy and national politics  

Former U.S. Attorney and legal analyst Barbara McQuade joins veteran legal journalist Henry Weinstein for a conversation on government accountability, the rule of law, and the reforms needed to protect American democracy from corruption and abuses of power.

Drawing on her experience as a federal prosecutor and the themes of her book The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government, McQuade examines how democratic institutions can be strengthened through legal reform, ethical governance, and renewed public trust.

Topics include:

• Protecting the rule of law and democratic institutions
• Government ethics and accountability
• Public corruption and abuse of power
• Criminal justice and constitutional safeguards
• Restoring trust in American democracy  

#AmericaAtACrossroads #BarbaraMcQuade #HenryWeinstein #RuleOfLaw #Democracy #GovernmentEthics #Justice #Politics #PublicIntegrity #CurrentEvents