America's Democrats

Julie Koehler examines the political realignment of white women voters.  Erik Loomis walks us through critical moments in our nation’s labor history and the strikes that defined them. And Kyle Kondik of Sabato’s Crystal Ball gives us his latest political forecast.

Julie Kohler is a writer and social commentator who has been closely following the role of white women in electoral politics. She says that despite the fact that white women voters have leaned Republican for several decades, now is the time that may change.

Historian Eric Loomis has an assignment for us.  If we truly want to understand the history of labor movements in the United States, look to the moments when workers went on strike. It’s a reminder he says that small groups of people can create radical change.

as we move into the final four weeks before the mid term elections, Kyle Kondik of Sabato’s Crystal Ball tells Bill Press why he thinks Democrats still have a chance to turn the House, but don’t count on the Senate

Why are Republicans quiet about their economic accomplishment

Our Watergate moment, and how we can survive it. Plus, inside the movement to elect the president by a national popular vote.  And Bill Press on why organized labor matters now more than ever.

Sam Berger of the Center for American Progress draws the parallels between Richard Nixon and Donald Trump, and asks us to take a lesson from how the nation recovered from Watergate. Karen Hobert Flynn, the President of Common Cause, explains why a national popular vote is a better way to pick the next president. And Bill Press talks with Iron Workers general president Eric Dean.

In the wake of Watergate, a wave of reforms were ushered in to repair a dysfunctional government and regain the public’s  trust in its leaders. Sam Berger is a policy analyst who says that moment in history has much to offer in the modern day.

Karen Hobert Flynn leads one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to strengthening democracy. That’s why she says it’s time for the nation to change the way we elect our President.

Bill Press talks with Eric Dean, president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers

How to make Labor Day matter again

A life-long Republican offers a ruthless takedown of President Trump.  Our interview with GOP strategist Rick Wilson. Plus, Bill Press talks with NBC Political Reporter Alex Seitz-Wald about Andrew Gillum’s surprise win in Florida.

Author Rick WIlson on his new book  “Everything Trump Touches Dies: A Republican Strategist Gets Real About the Worst President Ever.” Plus, Bill Press with NBC’s Alex Seitz-Wald on what’s next in Florida’s race for governor.

The presidency of Donald Trump has brought discord to a party known for its political discipline as critics within the GOP take aim at a President they feel is destroying their party. Among them is Rick Wilson.  Never one to mince words, his new book is a scathing critique of Donald Trump.

Still with us is Rick Wilson, author of  “Everything Trump Touches Dies: A Republican Strategist Gets Real About the Worst President Ever.” 

Bill Press talks with NBC Political Reporter Alex Seitz-Wald about Andrew Gillum’s upset victory in Florida and other primary news.

Celebrating Labor Day

The Fall of Wisconsin: How a once progressive state became a conservative stronghold, and what it means for progressive politics today. Plus, Evan McMorris-Santoro, filling in for Bill Press, talks with Vox reporter Dara Lind about the future of Jeff Session and Donald Trump.    

Dark money, gerrymandering and the failure of centrism in the Midwest.  Author Dan Kaufman on his book “The Fall of Wisconsin: The Conservative Conquest of a Progressive Bastion and the Future of American Politics.”  Plus, The Bill Press Show on what could be in store for Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

In 2016, Donald Trump became the first Republican nominee to carry the state since 1984.  How did that happen? Dan Kaufman is a native of Wisconsin and has covered its politics for years. In his recent book, he follows Wisconsin’s political journey from blue to red. It’s a story that goes back to the mid 1800s.

Still with us is Dan Kaufman, author of  “The Fall of Wisconsin: The Conservative Conquest of a Progressive Bastion and the Future of American Politics.”

Evan McMorris-Santoro, filling in for Bill Press, talks with Vox reporter Dara Lind about the shifting political fortunes of Jeff Sessions.

Exposing our “populist” president as a naked plutocrat.

Building a progressive populist movement and what that means for rural and small town America.  Plus, Bill Press digs into last week’s primary races with Adam Wollner from McClatchy News.

Activist Adam Kruggel of People’s Action on building a powerful and progressive populist movement and why his organization is turning to rural and small town American to get it done. Plus Bill Press talks with McClatchy’s Adam Wollner on “making history” and biggest takeaways from the latest primary races.

Adam Kruggel is dedicated to power for marginalized communities.  He says that this a critical moment to build a kind of populism movement that is multiracial, race conscious and boldly progressive.

Still with us  is Adam Kruggel, Director of Strategic Initiative at People’s Action.

The organization recently issued a report titled “The Promise of a Progressive Populist Movement.”  The report is a result of of thousands of interviews with people in rural and small town America.

Coming up, Bill Press talks McClatchy’s Adam Wollner about last week’s primary races, the historic firsts, and why the odds are getting better for Democrats to take back the House.

How bad public policy happens

The promise of The American Dream for everyone. The inclusive populism of Robert Kennedy,  and what leaders are doing today to make a better life possible for all.

This week, Scholar Richard Kahlenberg on what progressive democrats can learn from Robert Kennedy about economic populism and race.  Author Ben Hecht on what’s actually working to close America’s racial equity divide. Plus, Bill Press talks insider trading and politicians caught on tape with political reporter Mat Laslo

Fifty years ago, Robert Kennedy ran an economically populist campaign that reached across America’s deep racial divide. Richard Kahlenberg says his legacy matters now more than ever.

Ben Hecht has spent decades exploring strategies to combat racial disparities in wealth and income. His new book offers a blueprint on how to do just that.  

Insider trading.  Nunes caught on tape. Omarosa’s new book. Coming up, Bill Press talks with reporter Matt Laso.

America's War

Bringing truth back to politics.  What the news media gets wrong about the labor movement.  What politicians get wrong about science.

Author Christopher Martin truth squads corporate media on unions. Caroline Weinberg of ”March for Science” says a vote for science is a vote for the common good. Plus, Bill Press talks with Kelly Dietrich, founder of the National Democratic Training Committee.  

The role of science in public policy has taken a back seat at best in the Trump Administration.  Caroline Weinberg says science is vital to a working democracy and it’s time that voters take a stand

Christopher Martin has spent countless hours absorbing how  journalists cover labor unions. He says that by appealing to consumers over citizens,  American media is missing the true story about the working class.

How can we empower more democrats to step up and win elections? Bill Press talks with Kelly Dietrich of the National Democratic Training Committee.

Trump serves the people – rich ones, that is

The war on poverty is far from over. So what should we do now?  The fallacy of “work requirements” for the poor. The possibility of a maximum wage for the rich.  Plus Bill Press talks with Ben Wikler, Washington Director of MoveOn.Org.

Elizabeth Lower-Basch of the Center for Law and Social Policy explains why work requirements don’t work for people receiving federal assistance.  Author Sam “Pizzigati makes a case for a maximum wage. Plus, Bill Press talks with Ben Wikler of MoveOn.Org about the grassroots movement to elect progressive democrats.

Despite a recent decision in Kentucky to block work requirements for Medicaid patients, the Trump Administration remains intent in pursuing the policy. Elizabeth Lower-Basch has a long history inside and outside of government figuring out the best ways to assist struggling families.  In this encore interview, she says that “work requirements” for people on public assistance is exactly not the way to help.

Income inequality in America is now at a rate we haven’t seen in close to 100 years.  In a new book, author Sam Pizzigati says it’s time to resurrect an idea once endorsed by President Franklin  D. Roosevelt ... a maximum wage for our nation’s highest earners.

Bill Press talks with Ben Wikler on MoveOn.Org on why progressive ideas are winning elections.

Shame of Climate Change Deniers

The Supreme Court is challenging our democracy, and why we need to fight back.  How a recent decision undermines the right to vote. Plus, the potential impact of a Brett Kavanaugh confirmation. And, Bill Press with Dan Kildee on the President’s performance in Helsinki and what he wants his Republican counterparts to do about it.

Anisha Singh of the Center for American Progress reviews the disturbing record of Donald Trump’s newest Supreme Court nominee. The Nation’s John Nichols explains the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on voter purging. Plus, Bill Press with Congressman Dan Kildee on his reaction to President Trump’s press conference with Vladimir Putin.

Anisha Singh works to engage young activists and leaders in the political process. She says Brett Kavanaugh is an alarming choice for the Supreme Court who could have an impact on their lives  for decades to come.

A recent Supreme Court decision gives a green light to the practice of voter purging. Journalist John Nichols says it’s  another blow to free and fair elections, and one that voters can resist.

Bill Press talks with Congressman Dan Kildee. In the wake of Helsinki, he says it’s time for the Republicans to step up.

Koch industries doesn't just lobby government

Taking a stand for workers rights. How workers around the world are fighting for a living wage.  Can America’s workers find justice under a renegotiated NAFTA? Plus, Bill Press on what Scott Pruitt left behind.

This week, author Annelise Orleck takes us inside the global uprising against poverty wages. Dan Mauer of the Communications Workers of America outlines a progressive agenda for renegotiating NAFTA. Plus, Bill Press with Rebecca Leber of Mother Jones on the legacy of Scott Pruitt.

Annelise Orleck is a longtime historian of labor movements. Her newest book tracks the growing fight across the globe for workers rights and a living wage.

A new president in Mexico brings fresh uncertainty to the future of NAFTA. In an encore interview, Communications Workers of America’s Dan Mauer says trade policy under NAFTA benefits multinational corporations at the expense of American workers and calls for a new framework that puts workers’ rights first.

Bill Press talks with Rebecca Leber of Mother Jones about the EPA, post Scott Pruitt … and why we should expect more of the same.

Babies On Trial