America's Democrats

Labor expert Tom Geoghegan calls GOP interest in working people “baloney.” Progressive political analyst Ed Kilgore assesses Hillary Clinton’s prospects. And, sitting in for Bill Press, Peter Ogburn and Meredith Shiner review the year in politics.

Inequality is now on the agenda for the Republican Party, too, but labor lawyer and activist Tom Geoghegan says it is “baloney.” Political analyst Ed Kilgore says the fact that Marco Rubio is considered a moderate is about all anyone needs to know about the Republican party. And Bill Press guest hosts Peter Ogburn and Meredith Shiner discuss presidential politics.

Labor lawyer Tom Geoghegan thinks the Republicans “faux populism” is a good sign for Democrats … because we own the issue.

http://dsgchicago.com/attorneys/attorney-thomas-geoghegan/books/

Political analyst Ed Kilgore says despite some progressives’ disdain for Hillary Clinton, she on course for the Democratic nomination, and the White House.

http://www.thedemocraticstrategist.org

Bill Press guest hosts Peter Ogburn and Meredith Shiner chat about the year in politics.

Hello Congress: Meet your poverty-wage food servers.

Fred Rotondaro assesses Pope Francis and Paul Ryan … Lee Drutman answers the question of what kind of person runs for president … and Bill Press talks with Paul Brandus of West Wing Reports.

One of the past year’s biggest religious stories was the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, and lay Catholic commentator Fred Rotondaro assesses his message. Political analyst Lee Drutman tells us what’s wrong with our political system … partly the quality of the candidates. And Bill Press interviews West Wing Reports editor Paul Brandus about President Obama’s year.

Fred Rotondaro, a regular commentator here, and chair of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, says Pope Francis is setting a standard that Catholic progressives, and the Church hierarchy, have to follow up on.

http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/

Political scientist Lee Drutman analyzes what’s wrong with our political system and asks the question: “Who wants to run for president?” The answer? “Only crazy people.”

http://www.newamerica.org/

Bill Press interviews West Wing Reports editor Paul Brandus.

Turning human misery into corporate profits.

Elaine Kamarck on those wacky Republicans … Richard Moe on refugees … and Bill Press with Morris Pearl, a patriotic millionaire.

Republican debate craziness should help the Democrats, says Brookings scholar Elaine Kamarck. FDR scholar Richard Moe compares the plight of Syrian refugees with that of Jews denied entry into the United States in the 1930s. And Bill Press interviews Morris Pearl, a businessman who wants the rich to pay more in taxes.

Public affairs scholar Elaine Kamarck thinks the wackiness of the entire Republican presidential field can only help the Democratic nominee.

http://www.brookings.edu/about/centers/effective-public-management

A scholar who has studied Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration says FDR could have done more to save European Jews and that America should now take in Syrian refugees.

Bill Press interviews Morris Pearl, the head of Patriotic Millionaires

Merry Christmas, right-wingers, The Red Pope, and Jesus.

Immigration historian Maria Cristina Garcia says the current uproar over refugees is not new … Harvard Professor Danielle Allen reflects on the fragmentation of American politics … and Bill Press interviews Congressman Ruben Gallegos.

Immigration … refugees … religious tests. Cornell Professor Maria Cristina Garcia examines the history of an America that has not always been a welcoming place for those seeking freedom. Harvard Professor Danielle Allen sees a future of fragmented presidential politics based on smaller constituencies whipped up by outsiders with limited appeal. Is the answer multiple parties? And Bill Press interviews freshman Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego.

Immigration expert Maria Cristina Garcia says that for anyone trying to enter the country to engage in terrorism, the refugee program is the hardest way.

http://history.arts.cornell.edu/faculty-department-garcia.php

Danielle Allen, a government professor and MacArthur “genius,” thinks we should be moving in the direction of multiple political parties.

http://ethics.harvard.edu/pages/about

Coming up, Bill Press interviews Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego.

The sleaze, guilt, and punishment of Don Blankenship.

Baltimore law professor Michael Higginbotham and political columnist Ed Kilgore analyze the Black Lives Matter movement … and Bill Press interviews Joe Romm about global warming.

A trial in Baltimore, a political crisis in Chicago, and a nation focused on police and community relations. Law professor and civil rights historian Michael Higginbotham says just because police have a difficult job to do doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be held accountable when things go wrong. Political analyst Ed Kilgore says the Black Lives Matter movement will help solidify minority voters and their allegiance to the Democratic Party. And Bill Press interviews climate change expert Joe Romm.

Law professor and civil rights historian Michael Higginbotham says he is hopeful about progress in police and community relations but that cops should not get a pass just because they have such a difficult job.

http://www.fmichaelhigginbotham.org/

Columnist Ed Kilgore says the Black Lives Matter movement eventually will help solidify the relationship between minority voters and the Democratic Party.

www.thedemocraticstrategist.org

Bill Press interviews climate change expert Joe Romm about the recent international conference in Paris.

Rafael and Ted Cruz: Like father, like son.

Melanne Verveer on women’s economic power. Fred Harris tells the truth about immigration. and, on the Bill Press Show, Jimmy Williams interviews Jackie Kucinich.

Melanne Verveer was the first U.S. ambassador for women’s issues, and she has some thoughts about the economic power that women have, both locally and globally. Fred Harris was a United States Senator, chair of the Democratic party and a member of the Kerner Commission on racial violence. He has some strong views about the issues of race and immigration that are still dividing the nation. And Jimmy Williams, sitting in for Bill Press, interviews reporter Jackie Kucinich about Hillary Clinton.

The country’s first ambassador at large for global women’s issues, Melanne Verveer, explains how women’s economic power goes beyond just consumer spending.

https://giwps.georgetown.edu/

Former Senator Fred Harris says Donald Trump is acting against the interests of the United States by opposing immigration, and sets the record straight about who the so-called illegal immigrants really are..

Coming up, reporter Jackie Kucinich with the latest on Hillary Clinton – in an interview with Jimmy Williams on the Bill Press Show.

Avoid Amazon's "Cyber Monday," and buy local.

Thanksgiving reflection – America’s income inequality is worse than Pakistan’s says Ron Formisano. Voters often don’t bother to consider reality, says Arthur Lupia. And Bill Press interviews Cameron Joseph about the NRA and terrorism.

This Thanksgiving and campaign season, historian Ron Formisano talks about how income inequality hampers economic growth for all;  political scientist Arthur Lupia explains why otherwise intelligent people can be so ignorant on political issues. And Bill Press interviews New York Daily News reporter Cameron Joseph, about the NRA support of terrorism.’

Noted historian Ron Formisano compares income distribution and inequality in America to Pakistan, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Guyana and Venezuela – and the comparison is not good.

https://history.as.uky.edu/users/rform2

Professor Arthur Lupia examines the behavior of American voters, who are often ignorant about the issues facing them. He says when we have simple choices, you don’t HAVE to know anything.

http://www.arthurlupia.com

Bill Press interviews Cameron Joseph of the New York Daily News.

What honeybees, humans, and art have in common.

Civil rights historian Michael Higginbotham says black lives have always mattered. Housing expert Andre Shashaty says minorities are now afflicted by “zombie foreclosures.” And Bill Press interviews CNN’s Tom LoBianco on the GOP race.

Law professor and civil rights historian Michael Higginbotham reflects on racial turmoil in America. Housing expert Andre Shashaty says that in half a century, conditions have not improved very much in terms of affordable housing for minorities. And Bill Press interviews Tom LoBianco of CNN’s Digital Politics about the debating Republicans.

Baltimore law professor Michael Higginbotham reflects on the racial turmoil breaking out again in America, and says black lives have always mattered … except to the Supreme Court.

http://www.fmichaelhigginbotham.org/

Andre Shashaty has been working in the housing field for half a century, and says things are not looking up. And he explains the new phenomenon of “zombie foreclosures.”

http://360investmentadvice.com/about/who-we-are/extended-biography-andre-shashaty/

Bill Press interviews CNN’s Tom LoBianco about the Republican presidential candidates.

Obama says "We are writing the rules." Who's "we"?

Lee Drutman says Paul Ryan may be in for a surprise … Fred Rotondaro says the Republican presidential candidates are looking for answers too simplistic … and Bill Press interviews Susan Page about the new book on the Bushes.

Political scientist and Congress-watcher Lee Drutman assesses the House Republicans under new Speaker Paul Ryan. Regular commentator Fred Rotondaro says the Republicans biggest problem is they are looking for brutally simplistic answers to complicated issues. And Bill Press interviews USA Today’s Susan Page on a new book about George H.W. Bush … and his son.

Political scientist Lee Drutman wonders how long it will take for Paul Ryan to come to the same conclusion as John Boehner – that the Freedom Caucus is made up of “crazy people” who he will not listen to.

www.newamerica.org/

Regular commentator Fred Rotondaro surveys the presidential field and says Bernie Sanders doesn’t have a great shot and that Trump and Carson are taking advantage of their party’s need for honesty.

http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/

Bill Press interviews USA Today’s Susan Page about the Presidents Bush.

Warning: Pink ribbons don’t cure breast cancer

Fred Harris on the fruits of the Kerner Commission … Ari Berman on Republican attempts to keep Democrats from voting … and a Bill Press Show interview with about Bernie Sanders and pot.

Fred Harris is the last surviving member of the 1968 Kerner Commission on urban disorders. He says race relations and poverty have regressed since the Reagan Administration. Journalist Ari Berman has a new book about how Republicans are imposing voting restrictions, and he tells us how Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz kept blacks from voting in the tainted 2000 presidential election. And the Bill Press show features an interview by Igor Volsky of journalist Amanda Terkel about Bernie Sanders and pot.

Former Senator Fred Harris served on the Kerner Commission on Civil Disorders almost half a century ago. Now, he says the progress that was made in race relations and fighting poverty stopped in the Reagan Administration.

Journalist Ari Berman has written a book called “Give Us the Ballot.” He details for us the long, sordid record of Republicans – including Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and John Roberts – in preventing minorities from voting.

http://ari-berman.com

Igor Volsky interviews journalist Amanda Terkel on the Bill Press Show about Bernie Sanders and his position on marijuana.

What's the price on Jeb Bush's "integrity"?