Yeah, this ages well. Seriously... This conversation with Bill Kristol was from April of this year. Some of the discussion applied to that moment in time (eg. bemoaning the Mets tepid start to the 2024 season); but much of it still applies even given the outcome of the latest election. With that, here are the notes from one of our "Best of 2024" conversations...

Are REPUBLICAN VOTERS AGAINST TRUMP our greatest BULWARK against authoritarianism and the most significant constituency in DEFENDING DEMOCRACY TOGETHER? (Dad jokes about the future of our Constitutional Republic aside...) Bill Kristol shares his thoughts on the state of our democracy and how this year's consequential election is shaping up.

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So glad to be joined again by Bill Kristol, Editor at Large of The Bulwark; Director of Defending Democracy Together; and Host of Conversations with Bill Kristol. We took time to reflect on Bill’s early political experiences, including his roles in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, his academic career, and his work with the Project for the Republican Future. We also touch on our shared passion for baseball, particularly for the New York Mets! We then delve into Bill’s critical views on the Trump presidency, the rise of authoritarianism, and the importance of defending liberal democracy. He shares insights into his efforts with the Republican Voters Against Trump initiative and the importance of bipartisan engagement in preserving democratic norms. We then discuss the impact of social and political polarization, the significance of grassroots activism, and the need for open, exploratory dialogue across ideological divides. We wind down with Bill emphasizing the resilience of the American political system and the potential for positive change through collective action and constructive discourse.

00:52 Meet Bill Kristol: A Storied Career in Politics; 

01:58 Baseball and Politics: A Personal Connection; 

04:09 Navigating Political Ideologies: From Youth to Present; 

05:41 The Evolution of Political Beliefs and the Impact of External Changes; 

10:18 The Threat of Illiberalism and the Defense of Liberal Democracy; 

15:21 Exploring the Dangers of Trumpism and Authoritarian Tendencies; 

26:56 The Role of Intellectuals and Voters in Shaping Political Futures; 

33:59 The Impact of Testimonials from Former Trump Voters; 

34:53 The Strategy Behind Targeting Swing Voters; 

35:54 Challenges and Strategies in Political Advertising; 

36:55 Building a Broad Coalition Against Trump; 

42:09 The Role of Money in Politics and Campaign Strategies; 

44:34 Fostering Careers and Nurturing Talent in Politics; 

50:43 The Evolution of Political Discourse and Outreach; 

54:36 Final Thoughts on Political Engagement and Hope

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Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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