Big City, Turn Me Loose

Conservative commentary has managed to find at least one point of withering criticism when it comes to America’s cities. This critique points out that, while cities are the places where unique innovation and exciting things are happening all the time, the local Democratic political machines (and, strangely, their voter base within the city) are constantly trying to zone, regulate, and tax that innovation and excitement out of existence. But here he comes—a knight in shining armor, making a glorious return to The Remnant: Reihan Salam, president of the Manhattan Institute. Reihan talks to Jonah about how conservatives might be able to envision a way out of obstinacy in America’s metropolitan centers, as well as addressing concerns about the GOP’s electoral future in cities, and explaining why politics often take a more radical left-wing form in cities compared to everywhere else in the country. (“Democrats are living in places that are immensely unequal, so arguments around redistribution carry a lot more purchase.”)

Show Notes:

-Reihan at the Manhattan Institute

-Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream

-Most—not some—people are low information voters

-Jonah: It’s a mistake for the GOP to shun big cities

-Fusion voting

-The role of think tanks

-College-educated Democrats are often more wrong than their co-partisans

-Jill Biden wants community college to be free

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