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Bridge Grades: The ‘Rotten Tomatoes’ Scorecard for Congress
We’re sitting down with Brad Porteus, the creator of Bridge Grades, to talk about the one thing American politics is starving for right now: real collaboration. If you are exhausted by tribal “pick a side” thinking, this conversation is a breath of fresh air, because it is not about who is right. It is about who can actually work with people they disagree with.
Brad explains what Bridge Grades is and why he built it. Think of it as a report card for Congress, or like Rotten Tomatoes for politicians. Using objective third-party data, Bridge Grades scores members of Congress from 0 to 100 based on how collaboratively or divisively they govern. The big idea is simple but powerful: ideology and collaboration are independent variables. You can be conservative and still be a bridge-builder. You can be progressive and still be a divider.
We also get into the uncomfortable part. Are citizens rewarding the behaviour they claim they want? Brad talks about how American politics has become identity warfare, and how incentives now favour viral moments, party loyalty, and public dunking over the slow, unglamorous work of governing.
If you are looking for a better way to evaluate politicians beyond red vs blue, this episode will give you a new lens.
Check out Bridge Grades here: https://www.bridgegrades.org/ and tell us what you think. Who are the real bridgers in Congress, and what would it take for voters to start rewarding collaboration at the ballot box?
CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Explaining Bridge Grades
02:44 Brad's Background and Inspiration
06:09 Challenges in Political Engagement
08:46 The Role of Media and Algorithms
19:21 Grading System and Data Sources of Bridge Grades
26:12 Encouraging Bipartisanship
32:09 Exploring Alternatives to the Two-Party System
32:52 The Dream of Normalizing Bridging Politics
33:27 Challenges in Changing Voting Behavior
34:03 The Role of Bridge Grades in Political Campaigns
34:35 Reinviting Disengaged Voters
36:23 The Two-Punch Strategy for Political Change
37:32 Building a Public Utility for Political Transparency
38:16 The Builders Movement and Bridging Efforts
39:00 Evaluating Politicians' Actions and Rhetoric
41:27 Encouraging Bipartisanship in Congress
47:25 Hope for a Collaborative Future in Politics
49:52 Good for the Soul: Live Music and Gen X Memoirs
51:58 Would You Rather
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Bridge Grades:
https://www.bridgegrades.org/
Good For The Soul:
Remember to go and see live music!
https://book-shelfie.com/roll-with-it/
https://liberationbway.com/
LINKS:
On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk
How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/
How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/
View all episodes
By Nicole Fonarow and Jolene ConwayWe’re sitting down with Brad Porteus, the creator of Bridge Grades, to talk about the one thing American politics is starving for right now: real collaboration. If you are exhausted by tribal “pick a side” thinking, this conversation is a breath of fresh air, because it is not about who is right. It is about who can actually work with people they disagree with.
Brad explains what Bridge Grades is and why he built it. Think of it as a report card for Congress, or like Rotten Tomatoes for politicians. Using objective third-party data, Bridge Grades scores members of Congress from 0 to 100 based on how collaboratively or divisively they govern. The big idea is simple but powerful: ideology and collaboration are independent variables. You can be conservative and still be a bridge-builder. You can be progressive and still be a divider.
We also get into the uncomfortable part. Are citizens rewarding the behaviour they claim they want? Brad talks about how American politics has become identity warfare, and how incentives now favour viral moments, party loyalty, and public dunking over the slow, unglamorous work of governing.
If you are looking for a better way to evaluate politicians beyond red vs blue, this episode will give you a new lens.
Check out Bridge Grades here: https://www.bridgegrades.org/ and tell us what you think. Who are the real bridgers in Congress, and what would it take for voters to start rewarding collaboration at the ballot box?
CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Explaining Bridge Grades
02:44 Brad's Background and Inspiration
06:09 Challenges in Political Engagement
08:46 The Role of Media and Algorithms
19:21 Grading System and Data Sources of Bridge Grades
26:12 Encouraging Bipartisanship
32:09 Exploring Alternatives to the Two-Party System
32:52 The Dream of Normalizing Bridging Politics
33:27 Challenges in Changing Voting Behavior
34:03 The Role of Bridge Grades in Political Campaigns
34:35 Reinviting Disengaged Voters
36:23 The Two-Punch Strategy for Political Change
37:32 Building a Public Utility for Political Transparency
38:16 The Builders Movement and Bridging Efforts
39:00 Evaluating Politicians' Actions and Rhetoric
41:27 Encouraging Bipartisanship in Congress
47:25 Hope for a Collaborative Future in Politics
49:52 Good for the Soul: Live Music and Gen X Memoirs
51:58 Would You Rather
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Bridge Grades:
https://www.bridgegrades.org/
Good For The Soul:
Remember to go and see live music!
https://book-shelfie.com/roll-with-it/
https://liberationbway.com/
LINKS:
On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk
How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/
How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/