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Matt’s away this week. Or since he’s in London, maybe we should say he’s “on holiday” with a funny accent. In any case, Brian’s piloting solo this week, and since he’s always going on about “fighting,” we wanted to give the concept clearer shape.

In this conversation, Brian and the veteran political scholar Norm Ornstein discuss:

* When did needed political reform in America stop pertaining to modernization and become a more existential campaign to fascism-proof democracy?

* How have Democrats done so far, given that they’re the minority party in both the House and Senate?

* What could change between now and the midterms to better discharge their obligations?

Then, a look ahead. First: If Democrats win the midterms, what would resistance worthy of the Hungarian opposition look like in practice? What under-utilized tools should Democrats exploit? Where does impeachment fit in all this? Then: If Democrats have a chance to rebuild in 2029, what would it take to convince ourselves and the world that we’re really not going back this time? And—perhaps most important of all—is there any indication that the party, as currently staffed and led, has gamed this all out and begun preparing to act?

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Further reading:

* Brian on what Democrats should—and shouldn’t—learn from Hungary.

* Brian on Trump’s plan to conceal, destroy, or sell the evidence of his corruption, perhaps before the midterms.

* Norm and Madeleine Dean on reining in the pardon power.