Politicology

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This week, we dive into the nuances of Georgia’s Republican primary, No Labels pushing forward with their plan to draft a presidential candidate, and Donald Trump’s takeover at the RNC

Joining Ron Steslow on week’s panel: 

Greg Bluestein (Politics Reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party)

Segments this week:

(02:14) The Georgia primary 

(12:25) No Labels

(34:34) The RNC Purge

[Politicology+] Congress's latest push to ban TikTok

Not yet a Politicology+ member? It’s our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with 30% more episodes filled with more strategy, analysis, thoughtful discussion…aaand the occasional piece of hot gossip. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

https://twitter.com/bluestein

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

The Hill - Haley gets 77K votes in Georgia GOP primary after dropping out of race | The Hill

AJC - PG A.M.: Takeaways from Georgia’s presidential primaries

ABC News - Judge throws out 6 counts of Trump's Georgia election interference indictment - ABC News

NYT - For This Rookie Judge, a Pivotal Decision Looms in the Georgia Trump Case - The New York Times

Segment 2: 

WSJ - No Labels Is Expected to Push Ahead With ‘Unity’ Presidential Ticket - WSJ

WSJ - No Labels Considering Georgia Republican Geoff Duncan to Lead ‘Unity’ Presidential Ticket - WSJ

Segment 3:

Politico - RNC installs new leadership as Trump tightens hold on GOP - POLITICO

NYT - Election Updates: Big cuts after Trump’s R.N.C. takeover; Biden goes on offensive. - The New York Times

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Over two decades ago, Ruy Teixeira predicted that America was on its way to a bright blue future, thanks to an inevitable demographic shift that would deliver the Party a dominant, durable political coalition.

“Demography is destiny” became the mantra of the Democratic Party—proven out by Obama’s decisive 2008 electoral college win.

But then, in 2016, Trump upended that coalition, and, consequently, anti-Trumpism naturally became a defining feature of the Democratic Party.

But—beyond its opposition to Trump—what does the Democratic Party stand for today?

With the Republican Party infected with extremism and so embarrassingly unable to govern, why aren’t Democrats winning sustainable majorities?

And why is the Democratic party still losing ground with some of the core parts of its base?

In the second part of this two-part conversation, former Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Where Have All the Democrats Gone? The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes.

In part 2:

(01:06 ) The shift towards identity politics and how it’s changing the party’s approach to race and civil rights

(08:40) Radical approaches to transgender rights

(16:50) The change in environmental policy from responsible stewardship to the more extreme positions of the Green New Deal

(41:14) The rise in independent voters, what it really means, and how it should impact political strategy

(45:45) Whether it’s even possible for structural reforms in our political system to improve the health of our democracy

Read Where Have All the Democrats Gone?: https://bit.ly/3P8hpGm

Check out The Liberal Patriot: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/

Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬.

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To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

With the presidential nominations locked up after Super Tuesday, Joe Biden kicked off his 2024 campaign in earnest at his “defiant” State of the Union address. 

Also: the Super Tuesday results, Nikki Haley bowing out of the primary and the fight for her supporters. 

Joining Ron Steslow on week’s panel: 

Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP)

Alex Thompson (National Political Correspondent for Axios)

Segments this week:

(01:50) Joe Biden’s State of the Union address

(30:20) Super Tuesday results, Haley dropping out, and Trump’s move to purify the Republican party

[Politicology+] Katie Porter claims the California Senate Primary was “rigged by Billionaires”  

Not yet a Politicology+ member? It’s our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with 30% more episodes filled with more strategy, analysis, thoughtful discussion…aaand the occasional piece of hot gossip. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

The White House - President Biden's State of the Union Address

NY Times - 5 Takeaways From Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address - The New York Times

Yahoo Finance - What Biden gets wrong about 'price gouging' and 'corporate greed'

AP - Fact Focus: Claims Biden administration is secretly flying migrants into the country are unfounded | AP News

Segment 2: 

NY Times - 5 Takeaways From Super Tuesday: Trump Wins and Haley Exits - The New York Times

The Bulwark - Nikki Haley Has Chosen to Be a Tool for Authoritarianism.

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Over two decades ago, Ruy Teixeira predicted that America was on its way to a bright blue future, thanks to an inevitable demographic shift that would deliver the Party a dominant, durable political coalition.

“Demography is destiny” became the mantra of the Democratic Party—proven out by Obama’s decisive 2008 electoral college win.

But then, in 2016, Trump upended that coalition, and, consequently, anti-Trumpism naturally became a defining feature of the Democratic Party.

But—beyond its opposition to Trump—what does the Democratic Party stand for today?

With the Republican Party infected with extremism and so embarrassingly unable to govern, why aren’t Democrats winning sustainable majorities?

And why is the Democratic party still losing ground with some of the core parts of its base?

In this two-part conversation, former Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Where Have All the Democrats Gone? The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes.

In part 1:

(01:50 ) Ruy’s background

(05:00) How the Democrats became the party of the elites 

(10:10)The impact of the 2016 election 

(23:23) The importance of working class voters in the Democratic party’s victories 

(30:20) The party’s increasingly liberal stance on immigration 

Read Where Have All the Democrats Gone?: https://bit.ly/3P8hpGm

Check out The Liberal Patriot: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/

Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

What will the protest votes in Michigan mean for the Biden campaign? What major Trump weakness did we see in his 20-point win in South Carolina? 

Joining Ron Steslow on week’s panel: 

Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) 

Anthony York (Fmr. Senior Communications Advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom) 

Segments this week:

(02:30) Did the “uncommitted” protest vote against Biden in Michigan backfire? 

(13:03) The Republican Primary in South Carolina, what it means for Haley, and Trump’s weaknesses with Republicans

(30:00) Crosspressure on IVF and reproductive rights vs border security and immigration 

[Politicology+] The bipartisan crypto SuperPAC targeting Katie Porter in the California Senate Primary and the partisan realignment on Wall Street

Not yet a Politicology+ member? It’s our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with 30% more episodes filled with more strategy, analysis, thoughtful discussion…aaand the occasional piece of hot gossip. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Check out the LA Times series about Latino politics in L.A.: https://bit.ly/3T1qotI

Support Molly’s fundraiser for drones for frontline units in Ukraine:  https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/91MGe8XC8A

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

https://twitter.com/anthonyyork49

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

Detroit Free Press - 'Uncommitted' Michigan primary vote results: What happens next for Biden, campaign

NPR - The push to vote 'uncommitted' to Biden in Michigan exceeds goal

NYT - Hamas Rejects Cease-Fire Proposal, Dashing Biden’s Hopes of Near Term Deal - The New York Times

Segment 2: 

Politico - Takeaways from Trump's thumping of Haley in South Carolina - POLITICO

ABC News - Nikki Haley argues Trump not getting 40% of primary voters is clue he'd lose to Biden - ABC News

Axios - “Suicide for our country”: Nikki Haley goes scorched earth on Trump

AP - Trump calls himself a ‘proud political dissident’ in CPAC speech

Segment 3: 

Axios - Scoop: House Democrats plan barrage against GOP on IVF

Politico - Alabama said frozen embryos are kids. The GOP isn’t sure what to do about it. - POLITICO

Politico - Senate GOP poised to block IVF protection bill - POLITICO

NYT - Arrest of Migrant in Georgia Killing Turns City Into Latest Battleground on Immigration - The New York Times

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Have you ever thought about what it means to be anonymous? 

Have you considered what it means that you can walk down the street or go to the grocery store or out to dinner without someone you’ve never met knowing your name, everything you’ve posted online, or your political leanings?

Or when you go on a first date with someone, they’d walk in knowing your dating history, your political affiliations, your credit score or what groceries you buy?

Advancements in facial recognition and a secretive startup could end privacy as we know it. 

In this two-part conversation, New York Times Tech Reporter Kashmir Hill joins host Ron Steslow to discuss privacy, anonymity, facial recognition software and her book Your Face Belongs to Us: A Secretive Startup’s Quest to End Privacy as We Know It.

In part 2:

(01:40) “Technical sweetness” and the lack of ethical considerations by the people building these new technologies 

(12:30) Privacy laws in the U.S. and Europe 

(15:24) The trend of law enforcement agencies skirting constitutional protections by buying information from private companies.

(27:20) Balancing security and privacy in the age of ubiquitous surveillance

(30:50) What the future of privacy might look like 

Read Your Face Belongs to Us: https://bit.ly/49qsbQm

Follow Ron and Kashmir  on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/kashhill

Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

Last week, Vladimir Putin had his biggest domestic rival, Alexei Navalny murdered in prison. Now Donald Trump is comparing himself to Navalny. 

This week’s panel: 

Ron Steslow

Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)

Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)

Segments this week:

(02:50) Navalny’s killing; and the Republican impeachment probe takes a big hit

(29:04) Donald Trump is selling sneakers to cover his legal bills

(39 :00) Trump allies plotting to make Christian nationalism a key part of a second administration

[Politicology+] The hearing about whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue prosecuting Trump and the huge blunder in her relationship with the special prosecutor in the case

Not yet a Politicology+ member? It’s our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with 30% more episodes filled with more strategy, analysis, thoughtful discussion…aaand the occasional piece of hot gossip. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Check out Oh My World!: https://www.ohmyworld.tv/

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/ZackCz

https://twitter.com/HagarChemali

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

Reuters - What we know about Alexei Navalny's death in Arctic prison | Reuters

NBC News- A now-indicted FBI informant was at the 'heart' of the GOP's case against Joe Biden

CNN - Alexander Smirnov: Former FBI informant charged with lying about the Bidens’ role in Ukraine business | CNN Politics

Axios - Russia arrests Los Angeles woman on treason charges

Segment 2: 

NBC News - Judge fines Donald Trump more than $350 million, bars him from running businesses in N.Y. for three years

Get Trump Sneakers 

ABC News - Trump hawks $399 branded shoes at 'Sneaker Con,' a day after a $355 million ruling against him - ABC News

Politico - Trump leadership PAC racked up $4.8 million in new legal bills - POLITICO

The Dispatch - Navalny’s Death Sheds Light on the Moral Rot of the American Right - Jonah Goldberg - The Dispatch

Segment 3: 

Politico - Trump allies prepare to infuse ‘Christian nationalism’ in second administration - POLITICO

Politico - Mike Johnson invoked God in a GOP presentation on keeping the majority. It didn’t land well. - Live Updates - POLITICO

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Have you ever thought about what it means to be anonymous? 

Have you considered what it means that you can walk down the street or go to the grocery store or out to dinner without someone you’ve never met knowing your name, everything you’ve posted online, or your political leanings?

Or when you go on a first date with someone, they’d walk in knowing your dating history, your political affiliations, your credit score or what groceries you buy?

Advancements in facial recognition and a secretive startup could end privacy as we know it. 

In this two-part conversation, New York Times Tech Reporter Kashmir Hill joins host Ron Steslow to discuss privacy, anonymity, facial recognition software and her book Your Face Belongs to Us: A Secretive Startup’s Quest to End Privacy as We Know It.

In part 1:

(01:43 ) Ron and Kashmir discuss anonymity and privacy and the erosion of both in our daily lives 

(00:00 ) Balancing convenience and privacy 

(11:00) The origins of ClearviewAI 

(13:30) Genetic determinism in the development of facial recognition 

(18:20) Kashmir dives deep into the history of facial recognition software and how it developed. 

(22:37) How Facebook crowdsourced training facial recognition technology

(25:00) How much privacy should we have and who should be able to use facial recognition software? 

Read Your Face Belongs to Us: https://bit.ly/49qsbQm

Follow Ron and Kashmir  on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/kashhill

Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

Last week, a Department of Justice special counsel report concluded that Joe Biden should not be charged for his mishandling of classified documents, but the allegations about Biden’s memory have taken center stage.

This week’s panel: 

Ron Steslow

Matt Bennett (Founder & Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Third Way)

Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party)

Liz Gilbert Cohen (President of the 2020 Democratic National Convention)

Segments this week:

(03:04) Special Counsel’s report 

(24:40) NY-3 Special Election 

(44:12) Russia wants to put a nuke in space + the invasive and controversial surveillance program set to expire soon

[Politicology+] No Labels’ dubious presidential ticket and their recent letter asking the Justice Department to investigate their critics

Not yet a Politicology+ member? It’s our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with 30% more episodes filled with more strategy, analysis, thoughtful discussion…aaand the occasional piece of hot gossip. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Support Molly McKew’s fundraiser for surveillance and communications drones for frontline units in Ukraine:  https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/91MGe8XC8A

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/ThirdWayMattB

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

Axios - Special counsel report questions Biden's memory

ABC News - Overwhelming majority of Americans think Biden is too old for another term: POLL - ABC News

Fox - Biden's upcoming physical exam will not include a cognitive test, White House says

Politico - Biden v. Trump: The battle over who’s too old, too forgetful or too confused - POLITICO

Segment 2: 

NYT - In New York Win, Democrats Sense a Pivot on Immigration and Border Politics

CNBC - Democrats see New York special election win as blueprint for defeating Trump in November

NBC News - Pennsylvania Democrats pad narrow state House advantage with special election win

Segment 3: 

ABC News - GOP warning of 'national security threat' is about Russia wanting nuclear weapon in space: Sources - ABC News

CNN - House Intel Chairman announces ‘serious national security threat,’ sources say it is related to Russia | CNN Politics

Washington Post - Officials sound alarm about new Russian “space threat” - The Washington Post

Roll Call - House delays plans on surveillance program reauthorization vote - Roll Call

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Are there tendencies within Christian tradition that put some versions of the faith in tension with core principles of democracy?

What is “Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity?”

How can a pluralistic society guard against the rise of political figures—including Donald Trump—aiming to weaponize this phenomenon?

In this two-part conversation, we dive into these provocative questions with the Rev. Prof. David Gushee (Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University) and discuss his book Defending Democracy From Its Christian Enemies.

Segments to look forward to in part 2:

(02:12) Christianity in the reactionary politics of France and Germany in the 20th century  

(07:54) The allure of authoritarian leaders who promise to fix cultural issues 

(13:06) The idealization of a past Christian nation and the ubiquitous use of anti-LGBT rhetoric in policial mobilization

(18:20) The difficulty of appealing to authoritarian-leaning Christians and the influence of leaders in those communities

(32:30 ) “Covenantal democracy” rooted in the Baptist tradition

(35:18) The importance of civic literacy and political ethics education among Christians to inoculate against authoritarian tendencies

(40:00) The importance of long-term cultural and interpersonal work to build stronger democratic norms.

For more of David’s work visit his website: https://www.davidpgushee.com/

Follow Ron  on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬.

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