Nick Troiano  (Executive Director of Unite America) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss how our process for primary elections fuels the partisan doom loop and leaves more and more Americans disappointed about their choices, and Nick’s new book The Primary Solution: Rescuing our Democracy from the Fringes 

Segments to look forward to:

(01:52) The Need for Primary Election Reform

(02:56) The Impact of Primary Reform on Elected Officials and Political Parties

(15:42) How Closed Primaries Disenfranchise Voters 

(16:40) Structural Reforms and Cultural Change: Creating a Healthier Democracy

(21:14)Exploring Primary Reform Options

(30:50) Why We Should Abolish Partisan Primaries 

(33:06) The Success of the Alaska System 

(37:04) The Arguments Against Reforms (And Why They Don’t Make Sense)

(40:00) The Path Forward for Primary Reform

(51:39) Envisioning an Ideal Electoral System



Read The Primary Solution: https://www.uniteamerica.org/book

Check out Unite America: https://www.uniteamerica.org/

Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/NickTroiano

Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ 

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The Primary Solution

Politics in America is transforming. We’re embarking on a new series to deepen our understanding of who we are, how we got here, and how we rebuild without repeating the mistakes of the past. Ron Steslow hosts academics, behavioral economists, social psychologists, politicos, philosophers, anthropologists, journalists, poets, and storytellers—and more—to discuss America’s political present and future and dive into the deeper problems we face as a nation. Email us questions or comments: podcast@politicology.com.

News

Politics

Government

Daily News

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

** Get your ticket to our special LIVE recording with Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid in Sacramento, CA on May 29th: politicology.com/events **

This week, we discuss Russia’s latest offensive in Ukraine, stubborn inflation, Biden and Trump’s plans to debate, and the parade of Republicans going to Trump’s trial in New York City

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)

Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare)

Segments this week:

(04:15)  Russia’s offensive 


(32:50) Stubborn inflation 

(50:00) Should Biden have pardoned Trump? 


[Politicology+] Laser weapons, rapidly advancing A.I., and growing privacy concerns

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬


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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/MollyMcKew

https://twitter.com/ZackCz

Related reading:
Segment 1: 
NYT -Mapping Russia’s Sudden Push Across Ukrainian Lines - The New York Times
NYT - Facing Russian Advance, a Top Ukrainian General Paints a Bleak Picture
CNN - Sergei Shoigu: Putin replaces Russia’s defense minister with a civilian as Ukraine war rages and defense spending spirals | CNN
WP - In surprise Ukraine visit, Blinken declares vision for Kyiv’s victory - The Washington Post

Segment 2: 
CNBC - CPI report shows inflation easing in April, with consumer prices still rising 3.4% from a year ago
NYT - Fed Chair’s Confidence in Slowing Inflation Is ‘Not as High’ as Before - The New York Times
CNN - What Biden’s tariffs on Chinese imports may mean for American jobs, the economy and inflation | CNN Business

Segment 3: 
CNN - Biden and Trump accept CNN’s invitation to debate on June 27 | CNN Politics
WP - Republicans flock to court to ‘kiss the ring’ during Trump criminal trial - The Washington Post
MSNBC - Romney interview with Stephanie Ruhle
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A Parade of Red Ties—The Weekly Roundup

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus

Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder), Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) and Ron Steslow respond to your feedback and answer your questions on our latest mailbag episode. 

(06:50)  How you can maximize the impact of political donations 

(15:10)  The precinct strategy and how bad actors could sow doubt about the election 

(27:00) It’s not a good political strategy to shoot your dog

(33:40) How 2020 election denial has pervaded the Republican party 

(34:20)The Trump Veepstakes 

(43:20) What could happen if Trump loses in November? 

(52:38) Mike’s takeaways from the New York Times/ Siena College poll

Have a question for a future Mailbag episode? Send it over to us at podcast@politicology.com!

You can also leave us a voice message at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow Ron, Mike, and Lucy on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell
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Politicology Mailbag with Mike Madrid and Lucy Caldwell

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

** Want to come to a live taping? Let us know here: https://tpolls.typeform.com/to/Gxjndbgf

This week, we look at how the affordability crisis is hurting Biden’s chances with Latino voters, how more people are getting good jobs without a college degree, and another congressional Democrat indicted for taking bribes from a foreign country.

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

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

Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) 

Segments this week:

(03:41)  The affordability crisis driving away the voters Biden needs

(23:33) Getting good jobs “degree free”

(42:24) TX Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar’s indicted for bribery

[Politicology+] The anti-Israel protestors are backed by major Biden Donors

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Pre-order Mike’s book: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg

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

Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com 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/HagarChemali



Related reading:
Segment 1: 
NY Mag - Biden Is Losing the Election in the Center, Not the Left
Trump Super Pac Ad
Axios  - Behind the Curtain: 6% of six states
Axios - Trump's inflation bomb: How his second-term plans could make it worse
Fox Business - White House economic adviser struggles with question on monetary policy | Fox Business
The Informationist - Money Printing Simplified 

Segment 2: 
CNBC - 29-year-old ex-bartender now earns $100000 working in AI without a college degree—here's how
YouTube: Hannah Maruyama’s conversation with Anthony Pompliano 
CNN - Some colleges cost $95,000 per year, and they’re only getting more expensive. Here’s why
CBS News - More U.S. companies no longer requiring job seekers to have a college degree - CBS News

Segment 3: 
AP - Democratic US Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife are indicted over ties to Azerbaijan
NYT - Henry Cuellar Indicted Over Bribery Scheme
Axios - Why Capitol Hill is so quiet on Rep. Henry Cuellar's indictment
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Affordability Voters—The Weekly Roundup

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

This week, we look at the growing pessimism people are feeling about their money, their plans to spend less, and the monetary policy that’s driving that. Then we’ll discuss the dystopian preview of a second Trump term in the Time Magazine cover story, and Arizona’s move to repeal its 1864 Abortion ban. 

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

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

Olivier Knox (veteran politics and foreign policy reporter, most recently at The Washington Post )

James Lavish (co-managing partner of the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund)

Segments this week:

(04:50)  Money

(39:00) Trump’s Time Magazine Story 

(48:30) Arizona 

[Politicology+] RFK Jr’s surprising performance with younger and Latino voters, what’s driving that appeal, and what it could mean for this election cycle. 

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.


Check out Olivier’s substack: https://olivierknox.substack.com/

Read James’s  substack: https://jameslavish.substack.com/

Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬


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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/jameslavish

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

https://twitter.com/OKnox


Related reading:
Segment 1: 
CNN - Fears about stagflation are mounting in the US. It’s every central banker’s worst nightmare | CNN Business
Bloomberg - US Consumer Confidence Slumps to Lowest Level Since July 2022 - Bloomberg
Politico - Trump trade advisers plot dollar devaluation - POLITICO

Segment 2: 
Time Magazine - Donald Trump on What His Second Term Would Look Like | TIME
WSJ - Trump Allies Draw Up Plans to Blunt Fed’s Independence - WSJ
Politico - Mitch McConnell continues to break with Trump on immunity claims - POLITICO

Segment 3: 
NYT - Arizona Legislature Will Consider Repeal of 1864 Abortion Law - The New York Times
Politico-Arizona legislature repeals 1864 abortion law - POLITICO
NPR - Christian conservatives wrestle with shifting GOP stance on Arizona abortion ban : NPR
 
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The Primary Solution

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