A “wedge issue” is a politically divisive issue, that is usually raised by a candidate for public office in hopes of attracting or alienating an opponent's supporters. Typically, wedge issues have a cultural or populist theme. These can be issues relating to crime, national security, sexuality, abortion or identity. Over the years both parties have used them to get out unlikely or new voters because these issues force people to pick a side. In this episode, Drew and Alex talk about how wedge issues can be problematic because they lack nuance on a given topic and don’t look to change people’s minds. They also look at how the Republican Party has really relied on wedge issues to stay relevant, and it seems to be working. The two discuss some of the most ridiculous wedge issues like masks, vaccine passports, transgender athletes in professional sports, guns, words like ‘communism,’ and Trump himself. Both feel that while wedge issues can help divide and conquer a base, they aren’t good for a healthy society and for open discussion.