“The rise of the conservative movement on the right and the decline of liberalism on the left have been a preoccupation of mine for 40 years or more,” Thomas Edsall confides in our latest Season Two episode, “Woking up to Backlash.” Edsall describes for us the high amperage polarities between the two parties – how the far left can be the right’s greatest ally, and vice-versa. 

He further notes that while the excesses of each party are not morally equivalent, they can often be politically equivalent. And he firmly states that the Republican Party under Trump’s influence has become delusional with regard to the previous election, among other issues, leaving the Democratic Party the more rational of the two. 

Rationality, however, brings responsibility. And, according to Edsall, if “big D” Democrats wish to preserve “small d” democracy, they must accept the lion’s share of responsibility in ratcheting down the political temperature in our polarized climate. 

Tune in to learn more from Thomas Edsall, one of the most objective, thoughtful, and distinguished American journalists writing today. And meet new Purple Principle co-host Jillian Youngblood, Executive Director of the non-profit, non-partisan, Civic Genius. Jillian brings two decades of frontline political experience to the show along with wit, wisdom, and passion for a more perfect union.

Original Music by Ryan Adair Rooney

Our Guest

Tom Edsall: Columbia Journalism School

Thomas B. Edsall - The New York Times

Thomas B. Edsall. Building Red America: The New Conservative Coalition and the Drive for Permanent Power, 2006.

@Edsall

Additional Resources

Lilliana Mason

Lilliana Mason, Julie Wronski, & John V. Kane (2021). “Activating Animus: The Uniquely Social Roots of Trump Support.” American Political Science Review.

Shanto Iyengar

Jonathan Haidt

Julie A. Wronski 

Ashley Jardina 

D-Nominate after 10 Years: A Comparative Update to Congress: A Political-Economic History of Roll-Call Voting

Emily Cochrane (8/10/21). “Senate Passes $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill.” The New York Times

Texas House Election Results 2020 

Florida Election Results 2020

Rashawn Ray (11/24/20). “How Black Americans saved Biden and American democracy.” The Brookings Institute.

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