New Podcast: The debt ceiling, DeSantis' fascist streak, and a roadmap for Democrats
The Nation's John Nichols joins the pod this week
Is this…normalcy?
John Nichols was a guests on the first season of the podcast back when we were on the disastrous Callin App so I’ve been eager to get him on the new show. He is powerful progressive voice and expert on the heartland of our nation as the longtime associate editor of Madison’s Capital Times.
We opened discussing the debt ceiling agreement that has now passed Congress and how it was truly a masterful effort by President Biden, We both grudgingly had to give McCarthy credit for working with the White House.
I feel like it’s a hint of the normalcy of old Washington that we had wanted with Biden’s election. It feels like the how the process is supposed to work. John points out that none of it is normal but there is hope. He also notes that both men are creatures of Washington and that leads them to actually try to find a way to get the job done for our country.
He has as strong feelings about Ron DeSantis as do I and sees the foolishness in his efforts to out Trump, Trump. In the end the Republicans are going to eat each other alive and none of them have what it takes to beat Trump and then convert his voters. His movement has gone beyond him now.
His insight on the lessons from the Wisconsin Supreme Court election are hugely important. What Janet Protasiewicz did was run everywhere in Wisconsin including the reddest parts of the state. She even ran ads on over the air radio stations in rural parts of the state with a simple message that she was running for them too. It led to high turnout and support everywhere carrying her to a strong victory. It’s incredibly important for Democrats to learn those lessons.
It’s a great conversation from start to finish.
About John
John Nichols is a pioneering political blogger and writes about politics for The Nation as a national affairs correspondent and the Associate Editor of The Capital Times in Madison, Wisconsin. He is one of Wisconsin’s best-known progressive voices. John is the author of seven books on politics and the media. His pieces have been circulated internationally, quoted in numerous books, and mentioned in debates on the floor of Congress. Nichols is a contributing writer for The Progressive and In These Times.
Stories we touched upon
“Milktoast”
Ron DeSantis is opening his campaign with some very fascist plans.
Denouncing ‘Elites’ in Kickoff Speech, DeSantis Vows to ‘Impose Our Will’
John wrote a great analysis of what the Wisconsin Supreme Court election means for Democrats and what lessons we can learn.
Opinion | Before 2024, Democrats need to learn this from Protasiewicz win
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You can watch last week’s episode with veteran and advocate Charlotte Clymer:
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