Woking up to Backlash: New York Times Contributing Writer Thomas Edsall on Reason & Responsibility in Polarized Politics
New York Times Contributing Writer Thomas Edsall on Reason & Responsibility in Polarized Politics
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (podtrac.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
“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
Additional Resources
Lilliana Mason, Julie Wronski, & John V. Kane (2021). “Activating Animus: The Uniquely Social Roots of Trump Support.” American Political Science Review.
Emily Cochrane (8/10/21). “Senate Passes $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill.” The New York Times
Texas House Election Results 2020
Find us online!
Twitter: @purpleprincipl
Facebook: @thepurpleprinciplepodcast
Instagram: @thepurpleprinciplepodcast
Our website: fluentknowledge.com/shows/the-purple-principle/woking-up-to-backlash
Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/2UfFSja