Highlights from What’s Next: Election 2020 and Beyond

Our post-election event featured discussions with Karl Rove, Joe Trippi, Liz Cheney, Tim Scott, Ben Sasse and more.

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On November 9 and 10, The Dispatch convened our first ever two-day event to explore the results of the 2020 election and what’s next for the parties, conservatism and the country after this historic election. Below are highlights from the event that we hope will inform and provide context for what comes next.

To jump ahead to the chapters, click the dots along the play bar or select from the list at the right of the play bar.

  • Chapter 1: What’s next after this election and how should a contested election play out? Featuring political strategists Karl Rove and Joe Trippi.

  • Chapter 2: Why a secure and transparent US election is important when the world is watching. Featuring Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ambassador Mark Green, former administrator of USAID.

  • Chapter 3: How much of President Trump’s turnout was personal to him and will his supporters stick with the GOP? Featuring political strategists Karl Rove and Joe Trippi.

  • Chapter 4: What’s the future of the Republican Party? Does Trumpism survive without Donald Trump as president? Featuring former Trump Chief of Staff and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.

  • Chapter 5:  With no blue wave in 2020, what’s the path forward for the Democratic party? Featuring Democratic political strategist Lis Smith.

  • Chapter 6: Do the results of the 2020 election portend the end of identity politics in the Democratic Party. Featuring Democratic political strategist Mo Elleithee.

  • Chapter 7: What does the Republican Party stand for now? Featuring Reince Priebus, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY), and Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland (R).

  • Chapter 8: What’s the biggest national security challenge we face as a country heading into a Biden administration? Featuring Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ambassador Mark Green, former administrator of USAID.

  • Chapter 9: The political center in America is being crowded out by tribalism. Featuring Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE).

  • Chapter 10: Are American Institutions In Decay Or Are They Proving Resilient? Featuring Andy Smarick of the Manhattan Institute, Jack Goldsmith of Harvard Law School, and Yuval Levin of American Enterprise Institute.

  • Chapter 11: What’s next for the parties as institutions and can they be fixed?Featuring Yuval Levin and Andy Smarick.

  • Chapter 12:  Biggest highlights and takeaways of the event from The Dispatch crew.

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  1. Avatar photo
    Narwhal

    I assume Sen. Sasse gets his 14% figure of Americans pay attention to political news on a daily basis by combining Devoted Conservatives (6%) with Progressive Activists (8%). I’ve read the study a bit and I didn’t find anything else that supports his claim. And I didn’t see the study support his claim directly.

    I would think that as an elected representative and someone who cares about our democracy he would be more concerned why the largest tribe in the study are the Politically Disengaged (26%). But, based on the clip he isn’t.

    From the study, “ The Politically Disengaged most resemble Passive Liberals in having lower levels of income and education and being less engaged in following current affairs. Fully 41 percent are making less than $30,000 per year, and approximately one in four have gone without enough food or without medical treatment at least somewhat often. They are different from Passive Liberals in being more anxious about external threats and less open in their attitudes towards differences. For instance, they are the most likely to say that being white is necessary to be American and that people who hold other religious views are morally inferior. They are more concerned about the threat of terrorism and are quite closed to the view that Islamic and American values are compatible. They are practically invisible in local politics and community life, being one of the least likely groups to participate in political rallies or vote in local elections. They are also the least well informed group on all measures of political knowledge. They are the most pessimistic about the possibility of reconciling differences between political factions. Overall, this makes the Politically Disengaged a difficult segment to reach and mobilize.”

    Want to bet that a significant portion Trump’s increased turnout in 2020 came from this group becoming more politically engaged? A tribe this large can and will have an effect on US politics going forward and if I’m correct that Trump is their preferred candidate then his actions since Election Day will impact this group in predictable and unpredictable ways.

    Also, Sen. Sasse expressed a desire to see lower levels of political engagement by some but not for it to increase by others in conjunction with a greater comprehension of our system of government.

    Nice beard btw.

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  2. Avatar photo
    DougAz

    Integrity Scorecard update - The Sanctity and Integrity of our Election

    Liz Cheney: C- with a nice "hedge" ""If the President cannot prove these claims or demonstrate that they would change the election result, he should fulfill his oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States by respecting the sanctity of our electoral process,” she added." -

    Ben Sasse: A - Late, but solid: "After making headlines on October for excoriating Trump in a tele-town hall, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) told the Omaha World-Herald, ”Melissa and I congratulate the next president, Joe Biden, and the next vice president, Kamala Harris.”

    Tim Scott: F - Failure to comprehend reality. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott also backed Trump, telling supporters in an email blast that voting irregularities and fraud allegations must be thoroughly investigated. "This week has shown us that transparency must be increased — for example, the situation in Philadelphia limiting poll watchers’ access is concerning," he said. "I also hope we learn lessons on making this process more efficient; if we can put a man on the moon, we can get all our non-military votes counted within 72 hours."

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    1. Avatar photo
      Tyler

      Wait until you get to Reince. Based on letter grades, he gets an “A”, because he’ll have looped around the entire alphabet and ended back up at the beginning. Or maybe it’s like opera house seating, and he gets a “ZZ”.

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  3. Avatar photo
    Victor Clairmont

    Hey thanks! I didn't have the chance to watch the event (due to work) so I am happy to see it posted up so I can review it whenever I have some extra time.

    Thanks Dispatch.

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