Mo Elleithee Talks New Battleground Poll

Mo Elleithee, founding executive director of Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service, joins ...

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Mo Elleithee, founding executive director of Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service, joins Sarah to talk about the complexities of politics. Results from a new Battleground Poll are in, and it’s clear that most Americans believe that the state of our politics is “really bad.” What happened and what can we do to fix it? Also on the agenda: Alaska’s interesting nonpartisan primary system, and the Democratic National Committee’s recent decision to make states bid for early waivers.

Show Notes:

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  1. Pzimm7778

    Why can’t primaries be held the same day in every state? What would be wrong with candidates campaigning and then everyone votes in June or July? It may become no one has a majority, but at least then there’s a reason to pay attention to the conventions and for them to do their job working out who should run. I feel this would be so much better than 1 state this week, 3 next, 8 here, then 2, and you eventually get a groupthink mentality based on who’s leading.

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    1. Mathew A

      Because national campaign's are horribly expensive. In fact, that's the same IMHO valid reason you don't want CA or Texas to go first. They are too big, which means lesser known candidates don't have a chance by doing some good old fashioned retail politicking.

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    Seth B

    Mo' Better Mo!

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  3. Sean Massey

    Great podcast I love hearing Mo's thoughts on things. Even though I disagree with politically. I love hearing from people on the other side of the isle politically who are thoughtful. I would love for you to have him back on podcasts in the future.

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  4. Ingenero.lux

    I loved Mo! This is the second podcast with one of Sarah’s interesting friends coming on - and I’d love to hear more from them!

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    Holly

    I wonder if the commission deciding the order of the democratic primaries is excluding states where Independents can't vote in the primaries. Like PA:(

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      Kmregan7

      I really wish we could reform primaries. Ranked choice voting, can there be a "primary day!" - similar to election day, but it's the same day for everyone? letting Independents vote in primaries, etc.

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    Michael Darwin

    Wonderful podcast. Would love to hear more thoughts on a unity or other third party option.

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    Young Riprock

    Sarah,
    Who puts the smartest campaign together if Biden doesn’t run in 2024? You have 50 years of operatives trained on Iowa/New Hampshire. Who is the George McGovern who figures out the playbook first and rides to the nomination while everyone else is stuck with the old playbook?

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  8. N Heg

    Loved the conversation. Very interesting and sad comments on the "youngs" not understanding liking someone who disagrees with them politically.

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    Kevin Johnson

    Thanks. Great points. I’m not looking for substantive agreement just for willingness to admit what Biden and others are pushing while claiming the “crazies” are pushing what people object to.

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    Anne W (Raw5254)

    Thanks, Sarah. I like that you are exposing us to different views, especially from the Democrats. I enjoy learning about other people, and how they think.

    I guess the thing I don’t understand (but I guess I do) is how each party manipulates everything to their advantage. I’m guessing that figuring out which states will vote first is a way of influencing the states that vote later. So, it seems like we can’t just go out and vote for the person we think is best; instead, we are manipulated into voting for the person we think is doing best in the early voting states. Do I have that right?

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