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The Remnant gets rank today as Josh Kraushaar, one of Jonah’s favorite party-obsessive pundits, returns ...

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The Remnant gets rank today as Josh Kraushaar, one of Jonah’s favorite party-obsessive pundits, returns to discuss everything electoral. As Jonah has mentioned more than a few times in recent months, America now has two minority parties, both of which seem to be trying to out-crazy the other. In distinctly wonky fashion, Josh explores why this is the case, and what the future holds for a country with two moons and no sun. Will the GOP ever be rid of Trump’s influence? Why do Democrats keep using “Latinx”? And will Jonah finally learn to stop worrying and love primaries?

Show Notes:

– Josh’s page at National Journal

– Josh’s podcast, Against the Grain

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  1. Avatar photo
    Jason Gibson

    Great episode and congrats to your daughter on graduation

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    Jason Godwin

    I loved the conversation about how to revamp our primary process. I've given this some thought, and came up with a system that sorta combines the "smoke-filled rooms" while still preserving the democratic aspect of primaries. Basically, you would actually hold the party convention the year before the election (so for the 2024 election, in like November 2023). At the convention, the "delegates" are every Republican (or Democratic) Senator, U.S. Representative, and Governor. Those delegates can nominate whomever they want, then a vote is held with each delegate casting one vote. If somebody gets over 75% of the vote, they win the nomination outright (this is here for cases of popular incumbent presidents). Otherwise, the top three or all candidates receiving at least 15% of the vote advance to the primaries. The primaries are held simultaneously across the country (it could be a singular day, or a week-long or so process), but regardless, none of this Iowa/New Hampshire nonsense. The voting is done via ranked-choice ballot. The idea is that the convention provides a sorta minimum level of "peer review", but it's still ultimately decided by the voters. This is actually based loosely on the UK's system for electing party leaders (i.e. MPs vote to narrow the field, then party members get the final say). I'm sure it's not perfect, and the thresholds could be debated, so consider this a "three-quarters baked" idea. But I think there are ways you can combine the best aspects of the smoke-filled rooms and a democratic process. It doesn't have to be an either/or proposition.

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    Jesse Blankenship

    I was in poli-nerd heaven. Thanks guys!

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    Adicesa14

    Great conversation. It seems that both Parties are committing ‘Hari Kari.’ The difference is that Democrats are under stress from a lunatic movement, while Republicans are under stress from a lunatic.

    The Democratic Party has been thoroughly infiltrated by far-left activists (Progressives). Borrowing one of their favorite words, the Democrats problem is systemic. Unfortunately, the Democrats madness is deeply ingrained, so the solution may be complicated and long-term. The far-left has infected many American institutions, and before the Party can regain a sense of realism it must at least weaken the utopian disease.

    Republicans biggest problem is one obnoxious, vindictive man. Minimizing Trump’s influence, particularly with some ambitious Republican office-seekers would be a good start. And would it be too much to expect DJT to be gracious? Regrettably, yes, and that is deeply depressing.

    If my memory is intact, California employs rank-choice voting for State and local primaries. Perhaps, there are some other jurisdictions that have turned to this option. Would it not be prudent to allow ‘laboratories of democracy,’ to experiment with rank-choice voting to determine efficacy or, at least, work out the ‘bugs?’

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    Rev Snow

    Several mentions of a "Sister Souljah moment" in this one, as a shorthand for a popular politician breaking with some portion of his supporting voters. We use the term regularly, but almost never review just what it was that Sister Souljah said that Bill Clinton publicly rebuked.

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    Pastorfbt

    The finest in rank punditry. Aces.

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