The Democrat Deficiency

The error of goofball candidates.

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Once again, Jonah has abandoned his Remnant duties to spend the week nibbling on sponge cake while watching the sun bake. Fortunately, Chris Stirewalt, America’s favorite simple country pundit, is on hand to take control of the program. He’s joined by Ruy Teixiera, author of Where Have All the Democrats Gone? and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to discuss what the wretched state of our parties could mean for the 2024 election. The GOP has spent the last decade having an extended nervous breakdown, so why haven’t the Democrats used this opportunity to become the dominant party? For that matter, why can’t Democratic candidates get a grip on working class voters? And why can’t all politicians just be normal?

Show Notes:

– Ruy’s AEI webpage

– Ruy’s Substack, The Liberal Patriot

– Ruy’s latest book, Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

– Ruy’s The Emerging Democratic Majority

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Comments (16)
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  1. Avatar photo
    The Bell Tower

    I think most Americans look at their stupid political parties and feel like Homer Simpson:

    https://youtu.be/H6CLCiRBUP0?si=4ynHnupPNARbbBwe

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  2. Payette

    Great podcast, Chris!

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  3. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    I can’t wait for the solo Remnant where Jonah say, “No you won’t this is a podcast,” to himself

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  4. Nick Pellicciotto

    The funny thing is people like Manchin, who I assume is the model Democrat to someone like Ruy Texiera or Chris Stirewalt, is a do-nothing backbencher who’s done close to nothing for the working people of West Virginia.

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    1. Avatar photo
      The Bell Tower

      Except win elections.

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  5. Avatar photo
    Scarlette Tarte

    Progressives have not defined the party. Republicans have defined the Democratic party, by glomming onto the words and actions of the small band of progressives, and amplifying them way beyond their influence, to their dumb base, who can't seem to figure out that they benefit from Democratic policies far more than they do Republican ones.

    Also, abortion was used, for many years, to paint Dems as "evil".

    These things were all done purposefully, to try to separate working class voters from the party that actually did something for those voters. It was done by amplifying god, guns and gays.

    That's on Republican hands. Worst of all, is that repubs decided to denigrate education to demonize the Democrats. "Look at them. College educated elitists!".

    So now, even education is looked at as a "bad thing" by these voters.

    Most Dems are center left. Not far left radicals. But we have been defined by a small group. However, Dems have finally figured out how to fight fire with fire, and, thanks to MAGA and it's grifter class, have begun to define the entire Republican party by their crazies ...of which, there are far more of them than any progressives in the Democratic party.

    It's about time that someone poisoned their brand. Perhaps they will learn the lesson of not doing that to people.

    But I doubt it.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Kmregan7

      I’d say most Dems think some progressive ideas are good and some are bad. And since the far left progressives don’t run the party, no matter what those on the right think we’ll be okay.

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  6. Avatar photo
    Anne W (Raw5254)

    This was so good. As a former Republican, it’s really helpful to hear from a moderate Democrat who understands how much progressives have managed to define the party in my eyes, and many others, I’m sure. I would happily vote for a Democrat who would just do his/her job, and not spend time giving in to the far left. Yes, I know the Republicans are just as guilty when it comes to the far right, which is exactly why they are not getting my vote. But, I am not at all happy with the prospect of another four years (?) of Biden, and the possibility of Kamala Harris. Please, we can do better!!!

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  7. Avatar photo
    J. Eric

    Well done Chris, worthy podcast

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  8. CCA

    After the last Remnant, this was like aloe for a deep burn.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Anne W (Raw5254)

      I haven’t listened. I’m a big fan of Jonah, but I’ve really needed something different lately.

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  9. Philebus

    Why does this guest make sense to me?

    In 2016 I could’ve voted for Clinton over Trump, until Clinton found the need to appeal to the Bernie Sanders crowd. In my state (Kansas) it would’ve not made a difference who I voted for, so I voted (what was that guy’s name?) for Gary Johnson (Libertarian), and my down-ballot went Republican (I voted Democrat for Governor, because this State is just a happier place with a Democrat at the helm – an anecdotal observation – we’re odd - but consider Sam Brownback). That was the last time for me. I’ve voted as a straight ticket Democrat since – totally fed up with the Republican party.

    Ha! I would encourage Democratic politicians to move to my state and run for office. If your desire is to be a politician and can offer the center-right vote as a place to go, you may be pleased by the outcome. Then again, maybe not - but I'm hopeful. The Democrats need to move to the center, and your guest kind of stated it.

    I'm an independent and have been my entire life (equal opportunity hater), but I would encourage something different than the status quo. It's (I am) a voting bloc, and it's available for the taking.

    Ha! I suppose I don't fully understand the problem...

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    1. Avatar photo
      Scarlette Tarte

      Your state is happier with a Dem at the helm because Dems are better at their job than repubs are, generally.

      Repubs have become idealogues. They care more for their ideology than the people they govern. Most elected Dems are not ideologues...they are more concerned with old school politics...like fixing the roads, getting the trash picked up, making sure the state runs smoothly and is working for its citizens.

      That used to be how both parties functioned ...who did it better got rewarded by voters. But since the 80's, repubs have moved ever more rightward as far as an ideology. Taxes can never be too low, or guns too available.

      When you care more for the ideology, you get Brownback. Who really hurt the state by pursuing a far right ideology, over practical governance.

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      1. Philebus

        The Republicans have enjoyed a super majority in our legislature further back than I can remember (a long time). A Democratic governor serves as damper on some of the crazy. It's not that they couldn't override any veto, but they usually fail because there are just enough Democrats and centrist-right legislators to keep them from their worst of good intentions.

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    2. Avatar photo
      Anne W (Raw5254)

      I’m in Wisconsin, but still appreciate your comment. At this point, all I’m saying is just don’t be crazy!!!

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  10. Avatar photo
    Pastorfbt

    This episode - excellent and on point - is a perfect follow-up to Jonah's discussion with the brothers regarding the deficiency of the left/right paradigm.

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