When I first scheduled an election analysis discussion with former U.S. Representative Steve Israel, it’s fair to say that my initial set of questions had nothing to do with how to run for President in a time of Coronavirus.
That’s where this conversation begins, but not where it ends. Because while we all navigate this new reality, we’re also still trying to understand the Democratic primary: What in the world just happened? How did Joe Biden get blown out in the first three caucuses – and then turn it all around to basically run the table? And assuming Biden holds on, did the moderate wing of the Democratic Party really win the ticket – or did the progressives set the agenda and took moderates along for the ride? How unified is the party? And what about Biden’s running mate – he said he’ll choose a woman VP candidate. Ok, beyond that, what are the practical and political factors that matter?
More background on Steve Israel: He spent 16 years in Congress representing New York's 3rd Congressional District – that’s on Long Island. He’s the former Chair of DCCC and today serves as Director of Cornell University’s Institute of Politics and Global Affairs. He’s also author of two political satire books, and we talk about his most recent one that took on the gun lobby – it’s called “Big Guns,” and it’s an excellent read.
For show notes & my newsletter, go to chrisriback.com.
As referenced in the intro, here is a link to the special edition of The 180 Podcast on the coronavirus with Dr. Pamela Cantor, Turnaround for Children’s Founder and Senior Science Advisor, about how to address the fear, stress and disruption caused by the pandemic.
Peter Enns: Where Polls Live Forever
David Cay Johnston: Political Termites
McKay Coppins: What Is God's Plan for Mike Pence?
Chris Matthews: Looking at Today's Politics Through the Perspective of RFK
Charlie Cook: Is There a Democratic Wave Coming In 2018?
Preet Bharara: How to Flip a Witness
Rep. Jim Jordan: "Just Ask Me"
Jason Altmire: A Former Congressman Explains Our Divided Country
David Litt: My Hopey, Changey White House Years
Joshua Green: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the Presidency
Graham Allison: Are the U.S. and China Headed for War?
Al Franken: "I freed up the funny"
Sidney Blumenthal: 'Wrestling with His Angel'
Tom Walker (a.k.a. Jonathan Pie): Political satire in the Trump era
Garry Kasparov: Why Trump Will Lose Playing Putin’s Dangerous Game
Norm Eisen: Is Donald Trump Above the Law?
Celinda Lake: It Was Still the Economy, Stupid
Neil Newhouse: The ‘Nose-Holder’ Election
David Wasserman: Can Democrats Put More House Seats In Play?
What's Going On with the Republican Party?
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free