Gone from the GOP are compassionate conservatism and dignified leadership, replaced by populist nationalism, marked by malice and division. On this episode, Rick is joined by writer and former speechwriter for the administrations of three Republican U.S. presidents, Peter Wehner. Together they engage in a deep discussion about the significant ideological and moral shifts within the Republican Party, particularly under Trump's influence.
Stuart Stevens writes that the Ukraine aid "vote is being celebrated as a 'bipartisan' success, a description that obscures the reality that a majority of the Republicans voted as Vladimir Putin would have voted. Today, Bernie Sanders is to the right of the majority of Republicans on Russia. That is extraordinary. How did this happen?"
Conservatives in America are not typically known as lovers of environmental advocacy. Well, our guest bucks that trend. Benji Backer, an environmental advocate and author of "The Conservative Environmentalist" joins Rick to discuss the urgent need for practical and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, critiquing both extreme denial and radical approaches currently dividing the political landscape. Backer emphasizes a historical bipartisan approach to environmental issues and proposes a balanced pathway that leverages American ingenuity and respects local knowledge.
Simon Rosenberg dives into the latest 2024 election polls showing Biden's lead, updates on the GOP primary voting, internal GOP opposition to Trump, the Maryland Senate race, and fundraising efforts for Democratic candidates.
Joe and Alex are joined by former Congressman Scott Klug, host of the "Lost in the Middle" podcast. Scott's exploring the stories of Americans who are "lost" in the polarization today -- how does he see the fever breaking? What are the solutions he's found from Americans' stories? And we can't let him go without a Wisconsin preview - how does Scott see the state playing out in 2024?
