Bulwark Takes: "Elections Will Be Won on Prices!" w/ Greg Landsman
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH)
Date: August 23, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode features a conversation between Tim Miller and Congressman Greg Landsman focused on the state of the Democratic Party, structural political challenges, and Landsman's new "pledge to America" proposal. The discussion centers on the failures of recent Democratic messaging, the need for substantive policy action—especially on affordability—and the urgency for Democrats to reconnect with everyday voters. Landsman sketches out a proactive legislative agenda, inspired by past political playbooks, and emphasizes the importance of both policy and “vibes” in winning elections.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Need for a New Democratic Agenda
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Inspiration from the 1990s Contract with America
- Landsman proposes that Democrats need their own version of Newt Gingrich’s 1994 "Contract with America"—a clear set of legislative promises to voters.
- Quote:
"It gives people something to hold on to and believe in and work on, in addition to just being against Trump, which I think Democrats and Americans in general desperately need."
— Greg Landsman [01:59]
-
Naming and Branding
- The importance of crafting an effective name for the platform, signaling that "the name is everything."
— [01:11–01:17]
- The importance of crafting an effective name for the platform, signaling that "the name is everything."
2. Reality Check for Democrats
- Acknowledging Strategic Losses
- Miller stresses the need for Democrats to genuinely accept their vulnerabilities, especially after Trump’s legal troubles did little to dent his reelection prospects.
- Quote:
"It’s not a good... picture that says you gotta do something different."
— Tim Miller [03:48]
3. Affordability Crisis & Economic Reset
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Affordability as the Election’s North Star
- According to Landsman, economic pain, particularly around housing, healthcare, and food, trumps all other concerns. The party must focus on making America affordable again, with special attention to stagnant incomes and insufficient housing.
- Quote:
"Every election will be an affordability election, in my opinion, until America is affordable again."
— Greg Landsman [04:27]
-
Policy Proposals on Cost and Supply
- More housing construction, expanded healthcare access, and addressing food and wage issues are named as cornerstones.
4. Public Safety and Restoring Trust
- Public Perception on Safety
- Democrats are losing the narrative on public safety; Landsman proposes a return to the 1990s’ straightforward messaging: "fewer guns, more cops", balanced with lessons learned from past policies to avoid over-incarceration.
- Quote:
"The idea that you would hire 100,000 new police officers and pair that with gun reform made people safer."
— Greg Landsman [05:36]
5. Communication “Vibes” and Cultural Disconnect
-
Alienating Language
- Miller and Landsman cite research that many voters feel looked down on by Democrats, e.g., “people that would make fun of me for shopping at Walmart.” They stress the need for authentic, relatable communication.
- Quote:
"Voters... vote for people who I think probably like me and I vote against people who I think don't like me."
— Greg Landsman [07:15]
-
Respecting and Connecting with All Voters
- The importance of tone, empathy, and cultural participation (attending fight nights, NASCAR, etc.) is repeatedly highlighted.
6. Institutional Reform
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Fixing Instead of Defending the Status Quo
- Democrats are perceived as defenders of unpopular institutions rather than change agents. Both hosts agree the party must champion reform, not just preservation.
- Quote:
"Democrats got stuck… being defensive of all these institutions rather than talking about fixing them."
— Tim Miller [09:32]
-
Specific Example: Public Education
- Landsman describes the need for comprehensive reforms, from prenatal care to workforce development, addressing real gaps rather than simply increasing funding or defending the status quo.
- Quote:
"If we did what we know about brain development, we would see fundamentally better outcomes for kids and schools—and that's a better use of your dollar."
— Greg Landsman [11:10]
7. New Democratic Infrastructure
- A Progressive Heritage Foundation
- Landsman argues for a new, powerful, well-organized pro-reform entity on the left to serve as a think tank and activist hub, with dedicated leadership outside the DNC.
- Quote:
"We need dedicated leadership to this moment, you know, like a Heritage Foundation for the left."
— Greg Landsman [08:45]
8. Intra-party Dynamics and Policy Consensus
- Dialogue with Party Leaders
- Positive engagement from party leaders (e.g., Hakeem Jeffries and AOC), with broad agreement on core agenda items like tax reform, anti-price gouging, infrastructure, housing, and healthcare.
- Some tension anticipated around public safety and national security priorities.
- Quote:
"You gotta fix the economy in part by fixing the tax code… you gotta tackle price gouging and corporate consolidation... and then we've got to start building more infrastructure, more broadband, more housing."
— Greg Landsman [14:32]
9. Campaign Tactics & Party Diversity
- Embracing Diversity of Styles
- The recent “Dark Gavin” Newsom Twitter presence is discussed as “not for me” by Landsman, who underscores the value of different voices and styles within the party (solutions-focused, confrontational, etc.).
- Quote:
"I'm fighting back every day, you know, but it doesn't break through as much… because that's happening, the pressure is taken off a little bit in terms of being able to say, like, Hey, let's talk a little bit about where we go from here, which is more my space."
— Greg Landsman [19:41]
10. Populist Political Culture
- Engaging in Mainstream Cultural Events
- Democrats should authentically participate in popular pastimes, citing sports events, MMA, etc., to better connect with a broader base.
- Quote:
"People need to see you participating in their world… Leaning into that stuff is something that we have to do."
— Greg Landsman [22:27]
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
-
On The Need for New Leadership Infrastructure:
"We need dedicated leadership to this moment, you know, like a Heritage Foundation for the left."
— Greg Landsman [08:45] -
On Democrats’ Cultural Perception:
"Democrats seem like people that would make fun of me for shopping at Walmart."
— Voter, cited by Tim Miller [07:00] -
On the Pull of Authenticity:
"Just say the thing you want to say and do it in a way where people don't feel like you think you're better but that you actually like them."
— Greg Landsman [06:17] -
On Education Reform:
"...If every mom had access to high quality prenatal care… every kid is showing up. If a kid does not show up prepared… they get an extra year. That would help us fix some of the issues with young boys who are just falling further and further behind."
— Greg Landsman [11:35] -
On “Dark Gavin” Style:
"Shitposting is not my thing… I’m not saying it’s bad, it’s good, I’m glad he’s doing it… it’s just not me.”
— Greg Landsman [18:26]
Notable Timestamps
- 01:21–02:34: Landsman introduces the pledge concept & Contract with America reference
- 04:06–05:12: Affordability crisis and economic policy priorities
- 05:12–06:12: Public safety, policing, gun reform
- 07:00–07:15: Discussion on Democrats’ cultural disconnect and voter impressions
- 09:32–10:44: Institutional reform, education as policy platform
- 13:21–14:32: Feedback from party leadership, consensus on economic priorities
- 18:06–19:03: Diversity in party style, "Dark Gavin" not for Landsman
- 22:27–22:54: Democrats and cultural participation
Conclusion
Landsman and Miller agree that Democrats must address voters’ real economic concerns, update their legislative and cultural strategies, and overcome both policy deficiencies and a perception gap with everyday Americans. The episode is a call for the party to both fix broken systems and recapture a sense of authentic connection with voters through both policy and presence.