#SistersInLaw Episode 209: Searching For Answers – Detailed Summary

Release Date: November 9, 2024
Host/Authors: Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, Barb McQuaid, Kimberly Atkins Storr
Description: Politicon's #SistersInLaw episode features political and legal experts discussing the aftermath of a contentious election, addressing listener questions, and exploring the future of American democracy.

1. Reflecting on the Election Results

Kimberly Atkins Storr opens the episode by acknowledging the emotional turmoil following the recent election results. She emphasizes the collective grief and disappointment felt by listeners and the hosts alike. Kimberly introduces a shift in the show's format to focus on personal reflections and answering listener questions, highlighting the importance of listener engagement during challenging times.

Jill Wine-Banks shares her emotional journey post-election, transitioning from despair to anger, and ultimately finding motivation to take action. At [02:01], she states:

“I am not defeated by this, that none of us should be, that we all should take and be motivated to do something to work so that in two years, the next election has a different outcome.”

She references Adlai Stevenson's analogy about feeling like a "little boy who had stubbed his toe in the dark" to convey her current feelings ([03:40]).

Joyce Vance discusses the diverse range of emotions among different communities, emphasizing the need for solidarity. She quotes Margaret Atwood to highlight how marginalized groups perceive their own safety and the necessity of forging a "big tent" to preserve democracy ([05:39]).

Barb McQuaid articulates the profound sense of loss, comparing the election outcome to experiencing a death. She reflects on the defeat of a highly qualified female candidate by an unfavorable opponent, underscoring the emotional and symbolic impact of the loss ([05:41]).

Kimberly Atkins Storr delves into her personal struggles with processing the election results, emphasizing the importance of self-care and protecting one's energy. She refers to the book Rest is Resistance by Trisha Hersey to advocate for prioritizing mental and emotional well-being during turbulent times ([08:56]).

2. Addressing Listener Questions

The majority of the episode is dedicated to answering listener-submitted questions, providing insightful analysis and forward-looking perspectives.

a. Can Vice President Kamala Harris Become the First Female President?

Answered by Jill Wine-Banks at [31:35]

Jill explores the possibility of President Biden resigning to make Kamala Harris the first female president. She discusses the potential impact of such a move, including the importance of passing the Equal Rights Amendment to protect women's rights as part of President Harris's legacy.

“I want President Harris to order the archivist to publish the Equal Rights Amendment and make her legacy that she protected all women by passing the ERA were long past due for that protection.”
— Jill Wine-Banks [31:35]

b. Guardrails in a Second Trump Presidency

Answered by Barb McQuaid at [18:37]

Barb addresses concerns about the lack of safeguards in a potential second Trump administration. She outlines existing and potential state-level measures, such as actions by state attorneys general and advocacy groups like the ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund, to counteract federal rollbacks on civil rights and environmental protections.

“There are things outside of the federal government where I think that there is a place for protecting the rights of people.”
— Barb McQuaid [18:37]

c. Existing Criminal Cases Against Donald Trump

Answered by Joyce Vance at [21:34]

Joyce provides an update on the various legal cases involving Donald Trump, including the status of the January 6th case and the classified documents case. She expresses skepticism about the prosecution's ability to enforce sentences but acknowledges ongoing civil cases that may offer some relief to victims.

“The sad reality here is that Trump wins.”
— Joyce Vance [24:26]

d. Validity of the Election Results

Answered by Kimberly Atkins Storr at [25:26]

Kimberly addresses concerns about the legitimacy of the election, debunking claims of widespread fraud. She explains the complexity of voter behavior, including ticket-splitting and the desire for bipartisan representation, which led to a significant margin of votes for Trump over a qualified female candidate.

“People can totally rationalize that in both directions. So I can't give a full history, historical primer about vote splitting, but it's long been a part of our electorate.”
— Kimberly Atkins Storr [25:26]

e. The Role of Truth in Democracy and Combating Disinformation

Answered by Barb McQuaid and Joyce Vance at [36:24] and [41:42]

Barb discusses the rampant disinformation tactics employed by foreign entities like Russia to influence elections and sow societal discord. She emphasizes the need for regulatory measures on social media and personal media literacy to combat false narratives.

“Truth matters. And as Liz Cheney said, we cannot abandon truth and remain a free country.”
— Barb McQuaid [36:24]

Joyce expands on the global rise of antisemitism and the rejection of democracy in favor of illiberalism, warning of the dangers posed by authoritarian leaders and urging solidarity among marginalized communities.

“We are living through a moment where there is a real rise globally in this desire to have strong men as leaders.”
— Joyce Vance [41:42]

f. Breaking Echo Chambers and Engaging Low Information Voters

Answered by Kimberly Atkins Storr and Barb McQuaid at [44:59] and [56:21]

Kimberly explores strategies to reach voters who may not be fully informed or are disengaged from political discourse. She emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they are, providing accurate information, and fostering respectful dialogues to bridge political divides.

“Effective messaging reaches people where they are and provides information.”
— Kimberly Atkins Storr [56:21]

Barb adds that many voters base their decisions on emotions and perceived grievances rather than factual information, highlighting the challenge of countering narratives pushed by influential figures like Steve Bannon and Rush Limbaugh.

“When people are voting without information, they are doing it instead on guts and emotion and feel.”
— Barb McQuaid [65:18]

3. Coping and Moving Forward

As the discussion winds down, the hosts share their personal strategies for coping with the election's outcome and preparing for future political battles.

Joyce Vance advocates for community support and finding meaningful ways to help others as a means to overcome personal despair.

“When you're not feeling very good and you're sort of feeling sorry for yourself and feeling down, the best thing that you can do is find something that you can do to help somebody else.”
— Joyce Vance [63:31]

Kimberly Atkins Storr focuses on self-care, emphasizing the importance of protecting one's energy and prioritizing mental health.

“My number one focus is going to be restricted. I... am protecting my energy.”
— Kimberly Atkins Storr [08:56]

Barb McQuaid finds solace in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet to process her emotions and experiences.

“When I get down, I write. I've been writing.”
— Barb McQuaid [67:35]

Jill Wine-Banks returns to her projects, including a children's book and active involvement in organizations that advocate for democratic principles and legal reforms.

“I have returned to working on that and I will keep going.”
— Jill Wine-Banks [67:49]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jill Wine-Banks [02:01]:
  “I am not defeated by this, that none of us should be, that we all should take and be motivated to do something to work so that in two years, the next election has a different outcome.”

• Jill Wine-Banks [03:40]:
  “Someone asked me how it felt, and I was reminded of a story that a fellow townsman of ours used to tell Abraham Lincoln... He said that he felt like a little boy who had stubbed his toe in the dark.”

• Joyce Vance [05:39]:
  “We are all part of some segment of society that feels uniquely at risk in this moment.”

• Barb McQuaid [18:37]:
  “There are things outside of the federal government where I think that there is a place for protecting the rights of people.”

• Kimberly Atkins Storr [25:26]:
  “It's long been a part of our electorate.”

• Barb McQuaid [36:24]:
  “Truth matters. And as Liz Cheney said, we cannot abandon truth and remain a free country.”

• Joyce Vance [41:42]:
  “We are living through a moment where there is a real rise globally in this desire to have strong men as leaders.”

• Kimberly Atkins Storr [56:21]:
  “Effective messaging reaches people where they are and provides information.”

• Barb McQuaid [65:18]:
  “When people are voting without information, they are doing it instead on guts and emotion and feel.”

• Joyce Vance [63:31]:
  “When you're not feeling very good and you're sort of feeling sorry for yourself and feeling down, the best thing that you can do is find something that you can do to help somebody else.”

Conclusion

Episode 209 of #SistersInLaw, titled "Searching For Answers," delves deep into the emotional and political aftermath of a significant election. The hosts offer a heartfelt exploration of their feelings, provide thoughtful responses to listener questions, and discuss strategies for maintaining democracy and personal well-being in challenging times. This episode serves as a beacon of solidarity, encouragement, and proactive engagement for listeners navigating the complexities of the current political landscape.