Podcast Summary: "Insistence over Resistance" with Stacey Abrams on The Blueprint with Jen Psaki

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Blueprint with Jen Psaki
• Host: Jen Psaki, MSNBC
• Episode Title: Insistence over Resistance, with Stacey Abrams
• Release Date: March 3, 2025

1. Introduction to Stacey Abrams

Jen Psaki opens the episode by highlighting Stacey Abrams' multifaceted career. Abrams, a former Georgia state House representative, lawyer, author, and activist, played a pivotal role in boosting Georgia's voter turnout, contributing to the state's first Democratic presidential win in nearly three decades. Psaki notes Abrams' relentless dedication to expanding electoral accessibility and participation, despite facing challenging electoral defeats.

Notable Quote:

Jen Psaki [01:03]: "Stacey Abrams wears a lot of hats... she hasn't stopped showing up and doing the work to expand accessibility and participation and also to build the tools to try to win the next fight."

2. Abrams on Political Strategy and Learning from Past Campaigns

Abrams emphasizes the necessity of not dwelling on past mistakes but instead focusing on future opportunities. She asserts that while analyzing previous campaigns is crucial, it's equally important to adapt to the evolving political landscape to create a better future.

Notable Quote:

Stacey Abrams [01:33]: "We can't fight the last war and think we'll win the next battle. That means we need to learn what we need to learn... But when we spend all of our time looking back at what we didn't do, we're not looking forward to what we can create."

3. The Role of Storytelling and DEI in Politics

Abrams delves into her passion for writing, both fiction and nonfiction, and how storytelling has shaped her approach to politics. She believes in making complex political concepts accessible to the general public, akin to “getting your broccoli because it's hidden in your ice cream.”

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Abrams discusses the foundational nature of DEI in American values, tracing its roots back to post-Revolutionary War amendments and various civil rights movements. She critiques those who oppose DEI by breaking down their objections into dislike for diversity, equity, or inclusion individually, challenging them to specify their grievances.

Notable Quotes:

Stacey Abrams [04:23]: "The responsibility we have in writing, and particularly in fiction, is not to divorce real people from complicated ideas. It is to make complicated ideas as accessible as possible in ways that we don't expect."

Stacey Abrams [08:33]: "DEI isn't new... Our entire country is premised on DEI. It is a foundational set of values."

4. Addressing the Disconnect with White Working-Class Voters

Psaki raises the concern that Democrats have lost touch with white working-class voters, who feel excluded by the party's focus on cultural issues such as DEI and transgender rights. Abrams counters this by reframing policy issues like abortion rights as fundamental to personal and economic well-being, rather than mere cultural debates. She argues that the real loss lies in neglecting the 90 million voters who didn't participate because they felt unrepresented or intimidated by systemic barriers.

Notable Quotes:

Stacey Abrams [12:21]: "Abortion rights is not a cultural issue. It's a medical issue. It's an economic issue. It's an educational issue. It's a moral issue."

Stacey Abrams [15:17]: "It's not about fighting over those who didn't like us in the first place... but rather finding and engaging those who didn't feel included."

5. Coping with Political Exhaustion and Internal Exile

Abrams introduces the concept of "internal exile," where people feel powerless and disconnected after electoral defeats. She explains this as a natural grieving process but emphasizes that resistance remains vital. Abrams advocates for renewing commitment to the fight, recognizing the continuous nature of political struggles against entrenched authoritarian and oligarchic tendencies.

Notable Quotes:

Stacey Abrams [16:13]: "Internal exile is when people feel that there is literally nothing left that they can do."

Stacey Abrams [19:43]: "We have to be renewed for the fight. And I think that's the dynamic we're seeing."

6. Strategic Resistance: Insistence over Resistance

Abrams differentiates her approach to political resistance by focusing on "insistence" rather than mere opposition. She stresses the importance of holding Republicans accountable for policies that undermine democratic principles, rather than attributing actions solely to President Trump. Her strategy involves being selective about battles, emphasizing meaningful actions over noise, and ensuring that Democrats contribute constructively without overextending themselves.

Notable Quotes:

Stacey Abrams [22:08]: "We have to insist on our systems doing their job. We have to insist on our politicians doing their job."

Stacey Abrams [25:14]: "We have to find our space. But there are a lot of us. So let's figure out what is the most concerning, the most urgent, and the piece where, if I show up, it may simply be that I provide a safe haven for a child whose parents have been disappeared."

7. Voter Suppression: Understanding and Combating Modern Tactics

Abrams provides a comprehensive breakdown of voter suppression in the modern era, categorizing it into three main areas:

1. Registration and Maintenance: Difficulties in registering and staying registered to vote through purging.
2. Casting Ballots: Barriers to voting such as restrictive mail-in policies and limited polling locations.
3. Counting Ballots: Efforts to invalidate legitimate votes through legal challenges and administrative hurdles.

She emphasizes that voter suppression extends beyond visible intimidation tactics to systemic barriers that discourage participation.

Notable Quotes:

Stacey Abrams [26:51]: "Voter suppression is three parts. One, can you register and stay on the rolls?... Two, can you cast a ballot?... Three, does your ballot get counted?"

Stacey Abrams [31:27]: "Voter suppression means that you try not to make people's votes real. And that extends into trying to retcon what they should have had to do before they submitted it."

8. Building the Future: Identifying Emerging Leaders and Strategies

Abrams outlines the qualities Democrats should seek in future leaders, focusing on individuals who are courageous, entrepreneurial, and represent diverse populations. She advocates for a "big tent" approach, ensuring the party remains inclusive and receptive to new voices committed to meaningful change.

Notable Quotes:

Stacey Abrams [45:57]: "We need to be looking for people who want to do the work, not people who want the title."

Stacey Abrams [47:02]: "We need to look for those characteristics and those archetypes to understand what the next wave of success and opportunity and progress look like for us."

9. Conclusion: Hope and Moral Clarity

Jen Psaki concludes the episode by reflecting on Abrams' unwavering hope and moral clarity. Abrams' focus on DEI and voter rights, coupled with her strategic approach to political resistance, provides a blueprint for Democrats seeking to navigate post-election challenges and build a resilient future.

Notable Quotes:

Jen Psaki [47:25]: "One of the things that struck me about my conversation with Stacey Abrams is that she has this aura of hope about her... which gave me an ounce of hope as well."

Jen Psaki [47:25]: "She did it in a way that most people aren't doing as clearly."

Key Takeaways:

• Adaptive Strategy: Democrats must learn from past elections without being anchored by them, adapting to changing political environments.
• Inclusive Storytelling: Making complex political issues accessible through storytelling can engage a broader electorate.
• Defining DEI: Understanding and communicating the true essence of DEI can counteract opposition by clarifying misconceptions.
• Combatting Voter Suppression: Recognizing and addressing modern voter suppression tactics is crucial for restoring electoral participation.
• Selective Resistance: Focusing on strategic battles ensures sustainable political efforts without burnout.
• Future Leadership: Identifying and nurturing diverse, committed leaders is essential for the party's long-term success.
• Hope and Resilience: Maintaining hope and moral clarity can inspire continued engagement and activism within the party.

This episode of The Blueprint with Jen Psaki offers a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and strategies facing the Democratic Party post-2024 elections. Stacey Abrams provides insightful perspectives on voter suppression, DEI, and the importance of strategic resistance, all while maintaining a hopeful outlook for the future of American politics.