The Bulwark Podcast Episode Summary
Title: Lis Smith: Dems Need to Burn Down the Party Establishment
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Liz Smith
Release Date: August 8, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Bulwark Podcast, host Tim Miller welcomes back Liz Smith, a seasoned Democratic strategist and author of Any Given Tuesday, A Political Love Story. Liz has an impressive background, including serving as a senior communications advisor for Pete Buttigieg's 2020 campaign and consulting for various Democratic up-and-comers. The conversation delves into pressing political issues, Democratic strategies, and the need for authentic leadership within the party.

Key Discussions

**1. Immigration and ICE Raids

Timestamp: [02:58] – [07:07]

The episode kicks off with a discussion on the Trump administration's intensified immigration crackdown, humorously highlighting a Fox News segment where Dean Cain announces his intention to join ICE:

Tim Miller ([04:12]): "Dean Cain, Superman from 30 years ago, is going to be getting in the back of unmarked vans, covering his face, and nabbing old ladies sitting outside of Home Depot."

Liz responds with a personal anecdote about having a Dean Cain poster as a child, expressing discomfort at his association with ICE's aggressive tactics:

Liz Smith ([04:17]): "When it's too legit to split. That's cravenience."

She criticizes the Trump administration's methods, emphasizing that such tactics undermine trust in law enforcement:

Liz Smith ([06:07]): "Having law enforcement in these masks jump out of unmarked vans and round people up sows fear, and it sows distrust in law enforcement writ large."

**2. Transgender Military Ban

Timestamp: [09:05] – [16:12]

The conversation shifts to a Reuters report about the enforcement of a transgender military ban, specifically the US Air Force denying early retirement to transgender service members:

Liz Smith ([09:47]): "This is a policy that is just born out of cruelty. It breaks the trust that we have with people who say, 'I'm going to serve our country.'"

Liz argues that Democrats should actively oppose such policies, stressing the importance of compassion and maintaining trust with service members:

Liz Smith ([12:37]): "We need to show compassion to the kids who are caught in the middle of a firestorm they never asked to be a part of."

Tim adds that expressing genuine anger over such injustices can enhance a candidate's credibility:

Tim Miller ([14:30]): "I'm fucking pissed at this outrage. They are kicking somebody out of the military who served for 18 years. It's fundamentally wrong. ... I'm fucking pissed."

Liz agrees, emphasizing the need for authentic emotion in political discourse:

Liz Smith ([15:27]): "I am pissed. We need to live our own lives and give adults the freedom to make their own choices."

**3. Redistricting and Gerrymandering

Timestamp: [16:12] – [20:59]

The duo tackles the contentious issue of redistricting, particularly focusing on Texas and California:

Liz Smith ([18:08]): "Gerrymandering is one of a true evil in politics. It makes politics worse."

She acknowledges the challenges Democrats face in combating Republican-led redistricting efforts but advocates for fighting back where possible:

Liz Smith ([20:04]): "If Republicans are gonna do that, then we should fight back and do what Newsom is trying to do in California."

Tim expresses concern over the feasibility of such efforts, questioning whether California can effectively counteract Republican strategies:

Tim Miller ([20:47]): "Do we know how it ends in California? I worry a little bit that you get to a place where Texas and Florida fuck it through."

**4. Promoting Diverse Democratic Candidates

Timestamp: [24:02] – [35:17]

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the need for diverse and authentic Democratic candidates in red states. Liz highlights James Talarico as a promising candidate who balances faith and progressive values:

Liz Smith ([24:50]): "James Talarico's videos... so refreshing the way he talks about it. He has a cross cutting, cross partisan appeal."

She advocates for heterodoxy within the party, urging Democrats to support candidates who may not align with every party stance but can win in their respective states:

Liz Smith ([30:24]): "We need to encourage heterodoxy in the Democratic Party... we need to give people some space."

Liz recounts her experience working with Earl Ray Tomlin, a pro-life Democrat, illustrating the importance of supporting candidates based on broader values rather than single-issue alignments:

Liz Smith ([31:41]): "I would rather take a Democrat who can win in a state like South Dakota... because they're going to be a hell of a lot better than the Republicans on everything else."

**5. Combating Scam PACs and Fake Fundraisers

Timestamp: [47:10] – [48:36]

Towards the end, Tim brings up the issue of fraudulent Political Action Committees (PACs) like "End Citizens United," which fundraise misleadingly for Democratic causes:

Liz Smith ([47:10]): "If someone gives $100, only $1.60 of that would actually go to a candidate... We need to directly call them out and tell people what to do."

She advises Democrats to educate donors to contribute directly to legitimate candidates rather than falling for dubious fundraising schemes:

Liz Smith ([48:00]): "Don't give to these groups. These groups are scam PACs... give money directly to candidates."

**6. Rapid-Fire Questions and Personal Anecdotes

Timestamp: [43:29] – [50:17]

In a lighter segment, Tim asks Liz rapid-fire questions about figures like Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein. Liz firmly distances herself from Bannon and expresses frustration over Epstein's death, emphasizing the need for transparency:

Liz Smith ([44:11]): "That's why it's a hard pass for me. ... I think it's a little bit of a performance artist here."

Liz Smith ([45:35]): "I do think it's important that we get to see the files and have full transparency on who all of his clients were."

The conversation briefly touches on parenting, with both acknowledging the challenges and joys of raising children:

Liz Smith ([49:41]): "My almost two-year-old can boss me into doing anything."

Conclusions and Insights

Throughout the episode, Liz Smith and Tim Miller emphasize the necessity for Democrats to:

1. Adopt Authenticity and Compassion: Candidates should genuinely express their emotions and connect with voters on a human level, especially on sensitive issues like transgender military service and immigration.

2. Encourage Diverse and Heterodox Candidates: To win in red states, the Democratic Party must support candidates who may not align with every party stance but resonate with local voters' values and concerns.

3. Combat Internal Corruption and Establishment Control: The party needs to "burn down the establishment" by promoting new voices and distancing itself from flawed leadership that hinders electoral success.

4. Educate and Protect Donors: Vigilance against scam PACs is crucial. Democrats should prioritize direct contributions to candidates and actively inform supporters about fraudulent fundraising practices.

5. Engage Relentlessly on Key Issues: Avoiding engagement by dismissing voter concerns as distractions is detrimental. Instead, addressing issues head-on with clear, compassionate language can strengthen voter trust and support.

Notable Quotes

• Liz Smith ([06:07]): "Having law enforcement in these masks jump out of unmarked vans and round people up sows fear, and it sows distrust in law enforcement writ large."

• Tim Miller ([14:30]): "I'm fucking pissed at this outrage. ... It's fundamentally wrong."

• Liz Smith ([30:24]): "We need to encourage heterodoxy in the Democratic Party... we need to give people some space."

• Liz Smith ([47:10]): "If someone gives $100, only $1.60 of that would actually go to a candidate... We need to directly call them out and tell people what to do."

Conclusion

This episode of The Bulwark Podcast provides a candid and insightful exploration of the current challenges and strategies for the Democratic Party. Liz Smith advocates for a more authentic, diverse, and resilient party structure capable of navigating complex political landscapes and countering aggressive Republican maneuvers. The discussions underscore the importance of compassionate leadership, strategic candidate support, and voter education in strengthening the Democratic cause.