Podcast Summary: The Bulwark Podcast – Episode: Ruben Gallego and Zerlina Maxwell: Make Them Own It

Release Date: February 26, 2025

In this episode of The Bulwark Podcast, host Tim Miller engages in a comprehensive discussion with U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego and political analyst Zerlina Maxwell. The conversation delves into pivotal political developments, including Gallego's recent electoral victory, immigration policies, budgetary concerns, the treatment of veterans, cryptocurrency regulation, Democratic messaging strategies, and the importance of mental health amidst political turmoil. The episode offers insightful analysis, strategic perspectives, and personal anecdotes that shed light on the current political landscape and future directions for the Democratic Party.

1. Gallego's Electoral Victory Over Kari Lake

Introduction of Guests:

• Ruben Gallego: U.S. Senator representing Arizona, former U.S. Congressman, Marine infantry veteran deployed to Iraq in 2005.
• Zerlina Maxwell: Political analyst, host of Mornings with Zerlina on SiriusXM, and author of the Inner Work Dispatch.

Tim Miller opens the discussion by congratulating Senator Gallego on his decisive win against Kari Lake in the 2024 election. He highlights Gallego's significant margin, noting that Gallego received approximately 100,000 more votes than Kamala Harris, an unprecedented outcome in a Democratic Senate race.

Quote:

Tim Miller [00:27]: "You defeated her in the election in 2024 solidly. [...] I do think that your case is kind of an interesting one to study."

Gallego attributes his success to a retail-oriented campaign strategy that emphasized engagement with diverse communities across Arizona, including Latino men and rural voters. He underscores the importance of addressing realistic local issues such as the rising cost of living and comprehensive border policies, contrasting his approach with Kari Lake's perceived disconnect from Arizona's realities.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [01:13]: "We ran a very retail oriented campaign to begin with. [...] We were also very serious about the border. [...] More people trusted me on the border than they trusted Kari Lake."

2. Immigration Policy and Its Political Implications

The conversation shifts to immigration politics, with Tim referencing a New York Times article by David Leonhardt discussing Denmark's approach to immigration. Gallego responds by emphasizing that while the U.S. and Denmark are not directly comparable, there are lessons to be learned about taking immigration seriously to appeal to working-class voters.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [03:56]: "The fact that Democrats didn't take the border serious enough in the eyes of voters deteriorated our ability to talk to working class people."

Gallego criticizes the Democratic Party for hesitating on strict border policies, which he believes alienated voters concerned about immigration abuse. He contrasts this with the Republican approach, which he argues, while visually assertive, failed to align with the practical realities of Arizona's border issues.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [05:00]: "We have to figure out, what do we want as Democrats? [...] We can't have a very, very open border ideology [...] and then also want working class policies to exist."

3. Budget Concerns and Medicaid

Tim brings up the recent House Republican budget outline, which proposes significant cuts to Medicaid, an increase in national debt, and tax reductions for the wealthy. Gallego expresses strong opposition, highlighting the detrimental impact such measures would have on rural hospitals and vulnerable populations.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [08:46]: "I'm going to do save Medicaid town halls throughout Arizona, especially in rural Arizona, because 30% of Arizonans are on Medicaid."

Gallego warns that slashing Medicaid would lead to the closure of rural hospitals, exacerbating healthcare access issues for citizens. He links the Republican budget proposals to a broader wealth transfer from poor to wealthy Americans, critiquing the administration's priorities.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [09:01]: "This is straight up wealth transfer from the poorest of Americans to the richest, richest of Americans who don't need it."

4. Treatment of Veterans Under the Current Administration

The discussion segues into the administration's treatment of veterans, with Tim citing the dismissal of nearly 6,000 federal employees, including veterans. Gallego voices concern over the arbitrary cuts, emphasizing the vital role veterans play in the federal workforce and the potential consequences of job losses on veterans' mental health and community stability.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [12:55]: "30% of the federal workforce are veterans. And so when you're arbitrarily cutting people, you're cutting veterans."

Gallego shares personal anecdotes about veterans struggling with Employment-Based PTSD and the challenges they face in securing stable employment after service. He criticizes the administration for lack of competency and empathy in handling veteran affairs.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [14:44]: "If you get a job right away, the likelihood of you ending up in the streets are very, very slim."

5. Cryptocurrency Regulation

Transitioning to the topic of digital assets, Tim expresses concerns about the lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency market and its association with illicit activities. Gallego advocates for comprehensive regulations to distinguish legitimate crypto ventures from fraudulent schemes, ensuring transparency and consumer protection.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [25:38]: "We need to regulate out these scams. [...] Set down the rules of the road so it's transparent."

He emphasizes the importance of regulating cryptocurrencies akin to traditional financial institutions to prevent misuse while fostering innovation within the sector.

6. Democratic Messaging and Strategy

A significant portion of the episode examines the Democratic Party's messaging strategies and their effectiveness in engaging voters, particularly working-class and disillusioned demographics. Gallego critiques the party's focus on winning back voters who may no longer be supportive, arguing instead for mobilizing the existing base and reaching out to previously disengaged individuals.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [19:37]: "We have to start turning up the heat. [...] This is the timing for it."

Gallego suggests that Democrats need to better prepare the "battlefield" by solidifying their base before directly confronting Republican agendas. He stresses the need to connect policies directly to voters' everyday lives, such as the rising cost of living and healthcare access.

Quote:

Ruben Gallego [21:54]: "I'm going to have save Medicaid town halls in Arizona. This is now the timing for it."

7. Mental Health and Inner Work

In the latter part of the episode, Zerlina Maxwell shares her personal approach to maintaining mental health amidst political stress. She discusses her decision to spend time in Italy to gain perspective and cultivate happiness, emphasizing the importance of self-care to sustain effective activism.

Quote:

Zerlina Maxwell [56:53]: "Do not sit around and scroll endlessly through the news. [...] Take care of your mental health, you are better able to do the things that are necessary."

She advises listeners to engage in activities that spark joy and to limit exposure to overwhelming news consumption, highlighting the need for balance between activism and personal well-being.

Quote:

Zerlina Maxwell [56:49]: "Do not do that. [...] This is another form of inner work that is essential."

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tim concludes the episode by reflecting on the discussions, reiterating the importance of strategic political engagement and personal mental health. He expresses optimism about future conversations and the continued efforts of leaders like Gallego and Maxwell in shaping Democratic strategies and policies.

Quote:

Tim Miller [58:02]: "We'll see everybody back here tomorrow for another edition of the Bulwark Podcast. Peace."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Tim Miller [00:27]: "You defeated her in the election in 2024 solidly."

• Ruben Gallego [01:13]: "We ran a very retail oriented campaign to begin with."

• Ruben Gallego [05:00]: "We have to figure out, what do we want as Democrats?"

• Ruben Gallego [08:46]: "I'm going to do save Medicaid town halls throughout Arizona."

• Ruben Gallego [12:55]: "30% of the federal workforce are veterans."

• Ruben Gallego [25:38]: "We need to regulate out these scams."

• Ruben Gallego [19:37]: "We have to start turning up the heat."

• Zerlina Maxwell [56:49]: "Do not do that. [...] This is another form of inner work that is essential."

This episode provides a multi-faceted exploration of current political challenges and strategies, offering listeners valuable insights into effective campaigning, policy advocacy, and personal resilience in the face of political adversity.