The Find Out Podcast

Episode 35: "Why Democrats Keep Blowing It"

August 26, 2025

Overview

In this biting and irreverent episode, the Find Out Podcast crew confronts the urgent challenges facing the Democratic Party in the midst of Trump’s second term. Reacting to a damning New York Times report on declining Democratic registration, they break down the party’s failures—from lack of leadership to timidity on critical issues like Gaza, abortion, and police overreach. With their signature blend of humor and righteous anger, the hosts dissect the party’s mistakes, highlight rare bright spots, and rally listeners to take action ahead of the upcoming election season. If you’re wondering why Democrats can’t seem to get it together—even while facing the chaos of a MAGA administration—this episode is for you.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democratic Party in Freefall—Where’s the Leadership?

[02:29] The hosts open with concerns over a New York Times article chronicling a mass exodus from Democratic voter rolls: “We have lost about 4.5 million voter registration advantage that we used to have, and it is concerning.” (A)
There’s a consensus that the lack of strong, inspiring leaders is driving voters away, even in the face of Trump’s unpopular policies.
Critique of “purity tests” and endless internal sniping, with a plea for pragmatism and unity.

2. The “Wilderness Period” & Crisis of Direction

[09:58] “Imagine a company trying to operate with nobody in charge. It’s just a bunch of people running around with two different ideas of how shit should run. Someone’s just gotta go, ‘You know what? I’m just gonna do whatever the fuck is right.’” (C)
A year after a brutal electoral defeat, the party is leaderless and adrift. The hosts call for a system that identifies and rallies behind one clear leader—citing Gavin Newsom’s recent assertiveness as a potential model.

3. Gavin Newsom, Zohran Mamdani, and the Value of Courage

[06:10; 17:01] Newsom’s unapologetically combative style and willingness to take risks have boosted his popularity, in contrast to the “measured, moderate” approach of national leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer.
Praise for New York City councilman Zohran Mamdani’s authenticity and refusal to pander: “He’s not going to dance around and pretend to be something he’s not. … That is strength in politics.” (C, 17:01)
Call for Democrats to stop fearing figures like Newsom and Mamdani and instead support and amplify them.

4. Timidity on Israel/Gaza & Moral Clarity

[13:21–19:55] The hosts argue that the Democratic Party’s hesitancy to condemn Israeli actions in Gaza is not just a policy issue but a profound moral failure that’s costing support, especially among young voters and progressives.
[14:31] “A lot of folks are looking at the Democratic Party and saying this party is complicit in genocide.” (D)
The misconception that criticizing Israel inherently means being anti-Semitic is debunked, especially by Jewish members of the panel: “I don’t know a single Jew in my life that would be scared off by supporting helping people in Gaza.” (C, 19:55)
The mainstream Democratic obsession with retaining every Jewish voter is labeled as not only futile but condescending.

5. What Voters Want: Authenticity and Action—Not Perfection

[11:50] “What I want to see is fewer people trying to vote for politicians as if they’re going to be a member of their family or a best friend or a spiritual leader. It’s not. It’s a fucking job, you guys.” (B)
Voters are tired of dithering and want clear, decisive positions—even if they don’t agree on every detail.

6. Trump’s Enduring Appeal as a ‘Strongman’

[21:27] Discussion of how Trump’s brash, unfiltered style appeals to voters sick of “moderate, poll-tested” Democrats.
Speculates on Trump’s health (with comic skepticism toward “TikTok doctors”) and the danger of hoping for an actuarial solution to the political crisis.

7. The Distraction Machine: From Flags to Scandals

[26:20] The Trump administration’s latest culture-war tactics (e.g., flag-burning executive orders) are seen as distractions from real legal and ethical scandals, such as Trump’s connections to Epstein.
Hosts lampoon the right’s hypocrisy and endless obsession with superficial gestures of patriotism.

8. Escalating Police/Military State & Attacks on Rights

[34:28] The VA abortion ban for women veterans: Chris details a new Trump administration proposal to strip abortion access from veterans at VA hospitals nationwide—even in blue states—emphasizing the urgency of public comment during the regulatory period.
- “One in three women who serve in the military will experience sexual trauma. And with that being a well-known fact, Trump’s administration is taking away the right for reproductive healthcare.” (D, 34:54)
- Listeners are called to submit thoughtful public comments to oppose this ban via Substack. ([38:39]; see show notes)
The show covers the federalizing of police in blue cities, comparing it to authoritarian regimes and pointing out the sky-high costs and questionable results.

9. The Right’s Shameless Hypocrisy and the Left’s Need for Backbone

“They refuse to look inward. And the second you do anything wrong on the other side, it’s like look, look, it’s the worst person you’ve ever seen.” (C, 51:23)
Example of Oklahoma’s Ryan Walters—pilloried for moral hypocrisy—serves as a microcosm for how the Right gets away with anything while the Left self-destructs over every misstep.

10. Cultural Irony, Grifting, and Outlandish Right-Wing Schemes

The hosts mock the MAGA merchandise machine (e.g., Trump’s “Bible” and “Trump phone”) as patent grifts.
They also poke fun at “toddler math” economics—Trump-style claims about savings, budget cuts, and the supposed prioritization of “American values.”
Discussion on the propaganda value of National Guard deployments in cities and their real targets: to intimidate dissent and embolden hardline supporters.

11. A Final Rallying Cry: Get Involved—Don’t Despair!

Despite the gloom, the episode ends on a note of urgent engagement:
- The audience is urged to use democratic tools while they still exist.
- “You should not feel hopeless and simply give up on the tools of democracy. Right now is the time where we can show and inspire other Americans.” (D, 40:15)
Actionable ask: Submit unique comments to oppose the VA abortion ban—details in show notes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Party's Malaise:
- “Most of our Democratic leaders are still operating as if it’s, like, 2012. Like, we’re running against, you know, Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney…” (B, 08:14)
On the Need for Strength:
- “People want a strong leader more than any individual issue, I think. … Democrats really only have themselves to blame for this.” (A, 07:38)
On Democratic Fears over Gaza:
- “Democrats are afraid to walk away from Israel because they’re afraid of being labeled as anti-Semitic. But the most anti-Semitic belief is that every Jewish person around the world is loyal to Israel before they are their own families, their own country, their own morals.” (D, 19:22)
On Voter Priorities:
- “I just want them to go up there and do the fucking job so that the job gets done and I can live my regular life.” (B, 12:43)
On Right-Wing Hypocrisy (Ryan Walters segment):
- “Who watches porn at work? You can’t wait till you get home? It’s just an emergency—you gotta watch at work?” (C, 51:46)
On Activism and Agency:
- “If we just give up and let them steamroll women veterans’ access to healthcare, they’re going to know that there’s no opposition and it’s going to embolden them further.” (D, 40:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:29–04:57 | NYT article on Democratic exodus; purity tests; Gavin Newsom | | 06:07–07:38 | Zohran Mamdani & creative campaigning; lack of party fire | | 09:58–11:44 | No leadership structure, Newsom’s rise | | 13:21–14:43 | Gaza/Israel debate, party’s moral failures | | 17:01–19:55 | Mamdani’s authenticity; Democrats’ fear of being called anti-Semitic | | 21:27–22:24 | Trump’s leadership appeal vs. Biden-era Democrats | | 34:28–41:23 | VA abortion ban, call to action | | 42:19–43:51 | Policing, police-state critiques, city “takeovers” | | 49:56–54:25 | “Get Fucked” segment: Ryan Walters, MAGA grifting, irony |

Tone & Style

Sharp, acerbic, and unfiltered
Humor and profanity drive home the urgency and absurdity of contemporary U.S. politics
Deep frustration with both Democratic failings and right-wing hypocrisy, tempered by flashes of irreverence and community

Listener Actions & Next Steps

Submit a public comment: Oppose the VA’s proposed abortion ban for veterans (instructions in show notes & substack)
Support independent media: Subscribe to The Find Out Podcast on Substack or buy merch (union-made!).
Keep fighting: Don’t lose faith in activism or democratic engagement, even in dark times.

If you want a no-bullshit, clear-eyed look at what’s wrong (and occasionally right) with American progressive politics today—and what the Left needs to do to start winning again—this episode is required listening.

The Find Out Podcast

Episode 35: "Why Democrats Keep Blowing It"

August 26, 2025

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democratic Party in Freefall—Where’s the Leadership?

[02:29] The hosts open with concerns over a New York Times article chronicling a mass exodus from Democratic voter rolls: “We have lost about 4.5 million voter registration advantage that we used to have, and it is concerning.” (A)
There’s a consensus that the lack of strong, inspiring leaders is driving voters away, even in the face of Trump’s unpopular policies.
Critique of “purity tests” and endless internal sniping, with a plea for pragmatism and unity.

2. The “Wilderness Period” & Crisis of Direction

[09:58] “Imagine a company trying to operate with nobody in charge. It’s just a bunch of people running around with two different ideas of how shit should run. Someone’s just gotta go, ‘You know what? I’m just gonna do whatever the fuck is right.’” (C)
A year after a brutal electoral defeat, the party is leaderless and adrift. The hosts call for a system that identifies and rallies behind one clear leader—citing Gavin Newsom’s recent assertiveness as a potential model.

3. Gavin Newsom, Zohran Mamdani, and the Value of Courage

[06:10; 17:01] Newsom’s unapologetically combative style and willingness to take risks have boosted his popularity, in contrast to the “measured, moderate” approach of national leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer.
Praise for New York City councilman Zohran Mamdani’s authenticity and refusal to pander: “He’s not going to dance around and pretend to be something he’s not. … That is strength in politics.” (C, 17:01)
Call for Democrats to stop fearing figures like Newsom and Mamdani and instead support and amplify them.

4. Timidity on Israel/Gaza & Moral Clarity

[13:21–19:55] The hosts argue that the Democratic Party’s hesitancy to condemn Israeli actions in Gaza is not just a policy issue but a profound moral failure that’s costing support, especially among young voters and progressives.
[14:31] “A lot of folks are looking at the Democratic Party and saying this party is complicit in genocide.” (D)
The misconception that criticizing Israel inherently means being anti-Semitic is debunked, especially by Jewish members of the panel: “I don’t know a single Jew in my life that would be scared off by supporting helping people in Gaza.” (C, 19:55)
The mainstream Democratic obsession with retaining every Jewish voter is labeled as not only futile but condescending.

5. What Voters Want: Authenticity and Action—Not Perfection

[11:50] “What I want to see is fewer people trying to vote for politicians as if they’re going to be a member of their family or a best friend or a spiritual leader. It’s not. It’s a fucking job, you guys.” (B)
Voters are tired of dithering and want clear, decisive positions—even if they don’t agree on every detail.

6. Trump’s Enduring Appeal as a ‘Strongman’

[21:27] Discussion of how Trump’s brash, unfiltered style appeals to voters sick of “moderate, poll-tested” Democrats.
Speculates on Trump’s health (with comic skepticism toward “TikTok doctors”) and the danger of hoping for an actuarial solution to the political crisis.

7. The Distraction Machine: From Flags to Scandals

[26:20] The Trump administration’s latest culture-war tactics (e.g., flag-burning executive orders) are seen as distractions from real legal and ethical scandals, such as Trump’s connections to Epstein.
Hosts lampoon the right’s hypocrisy and endless obsession with superficial gestures of patriotism.

8. Escalating Police/Military State & Attacks on Rights

[34:28] The VA abortion ban for women veterans: Chris details a new Trump administration proposal to strip abortion access from veterans at VA hospitals nationwide—even in blue states—emphasizing the urgency of public comment during the regulatory period.
- “One in three women who serve in the military will experience sexual trauma. And with that being a well-known fact, Trump’s administration is taking away the right for reproductive healthcare.” (D, 34:54)
- Listeners are called to submit thoughtful public comments to oppose this ban via Substack. ([38:39]; see show notes)
The show covers the federalizing of police in blue cities, comparing it to authoritarian regimes and pointing out the sky-high costs and questionable results.

9. The Right’s Shameless Hypocrisy and the Left’s Need for Backbone

“They refuse to look inward. And the second you do anything wrong on the other side, it’s like look, look, it’s the worst person you’ve ever seen.” (C, 51:23)
Example of Oklahoma’s Ryan Walters—pilloried for moral hypocrisy—serves as a microcosm for how the Right gets away with anything while the Left self-destructs over every misstep.

10. Cultural Irony, Grifting, and Outlandish Right-Wing Schemes

The hosts mock the MAGA merchandise machine (e.g., Trump’s “Bible” and “Trump phone”) as patent grifts.
They also poke fun at “toddler math” economics—Trump-style claims about savings, budget cuts, and the supposed prioritization of “American values.”
Discussion on the propaganda value of National Guard deployments in cities and their real targets: to intimidate dissent and embolden hardline supporters.

11. A Final Rallying Cry: Get Involved—Don’t Despair!

Despite the gloom, the episode ends on a note of urgent engagement:
- The audience is urged to use democratic tools while they still exist.
- “You should not feel hopeless and simply give up on the tools of democracy. Right now is the time where we can show and inspire other Americans.” (D, 40:15)
Actionable ask: Submit unique comments to oppose the VA abortion ban—details in show notes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Party's Malaise:
- “Most of our Democratic leaders are still operating as if it’s, like, 2012. Like, we’re running against, you know, Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney…” (B, 08:14)
On the Need for Strength:
- “People want a strong leader more than any individual issue, I think. … Democrats really only have themselves to blame for this.” (A, 07:38)
On Democratic Fears over Gaza:
- “Democrats are afraid to walk away from Israel because they’re afraid of being labeled as anti-Semitic. But the most anti-Semitic belief is that every Jewish person around the world is loyal to Israel before they are their own families, their own country, their own morals.” (D, 19:22)
On Voter Priorities:
- “I just want them to go up there and do the fucking job so that the job gets done and I can live my regular life.” (B, 12:43)
On Right-Wing Hypocrisy (Ryan Walters segment):
- “Who watches porn at work? You can’t wait till you get home? It’s just an emergency—you gotta watch at work?” (C, 51:46)
On Activism and Agency:
- “If we just give up and let them steamroll women veterans’ access to healthcare, they’re going to know that there’s no opposition and it’s going to embolden them further.” (D, 40:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone & Style

Sharp, acerbic, and unfiltered
Humor and profanity drive home the urgency and absurdity of contemporary U.S. politics
Deep frustration with both Democratic failings and right-wing hypocrisy, tempered by flashes of irreverence and community

Listener Actions & Next Steps

Submit a public comment: Oppose the VA’s proposed abortion ban for veterans (instructions in show notes & substack)
Support independent media: Subscribe to The Find Out Podcast on Substack or buy merch (union-made!).
Keep fighting: Don’t lose faith in activism or democratic engagement, even in dark times.

Why Democrats Keep Blowing It

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Summary

The Find Out Podcast

Episode 35: "Why Democrats Keep Blowing It"

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democratic Party in Freefall—Where’s the Leadership?

2. The “Wilderness Period” & Crisis of Direction

3. Gavin Newsom, Zohran Mamdani, and the Value of Courage

4. Timidity on Israel/Gaza & Moral Clarity

5. What Voters Want: Authenticity and Action—Not Perfection

6. Trump’s Enduring Appeal as a ‘Strongman’

7. The Distraction Machine: From Flags to Scandals

8. Escalating Police/Military State & Attacks on Rights

9. The Right’s Shameless Hypocrisy and the Left’s Need for Backbone

10. Cultural Irony, Grifting, and Outlandish Right-Wing Schemes

11. A Final Rallying Cry: Get Involved—Don’t Despair!

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone & Style

Listener Actions & Next Steps

Summary

The Find Out Podcast

Episode 35: "Why Democrats Keep Blowing It"

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democratic Party in Freefall—Where’s the Leadership?

2. The “Wilderness Period” & Crisis of Direction

3. Gavin Newsom, Zohran Mamdani, and the Value of Courage

4. Timidity on Israel/Gaza & Moral Clarity

5. What Voters Want: Authenticity and Action—Not Perfection

6. Trump’s Enduring Appeal as a ‘Strongman’

7. The Distraction Machine: From Flags to Scandals

8. Escalating Police/Military State & Attacks on Rights

9. The Right’s Shameless Hypocrisy and the Left’s Need for Backbone

10. Cultural Irony, Grifting, and Outlandish Right-Wing Schemes

11. A Final Rallying Cry: Get Involved—Don’t Despair!

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone & Style

Listener Actions & Next Steps