Podcast Summary: The New Yorker Radio Hour

Episode: Bernie Sanders Ascends, and a High School Simulates the Election
Date: February 14, 2020
Host: David Remnick, WNYC Studios & The New Yorker

Episode Overview

This episode explores Bernie Sanders’ rise as the Democratic presidential frontrunner in early 2020 and examines intra-party debates about his electability. The episode also features a behind-the-scenes look at a high school’s elaborate election simulation, where students role-play candidates, campaign staff, journalists, and PACs. Through interviews, analysis, and vivid on-the-ground reporting, the show probes national anxieties and youth engagement in contemporary U.S. politics.

Main Theme & Purpose

• National Politics: Dissecting reactions within the Democratic Party to Bernie Sanders’ ascendancy, assessing his chances in the general election, and exploring arguments for and against his candidacy.
• Youth Political Engagement: Observing how teenagers at Townsend Harris High School in Queens simulate the chaotic realities of the 2020 campaign, reflecting and amplifying the nation’s polarized state.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Democratic Party’s Divide Over Bernie Sanders

• Keith Ellison’s Endorsement:
  Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General and former Deputy Chair of the DNC, vigorously defends Sanders’ Democratic credentials and his broad vision for change.
  • Quote: “I do reject this idea that Bernie’s not a Democrat, because at the end of the day, what is a Democratic Party other than the values that it stands for?” (02:50)
• Historical Parallels:
  Ellison draws analogies between today’s “radical” policy proposals and once-controversial ideas like Social Security and minimum wage.
  • Quote: “A few years ago, we thought gay marriage was an impossibility. And one day we’re going to take Medicare for all as a basic.” (02:23)
• Sanders’ Mass Appeal:
  Ellison argues working-class and rural voters are less ideological and more concerned about material benefits—healthcare, jobs, security—than labels like “socialist.”
  • Quote: “People do not make 40,000 foot ideological decisions. People are like, I don’t know what you’re talking about. What I’m talking about is keeping my farm...” (04:20)
• Sanders’ Evolving Campaign:
  Since 2016, Sanders’ positions have become mainstream in the party, driving debates and platforms among other leading candidates.
  • Quote: “Bernie has truly captured the ideological victory here... Not just on Medicare for all, it’s also on free college, the whole marijuana discussion...” (06:35)
• Comparison to Elizabeth Warren:
  Ellison credits Sanders’ consistency, arrest record for activism, and belief in sustained mass movements as giving him an edge.
  • Quote: “Bernie just has a level of credibility. I mean, he is for what he’s for... Popular, unpopular, Bernie Sanders is Bernie Sanders through and through.” (07:08)

2. Polling, Electability, and the Data Perspective

• Nathaniel Rakich (FiveThirtyEight):
  Analyzes Sanders’ performance, potential to expand his base, and the possibility of a contested convention.
  • Solid Win in NH: “This was an expected but solid win for Bernie Sanders in New Hampshire.” (10:23)
  • On the main competition: “If I had to choose one other candidate, it would be Biden... He still probably is looking good in several Super Tuesday states...” (10:55)
  • On electability claims: “I think that’s a little disingenuous... you’re not going to be able to get 60% of the vote in a five bazillion way field...” (09:37)
• General Election Prospects:
  Early polls show Sanders comparable to other Democrats against Trump due to high polarization.
  • Quote: “You know, Sanders does okay, but really all candidates do fairly similarly, I think, as a result of our polarized environment right now.” (12:54)
• Swing State Viability:
  Sanders may excite disaffected, younger, and working-class voters but could face headwinds in affluent suburban states.
  • Quote: “He does have a good argument that he would be able to appeal to a lot of the people who voted for Trump—just feel like the system isn’t working and they want to take a stab at something... radical...” (15:40)
• Trump’s Ceiling and Electoral College Risk:
  Trump’s approval remains low, but polarization and state-by-state advantages mean he could still prevail even with a popular-vote loss.
  • Quote: “He’ll probably over perform his approval rating a little bit. And once you start getting into the 47%, 48% territory... the Electoral College could still help him out...” (17:28)

3. Townsend Harris High Election Simulation

• Event Description:
  For 25 years, the entire senior class at Townsend Harris High School acts out all parts of a presidential election, mirroring real-world roles from candidates to super PACs.
• Students Embrace Spectacle and Satire:
  • The Trump role was especially popular, played as a parody inspired by Alec Baldwin’s SNL impression.
    • Student (Trump role): “My idea is the only way I’m gonna win here is to just parody, right? In preparation, I watched Alec Baldwin for a couple weeks...” (23:25)
  • The atmosphere is more raucous and performative each year, reflecting real-world political escalation.
• Aggressive Campaigning and Media Savvy:
  • The “candidates” attack each other with real-world references, rap battles, and multimedia ads.
    • Memorable student ad, rapping as Biden:
      “Trump did nothing. He a dummy. Not too Bright grab him by the pussy I’m sure that ain’t right...” (26:44)
  • Other students play journalists and pundits, probing campaign scandals and personas.
• Reaction to Simulated Trump:
  • Initially shocking in previous years, now students (even at a liberal, immigrant-heavy school) are more accepting of the Trump character—a sign of shifting norms.
    • Student (playing Buttigieg): “I think...he kind of shifted the norm for us...there was some stuff that Donald Trump was saying that if you heard from any other candidate, it would frankly be disgusting... it kind of numbs us to what he’s actually doing.” (33:44)
• Simulation Results and Reflections:
  • For the first time, the Trump candidate wins the mock election alongside Buttigieg for the Democrats.
    • Student (Trump role): “I said when it comes down to it, I want to be the first Trump to win at Townsend Harris High School... now Towns Harris put him into office by their own accord. So I think I did the impossible.” (34:51)
  • The simulation serves as both a mirror and a microcosm for national political trends, including the normalization of Trump-era politics.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Keith Ellison on Democratic Values:
  “Who exemplifies [Democratic Party values] better than Bernie? There are a number of people who are ‘Democrats’ who do not vote with the Democratic mainstream nearly as often as Bernie does.” (03:06)
• Nathaniel Rakich on Democratic Primary Logic:
  “With every kind of unsettled result...Every state that votes, that gives delegates in a very scattershot way increases the chances that there’s going to be a contested convention, which is honestly almost as likely as an outright Sanders nomination at this point.” (11:18)
• Townsend Harris student on the nature of playing Trump:
  “It’s impossible to attack him on his policies in this election simulation because he’s running all on his character, his charisma.” (32:25)
• Ms. Baranoff (Teacher/Simulation Coordinator) on changing attitudes:
  “We’re three years into the Trump presidency, and it’s not so shocking as it was back then. I think it’s also the personalities...the student who played Trump that year...was a little bit of a darker personality.” (33:02)
• Student (Trump, post-win):
  “I want to be the first Trump to win at Townsend Harris High School...So I think I did the impossible.” (34:51)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Democratic Divide & Keith Ellison Interview: 00:17–08:30
• Election Analyst Nathaniel Rakich on Sanders & General Election Predictions: 08:34–17:51
• Townsend Harris High School Simulation Introduced: 18:42–21:06
• Student Trump Campaign Parody and Reflections: 21:39–24:49
• Student Candidate Performances & Rap Battle: 26:44–28:20
• Simulation Debate & Aggression Among Democrats: 29:43–31:24
• Post-Debate Student Analysis: 31:25–32:41
• Reflections on Political Norms and Simulation Results: 32:41–35:35

Tone & Style

The episode blends serious analysis and thoughtful interviews (Remnick, Ellison, Rakich) with lively, sometimes irreverent student voices. The mood shifts from concerned (party destiny, electability) to amused and insightful during the simulation, capturing both the gravity and absurdity of U.S. politics.

Conclusion

This episode demonstrates the shifting boundaries of mainstream political discourse. Through parallel narratives—party leaders grappling with Sanders’ momentum, and teenagers recreating and reinterpreting the wildness of 2020—the podcast delivers an incisive snapshot of a fraught moment, illuminating both the hopes and anxieties shaping American elections.