Podcast Summary: "Born From Anger"
The Next Level
Release Date: November 8, 2024

In the episode titled "Born From Anger," hosts Jonathan V. Last (JVL), Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller delve deep into the current state of American politics, focusing on the dynamics within the Republican Party, the strategies Democrats might employ moving forward, and the evolving landscape of voter behavior. The conversation is rich with political analysis, personal insights, and spirited debate, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing both major parties.

1. The Republican Party and Donald Trump's Influence

JVL opens the discussion by reflecting on a recent incident where Tim Miller's remarks were taken out of context by Fox News, sparking a conversation about the unpredictable nature of media portrayals and the challenges within the Republican Party.

Tim Miller shares his frustration:

"When somebody made it public. We did, I think. And Fox News grabbed it and started running it on Fox News as like. And they took it out of context."
[00:35]

The hosts explore how Donald Trump's continued influence shapes the Republican agenda, highlighting internal conflicts and the party's struggle to balance Trump's populist appeal with traditional Republican values.

2. Democratic Strategy and Messaging

Sarah Longwell takes a strong stance on her approach to political commentary, asserting her commitment to speaking the truth without necessarily persuading others:

"My obligation as a commentator is only to say what I believe to be true."
[01:48]

The conversation shifts to how Democrats must navigate their messaging to reconnect with voters who feel disenfranchised. Tim Miller emphasizes the importance of understanding the economic frustrations that drive voter decisions:

"Do you know when somebody's like, my grocery bill has gone up $100 and I don't have $100 for my grocery bill to go up."
[05:42]

Sarah underscores the need for Democrats to possibly adopt a more populist and radical economic message to resonate with the working class:

"Maybe the answer is Democrats need to be providing something that is much more demagogic, populist, and radical."
[11:35]

3. Voter Behavior and Demographics

The hosts analyze shifting voter demographics, particularly the decline of college-educated suburban voters moving towards Democrats and Independents. Tim Miller discusses the emergence of a "multiracial working-class coalition" within the Republican base:

"They are focused on non-college voters, of which there are many more than college-educated voters."
[07:26]

JVL admits a misjudgment in his analysis of the voter base, recognizing the importance of broader electoral support beyond traditional metrics:

"I did not believe that that was an outcome that was on the table. And that's a huge mistake."
[10:13]

4. The Role of Social Media and Modern Culture in Politics

Tim Miller highlights the impact of social media on shaping public perceptions and exacerbating feelings of grievance among voters:

"People are like, why can't I access this life? And those disparities sort of always existed, but they are much more in people's faces."
[25:37]

Sarah Longwell connects this to the broader cultural shifts, noting how the democratization of information and the collapse of traditional institutions have left both parties scrambling to adapt:

"Everything is democratizing and everything is crumbling. We were forced into a position of being like the institutions are strong, the system is good, the system is working."
[21:10]

5. Potential Policies and Their Impact

The discussion turns to specific policy proposals and their potential ramifications. Tim Miller critiques Kamala Harris's campaign strategies, suggesting that voters seek authenticity over traditional political rhetoric:

"Voters really understand. They're like, I know when someone's lying to me to get my vote."
[15:47]

JVL speculates on alternative Democratic policies that could appeal more directly to voter frustrations, such as anti-oligarch measures:

"Maybe the answer is that they need to be a little bit further out there and provide something more radical."
[12:36]

6. Future Elections and Democratic Integrity

The hosts contemplate the integrity of future elections, particularly the likelihood of regular democratic processes continuing amidst growing populist movements. Sarah Longwell raises concerns about the stability of liberal democracy in the face of Trump's potential attempts to alter election rules:

"Liberal democracy was on the line, that we've already seen major cracks in the rule of law and the way that our government works."
[40:07]

Tim Miller discusses the risk of perpetual change elections driven by voter dissatisfaction and the pervasive influence of social media:

"We're going to be in this perpetual change election. If people always are angry because their phone gives them like a distorted sense."
[26:22]

7. Treating Trump Like Foreign Leaders

A pivotal moment in the episode is when JVL poses a question about whether Democrats should treat Trump as they do foreign heads of state, considering his unpredictable behavior and potential threats to democratic norms:

"Should Democrats treat Trump the way foreign heads of state do?"
[39:18]

Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller debate the merits and drawbacks of such an approach. Sarah advocates against flattering or appeasing Trump, emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic values without resorting to harmful concessions:

"I think that Democrats should leave him to his own devices, and I do not think that they should try to suck up to him."
[41:31]

Tim adds that while outright resistance isn't the answer, Democrats should strategically oppose Trump's policies without escalating tensions:

"Democrats should be much more strategic about which hills they're going to die on in favor of harm mitigation."
[42:36]

8. Conclusion and Reflections

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express their concerns about the future of American politics, the potential paths forward, and their own emotional responses to the current state of affairs. JVL shares a sense of alienation from the changing political landscape:

"I feel like an old person. This is what old people do. They're like this, this isn't like what I remember when I was 20."
[58:11]

Sarah echoes similar sentiments, grappling with the morally complex scenarios Democrats face in countering Trump's influence while maintaining their values:

"I don't want anything. But how does this get improved if they're like, Donald Trump lives in a world where there's no consequences for his actions?"
[56:24]

Tim emphasizes the importance of protecting key democratic principles without succumbing to destructive anger:

"Making a case to the American people about things that really matter to them has got to be much more like a much more basic Democratic message."
[44:44]

The episode concludes with the hosts acknowledging the uncertainty ahead and the need for ongoing dialogue and strategic thinking to navigate the turbulent political terrain.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Miller on media portrayal:

  "We did, I think. And Fox News grabbed it and started running it on Fox News as like."
  [00:35]

• Sarah Longwell on her role as a commentator:

  "My obligation as a commentator is only to say what I believe to be true."
  [01:48]

• JVL on his analytical blind spots:

  "I did not believe that that was an outcome that was on the table. And that's a huge mistake."
  [10:13]

• Tim Miller on voter frustrations:

  "Do you know when somebody's like, my grocery bill has gone up $100 and I don't have $100 for my grocery bill to go up."
  [05:42]

• Sarah Longwell on Democratic messaging shift:

  "Maybe the answer is Democrats need to be providing something that is much more demagogic, populist, and radical."
  [11:35]

This episode of The Next Level offers a profound exploration of the current political climate, emphasizing the necessity for thoughtful strategy and authentic communication in bridging the growing divide between parties and their respective voter bases. Through spirited debate and insightful analysis, Last, Longwell, and Miller provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on the challenges facing American democracy today.