The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Episode: "Republicans for Hillary"

Date: September 9, 2016
Host: Dorothy Wickenden
Guest: James K. Glassman (George W. Bush’s Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs)

Episode Overview

This episode explores an extraordinary political phenomenon in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election: a grassroots movement of prominent Republicans publicly supporting Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. Executive editor Dorothy Wickenden interviews James K. Glassman, a lifelong Republican and organizer of "Republicans for Clinton," discussing his motivations, the failings of both major parties, media bias, and prospects for bipartisan governance if Clinton wins.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Lauer Forum and Double Standards

[01:15 - 05:56]

• Wickenden recaps NBC’s “Commander-in-Chief” forum, featuring Clinton and Trump, highlighting the theme of presidential qualities.
• Clinton's View:
  "Steadiness. An absolute rock... [to] make the hard decisions... listens, evaluates... sorts out difficult options... makes the decision that’s right." (Hillary Clinton, 01:40)
• Trump's Rationale:
  "I've built a great company... I've had great experience dealing on an international basis...." (Donald Trump, 02:38)
• Glassman’s Reaction:
  • The forum lacked policy depth but reaffirmed his concerns about Trump’s preparedness:
    "He's not ready to be commander in chief... His comments about briefings, his back and forth on issues like Libya... general lack of knowledge... makes me as distressed as I've been for the last year." (03:25)
  • On the media, Glassman comments on Trump benefitting from a "different standard," with Matt Lauer pressing Clinton more harshly while letting Trump’s falsehoods slide. "There is definitely... a difference between the way Ms. Clinton is treated and the way he is." (04:46)
• Glassman argues media bias may not ultimately affect the outcome, trusting voters to recognize Trump’s inadequacies.

2. The Republican Grassroots for Clinton

[07:03 - 08:50]

• Glassman describes a movement led by ex-Bush officials to publicly endorse Clinton—not just reject Trump.
  • Notable backers include Henry Paulson (former Treasury Secretary), Carlos Gutierrez, and others.
  • "It's hard for them... to cross party lines. And I'm someone who’s voted for a Republican for president ever since Ronald Reagan in 1980. And I can say it's not easy." (07:23)
• The motivation:
  • To prevent the GOP’s “death spiral” and force renewal by rejecting Trump.
  • Belief that millions of Republicans may reluctantly follow suit if given public, respected leadership.
  • "Defeating Trump is one of the great causes of our age or our generation. I mean, I feel very strongly about that." (06:05)

3. Why Not a Third Way? The Problems with U.S. Politics

[10:00 - 12:23]

• Glassman’s original support: Jeb Bush in primaries, then (reluctantly) Ted Cruz, as part of “never Trump” efforts.
• He describes failed attempts to launch a viable centrist independent candidate, partly due to the primary system:
  • “This primary process is not working very well... you really have the extremes of both parties having tremendous say... two thirds of Americans are in the middle.” (11:21)
• Wickenden presses whether polarization has fundamentally shifted the American electorate or left room for moderation:
  • Glassman says yes, most Americans remain moderate despite extreme candidates’ popularity:
    "I do think that most Americans are moderate, so we don't have those kinds of choices here." (12:06)

4. What Kind of President Would Hillary Clinton Be?

[12:23 - 14:08]

• Glassman admits substantive policy disagreements with Clinton:
  • "Clinton has trouble with the truth, wants to raise taxes, and opposes free trade with Asia. It's not exactly a ringing endorsement." (Wickenden quoting Glassman, 12:23)
  • Opposes her stance against the Trans-Pacific Partnership, seeing it as a concession to Sanders voters.
• Still, he offers a measured endorsement, anticipating bipartisan policy accomplishments:
  • "I think she’d be very good on foreign policy... she can work with Republicans. So I'm very optimistic about what happens when Hillary Clinton becomes president." (13:45)

5. Bipartisanship and the GOP’s Future

[14:08 - 18:08]

• Issues for bipartisan compromise under President Clinton:
  • Immigration: Glassman foresees finally resolving the issue.
  • Trade: Believes disagreements will eventually resolve.
  • Foreign Policy: A return to post-WWII bipartisan consensus.
  • Healthcare: Potential for fixes, possibly even considering single-payer models.
• The GOP’s Identity Crisis:
  • Wickenden notes the nostalgic invocation of Reagan and the inability to move into the 21st century, especially with Trump and the alt-right ascendant.
  • Glassman agrees the party’s ideas are tired and outdated:
    • "A lot of our ideas have gotten extremely tired... the solution to everything is cutting taxes... I'd like to see the Republican Party, yes, bring itself into the 21st century." (15:55)
    • "After 2012, [the RNC] said, we need to do more to appeal to Hispanic voters and black voters and women... and what have we done? Nothing. Absolutely nothing." (17:05)
  • He asserts Trump’s defeat may force the needed reckoning:
    • "If it doesn’t [modernize], then... I’d like to see a new party. I don't see anything wrong with three parties at all, or maybe four... if Donald Trump wins, absolutely not... one of the good things about this Trump nonsense is that I think it's going to force some kind of change." (17:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Leadership Fitness:
  "He's not ready to be commander in chief of the United States of America."
  — James K. Glassman (03:25)

• On Crossing Party Lines:
  "I can say it's not easy, but this is an important cause and it needs to be done."
  — James K. Glassman (07:30)

• On the Need for Party Renewal:
  "Something's got to give. And one of the good things about this Trump nonsense is that I think it's going to force some kind of change..."
  — James K. Glassman (17:55)

• On the Goal:
  "Defeating Trump is one of the great causes of our age or our generation."
  — James K. Glassman (06:05)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:15 – Forum highlights and candidate responses
• 03:25 – Glassman’s harsh critique of Trump’s readiness
• 04:46 – Media double standards
• 06:05 – Why Glassman is leading a Republican pro-Clinton effort
• 07:23 – Challenges for Republicans voting for Clinton
• 10:00 – Glassman’s journey through the primaries and efforts for a third-party candidate
• 12:23 – Glassman weighs Clinton’s weaknesses, but ultimately supports her
• 14:14 – Bipartisan opportunities and health care discussion
• 15:55 – GOP’s need to modernize and nostalgia for Reagan
• 17:55 – Trump’s rise as a possible catalyst for change in the GOP

Tone & Style

• The conversation is candid, analytical, sometimes biting, with Glassman both practical and impassioned.
• Wickenden maintains a probing, balanced, and occasionally wry perspective, challenging Glassman on whether optimism about bipartisanship or Republican renewal is warranted.
• Glassman is forthright about the gravity of this election for Republicans and the nation, emphasizing the importance of conscience over party loyalty.

Conclusion

This episode captures a moment of unprecedented political realignment: seasoned Republicans actively working to elect Hillary Clinton out of deep concern for their party and country. Glassman offers honest skepticism about both major parties' systems, but ultimately sees Clinton as a viable president capable of reviving bipartisan governance—and Trump’s defeat as potentially the shock that might save or revive the Republican party. The discussion provides a compelling window into the anxieties, hopes, and realignments shaping the 2016 election.