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8/14/19:
Part One:
We speak with Adam Mason, political director for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund, about the issues-based questionnaire ICCIA sent to all presidential candidates. The results of the questionnaire were published today. Several of the more progressive candidates — notably Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders — expressed strong support for many of the group’s questions about specific policy positions. Joe Biden refused to respond at all to the survey, and broke off all communications in June.
The Iowa group is planning a forum in the fall which will be “stump-free.” Candidates who participate must agree not to give stump speeches or answer questions with their usual pre-scripted debating “answers.” Instead, they will listen to ordinary voters’ narratives about what real life is like for folks who are not members of the 1% (or 5%). The candidates will then have an opportunity to respond, on a human level, to these issues. Groups in New Hampshire, Michigan, Nevada and elsewhere will be sponsoring similar “stump-free” fora.
Part Two:
We welcome back Bill Curry, two-time Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut and a White House advisor in Bill Clinton’s administration. Curry notes that Pres. Trump had a particularly bad week, in terms of his ability to communicate effectively with voters. Trump’s hateful and increasingly irrational messages are no longer being received enthusiastically by most voters, including independents and non-Trump Republicans. Is it possible that the tide is finally beginning to turn on Trump’s political success that has, so far, been based on endless lies, chaos, distraction, and misguided and inconsistent “analysis” (if he can be said to engage in any actual analysis at all)?
In addition, Trump is facing increasing pressures in the form of a possible impeachment inquiry and several criminal investigations. We worry that his reaction to all these pressures will further impair the president’s judgment and decision-making skills, posing serious danger for our country. The Democrats and all of us must remain vigilant and take action to protect democracy.
