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Part One:
We speak with John Nichols, national affairs correspondent for The Nation, about what it means to talk about the “electability” of the various Democratic candidates for president. For example, Elizabeth Warren does an excellent job of engaging voters, and staking out progressive positions on many crucial issues. She also clearly explains how her policies would help average Americans live more secure and fulfilling lives and/or would prevent the harm their families would suffer from many policies imposed by the Republican administration. On the other hand, Pres. Trump has savaged her with his snarky “Pocahontas” label, raising concerns among some Democrats that Warren will never be able to overcome that caricature and win the presidency. Our guest points out, however, that whomever the Democrats nominate to run for president will be equally demonized and savaged by the Trump campaign, so Warren is no more “out of the running” than any other candidate.
The real question becomes: which Democratic candidate will be able to unlock Trump’s hold on the battleground states? The answer is the economy — demonstrating to voters that their economic situation has been damaged, not improved, by Trump’s economic policies, and that the Democrat’s proposals would help the American economy include and better serve all Americans, both now and in future decades.
Part Two:
We hear from Jeff Rea, about his experience over the years working in South Bend, IN, with Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Rea is a Republican, a former mayor, and now the CEO of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce. He praised Mayor Pete for his leadership skills, his intelligence, and his relentless efforts to turn his city around, from one of the Rust Belt’s deteriorating has-beens, into a revitalized, forward-looking and welcoming city. Mr. Rea described Mayor Pete’s authenticity, his openness to listening to all points of view, and his ability to work together with Republicans — and others with whom he may have some disagreements — in order to make their city a better place to live and work for all of its residents.
