AOC and Democratic Dividers

Mark Halperin opens today’s episode with a sharp new reported monologue on the Democratic Party’s biggest challenge heading into 2028: how to unite enough of the country to appeal to a deeply divided America. He traces how recent presidents left office with more polarization than when they began and explains why Democrats must reconcile their instinctive opposition to Trump with the need to broaden their appeal. Within the party itself, Mark highlights the growing tension between “Uniters,” who seek to expand the tent, and “Dividers,” who double down on base-energizing strategies — a split personified in figures like Gavin Newsom and AOC, whose ambitions and tactics reveal where the party may be heading.

Larry O’Connor then joins to unpack the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s memorial and what it reveals about America’s fractured political culture. Mark and Larry discuss the need for compassion and dialogue, and why both are essential if the country hopes to bridge divides, even as partisanship grows more toxic. Larry and Mark also examine the coverage of lawfare against Donald Trump and its ripple effects on cases involving James Comey and others, exposing how double standards in the legal system fuel distrust and deepen polarization. They also explore how the press continues to fail the public — and why independent media outlets are gaining traction as Americans seek alternatives to legacy coverage.

Finally, veteran strategist Patti Solis Doyle sits down with Mark to take a critical look at Kamala Harris’s new book, explaining why it misses the mark if her goal was to launch another run for political office. Rather than offering real insights into political strategy, the book leans on petty anecdotes and overlooks the bigger picture of how Democrats can learn from their mistakes. Patti also weighs in on AOC’s rise, J.D. Vance’s Oval Office prospects, and the broader 2028 landscape, outlining why some candidates may struggle to build the skills and coalitions needed to compete.

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