444 | Joshua Green: AOC, Bernie, & Warren - The Left Populist Struggle for a New American Politics
Jan 11, 2024
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Joshua Green, Bloomberg National Correspondent and author of The Rebels, discusses left populism through AOC, Bernie, and Warren. Topics include Biden's surprising turn toward progressivism, contrasting responses to the financial crisis and COVID-19, weaknesses of Bernie Sanders, the decrease in focus on Wall Street, and the relevance of populism in politics.
The Biden administration has embraced left-populist policies influenced by the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
The future success of left populism relies on mainstream and moderate politicians championing and implementing the policies.
Effective political messaging and connecting policies to voters' daily lives are crucial for electoral success.
Deep dives
The Populist Left in American Politics
The podcast episode features a discussion with Joshua Green, the author of 'The Rebels,' a book about the rise of left-wing populism in America, focusing on figures like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Green compares this book to his previous work on Steve Bannon and the populist right. He highlights the significance of the 2008 financial crisis and the Obama administration's response in shaping the ideas and movements discussed in 'The Rebels.' The episode explores the potential future trajectory of left-wing populism, particularly the role of AOC, the upcoming 2024 election as a referendum on populism, and the evolving position of Joe Biden as a populist president.
Biden's Transformation and Populist Turn
The conversation delves into the surprising transformation of Joe Biden from being viewed as a friend to Wall Street to embracing left-wing economic policies. Green credits Biden's evolution to his experience as Obama's vice president during the 2008 financial crisis and learning from the mistakes of the Obama administration's response. The discussion highlights Biden's implementation of left-populist policies and the impact it has had on the economy, while also acknowledging the potential challenges he faces due to rising inflation and dissatisfaction among some Democratic constituencies.
Challenges and Future of Populist Movements
The podcast explores the future and challenges of populist movements, both on the left and right. It raises the question of whether the populist left can appeal to a broader range of voters, particularly those in diverse communities outside of urban centers. The episode also discusses the potential impact of Donald Trump's absence from the political stage on the future of the populist right. It concludes by highlighting the importance of populism as an enduring force in shaping American politics, with the potential for ideological shifts and debates within both major parties in the post-Trump era.
The challenge for left populism and center-left reformist populism is proving political success
The podcast discusses the challenge for left populism and center-left reformist populism to demonstrate political success. While policies adopted by post-1980s new Democrats or the Obama administration may have been effective, the political success of these approaches is not clearly evident. The podcast suggests that the future success of left populism lies in a continuation of policies through figures like Joe Biden, who can appeal to a broad range of voters, including moderate and conservative segments. The popularity and electoral viability of figures like AOC may be limited due to the perception of radicalism among a significant portion of the American electorate. The podcast concludes that left populism is more likely to succeed if the policies are championed and implemented by mainstream and moderate politicians.
The importance of political messaging and connecting policies to voters
The podcast emphasizes the importance of effective political messaging and connecting policies to voters' daily lives. It highlights the case of Aliquippa, a former steel town in Pennsylvania, revitalizing due to Biden's policies, yet many residents are unaware of his involvement. The podcast suggests that in order for economic policies to receive credit and secure re-election, politicians must engage in the effective political theater, embrace the grip and grin style of politics, and make personal connections with voters. The podcast contends that while policy achievements are essential, the ability to communicate those achievements and show their direct impact on people's lives is equally crucial for success in elections. It also notes the decline in public attention on Wall Street in recent years, with other issues and villains, such as tech companies and figures like Elon Musk, taking central focus in the political discourse.
Joshua Green, Bloomberg National Correspondent and author of The Rebels: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Struggle for a New American Politics & Devil's Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Nationalist Uprising, joins The Realignment. Joshua and Marshall discuss the past, present, and future of left populism through the careers of AOC, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren, why the perceived inadequacy of the response to the 2008 Financial Crisis fueled the left, and how the Biden administration has built on populist insights from the 2010s and COVID.
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