GD POLITICS The 10 Numbers That Defined 2025
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Dec 29, 2025 
Nathaniel Rakich, Managing Editor at VoteBeat, and Mary Radcliffe, Head of Research at 50+1, dive into the numbers that shaped 2025. They tackle topics like the political fallout of a 43-day government shutdown and the implications of 225 executive orders signed by Trump. Mary discusses the impact of redistricting on future elections, while Nathaniel reveals how 62% of adults are now interacting with AI regularly. They also explore the economic and political significance of a $3.4 trillion deficit increase tied to major legislation.
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Shutdown Reframed The Political Agenda
- The 43-day federal shutdown was the longest in U.S. history and shifted national conversation toward health care and ACA subsidies.
- Mary Radcliffe argues the shutdown succeeded at reframing political discourse despite limited policy gains.
Executive Orders Accelerated Power Consolidation
- Donald Trump signed 225 executive orders in his first year, the most since FDR in 1941 for a first year.
- Nathaniel Rakich frames this as a dramatic acceleration of executive power and erosion of separation of powers.
Affordability Became A Political Touchstone
- Mentions of 'affordability' exploded to 70 in congressional emails between Nov-Dec 2025, signaling a political framing shift.
- Galen Druk notes this reflects a political trend distinct from raw economic measures like inflation.