The Playbook Podcast How to win back disillusioned voters
Nov 14, 2025
Samuel Benson, a national politics reporter at Politico, joins Adam Wren to explore the deep fractures within the Democratic Party as Senator Elissa Slotkin embarks on a nationwide listening tour to win back disillusioned voters. They discuss the absence of strong Democratic leadership and Slotkin's emerging role, along with the unpredictable landscape of the 2028 presidential race. Benson also highlights how local races are increasingly focused on affordability, moving away from anti-Trump narratives, and examines Nevada's shifting political scene.
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Slotkin's Midwestern Listening Tour
- Alyssa Slotkin traveled to Kansas City to meet voters who skipped the last election and listen to their grievances.
- She heard deep distrust of both parties and voters citing Bill Clinton and Barack Obama as the last inspiring candidates.
Democratic Leadership Vacuum
- Democrats lack a clear leader while Republicans coalesce around Donald Trump, creating a visible leadership vacuum.
- Slotkin is positioning herself as a voice filling that gap without formally committing to a 2028 run.
Open Democratic Field For 2028
- The Democratic 2028 field is wide open with dozens of potential names and no clear front-runner.
- Name recognition helps some candidates, but prediction now is largely speculative.