The Race to the 2026 Midterms ft. Dave Weigel

In 'Where Have All the Democrats Gone? ', John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira examine the tectonic changes in the American political landscape that have led to the Democratic Party's current struggles. The authors argue that the party, once a stronghold of small towns, big cities, the industrial working class, and newly immigrated communities, has abandoned and alienated many of these voters. They provide a detailed critique of how the party's radical turn to the left and its focus on identity politics have contributed to its electoral vulnerabilities. The book suggests that the Democrats must move back toward the center and reconnect with mainstream values to avoid political disaster. It is a timely and essential argument for common sense and common ground in American politics.

In this book, Richard Hanania presents a theory that the rise of 'woke' views in the US is primarily driven by legal rules and legislation, particularly those related to civil rights and affirmative action, rather than by ideological or cultural shifts. He argues that these laws have forced major institutions, including corporations and educational bodies, to conform to certain standards, leading to the widespread adoption of identity politics. Hanania also provides a roadmap for how these legal and institutional changes could be altered to reduce the influence of identity politics. The book offers a detailed historical and legal analysis of how these changes have shaped American society and culture.