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Wisdom of Crowds

Freddie deBoer on Democracy and the Democrats

Jul 27, 2024
Freddie deBoer, a provocative leftist thinker and author, dives into the complexities of democracy within the Democratic Party. He critiques Kamala Harris's elevation as a candidate, questioning whether it was a genuine democratic process. The conversation explores the erosion of grassroots involvement in politics, historical shifts in electoral conventions, and the impact of media on public perception. DeBoer also discusses how deindustrialization has affected voter sentiments and the acceptance of left-wing economic policies, emphasizing the need for deeper democratic practices.
01:22:13

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Freddie deBoer critiques the lack of a genuine democratic process in the Democratic Party's candidate selection, particularly regarding Kamala Harris.
  • DeBoer highlights the shift in mainstream media's portrayal of social justice, influencing political narratives and candidate support post-2020 elections.

Deep dives

The Current Political Climate

The political climate is currently marked by speculation regarding President Joe Biden's potential step aside for Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic presidential ticket. This scenario raises questions about the democratic process within the party, with Freddie de Boer asserting there seems to be a lack of authentic democratic engagement. Instead, there appears to be a consensus around supporting Harris, driven by fear of Trump winning the election, which may hinder open discussion about the best candidate for the party. DeBoer emphasizes that without a proper primary process, there are significant risks attached to the party's direction.

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