Mo Elleithee, a Remnant stalwart, joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss the potential 2020 election rematch, declining trust in institutions, and the impact of big data on American politics. They also explore the rise of personality-driven politics and the tension between the cult of the expert and good faith arguments.
The lack of strong candidates in the Republican primary may result in a 2024 rematch between Biden and Trump.
Despite having potential, Nikki Haley failed to effectively challenge Trump early on in the 2024 election.
The weakening of party infrastructure and the rise of super PACs have led to a lack of accountability and a darker tone in politics.
Deep dives
Republican primary lacks exciting candidates and unity
The podcast discusses the lack of exciting presidential campaigns and candidates in the Republican primary. While the Biden administration has shown some sense of national unity and identity, the Republican side lacks that appeal. The ongoing primary has been perplexing, with opponents failing to effectively challenge the former president. As a result, it is predicted that the 2024 election will be a rematch between Biden and Trump.
The challenges in finding a candidate to beat Trump
The podcast explores the difficulties in finding a candidate who could effectively challenge Trump in the 2024 election. Various potential candidates, such as DeSantis and Haley, were discussed, but they were deemed unfit to take on the former president. It is argued that Nikki Haley, despite having the potential, did not make sufficient distinctions or appeal to the party's desire to win against Trump early on. The lack of strong candidates and the focus on fear and anger in politics further complicates the situation.
Party infrastructure and impact on politics
The podcast delves into the weakening of party infrastructure and its impact on politics. The democratization of the primary process and campaign finance reform have led to parties losing influence over the selection of nominees and shaping the election. Parties have become less accountable, and super PACs have taken on functions traditionally performed by parties. This shift has resulted in a lack of accountability, public spats between campaigns and super PACs, and a darker tone in politics.
Importance of President's Decision to Run Again
The podcast discusses the importance of the President's decision to run for re-election and highlights two main reasons for his candidacy. Firstly, it is emphasized that after chasing the presidency for 40 years and finally winning it, it is unlikely that he would simply step down. Secondly, it is argued that the President truly believes that he is the only one who can defeat Donald Trump and given this conviction, it makes sense for him to run again. The podcast acknowledges that there are political factors at play, such as the potential impact of a competitive primary and the President's strong support from his party and sufficient resources to run a competitive race. Overall, despite some uncertainties, the podcast suggests that the President's decision to run again is based on his personal beliefs and political advantages.
Challenges Faced by Democratic Party
The podcast delves into the challenges faced by the Democratic Party, particularly in terms of their coalition and messaging. It highlights that the Democratic Party has shifted in perception from being seen as the party of the working class and minorities to being portrayed as the party of coastal elites. This shift has been detrimental to their appeal among certain voter groups. The podcast points out that the Democrats need to be concerned about this shift, not only from a tactical campaigning perspective, but also from an identity standpoint. It is suggested that Democrats should aim to bring together different constituencies and articulate a message that resonates with a broad range of voters. The podcast also mentions the importance of governing effectively and addressing quality of life issues, regardless of ideological leanings. Overall, the podcast emphasizes the need for both parties to break free from traditional voter predictions based on demographics and work to create a more competitive and inclusive political landscape.
Get your bingo cards ready, because Remnant stalwart Mo Elleithee makes an overdue return to the program to kvetch about some familiar topics. Mo believes that we’re heading for a terrifying 2020 rematch. But could one of Donald Trump’s opponents still make a comeback, and will Joe Biden manage to make it through a full campaign? For that matter, what’s wrong with American elites? How can we reverse declining trust in institutions? And how did Jonah come to have more hatred for primaries than life itself?
