Embedded

Supermajority: A Common-Sense Caucus

Jul 2, 2024

A mother, Melissa Alexander, advocates for gun control measures after a school shooting. The podcast discusses her efforts at the Tennessee statehouse and the support she finds from Republican senator Richard Briggs, who represents a more moderate faction of the GOP. The episode explores the challenges faced by lawmakers on issues like economic relief, party politics, abortion bans, and running for office, highlighting the complexities of navigating political pressures.

39:47

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Episode guests

Melissa Alexander

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Moderate Republicans face challenges navigating a shift to the right within the GOP in the Tennessee legislature.

Potential for impact on changing laws and increasing female representation in politics through Melissa's candidacy for office.

Deep dives

The Covenant Women's Decision to Pivot to Politics

After feeling frustrated with the lack of progress in dealing with the state house, Melissa, Mary Joyce, and others consider Melissa running for office against her representative, Gino Bolso. The group discusses the pros and cons, highlighting the potential impact on changing laws, preventing gun violence, and increasing female representation in politics. Concerns about the public exposure and toxic environment in the State House are raised, prompting Melissa to evaluate her potential role as a moderate Republican law-maker.

Intro

5min

Morning Coffee with Republican Lawmakers at the Capitol

2min

Navigating Party Politics and Beliefs in Tennessee

13min

Challenges Faced by Lawmakers Regarding Tennessee's Abortion Ban

3min

The Impact of Abortion Trigger Bills

12min

A Candidate's Transformation and Strategic Planning

3min

Navigating GOP Rules and Challenges in Running for Office

4min

Navigating the Pressure of Politics

4min

Melissa Alexander came to the Tennessee statehouse to convince members of the Republican party – her party – to adopt gun control measures after a mass shooting at her son's school. A year later, she doesn't feel like she's gotten through to many lawmakers. But there's at least one Republican senator who's made Melissa and the other Covenant moms feel welcome: Richard Briggs. Briggs has been in office for about a decade. He's a doctor and an army veteran. And recently, he's had to navigate a statehouse in transition. Briggs represents a faction of the Republican majority that isn't often visible: those who are concerned about the GOP's shift further to the right. They feel that they are a minority within the majority – stewards of what the party used to be. As Melissa contemplates a big decision, we turn to Briggs' story. What can more moderate Republicans achieve in the Tennessee legislature? And will Melissa decide to follow the path that Briggs has already been down? To listen to this series sponsor-free and support NPR, sign up for Embedded+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

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Embedded

Supermajority: A Common-Sense Caucus

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Covenant Women's Decision to Pivot to Politics

State Representative Briggs' Conundrum with Party Lines

Tennessee's Trigger Law and Senator Briggs' Moral Dilemma

Melissa Alexander's Potential Candidacy and Electoral Challenges

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts