Former Republican operatives discuss why Never Trumpers have turned to the Democratic Party, GOP's stance on IVF and abortion, Republican political tactics, and how Dems can improve Biden's chances in November.
The Bulwark shifted from conserving conservatism to upholding democracy against Trump's influence.
Republican operatives adopt an 'always on offense' mindset, using attack tactics like rapid response.
Abortion serves as a moral anchor for Republicans, shaping their strategy and voter support.
Deep dives
The Mission of 'The Bulwark' Podcast
The podcast episode delves into the mission of 'The Bulwark,' an online platform for never Trump conservatives. Initially aimed at conserving conservatism during the early Trump years, it evolved to focus on upholding democracy and countering Trump's influence. The podcast highlights the shift in focus from fighting within the Republican Party to taking a pro-democracy stance for the broader population.
Republican Operatives' Training and Mindset
The discussion reveals the training and mindset of Republican operatives, emphasizing a 'always on offense' approach. Operatives are primed to be attack dogs, trained to deploy tactics like rapid response and research to shape narratives. The podcast explores how this ruthlessness and focus on owning the left drive Republican campaigns, contrasting with the more nuanced and policy-oriented approach of Democratic operatives.
Abortion and IVF as Political Touchpoints
The episode delves into how abortion serves as a moral anchor for many Republicans, distinguishing them as righteous crusaders. The discussion details the political impact of the abortion issue, shedding light on how it shapes Republican strategy and voter support. Additionally, it explores the nuanced responses within the party regarding IVF, highlighting the internal conflicts and strategic considerations faced by Republicans.
Education Polarization and Lizard Brain Politics
The podcast touches on the impact of education polarization in political discourse, contrasting the analytical approach of educated elites with the instinctual 'lizard brain' politics of ordinary voters. It highlights how Republicans leverage emotional and simplistic messaging, appealing to voters' primal instincts rather than logical reasoning. The episode underscores the effectiveness of this approach in winning elections despite advocating for inherently unpopular positions.
Conclusion and Subscription Promise
In the final segment, the hosts wrap up by promoting the full episode on their platform, urging listeners to upgrade their subscriptions for more content. The conversation ends with a reminder of listening to a crossover episode of 'Politics with Tim Miller of The Bulwark,' inviting free subscribers to dive deeper into the discussion by accessing the full content on the website.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.politix.fm
In this special crossover episode, The Bulwark's Tim Miller joins Matt and Brian to answer burning questions like:
* Why have most Never Trumpers have embraced liberalism and the Democratic Party to some degree or another, rather than remain conservative critics within the GOP?
* If Republicans sincerely believe life begins at fertilization, why are they pretending to be the saviors of IVF?
* How (and where) do Republican operatives learn to be remorselessly unconcerned with norms, fairness, and consistency?
* Do Republicans have a good laugh when Democrats pass up opportunities to hold Donald Trump accountable, knowing how they’d react if the shoe were on the other foot?
* What would it look like from the inside if Republicans discovered Joe Biden committed half a billion dollars in fraud, or teamed up with foreign intelligence agents to frame Donald Trump?
If you’re enjoying the conversation and hit that paywall, we hope you’ll consider upgrading to hear the rest, along with all our past episodes and episodes to come.
We also offered Tim the opportunity to quiz Matt and Brian about Democrats, the tensions and dysfunctions that complicate big-tent liberalism, and what they would change about Democratic politics to improve Joe Biden’s chances in November, if they could only pick one thing. You can listen to that half of the crossover on The Bulwark podcast.
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