The Daily Beans Refried Beans | When Democracy Happens (feat. David Pepper) | Nov 8, 2023
Nov 9, 2025
David Pepper, the former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party and author, joins to discuss pivotal election outcomes for Democrats across the nation. They explore how Ohio's recent vote was a strong stance against extremism, and the impact of gerrymandering on democracy. Pepper emphasizes the importance of state-level organizing for the upcoming elections and reflects on the significance of local victories over extremist candidates in school board races. The conversation is an insightful mix of political strategy and grassroots empowerment.
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Nationwide Democratic Momentum
- Democrats had a nationwide winning streak across state and local races, signaling broad voter rejection of extreme GOP positions.
- The victories included governor, statehouse flips, issue wins, and school board rebukes that cut across typical partisan lines.
Judicial Appointments Shift The Bench
- Biden has appointed an unusually high number of lifetime federal judges, with significant female representation.
- These confirmations reshape the federal judiciary for years and reflect a focused administration strategy.
Context Matters For Early Polls
- Biden campaign argued media overweights certain polls and urged a broader view of polling variability a year out.
- The memo reminded outlets that polls a year before elections often miss later dynamics and highlighted several polls showing Biden tied or leading.
