Dean Phillips, a Minnesota congressman who dared to challenge Joe Biden in the primaries, joins Batya Ungar-Sargon, Deputy opinion editor at Newsweek and author of 'Second Class,' to discuss Biden's shocking withdrawal from the 2024 race. They dive into the power struggles within the Democratic Party, highlighting the influence of elite donors. The conversation also addresses the media's contradictory portrayals of Biden's abilities and the significant role of civic engagement in shaping political landscapes. A captivating exploration of what comes next!
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insights INSIGHT
Elites Choosing Nominees
The Democratic donor class openly admits to picking their nominee, not voters.
This reveals a disconnect between their democratic rhetoric and actions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Lack of a Primary
There was no open primary process for the Democratic Party.
RFK Jr. was not allowed to participate, and there were no debates.
insights INSIGHT
Fake Nomination Drama
The Biden nomination process was pre-determined, like a reality TV show script.
The drama surrounding it is artificial, and voters had no real role.
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How the Elites Betrayed America's Working Men and Women
Batya Ungar-Sargan
In 'Second Class', Batya Ungar-Sargon presents a detailed look at the lives of American working-class individuals through extensive interviews and data analysis. The book is divided into two parts: the first profiles the state of the working class, categorizing them into the Struggling, Floating, and Rising tiers; the second proposes policy solutions to improve their lives. Ungar-Sargon addresses key issues such as immigration, job requirements, and the social safety net, arguing that the elites have betrayed the working class by prioritizing the interests of capital owners over wage-earners. The book emphasizes the need for policies that benefit working-class Americans and highlights the disconnect between the political class and the everyday concerns of working people.
Bad News
How Woke Media Is Undermining Democracy
Batya Ungar-Sargan
In this book, Batya Ungar-Sargon argues that American journalism has undergone a significant transformation over the twentieth century, evolving from a blue-collar trade to an elite profession. This shift has led journalists to focus more on the concerns of their affluent, highly educated peers rather than the working class. The book explores how the rise of the Internet and the decline of local news have nationalized elite news media, aligning corporate incentives with ideological newsroom crusades. Ungar-Sargon contends that this transformation has resulted in a media landscape that prioritizes 'woke' narratives and identity politics over class-conscious reporting, thereby consolidating the power of liberal elites and undermining American democracy[2][4][5].
Tonight, President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race and endorsed Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. After weeks of speculation, criticism of his candidacy, concern about his health, and withdrawal of donors, President Biden finally said: “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
What comes next? With the Democratic National Convention less than a month away, Michael Moynihan went live on X with Free Press contributors Walter Kirn, Batya Ungar-Sargon, Eli Lake, and Olivia Reingold, as well Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips (who challenged Joe Biden during the primaries), to discuss this historic turn and how it will impact the election.
Follow The FP on X to stay tuned for more livestreams.
Note: this episode was originally a livestream on X, and there were a few audio glitches, but we loved this conversation and think you will too.
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