The Brian Lehrer Show

Kamala Harris and Democrats spent the week at the DNC explicitly celebrating their patriotism. Listeners who identify as Democrats or progressive call in to describe their version of patriotism—and how it contrasts with Republicans.

The city released test scores for public school students, and English scores dropped slightly, while math scores rose. Alex Zimmerman, reporter at Chalkbeat New York, shares the numbers and talks about possible reasons for the changes. 

Christina Greer, associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and the author of Black Ethnics (Oxford University Press, 2013), offers political analysis of Kamala Harris's speech to wrap up the Democratic National Convention. 

Ian Frazier, frequent contributor to The New Yorker and the author of several books, including Great Plains, Travels in Siberia and his latest, Paradise Bronx: The Life and Times of New York's Greatest Borough (FSG, 2024) turns his attention closer to home and shares his exploration of New York City's only mainland borough, the Bronx.

The city plans to build a skate park in Mount Prospect Park, which is across the street from its larger neighbor, Prospect Park, and adjacent to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and some residents are unhappy about the proposal. Hayley Gorenberg, founder of Friends of Mount Prospect Park, explains why her group is opposed to the skate park. Then, New York City Councilmember Crystal Hudson (District 35: Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Bedford Stuyvesant) shares why she is supportive of the city's plan to build a skate park in Mount Prospect Park.

Jim Newell, senior politics writer for Slate, reviews the third night of the DNC, where speakers included Bill Clinton, Oprah and VP nominee Tim Walz, among other notable people.

Rachel Green, political organizer, New Jersey delegate for Kamala Harris, talks about her experience at the Democratic National Convention as a delegate from New Jersey and talks about the state of the race. 

Juan Manuel Benitez, former longtime reporter and host at Spectrum News NY1, now professor at the Columbia Journalism School, recaps the second night of the Democratic National Convention, plus talks about how the Harris campaign is reaching out to Latino voters. Plus: John Avlon, veteran journalist now the Democratic candidate for congress in New York's 1st district on Long Island, joins Brian briefly to talk about his race against one-term Republican incumbent Nick LaLota.

Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Michelle Bocanegra, WNYC and Gothamist political reporter focused on campaigns and the New York City Council, recaps what he talked about at this week's event, including the new Bronx Metro North rezoning that will allow roughly 7,000 new housing units around two of the new Metro North stations, his plans to go to the DNC and more.

As our centennial series continues, David Greenberg, professor of history and of journalism and media studies at Rutgers University and the author of Republic of Spin (WW Norton, 2016) and the forthcoming, John Lewis: A Life (Simon & Schuster, 2024), reviews highlights from the past century of notable DNC speeches.