Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen

Despite the kerfuffle that President Trump is initiating a Constitutional crisis, the confusion and frustration surrounding his executive actions fit within a fairly common modern trend: Congress’s institutional inaction leaves a power vacuum which the president sets out to fill. In anticipation of the Supreme Court weighing in, Henry sits down with the inestimable John Yoo to discuss the larger constitutional questions that Trump’s test cases are likely to settle. Tune in for a refresher on the distinction between the separation of powers and checks and balances; an explanation of the unitary executive theory; and considerations on how justices may come down on the decisions that will be put before them.

Conventional wisdom has it that the Democratic Party lost in November after moving too far to the left on its social and economic stances. But these are hardly conventional times, so why not let an outsider have a say? Henry sits down with Maurice Mitchell, National Director of the Working Families Party, to discuss the WFP’s aim to win elections by offering a progressive alternative to the corporate-aligned Democratic Party. Maurice takes us through the WFP’s break with Democrats in 1998 and its 26-year history; he points out the attention they’ve achieved nationwide and the obstacles they’ve faced in a rigid two-party system. Further, he disputes the calls for centrism following Kamala Harris’s defeat and illustrates how the Working Families Party platform has a future in a country hungry for change.

A quarter century after publishing his famous book about the ascendant bohemian bourgeoise ("Bobo") upper class, New York Times columnist David Brooks has found cause to reconsider the new elite. He and Henry sit down to discuss the vanities of that insular group, the incongruence of their public espousals and private behavior, and how some form of nationalist populism was the public's best available means of course correction.

Sean Trende, Senior Elections Analyst at RealClearPolitics and author of The Lost Majority, dives deep into America’s shifting political landscape. He reveals how Trump's 'revolution in common sense' reshaped conservative values and the challenges he faces uniting diverse factions. Trende also discusses the Democrats' uphill battle with a progressive base that struggles to connect with moderate voters. Additionally, he highlights surprising trends in minority voter support, revealing evolving party dynamics and implications for future elections.

Karl Rove, a Wall Street Journal columnist and Fox News contributor, discusses the importance of building temporary coalitions in politics. He reflects on his role in the Republican Party's evolution, from lessons learned during McKinley’s era to the Compassionate Conservatism of the early 2000s. Rove emphasizes the working-class appeal of recent movements and shares insights on navigating leadership in a polarized political climate. The conversation highlights the need for bipartisanship and effective communication to adapt to future challenges.

Beyond the Polls is back! This week, Henry sits down with the Washington Post's Jason Willick to go over Donald Trump's haul ahead of his second inauguration. The duo speculates on everything from the president-elect's comments about desired new territories, defense aspirations, and tariffs, before considering how all of this fits with the MAGA coalition and how his maneuvers will play with the judiciary that Trump helped build in term one. Plus, Henry surveys the electorate's sentiments on presidents past and present as laid out in the latest Economist/YouGov poll.

For our last journey beyond the polls of the year, we examine the Democratic Party's options post-2024. Jonathan Cowan, president of the centrist think tank Third Way, joins Henry to explain how the left wing took over the party vessel and how they ran it off the tracks. They consider whether Democrats will get the message in time to compete in 2028 and go over the playbook necessary for those center-left candidates who are serious about winning elections. Henry's off for the holidays, but stay subscribed—or get started if you haven't already!—and we'll see you back in 2025.  

This week on Beyond the Polls, Henry sits down with Tim Goeglein of Focus on the Family to cover his new book, Stumbling Toward Utopia: How the 1960s Turned Into a National Nightmare and How We Can Revive the American Dream. They dive into the early roots of the midcentury's cultural upheaval and consider why Americans seem ready to turn back the tide.Plus, Henry eschews Beltway insider opinions in favor of ordinary Americans' take on Trump and Harris post-election, along with Trump's cabinet selections, as shown in recent polling data.  

This week features a spirited discussion on Donald Trump's surprising rise in favorability. The talk dives into how shifting demographics and current issues like the economy and crime are reshaping voter opinions. It also highlights the surge of populist parties across Europe, showing how traditional establishments are faltering. The podcast critiques the growing divide in France's political landscape and explores how these populist movements reflect deeper discontent with elite politicians, revealing a global trend impacting democracies.

Ruy Texiera, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and co-founder of the Liberal Patriot, shares his insights on the Democratic Party's struggles with working-class voters. He discusses how the party's shift to the left has alienated key demographics, particularly after major electoral losses. Texiera emphasizes the need for internal change and a reconnection with traditional values to unify the party. With reflections on Trump's influence and the importance of innovative leadership, the conversation highlights the Democratic Party's critical juncture.