The New Yorker’s Political Writers Answer Your Election Questions
2Digest
This episode of The Political Scene delves into the 2024 presidential election, addressing questions from listeners about the appeal of Donald Trump, the challenges of interviewing right-wing politicians, and the potential for a third party candidate. The episode features a panel of New Yorker staff writers, including Susan Glasser, Jill LePore, Claire Malone, Andrew Moranz, Evan Osnos, Kellefassana, and Ben Wallace Wells, who discuss the current political landscape and the factors shaping the upcoming election. The episode begins with a discussion of Trump's enduring appeal, with panelists exploring the reasons why a significant portion of the population continues to support him despite his controversial actions and rhetoric. The conversation then shifts to the challenges of interviewing right-wing politicians, with panelists sharing their experiences and insights into the difficulties of engaging in critical dialogue with figures like Donald Trump and Candice Owens. The episode concludes with a discussion of the two-party system and the potential for a third party candidate, with panelists exploring the historical context of the two-party system and the challenges of establishing a viable third party in the United States.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode and the topic of the 2024 presidential election, highlighting the confusion and anxiety surrounding the election season. It also mentions the listener questions that will be addressed throughout the episode.
Trump's Appeal
This Chapter delves into the question of why a significant portion of the population continues to support Donald Trump despite his controversial actions and rhetoric. Panelists discuss the various factors contributing to his appeal, including his perceived authenticity, his role as a reactionary conservative, and his ability to tap into a sense of grievance and anger among his supporters.
Challenges of Interviewing Right-Wing Politicians
This Chapter explores the difficulties of interviewing right-wing politicians, with panelists sharing their experiences and insights into the challenges of engaging in critical dialogue with figures like Donald Trump and Candice Owens. They discuss the reluctance of these politicians to engage in substantive conversations, their tendency to avoid accountability, and the impact of their rhetoric on the media landscape.
Biden's Communication and the Two-Party System
This Chapter examines the challenges facing Joe Biden in the 2024 election, including his communication with voters, the perception of his age, and the limitations of the two-party system. Panelists discuss the difficulties of Biden's message reaching younger voters, the potential for a third party candidate, and the historical context of the two-party system in the United States.
Keywords
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He is a controversial figure known for his populist and nationalist rhetoric, his business dealings, and his personal life. He is a member of the Republican Party and has been a prominent figure in American politics since the 1980s. Trump's presidency was marked by significant political and social divisions, as well as a number of scandals and controversies. He is currently running for president again in 2024.
2024 Presidential Election
The 2024 United States presidential election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. It will be the 59th quadrennial presidential election, in which voters will elect the president and vice president of the United States. The incumbent president, Joe Biden, is expected to seek re-election, while former president Donald Trump has also announced his candidacy. The election is expected to be highly contested, with a number of other potential candidates also vying for the presidency.
Two-Party System
The two-party system is a political system in which two major political parties dominate the government and electoral process. In the United States, the two major parties are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The two-party system has been a defining feature of American politics since the early days of the republic. It has been criticized for its tendency to limit political choice and for its role in fostering polarization and gridlock. However, it has also been credited with providing stability and continuity in the political system.
Third Party
A third party is a political party that is not one of the two major parties in a two-party system. Third parties can play a significant role in politics, even if they do not win elections. They can raise awareness of issues that are not being addressed by the major parties, they can challenge the status quo, and they can influence the platforms of the major parties. However, third parties often face significant challenges in gaining traction and winning elections, due to the dominance of the two major parties and the winner-take-all nature of most elections.
Political Polarization
Political polarization is the widening gap between the political views of the two major political parties in a two-party system. It is characterized by increasing hostility and distrust between members of different parties, as well as a decline in the number of moderates. Political polarization can have a number of negative consequences, including gridlock in government, a decline in civic engagement, and an increase in political violence. It is a complex phenomenon with a number of contributing factors, including the rise of social media, the decline of traditional media, and the increasing influence of money in politics.
Electoral College
The Electoral College is a body of electors established by the United States Constitution, constituted every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president of the United States. The Electoral College is composed of electors from each state, with the number of electors per state equal to the number of seats that state has in the U.S. House of Representatives plus its two senators. The candidate who receives a majority of the electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538) is elected president. The Electoral College system has been criticized for its potential to elect a president who did not win the popular vote, as well as for its role in perpetuating the two-party system. However, it has also been defended as a system that protects the interests of smaller states and that promotes a more deliberative and less volatile electoral process.
Media Landscape
The media landscape refers to the environment in which media operates, including the various types of media, the ways in which media is consumed, and the relationship between media and society. The media landscape has been undergoing significant changes in recent years, due to the rise of the internet, social media, and digital technologies. These changes have had a profound impact on the way in which news and information are produced, consumed, and disseminated. The media landscape is also shaped by a number of other factors, including government regulation, economic forces, and cultural trends.
Misinformation
Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is spread unintentionally. It can be spread through a variety of channels, including social media, news outlets, and word of mouth. Misinformation can have a number of negative consequences, including eroding trust in institutions, fueling political polarization, and leading to harmful decisions. It is important to be critical of information that you encounter online and to verify information from multiple sources before sharing it.
Political Violence
Political violence is the use of violence to achieve political goals. It can take many forms, including terrorism, riots, and assassinations. Political violence is a complex phenomenon with a number of contributing factors, including political instability, economic inequality, and social unrest. It can have a devastating impact on individuals, communities, and societies. It is important to address the root causes of political violence in order to prevent it from occurring.
Q&A
Why does a significant portion of the population continue to support Donald Trump despite his controversial actions and rhetoric?
Panelists discuss various factors contributing to Trump's appeal, including his perceived authenticity, his role as a reactionary conservative, and his ability to tap into a sense of grievance and anger among his supporters.
What are the challenges of interviewing right-wing politicians, and how do they impact the media landscape?
Panelists share their experiences and insights into the difficulties of engaging in critical dialogue with figures like Donald Trump and Candice Owens. They discuss the reluctance of these politicians to engage in substantive conversations, their tendency to avoid accountability, and the impact of their rhetoric on the media landscape.
What are the challenges facing Joe Biden in the 2024 election, and how do they relate to the limitations of the two-party system?
Panelists discuss the difficulties of Biden's message reaching younger voters, the potential for a third party candidate, and the historical context of the two-party system in the United States.
What are the prospects for a third party candidate in the United States, and what are the challenges they face?
Panelists explore the historical context of the two-party system and the challenges of establishing a viable third party in the United States. They discuss the potential for ranked choice voting and the need for a more vibrant multi-party system.
How has the media landscape changed in recent years, and how has it impacted the relationship between journalists and politicians?
Panelists discuss the impact of social media, the rise of misinformation, and the increasing distrust of traditional media on the ability of journalists to hold politicians accountable.
What are the potential consequences of political polarization and the rise of misinformation?
Panelists discuss the negative consequences of political polarization, including gridlock in government, a decline in civic engagement, and an increase in political violence. They also discuss the challenges of combating misinformation and the importance of critical thinking.
What are the potential risks to the democratic process in the United States, and how can they be mitigated?
Panelists discuss the potential for political violence, the need for a peaceful transition of power, and the importance of protecting democratic institutions.
What are the key issues that will shape the 2024 presidential election?
Panelists discuss a range of issues, including the economy, healthcare, climate change, and social justice. They also discuss the role of identity politics and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the election.
What are the potential outcomes of the 2024 presidential election, and what are the implications for the future of American democracy?
Panelists discuss the potential for a close election, the possibility of a contested outcome, and the long-term implications of the election for the political landscape in the United States.
Show Notes
At the beginning of 2021, it seemed like America might be turning a new page; instead, the election of 2024 feels like a strange dream that we can’t wake up from. Recently, David Remnick asked listeners what’s still confounding and confusing about this Presidential election. Dozens of listeners wrote in from all over the country, and a crack team of political writers at The New Yorker came together to shed some light on those questions: Susan B. Glasser, Jill Lepore, Clare Malone, Andrew Marantz, Evan Osnos, Kelefa Sanneh, and Benjamin Wallace-Wells.
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