The Issue with Democrats and the Media with Jen Rubin

Washington Post opinion columnist Jen Rubin joins Marc Elias to discuss how media companies are capitulating to President-elect Trump, what it actually means to "find common ground" and what they're doing to prepare for a second Trump presidency.
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Rachel Maddow on Dr. Mehmet Oz: Five things about Trump's pick to lead Medicare & Medicaid Services

Rachel takes a closer look at Trump's choice for administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz, who brings the endorsement of "magic" pills to what has been called "the most challenging technical, policy and political job in government," and questionable business ties to a job that oversees over a trillion dollars a year.
MSNBC Link | YouTube Link

Rachel Maddow on Tulsi Gabbard: Six things about Trump's pick for director of national intelligence

In this episode, Rachel takes a closer look at Trump's choice for director of national intelligence, former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who has a deep history of anti-gay activism and a disturbing amount of support from Russian state media.
MSNBC Link | YouTube Link

Democratic Party Reboot

The Democrats can't keep doing it like they've always done it. Those days are over.

December 18, 2023

Elon Musk: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver discusses Elon Musk, the influence he has over more than just his businesses, and the perfect place for him and Mark Zuckerberg to finally have that cage match.

Fangirl

Tulsi Gabbard’s career is marked by her praise for brutal dictators. That’s why Trump the wannabe dictator nominated her, and it’s why our enemies really hope she’s confirmed.
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December 17, 2024

Donald Trump Tamed the Media. Some Even Paid for the Privilege.

The legacy media is not just tamed. Some of its most prominent participants act like obedient puppies. They are at heel and have dutifully learned to come when called. Several of the billionaire owners have even paid for the privilege — cutting seven figure checks to fête Trump at his inauguration. All the time wagging their tails.

Read the full article at Democracy Docket.
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December 13, 2024

Rep. Dan Goldman on Jan. 6 Pardons, Trump’s Nominees and Project 2025

New York Congressman Dan Goldman joins Marc Elias to discuss how Trump’s proposed January 6 pardons would harm our justice system, political nominees, the implementation of Project 2025 and more.

Democracy Docket: Link

Rachel Maddow on Kristi Noem: Five things to know about Trump's pick for homeland security secretary

Rachel Maddow presents a Rachel Maddow Show Public Servant Announcement to hopefully help fill that gap with a closer look at Trump's choice for homeland security secretary, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, whose state’s Covid record might seem disqualifying and whose personal stories have caused her political damage.
MSNBC Link | YouTube Link

Rachel Maddow on Matt Whitaker: Six things to know about Trump's pick to be NATO ambassador

Rachel Maddow presents a closer look at Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, from his dubious business dealings to his dearth of relevant experience. MSNBC Link | YouTube Link

Building the Opposition

By Marc Elias, Democracy Docket

The following is an excerpt. The complete text is available online at Democracy Docket.
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Hoping that Trump fails is not a plan. We must develop and foster new movements, structures, tactics, platforms and leaders to oppose Trump and articulate a positive vision.

In most democratic political systems, this is referred to as the opposition. Rather than a resistance, the concept of an opposition is more comprehensive and durable. It recognizes that there are no time limits to the effort.

First, we must prioritize effective electoral campaigns that maximize the chances of electing Democrats and defeating Republicans. Ideological fights must yield in service of winning. We must recruit and fund candidates who can win their state or districts.

Second, we must be a big tent full of diversity of new policy ideas and approaches to governing. Political movement must be about big ideas. New Deal liberalism was a big idea. So was the Great Society, neo-liberalism and populism.

Third, we need new and existing institutions to bolster the opposition, not work against it. The only litmus test for groups is whether they help the opposition effort. Building and funding pro-democracy opposition groups needs to be a critical priority for years to come.

Fourth, we must cultivate and amplify new communication methods and messengers. We need to identify and promote our best messengers and pair them with the most influential platforms, period. This means ending our reliance on credential-based legacy media. These high prestige outlets command very small audiences and that audience is shrinking. They speak to almost no persuadable audience. The goal should be to reach voters, period.

Finally, we must be comfortable using every legal tool available to challenge Trumpism in court. One of the most important lessons from the last eight years is that the courts matter. Litigation is one of the most important tools to protect democracy and we must use every tool we have.

Meet the Republicans Voting Against Trump with Sarah Longwell

Sarah Longwell, founder of Republican Voters Against Trump, wants you to know that not all Republicans support former President Donald Trump. She discusses with Marc Elias fractures in the GOP, how Trump is a threat to democracy and conservative ideals and what Democratic voters need to understand about modern Republican voters.
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