Jay and Sean are joined this week by Ruy Teixeira, Nonresident Senior Fellow at AEI and longtime analyst of Democratic politics. Our hosts interview Ruy about the evolving relationship between the Democratic Party and organized labor, whether Democrats can learn from their past mistakes to form a durable electoral coalition, and more. Along the way, Jay, Sean, and Ruy discuss the “Abundance" movement, immigration, class, and if there are any heterodox Democrats who can make waves in future elections. Take a listen!

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Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Show notes:

America's Forgotten Majority

The Emerging Democratic Majority

Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

Ruy's last article in The Liberal Patriot

This week, our hosts take a break from talking about the drama of 21st century American politics and turn back the clock. In this very special edition of Stubborn Things, Jay and Sean start the Very Official Stubborn Things Presidential Tiers List. They start, of course, with Washington and make it all the way through Buchanan. See where Jay and Sean agree and where their lists diverge. Take a listen and let us know what you think about our tiers!

Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Show notes:

Jay’s biography of James Madison

Our Stubborn Things hosts this week talk voting and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a.k.a. the SAVE Act, a.k.a. the SAVE America Act, currently making its way through Congress. Jay and Sean discuss how the bill would change voting, the advantages and challenges with requiring proof of citizenship to vote, and the bad faith arguments each camp makes about the bill. Then, they go back in time to review the 2021 Democrat-led For the People Act and Sean calls Jay old. Finally, the episode wraps with a focus on campaign finance and the role of big money in elections.

Take a listen and let us know what you think!

Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Show notes:

H.R.22 – SAVE Act

Yuval Levin’s National Review article

NYT article about campaign finance