The Majority Report with Sam Seder

On today's show, Robert Kuttner (@rkuttnerwrites) founder of The American Prospect joins the Majority Report to discuss his new book, The Stakes: 2020 and the Survival of American Democracy. 

Kuttner and Sam begin their conversation considering the Trump presidency in terms of his cabinet members. Kuttner says the "establishment" cabinet members that have left were the primary actors keeping Trump from enacting his most anti-democratic policies. Kuttner believes that without a robust economic progress Democratic opponent in 2020, Trump will win a second term and dismantle American democracy beyond repair. While Trump appears to be a unique threat to democracy, Kuttner argues that Democrats have been equally bad in presenting an alternative vision. Democrats got into bed with Wall St under the Clinton and Obama administration which helped lay the groundwork for a Trump presidency that tied racial resentment to economic anxiety borne out of the great recession. Looking ahead to next year's election, Kuttner and Sam discuss the latest Iowa polling showing Warren's momentum growing, and how the Trump/Biden race looks now that the Ukraine whistleblower story is all over the headlines. Considering the prisoner's dilemma of the Sanders and Warren campaigns, Kuttner and Sam speculate on what happens to the progressive left if and when the teams begin to attack one another. The two conclude their interview considering what the best way to manage capitalism under a future left-progressive presidential administration, how Democrats should proceed with impeachment and the possibility of a brokered convention in Milwaukee next summer.    

And in the Fun Half: Nancy Pelosi's "Dear Colleague" letter, Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani aren't quite on the same page about using aid to bribe Ukraine's president, Greta Thunberg exposes the hypocrisy of today's world leaders, Keeanga Yamatta Taylor shares her thoughts on black support for Bernie Sanders, Democrats are not suited to advocate for their constituents, dealing with political dissent amongst friends, starting a progressive media platform, plus your calls and IMs!

Check out today's sponsors:
Brooklinen: Get 10% off AND free shipping when you use promo code MAJORITY at Brooklinen.com. Brooklinen is SO confident in their product that all their sheets, comforters, and towels come with a lifetime warranty!
Hunt A Killer, the murder mystery box that immerses you in an ongoing experience, Right now, just for our listeners you can go to Hunt A Killer dot com slash MAJORITY for 20% off your first box. That’s HuntAKiller.com/majority for 20% off your first box.
Kettlebell Kitchen knows that meal planning isn’t “one-size fits all,” which is why they offer a personalized solution, Go to kettlebellkitchen.com and enter code MAJORITY for $50 off your first two orders for new customers.

Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com

Reminder to our NY listeners: the deadline to register to vote in the presidential primary is October 11!

Check out Sam on The Hill's Rising this morning!

Get your tickets to the Michael Brooks live show in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 23rd (the weekend before Thanksgiving) with special guests Krystal Ball and Emma Vigeland! Get your tickets here.

Get your tickets to the Goth Socialist Variety Hour w/ The Antifada and Pod Damn America at Littlefield NYC on Saturday, October 12 here!

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs, and the new TMBS YouTube channel for all short TMBS clips

Check out Matt’s podcast, Literary Hangover, at Patreon.com/LiteraryHangover, or on iTunes.

Check out Jamie’s podcast, The Antifada, at patreon.com/theantifada, on iTunes, or the new Antifada Youtube channel

Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter:

@SamSeder

@_michaelbrooks

@MattLech

@jamie_elizabeth

@Bf1nn

Direct download: 9-23-19-Robert_Kuttner-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EDT