logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2022
50m 48s

157: Sean Wilentz

Politicon
About this episode
James and Al reflect on the recent primary elections, the raid on Mar-a-Lago, and the Democrats’ growing odds in the midterms.  Then, they bring on Princeton professor and author Sean Wilentz to dive into the potential of populism and an embrace of FDR’s and Bill Clinton’s legacies to revitalize the party.  Will that be the key to defeating the growing radicalism of MAGA Republicans?

Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.  

Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!

Get More From This Week’s Guest:

Professor Sean Wilentz:
Twitter | Princeton University | Author of “No Property In Man” & Other Books

Please Support This Week’s Sponsors:

Blinkist:
For a 7 day free trial and 25% off a premium membership go to blinkist.com

Feals Focus Melts:
Save 50% off your first order of Feals focus melts and get free shipping by going to feals.com with promo code: WARROOM
Up next
Today
378: Populism & Swing Elections with Ron Brownstein & Rebecca Bennett
James and Al welcome journalist Ron Brownstein to discuss the accusations against Graham Platner and the future of Susan Collins’ Senate seat in Maine, Democrats' changing relationship with Israel, the rise of populism on the Left, and the challenges they face in the general elec ... Show More
1h 8m
Jul 2
377: America At 250 with Joseph Ellis & Rep. Josh Turek
As America turns 250, James and Al discuss the rise of the DSA and its popularity among younger voters, rising antisemitism, how the recent SCOTUS decisions will impact the country, and the effects of polarization on our future. Then, they welcome historian Joseph Ellis to look b ... Show More
1h 30m
Jun 25
376: Schisms With Jim Gerstein
250 Year Competition:Vote for which of Trump’s insiders you think the Founding Fathers would send back to Englandhttps://forms.gle/XFwsfqkec7UEsKxbAJames and Al discuss the DSA's wins in New York’s primaries, the growing schism in the Democratic Party, the need to unite to win in ... Show More
1h 11m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
GOP Wave? - April 4th, Hour 3
 John McLaughlin, co-founder of McLaughlin and Associates, a premier polling company and Matt Towery, pollster, attorney and syndicated columnist, take a look at the polling in the current Senate, Gubernatorial and Congressional races around the country. If Trumps’ rallies are an ... Show More
35m 50s
Nov 2025
Have the Democrats Decided to Win?
Something happened in 2016 that led Democrats to campaign on unpopular issues. Researcher Simon Bazelon digs into extensive polling data—and on-the-ground-results from tight races—to explain where elites steered us off course, how we can neutralize Trump’s advantages, and why vot ... Show More
1h 3m
Jul 2024
Can Biden Win? A Look at the Democratic Party & the Upcoming Election
Don Lemon sits down with Associate Professor of Law at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis Andrea Katz and Political Communication Strategist and Civics Educator Richard Greene for a look at the current state of the democratic party leading up to the presidential ele ... Show More
42m 4s
Nov 2025
Have the Democrats Figured Out How to Win Again?
The New Yorker staff writer Benjamin Wallace-Wells joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss Democrats’ sweeping victories in the first major elections of Donald Trump’s second term. They talk about what the results—from Zohran Mamdani’s record-turnout win in New York City to victories in t ... Show More
34m 16s
Nov 2022
Sound On: Dems Flip Senate Seat, Georgia Runoff
Joe spoke with Nathan Gonzales, Editor & Publisher of Inside Elections on the midterm election results and the too close to call Senate races, Bloomberg Congress reporter Billy House live from Atlanta on the runoff election for Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker, Bloomberg Gover ... Show More
34m 21s
Mar 2025
Andrew Yang & Vivek Ramaswamy: The Democrats Leadership Crisis & What It Really Means To Be An American
Story #1: Will sits down with Founder & Co-chair of the Forward Party & 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate, Andrew Yang to discuss the crisis of leadership and lack of direction within the current Democrat party, and whether, in a country where the political alignment is radi ... Show More
1h 20m