Podcasts about even worse than it looks

In this episode of the Bill Press Pod, Norm Ornstein discussed the significant changes in the Republican Party and the broader implications for American democracy since the publication of his 2012 book, "It's Even Worse Than It Looks". Ornstein is a political scientist and an emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a leading expert on Congress. Ornstein asserted that the party has dramatically shifted from being a traditional problem-solving entity to one that is highly radicalized, especially in the wake of Donald Trump's presidency. He expressed concern that current Republican leaders are either fanatically loyal to Trump or too cowardly to oppose him, leading to a lack of effective checks and balances.Ornstein also criticized the Supreme Court for its decisions that, in his view, have accelerated the slide towards autocracy. He described House Speaker Mike Johnson as the worst in history, claiming he acts primarily as an enabler of Trump's agenda rather than protecting congressional prerogatives.The Pod also touched on Trump's use of the pardon power, highlighting the corrupt implications of pardoning individuals involved in criminal activities and insurrections. Ornstein noted a growing trend of using presidential powers for personal gain, directly contrasting this with historical standards of conduct.He expressed skepticism about the future, worrying that even if a supportive political shift occurs (e.g., Democrats regaining control of Congress), the damage done could take a long time to undo, as many experienced professionals may not return to public service due to the toxic political climate. Overall, Ornstein depicted a bleak view of the current political landscape, warning of the long-term consequences of the ongoing erosion of democratic norms and institutions. Throughout the talk, he emphasized the importance of integrity and accountability in government, expressing hope for reforms but recognizing the steep challenges ahead.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by Iron Workers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the weeks preceding President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, the administration was busy – taking an axe to federal agencies, imposing tariffs on neighboring countries, and reversing course on U.S. support for Ukraine. But we heard little about these issues from the president in this speech. What the president did do was tick off a list of accomplishments, including money saved through contracts cancelled and fraud exposed – many of these examples exaggerated or simply untrue. Norman Ornstein is a political scientist and co-author of several books on our politics, including the 2012 New York Times bestseller It's Even Worse Than It Looks. He says that many Trump voters couldn't see the ways that government impacted their lives. But, he adds, “If Trump succeeds as he's already doing in disrupting so many of these areas, Americans are going to be jolted.”Norman Ornstein joins Diane on today's episode of On My Mind to offer his take on what he sees coming and the Democrats' response. 

Norman Ornstein is an author, political scientist and emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He's is a contributing editor and writer for The Atlantic and has been an election eve analyst for CBS News and BBC News. He was named one of the top 100 global thinkers in 2012 by Foreign Policy Magazine and one of the 250 most influential people in Washington in 2021 by Washingtonian Magazine, and in every year since. His many books include The New York Times bestseller, It's Even Worse Than It Looks with Tom Mann, and the NYT and WAPO best-seller One Nation After Trump: A Guide for the Perplexed, the Disillusioned, the Desperate and the Not-Yet-Deported with EJ Dionne and Tom Mann. Join Norm and I as we discuss Trump 2.0 and the challenging road ahead, as well as our shared experience with tragedy, loss and grief. It's an in-depth chat you don't wanna miss... Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine We’ll talk about the history and the future of the two major parties, How parties change and evolve, how/why they splinter. Are the parties too strong or too weak? Are the two major parties in this moment so polarized that the system itself is undermined? Has the modern two-party system made us ungovernable? What reforms and options might be realistic? — multi-member districts, proportional representation, ranked choice voting? Guest: Lee Drutman, senior fellow at New America. He is the author of Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America Sandy Maisel, Goldfarb Family Distinguished Professor of American Government at Colby College (emeritus) To learn more about this topic: “Quiz: If America Had Six Parties, Which Would You Belong To?” by Lee Drutman in the New York Times, September 8, 2021 “Have Democrats become a party of the left?” William A. Galston and Elaine Kamarck, for Brookings, July, 2021 “The Decline of the GOP,” Norm Ornstein in The Atlantic, August, 2020 Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America, by Lee Drutman, March, 2020. Watch an interview with the author at Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop – Political Reform. Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process. by Mark D. Brewer and L.Sandy Maisel, ninth edition, 2020 The Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns (Transforming American Politics) Mark D. Brewer and L. Sandy Maisel, fifth edition, 2018 (essay collection) “This Maine Initiative Could Shake Up the Two-Party System,” by Hendrik Hertberg in The Nation, October, 2016. It’s Even Worse Than It Looks by Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein, April, 2016. “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: America’s Love Affair with the Two-Party System,” Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective, Marc Horger, July 2013. Prerecorded on 9/15 using Zoom technology. The mostly volunteer team at the League of Women Voters – Downeast who plan and coordinate this series includes: Martha Dickinson, Starr Gilmartin, Maggie Harling, Ann Luther, Judith Lyles, Wendilee O'Brien, Maryann Ogonowski, Pam Person, Lane Sturtevant, Leah Taylor, Linda Washburn About the host: Ann currently serves as Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Maine and leads the LWVME Advocacy Team. She served as President of LWVME from 2003 to 2007 and as co-president from 2007-2009. In her work for the League, Ann has worked for greater public understanding of public policy issues and for the League's priority issues in Clean Elections & Campaign Finance Reform, Voting Rights, Ethics in Government, Ranked Choice Voting, and Repeal of Term Limits. Representing LWVME at Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, she served that coalition as co-president from 2006 to 2011. She remains on the board of MCCE and serves as Treasurer. She is active in the LWV-Downeast and hosts their monthly radio show, The Democracy Forum, on WERU FM Community Radio -which started out in 2004 as an recurring special, and became a regular monthly program in 2012. She was the 2013 recipient of the Baldwin Award from the ACLU of Maine for her work on voting rights and elections. She joined the League in 1998 when she retired as Senior Vice President at SEI Investments. Ann was a founder of the MDI Restorative Justice Program, 1999 – 2000, and served on its Executive Board. The post Democracy Forum 9/17/21: The Two-party System and the Future of Our Democracy first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine We’ll talk about the history and the future of the two major parties, How parties change and evolve, how/why they splinter. Are the parties too strong or too weak? Are the two major parties in this moment so polarized that the system itself is undermined? Has the modern two-party system made us ungovernable? What reforms and options might be realistic? — multi-member districts, proportional representation, ranked choice voting? Guest: Lee Drutman, senior fellow at New America. He is the author of Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America Sandy Maisel, Goldfarb Family Distinguished Professor of American Government at Colby College (emeritus) To learn more about this topic: “Quiz: If America Had Six Parties, Which Would You Belong To?” by Lee Drutman in the New York Times, September 8, 2021 “Have Democrats become a party of the left?” William A. Galston and Elaine Kamarck, for Brookings, July, 2021 “The Decline of the GOP,” Norm Ornstein in The Atlantic, August, 2020 Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America, by Lee Drutman, March, 2020. Watch an interview with the author at Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop – Political Reform. Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process. by Mark D. Brewer and L.Sandy Maisel, ninth edition, 2020 The Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns (Transforming American Politics) Mark D. Brewer and L. Sandy Maisel, fifth edition, 2018 (essay collection) “This Maine Initiative Could Shake Up the Two-Party System,” by Hendrik Hertberg in The Nation, October, 2016. It’s Even Worse Than It Looks by Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein, April, 2016. “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: America’s Love Affair with the Two-Party System,” Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective, Marc Horger, July 2013. Prerecorded on 9/15 using Zoom technology. The mostly volunteer team at the League of Women Voters – Downeast who plan and coordinate this series includes: Martha Dickinson, Starr Gilmartin, Maggie Harling, Ann Luther, Judith Lyles, Wendilee O'Brien, Maryann Ogonowski, Pam Person, Lane Sturtevant, Leah Taylor, Linda Washburn About the host: Ann currently serves as Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Maine and leads the LWVME Advocacy Team. She served as President of LWVME from 2003 to 2007 and as co-president from 2007-2009. In her work for the League, Ann has worked for greater public understanding of public policy issues and for the League's priority issues in Clean Elections & Campaign Finance Reform, Voting Rights, Ethics in Government, Ranked Choice Voting, and Repeal of Term Limits. Representing LWVME at Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, she served that coalition as co-president from 2006 to 2011. She remains on the board of MCCE and serves as Treasurer. She is active in the LWV-Downeast and hosts their monthly radio show, The Democracy Forum, on WERU FM Community Radio -which started out in 2004 as an recurring special, and became a regular monthly program in 2012. She was the 2013 recipient of the Baldwin Award from the ACLU of Maine for her work on voting rights and elections. She joined the League in 1998 when she retired as Senior Vice President at SEI Investments. Ann was a founder of the MDI Restorative Justice Program, 1999 – 2000, and served on its Executive Board. The post Democracy Forum 9/17/21: The Two-party System and the Future of Our Democracy first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

In 2012 Ornstein & Mann wrote It's Even Worse Than It Looks. And, man, were they right!

Air Date 12/21/2019 Today we take a look at the GOP through modern history to understand how they came to be what they are and how the impeachment is throwing this reality into such sharp relief.  Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991   EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK  MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content!) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: What the framers didn't foresee was Mitch McConnell - Impeachment, Explained - Air Date 10-26-19 A thought on why it’s Mitch McConnell, not Donald Trump, who poses the core threat to our constitutional structure. Ch. 2: What’s wrong with the Republican Party? - Impeachment, Explained - Air Date 11-23-19 Thomas Mann, co-author of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks joins me to discuss how the Republican Party became the institution on display in this process. Ch. 3: The GOP's Ultimate Defense Keeping America Tuned Out - On the Media - Air Date 11-22-19 David Roberts, a writer covering energy for Vox, on the "epistemic crisis" at the heart of our bifurcated information ecosystem. Ch. 4: The biggest difference between Trump and Nixon is Fox News - Impeachment, Explained - Air Date 11-9-19 Nicole Hemmer, the brilliant historian of conservative media, joins to discuss how Fox News and the larger conservative media-verse protects Trump but also lures him into disaster. Ch. 5: Comparing the pubic opinion timeline from Nixon to now - Impeachment Today - Air Date 12-18-19 The second time the US impeached a president, it was Richard Nixon. And we all know how that turned out — except we don’t. Princeton history prof Kevin Kruse gives us the tour. Ch. 6: The GOP's circular arguments are dangerous to the country - Impeachment, Explained - Air Date 12-14-19 Noah Feldman is a Harvard Law professor and one of the constitutional scholars who testified at the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing. He joins me to talk about what he saw, what he learned, and the Republican argument that truly scared him. Ch. 7: Trump impeached - Impeachment Updates from The Washington Post - Air Date 12-19-19 The House of Representatives voted last night to impeach President Trump on charges that he abused his office and obstructed Congress, branding an indelible mark on the most turbulent presidency of modern times. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 8: Final comments on the end of the year, the end of the impeachment investigation and what we are looking ahead to next year MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions): Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr  Minutes - Pacha Faro Astrisx - Bodytonic Trois Gnossiennes 3 - Blue Dot Sesisons Gondola Blue - Towboat Rapids - Grey River Tripoli - Pecan Grove Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent SHOW IMAGE: "He's Number One: Trump Leads GOP Field in New Poll," Mike Licht, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped and blurred top and bottom   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Alexa Devices | +more Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

The core question this impeachment process is raising isn’t “what did Donald Trump do?” The hearings have filled in important details and added confirming witness, but the story is largely the one we’ve known since the White House released the call record. Instead, the core question the hearings are raising is: “What will Republicans accept and defend?” The answer, at least judging by the arguments of Reps. Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan, is chilling. On this week’s episode, Andrew Prokop joins me to analyze the first, and perhaps only, week of public impeachment inquiry. Then, Thomas Mann, co-author of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks joins me to discuss how the Republican Party became the institution on display in this process. I’ve heard from listeners who enjoy this podcast, but wish it could be more “balanced.” I wish it could be more balanced too. But to pretend that an imbalanced system is balanced is a poisonous form of bias. This episode is about seeing what’s right in front of our eyes, and taking seriously what it means for our future. Want to contact the show? Reach out at ezrakleinshow@vox.com Credits: Producer - Jeff Geld Researcher - Roge Karma Theme music composed by Jon Natchez  Special thanks to Liz Nelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one's a bit dark and didactic. It's kind of difficult to discuss retribalization while staying positive. Toward the end of the month, I came across a rich vein of additional tribalist information, much I was unable to include. This topic demands to be revisited. It will, hopefully with a lighter approach, next time.     Electric information movement.          Information bubbles.           Naive idealism.         Abandon that thinking.           Quote from Marshall McLuhan Playboy interview 1968.   World Pool.         Identity quest.         Facebook.   Youtube information silos.         The narcissism of minor differences.   "it's Even Worse Than It Looks,"         Norman Ornstein,   Thomas Mann,        Healthcare.        Fool for the Enlightenment.        The illusion of separation.         Show don't tell.   A new goal for humanity.      

Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein have studied American politics for more than three decades. They are the town’s go-to experts on the workings of Congress. In 2012, they rocked Washington when they published It’s Even Worse Than It Looks, a book that marshaled their considerable authority to argue that the dysfunction poisoning American government was the result of “asymmetric polarization,” notably a Republican Party that “has become an insurgent outlier in American politics — ideologically extreme; contemptuous of the inherited social and economic policy regime; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition.” This was a controversial diagnosis then. After Trump, it’s closer to the conventional wisdom. E.J. Dionne is a columnist at the Washington Post, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and the author of the classic book Why Americans Hate Politics. He’s one of the sharpest political observers alive. And now, like a Canadian indie-rock supergroup, the three of them have come together to write One Nation After Trump, a dive into how the Republican Party created Trump, how Trump won, and what comes next. As Dionne says in this interview, the American system was "not supposed to produce a president like this,” and so a lot of our conversation is about how the guardrails failed and whether they can be rebuilt. Mann, Ornstein, and Dionne may be political sages, but they're also a lot of fun, and they have a lot of fun together. You'll hear that in this conversation. Books: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal by William Leuchtenburg Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, Jr. The First Congress by Fergus Bordewich Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Democracy for Realists by Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm Ornstein (@NormOrnstein), is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He has written and co-written a number of books about gridlock and partisanship in the American political system including The Permanent Campaign and Its Future (1995), The Broken Branch (2006), and It’s Even Worse Than It Looks (2012). 0:00 What students should know about US politics 4:34 How the parties have realigned 13:00 And how they’re continuing to realign 15:05 We’ve moved from partisanship to tribalism…Newt Ginrich 18:44 Evaluating Democrat leadership in the 60s and 70s 20:55 Norm’s new book, “One Nation After Trump” 24:00 The Dunkirk analogy 28:10 Critiques of Norm from conservatives About Norm Ornstein Norm Ornstein’s American Enterprise Institute page: https://www.aei.org/scholar/norman-j-ornstein/ Articles by Norm Ornstein at The Atlantic It’s Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism, with Thomas Mann One Nation After Trump: A Guide for the Perplexed, the Disillusioned, the Desperate, and the Not-Yet Deported, with Thomas Mann and E. J. Dionne Selected Quotes “What I really wanted to emphasize, especially with It’s Even Worse Than It Looks was that we’ve moved from partisanship to tribalism. And there’s a real difference. You can be a strong partisan—view people on the other side of the aisle as worthy adversaries. And that’s partisanship. If you view people on the other side as evil and trying to destroy your way of life, and the enemy, that’s tribalism.”   Other Episodes of Half Hour of Heterodoxy

Congressional scholars Tom Mann of the Brookings Institution and Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute discuss the arguments in their book It's Even Worse Than It Looks, the government shutdown and the effects of political dysfunction on national security.