Partisan Primaries: How 7% of Voters Control 87% of Seats in Congress
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
Release Date: 10/14/2024
Breaking Up the Parties: Why Washington Might Be Ready for Political Divorce
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
It's well known America's two major parties don't like each other. In the wake of the most recent election, it's becoming clear they don't like each other much either. In this episode, Shawn and Dan discuss how recent internal feuds in both the Democratic and Republican parties reveal a potential splintering of the two-party system, how some political insiders are calling for a third political option, and a small group of legislators proposing a reform that could make that happen. For a full write up and additional content, check out https://middleweightpolitics.substack.com/
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Politics Ratioed: Trump Picks the Most Retweetable Cabinet
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
In his first term, Trump was accused of listening to Fox News more than his advisors. This time around, he appears ready to avoid that criticism by appointing a Fox News panel to his cabinet. In this episode, we explore how Trump's picks - from Elon Musk to RFK Jr. - reflect a political system where Twitter followers matter more than expertise, how California Republican David Valadao keeps winning in a Democratic +10 district without becoming "Fox News famous," and what his success tells us about fixing our social media-obsessed politics.
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Election Day: America Limps Across the Finish Line
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
After months of pollsters telling us the election was close, 50.4% of Americans decided giving a second term to a 78-year-old former president was the best way to bring about much-needed change. In this episode, Dan and Shawn discuss how "double haters" ultimately tipped the election in favor of Trump, how Democrats boosted MAGA candidates in the primaries only to lose to them, and why every ballot initiative that could have given voters more than two choices on the ballot failed spectacularly. They also talk about Long John Silver's and Little Caesar's. It'll make sense when you listen.
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Election 24: How Did We Get Here and How Do We Not Do it Again?
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
Much can be said about the 2024 presidential election cycle. Most universal is the sentiment we should never do this again. In this episode, Dan and Shawn discuss how two of the oldest, most unpopular candidates rewrote their parties' primary rules to make it on the ballot, how this has led to an election where over half of Americans plan on voting against a candidate, rather than for one, and how we can make sure 2028 isn't a repeat of 2024.
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The Power of No: Why More Voters Vote Against Candidates Rather than For Them
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
Negative voting - where voters cast ballots in opposition of a candidate rather than for one - has almost doubled in the last 20 years. In this episode, Shawn and Dan discuss the economic drivers behind it, how a non-responsive government fuels voter cynicism, and ways we can fix it.
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Dear Pollsters: We get it. The race is tight.
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
In this episode, Shawn and Dan discuss former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke's puzzling endorsement of Jill Stein, Democrat Mike Bennett's slightly more puzzling opposition to election reform in his state, and how the media's obsession with polling has them spending more time discussing who's going to win the presidency than what the candidates would do in office.
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Partisan Primaries: How 7% of Voters Control 87% of Seats in Congress
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
While Election Day is still three weeks away, a combination of safe congressional seats and closed partisan primaries has already determined the result of 87% of House Elections. In this episode, Dan and Shawn discuss a recent report by Unite America showing how 7% of all voters have determined the overwhelming majority of House elections, the effects this has on polarization in Congress, and reforms on the ballot in several states that could fix this. Unite America's full report can be found here: https://www.uniteamerica.org/primary-problem
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RFK Jr's Undead Campaign and the Stranded Political Middle
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
In a plan worthy of a man with a worm in his brain, RFK Jr. has withdrawn his name from swing states and officially ended his campaign, yet keeps fighting to remain on the ballot in safe states to offer voters an option outside the two-party system. In this episode, Shawn and Dan discuss polling from earlier this year that showed Kennedy with a surprisingly high level of support in traditionally red and blue states, what this says about voter dissatisfaction with the two-party system, and reforms on the ballot that could give these voters a voice in future elections.
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Liz Cheney Says a Third Party is Needed. Do Voters Want One?
Middleweight Politics: Political Analysis for the Independent Voter
In a forum in Minneapolis last week, Liz Cheney indicated a new party may need to be formed to represent conservatives dissatisfied with Trump and the direction of the GOP. In this episode, Dan and Shawn explore the historical parallels with Cheney’s proposed party and other insurgent third-party bids, and how recent elections in Nebraska and Alaska show that voters might not necessarily want a new party, but a party that produces better candidates.
info_outlineWhile Election Day is still three weeks away, a combination of safe congressional seats and closed partisan primaries has already determined the result of 87% of House Elections.
In this episode, Dan and Shawn discuss a recent report by Unite America showing how 7% of all voters have determined the overwhelming majority of House elections, the effects this has on polarization in Congress, and reforms on the ballot in several states that could fix this.
Unite America's full report can be found here: https://www.uniteamerica.org/primary-problem