Episode notes
In this episode, hosts Steve Wildsmith, Nathan Higdon, and Jeremy LaDuke welcome Lee Jones, Middle Tennessee Regional Vice Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party and Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, for a deep dive into what Democrats need to do to win—and it's not what you might think.
Opening with the stunning upset victory of democratic socialist Zoran Mamdani in New York's mayoral primary, Steve sets the stage for a crucial question: Can authentic progressive candidates win in the rural South? Mamdani ran on a $30 minimum wage, rent freezes, and taxing the rich—and won with 43.5% of the vote, powered by young people and first-time voters who were energized by his refusal to moderate his message.
Key Topics:
- Why authenticity beats focus-grouped messaging every time
- How Democrats have been gaslighted ...