Ben Wikler Has a Plan to Save Democracy
Summary
Kara Swisher interviews Ben Wickler, former Wisconsin Democratic Party chair, about his book on defeating authoritarianism through grassroots organizing. Wickler argues that Democrats must build a permanent, local campaign infrastructure to win critical state-level races in 2026, which will protect election integrity for 2028. He emphasizes the need to remove the Senate filibuster and counter Elon Musk’s influence by fostering genuine voter trust rather than relying solely on money.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Ben Cohen and the threat of plutocracy
Historical context: Wealth accumulation and democracy
Case study: The Wisconsin Supreme Court race and Elon Musk
The permanent campaign: Local races and state power
Sponsors: NetSuite, Grooms, and Odoo
Democratic strategy: Internal divisions and grassroots organizing
Systemic reform: The filibuster and legislative gridlock
DNC finances and the role of small-dollar donors
Sponsors: Bowlin Branch and Framer
Building infrastructure: Lessons from Wisconsin Democrats
Major reforms: Popular vote, term limits, and gerrymandering
Election security: Preparing for 2028 and protecting democracy
Conclusion and closing remarks
Listen ad-free on Castria