A Playbook for Defeating MAGA
Summary
Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, joins Radio Atlantic to discuss her new book, *How to Eat an Elephant One Voter at a Time*, which argues that Democrats must shift from abstract values to tangible material well-being to win the 2026 midterms. Drawing on hundreds of focus groups, Longwell explains why voters connect with Trump’s parasocial media presence and how Democrats can counter MAGA’s narrative dominance by focusing on affordability, safety, and authentic communication. She highlights emerging leaders like John Ossoff and Pete Buttigieg as models for this new approach, while w…
Topics discussed
Midterm stakes: Trump's low approval and the 'albatross' effect
Guest intro: Sarah Longwell and her focus group insights
Longwell's journey from moderate Republican to Democrat advisor
The 'Two Wolves' parable: Feeding the good in American voters
Why focus groups matter: Understanding the Trump phenomenon
The chasm between Washington priorities and voter concerns
Immigration strategy: Safety, fairness, and 'schema activation'
Stop saying 'Democracy': Why 'America' resonates better
Emerging Democratic communicators: Ossoff, Buttigieg, AOC, Mamdani
Rebuilding the Democratic brand: Material well-being over social issues
Narrative dominance without cruelty: Truth, decency, and unity
The post-Trump Republican future and Democratic opportunities
Credits and subscription call to action
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