How the Democrats Did It
Summary
Ezra Klein discusses the 2024 midterm election results with Michelle Goldberg, analyzing how Democrats won key states like Texas, Georgia, and Michigan. They examine successful strategies, including James Talarico’s faith-based appeal, John Ossoff’s focus on Trump corruption, and the shift toward anti-billionaire populism. The conversation highlights the collapse of the Republican Southern wall and the emerging Democratic coalition that prioritizes economic anxiety over culture wars.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Broadway play 'Here There Are Blueberries'
Introduction: Michelle Goldberg on the 2026 midterms
Texas: James Tallarico's 'politics of love' and anti-billionaire stance
Voter grievances: Noise, property values, and crypto mines
The impact of Trump's intervention and Paxton's scandal
School vouchers and the anger of local superintendents
The 'magnifying effect' of a full Democratic ticket
The texture of the campaign: Love as a political force
Rise of the religious left and Tallarico's faith
Tallarico's progressive moderation and praise for Trump's style
Uniting voters against billionaires rather than red vs. blue
Appealing to religious voters and the 'people's Texas' message
Decline of culture wars and the rise of anti-Elon sentiment
Threat perception: Billionaires vs. the working class
Generational realignment and the failure of demographic assumptions
Immigration terror in border counties and voter swing
Anecdotes of ICE encounters with citizen enlistees
Sponsor: Broadway musical 'The Fantastics'
Georgia: John Ossoff's 18-point victory over Mike Collins
Ossoff's background: Civil rights intern and documentary filmmaker
Targeting suburban women and the 'outraged' voter
Weaponizing corruption: The 'Mar-a-Lago mafia' narrative
Ossoff's refusal to run a 'purple state' campaign
Viral clips: Kazakhstan tungsten mining and foreign oligarchs
Ossoff's storytelling skills and constituent service
Ossoff's formal, disciplined speaking style vs. Obama
Southern de-alignment: South Carolina and Mississippi wins
Implications for 2028 and the future of the South
Challenges for Republicans in diverse Southern states
Building the Democratic Party as a national institution
Sponsor: Satva Mattress
Sponsor: New York Times App 'Shows' tab
Michigan: The establishment's choice of Haley Stevens
Why Mallory McMurrow was a better establishment pick
The failure of 'star power' in candidate selection
Abdul El-Sayed's mobilizing power and electability fears
El-Sayed's campaign: Unity vs. division and cost of living
The Bernie Sanders wing's theory of populist politics
Expanding the left and the popularity of Medicare for All
Kansas: Adam Hamilton's appeal to conservative voters
The signal of a well-spoken Democratic pastor
Pro-life with a heavy heart: Navigating abortion politics
Voter fatigue with trans issues and culture war salience
House races and the emerging new Democratic talent pool
The new Democratic focus: Anti-elite and anti-corporate
Tallarico on Fox News: Building bridges and repairing ties
Resistance politics vs. doubling down on 2016 lessons
Winning over MAGA voters with respect and tangible help
Book recommendation: 'Good People' by Patmina Sabat
Book recommendation: 'The Feast of the Goat' by Vargas Llosa
Book recommendation: 'The Man Who Loves Dogs' by Leonardo Padura
Listen ad-free on Castria