S6 Ep50: David French: Character Counts For Less
Summary
Sarah Longwell and David French discuss the declining importance of character in American politics, contrasting past conservative standards with current voter tolerance for flawed candidates. They analyze the Graham Plattner scandal to illustrate the tension between upholding moral integrity and the strategic desire to block Donald Trump. The conversation explores whether prioritizing electoral victory over candidate virtue undermines democratic health and civic trust.
Topics discussed
Sponsor message: She's Birdie travel alarm
Introduction: The decline of character in politics
Guest intro and the history of character counting
Reagan's moral authority vs. Clinton's scandals
Negative polarization and partisan blinders
Sponsor message: She's Birdie travel alarm
Voter perspectives on candidate misconduct
Leadership standards: Corporate vs. Political
Case study: Graham Plattner's Nazi tattoo
The tension between stopping Trump and character
Case study: Ken Paxton and voter rationalizations
Conclusion: Evangelicals and the loss of moral voice
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