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Travels in Trumpland—Plus, the Fight Over “Freedom”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols reports on Democrats in Red districts, and Eric Foner talks about Kamala’s campaign to claim a key concept of Reaganism.

Jon Wiener

October 2, 2024

Donald Trump arriving for a rally at the I-80 Speedway, on May 1, 2022, in Greenwood, Nebraska.(Scott Olson / Getty Images)

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Travels in Trumpland; plus the Fight Over ‘Freedom’ | Start Making Sense
byThe Nation Magazine

John Nichols has been driving to places in middle America where Trump has gotten big majorities in the past: Iowa and Nebraska, central and Western Illinois, and southwestern Wisconsin, asking Democrats there about politics in their towns right now.

Also: Kamala’s campaign is challenging the Republican conception of “freedom” as freedom from government regulation, advancing instead a positive conception of the government’s ability to protect and expand freedom. Eric Foner explains the history, and significance, of this conflict.

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John Nichols has been driving to places in Middle America where Trump has gotten big majorities in the past: Iowa and Nebraska, central and western Illinois, and southwestern Wisconsin, asking Democrats there about politics in their towns right now. He’s on the podcast this week to discuss.Also on this episode: Kamala Harris’s campaign is challenging the Republican conception of “freedom” as freedom from government regulation, advancing instead a positive conception of the government’s ability to protect and expand personal freedom. Eric Foner explains the history, and significance, of this conflict.

The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

The Supremes and the Ballroom, plus the Dems and the Senate / Start Making Sense
byThe Nation Magazine

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Trump could proceed with construction of his ballroom—they explicitly did not rule on the merits of the case, but on the issue of standing for the plaintiff. Robert Weismann has our analysis – he’s co-president of Public Citizen.

Also: The Democrats are now favored to win not only the House but also the Senate in November – they need to flip four seats, and their candidates are ahead in five. John Nichols explains.

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Jon WienerTwitterJon Wiener is a contributing editor of The Nation and co-author (with Mike Davis) of Set the Night on Fire: L.A. in the Sixties.


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