it’s been a very depressing few months for those of us who are any combination of smart or empathetic. it’s bad news all the time from every angle. it feels like the bad people are winning (and they are, right now, because the country let them) and there is no way back. it doesn’t help to see what feels like everyone gleefully taking a blowtorch to the only political party in the country that forewarned of all of this and took enormous steps to prevent it from happening.
it’s too early to tell for sure - but to me in this moment, 2024 is 2004, not 1980. john kerry ran against george w. bush and lost the popular vote, and the deciding state (ohio…) by the tiniest margin. the party was demoralized, and everyone wrote our obituary and tore us apart. ...but does anyone remember what happened in 2006? then in 2008?
apart from the historic election of President Barack Obama - 2008 saw the election of a meaningfully blue congressional and senate majority. among them was Kathy Dahlkemper, who was the first democrat to win the pa-3 (now pa-16) congressional district in 32 years.
because of that election, democrats saved the economy after a major republican-led crash, passed the affordable care act, the most meaningful healthcare reform in history, and a slew of other era-defining legislation.
I got to sit down with the former congresswoman and Erie county executive and go through just some of the ‘greatest hits.’ of her career, the larger causes to which her presence in those positions contributed to, and the political courage it took to accomplish all of the above.
apart from being so refreshing to hear about the details of policy - it is quite the pick-me-up to be able to look into the face of a person who contributed so much to america’s comeback after such a disastrous era, and through it - believe that we will again.
follow left, wrong + center on social:
Instagram: @leftwrongcenterpod
TikTok: @leftwrongcenterpod
YouTube: @leftwrongcenterpod
Facebook: @leftwrongcenterpod
Threads: @leftwrongcenterpod
Bluesky: @leftwrongcenterpod
Twitter: @leftwrongcenter
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!