The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell
Unfiltered, uncompromising, unexpected—The Focus Group is a look into what the average voter thinks about politics, policy, and current events. Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, has conducted hundreds of hours of focus groups all across the country. She and a series of special guests will take you behind the glass to hear what real focus group participants have to say.
Episodes
The first season of the Focus Group is over, but we'll be back in 2022!
If you're still itching for another peek behind the glass, we have a very special bonus episode available exclusively to Bulwark+ members: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/the-focus-group-bonus-episode-whats
Legendary political consultant James Carville joins Sarah to discuss a focus group with undecided independent voters ahead of the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election. Sarah and James also discuss the Democratic Party’s messaging problem, Trump, and the craziest Republican members of Congress. What candidate will these voters choose and how will the race wind up according to the voters on the ground? Listen to find out.
David Shor, Data Scientist at Blue Rose Research, joins Sarah to take a deeper dive into what is happening within the Democratic Party. Sarah and David discuss how voters have shifted in recent presidential elections, the Biden presidency, 2022 midterms, and more. Listen for what Democrats need to think about if they want the best outcome in 2022.
Jonathan V. Last, editor at The Bulwark, joins Sarah to discuss a focus group with progressive and moderate Democrats in Pennsylvania. They voted for Biden in 2020, but how do they think he is doing as President nine months in? Sarah and JVL also discuss the group’s thinking about the economy, Pennsylvania’s upcoming Senate race, and more. Listen to find out if JVL has a full-on meltdown.
Tim Miller, writer-at-large at The Bulwark, joins Sarah to discuss focus groups with Trump supporters in Ohio and Georgia, two states that feature crucial 2022 Senate races with Trump-endorsed candidates. Hear what they’re thinking about Josh Mandel, Herschel Walker, and more.
Bill Kristol, Director of Defending Democracy Together and conservative political commentator, joins Sarah for a focus group with conservative, yet reluctant, 2020 Trump and third-party voters in swing states across the country.
Amy Walter, editor and publisher of the Cook Political Report, joins Sarah for a focus group with the most coveted portion of the American electorate -- swing state voters who switched from Trump in 2016 to Biden in 2020.
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