Nervous TikTok

It’s really hard to upset the dynamics of an election this late in the game; but Donald Trump and the corrupt forces that fear accountability are desperate and very powerful.

In this episode, Matt and Brian discuss:

• The Trump-Vladimir Putin-Elon Musk troika making moves before the voters weigh in;

• TikTok and Meta meddling in political discourse and organizing before the voters weigh in;

• Republicans trying to discredit the concept of oversight, and smear Elissa Slotkin, before the voters weigh in.

Then, why have the narrative stakes of the Michigan Senate race become so freighted? Abdul el-Sayed is on track to win, and everyone is extremely invested in telling a story about why this is or isn’t a huge deal. Does AOC really mean it when she says that if el-Sayed can win in Michigan, progressives can play anywhere? Why don’t progressives simply argue that every state and district should aim to nominate the most progressive viable candidate in the field? Also, what happens if Angie Nixon turns out to be the best progressive overperformer on the Democratic ticket? Brian and Matt offer complementary theories on what’s driving the thunderdome politics of Democratic factional infighting.

Answers are available in full to paid subscribers. Only the first half’s available to freeloaders and viewers on YouTube. Upgrade your subscription and pipe full episodes directly to your favorite podcast app via your own private feed.

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Further reading:

• Matt takes an optimistic look at the Senate Democrats on the frontline.

• Brian defends Senator Elissa Slotkin for donning the mantle of accountability, against all the scumbags lying about her.

• Brian argues progressives have applied the wrong litmus tests to their recruits, if their goal is to set the table for transformative policy change in the future.