What happens when the very fabric of American democracy is put to the test? Join us as we confront the alarming state of our nation in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, featuring a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. We begin by dissecting the chaos of January 6th, 2021, when a Trump-incited mob stormed the Capitol, marking a pivotal moment in our history—a moment that saw many Republican members of Congress attempt to overturn the election results, forever altering the party's trajectory toward authoritarianism.

Our journey takes us back to the 1960s, exploring the origins of racially charged rhetoric and the pivotal shifts of the Republican Party. From Barry Goldwater's extremism to Nixon's Southern strategy and Reagan's unifying conservative factions, we unravel how coded language and strategic political moves laid the groundwork for today's divisive landscape. The rise of figures like Newt Gingrich and the influence of Fox News further transformed Republican politics, setting the stage for the Tea Party and the ideological battles that followed Obama's election. And, then Trump.

As we examine the aftermath of the 2020 election and the January 6th attack, we spotlight Trump's baseless voter fraud claims and the disturbing rise of far-right militia groups. With the 2024 election on the horizon, we discuss the precarious state of American democracy and the erosion of democratic norms.

Guests: Dr. Ian Haney Lopez, Dr. David Faris, Dr. David Gushee, & Dr. Edward Watts

Sources:
January 6th Audio Footage – Courtesy of the January 6th House Committee
Nixon/Reagan Call – Courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum: Tape 013-008
Ronald Reagan 1980 Campaign Ad – Courtesy of the Reagan Foundation
Ronald Reagan Campaign Remarks 1976 – Courtesy of the Reagan Library
Ronald Reagan Remarks at Liberty Park – Courtesy of the Reagan Library
Ronald Reagan Inaugural Address – Courtesy of the Reagan Library
Obama Inaugural Address – Courtesy of President Barack Obama White House Archive
Trump Sworn In – Courtesy of President Donald Trump White House ArchiveKevin McCarthy Statement on Trump – Courtesy of C-Span
Mitch McConnell Statement on Trump – Courtesy of C-Span
Liz Cheney Statement on House Floor – Courtesy of C-Span
Confessions of a Republican – Courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library
Infados - Kevin MacLeod
News Theme · Kevin MacLeod
Dark Tales: Music by Rahul Bhardwaj from Pixabay

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