What is the Democratic Party? What Could It Be?
Descripción del Episodio
President Trump is very unpopular right now. But polls show the Democratic Party is just as unpopular – if not more so. So what can the party do about it?
But to answer that question, you first have to understand what the Democratic Party is. That is, mechanically, what is it? What powers does it have? When you call the Democratic Party, who picks up the phone? And how can that party, the official party, be reinvented for this era?
Ben Wikler has a unique perspective on this question. He transformed the Democratic Party of Wisconsin into a fund-raising, door-knocking powerhouse when he served as chair from 2019 to 2025. And he’s shared some of his insights from winning elections in a swing state in his new book, “This Is The Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy.”
In this conversation, we discuss Wikler’s vision for a reinvigorated party, as well as the kinds of changes he thinks Democrats need to embrace if they want to build a bigger tent and a national majority.
Mentioned:
“This Is How Democrats Win in Wisconsin” with Ben Wikler on The Ezra Klein Show
“GOP midterm strategy: Make it a ‘hate election’” by Marc Caputo
Book Recommendations:
Master of the Senate by Robert A. Caro
Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected].
You can find the transcript and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.html
This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Rollin Hu. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Julie Beer. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Johnny Simon. Our recording engineer is Johnny Simon. Cinematography by Kyle Kelley. Video editing by Steph Khoury and Arpita Aneja. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Marie Cascione, Annie Galvin, Kristin Lin, Emma Kehlbeck, Jack McCordick, Marina King and Jan Kobal. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Shows is Annie-Rose Strasser. Transcript editing by Sarah Murphy and Marlaine Glicksman.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episodios Recientes
Más podcasts de Sociedad y Cultura
Ver toda la categoría →
Sold a Story
By shows
Sold a Story is an investigative podcast about how kids learn — what works in the classroom, the science behind those insights and why that research often doesn’t make it into schools. Season 1 revealed why so many kids are struggling to learn how to read, and it sparked a wave of change across the country. In Season 2, we go beyond reading to look at teaching itself.
The Code To Winning
By shows
<p>The Code To Winning is an engaging podcast that centers around insightful interviews with a diverse range of guests, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and CEOs. With a compelling motto, “Insights you need today to seize the world tomorrow,” the podcast delves into the strategic and practical aspects of success in the dynamic world of business. Through in-depth conversations, listeners gain valuable perspectives and strategies from accomplished individuals who have navigated the complexities of the business landscape. Those who know what it takes to win. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an established professional, The Code To Winning offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to empower you on your journey to success. Tune in to unlock the secrets and strategies that can propel you towards achieving your goals in the ever-evolving business world.</p>
Psycho Politics with George Conway
By shows
<div>American politics has gone a little psycho, and George Conway is here to make sense of it. Joined by friends, colleagues, and expert guests, George digs into the legal battles, political fights, elections, personalities, and power struggles shaping American politics, from Trump and the courts to primaries, the future of democracy, and whatever fresh absurdity is consuming Washington.</div>
Market Maker
By shows
The AmplifyME Market Maker Podcast makes finance fun and easy to understand. Hosted by LinkedIn Top Voice Anthony Cheung, alongside trader-turned-founder Piers Curran and former investment banker and entrepreneur Stephen Barnett, each week they break down the biggest market stories and trends shaping the global economy. Get real insight, build your commercial awareness and learn how markets really work, with top guests from leading banks, hedge funds and asset managers sharing their expertise, career journeys and advice.
Unhedged
By shows
Katie Martin, Robert Armstrong and other markets nerds at the Financial Times explain the big ideas behind what’s happening in finance right now. Every Tuesday and Thursday.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Lemonade Stand
By shows
Three guys with the expertise to run a lemonade stand explain the world of business. a podcast by Aiden, Atrioc, and DougDoug. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Finect Talks
By shows
<a href="https://go.ivoox.com/wv/premios26?c=6406" target="_blank">¡Vótame en los Premios iVoox 2026!</a> <br>Finect Talks, el podcast que te ayuda a invertir mejor. Hablamos de ahorro e inversión de una forma entretenida y con un invitado semanal. https://www.finect.com/