Stubborn Things

More Presidential Tiers!

Back by popular demand, this week, Sean and Jay continue their rankings of America’s presidents. After harshly grading the antebellum presidents, our Stubborn Things hosts sprinkle in a few good grades for the presidents of the latter half of the 19th century. Still, failing grades abound, as Stubborn Things has a strict policy against grade inflation! Let us know in the comments where you agree and where you disagree with Sean and Jay’s tiers. Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast [https://x.com/aei_STpodcast]. Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org [StubbornThings@aei.org].

Bayou Ballots

This week, Stubborn Things is laser-focused on the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. Our hosts discuss the history of the Voting Rights Act, as well as the Gingles test which the majority updated last week. Sean and Jay evaluate how far-reaching the Court’s decision will prove to be, and they correct some of the narratives that have emerged in the wake of the decision. What do they think of Justice Alito’s argumentation? What about Justice Kagan’s dissent? Take a listen to find out! Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast [https://x.com/aei_STpodcast]. Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org [StubbornThings@aei.org]. Show notes: Louisiana v. Callais [https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-109_21o3.pdf] Amy Coney Barrett’s Precedent and Jurisprudential Disagreement [https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/law_faculty_scholarship/293/]

The Evolution of the Democratic Party with Ruy Teixeira

Jay and Sean are joined this week by Ruy Teixeira, Nonresident Senior Fellow at AEI and longtime analyst of Democratic politics. Our hosts interview Ruy about the evolving relationship between the Democratic Party and organized labor, whether Democrats can learn from their past mistakes to form a durable electoral coalition, and more. Along the way, Jay, Sean, and Ruy discuss the “Abundance" movement, immigration, class, and if there are any heterodox Democrats who can make waves in future elections. Take a listen! Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast [https://x.com/aei_STpodcast]. Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org [StubbornThings@aei.org]. Show notes: America's Forgotten Majority [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ruy-teixeira/americas-forgotten-majority/9780465011810/?lens=basic-books] The Emerging Democratic Majority [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Emerging-Democratic-Majority/John-B-Judis/9780743254786] Where Have All the Democrats Gone? [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250877499/wherehaveallthedemocratsgone/] Ruy's last article [https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/no-learning-please-were-democrats?sort=new] in The Liberal Patriot

Special Edition: Presidential Tiers

This week, our hosts take a break from talking about the drama of 21st century American politics and turn back the clock. In this very special edition of Stubborn Things, Jay and Sean start the Very Official Stubborn Things Presidential Tiers List. They start, of course, with Washington and make it all the way through Buchanan. See where Jay and Sean agree and where their lists diverge. Take a listen and let us know what you think about our tiers! Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast [https://x.com/aei_STpodcast]. Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org [StubbornThings@aei.org]. Show notes: Jay’s biography of James Madison [https://www.aei.org/research-products/book/james-madison-americas-first-politician/]

SAVEing the Voting Discourse

Our Stubborn Things hosts this week talk voting and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a.k.a. the SAVE Act, a.k.a. the SAVE America Act, currently making its way through Congress. Jay and Sean discuss how the bill would change voting, the advantages and challenges with requiring proof of citizenship to vote, and the bad faith arguments each camp makes about the bill. Then, they go back in time to review the 2021 Democrat-led For the People Act, and Sean calls Jay old. Finally, the episode wraps with a focus on campaign finance and the role of big money in elections. Take a listen and let us know what you think! Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast [https://x.com/aei_STpodcast]. Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org [StubbornThings@aei.org]. Show notes: H.R.22 – SAVE Act [https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22] Yuval Levin’s [https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/nationalizing-elections-is-a-very-bad-idea-as-it-was-when-democrats-tried-it/]National Review [https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/nationalizing-elections-is-a-very-bad-idea-as-it-was-when-democrats-tried-it/] article [https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/nationalizing-elections-is-a-very-bad-idea-as-it-was-when-democrats-tried-it/] NYT [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/us/billionaires-federal-election-campaign-contributions.html]article about campaign finance [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/us/billionaires-federal-election-campaign-contributions.html]