'Brothers'

'Brothers'

George W. Bush has often referred to Bill Clinton as his brother—once even calling him “my brother from another mother.” George W. Bush has also said that his mother considered Clinton to be her fourth son. Barbara Bush herself once remarked in an interview that, because Clinton never knew his father, George H. W. Bush had become something of a surrogate father to him. There is no question that Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush had a close relationship that transcended politics. However, if Bush truly became a father figure to Clinton, when did that paternal relationship begin? And — if Clinton regarded George H. W. Bush as a surrogate father, does that mean George H. W. Bush had two “sons” who became presidents of the United States in succession after himself? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #423. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'The Heel'

In professional wrestling, the ‘heel’ plays an essential role. The heel is the villain—the character the audience is meant to dislike and root against, in contrast to the hero. Although the heel and the hero cooperate behind the scenes to put on the match, the audience is expected to see them as genuine adversaries. The heel's job is twofold. First, he must make the audience despise him. The louder the boos and jeers, the more effectively he is performing his role. Second, he must make the audience love the hero. The more passionately the crowd cheers for the hero, the more successful the heel has been. In what ways is American politics like professional wrestling? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #422. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'Demoralization'

CNN data analyst Harry Enten aired a segment on July 4, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, examining polling on how proud Americans are of their country. The polling indicated that Democrats, particularly younger Democrats, are much less likely than Republicans to say they are proud of the United States. During the segment, Enten said that only 36% of Democrats described themselves as “extremely” or “very” proud to be American, compared with 92% of Republicans. What role, if any, does demoralization play in the lower levels of national pride reported among Democrats? Is it possible that Americans are being intentionally demoralized, and if so, by whom and for what purpose? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #421. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'Marxism Crisis'

Many establishment Democrats seem surprised that socialists are gaining influence within their party, as if they slept through the past decade and have only now woken up. In 2016, Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, came close to winning the Democratic presidential nomination. Without the party’s superdelegate system and other actions by the DNC, he might have succeeded. In 2020, Sanders again emerged as a leading contender, but his rivals withdrew from the race and consolidated their support behind Joe Biden, effectively blocking Sanders’s path to the nomination. The rise socialism in the United States should not surprise anyone. The conditions have created an environment that is ideal for socialism. How did conditions in the United States become so conducive to the spread of socialism? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #420. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'Tribalism Crisis'

One of the biggest challenges facing the United States as it approaches the nation's 250th birthday is tribalism, particularly racial tribalism. In many respects, the country appears more racially divided today than it did 50 years ago, at the time of its 200th birthday. This may seem counterintuitive because, as society becomes more diverse and pluralistic, one might expect race relations to improve. In many ways they have, and it would be inaccurate to suggest that no progress has been made. Nevertheless, there are also indications that racial polarization has increased over the past 50 years. What accounts for this apparent deterioration in race relations in the United States, and was it intentional? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #419. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]