Kitchen Table Issues Win: Democrats Connect, Republicans Miss Lessons

Resources

Books

• "The Harvard Plan" - This is the second season of a series mentioned, focusing on issues related to Harvard University.

Videos & Documentaries

• "28 Days Later," "28 Weeks Later," "28 Years Later" - A series of zombie movies that the host enjoys watching as an escape on airplanes.

Research & Studies

• "The last of us" - A series that the host has rewatched twice on planes, implying it is a significant viewing experience for them.

Tools & Software

• AI - Mentioned as a tool that businesses could use to ensure prices end in fives or zeros, rather than being rounded up or down by human decision.

Articles & Papers

• "The Harvard Plan" - Mentioned as a series that is now in its second season, focusing on issues related to Harvard University.

People Mentioned

• Mike Johnson - Republican House Speaker, who stated that the recent election results were not indicative of future outcomes and that Republicans have an extraordinary record to run on.
• Kamala Harris - Mentioned in the context of presidential elections, stating that all the mentioned states (New York, New Jersey, Virginia, California) went for her.
• Mike Dubke - Veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor on the right.
• Elizabeth Warren - Former presidential campaign director for whom Rebecca Piercey worked.
• Donald Trump - Mentioned for leaning into immigration, crime, foreign policy, and inflation in the 2024 election, and for his current statements on tariffs and the economy.
• Mikie Sherrill - Democratic Congresswoman who won the race for New Jersey Governor.
• Abigail Spanberger - Former Congresswoman who won the race for Virginia Governor.
• Zaron Mamdani - Self-described democratic socialist who won the mayor's race in New York City.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - Congresswoman who spoke about Mamdani's win in New York City, framing it as a victory against the old guard of the Democratic party.
• Chuck Schumer - Mentioned as part of a potential reckoning within the Democratic party between his wing and the Bernie Sanders wing.
• Bernie Sanders - Mentioned as part of a potential reckoning within the Democratic party between his wing and the Chuck Schumer wing.
• Jeffries - Mentioned in the context of a potential reckoning within the Democratic party in the House.
• Nancy Pelosi - Former Speaker of the House, whose retirement is mentioned as an example of generational change.
• Gavin Newsom - Governor of California, whose effort to temporarily suspend the use of independent commissions to redistrict congressional districts was supported by California voters via Proposition 50.
• Kathy Hochul - Governor of New York, who endorsed Zaron Mamdani but is against increased taxes for the rich.
• Sarah Isgur - Mentioned as someone who has stated that voters are to blame for the people in office who voters don't want.
• Claire McCaskill - Mentioned as an example of a Democrat who was able to affect a Republican primary in Missouri, leading to her win in the general election.

Organizations & Institutions

• Harvard University - Mentioned in the context of a battle over control of American universities and a series called "The Harvard Plan."
• Boston Globe - Mentioned in relation to "The Harvard Plan."
• On the Media - A podcast where "The Harvard Plan" can be heard.
• Bryson Gillette - A political communications firm where Rebecca Piercey is a partner.
• KCRW - Participates in the production of "Left, Right & Center."
• Fearless Media - Co-produces "Left, Right & Center."
• PRX - Distributes "Left, Right & Center."
• FAA - Federal Aviation Administration, mentioned in the context of air traffic controllers and TSA not getting paid due to a government shutdown.
• TSA - Transportation Security Administration, mentioned in the context of not getting paid due to a government shutdown.
• Head Start - A program mentioned as being closed due to a government shutdown.
• US Senate - Mentioned in the context of open primaries being effective in some races.
• Missouri - A state where open primaries have been used effectively as a tactic.
• Indiana - A state where open primaries have been used effectively as a tactic.

Courses & Educational Resources

• Open Primaries - Discussed as a potential reform to the two-party system, allowing more choice for voters.
• Ranked Choice Voting - Mentioned as an alternative reform to open primaries that could be effective.

Websites & Online Resources

• kcrw.com/lrc - Where to download and subscribe to "Left, Right & Center."
• kcrw app - Where to download and subscribe to "Left, Right & Center."
• mintmobile.com/lrc - Website for Mint Mobile's unlimited plans.
• vanguard.com/audio - Website for Vanguard's bond offerings.
• kcrw lrc.substack.com - Website for the "Left, Right & Center" community conversation on Substack.
• lrc@kcrw.org - Email address to send voice memos and questions for the show.

Other Resources

• Proposition 50 (California Ballot Question) - A ballot question voters in California supported, which temporarily suspends the use of independent commissions to redistrict congressional districts, allowing Democrats to increase their number of congressional districts.
• Government Shutdown - A recurring theme, impacting services like Head Start and the FAA/TSA, and contributing to negative consumer confidence.
• Tariffs - Mentioned as a policy that may be increasing prices on goods and services.
• Penny (Coin) - Mentioned as no longer being produced, with a rant about companies not using AI to adjust prices fairly in its absence.
• Zombie Movies - A genre of movies that the host enjoys watching as an escape on airplanes.
• Romcoms - A genre of movies that the host finds embarrassing to watch on planes due to crying.