Political Gabfest Who Wants a Third Party, Anyway?
60 snips
Jul 10, 2025 
Mike Pesca, host of The Gist and a former colleague, joins Susan Glasser, a New Yorker staff writer making her Gabfest debut. They explore Elon Musk's ambitious—and some might say quixotic—attempt to form a third political party in the U.S. The discussion dives into Trump’s contradictory foreign policy, rooted in self-interest, and the ongoing repercussions of his tariff strategies. They also touch on the broader implications these dynamics have on American political engagement and daily life amidst rising challenges.
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Moderates Can't Hijack Congress
- Centrists rarely hijack Congress despite pivotal votes due to personality and psychology.
- Hardline factions from right or left dominate because of their ruthlessness.
Independent Candidate Dan Osborne
- Dan Osborne ran as an independent in Nebraska's Senate race without Democratic opposition.
- He nearly defeated the Republican incumbent in a Trump-favored state running as a true independent.
Nebraska Politics and Independents
- Nebraska's unique politics and off-year election dynamics improve independent candidates' chances.
- The Democratic base's consistent turnout strengthens off-year performance for independents like Osborne.
