The Realignment

Madeline Hart, co-founder of Palantir First Breakfast and co-author of Mobilize, is a defense-industrial policy thinker focused on institutional reform. She discusses why institutions should tolerate contrarian builders, how peacetime mobilization deters great power war, the harms of post-Cold War consolidation, and ways to reintroduce market dynamics, AI, and reindustrialization into defense procurement.

Michael Laskaway, editor of The States Forum Journal and state-policy advocate, explains why states are becoming the real centers of American politics. He describes the American Promise worldview and how state-level reforms — from tuition freezes to right-to-repair and election administration — reshape national debates. Conversations cover storytelling, coalition-building, and how states fill federal policy gaps.

Saagar Enjeti, political commentator and Breaking Points co-host, weighs in on the Iran conflict and its fallout for the America First movement. He contrasts populist antiwar instincts with establishment interventionism. Short takes cover whether MAGA will resist escalation, historical parallels, domestic costs, Israel’s influence, and the broader geopolitical ripple effects.

A thinker makes the case that liberalism lacks an authentic narrative that connects with voters. He contrasts why rival movements win with simple, adaptable stories and why tactical messaging falls short. Practical steps for assembling a cohesive liberal story are proposed, along with the key cultural and policy questions that any successful narrative must confront.

Ned Resnikoff, Roosevelt Institute fellow and former California YIMBY policy director, offers a concise mini bio. He walks through YIMBY’s roots and tactical evolution, how housing supply ideas expanded into an ‘abundance’ frame across sectors, debates within abundance coalitions, and the mix of regulatory reform and public investment needed to scale supply.

Steve Teles, Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center and political scientist, discusses why moderates struggle in anti‑status‑quo moments. He explores the Captured Economy, how abundance needs credible economics, and lessons from education and housing reform. Short takes on making abundance a practical, consumer‑facing project that builds durable political energy.

Ben Winsor, policy analyst at the Open Markets Institute with campaign and foreign policy experience, and Austin Ahlman, reporter and political analyst focused on corporate power and swing voters, discuss wielding economic populism today. They cover when polling helps, why DC centrism misses real voters, picking visible fights like health care, naming corporate villains, linking democracy to economic fixes, and getting ahead of the AI debate.

Laura Field, author and researcher of conservative intellectual movements, explains how a network of thinkers built the MAGA New Right. She traces Claremont’s influence, the Flight 93 essay’s popularization, post-liberal Catholic strains, and national conservatism. Short, punchy accounts of institution-building, culture-war campaigns, and why ideas and rhetoric translated into political power.

Saikat Chakrabarti, president and co-founder of New Consensus and former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, discusses moving government from “failure mode” to “mission mode.” He contrasts centrist small fixes with big transformational goals. They debate immigration policy, abolishing ICE and redesigning enforcement. They also explore rebuilding state capacity, long-term planning, and political realignment.

Brink Lindsey, Senior Vice President at the Niskanen Center and author of The Permanent Problem, discusses his transformation from a libertarian to what he calls a 'brokeness liberal.' He explores the legitimacy crisis in liberal democratic capitalism, the impact of rising AI, and how new societal challenges demand systemic change. Brink argues for well-designed social insurance to support market dynamism and the need for a deeper analysis of abundance beyond mere productivity. He highlights the importance of purpose in a thriving society, cautioning against consumerism.