S6 Ep6: They're 'Opening the Door' (with Andrew Egger)
For the last few weeks, the Trump administration has escalated its authoritarian impulses, from pressuring ABC to cancel a late night host, to deploying the Texas National Guard to Chicago. You might call it "authoritarian," but the voters are just getting mildly queasy. The Bulwark's Andrew Egger joins the show to talk about the news, the voters, and how we're even supposed to cover it these days.
By Andrew Egger:
Morning Shots: The Insidious Effort to Rationalize Trump’s Lawfare
Get your first three months with Mint Mobile for $15/month at https://MintMobile.com/THEFOCUSGROUP.
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S6 Ep5: I'd Do Anything To Win (But I Won't Do That) (with Dan Pfeiffer)
We haven't caught up with Democratic voters since the summer. So, who do they see in the Democratic Party who is distinguishing themselves? And, do Democratic voters really want to shut down the government? It turns out some of them are really wrestling with how to wield power. Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of Pod Save America and author of the Substack newsletter The Message Box joins Sarah to download on how the base of the party is feeling.
Get free shipping and 365 day returns from Quince at https://Quince.com/THEFOCUSGROUP.
By Dan Pfeiffer:
Why Everyone Should Stop Freaking Out About Gavin Newsom's Social Media
The Democratic Divide That Could Decide 2026 (and 2028)
New NYT Poll Shows How Dems Can Win the Shutdown - and the Majority
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S6 Ep4: The Right's 'Turning Point'? (with Will Sommer)
Charlie Kirk was one of the most important figures in conservative media for over a decade, especially for Gen Z. We asked a couple of focus groups of young conservatives what Kirk meant to them, how they're grappling with his passing, and who else they think will take up his mantle on the right. Will Sommer, author of The Bulwark's False Flag newsletter, joins Sarah to discuss the state of young conservatives and his reporting on Kirk's legacy.
Get your first three months with Mint Mobile for $15/month at https://MintMobile.com/THEFOCUSGROUP.
Get 30% off your first order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com with promo code THEFOCUSGROUP.
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S6 Ep3: 'Secure Borders...At What Cost?' (with Adrian Carrasquillo)
Donald Trump is bleeding support from Hispanic voters, including from some who voted for him. So, we found some former Trump voters who are souring on him, and asked them why. Adrian Carrasquillo, author of The Bulwark's Huddled Masses newsletter, joins the show to discuss voter sentiments on immigration, the future of the immigration debate (especially among Democrats), and his on-the-ground reporting in cities around the country.
By Adrian Carrasquillo:
Trump Hasn’t Invaded Chicago, But the City Is Still Rattled
Get free shipping and 365 day returns from Quince at https://Quince.com/THEFOCUSGROUP.
For our friends in Canada, we added a second live show with Sarah, Tim and Sam to the schedule. Tickets are on sale now for our bonus Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27, here.
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S6 Ep2: You Can Ramp It Up or Ramp It Down (with Rachel Kleinfeld)
The murder of Charlie Kirk was the culmination of Americans' long-brewing fear of political violence. First, political violence expert Rachel Kleinfeld joins Sarah to discuss the ramifications of Kirk's death on the American body politic, and then Sarah discusses voters' fears of political violence that we've heard through the years.
Unfiltered, uncompromising, unexpected—The Focus Group is a look into what the average voter thinks about politics, policy, and current events. Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, has conducted hundreds of hours of focus groups all across the country. She and a series of special guests will take you behind the glass to hear what real focus group participants have to say.
https://www.thebulwark.com/podcast/focus-group/
South Africa