“There’s a mismatch in the way American elections work, which ends up making it hard for people to think strategically and clearly. In particular, what it feels like you should be doing to fight for democracy, and what might be effective to do when fighting for democracy.”
–Ezra Klein, episode 257 of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
Ezra Klein is a columnist for The New York Times, the host of The Ezra Klein Show, and the author of Why We’re Polarized. He joins us this week to unpack the debate around school closures in the wake of Omicron (6:00), President Biden’s push to pass voting rights legislation (11:30), the GOP’s “precinct strategy” to win local elections (16:24), and what Democrats need to do ahead of the November midterms (23:00).
On the back-half, Ezra reflects on his early years covering Washington (29:35), his decision to leave VOX for The New York Times (34:37), his role in today’s media landscape (38:10), and where he’s finding hope in 2022 (45:29).
To submit a question, comment, or reflection for our mailbag episode, write us at mail@talkeasypod.com.
Show-notes:
- Read Ezra’s column in The New York Times.
- Follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
- Listen to his podcast, The Ezra Klein Show.
- Purchase Ezra’s 2020 book, Why We’re Polarized.
- Read this NYT Opinion essay by Dr. Grinspan and Dr. Manseau, curators at the Smithsonian: It’s 2086. This Is What American History Could Look Like.
- For more, hear our past conversations with Michael Lewis, Roxane Gay, Dave Eggers, Jake Tapper, Jelani Cobb, Anna Sale, Nathaniel Rich, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
- Order your Talk Easy mug in cream and navy or our vinyl record with Fran Lebowitz.
Illustrations by: Krishna Shenoi.
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