Skip to content

By playing, you agree to uListen's Terms and Privacy Policy and YouTube's Terms of Service.

On with Kara SwisherOn with Kara Swisher

The new Democratic Party is leaving the Old Guard behind

With just months until the midterms and President Trump’s approval ratings stuck in the 30s, Democrats believe they have a real chance to retake Congress.

Amanda LitmanguestRoshni NedungadiguestKara SwisherhostAdam Jentlesonguest
Jul 20, 202652mWatch on YouTube

Summaries, chapters, transcripts, and FAQs on this page are made by uListen, not YouTube.

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Insurgent Democrats rise as voters reject status quo and demand delivery

  1. The episode examines why progressive and insurgent candidates are toppling Democratic incumbents, with panelists emphasizing a mix of ideological conflict and a powerful outsider-versus-status-quo backlash.
  2. Amanda Litman and Roshni Nedungadi describe a Democratic base—especially young voters and voters of color—that feels taken for granted and unconvinced party leaders will deliver, driving a surge of people wanting to run for office.
  3. The panel uses recent examples in Colorado, New York, Maine, and Michigan to show how issues like cost of living, Gaza/Israel, corporate money, and candidate authenticity are reshaping Democratic primaries.
  4. They debate how to harness insurgent energy without repeating Tea Party–style candidate failures, stressing rigorous vetting, avoiding top-down “kingmaking,” and prioritizing general-election electability.
  5. Looking toward 2028, the speakers frame the moment as a potential party realignment, arguing Democrats need a broader “big tent” built on popular economic messages, credibility in governing, and leaders who are both optimistic and tough on accountability.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

The insurgent surge is both ideological and anti-establishment.

Adam Jentleson argued that insurgent momentum comes from a mix of clear policy differences (he highlighted Medicare for All and Gaza) plus an outsider-versus-insider dynamic that turns anger at “DC” into votes.

Many new candidates are running because they feel Democrats failed to deliver and fight.

Amanda Litman said Run for Something saw nearly 100,000 sign-ups in 18 months, driven by frustration that Democratic leaders aren’t “fighting,” aren’t “showing up,” and haven’t “delivered,” especially for younger generations unwilling to “wait their turn.”

Core Democratic groups feel unheard—and that vacuum is being filled by insurgents.

Roshni Nedungadi said young voters, voters of color, and other core Democratic constituencies feel taken for granted, creating an opening for insurgents who respond directly to current issues and frustrations.

Cost-of-living messaging is a winning insurgent playbook, even when Gaza grabs headlines.

In discussing New York races linked to Zohran Mamdani, Amanda Litman said the door-knocking focus wasn’t only Gaza; it centered on cost-of-living issues like housing, childcare, and infrastructure, framed as “you have problems, we have solutions.”

Mamdani is cited as proof that high-energy insurgency can pair with pragmatic governance.

Adam Jentleson said Mamdani’s success is partly his “energy” and also pragmatic governing choices, including distancing from earlier “defund the police” comments and keeping the police commissioner despite left pressure.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

My leaders are not fighting for me. They're not showing up for me. They don't care about me. They haven't delivered for me. I am not going to wait my turn. I'm not gonna get to the back of the line. I am done being told to just, like, be patient.

— Amanda Litman

I really think you can't understate how important the, the Gaza conflict is to a lot of this.

— Adam Jentleson

Voters smell the bullshit. They don't like it, and it inevitably backfires, as we saw in Maine.

— Amanda Litman

Can you call what we are seeing in Gaza a genocide as it so clearly is? Can you see the atrocity, and can you name it?

— Roshni Nedungadi

I don't know if there's enough money that can sell a shitty product.

— Amanda Litman

Read the available transcript
Outsider vs insider dynamicsGenerational frustration with Democratic leadershipCost-of-living agenda (housing, childcare, affordability)Gaza/Israel as a moral and factional dividerAIPAC and money in politicsCandidate vetting and “kingmaking” risksICE, immigration enforcement, and messaging nuance

SPEAKERS

  • Amanda Litman

    guest

    Leads Run for Something, a group that recruits and supports first-time and young progressive candidates for local and state office.

  • Roshni Nedungadi

    guest

    Partner at HIT Strategies, a public opinion research and polling firm.

  • Kara Swisher

    host

    Host of the podcast On with Kara Swisher.

  • Adam Jentleson

    guest

    Political strategist at The Searchlight Institute and author of the forthcoming book Supermajority.

High quality AI-generated summary created from speaker-labeled transcript.

Get more out of YouTube videos.

Read along on your phone, search it beside the video, or ask your favorite AI app what was said.

iOSAndroidClaudeChatGPTChrome