The Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur joins Bad Faith to talk his presidential campaign, where he thinks the left should look next now that it’s over, and why the Uncommitted campaign is faring so much better than any single outsider candidate so far. And then, inevitably, we have the force the vote conversation that’s been three years in the making, as we reflect on our different theories of change going into the 2024 season. You wont want to miss this one. Have we managed to re-unify the left?

Short Summary

1. The speaker discusses their experience as an outsider running for president and facing obstacles, particularly regarding their eligibility as a non-native-born citizen.
2. They express frustration at not receiving credit for addressing a civil rights matter and compare their situation to how a more privileged candidate might have been perceived differently.
3. The conversation shifts to discussing the challenges faced by left-leaning political campaigns in gaining traction and support, citing examples like the Cornell West campaign.
4. The speaker reflects on how running as an outsider can impact the perception and reception of their campaign, highlighting biases and complexities within the political landscape.
5. They discuss the challenges faced when running against a Democratic incumbent, highlighting the party’s power and censorship behind the scenes.
6. The speaker mentions instances where they were falsely accused of being anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic, illustrating how these smears can affect their campaign and allies.
7. They express disappointment in the lack of response from progressive politicians like Rashida Tlaib, despite their alignment with progressive causes.
8. The discussion emphasizes the importance of standing up against the status quo and advocating for progressive change.
9. The speaker criticizes progressive politicians like AOC for not taking bold actions and making sacrifices for their principles.
10. They highlight the missed opportunities and lack of clear demands in the political process, stressing the need for meaningful change and pushing back against false narratives.