I appreciate Van Jones because he will tell it like it is. I miss seeing him on CNN. I just can't watch anymore because of the insufferable Scott Jennings.
Great discussion! I wasn't able to listen to 100% of it, but I would be curious to hear a discussion about the gender issue, as well. I realize it is sensitive, but there appears to be many Americans of both genders who are steadfast about the presidency being a man's job. Twice in recent years two very capable and experienced candidates have not been able to seal the deal. I grew up in Norway where we had our first female prime minister in 1981, and there are about 40-50% women in all cabinets and board rooms. Would love to see a real honest and open discussion around that, because it is fascinating.
The first is the Christian right. It is nuanced but they believe men are supposed to be above a woman. We have whole denominations where a church will be kicked out if they ordain a woman
There also a group who longs for the old days when white males were dominant
The good news is there have been in many different fields women who have pushed thing’s forward The most recent one is Kaitlyn Clark I women’s basketball
Mr. Cillizza: I cannot agree with you whatsoever about Mr. Jones. I believe he is perhaps the most self-serving "advocates" on political cable news and provides a very inconsistent perspective on virtually all issues he has commented. I have a very long history of working on Latino issues. I have served as the political analyst for the Univision network, covered three political conventions of both parties, and continue to provide analysis on Spanish language radio and cable news. I would love to be invited to discuss with you why I believe Mr. Jones is error prone on many of his comments on the Latino community, how the D's deal with communities of color, and why President Obama was perhaps the most problemative President for Latinos and others in contemporary history. I am not a laden Trumper, liberal, old Republican, or Neo-anything. Rather I have learned over many years that it is best for minority communities to be independents and that political labeling undermines finding solutions to problems in our society that have plagued non-white communities for decades and generations.
I cannot say this with enough disdain for CNN. I’m perplexed by your continual carrying water for all your former CNN colleagues. Van Jones HAD IT WRONG! You had to right! You were literally reporting on the RFK move, the Rogan interview, the shift away from mainstream media. Van Jones is shifting to where you were the whole time! Van Jones wept when Biden was replaced. Van Jones railed against Donald Trump. Van Jones IS the mainstream media. I really wish you had more faith in your writing and analysis. Van Jones finally coming to where you’ve been the whole time is revelatory for him, perhaps, but not for your readers. You were right on the money the whole time, and Van Jones should be interviewing YOU to find out what he missed.
It is important to play nice but also to remain vigilant. Essentially the 2024 votes went to a man who was charged with 34 felony counts and convicted unanimously for all 34. He was convicted of sexual abuse in a civil law suit. And let’s not forget the Mueller Report, which reached the conclusion that even though a sitting president cannot be indicted, the report which has two volumes states many times (6?) that Trump was not exonerated. And on and on.. The next Trump term will not be any different. Part of me says the people who voted for him should clean up his mess in four years and not leave it for the Democrats to do, I’m done with that guy. Yet the other part of me says to stay vigilant. It is not going to be a good four more years. How can we think it will be.
The reality is that America is a 50-50 nation, and elections are won or loss based on the political headwinds of the moment, with pundits always overemphasizing underlying structural factors in the final result. In 2020 Trump lost due to his handling of COVID-19, in 2024 Harris lost due to the perceived poor economy, Biden's cover-up of his cognitive difficulties, and the subsequent chaotic elevation of Harris herself. Combined, all of it soured the electoral waters enough for Trump to win.
If Harris ran the exact same campaign in 2028, and Trump faced the same economic/performance headwinds as Biden, Harris probably would win. Van Jones overreaction is about as valid as Karl Rove's post-2004 observation of a permanent Republican majority.
Universal basic income would help level the playing field for those who are a flat tire or check engine light away from disaster. Past time to move in this direction
Wow!!! This was awesome. I must admit when I saw it was going to run for 53 minutes I thought I would tune out after a few. But heck I listened to the whole thing. This was incredible. And as I have said before folks underestimate Trump and the fact that as Van says he quite smart.
Putting aside Van's idea that having white nationalists in your party ranks is somehow an equal flaw to having people in your ranks that will correct and humiliate you if you say something wrong....these two things are simply not equal, and it's quite frankly insulting to intelligent people to suggest that they are.
Where do we actually draw the line on tolerance? How are we supposed to tolerate a party that is accepting of white nationalists and voters who seemingly aren't bothered by this fact? I don't expect an answer because maybe there isn't one, but I'm sitting here wondering if I'm insane for wondering how in the world we got to this point.
I think his point was that just because there are some bad apples in the barrel doesn’t mean every apple is bad. And to assume so is elitist. He has a point. Don’t stop the conversation just because you disagree on things.
To be clear, you’re suggesting that white nationalists are simply bad apples and that there is some equivalency in the Democratic Party? What is it?
I’m happy to have conversations; I have plenty of Republican friends. I’ve asked them all why they’re OK with white nationalists having a home in their party. I’ve yet to hear any answer, let alone a good one. But hey.
YES, TRUMP IS LIKE HITLER, BUT NOT IN THE WAYS YOU THINK
Beyond the caricatures lies a chilling blueprint: how both leaders exploited grievances, scapegoated the vulnerable, and built myths of strength to dismantle democracy.
Chris, Three is a lot of good stuff in this interview. However, I am seeing a big disconnect between the transcripts you have posted of the president elect's rally speeches and interviews and the comment "Trump is smart." Somebody may be more tactical in the Trump campaign but I do not think it is Trump being "s
mart.'" Moreiver, when we start normalizing what should not be normalized it becomes a slippery slope. It is now being ,"elitist" to claim some statements and positions are uninformed or wrong.
P S. Send Van a bag of kale chips with your thank you note to him :)
Calling Trump smart is pretty irresponsible. Trump does things to be liked because he’s a narcissist. Does what makes him comfortable. While this may have attracted more voters to vote for him this time, his decision to go for the male misogynistic, immigrant hating voter to do that doesn’t seem to have involved any degree of thought. Just as Harris not doing that to counter him did not involve a lack of thought on her part.
Loved it! Thanks for getting Van on and letting us hear the valuable things he has to say.
I appreciate Van Jones because he will tell it like it is. I miss seeing him on CNN. I just can't watch anymore because of the insufferable Scott Jennings.
Great discussion! I wasn't able to listen to 100% of it, but I would be curious to hear a discussion about the gender issue, as well. I realize it is sensitive, but there appears to be many Americans of both genders who are steadfast about the presidency being a man's job. Twice in recent years two very capable and experienced candidates have not been able to seal the deal. I grew up in Norway where we had our first female prime minister in 1981, and there are about 40-50% women in all cabinets and board rooms. Would love to see a real honest and open discussion around that, because it is fascinating.
Erik, That is a very good point
I think that might come from two places
The first is the Christian right. It is nuanced but they believe men are supposed to be above a woman. We have whole denominations where a church will be kicked out if they ordain a woman
There also a group who longs for the old days when white males were dominant
The good news is there have been in many different fields women who have pushed thing’s forward The most recent one is Kaitlyn Clark I women’s basketball
Mr. Cillizza: I cannot agree with you whatsoever about Mr. Jones. I believe he is perhaps the most self-serving "advocates" on political cable news and provides a very inconsistent perspective on virtually all issues he has commented. I have a very long history of working on Latino issues. I have served as the political analyst for the Univision network, covered three political conventions of both parties, and continue to provide analysis on Spanish language radio and cable news. I would love to be invited to discuss with you why I believe Mr. Jones is error prone on many of his comments on the Latino community, how the D's deal with communities of color, and why President Obama was perhaps the most problemative President for Latinos and others in contemporary history. I am not a laden Trumper, liberal, old Republican, or Neo-anything. Rather I have learned over many years that it is best for minority communities to be independents and that political labeling undermines finding solutions to problems in our society that have plagued non-white communities for decades and generations.
Chris,
I cannot say this with enough disdain for CNN. I’m perplexed by your continual carrying water for all your former CNN colleagues. Van Jones HAD IT WRONG! You had to right! You were literally reporting on the RFK move, the Rogan interview, the shift away from mainstream media. Van Jones is shifting to where you were the whole time! Van Jones wept when Biden was replaced. Van Jones railed against Donald Trump. Van Jones IS the mainstream media. I really wish you had more faith in your writing and analysis. Van Jones finally coming to where you’ve been the whole time is revelatory for him, perhaps, but not for your readers. You were right on the money the whole time, and Van Jones should be interviewing YOU to find out what he missed.
I have always believed Vsn tells the truth! Thank you for the conversation!
It is important to play nice but also to remain vigilant. Essentially the 2024 votes went to a man who was charged with 34 felony counts and convicted unanimously for all 34. He was convicted of sexual abuse in a civil law suit. And let’s not forget the Mueller Report, which reached the conclusion that even though a sitting president cannot be indicted, the report which has two volumes states many times (6?) that Trump was not exonerated. And on and on.. The next Trump term will not be any different. Part of me says the people who voted for him should clean up his mess in four years and not leave it for the Democrats to do, I’m done with that guy. Yet the other part of me says to stay vigilant. It is not going to be a good four more years. How can we think it will be.
The reality is that America is a 50-50 nation, and elections are won or loss based on the political headwinds of the moment, with pundits always overemphasizing underlying structural factors in the final result. In 2020 Trump lost due to his handling of COVID-19, in 2024 Harris lost due to the perceived poor economy, Biden's cover-up of his cognitive difficulties, and the subsequent chaotic elevation of Harris herself. Combined, all of it soured the electoral waters enough for Trump to win.
If Harris ran the exact same campaign in 2028, and Trump faced the same economic/performance headwinds as Biden, Harris probably would win. Van Jones overreaction is about as valid as Karl Rove's post-2004 observation of a permanent Republican majority.
Thank you - so many unique insights. Van is a great thinker - and person.
Please do this more but talk about how to move forward!
Universal basic income would help level the playing field for those who are a flat tire or check engine light away from disaster. Past time to move in this direction
Wow!!! This was awesome. I must admit when I saw it was going to run for 53 minutes I thought I would tune out after a few. But heck I listened to the whole thing. This was incredible. And as I have said before folks underestimate Trump and the fact that as Van says he quite smart.
Putting aside Van's idea that having white nationalists in your party ranks is somehow an equal flaw to having people in your ranks that will correct and humiliate you if you say something wrong....these two things are simply not equal, and it's quite frankly insulting to intelligent people to suggest that they are.
Where do we actually draw the line on tolerance? How are we supposed to tolerate a party that is accepting of white nationalists and voters who seemingly aren't bothered by this fact? I don't expect an answer because maybe there isn't one, but I'm sitting here wondering if I'm insane for wondering how in the world we got to this point.
I think his point was that just because there are some bad apples in the barrel doesn’t mean every apple is bad. And to assume so is elitist. He has a point. Don’t stop the conversation just because you disagree on things.
To be clear, you’re suggesting that white nationalists are simply bad apples and that there is some equivalency in the Democratic Party? What is it?
I’m happy to have conversations; I have plenty of Republican friends. I’ve asked them all why they’re OK with white nationalists having a home in their party. I’ve yet to hear any answer, let alone a good one. But hey.
YES, TRUMP IS LIKE HITLER, BUT NOT IN THE WAYS YOU THINK
Beyond the caricatures lies a chilling blueprint: how both leaders exploited grievances, scapegoated the vulnerable, and built myths of strength to dismantle democracy.
Read more…
https://open.substack.com/pub/patricemersault/p/yes-trump-is-like-hitler-but-not?r=4d7sow&utm_medium=ios
Chris, Three is a lot of good stuff in this interview. However, I am seeing a big disconnect between the transcripts you have posted of the president elect's rally speeches and interviews and the comment "Trump is smart." Somebody may be more tactical in the Trump campaign but I do not think it is Trump being "s
mart.'" Moreiver, when we start normalizing what should not be normalized it becomes a slippery slope. It is now being ,"elitist" to claim some statements and positions are uninformed or wrong.
P S. Send Van a bag of kale chips with your thank you note to him :)
Calling Trump smart is pretty irresponsible. Trump does things to be liked because he’s a narcissist. Does what makes him comfortable. While this may have attracted more voters to vote for him this time, his decision to go for the male misogynistic, immigrant hating voter to do that doesn’t seem to have involved any degree of thought. Just as Harris not doing that to counter him did not involve a lack of thought on her part.
I have been saying for quite some time it’s the left behinds. That is exactly what Van Jones was talking about
I also have been talking for many years about cultural arrogance. Everyone should believe and think like I do. Van Jones talked a lot about that
As you said this was well worth watching. Though I do think he has an obsession with kale:>)