Newt Gingrich on Sponsorship, Polarization and Achieving Unity, “After the War” - This Week on The Divided States of Media

Pro Tip: When speaking about polarization with Newt Gingrich within seven days from a Presidential Election, prepare for a wild ride. Our thirty-five minutes together is all at once the shortest, most dense, and perhaps most consequential discussion we've had on this series. At 77, Newt is at once the storied Republican Warrior, fighting an existential threat where through this election, the fate of America hangs in the balance, and concurrently the softened Elder Statesman, calling conservatives to listen and seek common ground with the other side. In our short time, he offers his thoughts on the history of our divisions, systemic racism, and prescriptions for how businesses, media, and politicians can pull us out of our "cycle of cynicism and negativism." Newt's comparison of today to the pre-Civil War Era where the prospect of war became inevitable, are concerning to say the least. As a historian and political practitioner, few have lived that have known more about the occupants of our Highest Office. We explore our contrasting expectations of Trump's behavior, George Washington's position on parties, and the secret to his success in collaborating with Bill Clinton. For extra credit, he regales us with a story about the time Richard Nixon gifted him a strategy that later resulted in the Republican Revolution, his position as House Speaker, and perhaps a clue that explains our union's current state. If it makes you feel better, we also talk about podcasts. "For the country's sake, it would be really helpful if starting in December or January, people could just listen to each other." It doesn't matter if you love or hate the man or his policy positions; this interview is an education.

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