It's the Democracy, Stupid Featured Interviews

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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath." Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build. Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central to be part of the conversation. About EdwinEdwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago’s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority. Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved.  Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton’s campaign slogan, "It’s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It’s the democracy, stupid." In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on Substack, hosts a weekly show on Lincoln Square, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work. He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist Jennifer Schulze.

  1. Sep 27

    Missouri Democrats Chair Russ Carnahan: WCPT 820 Interview

    Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Russ Carnahan, chair of the Missouri Democratic Party and former member of the U.S. House and the Missouri House. The discussion focused on Missouri Democrats’ election strategy, voter initiative power, redistricting litigation, and election security concerns. Here are a few key points from the conversation:- Carnahan said Democrats are contesting more than 97 perfcent of Missouri legislative seats, including many rural districts.- Courts rejected a mid-decade congressional map and restored use of the 2022 maps after challenges involving the state referendum process.- Missouri voters will consider a November measure intended to strengthen their ability to protect citizen initiatives. - Democrats are targeting the state auditor race, the Missouri Second Congressional District, and enough legislative seats to end the Republican supermajority.- Carnahan said protecting Congressman Emanuel Cleaver's Kansas City district from being divided remains a priority.- He argued that Missouri could become competitive in future presidential elections if candidates campaign there.- He described efforts involving polling place observers, early voting, volunteer organizing, and monitoring foreign interference.- He said Missouri Democrats are also trying to reach rural voters affected by tariffs, beef and diesel costs, and rural hospital problems. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).    Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Missouri Democrats Chair Russ Carnahan: WCPT 820 Interview

  2. Sep 27

    Kansas Reflector editor Clay Wirestone: WCPT 820 Interview

    Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Clay Wirestone, editor of the Kansas Reflector. Wirestone is also the author of "Opinionated: Kansas Journalists Who Proved Why Commentary Matters: Then and Now" (out September 29).  The conversation examined Kansas politics, the competitiveness of its current statewide races, and the role of informed local opinion journalism.  Here are a few key points from the conversation:- Kansas retains strong Republican voting habits, but voters have rejected some Republican-backed positions, including abortion restrictions and school board agendas.- Clay attributed this tension to Kansas’s longstanding Republican identity and its history as a progressive Republican state, alongside a pattern of electing Democratic governors.- The U.S. Senate race between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton was described as unexpectedly competitive, with recent polling favoring Hamilton.- Marshall has faced criticism over limited town hall events and public campaigning, and damaging reporting about lawsuits involving former patients.- The governor’s race may favor Republican Ty Masterson because Democrat Cindy Holscher lacks comparable campaign funding and has faced sustained attack ads.- Clay argued that informed, locally grounded opinion is increasingly scarce but important for context, accountability, and community trust.- His new book documents Kansas’s long tradition of influential commentary. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).    Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kansas Reflector editor Clay Wirestone: WCPT 820 Interview

  3. Sep 27

    The Guardian's Aisha Down: WCPT 820 Interview

    Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Aisha Down, global technology reporter for the Guardian; her latest article is "Your AI doomsday questions answered: ‘What, if anything, can people like me do about it?’" The conversation examined AI’s societal, political, economic, and democratic risks. Here are a few key points from the conversation:- Down argued that extinction narratives often rely on speculative scenarios and fail to account for practical constraints, while acknowledging risks from agentic systems, cyberattacks, biosecurity, and attacks on banks or universities.- The discussion challenged anthropomorphic views of AI and questioned whether intelligence measured by high IQ translates into real-world agency or goals.- Industry leaders may amplify claims about AI’s power to support valuations, delay IPOs, shape regulation, and encourage regulatory capture.- Data centers and chip financing could represent a speculative bubble, with delays, interlocking companies, and debt creating unresolved financial risks. - AI is also accelerating surveillance, misinformation, and internet fragmentation, while health technologies and tools for treating cancer, paralysis, and other conditions offer significant benefits. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).    Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Guardian's Aisha Down: WCPT 820 Interview

  4. Sep 27

    Vote.org's Andrea Hailey: WCPT 820 Interview

    Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org. She discussed voter registration trends, voting access, election safeguards, and trusted voter information ahead of the election. Here are a few key points from the conversation:- Vote.org reported registration activity about three times higher than in the previous midterm cycle, with 18-year-olds representing about 35 percent of registrations through its platform.- Interest was especially high in Texas, at roughly 30 times previous election-cycle levels, with additional activity in Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, and Maine.- October deadlines and outreach through text and email were identified as important tests of whether the registration surge continues.- Voters are encouraged to verify registration repeatedly at Vote.org, make a voting plan, and execute it early where possible.- Hailey raised concerns about voter-roll changes, unprocessed Texas applications, polling place access for students, restrictive identification rules, and barriers to digital registration.- Vote.org does not sell voter data and distinguishes its services from sites that combine voter information with behavioral data for targeting.  Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).    Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Vote.org's Andrea Hailey: WCPT 820 Interview

  5. Sep 20

    WCPT 820 Interview: Chioma Chukwu of American Oversight

    Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog organization that advances accountability and democracy by enforcing the public’s right to government records. Chukwu discussed American Oversight's nonpartisan investigations and litigation concerning government transparency, election administration, civil rights, and government weaponization. Here are a few key points from the conversation.- Chioma explained that American Oversight uses public-records requests, investigations, partnerships, and litigation to expose government actions and defend transparency.- The organization views an informed public as essential to a strengthened democracy and said litigation can pause or stop harmful actions.- Records obtained from the Department of Justice showed White House efforts to connect election conspiracy theorists with senior officials. "What we uncovered," Chukwu told WCPT, "were records showing that election deniers have essentially been invited into this administration, and that the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, herself personally helped open the door."- The people involved promoted policies that would reduce mail voting, eliminate voting machines in favor of paper ballots, "and in the records that we uncovered," she added, "they actually propose that the DOJ give them authority to go around the country advising election officials, and it's like, who are these people?" Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).    Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Chioma Chukwu of American Oversight

  6. Sep 20

    WCPT 820 Interview: Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland

    Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for Bleeding Heartland, a community website focused on Iowa politics. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).    Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland

  7. Sep 14

    WCPT 820 Interview: David Smith of the Guardian

    Edwin Eisendrath is joined by David Smith, Washington bureau chief for the Guardian. The discussion explored how the post-9/11 response reshaped U.S. power, democracy, civil liberties, and contemporary politics. Here is a brief summary of the conversation:- The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, detentions, abuses, and expanded national-security powers damaged U.S. credibility and contributed to distrust in government.- The response diverted attention from China’s rise and helped weaken the rules-based international order.- The discussion connected those policies to political polarization and the rise of Donald Trump.- Executive authority expanded across multiple administrations, while efforts such as closing Guantanamo failed to reverse that trend.- Trump was described as an intensification of existing weaknesses, including bypassing Congress, targeting perceived enemies, and using national-security rhetoric against political actors.- Far-right movements in the U.S. and Europe are interconnected through online influence, nationalism, and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).    Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: David Smith of the Guardian

  8. Sep 13

    WCPT 820 Interview: Will Bunch of The Philadelphia Inquirer

    Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Will Bunch, national opinion columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer. His latest column is "In Pa. coal country, local police join with ICE to bring arrests, fear." The discussion examined the expansion of the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program and its local effects, then turned to Senator John Fetterman’s political future. Here is a brief summary of the conversation: - Bunch described how increased federal funding and incentives have encouraged small police departments to join 287(g).- In Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, 14 departments reportedly joined, with officers conducting checkpoints, traffic stops, and support for ICE operations.- The program has contributed to racial profiling, wrongful arrests, fear among Latino residents, and reduced local economic activity.- The discussion raised concerns about whether local police are prioritizing immigration enforcement over public safety.- Potential liability includes brutality, wrongful arrests, violence, and lawsuits- Bunch said Pennsylvania voters are increasingly focused on Fetterman’s conduct and that he is unlikely to win the 2028 Democratic primary in the state.- Possible paths discussed were switching parties or running as an independent, seeking re-election with Republican and independent support. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).    Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Will Bunch of The Philadelphia Inquirer
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About

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath." Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build. Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central to be part of the conversation. About EdwinEdwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago’s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority. Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved.  Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton’s campaign slogan, "It’s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It’s the democracy, stupid." In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on Substack, hosts a weekly show on Lincoln Square, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work. He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist Jennifer Schulze.

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