July 26, 2021
Episode119

Fighting for the Soul of Democracy with Edward-Isaac Dovere of the Atlantic

Donald Trump and his regime posed a serious threat to the very soul of our nation. Beginning with Hillary Clinton’s loss and continuing through Joe Biden’s decisive victory, Isaac Dovere provides us with unprecedented behind-the-scenes reporting of the Democratic Party’s fight to defeat Trump and restore America by retaking the White House.

Edward discusses his new book Battle for the Soul: Inside the Democrats’ Campaign to Defeat Trump, and the insights he gained while writing it.

Praise for Battle For the Soul:

PRAISE

“In the tradition of Theodore White’s The Making of the President . . . . A riveting account . . . filled with turning point moments. . . . Scenes jump off the page.”
—The Washington Post

“Essential reading. . . . Dovere’s first book is informed and granular, filled with up-close quotes and lacerating observations, a must-read for newsrooms and political junkies. . . . Battle for the Soul provides ample warning and plenty of food for thought.”
—Lloyd Green, The Guardian

“A wide-ranging history of a tangled campaign.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“An incisive and deeply reported portrait of the Democratic party in exile during the Trump presidency . . . . Littered with rich characterizations, wry humor, and impressive insider access.”
—Publishers Weekly

“There’s so much in it. It’s so dishy. It’s so fantastic. You’ll learn a lot.”
—Julie Mason, SiriusXM

“Candy. . . . Even if you think you know the dynamics, you read a great book like this by a great reporter, and you learn these new things.”
—John King, CNN

“One juicy book.”
—Alex Witt, MSNBC

“It is outstanding. Strongly recommend. I think it is probably the best read of the 2020 campaign. The success of the book is that it doesn’t get bogged down in the horse race, electoral math type thing, but it talks about the personalities, how the personalities drove what happened in an extraordinarily unpredictable campaign.”
—Charlie Sykes, The Bulwark

“Highly recommend – it is a dynamite book.”
—John Fugelsang, SiriusXM

“An extraordinary new book.”
—Thom Hartmann

“The inside campaign details I was craving. . . . Buy the book.”
—Dave Weigel, The Washington Post

Listen:

Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts

Sources for audio clips

Intro
Clinton concedes to Trump after missing shot at history - CBS evening news https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQOtbcmCyis
Inside Hillary Clinton’s Failed 2016 Campaign | Hardball | MSNBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLRDq_G8Isw
Wis. Rep. Moore At DNC: 'We Are Gathered To Reclaim The Soul Of America’ | NBC News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGE-edHPx7U
US election: The Democrats strategy to beat Trump | 2020 DNC analysis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To9MvvwqgpU
Trump Rigged Claims
Donald Trump accuses Democrats of plot to 'steal' election at Republican convention - Guardian News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLYs_wiD9Hw
Cambridge Analytica
Cambridge Analytica: Undercover Secrets of Trump's Data Firm - Channel 4 News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy-9iciNF1A
Phonebanking
President Barack Obama Phone Banks for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl-P9FzMZjE
Obama Democratic Party Advice
Obama's Advice To Democratic Party - Obama White House https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNWNujR4ppM
Biden Tragedies
How Joe Biden's Life Has Been Shaped By Tragedy And Politics | Morning Joe | MSNBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-pPS0kWFc0
Sanders Clinton Campaign Data
Sanders campaign accesses Clinton data - CNN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGlP7x-owAA
COVID Campaign
Covid, covid covid' - Trump says opponents are using the pandemic to make him look bad | Campaign 2 - KHOU11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWHjWm6Q9lM
GOP Socialist Agenda
The decades-long Republican strategy of tying Democratic proposals to ‘socialism’ - Washington Post https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysw8_9NjWvk
Outro
Why I Am A Democrat - Douglas County Dems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtKzhTnJ8l4

Show Credits

Host: Alyssa Milano
Executive Producer: Alyssa Milano
Associate Producer: Ben Jackson
Editing and Sound Production: Natasha Jacobs
Music by: Josh Cooke & Eleisha Eagle