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Stuart Stevens | The Conspiracy to End America

Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California・49 minutes read

Stuart Stevens, a senior advisor to the Lincoln Project, argues in his book that the current Republican Party is an autocratic movement disguised as a political party, questioning the future of free and fair elections in America. Stevens highlights the challenges journalists face in reporting on a party that disregards truth, criticizes the Republican Party for its lack of governing philosophy, and explores the shift from aspirational politics to a grievance mentality under Trump's presidency.

Insights

Stuart Stevens argues that the current Republican Party is transitioning into an autocratic movement, posing a threat to democracy through elements like a supportive major party, financiers, propagandists, shock troops, and a legal structure working together to undermine democratic principles.
The Lincoln Project, spearheaded by Republican consultants, aims to prevent voters from returning to Trump by focusing on questioning voters about their values and identities, highlighting the importance of emotional appeals in political messaging and the potential growth of Trumpism within the Republican Party post-Trump's loss.

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Recent questions

What does Stuart Stevens argue about the Republican Party?
It is an autocratic movement disguised as a political party.
What are the five elements of transitioning into autocracy?
A supportive major party, financiers, propagandists, shock troops, and a legal structure.
How does Stuart Stevens view the Republican Party's current state?
It lacks governing philosophy and core values.
How does Stuart Stevens compare Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump?
Reagan was optimistic, Trump is dark and divisive.
What is the Lincoln Project's goal regarding Trumpism?
To prevent voters from returning to Trump.

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Summary

00:00

"The Conspiracy to End America: Republican Autocracy"

Stuart Stevens is a senior advisor to the Lincoln Project and author of "The Conspiracy to End America: Five Ways My Old Party Is Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy."
Stevens worked as a Republican strategist for leaders like President George W. Bush, Senators Bob Dole, Chuck Grassley, Dick Lugar, and Mitt Romney.
In his book, Stevens argues that the current Republican Party is an autocratic movement disguised as a political party.
He questions if the 2024 election will be America's last free and fair election.
Stevens reflects on his previous book, "It Was All a Lie," where he explores his misunderstanding of the rise of Donald Trump within the Republican Party.
He joined the Lincoln Project in 2020 and had a realization that Trump was going to lose the election.
Stevens identifies five elements present when a democracy transitions into autocracy: a supportive major party, financiers, propagandists, shock troops, and a legal structure.
These elements work together synergistically to undermine democracy.
Stevens discusses the challenges journalists face in reporting on a party that disregards truth and good faith.
He criticizes the current state of the Republican Party, noting its lack of governing philosophy and core values, operating more like a cartel focused on defeating Democrats rather than serving a greater good.

16:45

Republican Party Struggles with Trumpism's Impact

Mitch McConnell went from being the majority leader of the Senate on January 5th, 2021, to waking up as the minority leader on January 6th, facing a mob in his office.
Despite the threat to their lives, McConnell and his colleagues did not vote to convict Donald Trump for inciting the mob.
The Republican Party is facing a significant collapse due to their refusal to hold Trump accountable for his actions.
Tom Emmers, a brief nominee, displayed statesman-like qualities by voting to certify the election results.
The Republican Party is struggling to appeal to nonwhite voters and those from lower economic backgrounds.
Efforts to attract nonwhite voters have historically failed due to a lack of effective policies.
Ronald Reagan's optimistic approach contrasts sharply with Donald Trump's dark and divisive rhetoric.
Trump's presidency shifted the focus from aspirational politics to a grievance mentality, particularly among white voters.
The Republican Party's platform now revolves around fulfilling Trump's desires, leading to a loss of individual policy influence.
Trumpism is characterized by hate and anger, exhausting its followers and potentially leading to a decline in influence.

32:29

Trump Supporters: Law, Economics, and Loyalty

The text discusses the author's lack of interest in understanding individuals who support Trump, focusing instead on holding them accountable for breaking the law.
It highlights the economic status of Trump supporters, noting that the only economic group he carried in 2020 were those earning $100,000 or more.
The text questions why African-Americans, who have faced historical injustices, have not resorted to storming the Capitol like some Trump supporters, emphasizing their belief in America.
It delves into the racial motivations behind attempts to suppress votes in areas with large Black populations, likening it to Jim Crow politics.
The author criticizes the Republican Party for supporting individuals who attempted to overturn the election results, labeling their actions as a coup rather than election denial.
The text discusses the author's disappointment in Chris Christie for endorsing Trump despite his previous conflicts with him, questioning the loyalty of those who worked for Trump.
It explores the Russian influence in electing Trump and the pro-Putin sentiments within the Republican Party, attributing it to a preference for authoritarianism and white male dominance.
The text delves into the power of American oligarchs like Peter Thiel and their influence on political decisions, suggesting they hold more power than their Russian counterparts.
It mentions the Lincoln Project, a group of Republican consultants formed to oppose Trump, aiming to sway Republican and Democratic voters to support Biden in the 2020 election.

48:52

Lincoln Project: Focus on Trump for Election

In January 2020, there was a theory that Democrats should not focus on Trump in the race.
The Lincoln Project disagreed, stating Trump was the primary issue.
Biden's message aligned with the Lincoln Project's focus on Trump.
An open letter was written to Republicans in October, urging them to stand for America.
The Lincoln Project aims to help Biden win reelection.
Joe Trippi, a Democratic consultant, is now involved in the Lincoln Project.
The Lincoln Project operates without a client, allowing freedom in messaging.
The Lincoln Project aims to prevent voters from returning to Trump.
Trumpism may continue to grow in the Republican Party even after Trump's loss.
The Lincoln Project's strategy involves questioning voters on their values and identity.

01:05:07

"Politics: Emotions, Ideology, and Minority Rule"

In politics, it is crucial to make the race about a topic that resonates deeply with voters, transcending ideology, as seen in campaigns focusing on issues like healthcare or hope and change.
Successful campaigns often frame issues in a way that appeals to emotions and beliefs, rather than solely focusing on the topic itself, as exemplified by messaging around abortion.
The Republican Party is characterized by a group of individuals, such as Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Matt Gaetz, who are perceived as unlikable and strange, with a management style likened to that of a mob boss by elevating questionable individuals to positions of power.
The current political landscape raises concerns about minority majority rule, with issues like the Electoral College and Supreme Court appointments highlighting flaws in the system that may not have easy solutions, as discussed in Stuart Stevens' book "The Conspiracy to End America: Five Ways My Old Party is Driving Our to Autocracy."

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