America's Great Divide: Ben Rhodes Interview | FRONTLINE

Ben Rhodes served as deputy national security adviser to Barack Obama. He is currently a writer and political commentator and co-host of the podcast "Pod Save the World."
Rhodes' candid, full interview was conducted with FRONTLINE during the making of the two-part January 2020 documentary series “America's Great Divide: From Obama to Trump.”
Watch Part One here: • America's Great Divide...
And Part Two here: • America's Great Divide...
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This interview is being published as part of FRONTLINE’s Transparency Project, an effort to open up the source material behind our documentaries. Explore the transcript and interactive version of this interview, and others, on the FRONTLINE website:
www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/in...
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[@frontline]

This interview was conducted with FRONTLINE during the making of our two-part documentary series “America's Great Divide.” Watch Part One here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ-wc4yDhLmqe9U and Part Two here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ombZqneGg5Zsrdk

[@rynono]

This guy is a clown. The left has done far more damage and propaganda work over the past 50 years than trump has ever done. That is how we are where we are at today, on the doorstep of Marxism. And it's people like this that believe in a fantasy that keeps the nation divided.

[@ianbeaupre5838]

@@rynono And your comment now lives on in perpetuity as evidence of everything he’s talking about lol. Marxism? They weren’t even trying to fully socialize healthcare, let alone the entire political system (which would obviously be a totally impossible thing to do). I do appreciate you supporting PBS with your attention though :)

[@rynono]

@@ianbeaupre5838 I'm sorry you don't understand. I'm not talking about healthcare or other social programs. I'm also talking about the divide. Particularly, identity politics, which is what was used by Stalin to usher in communism/marxism. Now policies and legislation are being made using the false ideology of identity politics and critical race theory. Both things are meant to divide people and are Marxist/communist concepts. Something that was used to subvert german and Russian societies to bring in communism. Is well-known history. Ever hear of the Milgram experiment? People will do horrible things if they are instructed to do them by a figure of authority. Just like how you openly mock and attack me, the media and democrats tell people it's okay to openly attack those that go against their cult-like ideology. Seems your comment will live on to show how ignorant and overconfident you are about your ability.

[@ianbeaupre5838]

@@rynono alright man, you win - it was the left all along! I was just laughing at the fact that the first comment on a documentary about the political divide in America is calling the guy a clown and accusing him of marxism, classic. To me the identity politics stuff certainly seems to flow both ways, but I do sincerely apologize if you felt triggered by my comment.

[@rynono]

@@ianbeaupre5838 not triggered just stating facts.

[@aaronm6952]

literally the great divide is in this comment section.

[@prometheusrex1]

But inexplicably, PBS (laughably, and with dramatic hand-wringing) pathologizes that divide, which has been endemic in human life since human prehistory. There are forever great (and sometimes violent) divides on all major decision/policy points in tribal/civilized life, both at the micro and macro levels (immigration, war, health, religion, reproduction, work/productivity, etc.). Unity is the exception, not the rule.

[@stoozdee]

prometheusrex1 Time to evolve, bucko.

[@ebrennie]

prometheusrex1 What you describe is a documentary I’d love to watch. We need to begin thinking as a species, rather than as a political party or even nation states. And we need to be far more introspective about how our species evolution influences all of our behaviors. If we can transcend some of that (i’m not convinced it’s possible to transcend all of it - were still individuals), we might accomplish some great things - like getting off this rock and seeding life in the universe.

[@26michaeluk]

No matter what party you support, watch both sides interviews.

[@sagesheahan6732]

THAT!!!! YES!!!!!

[@justmyopinion9883]

I've been watching both sides. All these interviews have been very good.

[@mypillowguy445]

Yes, how else will you learn how racist and crazy Republicans are.

[@26michaeluk]

@@mypillowguy445 lol

[@bliss4383]

​@@mypillowguy445 Not all of us. I’m a Never Trumper who didn’t vote for him in 2016, and on Oct. 30, 2020, I voted for every Democrat on the ballot. Trump is a Psychopathic Narcissist, informally called a Malignant Narcissist. Watch Steve Schmidt and The Lincoln Project videos. They are just one of five Never Trump Republican groups, and alone, raised at least 60 million to support Biden. We have all defected from a highly defective Party, and I doubt I will ever go back. I think “The Lincoln Project 60 Minutes Interview” is a great introduction to this group, as it explains why they’ve gone rogue. Also watch the Republican Voters Against Trump channel. And if you want to hear about all of Trump and his Administration’s civil and criminal violations, I highly recommend the GLENN KIRSCHNER channel. I absolutely love Schmidt and Kirschner. These are men of high ethics and some real serious testicular fortitude. Biden’s going to the White House and Trump’s going to prison. He makes Richard Nixon look like a choirboy. Nixon was pardoned by his predecessor, Republican Gerald Ford. That ain’t gonna happen this time around....especially with Kamala as Veep. I lovingly call her a Barracuda, ready to have lunch. I loved watching her taking a big bite out of AG Barr. As a former Paralegal myself, I say, yeah. Let her have at it!

[@franciscovarela7127]

Thank you Frontline for publishing these interviews.

[@billjameson1254]

I'll say this: PBS is doing a FANTASTIC job getting everyone's side. You get Robert Reich and Steve Bannon, who probably despise each other and are directly opposed, both saying 'it's economic anxiety, how did they ('they' being both GOP Party 'post-mortem' after 2012 AND the Democrats in 2016) miss that it was all about economic anxiety?' Then we get guys like this, who show us EXACTLY the kind of person who missed. Who had their hand off the pulse, because their neighbors and fellows were doing well, didn't bother thinking of the Rust Belt beyond "white people." It is SO good to watch an idiot like this bury themselves and miss the point so hard, that it shows EXACTLY how the democratic party got buried. Bannon talks well about how the GOP donor class missed, but Reich kinda side-stepped it. By including this interview, we instantly see HOW the Democratic Party also missed. Some have the ability or wherewithal or honesty to introspect on camera and see how they whiffed on economic anxiety. This guy dismisses Robert Reich- but it's interesting how almost everyone featured on here goes against him, regardless of political stripe. Someone like Bannon- a man 'out' of the White House since like 2016 and owes no one anything. And Megyn Kelly (who he 'took out' and is now on MSNBC and owes nothing to right-wing news) agreeing that it took time for the Rush Limbaugh/Fox News to come around- but that groundswell of support came from Economic Anxieties. But it's remarkable to watch which advisors "get it" and which ones are steadfast in their religion. Now, maybe this guy's still grifting- he's younger than Robert Reich, for example, so he might still be pushing the publicly-acceptable-line that our corporate elites want, hoping to land back in the inner circle of power. A very multi-cultural, cosmopolitan, "Obama Did No Wrong, Here Have Some Identity Politics. What Do You Mean You Can't Afford Rent? Just Buy A House," style of liberal. Also, uh, 10:15, "White people- Like me." Dude's Jewish, like me. Not white. This guy is such a caricature!

[@TampaDave]

56:42 “If you can look at that (Obama singing “Amazing Grace”) and hate that guy, there is a problem with YOU, not him..” I know he wasn’t the only person who suddenly discovered tears in their eyes as we witnessed this event.

[@lazypops3117]

This infact reveals the sickness that is conservative America today

[@JonathanRodriguez-ib5ct]

Crocodile tears 😂

[@johnmcquiston2292]

Keep it up PBS. At times it feels like you’re the last bastion of sanity and thoughtful discussion in a country unmoored from reality, racing to madness. Bless you all!

[@dianel.9703]

Excellent interview , thank you. It's always difficult to be the first of anything, especially the first African American President.

[@skeeterbodeen8326]

These full interviews are a must see for ALL Frontline Specials....

[@palomaperry-vega9990]

For all of those freaking out about how one sided this is, take into consideration the other interviews in this series. Bias is to be expected, that’s critical thinking. Do the work of finding the truth, no one will do it for you-it lies somewhere between this interview and Ann Coulter’s. Please for The sake of our democracy SEEK OUT THE TRUTH don’t wait for anyone to spoon fed it to you, that’s how you become sheeple

[@scottielambert9312]

Yes. Reinforcing ones preconceived notions of truth is...well it is stupid. Watched Coulter right before this.

[@tonywalton1052]

I can't, cuz i drank the kool-aid - and now I'm dumb with little span of attention

[@SAS-fn9ce]

Paloma Perry-Vega so true. Was listening up until he said - we are told to be afraid of black and brown people. It’s the opposite of what Trump has stated. We should be cautious of who enters the US. Has nothing to do with color. So tired of that stupidity. It’s infuriating. Every presidential candidate spoke on boarder control up until recently. The Hispanic Americans that I know - agree to secure boarders. Why do you think they came here? To avoid the cartel and high crime. It’s about safety. Yes. We want legal immigration. No. We don’t want illegal immigration.

[@zebrazagadore4827]

@@tonywalton1052 hahahaha

[@stuartmcdonald5172]

Don't waste your time trying to reason with idiots (ie, the average American).. As soon as Trump got elected I realized that America is beyond help. Americans are incredibly ignorant and not worth taking seriously any more.

[@MostPowerfulPMofIndia]

I simply love the communication skills of USA. Love from India

[@justmyopinion9883]

If he was Obama's speech writer, he done a very good job.

[@Outta12]

This is a good series

[@jewellquander2444]

Excellent commentary. I really enjoyed listening to his views and experiences.

[@bh1935]

Thanks for releasing these. Frontline is a treasure !

[@shredlavallie8514]

@James clark agreed!!

[@annowens5019]

.... "James Clark": Projecting Again? CLARK Is The Product Of A Social Propagandism.

[@annowens5019]

@James clark ....You Really Should Do Something Positive About Your Deep And Obvious Sense Of Insecurity James.

[@chadclemen]

And Ben Rhodes is one of the biggest idiots on the planet!

[@camotee1680]

The thing is, people reacted when TARP was implemented. It's the most significant reason that Obama was hated. But what if, they didn't bail them out? What could happen? Will the economy tank? If so, he will be persecuted for not doing anything. Will the economy survive? Sadly, that's a what if. A question no one can really answer. He was in a very bad position. As for the banks, Congress protected them with their laws and of course, lobbying. So if you want to blame somebody, blame your representatives.

[@rhlopez2694]

Desperate times bring desperate measures. Hopefully the taxpayers get a bailout during this pandemic. So far only crumbs.

[@s.z.6200]

RepubliCONS always leave a disaster for democratic presidents to fix.

[@caniblmolstr4503]

Just look at France and you will get your answer. They chose to let their banks burn.... And they never recovered. What Obama did was make sure people have confidence in the banking system. Coz Banking is the backbone of any economy

[@JayKang11]

This was such an amazing interview. Thank you so much for this.

[@dianeowen2971]

Thank you. Great interview. Important truths.

[@mbolduc]

When you're weeping on a rickety stool on election night, remember you did this shit to yourselves. Frankly you deserve far worse

[@christopherstephenson7199]

What a great series this is

[@carlosaguilar-eu6ct]

Excellent series. if you did not know which party each individual here represents and just listened to what they are saying you would absolutely thing that one party is infatuated with racism, sexism and making excuses and the other one with the problems that affect real people. The great divide as the call it, is that probably you would think that your party is the one caring for real problems. Very sad state of affairs. Let's hope we get better and overcome this divide.

[@williamanthony9090]

If white people have issues they want addressed, it's immediately labeled as racism. If anyone else has issues, it's construed as the wonderful byproduct of American "diversity." Consequently, the divide is widening day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year... Eventually it's going to lead to an explosion not seen in this country since 1861!

[@Val-uy2me]

Doesn't look like it'll happen anytime soon. Listen to Trump or Fox or right-wing media -- everyone gets off on the extremes. Most of us are probably more center-thinking than anything.

[@fugamante1539]

This interview is quite impactful.

[@monicachakraborty7762]

This was an eye opening interview

[@TK-nc3ou]

he literally didn't say anything of essence

[@lazypops3117]

@@TK-nc3ou he explained the entire trajectory of the fall of American political civility.

[@TK-nc3ou]

@@lazypops3117 when did it happen? In Hiroshima?

[@anthonyburke9700]

They still dont get it

[@shredlavallie8514]

They never will. Criminals never get it!

[@mr7wi]

And we complain about conservatives being inside the bubble. SMH

[@THEREALSOURCE]

Who are the criminals? Democrats?

[@THEREALSOURCE]

Get what?

[@joshmccollen700]

While I don't agree with everything Rhodes says in this interview, especially his constant harping about race being a primary motivator behind public opposition to Democratic policies during the Obama era (although it was certainly a factor among certain slices of the electorate), Obama displayed more congeniality and open-mindedness in any single 24hour period than Bush did during his entire collective tenure. To his credit, Obama was determined to actually govern. It's remarkable that so many Republican and R-leaning independent voters, even now a decade later, still aren't aware of the cynicism and mendacity displayed by their party's leadership in their collective decision to say, "No." The GOP leadership even abandoned their own ideas and legislative pet projects as soon as Obama endorsed them. How the GOP chose to govern during a crisis that destroyed the lives of so many is disgusting to me.

[@JP-uk9uc]

That makes sense but honestly what do the Democrats have to offer except for slavery? They support the butcher of unborn children... Outrageous taxes... Like I'm thinking the whole while, am I the only one in my neighborhood paying taxes!, yet here comes more levies more taxes. Another $150 for every $1000 worth of home value and oh by the way here's your new assessment that went up another $300k.... $600 for tabs and $550 goes to buses so they can put a bus stop on every street corner so an extremely small minority of people can use it... What the hell is going on, full blown socialism - taxation without representation being shoved down our throats all the whole while my wage stays the same year after year.....

[@davidethompson1271]

@JoshMcCullen Race was an issue from the get-go. Hillaries campaign started it in the primary with the Birther Issue and the Tea Party jumped all over it. Yes, the Tea Party was the Caucus of No, but Obama dropped the ball and lost any credibility when he let the Bankers off the hook. I'm a moderate R, but that pissed me off.

[@Val-uy2me]

Wow -- well said. The only thing you left out is the disgusting thing McConnell & the GOP did in denying a hearing to Merrick Garland. The GOP plays dirty. Dems are definitely too nice & mostly play by the rules, much to the detriment of the party, TBH. Obama could never have done one iota of what Trump has done & said.

[@ColonelKlink100]

I agree Josh. If it had been all about race the Republicans would be working with President Biden now. The Republican Party was taken over by Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and QAnon.

[@GottaWannaDance]

Well, that makes no sense. It's easy to do something for one 24 hr period. Try the same over 8 yrs worth of 24 hrs. W. wasn't the president. Dick Cheney was. And finally, YES ... the Republicans were/are racist. I've heard it over and over during my lifetime how it really ticks them off that all the Democrats want to do is take every red cent from Americans only to give it to the N - words (or any other racist term). Ignorant and uneducated people do vote. Who did trump love most? He said the quiet part out loud.

[@BlueBaron3339]

Having worked on the Hill in at a very different time - the Reagan Administration - every Member of Congress, regardless of party, came to Washington to pass legislation. Fundamental goals were similar. The major difference was on how to accomplish them. But what Rhodes is describing is a Congress that wanted no legislation at all. It's like hiring workers for your auto factory only to find they hate the idea of cars. And yet they still expect to be paid for halting all automobile production. Hell is the inability of reason and these are, at the least, unreasonable times.

[@Carlsings]

That toad Reid would shelve anything not 100% with his party agenda. March Obama way or the highway, no compromise given. WTH did they expect? I know, complete surrender and lock-step obedience. One party system is what the Left would most adore. There's objective truth and there's Rhodes' truth and the two are far apart.

[@pro4965]

Gratitude for publishing these here. Nice work Frontline PBS

[@daniellartey7898]

The long time racism of America with its fibre deeply rooted is a very major problem having 'blinded' most people who can call the 'shots' and definitely do refused to help Obama as president and the American people bring about togetherness and rather fueled or incited divisiveness as in the abilities of the Tea Party sticking to politics as usual and the sense of overcoming an opposing party rather than seeing to the good of Americans as a whole sticking to a no at every turn and being satisfied at thinking of putting Obama at a corner did not help America.

[@citygirlro]

I love Obama. He worked hard to move this country forward despite the obstruction he faced. The incident with Moscow Mitch blocking the Merrick Garland appointment to SCOTUS says it all. Thank you for an insightful interview.

[@eugrules]

He said it at the end, "The government is staffed by OUR people."

[@hubbell627]

The greatest tyrants of the world, were "our people."

[@KazenoniKakuremi]

25:44 Mic 🎤 drop! 35:24 Dems should amplify these stories

[@monicachakraborty7762]

My thoughts exactly

[@chadclemen]

What Stories? The fact that Obama's biggest accomplishment was tripling the cost of healthcare? 😂😂😂😂

[@jaredbaranowski2144]

@@chadclemen I can’t tell if you’re being serious and just lieing to make a nonsensical point and defend you’re republican not true values or you’re just that dumb and don’t know how to work google

[@r8chlletters]

It’s really a shame that we didn’t have a bold and visionary leader when the moment for it came. Centrists will not solve these issues as demonstrated by the current outcomes. The rich get richer and the poor get the picture.

[@mplaw77]

Obama and Trump, all of us as Bertrand Russell wrote: “Every man, wherever he goes, is encompassed by a cloud of comforting convictions, which move with him like flies on a summer day.” Read : Thomas Sowell “A Conflict of Visions” Trump and Obama are great examples of two different visions one constrained the other un-constrained. We the people are likewise a mixed population, some leaning towards the constrained vision, some leaning the other way and a few, very few right in the middle seeing benefit in both understandings.

[@annowens5019]

WONDERFUL. IMPEACH Trump. Remove McConnell From The Senate And Begin to Fix The Corruption In Our Political System and Institutions And Interference From Foreign Nations: 1. Campaign Reform and 2. Repeal of the United Citizens vs Federal Election Commission. 3. Gerrymandering and Electoral College Reform

[@s.z.6200]

Donald Dump is unhinged.

[@advocate1563]

Gosh, a little unbalanced. Obama didn't drain the swap - indeed his policy of QE made things tougher for people - and his inaugural speech promised HOPE. He left them feeling ore hopeless than ever and he never held anyone to account for the crash. Prople always vote on the $ in their pocket.

[@michaelschnittker7388]

When was this recorded? Difficult to assess without some idea of when he spoke.

[@blackhair85]

the doc "Americas Great Divide" came out in 01/2020, so this was probably recorded in the middle to late 2019.

[@davidethompson1271]

Open the tab below the video and you will that info and more.

[@mccuenoirfilms]

Ben is awesome.

[@billjameson1254]

I'll say this: PBS is doing a FANTASTIC job getting everyone's side. You get Robert Reich and Steve Bannon, who probably despise each other and are directly opposed, both saying 'it's economic anxiety, how did they ('they' being both GOP Party 'post-mortem' after 2012 AND the Democrats in 2016) miss that it was all about economic anxiety?' Then we get guys like this, who show us EXACTLY the kind of person who missed. Who had their hand off the pulse, because their neighbors and fellows were doing well, didn't bother thinking of the Rust Belt beyond "white people." It is SO good to watch an idiot like this bury themselves and miss the point so hard, that it shows EXACTLY how the democratic party got buried. Bannon talks well about how the GOP donor class missed, but Reich kinda side-stepped it. By including this interview, we instantly see HOW the Democratic Party also missed. Some have the ability or wherewithal or honesty to introspect on camera and see how they whiffed on economic anxiety. This guy dismisses Robert Reich- but it's interesting how almost everyone featured on here goes against him, regardless of political stripe. Someone like Bannon- a man 'out' of the White House since like 2016 and owes no one anything. And Megyn Kelly (who he 'took out' and is now on MSNBC and owes nothing to right-wing news) agreeing that it took time for the Rush Limbaugh/Fox News to come around- but that groundswell of support came from Economic Anxieties. But it's remarkable to watch which advisors "get it" and which ones are steadfast in their religion. Now, maybe this guy's still grifting- he's younger than Robert Reich, for example, so he might still be pushing the publicly-acceptable-line that our corporate elites want, hoping to land back in the inner circle of power. A very multi-cultural, cosmopolitan, "Obama Did No Wrong, Here Have Some Identity Politics. What Do You Mean You Can't Afford Rent? Just Buy A House," style of liberal. Also, uh, 10:15, "White people- Like me." Dude's Jewish, like me. Not white. This guy is such a caricature!

[@coshi1894]

Great Report.

[@johnstewart7025]

He makes a really good case for Clinton's description of the GOP as "deplorables." However, I think a more nuanced view is that being black, having an African name and having lived in a Muslim country -- even having been born in Hawaii -- made it easier to make his "guns and bible" remark and the "apology tour" accusations stick, among other lies. At least for the "unwashed" majority of white voters. On the other hand, imagine if he had been the most American of black men -- South Side of Chicago, with a stereotypical inner city background. Then the slurs would have been about the children he fathered etc. etc. etc.

[@johnstewart7025]

@Nutlet Good point. I was trying to explain how such a moderate character was so easily turned into a devil. He did indeed make the guns and bible remark, however, it was used to mean that he wanted to oppress Christians (even though he is a Christian, too) and was suspicious of gun owners, even though he was a skeet shooter at Camp David.

[@dougwallace2210]

I've read a lot of dumb remarks here in the comment section - I'm more dumb-founded for having read yours

[@celestialtreetarot4260]

Well deplorable is perceived as being classist

[@smeyer9507]

That has always been my favorite church song. I think almost everyone can relate to that song.

[@Page57]

Great interview.

[@NancyJSimpson]

As glorious a moment as singing Amazing Grace was in Charleston, it does not make a man. A song does not make a man. Donald Trump could sing Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies at a large rally after some horrible event and the crowd could join in and everywhere there have goose bumps. That does not make the man. What makes the man is fighting for what is right. What makes the man and defines him is his commitment to justice. For many of us it felt like Obama abandoned the poor and wanted to be an elite and wine and dine with the powerful. He was not a champion of the poor any more. He had turned into a John Boehner another politician who bombed other countries and loved on Wall Street.

[@sivuyilemtsi9840]

He was in his 2nd term as president but he still could not summon the balls to do what was right. He knew that the GOP detested him and was not going to work with him on anything.He was dammed with the right wing media no matter what he did or said. He didn't have anything to lose politically, so why was he such a coward right to the very end. I will forever blame him on that one.

[@Val-uy2me]

Are you actually saying Trump gives a sh** about poor people?

[@addisonsheffield3764]

@@Val-uy2me Trump cared about everyone. How are y’all doing under Biden??? Does he care about the poor?? Naw. Trumps policies & the data.... proved Trumps policies helped everyone.

[@ryangibson2831]

If Americans would watch frontline instead of FOX or even the commentary on CNN our country would be so much better.

[@nicoleanderson7136]

If only sheeple would listen to both sides and come to their own conclusions our country would be a little better

[@nicoleanderson7136]

Do you watch fox?

[@branbruner]

@@nicoleanderson7136 I must say I do agree with you. I am a dem and a proud one at that, but people MUST watch and listen to both sides. I DISLIKE FOX NEWS and what it represents that's a fact, but i'll watch FOX because I wanna hear their side and maybe even get something out of it that just maybe wouldn't had otherwise.

[@hereigoagain5050]

Maybe Obama should have let the banks go into bankruptcy. Wipe out shareholders. Remove upper management. FDIC kicks in for bank deposits; otherwise, bye-bye $$$.

[@loveblue2]

If the banks had failed, the entire economy would have failed.

[@gplunk]

The Great Depression; squared....

[@mudslynger2109]

"There is a fundamental nihilism in the Republican party" You can tell the right-wing commentators haven't listened to the while interview; it's very telling. The ignorance and misguided blame of certain Americans for their problems never, ever ceases to amaze me. This was a great interview choice althougth seemingly too much intelligent, critical thought for an audience thouroughly enjoying their one note representatives. The lack of educated Americans is astonishing and it had become so intergenerational and systematic that it will take decades for this country to rebound, if it can. I have little faith.

[@spork1572]

Unfortunately this guy is alienating and labeling half the country instead of trying to appeal to them. Bot a good way to get votes.

[@donsplanet]

I'm telling the truth even when I'm lying....

[@brandiholly3629]

Finally an honest and clear discussion of the impact race and racism had on Obama’s presidency and henceforth

[@jasimmalik8078]

One man's progression is another man's regression. There is not Forward nor Backward nor Right nor Left, There is a North and South, East and West.

[@reneelewis6419]

This was a great interview. The statement about "backlash" is very true. This interview is pre-covid.

[@alexandrawhitelock6195]

Love what he says👍. My add is that politicians forgot their electorate…led them to feel ignored…many jobs headed overseas….quality of life for middle america kept dropping…sooo they wanted someone who was NOT a politician…a businessman. Hence Trump. Same thing happened in in Great Britain…hence Brexit and Boris Johnson…same thing.

[@asaavedra78]

under 100,000 views? what?

[@JasonGafar]

I love Ben Rhodes. I have both his books. I loved this interview.

[@Page57]

Does this interviewer think Obama was slow? How many times is he going to question his understanding?! 😒

[@stevecoley8365]

X-Files Earthling human beings (love) vs. hostile alien vampires (greed) and their ignorance (hate).

[@fabriceizzo2922]

Your most honest host by far.

[@stevebradbury1914]

He has George Costanza SYNDROME "It's not a lie if you believe it"🤔🤔🤔

[@ast453000]

Can you point to something he said that was false? I have pointed out lies of others in this series, but I always say what the lie is, what the truth is, and what the evidence is.

[@4everu984]

Yang 2020 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@erc9468]

So much for that.

[@superclaymaster]

I wish more people were paying attention

[@brians1481]

It’s incredible how simplistic and one-dimensional Rhodes’ ability to analyze any political reality is. While racism certainly fueled some significant percentage of the backlash against Obama, Rhodes seems to believe that racism and conspiracy theorizing were the through line to every quibble, grievance, and repudiation of Obama and his legacy. If Rhodes doesn’t even understand a near entire half of his own country, it’s no wonder he got it wrong as a national security advisor trying to analyze every other country on this planet and create strategic engagements. It’s shocking that he held such a powerful position in our government for 8 years. Wow.

[@getknit8334]

The only answer they have is 'racism' - Hillary too - it's just too lame an excuse nowadays....and at the moment Trump is polling 30% of the black vote (3 polls) whereas past Republicans have had on 8% - the Democrats have lost a reason for being....

[@alaire1]

@@getknit8334 Trumps support in the black community doesn't top 10%. I don't know why Republicans keep harping on this or inflating this number.

[@777jones]

Cathy Carron as a wealthy person, the middle class is mad at me because... er... racism? I hope? Hopefully it’s not the bad things the wealthy did to the middle class?

[@Ebotettey]

Racism is always been the main fuel in America, don't get it twisted..!!

[@stephennewark8338]

Spot on. There are no simple explanations, the variables in the equation were far too many. Efforts to simplify make rationalizing in hindsight easier, but are generally misguided

[@gracejohnson5408]

Sarah Palin is the original "Karen"

[@alanbourbeau24]

No matter how things will get crazy for America. We always have to be hopeful and optimistic for the future and stop being negative and pessimistic about the future. Now I've talked to some people who only see the negative view of America and it's politicians and I tried to tell them to look at the bright side of things in America and they didn't want to hear it. And as a Catholic Christian, I know at some point out in the future Jesus Christ will return and make the entire world a better place and anything that is wicked and corrupt will be eliminated and destroyed. Remember what Ronald Reagan said about America. He said, "A shining city on a hill."

[@gplunk]

Follow the yellow brick road?

[@bootyholeman5659]

I've heard the "I voted for Obama, and now Trump" bull shit so many times. Do you guy's actually think anyone believes you? I'm sure some people did, but from my experience I've caught SOOOO many people in that lie. Remember when you lie you leave a trail that you'll always have to cover.

[@BloggerMusicMan]

You may have caught some people in that lie, but statistically it has to have been a fairly prominent and important phenomenon. Before 2016, states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin which voted for Democrat presidents for decades started voting Republican. Even states like Ohio and Florida which went to Obama in 2012 flipped to the Republicans. This was significant enough to give Trump the election.

[@reneelewis6419]

People are lazy. There are only a few who are willing to do the work.

[@Caliboyk]

✋It's called the ”Affordable Care Act”‼️

[@Bernard-fo2qo]

When people below the top suffer, revolution follows. (See King George of England, King Louis of France, Tsars of Russia, rise of Hitler, etc.). Squeeze the little people at your peril!

[@cbskwkdnslwhanznamdm2849]

“You didn’t build that” the most unamerican thing ever said by a president. Thanks ben.

[@Val-uy2me]

Somehow, I truly doubt that's the most un-American thing ever said by a president. Where have you been since 2017???

[@cbskwkdnslwhanznamdm2849]

@@Val-uy2me Show me a quote. This whole orange man bad narrative is hysterical.

[@KobaAM]

He was talking about taxes paying for the services and infrastructure private citizens used while building up their business.

[@MrJulius72]

Rhodes was spot on about so many things. Why was the totally white tea party so up arms about spending a decade ago but not now? Why are the vast majority of people upset over black football players kneeling white? If it's not race, what is it?

[@26michaeluk]

It's blatantly racist but the other side won't admit it.

[@MrKoalaburger]

The irony at the end with him stating that the pres following Trump would just be a boring technocrat and today we have Biden lol.

[@raymondparnell8008]

I DIDN'T (CHOOSE) TO BE WHITE OR ABORIGINAL THIS (IS) WHAT I AM . OUR HISTORY PRODUCES (ME) YOU CANT CHOOSE WHAT YOU ARE . I AM BECAUSE I SIMPLY AM . FACTS MATTER .

[@cbrockbishop1566]

when exactly did Trump say we should "fear black and brown people'? as this guy claims ? I missed it, please specify..

[@svetlanatetlov6710]

🙏amem

[@1045gary]

Smilly

[@jaein7779]

The mistake that Obama made was that he baked into his proposals the Republican ideas. Had he started out on the extreme Left position and then have the Republican Senators and Congressman negotiate him to the middle, then they could go back to their base and say "Hey, we got him to the middle!" But because he started in the middle, they had to get to their extreme Right position.

[@jaein7779]

@S H: Your answer is actually in the video. Obamacare could have been "Medicare for All." The final version of the law known as Obamacare actually has so many ideas from Republicans that it could be call "Moderate Republican Healthcare Reform". Go to the 17:26 Mark of this video.

[@jaein7779]

kalumnist: Go to the 17 min, 26 sec part of this video. Then google Heritage Foundation and look at their healthcare reforms suggested in 1990s. Then google Chuck Grassley (sp?) and google his healthcare reforms from 1990s. Those “Death Panels” he complained about during Obama’s years in office were an idea he championed in 1990s. Heck, Obamacare is based upon Mitt Romney’s health care plan when he was Governor of Massachusetts.

[@AmiVider]

Would have been nice to have before the elections and in every election

[@stap0510]

All these right wing complainers in the comments section.....

[@Farvadude]

and you're just a left-wing complainer so how are you any different

[@stap0510]

@@Farvadude Nope, bad assumption on your side. Thanks for proving my point.

[@Farvadude]

@@stap0510 then are you a centrist or what? i'm calling your hand. either fold or show us your cards.

[@gplunk]

No question whose side he's on....

[@ghostalk2em159]

Great interview this man gets it

[@etiennescarbinski7890]

Lol yeah he gets part of the blame for Obama being a failure as POTUS

[@ghostalk2em159]

@@etiennescarbinski7890 ummm one of the best President

[@etiennescarbinski7890]

@@ghostalk2em159 yeah if you worked for the banks or big pharma

[@Farvadude]

@@ghostalk2em159 if obama was such a great president how come he lost 10% of his voters from 2008 to 2012? how come the democrats lost over a thousand seats in state houses, the federal house, and then even the senate? was this all just because of racism and russia? do you really believe in those conspiracy theories more than the possibility that maybe you've been lied to about your hero? or perhaps you're black (or a self-hating white person) so your judgment of obama is wholly on the basis of his race?

[@mithrandir0704]

Farvadude He served 2 terms, couldn’t have been a failure for the majority of the electorate. The house and senate historically turn because in my estimation both parties fail to address real concerns at home.

[@Mr.ConsistentCharles]

He was right it was about race, if it was about policy, barack obama would have been look at in the same light as FDR

[@jacobsherman5032]

It was not about Obama's race. It was more about my family's health care premiums tripled in price and the deductible going up more than seven times with Obama care.

[@Farvadude]

but the real problem is how democrats and many of their voters refuse to acknowledge that this even happened or 100% completely believe (either naively or maliciously) that the only things wrong with obamacare were the product of republicans not giving into everything the democrats wanted.

[@melothesalsero]

The only thing i will tell you and let me be clear, i dont know what your family situation is, so i wont comment on that. However, you should clearly address this issue with republican legislators who refused to cooperate with fixing issues in obama care once it passed. Which causes your premiums to skyrocket. Mine actually went down and so did my wifes

[@Farvadude]

@@melothesalsero there it is! exactly what i was talking about in my comment from yesterday just above this one

[@melothesalsero]

@@Farvadude not saying giving into everything. But once the law was passed, just blatantly trying to sabatage it so it failed was not the right thing to do.. it had its flaws yes, but it also had a lot of good in it.

[@26michaeluk]

@@Farvadude such hyperbole. The Republicans could have helped fixed many of the problems. Obamacare is more popular than ever. It won the historic 2018 midterms as the #1 reason of voters.

[@robertforrester578]

The President's defense team just lost. The smug and arrogant Jane Raskin, (does anyone have a bobby pin), just blew it for them. Watch her footage again. And Miss Bondi's performance was par for her course . . . which is to say she should not be there.

[@angellunsford2741]

We've HAD IT with politicians & all their bullshit. ALL politicians. WE ARE DONE. & THAT'S why Trump got elected.

[@dwaynesinclair2155]

Facts. I couldn't agree more.

[@MsMars.]

1:11:57

[@dougwallace2210]

this guys sounds like most addicts, first one must realize they themselves have a problem BEFORE you can fix anything

[@mr7wi]

2016 was a complete disaster for the Dems - and not one of them has been held accountable. Doubling down on identity politics and hubris virtually guarantees another 4 years of Trump.

[@preppingfortherealworld]

Wait a minute ,he doesn't know what fast and furious is?

[@josephgonzalez8972]

Sea creature is accurate.

[@law_enforcement423]

If half of country do not like you, if not the problem of the country, it more like to be your country. Wake up.

[@om-nj2hw]

Hreat speaker, but what i dont like or agree with is that he seems to think that everyone who was against Obama or immigration was racist. Hes implying that racism is the motivating factor alone. Im sure it was for some people, but certainly not everyone. Most people are just following whatever "news" bubble they exist in. People are alot less racist than the news dialogue will have you believe.

[@yaktown1985]

Thanks for true historical facts about Obama Presidency .

[@hubbell627]

Not deepest fears Ben, deepest realities.

[@Starfish2145]

Excellent illustration of what happened and why Trump got elected. Very obvious that the GOP’s self interest and racism is alive and well.

[@MrMarkchu]

To sum up, Frontline interviewed a Democratic NPC for 1 hour and 25 minutes.

[@manniking233]

56:20 Blacks supported him and never asked for much. That's a problem.

[@manniking233]

Black Lives Matter ended up doing what black people thought Obama would do. You think we would forgive him for turning his back publicly on us? Black kids getting killed under a black president in his SECOND term and he doesn't really say shit about it? Democrats taught black people a simple lesson we should have learned all along: no one has our backs except us. Our votes ain't for free no more!

[@manniking233]

And don't give me that "If America burns, you'll burn with it" shit? America has been burning for black people for years. Don't look at us if it's your turn.

[@MB561]

@@manniking233 You were dumb in the first place to think any democrat has your back. The fact that blacks vote 93% democrat guarantees them to get nothing for it! Duhhh

[@Farvadude]

@@manniking233 the problem is that you never asked for much while still supporting him on the assumption that his race and the multiculturalism of the democratic party meant they'd give a damn about you when they really only care about money just like the republicans. they're almost exactly the same. a uniparty. black people needed to hold obama VERY accountable instead of going to sleep for 8 years because if they had we probably would have gotten president bernie instead of hillary getting the nom and trump winning the general.

[@rosep8481]

And the Trump cult has never once held him accountable. They excuse and rationalize every decision he makes

[@nadiaakua4198]

I’m trying... really trying to listen to this. The identity politics is grinding my gears

[@ianbeaupre5838]

Sounds like Obama basically felt the same...

[@leslieemaxon]

TUCK FRUMP

[@cutter7515]

Was all about race

[@austJW]

So really, what he is saying is everyone in the South & Midwest is racist. In the first 30 minutes not 1 single word of China taking American manufacturing (through illegal state sponsorship & subsidy), rather just how racist everyone is, as such we could ignore any and all of these views that do not align with ours.

[@hg1644]

My least favorite interview of the series

[@chadclemen]

BENGHAZI BEN SAYS WHAT?

[@MB561]

He said "I don't even know what fast and furious is". It's when you and your obama administration ran illegal guns into other countries in a failed attempt at whatever the hell you tried to do, and those guns made it into the hands of a mexican drug cartel and even one of them was used to kill an american border patrol agent! The guns you put into mexico did that! Now you know what " fast and furious" was benny you fucking dishonest lying piece of shit.

[@MB561]

He says that if you don't like him and obama you must be a racist AND white supremacist.

[@chadclemen]

@@MB561 exactly!

[@PeaceFan1]

TRAITOR trump says WHAT?????

[@Zeflesera]

@@PeaceFan1 noice!

[@christophergood2314]

OMFG ONLY A RACIST PERSON THINKS TRUMP IS SAYING THAT THIS PROVES DEMOCRATS ARE RACIST. NOT US, WE DONT THINK ANY OF THIS WE WILL KILL YOU BECAUSE OF THIS YOU RACISTS.

[@shychameleon]

I’m so tired of hearing the word, “diversity”. Who cares, people are people.

[@jusmecatalina]

What does diversity mean to you? There’s a huge population whose experiences say otherwise .

[@issacf4416]

Tell that to the typical white person in the USA... “people are people. What’s the prob?” Good luck.

[@ebrennie]

You and I see the thing perhaps? How long - how many generations - until we just reach this place where we see ourselves as a species? ALL of us look different, but we’re all the same thing - people. We could do amazing things as a species and a planet if we could just reach that place.

[@Val-uy2me]

I'm guessing you're a white guy, right??

[@shychameleon]

@@Val-uy2me Wrong!

[@johndillinger8482]

why interview people who make money off the divide?

[@tennisbum67]

He had a seat in history and it's good to get his take on it all. I don't agree with much of his assessment but it's definitely worth a listen.

[@c2dvr]

Why elect people whom make money off the divide,especially the 2 twin terminator parties

[@angellunsford2741]

I don't & never have watched Fox news & I helped elect Trump & will do so again in 2020.

[@THEREALSOURCE]

What are your reasons for voting for him?