Andrew Yang on America’s need for a new political party at Aspen Ideas Festival

NBC’s Savannah Sellers moderates a conversation with former presidential candidate Andrew Yang about America’s need for a new political party. NBCUniversal News Group is the media partner of Aspen Ideas Festival.
» Subscribe to NBC News: nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC
» Watch more NBC video: bit.ly/MoreNBCNews
NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver compelling, diverse and engaging news stories. NBC News Digital features NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, TODAY.com, Nightly News, Meet the Press, Dateline, and the existing apps and digital extensions of these respective properties. We deliver the best in breaking news, live video coverage, original journalism and segments from your favorite NBC News Shows.
Connect with NBC News Online!
NBC News App: smart.link/5d0cd9df61b80
Breaking News Alerts: link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/bre...
Visit NBCNews.Com: nbcnews.to/ReadNBC
Find NBC News on Facebook: nbcnews.to/LikeNBC
Follow NBC News on Twitter: nbcnews.to/FollowNBC
Get more of NBC News delivered to your inbox: nbcnews.com/newsletters
#politics #andrewyang #aspenideas

[@angelaasadi9283]

Andrew Yang is a gift to America. He is trying to do something to make this country better. He is brilliant and he will succeed!

[@russozelinsky]

Just do it for the future of the country -- a non-partisan issue. --> will not incentivize illegals to cross the border and baby spit. Amend `U.S. Citizenship By Birth.` "Citizenship by birth" should be granted only to children born to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. In addition, at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (Green Card Holder). Children born to a person under any other visa (temporary - H1B/L1, etc.) category and those illegally residing in the U.S. should NOT be granted automatic Citizenship by Birth. England did the same in 1983. Post this on the door of every member of Congress in your state and all concerned voters in the community.

[@suebowman7258]

Agreed

[@ethanwang3507]

tbh, he won't.

[@-ITH]

​@@ethanwang3507this. Sadly

[@sab_1055]

@@ethanwang3507 God I hope you're wrong and fear you're right all at once.

[@lobsangpalden4743]

Andrew Yang million of millions of people are ready to support your party. God bless America.

[@Tone2K]

Unfortunately he needs tens of tens of millions to make an impact.

[@1999bill1999]

At a time in which the Republican Party wants to end democracy, these clowns want to create a 3rd party and split the vote. They can go take a hike

[@GuyJohnsonMusic]

I’m becoming so emotional I could cry. He’s speaking everything us fearful in the middle Americans are thinking. AND HE’S ABOVE THE AGE OF 40! It’s one of the few times I’ve seen someone older with such powerful empathy, and a true understanding of where the people want the country to go. I have just become a member of the Forward Party, and I am proud.

[@meichengchiang6126]

Simply amazing! Smart, practical, saving humanity and money.

[@doug3691]

Always fun to see Andrew Yang talk about stuff (at length). "Breath of fresh air."

[@laxpsdlimbu7912]

Andrew is so intellectual, talent and humble an individual, he would become a good leader for everyone of us. Best wishes

[@zasalsa3614]

I've been on a spree of Forward Party and Andrew Yang info videos and interviews. I paysed midway through this video to visit their website and submit an application for volunteering to the Forward Party. Listening to this literally makes my heart race with excitement on the hope of a better future, a hope I've been dying for for most of my life.

[@anyone9971]

Every time I listen to Andrew speaks, I learn something new. Why he wasn't successful in his previous endeavors is baffling to me. He will definitely help our current political struggles and our country in general if elected to any political position in our country.

[@UXtatic]

He wasn't successful because he was too logical. The atmosphere of politics portrays a focus on logic, but this isn't true.

[@youknowwhoiam6057]

​@@UXtaticI think he need more career as politician. I personally think leaving Democrat was not good but I support his ideas and vision.

[@MrBestard]

​@youknowwhoiam6057 he is always thinking ahead.

[@lazifocker]

ideology could only get him so far. he's more an activist than a politician and that's what the hill is afraid of.

[@lustwaffe9000]

He was more successful than anyone, including himself, expected.

[@steverichardson8832]

I'm a member of the Forward Party and am always energized by watching Andrew in action. This time, I was quite pleased to hear him advocate a common sense solution to the Electoral College problem - proportional allocation of elector votes. Only two states do this (Maine and Nebraska), while others stick to a winner-take-all policy and then wonder why we have a disconnect between the popular vote and EC results.

[@bryson8918]

won't work given the citizens united ruling. the forward party is just more neoliberalism.

[@OSTARAEB4]

An American Third Party creation discussed for at least two decades will solve nothing but create another corrupt entity to be bought. All these altruistic intentions won’t solve any problems because both parties address careerism and corruption to protect their resume and net worth. They have discarded the so-called middle-class because they treat them with disdain with this new term “elitism” being the desired one-percenters and much of the party base has shifted especially the past twenty years. Both parties don’t work and what exactly does a third creation think they’re going to solve except more dysfunction and division. The country is divided and broken because that’s what the rulers and external global orgs fund to control and destroy the American and global population. Doing away with the Electoral College sounds great until the party advocating this loses a general or local election and then the result will be riots as usual.

[@russozelinsky]

Just do it for the future of the country -- a non-partisan issue. --> will not incentivize illegals to cross the border and baby spit. Amend `U.S. Citizenship By Birth.` "Citizenship by birth" should be granted only to children born to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. In addition, at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (Green Card Holder). Children born to a person under any other visa (temporary - H1B/L1, etc.) category and those illegally residing in the U.S. should NOT be granted automatic Citizenship by Birth. England did the same in 1983. Post this on the door of every member of Congress in your state and all concerned voters in the community.

[@ClayWeblogistics]

Andrew Yang is a fresh breath of honesty in a dirty vile game.

[@b.1162]

Yang and people like Yang are the best hope for our country's future.

[@MothGirl007]

No.

[@hueyang5943]

I'm not Chinese but Yes for sure.

[@keviny354]

@@hueyang5943 What does this have to do with Chinese?🙄

[@denniszenanywhere]

@@keviny354 He or she probably thinks Andrew is Chinese, he's Taiwanese from his parents.

[@Drd0229]

I think he’s great for the country he’s an intelligent man seems like a pretty good person he has a sense of humor which is definitely a good thing for a president to have he stays pretty calm he’s all about the issues we are really facing instead of propaganda bs we are all being fed from both sides. I like the guy better then anyone else we have in at the moment and also better then the ones running next election!

[@drsmetal2747]

This video needs way more views. We definitely need rank choice voting and open primaries. Rank choice voting would stop the spoiler effect.

[@user-is5vw4jt6w]

​@@carlyn24HELL NO! RED STATES AND DISTRICTS WILL NEVER GO FOR THAT!

[@drsmetal2747]

@@user-is5vw4jt6w It did for Alaska. Look it up.

[@matsal3211]

We need APPROVAL VOTING not RCV

[@user-is5vw4jt6w]

@@drsmetal2747 That's Alaska and they are more Libertarian than Conservative. Tennessee and Florida already banned it!

[@UXtatic]

​@@user-is5vw4jt6wIt will happen in due time.

[@georgezipp8783]

Yes we do I voted back in the day for Ross . We need a 3rd party that can WIN !!!! You can't tell me joey and donny are our only choices . We the People must demand better .

[@edwinnote655]

​@googlenazicompany5935 than you vote republican, rfk is the choice

[@ElizabethEAM]

I’m happy NBC decided to hold this interview but I wish Savannah approached it with a more genuine curiosity for the ideas that were discussed. Her contempt for the situation was a dark cloud looming over the conversation. It was strange to me that she seemed to integrate herself into the mainstream media as opposed to an employee that works within the limitations of a company. The questions she kept veering back to were the very 1 dimensional talking points that keep us stuck on shallow, caricature politics. I hope NBC will shift into engaging with new policy ideas moving forward. Still, I’m glad there was decent coverage of this. These are concepts I want to see more discussions of. Forward Party is new to me. I’m curious to see how they develop. These topics Yang addressed should be center focus.

[@lustwaffe9000]

They only do this because Yang doesnt like Trump. But he obviously doesnt really like Biden either, despite packaging him nicely.

[@Truckdriver2022]

She's a snake in my eyes. Andrew needs to stay away from these people. These are the people low balled him during the debates.

[@sebastianwrites]

I had forgot how good Andrew Yang is...!

[@UXtatic]

How?😮

[@sebastianwrites]

@@UXtatic I think by being sucked into the 'lunacy...' of American politics! I'm British, and well, it's certainly... "interesting?"

[@latarashamcneil9101]

Andrew Yang is quite funny. This is always a polarizing trait in a presidential candidate, any election candidate. "You all a at least a little third-party curious." LOL... "I have at least 40 years to run." Humor coupled with his intelligence makes a very likeable candidate.

[@virghedges569]

Yang is an insightful, well spoken, guy who puts forth solutions which are logical yet original. He is a true leader IMO. However, he is NOT a candidate at this time. He is trying found a home for a new path, but not doing so by holding office.

[@russozelinsky]

Why not convert all the pricey commercial properties in Democrat-run shitholes like NYC and Shitcago into Section 8 housing and use them to house the rapugees, illegals, and BLM folks? They can riot, pillage, and baby spit.

[@williambarrett4776]

My first Andrew Yang. I’m hooked.

[@mallorypatten7621]

❤

[@Maliceless100]

Yang won't get elected president, but everything he says is true; his book FORWARD is utter common sense for everyone.

[@majedtaleb3944]

You said it, common sense. That’s why he won’t get elected. Americans have become tribals and they don’t care about common sense or what’s good for the country, they only care about the team.

[@TheGuinever]

So, of course, Americans REFUSE to vote for PRACTICAL, GLITZ-FREE, RATIONAL and SENSIBLE candidates! Come ON, America! Pay attention!

[@VersionBest]

People in general, are dumb. They're still living in the past and haven't caught up with modern times. Their intellectual capacity is limited.

[@tnguyen403]

@@TheGuinever It's called Asian Hate.

[@Kai-vo5zq]

@@tnguyen403 Not really lol. That's just how deeply entrenched this country is in on the 2 party system.

[@gladcs]

He needs to run for president In 2024

[@virghedges569]

Yang is an insightful, well spoken, guy who puts forth solutions which are logical yet original. He is a true leader IMO. However, he is NOT a candidate at this time. He is trying found a home for a new path, but not doing so by holding office.

[@alhwa1918]

Please keep pushing for our rights!!!!!!!

[@kk4649k]

This guy is so smart and well spoken. I am definitely for the forward party. I’m so tired of choosing the lesser of two evil like he said. I hate trump and Biden.

[@noahdyedotcom]

The only politician that tells the truth and is actually devoted to public service, not themselves.

[@zhinan888]

Please run again Yang

[@borisyelp5195]

Why so he can lose again?

[@zhinan888]

@borisyelp5195 He energies lots of people and is pushing the right initiatives. I have never been active in politics until Yang.

[@UXtatic]

His strength is to inspire and provide a clear path for us to follow. Running may not be his strength.

[@user-fe7wz2to1u]

"Good policy has nothing to do with politics". That is what is wrong in a nutshell. Congressmen are keeping their jobs by not solving problems. I can't believe I am saying this, but I agree with Andrew Yang. I hope he can make progress with third parties in states where one party runs unopposed and at least give voters a choice. With that said, the ranking system is used in other countries and their governments have similar problems to ours.

[@saleenmac]

Yes we could put the two party yo yo down and actually create a strategy that is useful.

[@Drd0229]

We have to stop thinking left or right. That’s what they want that’s what brings in all the big money to each party and we have to say a big f u to that and move on

[@VersionBest]

Count me in. I'm all for changes that makes sense. I voted for him when he ran for President.

[@GiGi-gc2mm]

I support Mr Yang's forward way of thinking for the 2020s and beyond.

[@davadh]

Yeah, he's way too smart for an American president

[@vondoromal7016]

Wow, NBC news... This is great!!!

[@UXtatic]

Just as surprised.

[@MrMojeju]

I need Andrew Yang.

[@chrischandnoit2525]

Protect yang at all cost

[@russozelinsky]

Sadly, Blacks are doomed no matter how much they lean towards voting Democrats and engage in hair-brained pursuit. The vast majority of Asians are not impressed at all. The Hispanic population has exceeded that of Blacks. The Hispanic population, combined with Asians, will soon become a much larger and more influential voting block. Once that turnaround occurs, the Demorats will drop them (Blacks) like a rock!

[@pionmeson]

I like Andrew Yang and agree that we need to end the Duopoly with single primary for all parties and rank choice voting. I am just disappointed he didn’t mention Marianne Williamson as a serious candidate who supports similar agenda as Yang did in 2020 😢

[@julieannetenney4617]

We need better mental health care reform for gun licenses, concerning : abuse of people

[@julieannetenney4617]

Keep electoral college, rural and city people have different issues, including cost of living, and standard of living needs, like transportation and grocery stores and uses of food stamps at fast food places.

[@julieannetenney4617]

Bobby Kennedy was concerned about hunger issues when he was head of justice department. Yet hunger and homelessness issues are still a problem across the country.

[@julieannetenney4617]

As a teacher who has been on lockdown in a school lunch room, I am still concerned about shootings at churches, schools,, grocery stores and malls, where my students have been survivors or shoot at even at work

[@majedtaleb3944]

She can’t even define what a woman is, and wants to give representation to black people for something that didn’t happen to anyone alive today. She’s just another woke Democrat who would alienate at least half of the country with her extremist views.

[@user-kb8wf7sr6w]

He needs to run for president In 2024. I had forgot how good Andrew Yang is...!.

[@musicspinner]

We want Yang!

[@shawnmatthews5944]

This man has the right ideas!

[@marcmichel3509]

As we celebrate the creation of our country today, I hope you will also ask yourself “are we at our best? Is our country more unified than ever? Is our democracy the shining star for the world? Do we, the people have the power to make our government better meaning more accountable to us, solving problems most of us recognize?” The data says most of us feel that the answer is no to these questions and the video below does an incredible job of explaining why I helped get the Forward Party off the ground. It’s not what you think regarding the Presidency, I guarantee you. Watch and you will understand. Because we actually do have the power to make our system better, more democratic, more accountable, and more functional. Happy 4th!

[@julieannetenney4617]

As a job recruiter., I worked with a percentage list for our community. Sometimes i had to actively post job openings at , community centers, grocery stores, churches, local bars, college's, clinces, pow wows, any where we might find people especially translators and homeless people

[@jorgesmith2000]

Aww I miss this guy!

[@victoriagabriella1103]

I've been saying let's ditch what we're doing with our parties and reform it foreverrrr. Its so refreshing to have a candidate talking about this as an option bc so many of us can agree we really hate the republican and the democratic systems and arguments at this point. Libertarians don't even count unfortunately, they're just there to take votes. I don't personally (in most recent years) want to be placed or associated with either corrupt party anymore, but then that leaves those of us who feel that way and still have a lot of passion for politics, our rights and the future of the country sort of lost. It's just such a broken broken system in the US and one that feels so out of the control of the citizens anymore. Love Andrew! Smart, honest and gets to the actual point.

[@MegaVictora]

My vote has always been for Andrew once I hesrd his message. I voted for him when he ran for President. I donated to his campainged as much as I could. He is the light through a political tunnel. Unfortunately the media killed his campaigned. He never got appropiate time ehen debating and he was pushed around to make him look like he had no experience. So once again the country chosed what was assigned by the main rollers. Andrew will win if he ran if the people wake up and vote for him.

[@ChristineCircelli-go2yw]

Thank you.

[@TheGuinever]

I totally agree that Biden should hand off the baton and serve in an advisory role.

[@bradleyodens299]

Yang is back on his game! Well said Yang.

[@brianw13]

He sounds like he would be a good president. Intelligent and trying to bring the country together

[@jdzentrist8711]

I really appreciate and admire Andrew Yang.

[@yojimbo3681]

This is such a breath of fresh air compared to all those political debates.

[@markcampbell7577]

The Flint Michigan water treatment plants are a federal emergency regarding water treatment plants and the chemicals commonly used to treat water and deliver water to houses and businesses in every city.. The lead pipes were found after the water treatment company pumped raw water into Flint Michigan until people died of diseases and lead poisoning.

[@julieannetenney4617]

Iowa has older people who had trouble last time, when GOP blocked the phones when polling places tried to call in their votes .

[@julieannetenney4617]

I have been a delegate and an alternate in Iowa, going from a smaller community to a larger one.

[@julieannetenney4617]

We car pooled as delegates.1

[@mycodehan]

Every time this man opens his mouth, he on point #YangGang

[@julieannetenney4617]

I have always done caususes, I don't know how to do gop primary system.

[@annykwan9312]

Love your show., Great program. All the Best to Andrew and Christy. 😊

[@markcampbell7577]

We need better solutions and agenda to have better choices for candidates. We used to vote for agendas not personality or appearance. Now we don't have agendas in either patties except contradiction of trivia.

[@julieannetenney4617]

Iowa delegates hold meeting to discuss important issues at each place we are going to meet next place we go to as delegates.

[@thebookkeeper8404]

Did Andrew just say that FORWARD is the name of a Party? I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT THE "NO LABELS" PARTY!

[@thebeezkneez7559]

I am only in the beginning but I like it so far. If we had another alternative everywhere they would win when the left and right go too far, so the left and right would moderate, giving more opportunity to the left and right to win where they currently can. Logically it seems great but I need to hear some concrete positions that I agree with to give it my full support.

[@thenotoriousgryyn342]

I hope he runs again, I Will Vote For Him!

[@kourtneysmith9192]

I really wish you were running for president again. I try to stay out of politics, but I heard you speak today on abc and all I could think was “ why can’t we have someone like him ??”

[@NYCity378]

I'm tired of a two-party government. Nothing gets done.

[@debbieredling-wh7fp]

I voted for Andrew Yang in the 2020 election by writing him in knowing that my vote was a throw away, but it has to start somewhere. I will write him in again if he isn’t on the ballot. I am not interested in the two party oligarchy that makes up the democrats and the republicans. I live in Tennessee and feel my vote doesn’t count anyway because the state is Republican. Although most people I talk to are voting out of fear that the other guy will be elected, or they just don’t vote because they feel it’s useless in this state. It is imperative that we get rid of the electoral college and institute Rank Choice voting. It’s time to focus on what really matters, like jobs that pay a living wage, a healthcare system that works for everyone, a re-hail of our education system, affordable housing and rents to name a few. No more smokescreen issues that divide us.

[@TheGuinever]

Age AND allegiance to corporate interests.

[@yoyo-jc3lw]

Every time I hear him talk I feel smarter

[@yamasama1]

Lets go Forward Party! This party is it for the coming times!

[@hostiletarget8643]

I have switched party affiliations 4 times since i started voting before finally dropping any affiliation at all in 2012. Watching this conversation is the first time in over a decade i felt hope for the political system.

[@darnellbarnetted.s.3649]

1. No two-politcal parties 2. Have a multiple party political system. 3. Have two political parties that are similar but different like Green Party and Democratic Party. 4. Elect an independent voter. 5. Ranked choice voting

[@markcampbell7577]

The current State laws allowing governor to certify election results without the ballots have to be repealed in every State..

[@catdeerduck]

At some point Yang was trying not to get in trouble with his wife. That interviewer questions sounded flirtatious at some point. 😂

[@tootspogsforever5590]

They must have banged afterwards 😝

[@thatmessylife6427]

I’ve never heard about this festival before but I think it’s great they covered this story to hopefully help get some changes and new involvement.

[@jimtrumble9982]

We clearly need a third party.

[@Stripodi1956]

Finally! Forward!

[@lindapalmer4405]

What we need is to have an Ethics Dept not run by a trump lawyer. All the polititians who have broken the Oath of Office with dishonesty and dishonor should be fired. Put Liz Chaney in charge.

[@PlanetJimmer]

It sounds like he is saying FORD, not Forward.

[@3BigDogsEnergy]

Fantastic conversation

[@fengtube56]

Forward will get $ from me !

[@dorisstouder7268]

Lol

[@user-nj1um5sw4r]

Neither a Democrat nor a Republican, and too young to be senile. I love it!❤️

[@elgrifolorian]

We need a workers party.

[@marlenesoifer7219]

Thankyou

[@serinadrake2818]

Absolutely

[@scottluthy5828]

If no other reason than to keep the uniparty from gaining strength. A third party would be a healthy thing for our constitutional republic. Plus, way to many politicians are bought and paid for. Andrew yang has high integrity and a moral backbone. And his warning about the economy has gone unheeded. They don’t care. I mean congress and president.

[@jackyee1291]

America needs to move past Biden, Trump, Schumer, McCarthy.

[@dannyschotziii1802]

I have been praying for you get back in the Game. And here you are. Thank You God for answering my Prayers !!!🤪🤪🤪

[@joshpetit44]

Andrew please run for president every election until you win! We need you at the head of this country

[@Jason_BNYS_Glo]

Andrew Yang 💯💯💯

[@BladeMasterz916]

Forward unto Dawn!!!!!

[@nudypoo]

We need a “common sense " party

[@Mor4me]

Not left not right but forward

[@ericpowers6509]

The Common Sense Party. Where every decision is the right one. And i dont mean right or left. Not a 3rd party. Only 1 party. Common Sense. No one party can hold up congess. Or put judges on Supreme Court. It's the majority. Period.

[@balance555]

Its nice to have this man speak with out democrats/republican cutting him out. Also this country is dieing slowly because its all about profit for the rich and nothing for the poor. I see more flags of other countries flown then flags of America.

[@menotq]

If I could thumbs up a million xs for Andrew Yang I would, Not so much for the interviewer though.

[@jdj10078]

yes we need more parties anything other than what we have now.!!!

[@Exen88]

Absolutely we need a new party! A good chunk of politic is party-biased related. We need something new and more related to the people rather than the few.

[@Mukk13man]

He is an operator and we need a real Operator

[@laopang91362]

People have to catch ride on one of the two major parties, other parties have no chance.

[@tyim6284]

I agree

[@supersasquatch]

i have an idea for a party and name, and it could have a wing in both canada and the untied states

[@ntt2k1]

I'm dying waiting ...

[@Binary84]

I live in a country with a westminster style democratic election and we have the same problem. Smart people are not being elected. I think it is probably time to revamp the electoral system to better suit the modern times.

[@Dogbertforpresident]

I think Andrew Yang is one of the few (if not the only) politician who understands the promise and peril of artificial intelligence. A topic that will reshape our world over the coming years.

[@fernandomarquez3131]

Interesting

[@jlampkins3136]

We're in trouble

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

5 parties at least is really what is needed to better represent, center, left and right and left and right

[@scottbagan7610]

Andrew yang is next level 👍

[@p.a.g3357]

While he may have made for a terrible president, as a visionary, he holds a lot of good ideas.

[@hockeyhalod]

National politics is so tiresome to argue. Stay local. Fix things that affect you. Spend a bit of time on national attention.