Best Of: Heather Cox Richardson on Our Democracy

One of my favorite episodes from this year (so far). The historian on her bestseller "Democracy Awakening" and how America's democracy is on a knife's edge. Perfect for July 4th weekend!

[@paulgrieger8182]

Thank you for the idea that WE are *conservatives.* We are the ones who wish to *conserve* our democracy.

[@kimberlyjohnson5923]

Amen!!!

[@fredgarvinMP]

By replacing Biden?

[@jennifer60515]

@@fredgarvinMPNo, that’s just media madness. Take a look at the other candidate. Fraudulent criminal, and crickets from the “liberal” media.

[@marymccabe5829]

@@fredgarvinMP no

[@fredgarvinMP]

@@marymccabe5829 God help us...

[@SunFlower-xr2ov]

I'm 70 years old, but when I "grow up," I want to be able to write as well as Ms. Cox. She's brilliant.

[@gypsy5445]

What a great interview. I learned a few interesting things I didn’t know before. Thank you!😊

[@courtneybrubaker9738]

She is amazing. How can one make history alive ? She does. So greatful for her.

[@loriepelham8564]

Thank you for sharing to keep our Democracy 🇺🇸

[@tammyjantzen9004]

I totally agree about Rush Limbaugh bringing it on! Saw it with my Dad! He was addicted to Rush, then FOX, and now Trump. Worships all three while he reads the Bible every night. Scary as hell.

[@J.M.-nb4gw]

Sorry about your Dad, I have several family members who have been Republicans for years and I never talk to them anymore

[@tammyjantzen9004]

@@J.M.-nb4gw Majority of my family is the same. I can't talk to them anymore this year. They can't not scream about their politics. It's sad.

[@JR-pr8jb]

In my younger years I listened to Limbaugh on the car radio, mainly for entertainment. Then one day a light-bulb went on and I thought, "What the heck is this racial hate I'm listening to?"

[@papertowel9490]

What did Rush say that wasn't true?

[@blaster-zy7xx]

What did Rush say that wasn’t true? Everything he said. Rush was a right wing liar and a piece of $hit.

[@alicecrystalpalace]

Heather is a treasure. Thank you! ❤☘

[@Roseequartz]

THANK YOU for bringing HCR on your program

[@citygirlphotos.tutonelyles4386]

Thanks Heather. Thanks Al. Fabulous information. Hope reigns supreme.

Excellent HCR! Great conversation, for a change.😊

[@KristineMaitland]

Thank you, Heather and Al, for clearing these issues up for me, a Canadian. It is important to be in the know.

[@fredgarvinMP]

Heather is a pundit, not a historian.

[@meghan42]

@@fredgarvinMP Heather Cox Richardson is an American historian.

[@cindieide5001]

i absolutely love listening to heather, she is so brilliant! and listening to you, with your political experience, was such a treat. i wish you could have stayed in the senate for my beautiful state of minnesota! take care, and please get her back on your show asap.

[@tammyjantzen9004]

Excellent interview!!

[@nancyreich5422]

Two of my favorite people on the planet in the same place! Thank you!

[@eshel1954]

Why are you not concentrating on Trump and Project 2025?

[@MichaelNelsonxxx]

You don't see it but he is doing just that. one dimensional thinking... hey you and biden have a lot in common

[@JR-pr8jb]

Trump and now Project 2025 are very much the context.

[@eh3477]

🎯🎯🎯

[@MahkyVmedia1]

Because it's easier to bitch about the President than the wannabe Dictator

[@phil20_20]

Because that's another podcast.

[@patriciamartinez-lx8dy]

Thanks, Al. Listening to Heather's perspective on Democracy was great. We're living in a critical and dangerous time . I hope people realize how catastrophic it will be if Democrats don't win this election in November.

[@anitashaver125]

I love HCR. She is honest and tells it like it is. Thank you for having her on as a guest.

[@angelaolson2025]

Awesome interview 👏 😊

[@robertgreybeard1432]

Love you both!

[@jimmykelly5320]

Thank you for this discussion!

[@sharshar4532]

As a student of political history all my 69 years…I throughly enjoyed this conversation 💙Best to you both and us all in n this epic fight for our democracy 🇺🇸

[@davethompson9776]

The instant trump said “fake news”, I knew what he was.

[@leonardgould6657]

Yeah❤! in CANADA 🇨🇦 😎 😍 we call Trump "Herman The German"- Orange 🍊 😀 🍊 🟧 Jabba-the-Hutt - bringing Herr Doctor Josef Goebbels to America!

[@denkerdunsmuir3370]

That's how narcissistic personalities roll: Confession and projection. They hate the people they can fool to buy-into their crazy thought processes and ideas because they forewarn them. Even though they, NPD's don't want to be opposed or critiqued for the control obsessed inhumane folks they are, if they respect anyone, or anything for that matter, it is those who know what they are up to -- very weird! I grew up with a mother who schooled this understanding of her NPD ways and habits. It's a fixed personality -- it doesn't -- it can't -- self-correct or change because they are never wrong in their minds!!

[@karenjones1897]

"alternate facts"

[@marywoodard8716]

don't be forget open borders

[@piushalg5041]

He was right. The cover up of Biden's senility by the main stream media is one of the best exemple. To deny facts or simply not covering them is manipulative journalism.

[@juliayermakov2121]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@helenshumaker3792]

THANK YOU!

[@GetonthebusGus126]

Heather Cox Richardson is absolutely brilliant! Especially her take on the chief justice, I won't even say his disgusting name.

[@jeffersonspace]

Thanks Al, and Heather.

[@georgewaters6424]

wonderful podcast.

[@martiefurlong4609]

What a wonderful show, you know, for a CHANGE🤞

[@barabaramohon]

A great one. Listen to Ms Cox Richardson.

[@hazellove2144]

Thank you.

[@chrisragner3882]

Thank you Heather for accepting Al’s invitation and thank you Senator Franken for asking her to join you. Now, if the Ann Coulters of the world would listen.

[@marywoodard8716]

oh I remember al (watch it)

[@karenhousley610]

Brilliant, she's so smart

[@Valerie-mz4et]

Great discussion! Thanks

[@nomercadies]

Permission has been given for mainstream media to tell the truth.

[@dianadickerson749]

Won't do it cause if it gets back to the white house, they will be arrested and jailed, per what he promised.

[@jannichi6431]

Yeh, when Mr. Media Manipulator isn't monopolizing and sucking up every moment of AIR.😤

[@traceykoontz2868]

​@@jannichi6431 Yep that's exactly what goes on every day. I want to say more, I would probably have so much to say just from the observations I have made to myself lol, which are funny just never thought I would ever even think.

[@Bigfield47]

Great show. Thanks.

[@ianmclaren9721]

Listening in from Cape York, Australia and enjoy learning from your show.

[@christopherknight3737]

wonderful, wonderful and so inspiring!

[@26beegee]

HCR is a national treasure.

[@gwick358]

I got to see Leo Kotke last year. The man is amazing!

[@k9funquest]

Yay! Have tix for tomorrow night at a small (300 seat) venue. Really looking forward to a special evening.

[@gchomuk]

Blast from the past. Couldn't remember the date, found the email. What a great show it was. Leo Kottke & Leon Redbone Hemmens Cultural Center - Hemmens Theatre Elgin, IL USA Saturday , 3/29/08 , 8:00PM MAIN FLOOR Section Row Seat Price FLOR J 28 $36.00 FLOR J 29 $36.00

[@meghan42]

I just saw him last weekend ... on Vancouver island, BC

[@georgejetson4378]

Thank you for posting this interview. HCR is amazing!

[@clayfoster8234]

I want Dr Richardson to be my mom. Or cool aunt. Basically I just want to be able to spend an evening at the dinner table absorbing everything she has to say. Doesn’t matter if it’s about politics or the life of a Maine fisherman….

[@stephaniehinchliff8506]

She is DEFINITELY on my dream dinner party guest list!🙂

[@lindabruce4899]

Love HCR. Disappointed in Al.

[@happymediumwill7413]

I just love and admire both of you. Thank you for doing what you do and being who you are.

[@RonaldPetrin]

A lyric that struck a chord recently, a viewpoint of young voters, “ With leaders like this, how can you not get high”. Speaking of “getting into the weeds.” Thank you. My feet are smiling.

[@owennovenski4794]

“Gerrymandered up the ‘wazoo’.” Indeed. Thank you Al for bringing this particularly brilliant historian to the forefront of your podcast. I knew we were in trouble with language back in the sixties when the perfectly accurate slogan on abortion rights went from ‘A Woman’s Right to Choose’ - to the republicans counter slogan ‘Right to life’ and reduced even further (apparently for the slogan impaired) to ‘Pro Life’, with no word alteration from the lib’s for a rebuttal. Liberals then as now thought they were on the right side of history, indeed that’s true ,but failed to recognise then as now they were up against a contingent that could not possibly care less what side of history they’re on nor who would suffer the most collateral damage even if it turned out to be themselves.

[@DETROIT1948]

Great One.

[@02bher1]

Just yesterday Trump allegedly invited oil barons to Mara Lago and said that if they found him a billion dollars for his campaign he would guarantee ridding restraints for drilling and environmental dangers.

[@eh3477]

Like everything going on today, they're not even trying to hide their huge corruption anymore.

[@fredgarvinMP]

Good, we need to be energy independent.

[@meghan42]

@@fredgarvinMP We are independent. We have tons of oil and we are actively accessing it. The point seems to have gone over your head.

[@denmarkka]

Wonderful interview thank you so much for the discussion!

[@JKART-do5jc]

Heather is the best also Leo KOTKE, thanks AL

[@johngrundowski3632]

The " tail wagging the dog "- concept comes to mind. Thanks great program💠

[@amy2brno2b]

"sit in my kayak and eat m&m's" - girl, you speak to my heart

[@michaellanoue9156]

Thank you Heather. Thank you Al.

[@sharonsmith1822]

Great show!

[@JR-pr8jb]

Sadly, Franken blew it for me, in his opening media-bashing of the best and most important President since FDR.

[@lj9524]

Excellent book ! Great interview! Thank you both!

[@kaceykelly7222]

I am disappointed you have joined those who just have to criticize Joe. It does more harm than you know and serves no good purpose. He is our only hope at this late date, and we desperately need his experience, knowledge and integrity.

[@BooksForever]

The good purpose it serves is to jar people out of their complacency that Joe is heading down the tubes toward a loss faster than Secretary Clinton did in 2016. You can’t fix what’s broken if you don’t acknowledge that it is in fact broken.

[@KatrSayet]

No Loyalty to Joe😢

[@J.M.-nb4gw]

I agree with you 💯 it was so disturbing to hear Al jumping on the "Hate Joe Biden" train, I used to have respect for Al Franken but not after that stupid effing comment 🤬

[@bunny_smith]

I like Joe. But Joe cannot win. He can't. I'm sorry. I wish we weren't in this spot, but he's going to lose to DJT. Badly. At his inerview on Friday he said if he loses to DJT, he'll have given it his best shot. This from the guy who said AMERICAN DEMOCRACY is at stake. He needs to be replaced with ANYONE who can beat DJT. And many can. I took what he said seriously. I don't care if Joe can't do the job of president. All I care is that he can beat DJT. He can't.

[@AlvaSudden]

I unsubscribed to Al's channel. It's stupid to abandon Biden.

[@paulhenry8174]

Been thinking about you a lot the last week or so. Good show.

[@AndrewAAndersonPMP]

One of the best podcast!❤

[@jamestrujillo6403]

So disappointed to hear Al piling it on after saying he doesn't want to pile it on If you didn't want to why open your show with it? Dem's in disarray is how it plays out; give it a rest and let JB & crew figure it out When it comes down to it; it's about the brand - Which brand do you prefer? the blue hat or red hat? trump or biden? GOP or Dem? Gotta show up in November to decide this one

[@JR-pr8jb]

I can't give my little "Like" to Franken after his gratuitous slam of Biden in America's worst crisis since the 1930's.

[@tomsan7742]

honestly, i wish your pod casts were shorter, but there just is no filler. the full hour is jammed packed with relevant information that pretty much keeps me on the edge of my seat.

[@JennyInTheHighCountry]

Love her

[@birunz]

always loved franken but here we are again... analyzing the issue to death while the psychopaths are busy stealing the country

[@J.M.-nb4gw]

Yep exactly 💯 none of it really matters much since we're totally screwed already, prepare for total ecological and economic collapse in less than 10 years 😢

[@JR-pr8jb]

Regrettably, Franken screwed the pooch, hopping on the media bandwagon against Biden, our only hope against Trumpism. Any gratuitous criticism of Biden is increasing the threat from Trump and Project 2025.

[@SunnyGrandma]

AWESOME SHOW!❤️

[@vickieelijah3616]

Thank you!

[@sisterdiggins]

This was excellent !

[@humanbeing9352]

The media that interviews Trump is mostly safe, softball, dumbness. Trump needs to be held accountable for everything that comes out of his mouth. Sustained, deep seated thoughtful questions, not short of interrogation. A good example is Trump’s personal take on climate change. He needs to be asked to support his thought with scientific verification not his personal opinion or his unsupported lies. Trump does not know how to be honest, the truth never gave him purchase on reality.

[@JR-pr8jb]

Media jumps on any little Biden goof, covers up Trump's 1) racist, violent extremism, and 2) his horrifyin senile dementia.

[@deborahadeen7582]

This was so informative and useful. Thank you.

[@curiosity540]

Great Broadcast Al and Heather. The members of the supreme court should be part of the election process and we as citizens should be able to retain or dismiss every 4 years. Minority rule led by the Supreme Court is not a democracy. There also needs to a path of dismissal for not reclusing when they have a conflict of interest and not reporting on lavish gifts. They have shown us the holes in our democracy.

[@bennybaker4926]

This was a great show. More with this guest!

[@ravipeiris4388]

Great discussion ❤

[@ReallyOnaRoll]

Such great concepts discussed here! Logical fallacies that cause illogical thinking has become so powerful with the masses. How to evolve them past this, and past their wanting to just "follow the leader" instead of the extra effort to be rational and humble thinkers... When the singularity of news reporting was more uniform back before social media, the "reality source" we drew information from could help people digest. Being at the brink of democracy losing its value is so scary. That is the REAL STAKE that Trump is diverting people away from.

[@lidelloste3317]

You don't want to pile on, then you do

[@chipsellarole267]

Heather is awesome. Beast mode. ❤❤❤

[@vtfollett]

I’m sure HCR would deny that she’s prescient. But to listen to her talk about the near-past and the present is like reading a really good history book from the year 2150.

[@marylesak8529]

Heather is a national treasure ❤

[@dianesilkey1445]

With gratitude!!!!

[@KatrSayet]

Trump is a total creation of NBC,like Ronnie Raygun was

[@sharkulashairstylist5505]

Yeah, you see that too? I like Seth Meyers but is symbiotic to Donald.... or maybe parasitic.... idk but NBC has odd agenda indeed.

[@vtfollett]

Well, no, it’s actually the would-be oligarchs, but they’ve learned how to use media to amplify and spread their lies. Murdoch’s empire is clearly in the tank, but even relatively even-handed news services fall for the clever lies.

[@eh3477]

Don't forgive Mark Burnett, either.

[@ellendavidson3898]

I love you both. Thanks for spreading the real feal!

[@annemitchell5302]

"I don't think I did" really stood out to me, too. I'm getting more and more excited about a Kamala candidacy every day.

[@JR-pr8jb]

Kamala in 2028. I think the time may finally come when she's ready to "pack" the corrupt Supreme Court.

[@zzenken1999]

I took that to mean "I saw some clips. I don't think I saw the whole thing." Yeah, I wish he had been more explicit, butI hear people talk like this all the time. Stephanopoulos jumped right to the next question, so he didn't habe much chance to elaborate. This seems like non-evidence to me.

[@anitashaver125]

He was probably shown segments of that debate by his re-election campaign…

[@leonardgould6657]

Well, my man!, as Bob & Doug Mackenzie are wont to say, "hey, hoser, take-off, eh!, we liked 👍 you a lot better when you were in the Senate! --you let us down, eh?, when you went voluntarilyinto the Penalty Box!, we were hoping you'd give Mitch McConnel a "Minnesota North Star shave", *called in Canada the "Chico Maki haircut' /(a.k.a. the "Teddy Greene Mohawk Chop" !+qp🇨🇦 🇨🇦 🍁 (close shave with a Hockey stick!) - anyway, this is your BEST PODCAST by a Country Mile!- Heather Cox Richardson is the SMARTEST!,COMMENTATOR! PRESENT DAY!, on AMERICA. PERIOD. Her insights!, and YOUR efforts in Promulgating them!-may well save America!-She cuts through the Republican bull-shite!, the way the Massachusetts 54th cut through the Confederate defences at Fort Wagner! Well done Chaps! Lets hear more!

[@clayrogers423]

Al Franken, I need to hear you. You make more sense than many other commentators.

[@valeriecasavant6597]

Lots of great information.

[@timothymoorman7437]

Wow! What a pleasant surprise...you know, for a change. Very enjoyable conversation with such a knowledgeable guest. Was it coercion or blackmail that got her back on the show?

[@dtlastraightahead2133]

Great listen

[@RonaldPetrin]

Buckley harkens back to time we were tactful, fact full in our debates and one on one discussions. I miss those times of the network, when truth mattered.

[@Nhurm]

well this actually was a great one for a very refreshing change

[@frankho99]

Flooding the zone with s* includes electric batteries on boats and sharks.

[@JR-pr8jb]

Clear, clinical evidence of senile dementia, covered up by the media.

[@reddeserted13]

Give me a historian of the future any day. Like Charles Bowden.

[@violacasey]

Interesting bait & switch, sir. You articulated my own takes on the ABC interview in your introduction. But the only reason I clicked on it was to hear Heather. 😂

[@JR-pr8jb]

That unexpected, gratuitous slam on the capable and essential Biden was really unnecessary and nasty.

[@raymondbarkoski300]

Al, Even Biden does sarcasm. There is no better horse for this race.

[@ReallyOnaRoll]

I wish the next President could be one of you two fine people!

[@RonaldPetrin]

“Ants go marching..the same old way.” Dave Matthews

[@patrickconley2091]

My understanding is that about 40 to 50% of the inflation is from excessive corporate profits which is due to a failure to "regulate business" which in turn may be due to Biden keeping Jerome Powell as head of the Fed.

[@RonaldPetrin]

At the start your George joke, almost made me spit-my coffee😊😂

[@mikereisswolff4662]

David Cay Johnston pointed out that a progressive income tax was established as early as in the Ancient Greek society being necessary for a democratic system balancing the needs of its citizens.

[@amy2brno2b]

The problem I have with how great it is that inflation has come down, is that prices have not reflected that. Prices haven't come down, just the growth of prices has slowed. So those of us still reeling from the inflation that occurred in 2022 are not consoled by how great the economy is doing and how inflation has come in for this so-called "soft landing."

[@gerardgallagher1495]

Mr.Franklin I enjoy you on snl and I still enjoy listen to you on politics. When is it your turn to drive 😅

[@MizCeeA]

I have suspected blackmail for YEARS! Hopefully, the truth will out one day.

[@jayarrington240]

You can not fix a broken political system, without first addressing the broken education system. They rich are taught one thing, in luxury, the poor are taught another, in despair.

[@daleozwald6161]

At this time we need to have faith not just in ourselves but each other. Our hope and belief in each other is what has united us as a Nation. And our division will end the Democracy we seek to preserve. The current division serves as a distraction causing uncertainty at a time when we should be sharing common horizons, we survive together. Faith, heart and soul is what will restore Hope. We all carry the weight of brokenhearts that tell us so much has gone wrong. We've lost so much but we can at least return a little hope to each other and the world. That's the uniting goal, faith in each other for hope of a better future. Hope is the Fire that does not consume but illuminates, it will lead and unite us. If we listen to our hearts, it gives us an inner voice that will guide us to a better path. Our soul gives us the opportunity to truly embrace each other. Faith is the fight, we are the hope. (Released at 4:36pm ct, 7/18/2024. Republican outlets not included)