In our fourth and final installment of our "Democrats in the Hot Seat" series, political scientist Dr. Michael Bailey shifts the focus squarely onto the Democratic Party—its historic dominance since the New Deal, the vision it set forth, and the serious challenges it faces today. Bailey examines how Democrats built an era defined by international cooperation, inclusion, regulation, and a social safety net, but questions whether those pillars can endure in the age of globalization, inequality, debt, and climate change. Along the way, he unpacks whether Hillary Clinton’s “smugness” was tied to gender, explores why Democrats often stumble in cultural battles, and considers how Trump is disrupting the political order. The episode closes with a playful round of “One State, Two State, Red State, Blue State,” putting Bailey’s knowledge of oddball state laws to the test.

The views expressed on American Angst 101 are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

CROSSOVER EPISODE! In this first-ever crossover episode between Church Potluck and American Angst 101, host Dale McConkey, political scientist Michael Bailey, and historian Christy Snider dive into a hot-button political and theological controversy surrounding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s recent social media post endorsing ideas from pastor Doug Wilson, a leader in the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches. The trio unpack the historical and ideological roots of Wilson’s views on Christian nationalism, household voting, and the role of women in leadership and public life—views that include the repeal of the 19th Amendment and opposition to same-sex marriage. Along the way, they explore the tension between personal religious convictions and the exercise of political power in a pluralistic democracy, compare contemporary rhetoric with historical suffrage and prohibition-era debates, and add some lighthearted moments, including a “Patriarchy Then or Patriarchy Now?” game show. The conversation blends sharp political analysis, historical context, and wry humor while raising deeper questions about truth, authority, and the future of American public life.

The views expressed on American Angst 101 are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Political scientist Dr. Michael Bailey leads this episode of American Angst 101 with a sweeping exploration of how the United States’ founding-era vision of a liberal federal government—meaning one grounded in Enlightenment ideas of individual rights, consent of the governed, and limited purposes for government—continues to shape modern politics. Bailey explains that, unlike the states of the era, which often enforced religious and moral norms, the federal Constitution was deliberately secular, avoiding endorsement of a religion or aristocracy and focusing on protecting rights and promoting shared interests. He traces the nation’s evolution from this mixed system toward a more pluralistic society, highlighting how the Democratic Party’s liberal roots emphasize personal autonomy yet leave it ill-equipped to address Americans’ desire for shared cultural values. Along the way, Bailey contrasts this with conservative visions of moral cohesion, examines MAGA-era counter-revolutionary impulses, and questions whether Democrats can effectively defend pluralism without a stronger cultural framework. Host Dale McConkey keeps the conversation lively with humor, pop culture detours, and a lighthearted celebrity Democrat game show.

The views expressed on American Angst 101 are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.