Charlie Sykes sits down with Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America, for a wide-ranging conversation about America’s mass shooting crisis, the culture of grievance fueling extremism, and the dangerous consolidation of presidential power. Rieckhoff highlights the role of isolation and disconnection among young men, the failures of political leadership, and the urgent need for new role models. It’s not all bad news though. The two also discuss the rise of independent veteran candidates as a possible antidote to partisan dysfunction.
To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes: Paul Rieckhoff – Grievance, Guns, and Power
The Brief
→ Four things from today’s episode
01
Mamdani's Board of Elections rejects 42,000 open-primaries p. Mamdani's Board of Elections rejects 42,000 open-primaries petitions in New York City
02
Why open primaries are the frontline fight for one million i. Why open primaries are the frontline fight for one million independent New Yorkers
03
Tucker Carlson, MTG, Massie and Joe Kent huddle in Maine. a third party is not independence
04
Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan primary win and the Democratic civ. Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan primary win and the Democratic civil war between moderates and the DSA
Show Notes
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