The Identity of the GOP with Patrick Ruffini

This week, Jay and Sean welcome Echelon Insight’s Patrick Ruffini to Stubborn Things to talk about how the GOP went from the party of Reagan to the party of Trump. Patrick discussed the Republican Party’s demographic shift and how Trump began to appeal to working class voters during the 2016 election. Jay, Sean, and Patrick also touched on the idea of economic aspiration, potential reversions in the GOP’s demographic gains, and economic and educational indicators of voting patterns. Plus, hear Patrick’s thoughts about the future of the GOP post-Trump and what to watch for in the midterms.

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Show notes:

Party of the People: Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP

Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream

Steadfast Democrats: How Social Forces Shape Black Political Behavior