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Left, Right & Center: Daily Summaries Delivered
by KCRW
Left Right & Center is for listeners who feel like people on the other side of the political divide are on Mars. David Greene pieces together the big picture by inviting people from the left and the right to unpack their ideological differences, not to smooth them over, and look at what’s truly at stake. The show offers a rare kind of clarity. It doesn’t ask you to agree. It asks you to look more closely at what’s happening and to challenge your assumptions. You might not always agree – you might even get angry – but you’ll know why you feel the way you do. No knee-jerk reactions or name calling. This show doesn’t promise easy answers or warm fuzzies; it promises more clarity for the chaotic political era we’re all living through.
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- 5 days agoroundtable50 min6-min read
The Midterm Impact Of Progressives, Election Deniers & Iran
The 2024 Senate and gubernatorial races are becoming battlegrounds between party establishments and progressive insurgents, with Democrats in Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin grappling with how to balance grassroots energy against general election electability. Despite internal party tensions, structural advantages and voter fatigue with extremism may favor Democrats nationally — but only if candidates can avoid becoming lightning rods and refocus on kitchen-table issues like affordability. The episode traces a full arc from candidate selection controversies to broader debates about party direction, election integrity, and congressional accountability, underscoring that while Democrats hold a structural edge in generic polling, their path to victory depends on navigating primary dynamics without alienating their broader coalition.
- 1 weeks agoroundtable50 min5-min read
How Should Lawmakers Balance Privacy and Transparency About Their Health?
The episode of Left, Right and Center examines the ethical and political tensions surrounding transparency in elected officials' health, the consequences of ICE's low-profile but violent immigration enforcement strategy, and the rare bipartisan success of a major housing affordability bill. While lawmakers like Mitch McConnell and Tom Keene faced public scrutiny for unexplained absences, the panel debates whether personal health privacy should yield to public accountability, especially in an aging political class. Meanwhile, ICE’s quiet surge in arrests backfired after fatal shootings in Houston and Maine reignited public outrage, exposing Democratic messaging struggles and Republican infighting. Finally, the passage of a sweeping housing affordability bill—despite President Trump’s refusal to sign—offers a rare moment of legislative optimism, though ideological differences remain on the role of federal power.
- 2 weeks agoconversational50 min5-min read
Graham Platner Drops Out In Maine Senate Race
Democratic Senate candidate Graham Plattner withdrew from Maine’s race following sexual assault allegations, reshaping the contest against Susan Collins and prompting debate over party vetting, voter incentives, and political hypocrisy. The panel also discussed Donald Trump’s FIFA intervention, congressional dysfunction, and the role of voters in enabling polarized politics.
- 3 weeks agoroundtable50 min5-min read
No, The Supreme Court Didn’t Make Trump Unilaterally More Powerful
The Supreme Court's recent term delivered a mix of rulings that both constrained and expanded executive power, while reigniting debates over foundational constitutional principles like birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment’s role in race-conscious policies. Though often portrayed as uniformly ideological, the court showed significant internal division, with key decisions breaking along unexpected lines and justices like Gorsuch and Kavanaugh diverging from conservative orthodoxy. The term also revealed a growing tension between judicial restraint and judicial activism, particularly in how the court handles congressional authority, executive overreach, and the future of democratic institutions.
- Jun 26, 2026roundtable50 min5-min read
Who Speaks For The Parties? Dems and GOP Fight It Out
The recent wave of progressive Democratic primary victories in New York, backed by Zohran Mamdani, has sparked debate over whether the party is undergoing a fundamental ideological shift. While Democrats like Mo Elleithee see strategic caution still dominating in competitive districts, others like Sarah Isgur argue that a deeper cultural realignment — fueled by voter anger and distrust of establishment figures — mirrors the MAGA takeover of the Republican Party. The real story may not be policy, but authenticity, outrage, and a rejection of incrementalism, with both parties now shaped more by populist energy than traditional governance. This dynamic is further complicated by rising anti-Semitism on the left and authoritarian tendencies on the right, as Congress increasingly resembles a reality show where symbolic battles — from algae in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool to fireworks schedules — overshadow substantive lawmaking.
- Jun 19, 2026conversational50 min6-min read
Is Anyone Happy With Trump’s Iran Deal?
President Trump announces a 60-day ceasefire with Iran, claiming it as a major foreign policy victory that prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and reopens the Strait of Hormuz. However, Mo Elleithee and Sarah Isgur express deep skepticism, arguing the agreement lacks enforcement, gives Iran leverage, and undermines U.S. standing, while also criticizing Trump’s domestic politicization of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
- Jun 12, 2026roundtable50 min6-min read
The World Cup Is Getting Outplayed By Politics
The World Cup and UFC events hosted in the U.S. have become political flashpoints, with debates over immigration policies, government use of public space, and the ethics of hosting controversial figures. Meanwhile, the Maine Senate race between Democrat Graham Plattner and Republican Susan Collins highlights how voters are increasingly prioritizing political tribalism and opposition to the other side over candidate morality, even as election integrity concerns persist amid slow vote counts and conspiracy theories. The conversation spans sports, elections, and political messaging, revealing deep partisan divides in how morality, security, and democratic norms are interpreted.
- Jun 5, 2026roundtable50 min6-min read
Why Did Iowa Republicans Snub The Trump-Backed Candidate?
The recent Iowa gubernatorial primary, where Trump-endorsed incumbent Randy Feenstra lost to farmer and businessman Zach Lahn, challenges the assumption that Trump’s endorsement guarantees victory. This result, combined with growing bipartisan concern over inhumane ICE detention conditions, the collapse of Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, and the unchecked spread of AI-generated political content, reveals a political landscape fractured by base-driven extremism, declining trust in institutions, and a crisis of government competence. Voters are increasingly reacting not to ideology, but to perceived government dysfunction—whether in immigration enforcement, congressional inaction, or local governance.
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About Left, Right & Center
Left Right & Center is for listeners who feel like people on the other side of the political divide are on Mars. David Greene pieces together the big picture by inviting people from the left and the right to unpack their ideological differences, not to smooth them over, and look at what’s truly at stake. The show offers a rare kind of clarity. It doesn’t ask you to agree. It asks you to look more closely at what’s happening and to challenge your assumptions. You might not always agree – you might even get angry – but you’ll know why you feel the way you do. No knee-jerk reactions or name calling. This show doesn’t promise easy answers or warm fuzzies; it promises more clarity for the chaotic political era we’re all living through.
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