Mark Jacob

Nora Benavidez

Ald. Scott Waguespack

Will Craft

On this week's show
– Mark Jacob, author of the Stop the Presses newsletter on Substack, former metro editor at the Chicago Tribune and Sunday editor at the Sun-Times, co-author of several books on history and photography
– Nora Benavidez, senior counsel and general director of digital justice and civil rights at the media nonprofit Free Press
– Chicago Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward)
– Will Craft, U.S. data editor for the Guardian

Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).   



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On this week's show &ndash; Mark Jacob, author of the <a href="https://www.stopthepresses.news/about">Stop the Presses</a> newsletter on Substack, former metro editor at the Chicago Tribune and Sunday editor at the Sun-Times, co-author of several books on history and photography &ndash; <a href="https://www.freepress.net/about/staff/nora-benavidez">Nora Benavidez</a>, senior counsel and general director of digital justice and civil rights at the media nonprofit <a href="https://www.freepress.net/about/staff/nora-benavidez">Free Press</a> &ndash; Chicago <a href="https://www.ward32.org/">Ald. Scott Waguespack</a> (32nd Ward) &ndash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/will-craft">Will Craft</a>, U.S. data editor for the Guardian
Catch &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the Democracy, Stupid&rdquo; Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).&nbsp; &nbsp; 
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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath."

Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build.

Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central to be part of the conversation.

About Edwin
Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago’s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority.

Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved. 

Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton’s campaign slogan, "It’s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It’s the democracy, stupid."

In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on Substack, hosts a weekly show on Lincoln Square, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work.

He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist Jennifer Schulze.

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago,&nbsp;"The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath."
Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build.
Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central&nbsp;to be part of the conversation.
About Edwin Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago&rsquo;s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority.
Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved.&nbsp;
Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton&rsquo;s campaign slogan, "It&rsquo;s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It&rsquo;s the democracy, stupid."
In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on <a href="https://edwineisendrath.substack.com/p/i-love-american-democracy-but-love" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Substack</a>, hosts a weekly show on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lincolnsquare.media/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Lincoln Square</a>, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work.
He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist <a href="https://jenniferschulze.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jennifer Schulze</a>.

It's the Democracy, Stupid Full Episodes

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath."

Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build.

Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central to be part of the conversation.

About Edwin
Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago’s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority.

Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved. 

Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton’s campaign slogan, "It’s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It’s the democracy, stupid."

In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on Substack, hosts a weekly show on Lincoln Square, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work.

He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist Jennifer Schulze.

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, "The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath."
Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build.
Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central to be part of the conversation.
About Edwin Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago&rsquo;s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority.
Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved.&nbsp;
Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton&rsquo;s campaign slogan, "It&rsquo;s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It&rsquo;s the democracy, stupid."
In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on <a href="https://edwineisendrath.substack.com/p/i-love-american-democracy-but-love" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Substack</a>, hosts a weekly show on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lincolnsquare.media/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Lincoln Square</a>, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work.
He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist <a href="https://jenniferschulze.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jennifer Schulze</a>.

It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath (formerly The Big Picture)

It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath | October 3, 2026

Adam Parkhomenko and Sam Youngman

J. Patrick Coolican

Pat Kreiltow

Michael Roth

On this week's show
– Adam Parkhomenko and Sam Youngman of The Alt Media
– J. Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer
– Pat Kreitlow, founder and editor of Up North News, ahead of next Tuesday’s primary election in Wisconsin
– Michael S. Roth, president of Wesleyan University; he recently wrote a New York Times guest essay entitled “The Obvious Step That Could Mean Fewer Fraternity Sexual Assaults“

Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).   





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On this week's show &ndash; Adam Parkhomenko and Sam Youngman of <a href="https://www.thealtmedia.com/about">The Alt Media</a> &ndash; <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/j-patrick-coolican/">J. Patrick Coolican</a>, editor-in-chief of the <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a> &ndash; <a href="https://upnorthnewswi.com/author/patkreitlow/">Pat Kreitlow</a>, founder and editor of Up North News, ahead of next Tuesday&rsquo;s primary election in Wisconsin &ndash; Michael S. Roth, president of Wesleyan University; he recently wrote a New York Times guest essay entitled &ldquo;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/16/opinion/fraternities-cornell-men-women.html">The Obvious Step That Could Mean Fewer Fraternity Sexual Assaults</a>&ldquo;
Catch &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the Democracy, Stupid&rdquo; Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
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It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath | October 24, 2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by G. Elliott Morris, data-driven journalist, pollster, author of the Substack newsletter “Strength In Numbers” and the book “Strength in Numbers: How Polls Work and Why We Need Them.”

In the interview polling and election forecasts were discussed as useful but inherently uncertain measures of public opinion and electoral outcomes. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Morris emphasized that polls help explain public attitudes beyond the horse race, while typical election polling error remains about three percentage points.
- Aggregating polls reduces individual-poll error, but shared nonresponse bias can affect the average; the direction of polling error cannot be reliably predicted.
- Morris described a broad anti-incumbent mood, tied to economic concerns and dissatisfaction with government priorities and policies.
- The U.S. House is forecast strongly toward Democratic control; the Senate is more competitive, with polling error potentially changing the outcome. 
- Morris and Eisendrath also discussed growing public dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court and skepticism that the forces behind the current Republican Party will disappear when Donald Trump leaves office.

Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).   





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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by G. Elliott Morris, data-driven journalist, pollster, author of the Substack newsletter &ldquo;<a href="https://www.gelliottmorris.com/">Strength In Numbers</a>&rdquo; and the book &ldquo;<a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/strength-in-numbers">Strength in Numbers: How Polls Work and Why We Need Them</a>.&rdquo;
In the interview polling and election forecasts were discussed as useful but inherently uncertain measures of public opinion and electoral outcomes. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Morris emphasized that polls help explain public attitudes beyond the horse race, while typical election polling error remains about three percentage points. - Aggregating polls reduces individual-poll error, but shared nonresponse bias can affect the average; the direction of polling error cannot be reliably predicted. - Morris described a broad anti-incumbent mood, tied to economic concerns and dissatisfaction with government priorities and policies. - The U.S. House is forecast strongly toward Democratic control; the Senate is more competitive, with polling error potentially changing the outcome.&nbsp; - Morris and Eisendrath also discussed growing public dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court and skepticism that the forces behind the current Republican Party will disappear when Donald Trump leaves office.
Catch &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the Democracy, Stupid&rdquo; Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
Follow us:
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Pollster G. Elliott Morris: WCPT 820 Interview

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Jay Kuo, two-time Tony-winning co-producer and composer; CEO and founder of The Social Edge (a social media and digital publishing company based in New York City); author of The Status Kuo Substack newsletter; and member of the board of directors for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

The interview examined election integrity, accountability, and the reforms Democrats may pursue if they gain power. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Kuo said challenges to mail ballots and claims about noncitizen voters could suppress turnout and undermine trust in election results.
- He urged early voting and said Democrats should aim to establish a clear lead before late-arriving ballots are counted. He is more cautious about the U.S. Senate than the House.
- Kuo argued that a future Democratic Congress should investigate corruption, including the conduct of Trump associates and corporate enablers, and raise the costs of cooperating with corrupt actors.
- He said opposition lawmakers have limited governing power and should make the case for replacing the party in power.
- He supports institutional reforms, including expanding the Supreme Court and reconsidering the filibuster, arguing that Republicans have already departed from established norms.
- He said Democrats should use electoral momentum for accountability and a progressive agenda while recognizing limits if they do not control the presidency and both chambers.

Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).   





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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Jay Kuo, two-time Tony-winning co-producer and composer; CEO and founder of The Social Edge (a social media and digital publishing company based in New York City); author of&nbsp;<a href="https://statuskuo.substack.com/">The Status Kuo</a> Substack newsletter; and member of the board of directors for the <a href="https://www.hrc.org/">Human Rights Campaign</a> (HRC).
The interview examined election integrity, accountability, and the reforms Democrats may pursue if they gain power. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Kuo said challenges to mail ballots and claims about noncitizen voters could suppress turnout and undermine trust in election results. - He urged early voting and said Democrats should aim to establish a clear lead before late-arriving ballots are counted. He is more cautious about the U.S. Senate than the House. - Kuo argued that a future Democratic Congress should investigate corruption, including the conduct of Trump associates and corporate enablers, and raise the costs of cooperating with corrupt actors. - He said opposition lawmakers have limited governing power and should make the case for replacing the party in power. - He supports institutional reforms, including expanding the Supreme Court and reconsidering the filibuster, arguing that Republicans have already departed from established norms. - He said Democrats should use electoral momentum for accountability and a progressive agenda while recognizing limits if they do not control the presidency and both chambers.
Catch &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the Democracy, Stupid&rdquo; Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
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It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath | October 3, 2026

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It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath (formerly The Big Picture)

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