Edwin Eisendrath is joined by The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols, whose latest article is "Trump Is Making the 250th Small."  (The conversation was recorded June 26.)

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 The Atlantic&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/author/tom-nichols/">Tom Nichols</a>, whose latest article is "<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/06/trump-250-usa-speech/687682/">Trump Is Making the 250th Smal</a>l."&nbsp; (The conversation was recorded June 26.)
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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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 Featured Interviews

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)

WCPT 820 Interview: Tom Nichols

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog organization that advances accountability and democracy by enforcing the public’s right to government records.

Chukwu discussed American Oversight's nonpartisan investigations and litigation concerning government transparency, election administration, civil rights, and government weaponization. Here are a few key points from the conversation.
- Chioma explained that American Oversight uses public-records requests, investigations, partnerships, and litigation to expose government actions and defend transparency.
- The organization views an informed public as essential to a strengthened democracy and said litigation can pause or stop harmful actions.
- Records obtained from the Department of Justice showed White House efforts to connect election conspiracy theorists with senior officials. "What we uncovered," Chukwu told WCPT, "were records showing that election deniers have essentially been invited into this administration, and that the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, herself personally helped open the door."
- The people involved promoted policies that would reduce mail voting, eliminate voting machines in favor of paper ballots, "and in the records that we uncovered," she added, "they actually propose that the DOJ give them authority to go around the country advising election officials, and it's like, who are these people?"

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 Chioma Chukwu, executive director of <a href="https://americanoversight.org/">American Oversight</a>, a nonpartisan watchdog organization that advances accountability and democracy by enforcing the public&rsquo;s right to government records.
Chukwu discussed American Oversight's nonpartisan investigations and litigation concerning government transparency, election administration, civil rights, and government weaponization. Here are a few key points from the conversation. - Chioma explained that American Oversight uses public-records requests, investigations, partnerships, and litigation to expose government actions and defend transparency. - The organization views an informed public as essential to a strengthened democracy and said litigation can pause or stop harmful actions. - Records obtained from the Department of Justice showed White House efforts to connect election conspiracy theorists with senior officials. "What we uncovered," Chukwu told WCPT, "were records showing that election deniers have essentially been invited into this administration, and that the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, herself personally helped open the door." - The people involved promoted policies that would reduce mail voting, eliminate voting machines in favor of paper ballots, "and in the records that we uncovered," she added, "they actually propose that the DOJ give them authority to go around the country advising election officials, and it's like, who are these people?"
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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WCPT 820 Interview: Chioma Chukwu of American Oversight

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for Bleeding Heartland, a community website focused on Iowa politics.

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 Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for <a href="https://www.bleedingheartland.com/">Bleeding Heartland</a>, a community website focused on Iowa politics.
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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WCPT 820 Interview: Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland

Laura Belin

Chioma Chukwu

Eric Garcia

Dean Baker

On this week's show
– Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for Bleeding Heartland, a community website focused on Iowa politics
– Chioma Chukwu, the executive director of American Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog organization that advances accountability and democracy by enforcing the public’s right to government records
– Eric Garcia, Washington bureau chief at The Independent
– Dean Baker, distinguished senior fellow and co-founder of the Center for Economic and Policy Research

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; Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bleedingheartland.com/">Bleeding Heartland</a>, a community website focused on Iowa politics &ndash; Chioma Chukwu, the executive director of <a href="https://americanoversight.org/">American Oversight</a>, a nonpartisan watchdog organization that advances accountability and democracy by enforcing the public&rsquo;s right to government records &ndash; <a href="https://www.the-independent.com/author/eric-garcia">Eric Garcia</a>, Washington bureau chief at The Independent &ndash; Dean Baker, distinguished senior fellow and co-founder of the <a href="https://cepr.net/">Center for Economic and Policy Research</a>
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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WCPT 820 Interview: Tom Nichols

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

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