In advance of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there were negotiations over live microphones and arguments over who could attend. There was even a debate over what network it should be put on.

Historically, debates offer an opportunity for political candidates to provide substantive details about their platforms. But in 2024, more attention is paid to spectacle.

Now that the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is over, is it time to focus on the importance of debates and the substance intended to be offered to the American people?

Today on The Wheelhouse, the evolution of public political discourse.

GUESTS:
Dr. Bilal Sekou, Associate professor of politics and government, University of Hartford
Jonathan Wharton, Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
Julian E. Zelizer, Professor of history and public affairs, Princeton University
Kathryn Cramer Brownell, Associate professor of history, Purdue University

In advance of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there were negotiations over <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/post/abc-news-releases-rules-2024-presidential-debate-between-kamala-harris-donald-trump-philadelphia/15268377/">live microphones</a> and arguments over <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/05/presidential-debate-time-how-to-watch/">who could attend</a>. There was even a <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-abc-news-debate-1949102">debate over what network it should be put on</a>.
Historically, debates offer an opportunity for political candidates to provide substantive details about their platforms. But in 2024, more attention is paid to spectacle.
Now that the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is over, is it time to focus on the importance of debates and the substance intended to be offered to the American people?
Today on The Wheelhouse, the evolution of public political discourse.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.hartford.edu/directory/hillyer/sekou-bilal.aspx">Dr. Bilal Sekou</a>, Associate professor of politics and government, University of Hartford</li>
<li><a href="https://www.southernct.edu/directory/whartonj1">Jonathan Wharton</a>, Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University</li>
<li><a href="https://history.princeton.edu/people/julian-e-zelizer">Julian E. Zelizer</a>, Professor of history and public affairs, Princeton University</li>
<li><a href="https://www.cla.purdue.edu/directory/profiles/kathryn-cramer-brownell.html">Kathryn Cramer Brownell</a>, Associate professor of history, Purdue University</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

Connecticut Public's Talk shows help you navigate all the issues and candidates during election season.

From your weekly dose of politics on The Wheelhouse to deep dives on the issues on shows like The Colin McEnroe Show and Disrupted we've got you covered. 

Connecticut Public's Talk shows help you navigate all the issues and candidates during election season.
From your weekly dose of politics on The Wheelhouse to deep dives on the issues on shows like The Colin McEnroe Show and Disrupted we've got you covered.

Election 2024 playlist that HITS...on the issues

Substance vs. Spectacle: A look at presidential debates

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election marked a better showing for the former president than the last time he ran back in 2020.

So far in Connecticut–even though he didn’t capture the state’s seven electoral votes–Trump has collected 21,253 more votes than he did four years ago. That’s according to the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office.

Today on the Wheelhouse, a panel of experts analyze Trump’s gains in Connecticut.

GUESTS:
Jim Haddadin: Investigative editor, Connecticut Public’s The Accountability Project
Maysoon Khan:Investigative reporter, Connecticut Public’s The Accountability Project
Ebong Udoma: Senior reporter, WSHU
John Moritz: State reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
Alex Putterman: Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election marked a better showing for the former president than the last time he ran back in 2020.
So far in Connecticut–even though he didn’t capture the state’s seven electoral votes–Trump has collected 21,253 more votes than he did four years ago. That’s according to the <a href="https://ctemspublic.tgstg.net/#/home">Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office</a>.
Today on the Wheelhouse, a panel of experts analyze Trump’s gains in Connecticut.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/jim-haddadin">Jim Haddadin</a>: Investigative editor, Connecticut Public’s The Accountability Project</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/maysoon-khan">Maysoon Khan</a><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">:</a> Investigative reporter, Connecticut Public’s The Accountability Project</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wshu.org/people/ebong-udoma">Ebong Udoma</a>: Senior reporter, WSHU</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/john-moritz-john-moritz/">John Moritz</a>: State reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/alex-putterman/">Alex Putterman</a>: Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media</li>
</ul>

Trump gained ground across the U.S., including in blue Connecticut 

Last year, 46,728 people were killed in firearm deaths. For parents and families grieving children lost to the Sandy Hook School shooting, there’s no escaping the trauma associated with that loss, and the rhetoric surrounding gun violence.

Today on the Wheelhouse, how the national gun policy discourse affects survivors of gun violence.

It’s a timely conversation, given the recent election of Donald Trump as president. Recently on The Wheelhouse, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) questioned whether Trump could put aside his relationship with the NRA to enact meaningful legislation protecting Americans from gun violence.

Also featured in the conversation will be Connecticut Public senior health reporter Sujata Srinivasan, who’s covering how gun violence is a public health epidemic.

GUESTS:
Francine Wheeler: Founder, Ben’s Lighthouse
Nelba Marquez-Greene: Activist in residence, Yale School of Public Health
Sujata Srinivasan:Senior health reporter, Connecticut Public

Last year, <a href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/2024/continuing-trends-five-key-takeaways-from-2023-cdc-provisional-gun-violence-data">46,728 people were killed in firearm deaths</a>. For parents and families grieving children lost to the Sandy Hook School shooting, there’s no escaping the trauma associated with that loss, and the rhetoric surrounding gun violence.
Today on the Wheelhouse, how the national gun policy discourse affects survivors of gun violence.
It’s a timely conversation, given the recent election of Donald Trump as president. <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-wheelhouse/2024-11-06/election-2024-the-morning-after">Recently on The Wheelhouse</a>, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) questioned whether Trump could put aside his relationship with the NRA to enact meaningful legislation protecting Americans from gun violence.
Also featured in the conversation will be Connecticut Public senior health reporter Sujata Srinivasan, who’s <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2024-10-29/firearm-fatalities-make-us-international-outlier-fuel-ongoing-mental-health-crisis-yale-study-says">covering</a> how gun violence is a public health epidemic.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://benslighthouse.org/team/francine-lobis-wheeler/">Francine Wheeler</a>: Founder, Ben’s Lighthouse</li>
<li><a href="https://ysph.yale.edu/about-school-of-public-health/communications-public-relations/podcasts/shared-humanity/">Nelba Marquez-Greene</a>: Activist in residence, Yale School of Public Health</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/sujata-srinivasan">Sujata Srinivasan</a><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">:</a> Senior health reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
</ul>

Humanizing national gun policy in the wake of the 2024 elections

The polls have closed and votes are still being counted.

As the 2024 elections come and go, a powerhouse panel of experts will be there for Connecticut residents to take stock in what’s left to determine our political future.

Today on the Wheelhouse, analysis of what we know so far. Plus, hear from some winners in races that were already decided.

GUESTS:
Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror
Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3
Bilal Sekou:Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford

The polls have closed and votes are still being counted.
As the 2024 elections come and go, a powerhouse panel of experts will be there for Connecticut residents to take stock in what’s left to determine our political future.
Today on the Wheelhouse, analysis of what we know so far. Plus, hear from some winners in races that were already decided.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/mpazniokas/">Mark Pazniokas</a>, Capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">Susan Raff</a>, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3</li>
<li><a href="https://www.hartford.edu/directory/hillyer/sekou-bilal.aspx">Bilal Sekou</a><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">:</a> Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford</li>
</ul>

Substance vs. Spectacle: A look at presidential debates

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