In this episode, Moses Parente talks with Nick, host of Not Suitable for Democracy and an organizer and member of the Democratic Socialists of America about the midterms and what Democrats might do next.

They discuss voter trust, affordability, political messaging, open primaries, New York politics, and the road to 2028.

00:00 Midterms, a “blue wave,” and what comes next
03:10 Congressional oversight and possible impeachments
08:06 Democratic messaging, affordability, and a big-tent party
10:10 What the election results could mean
12:08 The Democratic Party’s direction
15:34 Texas, New York, and shifting political maps
19:03 The midterm results and New York’s role
20:51 Gerrymandering and the 2022 New York elections
23:45 Should New York open its primaries?
26:53 Andrew Yang, Mamdani, and political messaging
29:58 How public image shapes a political career
37:30 Authenticity, trust, and voter conversations
40:09 Earning votes and connecting with voters
42:33 What a crowded 2028 primary could bring
45:43 Affordability and issues voters prioritize
46:52 Nick’s take on Mamdani’s governance
50:19 Pragmatism, compromise, and governing
53:59 Rethinking political rhetoric
55:08 Building a more inclusive party
56:20 Economic populism and kitchen-table issues
58:01 Where to find Nick’s podcast and social channels
58:50 How podcasting changed Nick’s networking
1:01:09 Closing

Nick’s podcast, Not Suitable for Democracy, is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

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📅 New episodes every Monday at 12 p.m. ET

🎧 Listen and watch:

▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@itsmosesparente
🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OlrjypMa5fS2Uqn3zYD
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/tj/podcast/systems-and-power/id6790180591

📱 Follow me:

Instagram: @itsmosesparente
TikTok: @itsmosesparente
LinkedIn: Moses Parente

DISCLAIMERS

The Systems & Power Podcast does not endorse or assume responsibility for the opinions expressed by its guests.

We provide a platform for different perspectives under the premise that ideas should be heard, questioned, and put to the test.

The views expressed on this channel are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

Jimmy Vacca Vacca is a former New York City Councilman for the 13th City Council District of New York and Distinguished Lecturer of political science professor and Urban Studies at CUNY Queens College.

Drawing on decades of experience in New York politics, Vacca returns to Systems & Power for his third conversation with Moses Parente.

Just one day after the 2026 midterm elections, former New York City Councilman James Vacca returns to Systems & Power for his third appearance, joining host Moses Parente to break down the election results, the future of the Republican Party, and the battle for control of Washington.

But Vacca offers a warning to Democrats: This election wasn't necessarily an endorsement of the Democratic Party. It was a rejection of the status quo.

From economic frustration and rising living costs to tariffs, foreign policy, and declining voter enthusiasm, Vacca examines why the coalition that helped propel Donald Trump to victory in 2024 may be unraveling—and what Republicans must do to rebuild ahead of 2028.

Here are approximate chapter timestamps from the selected recording:

0:14 — The election results and the scale of the Democratic wave
1:14 — How Trump’s coalition fell apart
3:33 — What the results could mean for 2028, including Texas and Florida
6:43 — What Democrats should do with their momentum
10:56 — The early field of possible 2028 presidential candidates
14:24 — Mississippi and the South’s political shift
17:40 — Ballot measures and local control
19:13 — Down-ballot effects and how the wave reshaped legislatures
22:28— Chuck Schumer, Senate leadership and campaign promises
25:17 — Fundraising, campaign money and small donors
30:15 — Trump’s influence over the next Republican presidential race
35:19 — Democratic oversight, hearings and cost-of-living priorities
38:35— The lame-duck Congress and what it might do before January
42:21 — Party leadership, coalition-building and representing a district
57:43— Comparing the wave to past political realignments
59:05— Mississippi, third-party candidates and strategic voting
63:16 — Closing remarks and thanks

If you enjoyed the video:

• Subscribe for more commentary and Systems & Power episodes
• Like the video to support the channel
• Leave a comment with your thoughts
• Watch the full podcast conversation on the channel

📅 New episodes every Monday at 12 p.m. ET

🎧 Listen and watch:

▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@itsmosesparente
🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OlrjypMa5fS2Uqn3zYD
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/tj/podcast/systems-and-power/id6790180591

📱 Follow me:

Instagram: @itsmosesparente
TikTok: @itsmosesparente
LinkedIn: Moses Parente

DISCLAIMERS

The Systems & Power Podcast does not endorse or assume responsibility for the opinions expressed by its guests.

We provide a platform for different perspectives under the premise that ideas should be heard, questioned, and put to the test.

The views expressed on this channel are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

Is the Anthropic IPO a sign of an AI bubble, and should you buy on day one? Moses Parente talks with Siddharth Niel Pal about Anthropic's S-1 numbers, why advertising matters for AI revenue, and why Niel would wait a few weeks before buying.They also cover:

• Google, cloud spending and why startups are moving to GCP
• Kalshi, Polymarket and whether prediction markets will replace polls
• How clipping and short-form content are changing marketing and fame
• Populism, the wealth created by AI and the 2026 elections

0:00 Welcome and Anthropic IPO outlook
0:48 Is this an AI bubble?
1:29 Why ads matter for AI revenue
6:22 Should you buy on IPO day?
7:18 New wealth and the tech workforce
14:43 Google, cloud and GCP
22:47 Kalshi and prediction markets vs. polls
30:27 Short-form content and clipping
38:14 Content creation, authenticity and attention
46:55 Lessons from 19 episodes of podcasting
50:13 Trump, Mamdani and populism
58:44 Wealth, billionaires and politics
1:04:36 Wrap-up

Not financial advice. These are the speakers' personal opinions.

If you enjoyed the video:

• Subscribe for more commentary and Systems & Power episodes
• Like the video to support the channel
• Leave a comment with your thoughts
• Watch the full podcast conversation on the channel

📅 New episodes every Monday at 12 p.m. ET

🎧 Listen and watch:

▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@itsmosesparente
🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OlrjypMa5fS2Uqn3zYD
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/tj/podcast/systems-and-power/id6790180591

📱 Follow me:

Instagram: @itsmosesparente
TikTok: @itsmosesparente
LinkedIn: Moses Parente

DISCLAIMERS

The Systems & Power Podcast does not endorse or assume responsibility for the opinions expressed by its guests.

We provide a platform for different perspectives under the premise that ideas should be heard, questioned, and put to the test.

The views expressed on this channel are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

#AIAgents #ArtificialIntelligence #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Technology #SystemsAndPower