"Lever Time": Dissent Will Not Be Tolerated in the Democratic Party

Today, we’re sharing the re-launch of The Lever’s flagship podcast Lever Time. In this week’s episode, David Sirota and senior podcast producer Arjun Singh discuss the 2024 presidential election, and the Democratic Party’s efforts to prevent a primary challenge to President Biden.Since 2008, Democratic Party leadership have worked to suppress primary challengers and support incumbent politicians. It’s not uncommon to see the party intervene in a primary on behalf of their preferred candidate in congressional and presidential races. That mentality was on full display during the 2024 Democratic primaries, where the DNC worked with its state affiliates to ensure that, in some cases, Biden’s two primary challengers didn’t even appear on the ballot.Given Biden’s consistently low approval ratings and now palpable anger over his handling of the war in Gaza, it raises the question: did the party intentionally prevent a proper primary from taking place because they wanted to suppress any challenges to Biden?Sirota and Singh unpack Biden’s popularity, and look back at what happened in the 1980 Democratic primary, when Democratic senator Ted Kennedy challenged incumbent president Jimmy Carter.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What this episode covers

Today, we’re sharing the re-launch of The Lever’s flagship podcast Lever Time. In this week’s episode, David Sirota and senior podcast producer Arjun Singh discuss the 2024 presidential election, and the Democratic Party’s efforts to prevent a primary challenge to President Biden.Since 2008, Democratic Party leadership have worked to suppress primary challengers and support incumbent politicians. It’s not uncommon to see the party intervene in a primary on behalf of their preferred candidate in congressional and presidential races. That mentality was on full display during the 2024 Democratic primaries, where the DNC worked with its state affiliates to ensure that, in some cases, Biden’s two primary challengers didn’t even appear on the ballot.Given Biden’s consistently low approval ratings and now palpable anger over his handling of the war in Gaza, it raises the question: did the party intentionally prevent a proper primary from taking place because they wanted to suppress any challenges to Biden?Sirota and Singh unpack Biden’s popularity, and look back at what happened in the 1980 Democratic primary, when Democratic senator Ted Kennedy challenged incumbent president Jimmy Carter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NOW PLAYING

0:00 33:18

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Keir Starmer's Fall

Jun 23, 2026 ·9m

Srebrenica Genocide

Jun 22, 2026 ·12m

Testify to Love: Honoring the Journey of Melissa Greene

Jun 22, 2026 ·57m

Disclosure Day (2026) - The Real Thing

Jun 21, 2026 ·10m

Mayor's Maternity Leave

Jun 19, 2026 ·11m

Instant Noodle Boom

Jun 18, 2026 ·12m

Similar Podcasts

Mad Men Deconstructed Greg Hansen Episode-by-episode analysis of AMC's critically-acclaimed television show Mad Men Girlscamp Hayley Rawle I deconstructed my Mormon faith down to the bone—and when my dad died, the deconstruction shit really hit the fan. Now, Girlscamp isn’t just about what’s fallen apart, but about exploring what might come next.Around the campfire, we’ll swap stories from life after faith shifts, laugh at the quirks of high-demand religion, and dig into the ways Mormonism shows up in our culture—from pop culture and art to media and everyday life. I’ll also sit down with voices ranging from therapists to philosophers to everyday people reimagining belief, as we tackle what it means to live, love, grieve, and grow once certainty is gone.Honest, curious, and a little irreverent—because that’s what Girlscamp is all about. Deconstructed by the Grand Valley Construction Association Grand Valley Construction Association Deconstructed is the podcast of the Grand Valley Construction Association. Host Jeff MacIntyre talks with industry leaders to break down the issues affecting our business so we can understand them better and move towards building a stronger construction industry here at home and across Canada. Perfect Pitch: Classical Music Deconstructed Nick Hely-Hutchinson Unlock the secrets of classical music with Perfect Pitch – the podcast that takes you on a journey through the centuries of timeless compositions. Whether you're a seasoned expert or a curious beginner, Perfect Pitch offers an accessible and relaxed exploration of the world's most beautiful classical works. Join us as we reveal fascinating stories behind the music and the composers who created them. With Perfect Pitch, you'll discover new insights into the classics and develop a deeper appreciation for the art form. Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of classical music like never before!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Deconstructed?

This episode is 33 minutes long.

When was this Deconstructed episode published?

This episode was published on April 19, 2024.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Deconstructed episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!