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In this issue: Defining 'legitimate political discourse,' fighting voter suppression, and truth-tellers

The Fulcrum
February 10, 2022



TOP STORY

What is ‘legitimate political discourse,’ and does it include the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol?

Jennifer Mercieca

When the governing body of the Republican Party called the events of Jan. 6, 2021, “legitimate public discourse,” it renewed a sometimes-furious debate about what are, and aren’t, acceptable forms of discussion and debate in a democratic society.

This question has emerged frequently in recent years, with complaints about inappropriate methods of protest, efforts to take particular viewpoints off social media, and accusations that various people are disseminating misleading information. But the issue took on new urgency on Feb. 4, 2022, when the Republican National Committee censured U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.

They are the only Republicans serving on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. The governing body of the Republican Party said this meant they were “participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.”

As researchers who study the relationship between communication and democracy, we believe our insights can help citizens draw the line between “legitimate political discourse” and illegitimate political violence.

Keep Reading...

DEBATE

Fighting voter suppression will take coordination and commitment

Lawrence Goldstone

The newer methods of voter suppression can make voting maddeningly cumbersome but not prevent it. Still, many Americans will need support in order to navigate the increasingly Byzantine environment created by those who want to maintain minority rule, writes Lawrence Goldstone, author of "On Account of Race: The Supreme Court, White Supremacy, and the Ravaging of African American Voting Rights."

VIDEO

Video: Issue One's 'Truth Tellers'

Our Staff

There's a massive disinformation campaign that's making baseless claims about the 2020 election, dividing the American people, and causing many to lose trust in our democratic process — and that’s a big problem for the whole country. That's why Issue One launched "Truthtellers" — a video series telling the truth about the 2020 election, by millennial conservative and “Swamp Stories” podcast host Weston Wamp.

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Contributors

Reform in 2023: Leadership worth celebrating

Layla Zaidane

Two technology balancing acts

Dave Anderson

Reform in 2023: It’s time for the civil rights community to embrace independent voters

Jeremy Gruber

Congress’ fix to presidential votes lights the way for broader election reform

Kevin Johnson

Democrats and Republicans want the status quo, but we need to move Forward

Christine Todd Whitman

Reform in 2023: Building a beacon of hope in Boston

Henry Santana
Jerren Chang
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J.H. Snider
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Podcast: Turmoil among House Republicans: Is the political system to blame?

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Special counsels, like those examining Biden’s and Trump’s handling of classified documents, are intended to be independent – but they aren’t entirely

Joshua Holzer
13 January

Ask Joe: Combating extreme propaganda

Joe Weston
13 January

Talking across the political aisle isn’t a cure-all - but it does help reduce hostility

Dominik Stecuła
Matthew Levendusky
13 January
Videos

Video: Want to fight polarization? Take a vacation!

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Video: Kevin McCarthy is Speaker, but he's got a tough job ahead

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Video: #ListenFirst Friday End of Year

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Video: Minnesota Gov. Walz asks fellow Democrats to ‘Think Big’ when it comes to fixing voting issues

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Video: What’s up with Elon Musk?

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Video: Happy Xmas

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Podcasts

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Podcast: Dinner and a​​ ​dialogue​

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Podcast: Turmoil among House Republicans: Is the political system to blame?

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