Yuval Levin

There's not an easy way to do it, but I think to do it would require, first of all, recognizing that that's what we're not doing. The diagnosis makes a big difference because if the problem is just we're not passing big bills, then you want Congress to be more efficient. So you want to get rid of the filibuster, you want to strengthen party leaders, strengthen party discipline.

There's not an easy way to do it, but I think to do it would require, first of all, recognizing that that's what we're not doing. The diagnosis makes a big difference because if the problem is just we're not passing big bills, then you want Congress to be more efficient. So you want to get rid of the filibuster, you want to strengthen party leaders, strengthen party discipline.

If you think the problem is we're not facilitating bargaining across party lines, then you're Then you love the filibuster, as I do. It's the only reason we've had any bipartisan legislation in the last 15 years. You don't want to strengthen party leaders. You want to strengthen committees. You want to decentralize the budget process.

If you think the problem is we're not facilitating bargaining across party lines, then you're Then you love the filibuster, as I do. It's the only reason we've had any bipartisan legislation in the last 15 years. You don't want to strengthen party leaders. You want to strengthen committees. You want to decentralize the budget process.

The difference over which way we should go is very, very important for figuring out how to resolve the kind of frustration we have now, because I don't think presidentialism is going to resolve it. I agree that it is a response to that frustration, but it is a response that isn't going to work. And a better response would begin from a reacquaintance with the logic of our Constitution.

The difference over which way we should go is very, very important for figuring out how to resolve the kind of frustration we have now, because I don't think presidentialism is going to resolve it. I agree that it is a response to that frustration, but it is a response that isn't going to work. And a better response would begin from a reacquaintance with the logic of our Constitution.

Why? Why? Yeah, this is a great question, and I really agree with the way that you put the problem. I think that you have to begin from the fact that you began with, which is these are ambitious people. Members of Congress are ambitious, smart men and women. I know they can look like clowns from a distance, and a few of them are clowns maybe, but they're pretty impressive people.

Why? Why? Yeah, this is a great question, and I really agree with the way that you put the problem. I think that you have to begin from the fact that you began with, which is these are ambitious people. Members of Congress are ambitious, smart men and women. I know they can look like clowns from a distance, and a few of them are clowns maybe, but they're pretty impressive people.

And they're going to do what it takes to succeed. The question is, what does it take to succeed? What is the definition of success that they're operating with? I think a lot of that is a function of the kinds of incentives that the political system sets up for them.

And they're going to do what it takes to succeed. The question is, what does it take to succeed? What is the definition of success that they're operating with? I think a lot of that is a function of the kinds of incentives that the political system sets up for them.

And in this moment, a lot of the definition of success involves having a prominent place in our political theater, which is a very, very fragmented partisan theater. And looking like you are doing a great job of speaking for the team. So every member wants to be seen as the person who really says that thing that the left doesn't want to hear if you're a Republican member.

And in this moment, a lot of the definition of success involves having a prominent place in our political theater, which is a very, very fragmented partisan theater. And looking like you are doing a great job of speaking for the team. So every member wants to be seen as the person who really says that thing that the left doesn't want to hear if you're a Republican member.

They define success by social media following, by their prominence in the cable news outlets that matter to their older voters. they don't define their success as much by legislative work by what can you bring home in a funny way the media environment the operating has been both nationalized and fragmented you're not trying to look good on the national news so much as to look good

They define success by social media following, by their prominence in the cable news outlets that matter to their older voters. they don't define their success as much by legislative work by what can you bring home in a funny way the media environment the operating has been both nationalized and fragmented you're not trying to look good on the national news so much as to look good

to the particular social media influencer that your most devoted primary voters follow. And that's created a set of incentives that is distant from legislative work. And it's left a lot of members with a sense that investing themselves in their committee work is a waste of time. And so members who are ambitious are channeling their ambition in a direction that seems like it can lead to success.

to the particular social media influencer that your most devoted primary voters follow. And that's created a set of incentives that is distant from legislative work. And it's left a lot of members with a sense that investing themselves in their committee work is a waste of time. And so members who are ambitious are channeling their ambition in a direction that seems like it can lead to success.

And I think that does create a variety of kind of deformations of legislative work that, from the vantage point of our system of government, makes these members seem to be doing very strange things.

And I think that does create a variety of kind of deformations of legislative work that, from the vantage point of our system of government, makes these members seem to be doing very strange things.

I think that's a great insight. And I think people are really understating the possibility that Republicans just won't be able to pass a reconciliation bill in this Congress. They just simply won't be able to pass it together. They have a three vote majority in the House. So what are they going to do about tax reform?

I think that's a great insight. And I think people are really understating the possibility that Republicans just won't be able to pass a reconciliation bill in this Congress. They just simply won't be able to pass it together. They have a three vote majority in the House. So what are they going to do about tax reform?