Live at the National Constitution Center

Michael Tomasky on Polarization and How to Fix It

February 19, 2019

Michael Tomasky, special correspondent for The Daily Beast, stops by the National Constitution Center to discuss his new book If We Can Keep It: How the Republic Collapsed and How It Might be Saved. Speaking to a sold-out crowd, in conversation with NCC President Jeffrey Rosen, Tomasky tells of the unique history of American political parties, the rise of polarization and its negative effects on government, and possible solutions for healing the divides we face today. – like expanding the House of Representatives, eliminating the filibuster and the Electoral College, and encouraging moderate Republicans to run for office. Tomasky even offers his take on a possible presidential run by Howard Schultz. 

Stay Connected and Learn More

Questions or comments about the show? Email us at [email protected].

Continue the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using @ConstitutionCtr.

Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate, at bit.ly/constitutionweekly.

Please subscribe to Live at America’s Town Hall and our companion podcast We the People on Apple PodcastsStitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

Loading...

Explore Further

Podcast
Does Article II of the Constitution Grant the President Power to Fire Anyone in the Executive Branch?

Scholars Michael Ramsey and Jed Shugerman debate recent Supreme Court decisions on the president’s removal power

Town Hall Video
2026 Supreme Court Review: Key Decisions, Executive Power, Civil Discourse

The National Constitution Center and the Center on the Structural Constitution at Texas A&M University School of Law present the…

Blog Post
The Supreme Court in Review: Another Landmark Term

On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court concluded issuing opinions for its October Term 2025. The session was marked by several…

Educational Video
Live Classes: Slavery in America (Advanced)

In this session, students engage in a conversation on slavery in America from the Constitution to Reconstruction. This session…

Donate

Support Programs Like These

Your generous support enables the National Constitution Center to hear the best arguments on all sides of the constitutional issues at the center of American life. As a private, nonprofit organization, we rely on support from corporations, foundations, and individuals.

Donate Today