Beyond Left and Right
The war in Iran scrambles the usual political map, so we explore the nine types that actually make up America
While I was taking the Pew Research Center’s political typology quiz, I kept wishing for the ability to write footnotes. Do I want a bigger or smaller government? Smaller with these caveats! Do I believe in marriage equality? Obviously, but can we talk about how legal marriage gives rise to legal divorce, which is a brutal process for everyone involved? That feeling of needing a footnote shows up over and over again in this episode.
We start with the Iran “deal” that isn’t and the strange place I’ve reached with this war: I think I know enough, and I don’t believe anything “new.” Then we discussed the Pew Research framework that sorts Americans into nine political groups instead of the two parties. Sarah and I landed in different groups, obviously, and it was helpful to have some language about why. - Beth
Topics Discussed
- The Iran "deal" that's really a memorandum of understanding
- Why JD Vance looks set up to take the fall if it collapses
- What we actually know (and don't) about who's in charge in Tehran
- Pew Research's nine political "types" and the death of simple red vs. blue
- Taking the typology quiz live — and Sarah's and Beth's results
- The progressive litmus test and the voters Democrats leave on the table
- A rule for bedtime: don't stay up for anything you wouldn't wake at 5 a.m. to do
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Episode Resources
On whether a U.S.–Iran deal is within reach (Council on Foreign Relations)
Eli Lake, “Trump gives Iran a lifeline and calls it peace” (The Free Press)
The political typology — nine groups beyond red vs. blue (Pew Research Center)
The Ezra Klein Show on the shape of the 2026 midterms (New York Times)
On harm, fairness, and having to make the call (The Argument)
Episode Transcript
Coming soon…
Show Credits
Pantsuit Politics is hosted by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers. The show is produced by Studio D Podcast Production.
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