The Education Crisis Nobody Wants to Fix
A conversation with Rahm Emanuel on education reform, community colleges, and the 2028 race
In the B.T. era (Before Trump), I loved presidential elections. I love the horse race, the contest of ideas, the battle of pure grit and charisma, the intellectual marathon. I think I’ll love presidential elections again in the A.T. era. I love that we’re going to have a wide-open competition for both major parties’ nominations, and I bet there will be some interesting independent and small-party candidates in the mix as well. I’m here for all of it. Our 250-year-old democracy needs a good vision-workshopping for the next 250.
I’m excited for 2028. I’m also curious about what we all think America needs in the A.T. era.
Rahm Emanuel frequently says a version of “tough times call for a tough leader.” As much as I have resisted the tough-guy routine from many politicians, I find myself buying it from Emanuel. He has drawers of receipts from battles that were hard-fought and hard-won. He’s been honest about the trade-offs involved in tackling hard questions (you’ll hear him talk in this episode about the difficult decision to close schools in Chicago). I’m leaning forward in my chair when he endorses an immigration bill that he acknowledges is imperfect. His particular combination of experience, pragmatism, and willingness to listen to regular people all across America is meeting the moment for me.
I’m thrilled that he joined us as a guest today and would truly be up for 40 more hours of conversation. And I am very curious to hear whether he meets the moment for you. - Beth
Topics Discussed
The Education Crisis: Why We Know What to Do and Won’t Do It (science of reading, phonics, the Mississippi Marathon)
High School Reform, Community Colleges, and the “Learn, Plan, Succeed” Framework
Phones, Screens, and What We’ve Abdicated to the Algorithm
School Closures, Political Will, and Owning Tough Decisions
Outside of Politics: Swimming, Coffee in Bed, and Raising Boys
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Episode Resources
Rahm Emanuel
The Mississippi Miracle (Marathon)
Inside the Mississippi Marathon (Progressive Policy Institute)
Was there a “Mississippi miracle” behind its soaring reading scores? (Chalkbeat)
Mississippi’s Reading Revolution (George W. Bush Presidential Center)
Immigration
The DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2025 (Congress.gov)
The Dignity Act of 2025: Bill Summary (National Immigration Forum)
Chicago School Reform
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. Alise Napp is our Managing Director and Maggie Penton is our Director of Community Engagement.
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