Some Choices, Once made, Can't easily be undone: Gerrymandering, California Politics, and Social Trends - Smerconish on CNN - Podcast on CNN Podcasts

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Smerconish on CNN

Michael Smerconish tackles the American political and news stories of the week, offering a unique non-ideological take: his own.

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Some Choices, Once made, Can't easily be undone: Gerrymandering, California Politics, and Social Trends
Smerconish on CNN
Aug 23, 2025

In this episode, Michael Smerconish discusses the implications of California possibly following Texas in mid-decade redistricting, challenging the state's independent redistricting commission. He examines the polarization driven by gerrymandering and self-sorting, and the potential consequences for the 2026 midterms. Smerconish also hosts election analyst David Wasserman to analyze the political landscape if California's initiative to abandon its independent commission succeeds. The show shifts to a discussion on social trends, including Americans' declining party culture, reduced alcohol consumption, and the impact of isolating behaviors. Randy Carter shares his experience from the 1965 A-TEAM program, highlighting the tough realities of manual labor and its modern implications. The episode wraps up with a contentious debate over Jeffrey Epstein's death and a call for more social mingling to address increasing societal polarization.