Thanksgiving Unity: Bridging Political Divides at the Table - 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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Thanksgiving Unity: Bridging Political Divides at the Table
Smerconish on CNN
Nov 22, 2025

Michael Smerconish explores the idea of finding common ground during Thanksgiving amid political polarization. He rejects the conventional advice to avoid sensitive topics, suggesting instead that Americans are united by core democratic values. Citing a Kettering Foundation and Gallup survey, he emphasizes areas of overwhelming consensus among U.S. adults, such as the importance of compromise and political leaders acting against violence and money influence in politics. Additionally, NYU's Susie Welch discusses a Wall Street Journal analysis showing that only 11% of Americans prioritize family as their top value, with personal well-being and self-expression ranking higher. Later, Smerconish touches on Democratic Socialism in the context of New York City’s newly elected mayor Zoran Momani and the broader implications of AI on employment and society. The episode ends with social media interactions and further discussions about the future under advanced AI technologies.