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Notes from America with Kai Wright

Call-In Special: Hopes and Fears for the Next Four Years

Notes from America with Kai Wright

WNYC Studios

News Commentary, Politics, History, News

4.41.5K Ratings

🗓️ 14 November 2016

⏱️ 56 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this election cycle, anxiety emerged as a dominant theme for voters across the political spectrum. This is where The United States of Anxiety began--documenting the experiences and perspectives which informed voters as they selected their candidate for President of the United States and caused them to grapple with the idea of their lives if the other side prevailed. But following a campaign season built on divisiveness from both sides of the aisle and an election results split between the popular vote and the Electoral College, the anxiety that permeated the election has not dissipated with the determination of the 45th President. The Takeaway's John Hockenberry fields the accounts of individuals preparing for a Trump Administration, and asks what hopes or fears they are carrying into the next four years. Plus, what can the President-elect do--if anything--to assuage the concerns of Americans and live up to his campaign promise to 'make America great'? About the show: In a Presidential election cycle big on negativity and short on discussion of issues, anxiety is proving to be a dominant theme -- over the economy, national security, and indeed, what it means to be an American in the 21st century. This podcast brings the voices of people trying to hold on to their piece of the American Dream and others who are looking to build one. The United States of Anxiety gives you an wide-open window into the polarizing economic, social and political ideas that have people on the edge of their seats during this unprecedented election cycle. The United States of Anxiety is hosted by Kai Wright and produced by WNYC Studios & The Nation. Listen to more shows from WNYC Studios: http://wny.cc/yzc4304odXpListen to more shows from The Nation: http://apple.co/1V85l3I WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics, Radiolab, Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin and many more.

Transcript

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0:00.0

From WNYC Radio, I'm John Hawkenberry, host of the takeaway.

0:10.0

And maybe you weren't expecting to hear me at this time of the evening, but my, my, haven't we been experiencing the unexpected over the past week?

0:18.0

Am I right?

0:19.0

I'm here to kick off a week of special programs on WNY. it's an extension of our election series which you

0:25.0

may already have participated in the United States of anxiety.

0:29.4

What is this feeling right now?

0:31.0

Surprise? Celebration? disgust, fear. It's as though a rainbow of emotions all

0:37.1

pointing to an unsatisfying election result last Tuesday or a surprising triumph. Even if you weren't surprised by the Donald Trump

0:45.8

victory you have to admit the whole Trump campaign comes from a deep

0:49.9

dissatisfaction with government and where the country is headed.

0:54.0

So are you filled with hope or despair right now?

0:57.3

Who should be worried?

0:58.8

Who can we reassure?

1:00.7

The president said today elections matter and noted with some sadness that more

1:05.2

than 40% of voters just didn't show up, which is perhaps the biggest mystery of all for all of

1:12.0

us to consider.

1:13.1

Our phone lines are open all this hour and we're taking your calls,

1:16.7

whether you voted or not.

1:18.0

212 433 WNY, that's 212,

1:22.2

433,692. So, did I say something about emotions?

1:30.0

My concerns? Many. I'm really hopeful that maybe this country will come together.

1:36.3

I fear that we'll have a civil war.

...

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