Congressman Mike Quigley, Why He Called on Biden to Step Aside, & Why It Remains A Necessary Conversation

Pro Politics with Zac McCrary

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Congressman Mike Quigley is in his 9th term representing Chicago's North Side and Lakefront as a Democrat in the House. He made waves last year after the first presidential debate as one of the first elected Democrats to publicly urge President Biden to step aside as the party's nominee. In this conversation, we talk through what led him to speak out, the reaction from the White House and his colleagues, and why he believes it's an important conversation for the party to have now. We also discuss his path in politics as a staffer, as a reformer on the Cook County Board, winning a 20+ candidate '09 special election to replace Rahm Emanuel in the House, favorite moments during his tenure, what he's learned visiting Ukraine, and what Democrats need to do to better connect with voters.

IN THIS EPISODE

Growing up in a conservative, blue-collar household in in the Midwest...

The teacher who made an impression on his politics and the advice he continues to quote today...

Learning both theory at the University of Chicago and practical politics while cutting his teeth in Cook County politics...

Why he lost his first race for office and how he turned a loss into a win a few years later...

A decade on the Cook County Board as a reformer taking on the Chicago machine...

How he won a 20+ person special election in 2009 to replace Rep. Rahm Emanuel in the House...

Initial impressions and surprises in his early days in Congress...

Two members who served as his mentors...

Some of the work he's done in the House he's most proud of...

Why Ukraine matters and what he's learned by traveling to the country several times...

Why he was one of the first Democratic elected officials to call on President Biden to step aside as the '24 Democratic nominee in the aftermath of the debate...

Reactions from colleagues and constituents after going public with his concerns about President Biden...

Do Democrats have a larger problem of too many older Democrats refusing to retire and make way for younger leaders?

Thoughts on how Democrats can better connect with voters...

His favorite Chicago Blackhawks' memory and excitement for the new Chicago Pope...

AND John Anzalone, big cats, Rod Blagojevich, burning your mortgage, cannon fodder, Frank Capra, Carol Stream, Forrest Claypool, Walter Cronkite, Paul Ehrlich, Sara Feigenholtz, John Fritchey, William Fulbright, Mary Gatey, Gabby Giffords, Newt Gingrich, Bernie Hansen, Kasie Hunt, Mark Kirk, John Lewis, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Vladimir Putin, Robert Redford, Branch Rickey, FDR, Paul Ryan, Helen Schiller, Glenn Schneider, Michael Sheahan, Adam Smith, spring chickens, John Stroger, Larry Suffredin, Studs Terkel, Harry Truman, The Weiner Circle, Gary Williams, working for the pension...& more!