Not Suitable for Democracy

Politics is everywhere, but everything is broken. That's just not suitable for democracy. Catch our weekly news show exploring the challenges within our society, culture, and democracy. Hosted by political commentator, Nick, along with the occasional special guest, we'll discuss the latest news from an independent perspective. Together, we'll redefine what's acceptable in America.

Not Suitable for Democracy is a news podcast hosted by Nick Haby, with 57 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Nick Haby hosts Not Suitable for Democracy, a news show with 57 episodes published.

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  Not Suitable for Democracy

  Episode 55: Abdul El-Sayed Did the Impossible — Now What?

  Aug 11, 202624 min

  How do you beat a 10-to-1 spending disadvantage? You organize! This week on Not Suitable for Democracy, we're breaking down Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's stunning victory in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary—and what his win tells us about money, messaging, and the future of progressive politics. Abdul built his campaign around three core promises: get money out of politics, put more money in people's pockets, and pass Medicare for All. Simple? Yes. Effective? Very. His affordability message connected with progressive Democrats, working-class Independents, and disaffected Republicans who aren't necessarily looking for ideological purity—they're looking for a government that makes their lives better. Here's where things get really interesting. Haley Stevens had more than $64 million in advertising spending in her favor. Abdul had about $7.4 million. That's roughly a 10-to-1 spending advantage for Stevens. And yet Abdul won. So we ask the question campaigns don't particularly enjoy hearing: How much did it actually cost to earn your vote? Winning the Democratic primary is one thing. Winning the general election is another beast entirely. Abdul now has to expand his coalition win beyond his core base. We'll look at how his campaign is already shifting its strategy and refining its message for a general-election matchup against Mike Rogers. And if he wins again, well… that's suitable for American democracy!

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  Not Suitable for Democracy

  Episode 53: Can We Finally Get Money Out of Politics?

  Jul 29, 202618 min

  This week, we're tackling one of the biggest questions in American democracy: Can we finally put limits on big money in our elections? Our focus is Dinner Table Action v. Schneider , a landmark legal challenge rooted in a 2024 Maine ballot initiative that won overwhelming support from voters. The initiative seeks to cap contributions at $5,000 to Super PACs supporting federal candidates in Maine—a direct challenge to the unlimited spending that has come to define modern campaigns. But to understand why this case matters, we have to go back. We break down the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC and the federal appeals court ruling in SpeechNow.org v. FEC —the two cases that opened the floodgates for unlimited independent political spending and gave rise to today's Super PAC system. Could Maine become the state that forces the courts to reconsider decades of campaign finance precedent? Or will billionaires and special interests continue to dominate American elections? Join us as we explore the history, the legal arguments, and what's at stake for voters who believe democracy should be powered by people—not money. Because when the highest bidder gets the loudest voice, that's Not Suitable for Democracy . Subscribe for new episodes every week!

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  Not Suitable for Democracy

  Episode 52: Headwinds for the Left — Can Progressives Bounce Back?

  Jul 27, 202618 min

  This week on Not Suitable for Democracy , it's a tough news cycle (July 24-26) for progressives—but not one without hope. From high-profile endorsements to party power plays, we unpack the setbacks, the silver linings, and why grassroots organizing remains the left's greatest strength. Pelosi Enters the Missouri Fight Speaker Emeritas Nancy Pelosi traveled to St. Louis to campaign for Rep. Wesley Bell , reinforcing the Democratic establishment's support for his campaign over former Congressmember Cori Bush. We examine Bush's scrutiny of Bell's fundraising and outside support, and whether his record in Congress will be enough to withstand growing criticism from progressives. More importantly, we ask what this race says about the future of insurgent politics inside the Democratic Party. Whitmer Backs Haley Stevens Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has officially endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens in the state's closely watched Democratic Senate primary. The endorsement adds another chapter to the ongoing debate between establishment and progressive Democrats, as influential party leaders line up behind their preferred candidates. We discuss whether Whitmer's recent policy positions—including support for AI data center development—could influence voters and what it means for Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's grassroots campaign. The Road to 2028 Starts in South Carolina... Again The Democratic National Committee has once again placed South Carolina at the front of the presidential nominating calendar, reigniting debates over who benefits most from the primary schedule. Does the lineup favor candidates with strong establishment support, or does it leave room for new voices to emerge? We explore how the calendar could shape the next Democratic presidential nomination and what it means for the progressive movement heading into 2028. A Big Win for Troy Jackson Not all the news is gloomy. Democrats in Bangor, Maine , gathered to choose their nominee for the U.S. Senate, and former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson emerged with a decisive victory. After entering the convention with overwhelming delegate support, Jackson converted that momentum into an impressive final tally, giving Democrats—and progressives who champion working-class politics—a candidate with deep roots, a compelling story, and a strong mandate heading into the general election. Can Affordability Win Swing Voters? House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Governor Josh Shapiro and congressional candidate Bob Brooks for PA-7 to promote an affordability-focused economic message. Bethlehem resides in one of the nation's most competitive congressional districts. We discuss why lowering everyday costs has become the defining issue for Democrats and whether a message centered on affordability—one that has energized campaigns like Zohran Mamdani's —can resonate with swing voters without abandoning progressive values. Progressive politics has never been a straight line. Some weeks bring victories, others bring setbacks. This episode explores why today's losses don't have to define tomorrow's movement—and why organizing, coalition-building, and a compelling vision for the future remain the keys to lasting change.

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  Not Suitable for Democracy

  Episode 51: The Establishment Means WHAT!?

  Jul 23, 202621 min

  The political discourse is heating up this summer, and it came to a head when defining the word, "Establishment." According to liberal content creators, they are promoting the idea that allegedly, infamous Establishment critic Bernie Sanders is absolutely referring to Black people when he rails against the Establishment. Is that true? Well the charged tone from content creators leaves audiences to insinuate that he means a word far worse... Cutting through the noise, this week's episode dives into defining the "Establishment." By using Bernie Sanders as the example, we make the case for what he really means and what that looks like in politics. Better yet, our host, Nick, shares his transformational journey after organizing with the local Democratic Establishment. After ten years of organizing, how did he go from a Hillary Clinton-loving moderate to a staunch Bernie Sanders progressive? Tune into this week's episode to find out what the Establishment is and is not.

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  Not Suitable for Democracy

  Episode 50: The Electability Case for Troy Jackson and Abdul El-Sayed

  Jul 21, 202623 min

  What does it actually mean to be "electable?" This week on Not Suitable for Democracy , we're challenging conventional wisdom by taking a closer look at two Democratic Senate candidates whose progressive campaigns are built on grassroots organizing, working-class credibility, and bold ideas. First, we make the case for Troy Jackson as Democrats' best opportunity to compete for the U.S. Senate. From his roots as a logger to his years serving in the Maine Legislature, Jackson has built a reputation as a champion for working people who isn't afraid to take on powerful interests. We'll explore the platform he's bringing to the race, discuss the support he's built heading into the Democratic nominating convention, and ask whether his authentic, blue-collar message is exactly what voters are looking for. Next, we head to Michigan, where Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is making the case that a grassroots campaign can compete with big-money politics. We examine his campaign through three key measures of electability: leadership , including how he handled disruptions at a volunteer event; message , following energized rallies with Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Detroit and Lansing; and momentum , by breaking down the latest polling and what it says about the state of the race. We also dig into the fundraising numbers that highlight the strength of Abdul's grassroots coalition and what that could mean in the closing stretch of the campaign. Is electability about playing it safe—or inspiring people to believe politics can work differently? Join us as we take a fresh look at two candidates hoping to reshape the future of the Democratic Party, one campaign at a time. Then stayed tuned for Episode 51 coming later this week!

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