Political experts dissect current political climate in U.S., 2020 expectations

Political experts James Carville and Mary Matalin shared their insights on the current political landscape and what to expect in 2020 at the recent BenefitsPRO Broker Expo in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Thomas Phillips/ALM)

The polarization in the current American political landscape has crippled any sense of bipartisanship. Unfortunately for the public who rely on politicians to get work done in the interest of the American people, this can result in gridlock and empty promises. As the 2020 election nears, voters will seek out candidates who can enact change and alter their lives for the better. But this will only occur if both sides come together and foster a greater sense of bipartisanship. Political experts James Carville and Mary Matalin, who have long embodied this sentiment as husband and wife, shared their insights on the current political landscape and what to expect in 2020 at the recent BenefitsPRO Broker Expo in Miami, Florida.

Understanding the current political climate requires an examination of the role of media. In particular, social media has created a demand for around-the-clock coverage. “The paradox of the Information Age is that it affects politics—as it affects everything, actually—we have exponentially more information and we are arguably no wiser,” Matalin told expo attendees. She believes the media has been reduced to sound bites and 240-character tweets, which isn’t an ideal vehicle to understanding policy.