Reasonably Optimistic
Reasonably Optimistic
The Washington Post
Voters can push back against unsavory politicians
13 minutes Posted Jun 19, 2026 at 10:00 am.
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Political parties keep asking voters to overlook scandals, bad judgment and unstable behavior because the other side is worse. Senate candidates Graham Platner and Ken Paxton are only the latest examples. Host Megan McArdle argues that character still matters in politics — and that voters are not helpless victims of polarization.