Jimmy Carter's Funeral, Election Reassessment, and 2025 Outlook on the First Thursday Kos of 2025!

In this first Thursday Kos of 2025, Markos and Rev. Mark discuss the legacy of Jimmy Carter, and his peaceful, service-driven spirit--a man of character who Markos admits he seeks t emulate. Rev. Mark recalls growing up during the Carter Presideny, how evangelicals turned on the 39th President, how poltical cartoonists portayed Carter as a minstrel and how the hostages were kept in Iran until moments after Carter’s successor Reagan was sworn in.

Markos and Rev. Mark explored the current political landscape, and the crisis among young men and how this demographic is being swayed by figures like Joe Rogan and Andrew Tate into dangerous ideological territories. The twom also discussed just how close the November Presidential election was. Rev. Mark shared detailed numbers, underscoring the importance of turnout and the effectiveness of ground operations. Markos made a strong case for a year-round approach to political branding and messaging. He pointed out the need for consistent advocacy and outreach, rather than the now common tactic of deploying massive ad budgets closer to election days. A continuous, dedicated effort could help repair the Democratic Party's brand and strengthen its position.

Check out video of the first Thursday Kos below or catch Make It Plain wherever you get your podcasts!