The State Of Belief

This week on State of Belief, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Ambassador Norm Eisen, a renowned attorney, about election lawsuits, corruption, and the rule of law as the midterms approach. They also discuss how faith can bring people together across party lines. Listen now to hear what the Ambassador expects in the final days before Election Day.

As co-founder of Democracy Defenders Fund, Norm has been in court fighting attempts to disenfranchise voters and subvert the Constitution; as he says, “We’ve got your back.”

More about our guest

Ambassador Norm Eisein is a globally recognized authority on law, ethics, and anti-corruption. He's a graduate of Harvard Law School and former ambassador to the Czech Republic. As special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2020, he was a critical force in their work on the impeachment and trial of President Trump. He previously led the fight against corruption for the Obama administration.

His books include A Case for the American People: the United States versus Donald Trump, and Overcoming Trumpery: How to Restore Ethics, the Rule of Law and Democracy.

In 2023, Norm co-founded the Democracy Defenders Fund and serves as its executive chair. He is also co-founder and board member of Democracy Defenders Action, and co-founder, along with Jen Rubin, of the Contrarians, a pro-democracy media and community platform.
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How are experts feeling about the coming election? Veteran election attorney Jerry Goldfeder, for one, quotes Sen. Raphael Warnock: he’s feeling “nauseously optimistic." Jerry joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for a master class on election law, voter confidence, and how communities can help protect the democratic process.

He also stresses that the election cycle won't end on November 3rd, and neither will the need for vigilance. Jerry’s message: vote early, stay informed, and support the people who make elections work – or become one yourself!

About our guest:

Jerry H. Goldfeder is an election and campaign finance attorney recognized nationally for more than 40 years spent working at the intersection of law, politics, and American democracy. Jerry’s the Director of Fordham University School of Law’s Voting Rights and Democracy Project, and Chair of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Election Law.

He is the author of Goldfeder’s Modern Election Law, now in its 7th edition, and has represented candidates and elected officials at every level of government, from local office to the U.S. presidency. Jerry previously served as Special Counsel for Public Integrity to the New York State Attorney General.
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What does it mean to serve the Constitution—not a person or a political party? On The State of Belief, retired Rear Admiral Michael E. Smith joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the military oath, democracy, and why faith and national security leaders must work together. We get the admiral’s perspective on how politicization can affect military leadership, morale, recruitment, and retention.

At the heart of the conversation is a shared responsibility: keeping the military nonpartisan and ensuring that people of different faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds are equally respected in all areas of life.

Adm. Michael E. Smith is founder and president of National Security Leaders for America, with a focus on protecting democratic norms and defending the right to vote. He retired after 32 years of service in the U.S. Navy, having earned a bronze star during one of his three combat tours overseas. His career culminated with a role as the independent authority responsible to Congress for evaluating the effectiveness of every ship and submarine in the Navy. Mike was also a key advisor and direct report to Admiral Mike Mullen, then the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Senior Military Advisor to the President.

The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.
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What’s one way to deflate the fear and uncertainty that’s being manufactured around the coming election? “By throwing a party at your local polling place and inviting your community to attend.” That’s the unorthodox suggestion from Kyle Lierman, CEO of Civic Nation. The tactic’s already been tried out, it works, and it’s only one of the creative ideas Kyle brings to his conversation with host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush on The State of Belief (hosted from Interfaith Alliance's The Vote Is Sacred bus, in motion!) With impactful projects such as Party at the Polls and When We All Vote, Kyle and Civic Nation are inspiring and empowering people nationwide to defend the vote - and democracy.

This week we also hear highlights from an event kicking off Interfaith Alliance’s The Vote Is Sacred bus tour in Omaha – Paul’s in-person conversation with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, who wrote and produced a short film about his grandfather’s attempts to exercise his right to vote in the Jim Crow south. You can watch the film at www.otisdream.com

Kyle Lierman held several prominent positions in the Obama White House, and led Michelle Obama’s democracy initiative “When We All Vote.” Today, Kyle is CEO of Civic Nation, a nonpartisan nonprofit that brings together organizers and educators who are working toward a more inclusive, more equitable America. In 2024, Civic Nation saw concrete returns for its work to increase participation among young and minority voters, and those efforts are being expanded this year to motivate a broad cross-section of eligible voters.

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III is a powerhouse American pastor, preacher, author, poet, filmmaker, and civil rights advocate. He serves as the senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, a position he has held since 2008. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, he is the son of the prominent civil rights leader and pastor Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr.

The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.
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Five million. Seven million. Eight million. That’s how participation in the No Kings movement has grown – and on October 17th, it’s time for the biggest yet, No Kings: Vote Early, with the focus on ensuring every eligible voter casts their ballot, and can do so safely. This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Indivisible co-founder Leah Greenberg about community organizing, voter participation, and the power of neighbors coming together. It’s a hope-filled conversation about defeating authoritarianism and expressing love for our democracy – and for each other.

Meanwhile, Interfaith Alliance has launched its nonpartisan The Vote Is Sacred bus tour, with stops in 15 states leading up to Election Day.

Leah Greenberg is co-founder and co-executive director of Indivisble and catalyst for the nationwide No Kings initiatives. Her book, written with her husband Ezra Levin, is titled We Are Indivisible: A Blueprint for Democracy After Trump, and you can hear Leah and Ezra on Indivisible’s “What’s
the Plan” podcast.

The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance.
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