What Lis Smith has said about 2026 United States midterm elections
3 quotes · 1 episode · Nov 11, 2026
Lis Smith, Democratic strategist and adviser to the candidate-recruitment group The Bench, has been quoted on 2026 United States midterm elections 3 times in 1 episode of Pod Save America, most recently on November 11, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Smith says the candidates who succeeded focused on earned media rather than relying on paid advertising.
“something I saw work really well this cycle are the candidates who really focused on breaking through and earned media versus just trying to communicate via paid media”
Pod Save America: Lessons From 2026 (Live From Crooked Con) (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 11:12
Smith rejects the post-2024 idea that Democrats must match Trump's nastiness, arguing no one can beat him at that game.
“that really no one is ever going to beat Donald Trump at that game”
Pod Save America: Lessons From 2026 (Live From Crooked Con) (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 26:10
Smith argues Democrats need ideologically diverse candidates to win a broad coalition and should stop prescribing a single model.
“a big tent of voters requires a big tent of candidates. And we should stop trying from stages like this”
Pod Save America: Lessons From 2026 (Live From Crooked Con) (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 35:45
Episodes
Lessons From 2026 (Live From Crooked Con)Pod Save America · Nov 11, 2026 · 1 h 37 min
Live from Crooked Con, Jon Lovett and Democratic strategists dissect the 2026 midterm wins, then Alex Wagner interviews Senator Chris Van Hollen on Senate leadership and accountability.
Others on 2026 United States midterm elections
- Dan Pfeiffer · 17 quotes
- Jon Favreau · 15 quotes
- Sarah Longwell · 11 quotes
- Andy Frisella · 8 quotes
- Tommy Vietor · 6 quotes
- Ezra Klein · 5 quotes
- Amy Walter · 5 quotes
- Ben Meiselas · 4 quotes