'It's Not Pandering When You Tell the Truth': Five Columnists Game Out the Debate

Conservative and liberal columnists debate the motivations behind politicians' use of identity politics.

In the wake of recent comments by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, five columnists from across the political spectrum gathered to discuss the role of identity politics in American politics.

The conversation, which was hosted by the National Press Club, was wide-ranging and covered a variety of topics, including the definition of identity politics, the motivations behind its use by politicians, and the potential consequences of its increasing prominence in American political discourse.

One of the key questions that was debated was whether or not identity politics is a form of pandering. Some of the columnists argued that it is, while others argued that it is simply a way for politicians to connect with voters who share their experiences.

“It's not pandering when you tell the truth,” said Sally Kohn, a liberal columnist for The Daily Beast. “Identity politics is about acknowledging the real experiences of marginalized groups. It's about saying that their voices matter and that their concerns are valid.”

However, Reihan Salam, a conservative columnist for National Review, argued that identity politics is often used by politicians to divide voters and gain power.

“Identity politics is a wedge issue,” Salam said. “It's a way for politicians to pit different groups of people against each other. It's a way for them to gain power by dividing the electorate.”

The debate over identity politics is likely to continue as the 2016 presidential election approaches. It is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is an issue that is important to understand, as it has the potential to shape the future of American politics.