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Two US Governors — a Democrat and a Republican — on Why There’s Hope for Democracy | On the Spot

Two current US governors — Democrat Matt Meyer of Delaware and Republican J. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma — trade notes on how to rebuild trust without partisan theater. In this special segment of “On the Spot” (TED’s rapid-fire Q&A format), they share thoughts on leading when people live in different realities, swapping outrage for outcomes…

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Two current US governors — Democrat Matt Meyer of Delaware and Republican J. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma — trade notes on how to rebuild trust without partisan theater. In this special segment of “On the Spot” (TED’s rapid-fire Q&A format), they share thoughts on leading when people live in different realities, swapping outrage for outcomes and why we need to govern like neighbors, not enemies. (Recorded at TEDNext 2025 on November 10, 2025)

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48 Comments

48 Comments

  1. @AmeenHedaz

    November 12, 2025 at 9:59 am

    Amazing video! Please do more of these videos.

    • @Sherrz12

      November 12, 2025 at 10:43 am

      I second that.

    • @AnunnakiAwakens

      November 12, 2025 at 1:14 pm

      For The People. By the People. Cold War Studies, Are Improbable

  2. @Mrlogboy-1

    November 12, 2025 at 10:08 am

    As watching further in your video, you have more faith in Americans than I do. I live in a small town USA population 15,000 7000 rural 7000 in the city and I can see 50 to 60% of the people saying you two guys are sellouts. Don’t take anything away from this other than their ignorance. One thing I haven’t heard you talk about is this could take generations you wanted to happen within a year or two and I’m like that’s not gonna happen American public there are sectors that have dug in their heels and said this is the hill I want to defend. At all cost that is why when I said that you have an uphill battle the five times the size of Everest.

    • @SeanHendy

      November 12, 2025 at 10:39 am

      Interested observer from across the pond – I know this is a pipe dream, but it’s an interesting idea nonetheless. Imagine a system that in order to vote, a person needs to demonstrate a certain level of intelligence, and the ability to understand the issues and policies they are voting for. Imagine having to pass a test, in order for your vote to actually be registered, and count. Nothing to do with wealth, education, status, or influence, just an understanding of what you are voting for.
      I’m sure there are stupid, uneducated on both sides of the fence, but in recent years it does seem that Donald has taken talking to the stupid and ignorant demographic, making false promises to a whole new level.
      Just to be clear, I’m conservative and have been my whole life, but he does not represent conservative values in any way. In my humble opinion.

  3. @luciusquinctiuscincinnatus505

    November 12, 2025 at 10:11 am

    2 party system is not a democracy. This system needs to be renovated.

    • @Enderkilgannon

      November 12, 2025 at 11:48 am

      100% agree, when you are either/or then you are me vs you, politics is not a sport.

    • @Jasonxbr

      November 12, 2025 at 2:30 pm

      Actually if you remove the donations and bribes, oops I meant lobbying and cap the amount with the terms limits, get rid of the electoral college as well pass a full year, annual of the budget for government to be run effectively without one party holding a shutdown as a hostage demand. There is alot of reforms needed to achieve a constitutional republic but unless real changes are made. Grifter con man Don has shown he and his stooges can single handling crippled and profit and corrupt the white house 😢😢😢😢

    • @luciusquinctiuscincinnatus505

      November 12, 2025 at 2:51 pm

      ​@Jasonxbr And youll keep it 2 senators for both wyoming and california? The senate is an abomination, we need a unicameral with 10000 seats.

  4. @zanderzephyrlistens

    November 12, 2025 at 10:17 am

    The founding fathers intending or not intending our entire history and country to be owned and operated by billionaires and mega-millionaires aside, we are a megacorporation, and have never had a government so Governors… SIT DOWN AND SHUSH.

  5. @88COR88

    November 12, 2025 at 10:17 am

    Blah Blah Blah. Lot’s of platitudes with no substance. While I agree with many of their messages there are no solutions or calls to real action. If there were 30 governors coming together to resist to the power of the federal government then that would be something. Over 30% of my paycheck goes to the federal government while less then 10% goes to my state. The feds make decrees/executive orders that over ride my states laws. Sitting on stage and stating the obvious is not going to change anything. This is more bread and circuses.

  6. @Mrlogboy-1

    November 12, 2025 at 10:20 am

    To add integrity back into everything cause you can’t just put it back into politics because the free market system is linked linked step with politics. Adding integrity means losing profit. Look at our investors. Company says they’re going to make $10 billion profit. Come to the end of the year they have to apologize saying they only made $7 billion profit and in my head. I’m like you made a profit that’s amazing but to stockholders and investors that’s a complete failure and they could drop all the stocks and the company could go bankrupt or crash. So when you speak about integrity, you almost have to put rules in where integrity equals profit. If you easily do a Google search, you will see that people are suggesting to give your kids five dollars extra if they come right home from school and do their homework right away or I’ll give you $20 if you complete this project for work a month early. And my days I did the homework so I could advance in school and get smarter and get a good job. Lol

  7. @zanderzephyrlistens

    November 12, 2025 at 10:21 am

    Cowards owned by billionaires

  8. @Mrlogboy-1

    November 12, 2025 at 10:21 am

    I’m sorry you were out of touch there’s actually 40% on the far right 40% on the far left and 10% on in the middle that leans either way if not we wouldn’t have elections that are 52 to 48%

  9. @robart1979

    November 12, 2025 at 10:25 am

    There is no hope.I don’t care what ted talk says.There’s no hope whatsoever.The democrats are dead and we must replace them with a different party

  10. @SeanHendy

    November 12, 2025 at 10:31 am

    The problem is that there are actually normal sensible people on both sides of the house, but the current administration is completely devoid of them, and instead, a complete narcissist has appointed sycophants and idiots into every important position.
    Further, the sensible people need to get together and collectively use their powers and authority to stop the absolute chaos and nonsense that is literally tearing the country in two.
    Just the basic level of common sense tells you that it is impossible that every Democrat run city is experiencing the worst crime wave in history, requiring troops in the streets, and all Republican run cities are all sweetness, peace, and prosperity.
    The people are being lied to, all day every day, in some megalomaniacs plan to become a dictator, and at the moment, it is working and happening right in front of their eyes.

  11. @jlharris6491

    November 12, 2025 at 10:41 am

    Gov. Kevin Stitt’s response — wrapped in folksy federalism, CEO-style managerial talk, and surface-level bipartisan cheer — leans heavily on rhetorical framing rather than specific, demonstrable accountability. His “Be a Neighbor” initiative and comments on “integrity” and “states’ rights” can sound appealing on first pass, but they mask:
    1. Privatization under the guise of community care:
    “You can’t pass a law to fix social issues” is a convenient excuse to cut funding or shift burdens to churches and nonprofits — often underregulated and ideologically aligned. This absolves the state of responsibility while still claiming the moral high ground.
    2. Evasion of systemic failures:
    Oklahoma has been underperforming on key public metrics — education outcomes, healthcare access, and incarceration rates — for years. “Delivering better services” hasn’t translated into real results for many vulnerable Oklahomans. The praise of “fiscal responsibility” often translates to cuts, not investment.
    3. Performative centrism:
    He criticizes polarization but quietly promotes polarizing policies — especially around reproductive rights, education censorship, and criminal justice — all while invoking Lincoln and cherry-picking unity quotes.
    4. The business-as-governance illusion:
    Claiming to run a state like a company often erases the public aspect of public service — where the bottom line isn’t profits, but equity, care, and inclusion.

    His most consistent theme is “government is bad at things, so let’s shrink it and hand it off to private actors” — which is a radical position, not a centrist one, even if it’s dressed up in civility.

  12. @Jasonxbr

    November 12, 2025 at 10:55 am

    Just a FYI, billionaires you cant privatized everything including the United States government. 😢😢😢😢😢 i see what you are trying to do especially with cheetos Don at the helm of fascist destruction 😢😢😢😢😢 a complete failure of the highest order by the political establishment and the constitutional laws and republic

  13. @Enderkilgannon

    November 12, 2025 at 11:54 am

    I don’t think God needed to be mentioned but I agree with many of their points. I think this is a human problem not a religious one.

  14. @MiyangChoi

    November 12, 2025 at 12:33 pm

    They are great!🙏🦏

  15. @MiyangChoi

    November 12, 2025 at 12:40 pm

    💜18:25 That’s a good pick! The Simpsons.

  16. @kinsmed

    November 12, 2025 at 12:47 pm

    Pretty words, gentlemen.
    But I’d like to hear how America will return to leading the world in innovation and prosperity.

  17. @dreamentstudios

    November 12, 2025 at 1:00 pm

    you know its getting bad when TED releases a “its not (completely) hopeless” video

  18. @AnunnakiAwakens

    November 12, 2025 at 1:14 pm

    Democracy.

  19. @MiyangChoi

    November 12, 2025 at 1:16 pm

    What a shame! A horde of people is suffering from shortage of everything.

  20. @MiyangChoi

    November 12, 2025 at 1:23 pm

    11:38 That’s not a collectivist orientation guys, actually very desirable for every single peson’s happiness.

  21. @mrs.k9320

    November 12, 2025 at 2:06 pm

    These gentlemen are smart, well spoken, and inspiring. Thank you ❤

  22. @MiyangChoi

    November 12, 2025 at 2:17 pm

    Democracy framework as always!

  23. @eric212234

    November 12, 2025 at 6:49 pm

    Anyone else starting to think TED is nothing but pandering fluff these days?

  24. @The.Union.

    November 12, 2025 at 7:28 pm

    This is bullshit. A vote for Trump is a vote for the billionaire class. A vote for MAGA is a vote for hate. A vote for DNC and GOP “Old guard” is a vote against democracy and a vote for the billionaire class. Kevin Stitt was / is a MAGA shill, and endorsed Trump / GOP. I guarantee that Stitt has made his millions, and is only breaking with MAGA now because he’s up in the primaries in 2026.

  25. @NeonsStyleHD

    November 12, 2025 at 9:20 pm

    Learn to Spell. It’s Neighbours! Not Neighbors!

  26. @alexkrok2511

    November 13, 2025 at 12:00 am

    We can start by abolishing the senate and electoral college, as well as overturning the horrific citizens united decision and dismantling the two-party system. If they don’t say this, it’s more bullshit.

  27. @jacobdriscoll8276

    November 13, 2025 at 1:22 am

    “It’s a small club, and you ain’t in it.” (These two are)

  28. @demiclay9361

    November 13, 2025 at 2:16 am

    Political elites use power for their own gain. Trump is trying to make life easier for the people, but communists disguised as Democrats are destroying everything around them.

  29. @resistgurl

    November 13, 2025 at 2:57 am

    This video just showed me again that the Democrats have way more (positive) ideas than the Republicans…

  30. @EzekielCerda-k1w

    November 13, 2025 at 6:04 am

    Im glad I’ve watched this video, this is what politics should be like, respect, integrity and empathy, for one anothers view. No Hate.

  31. @JubayerAhmedRabby-m6i

    November 13, 2025 at 7:20 am

    Politics are detrimental for us you should be avoid any kinds of politicians party

  32. @lifemotivation6789

    November 13, 2025 at 9:30 am

    States know their people best—restoring trust starts with local solutions, not one-size-fits-all mandates.

  33. @mikemarthaller8789

    November 13, 2025 at 12:56 pm

    Peace Health and prosperity Through PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

    The job of government is to insure an even start and keep the field honestvand balanced. To quote Theodore Roosevelt 1911

    “When one of our fellows stumbles we owe it to OURSELVES to help him back to his feet If he refuses to walk we do all a great disservice by attempting to drag him along “

  34. @janwoodworth1

    November 14, 2025 at 6:44 am

    How are you going to reignite the American dream when trump eliminated it and made this nightmare? Seriously i want to know how we recover from catnage.

  35. @opossumboyo

    November 14, 2025 at 9:07 am

    Like many politicians who are “reaching across the aisle” to make connections with members of the opposite political party, these two are both staunch Zionists and supported by the Israeli government.

    It’s not bipartisanship when one group has influence over both parties. That’s the opinion they are paid to espouse and thus their party does not matter.

  36. @elkinjohn

    November 14, 2025 at 12:45 pm

    I thought they would talk about Democracy; they never even defined the term…
    I assume they mean Representative Democracy….
    Do The Fucking Math!
    Kenneth Arrow received a Nobel Prize by proving that Democracy can not reach a fair decision…
    it is impossible…
    Learn a little Social Choice Theory; find out just how much process controls the outcome…
    Learn a little Public Choice Theory and find why representatives don’t represent.

  37. @Thorazone

    November 14, 2025 at 2:33 pm

    The problem isnt the republicans, the problem is donald trump and his regime. The problem isn’t the democrats, the problem is the clintons and the old guard that only care about power and profit.

  38. @jurjenbos228

    November 14, 2025 at 3:28 pm

    The problem is that the system falls apart if a complete monster becomes president, and that could happen

  39. @Evangeline-V1

    November 15, 2025 at 10:14 am

    The essential cost of living is reduced with subsidy from, in this case, state. Governors cannot bring the cost down by lowering state taxes such as state income tax because the states won’t have enough money to subsidize the cost.

  40. @Evangeline-V1

    November 15, 2025 at 10:56 am

    9:17 lobbying and integrity. No-brainer!

  41. @JenSAN4105

    November 16, 2025 at 5:06 pm

    I think having representatives in different socioeconomic classes would help more than anything. Then the working class COULD be represented. And we COULD have a livable minimum wage if some of our reps were forced to live on it.

  42. @donaldeverett714

    November 16, 2025 at 8:06 pm

    calling bs

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