Unpacking Season 2 of ‘Transition Lab’: Navigating Presidential Transitions
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Unpacking Season 2 of ‘Transition Lab’: Navigating Presidential Transitions

Date
October 29, 2024
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As the 2024 election draws closer, Season 2 of “Transition Lab” took a timely look at the how presidential transitions work and the role they play in our democracy.  

Featuring experts with firsthand experience leading and writing on presidential transition, this season outlined what a presidential transition entails, from preparing the incoming administration to ensuring government operations continue smoothly before, during and immediately after the inauguration. Guests also offered key insights into past transitions.  

Our podcast provides crucial insights for anyone interested in understanding the stakes of a transition. This blog will break down the key takeaways from a few standout episodes of “Transition Lab.” 

‘Is history repeating itself? With Lindsay Chervinsky’ 

In the first episode of Season 2, we took a fascinating journey back to the nation’s early presidential transitions with our featured guest, Lindsay Chervinsky. 

Chervinsky, a scholar at the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University, walked us through how our founders set the precedent for the peaceful transfer of power during times of extreme partisanship. In doing so, she highlighted the critical decisions these early presidents made that shaped the future of American democracy and how we can continue to learn from them. 

‘America’s at a crossroads. Where do we go from here? With Judy Woodruff’ 

In our second episode, veteran journalist and Senior Correspondent of the PBS NewsHour  Judy Woodruff joined us to share insights from her decades of experience covering politics and her recent project, “America at a Crossroads.”  

During the project, Woodruff took a two-year journey across the U.S. to explore the roots of today’s deep polarization, gathering the perspectives of people across the country. She also offered her two cents on how politics have evolved since her early days in Washington, D.C., shedding light on the challenges we face and highlighting the innovative ideas Americans bring to the table to bridge the partisan divide. 

‘What can we learn from the 2016 transition? With Ann O’Leary and Rich Bagger’ 

Continuing with the theme of navigating political transitions, Episode 6 of “Transition Lab” brought together two key figures from the 2016 presidential transition. Ann O’Leary co-executive director of the Clinton-Kaine Transition Project, and Rich Bagger, leader of Donald Trump’s 2016 transition team, shared their experiences preparing for one of the most polarizing elections in U.S. history.  

They highlighted the behind-the-scenes cooperation that ensured a smooth handoff of power from President Barack Obama to President-elect Trump despite the intense political atmosphere. Their conversation provided insight into the importance of thorough preparation and offered advice for future candidates who face similar issues. 

The importance of presidential transitions 

The insights shared throughout our second season demonstrate that careful, and early, planning is key to a successful presidential transition—and that the peaceful transfer of power is fundamental to our democracy and the continuity of government.  

As the 2024 election approaches, the lessons from “Transition Lab” will remain a valuable resource for ensuring that this essential democratic process continues. 

Listen to more episodes of “Transition Lab.”  

Visit our Center for Presidential Transition® to learn more about how we support the peaceful transfer of power.