The Smerconish Podcast · Episode 2044 · September 25, 2026 · 23 min

Can the Dignity Index Fix America’s Toxic Politics?

Can Americans disagree politically without treating each other with contempt? Michael speaks with Special Olympics International Chairman Tim Shriver about the Dignity Index, an eight-point scale measuring contempt and dignity in our public discourse. With nearly 9 in 10 Smerconish.com voters saying a candidate’s civility toward opponents matters to their vote, they ask whether Americans are truly ready to reject the politics of personal attacks—and become “dignity voters.”