For tonight's Conversations with Great Minds - we're going to take a closer look at the modern Republican Party and where it's going with one of the foremost experts on the topic. John Kenneth White is a Professor of Politics at the Catholic University of America here in Washington, D.C. - where he specializes in political parties and the U.S. presidency. Professor White is also the author of numerous books - including his latest - "What Happened to the Republican Party?: And What It Means for American Presidential Politics."

For tonight's Conversations with Great Minds - I'm joined by one of the progressive movement's highest profile rising stars. Nina Turner is a former Cleveland City Councilperson, an Ohio State Senator representing that state's 25th district, and served as the minority whip in the Ohio senate. Right now, she travels the country as a spokesperson for the Bernie Sanders campaign for president. Even if he doesn't win the nomination - Bernie Sanders has still revolutionized American politics and inspired millions of young people to join the progressive movement. So why are so many people high-up in the Democratic Party so against what he wants to do?

In tonight’s first Conversations with Great Minds Thom talks the Democratic presidential race with former Ohio State Senator and Bernie spokesperson Nina Turner and in the second Great Minds Thom discusses the Republican party with professor John Kenneth White, author of the book “What Happened to the Republican Party?: And What It Means for American Presidential Politics.”

In wake of the coal industry's collapse - West Virginia is facing a 270 million dollar budget crisis - and it's setting the stage for anti-American-Government Republicans to destroy the state's government .