David Axelrod has done 500 episodes of ‘The Axe Files’ and talked with every stripe of politician — here’s what he thinks of the mess we’re in now

CHICAGO — You’ve likely heard this before, or felt it in your bones, but it’s horrifying, debilitating and worth repeating, especially right now, as we head into a political season: At least half of this country hates the other half. According to the Pew Research Center, 75% of Democrats think of Republicans as close-minded. And 64% of Republicans feel the same way about Democrats. Nearly 50% of Republicans think Democrats are lazy. And nearly 40% of Democrats think Republicans are idiots. Majorities in both parties believe the other does not share its goals. Worse, a study by the advocacy group More in Common found one’s education did not hugely affect those assumptions.

Is this any way to run a democracy?

The good news — according to another Pew study released last month — is nearly 60% of all Americans agree ... our democracy is not working as it was supposed to.

Nobody is reaching across the aisle, as they say.

But for nine years, from his office on the second floor of a house overlooking South Woodlawn Avenue, David Axelrod has tried. First, as the founder and director of the Institute of Politics (IOP) at University of Chicago, which promotes public service and an engaged democracy; then, beginning seven years ago, as host of “The Axe Files,” his popular, intimate and wide-ranging podcast created with CNN. That partnership, of course, would be a non-starter for many Americans. Then