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Candidate Confessional – Defeated Politicians Tell All — News & Politics
Candidate Confessional – Defeated Politicians Tell All

Everyone loses. But some losses sting worse than others. This is a podcast about tough defeats. Hosts Sam Stein and Jason Cherkis talk to candidates who came up short in their bid for president, governor, senator and other elected office; those defined by YouTube moments and others who fell by painfully close margins. Looking back, these candidates give the listener an unvarnished, often-emotional picture of what life is really like on the campaign trail.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

An Obama-Backing Democrat On The Craziness Of Those First Two Years May 23, 2016

Show notes

Tom Perriello eked out one of the closest wins in the 2008 cycle. But rather than tack to the ideological middle once in office, he chose instead to back virtually all of Obama's big priorities and then defend them vigorously back home. What he discovered is that conviction politics works. But it can still be overwhelmed by obstructionism from the other side.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jesse Jackson On His Two White House Runs May 16, 2016

Show notes

In 1984, Jesse Jackson grew convinced that for black Americans to advance their political causes, they needed a black candidate for president. The problem was, no one wanted to do it. So he took on the task, running a historic campaign for the White House and doing it again four years later. Jackson faced death threats, pushback, and doubt from fellow activists. But he also inspired a generation of politicians, including a guy named Sanders and one named Obama.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sandra Fluke On Her Run For State Senate May 08, 2016

Show notes

When Sandra Fluke was called a "slut" by Rush Limbaugh, simply for advocating for insurance coverage of contraception, she faced a choice: step back from the spotlight or fight back. She chose the latter, in the process launching a political career that saw her speak before the Democratic Party's convention in 2012. But when she tried to run for office herself two years later, she discovered that it was trickier than taking on a bombastic radio host.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeb Bush's Communications Director On His Run For The White House May 01, 2016

Show notes

Jeb Bush's campaign for the White House ended far more disastrously than many people predicted. In the latest episode, Bush's communications director, Tim Miller, offers several reasons why. He also offers unique insights and reflections on Jeb's time on the trail: from the early gaffes to the debate showdowns with Donald Trump, to the missed opportunities.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clay Aiken On His 2014 Congressional Campaign Apr 25, 2016

Show notes

When Clay Aiken ran for Congress in 2014, most people assumed it was a vanity project: a former American Idol star trying to hack it in politics. But the campaign became defined by incredibly sensitive issues, from being a gay man in the south to an unexpected death on the trail. Aiken relives his run on this week's episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Huntsman On His 2012 Presidential Campaign Apr 18, 2016

Show notes

Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign never took off in 2012, despite being the candidate that President Obama feared most. Looking back, the former Utah Governor has several theories why, foremost among them that his Republican Party had grown too angry for a politician like him.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pain Of Losing By Four Votes Apr 11, 2016

Show notes

When Karl Kassel was recruited to run for a state Senate seat in Alaska, he had no idea just how historic his race would be. Out of 10,000 votes cast, Kassel ended up losing by just four -- one of the closest losses in American electoral history. In the latest Candidate Confessional, he explained all the drama, emotion and, ultimately, heartache that comes with falling just short.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin O'Malley Opens Up About His Presidential Campaign Apr 04, 2016

Show notes

Martin O'Malley brought an impressive resume to his 2016 White House run: a young, former governor with progressive results. But it never seemed to stick. He was overwhelmed by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and overshadowed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). In his first major interview on the race, O'Malley dissects what went wrong and dishes out a bit of blame.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Weiner Relives His Run For Mayor Of New York City Mar 28, 2016

Show notes

When Anthony Weiner resigned from Congress in 2011, his career in politics appeared over, crushed by a scandal in which he sent lurid tweets and texts. But less than two years later, Weiner surprised many by launching a run for mayor of New York City. It was a tumultuous ride. Weiner briefly led the polls before scandal struck yet again. In the latest Candidate Confessional, he relives the race, and all its emotional highs and lows.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Carmona On His 2012 Senate Campaign Mar 20, 2016

Show notes

For years Richard Carmona resisted pleas from both parties to run for office. He was a former U.S. Surgeon General under George W. Bush, a one-time police officer and public health administrator. His reputation was sterling and he didn't want to muck it up. When he finally decided to run -- for the U.S. Senate in Arizona as a Democrat in 2012 -- he quickly realized why he had declined all those prior overtures. Simply put: he hated his campaign.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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