I Hate Politics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Washington Post Misses Local News Mar 18, 2022

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In December 2021, the Washington Post Sunday Magazine had a story about the decline of local news around the country, but left out any discussion of the Post's own local coverage. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with former Washington Post Metro Editor and columnist Robert McCartney about how local coverage in the newspaper declined even in the robust media market of the DC metropolitan area. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.

The Politics of Disability Rights Mar 11, 2022

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The Americans with Disabilities Act was a landmark piece of legislation that made institutions responsible for accommodating persons with disability, but the burden of proof remained with disabled persons. Sunil Dasgupta explores the politics and evolution of disability rights with Annie Tulkin and Katherine Lucas McKay, two Montgomery County disability rights advocates. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.

Montgomery County Council District 6 IHP Candidate Interview Mar 04, 2022

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Montgomery County Council District 6 is a newly created Latino-plurality seat in mid-county centered on Wheaton and Aspen Hill. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with Natali Fani-González (timestamp 3:12), Omar Lazo (22:52), and Maricé Morales (49:32), all three of them Spanish-speaking candidates with family roots in Latin America. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.

State's Attorney Race Montgomery County IHP Candidate Interview Feb 25, 2022

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In this mega-episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with four candidates running for Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office in the June 2022 primary. The State's Attorney race is a down ballot contest often ignored by voters but one of the most important independently-elected offices in local politics. The candidates appear in order of my interviews with them: Tom DeGonia (timestamp 2:56), Bernice Mireku-North (30:52), John McCarthy (1:00:00), and Perry Paylor (1:37:28). Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.

Hans Riemer for Montgomery County Executive IHP Candidate Interview Feb 18, 2022

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Sunil Dasgupta speaks to three-term and term-limited councilmember Hans Riemer who is now running for Montgomery County Executive in a four-way race with incumbent Marc Elrich, fellow councilmember Tom Hucker, and Rockville businessman David Blair. Riemer talks about the county's pandemic response. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.

The Living Organ Donation Love Letter Feb 11, 2022

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There are over 100,000 people on the US transplant list, and on average 17 die each day from the lack of organs. For this episode going into Valentine's Day, Sunil Dasgupta talks to local residents Ashley Waters, organizer of City of Frederick's Oktoberfest, and Eric Saul, publisher of The Takoma Torch, about their experience donating their kidney.

Tim Adams for Maryland Comptroller IHP Candidate Interview Feb 04, 2022

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Sunil Dasgupta speaks to Tim Adams, mayor of the City of Bowie, in Maryland. Adams is a businessman who built a large federal contracting firm starting out from the trunk of his car and continued to lead and grow his business even after he became wheelchair-bound almost two decades ago following a spinal cord injury. In his race to be comptroller of Maryland, Adams lent his campaign $1.8 million to draw abreast in fundraising with his Democratic primary opponent Delegate Brooke Lierman.

David Blair for Montgomery County Executive IHP Candidate Interview Jan 28, 2022

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I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with David Blair for Montgomery County Executive. Blair is a Rockville businessman who ran a self-financed campaign for county executive in 2018 and lost the Democratic primary to current incumbent Marc Elrich by 77 votes. He talks to Sunil Dasgupta about how to attract corporations and high-paying jobs to the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.

Montgomery County is NOT Alright Jan 21, 2022

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Taking stock of a tumultuous few weeks that includes a student walkout, a teachers' vote of no-confidence, a call from principals for a pause to plan, local education reporter Caitlynn Peetz talks with Sunil Dasgupta about Montgomery County Public Schools not having metrics for when schools stay in person or go virtual, lacking clarity about who is making decisions; and displaying an overall unwillingness to see mistakes resulting in doubling down on policies that are not working. Local news and music from The Airport 77s, a power pop band from Silver Spring.

When Republicans Challenge Redistricting Jan 14, 2022

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Fair Maps Maryland and Judicial Watch have filed lawsuits challenging the Democratic majority's Congressional and redistricting plan. Dominique Bonessi talks with Doug Mayer of Fair Maps Maryland, and Sunil Dasgupta talks with Walter Olson, Chair of the Hogan-appointed Citizens Redistricting Commission. Local news and music from The Airport 77s, a power pop band from Silver Spring.

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