Party Politics

Latest Episodes:

Party Politics 74: Is the US Senate up for Grabs? Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

With recent polling showing that races thought to be trending Republican as suddenly competitive, control of the U.S. Senate might be shifting. Podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer analyze three of the most talked about Senate races in the country—Florida, Arizona, and Texas.

NATIONAL TOPICS:

- Hurricane Florence—the strange politics already at play, including the transfer of $10 million from FEMA to ICE, and President Trump questioning the death toll in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria

- Presidents Bush and Obama hit the campaign trail for Republicans and Democrats.

- Immigration crisis: Attorney General Jeff Sessions says immigration judges should show no mercy, and almost 13,000 minors remain in immigration detention.

- President Trump brags about the economy... but is it incorrect?

TEXAS TOPICS:

- Remember The Alamo? State Board of Education looks to make curriculum changes. PC run amok, or are revisions needed?

- Texas state budget poised to spend less on education because of rising local property values.

- Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar fundraising…for Republicans?

- State Representative Ron Reynolds heads to jail.

- Governor Greg Abbott says no more red light cameras. The “Mayor" of Texas is at it again!

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz.

Party Politics 73: The Kase for Kavanaugh? Sep 07, 2018

Show notes

Podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer talk about the hearing on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court: the importance of the hearings, the possible changes to jurisprudence of the Supreme Court, and the impact on Texas and the nation.

NATIONAL TOPICS:

White House Counsel Don McGahn is latest high profile staffer to leave

John Kerry for President… again?

Jon Kyl selected to replace John McCain in Senate

Impact of Bob Woodward’s new book

TEXAS TOPICS:

Contract conflicts at the Texas Education Agency

Fetal remains ruling halts Senate Bill 8

Is Congressional District 22 (Fort Bend County) a sleeper pick to flip to the Democrats?

Greg Abbott: change Texas Constitution to outlaw income tax…Forever!

Dan Patrick boycotts Nike over Kaepernick ad

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz.

72: The Debate Over Debates Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

Podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer talk about the recent debate over debates in Texas. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has passed on debating his Democratic opponent Mike Collier, but is headed off to match up with Geraldo Rivera on Fox News.

Ted Cruz has proposed five debates with challenger Beto O’Rourke, but details have been difficult to pin down and a scheduled debate for this week was cancelled.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott agreed to debate Lupe Valdez on a Friday night in September, which is the only statewide debate set at this time.

Brandon and Jay talk about the impact of debates (or no debates) and what all this means for Texas voters.

NATIONAL

Senator McCain passes away – his political legacy

AG Jeff Sessions versus Trump on the Russia investigation

“NAFTA” redo

National Enquirer holds back negative stories on Trump

TEXAS

Harris County Flood Bond passed – now what?

Culbertson gifts controversy

New Executive Commissioner named for struggling Texas Health and Human Services Commission

The Governor’s “$10,000 appointees”

Controversy over calling a special election for Senate District 6

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz.

Party Politics, Ep. 71: White House Horrors! (Repost) Aug 24, 2018

Show notes

On Party Politics this week, co-hosts Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are going to catch you up on the week’s political news:

The week's big news was the conviction of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen. Party Politics Co-Hosts, Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus look at what this might mean for President Trump, and whether this signals a new direction in the on-going Russia investigation. Finally, they look at what the impact on the midterms will be.

National Topics:

Stripping John Brennan’s Security Clearance creates big pushback from intelligence community.

EPA power plant revisions look to boost coal--but will it work?

Congressman Duncan Hunter and wife indicted for campaign fund misuse.

When is a cyber attack not an attack? Ask the DNC.

GOP house candidate—endorsed by the Miami Herald says she was kidnapped by aliens!

Texas Topics:

Abbott—surging in the polls, say some teachers should get 100K a year.

VP Pence comes to Texas and Houston.

Beto-Mania hits Houston!

Harvey-1 year anniversary--how are we doing?

TX Court of Appeals blocks Austin paid sick leave ordinance.

Rep Travis Clardy announces for Speaker.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz.

Party Politics, Ep. 70: Texas School Districts Receive First Official A-F Grades Aug 17, 2018

Show notes

On Party Politics this week, co-hosts Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are going to catch you up on the week’s political news:

Texas:

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited Houston and talked about illegal immigrants
Houston Republican John Culberson sold biotech stock 10 days before insider trading case came to a head
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott staffers making six figures
GOP sues to kick Gallego off the ballot in state Senate special election
Gun issued to Lupe Valdez goes missing. Have you seen Lupe’s Gun?
Whatabeto

National:

Peter Strzok fired from the FBI
Primary roundup
Omarosa Manigault Newman OMG
All of West Virginia's Supreme Court justices impeached

Brandon and Jay talk about Texas school districts receive first official A-F grades. Look up how your district did HERE.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Giselle Bueno.

Party Politics, Ep. 69: Political Scandals Aug 09, 2018

Show notes

In this special episode of Party Politics, Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus talk political scandal. They describe the scandals that have complicated the Trump Administration, draw on some historical parallels of past presidential scandals, and talk about the implications to American democracy and the rule of law. In the big picture wrap-up, Jay and Brandon talk about how the Trump Administration stacks up on scandals, the likelihood of impeachment, and the impact of all the malfeasance on the brand of the Republican Party.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Giselle Bueno.

Party Politics, Ep. 68: Ted Cruz And Beto O’Rourke Negotiate Debates Aug 03, 2018

Show notes

On Party Politics this week, co-hosts Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are going to catch you up on the week’s political news:

Texas:

Trump donations to TX Republicans
3D Guns?
Austin city name change?
Beto-Cruz Debates
SD 19 sorta shocker?

National:

Trump threatens shutdown
Trump v Koch
Manfort trial
Facebook finds evidence of disinformation campaign
Bigfoot!

Brandon and Jay talk about the race for Texas Ag Commissioner.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Giselle Bueno.

Party Politics, Ep. 67: Texas Health Building Invaded By Mold – Yuck Jul 27, 2018

Show notes

On Party Politics this week, co-hosts Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are going to catch you up on the week’s political news:

Texas:

Texas health building invaded by mold, raising health concerns
Austin State Hospital 127 sick
Fetal burial remains trial ends
Abbott tracker called out!
Patrick: No plans to debate Collier/against Red Flag laws

National:

Pompeo to testify about Trump summits/Trump v Iran
Cohen Tapes/Carter Page FISA
Maria Butina: Spy
Trump considering revoking security clearances
Farm Aid—This time it’s not Willie and Mellencamp—but Trump

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is and our digital editor is Giselle Bueno.

Party Politics, Ep. 66: ‘Stories From The Storm’ Takes Over The Podcast Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

This week, Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are taking a “summer vacation” from politics but they wanted to share a new podcast presented by Houston Public Media. It’s called "Stories from the Storm" and it’s conversations with community leaders, public servants, and everyday Houstonians who reflect – nearly a year later - on Hurricane Harvey and how the storm changed their lives.

In this first episode, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale (a Houston icon and founder of the store Gallery Furniture) and store manager Anthony Lebedzinski tell the story of how Gallery Furniture came to be a place of refuge during Harvey, including harrowing water rescues that helped bring displaced Houstonians to the store.

You can subscribe to the podcast and watch a video of this conversation and nine others at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

We’ll be back on the political bandwagon next week. I wonder if there will be anything to talk about?

Party Politics, Ep. 65: President Trump Picks Brett Kavanaugh For The Supreme Court Jul 13, 2018

Show notes

On Party Politics this week, co-hosts Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are going to catch you up on the week’s political news:

Texas:

Jenkins blames Cruz for not making ballot
U.S. Senate Debate?
Fundraising roundup
Breitbart poll
Vet school debate?

National:

Pruitt!
NATO Visit
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson resigns
Trump WH misses the deadline to reunite families

Brandon and Jay talk about President Trump Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email partypoliticspod@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Giselle Bueno.

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