The Decoded Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Presenting Playbook Deep Dive: Cat and Mouse Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

It’s one of the most demanding jobs in Washington journalism: tracking down a lawmaker who’s in the news but doesn’t necessarily want to talk. For the Congress press corps, scoring that story-making quote might mean standing on a marble staircase for hours — if the senator or representative decides to talk at all. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade takes us inside the Capitol Hill media “scrum” — as reporters like CNN’s Manu Raju reveal their tricks of the trade… and former Senator Jeff Flake discloses all the times he pretended to talk on his phone while walking past reporters.

Rachael Bade is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.
Jeff Flake is former Republican Senator from Arizona and current Ambassador-designate to Turkey.
Manu Raju is CNN's chief congressional correspondent.
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Carlos Prieto is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Special thanks to Nicholas Wu, Kyle Cheney, Oriana Pawlyk, Nolan McCaskill, Juliegrace Brufke, Paul Kane who were also featured reporters in this episode.

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You get a booster! You get a booster! Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

Federal officials are preparing to expand access to extra shots. And some states are already moving ahead. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn reports. Plus, Republicans overtake Democrats in voter registration in Florida. And the Pentagon rushes to combat rising housing and food costs for troops.
Adam Cancryn is a health reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

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Why gas prices are up Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

Republicans are pinning the price at the pump on Biden. But as POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre reports, it’s a bit more complicated. Plus, Pfizer asks the FDA for emergency use authorization of its Covid pill. And the Senate confirms a key USDA climate official.
Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

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From BIF to BIL Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

The bipartisan infrastructure framework is now the bipartisan infrastructure law. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder breaks down what the new funding will and won’t do. Plus, the CBO plans to score Biden’s social spending bill by Friday. And Florida moves forward with a rule banning school mask mandates and quarantine requirements.
Tanya Snyder is a transportation reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

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The fallout from COP26 Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

Nearly 200 countries are endorsing a new agreement to lower emissions. But a last-minute push by China and India weakened the deal and could hurt poorer nations. POLITICO's Lorraine Woellert reports. Plus, Treasury Secretary Yellen says Covid will determine when inflation eases. And Rep. Schiff says he thinks Steve Bannon’s indictment will lead others to comply with the Jan. 6 panel.
Lorraine Woellert manages POLITICO's sustainability coverage.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
Sign up for POLITICO's 2021 Sustainability Summit

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Presenting Playbook Deep Dive: The strategists who made the “Youngkin Republican” Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

For the first time in 12 years, a Republican won the governorship in Virginia. And it wasn’t just any victory — to claim the seat, Glenn Youngkin had to beat Terry McAuliffe, former governor and Democratic royalty. In this special presentation of Playbook Deep Dive, Ryan Lizza digs into the narrow win with Youngkin campaign strategists Jeff Roe and Kristin Davison, and the mistakes they think McAuliffe’s campaign made. Plus, senior politics editor Charlie Mahtesian on the significant places Youngkin gained the most votes.

Ryan Lizza is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.
Charlie Mahtesian is senior politics editor for POLITICO.
Kristin Davison was a campaign strategist for Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin.
Jeff Roe was a campaign strategist for Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin.
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Carlos Prietois a producer for POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

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Vaccine mandates? Meet reality. Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

From legal challenges to murky data on vaccination rates, federal mandates are facing turbulence. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki reports. Plus, a virtual summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is tentatively set for Nov. 15. And New Jersey’s most powerful state lawmaker concedes his reelection loss to a little-known Republican.
Natasha Korecki is a White House Correspondent for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

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A conversation with whistleblower Frances Haugen Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

“The platform is out of control, and they haven’t invested in safety.” Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen sits down with POLITICO’s Mark Scott to talk about what it was like blowing the whistle on the tech giant. Plus, a government watchdog says 13 Trump officials violated the Hatch Act during the 2020 campaign. And the CBO says a score for Dems’ social spending bill could take weeks.
Mark Scott is POLITICO's Chief Technology Correspondent.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
Subscribe to POLITICO's EU Confidential podcast to hear the full interview with Frances Haugen.

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Soooo.. this is an economic recovery? Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

Jobs numbers are great, and the economy is strengthening. But there’s also inflation. And supply chain problems. Oh, and a worker shortage. So what does all that add up to? POLITICO’s Megan Cassella reports. Plus, the Jan. 6 committee subpoenas several Trump allies. And the U.S. targets ransomware hackers with arrests, sanctions and payment seizures.
Megan Cassella is an economic policy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
Read more: ‘Back into gear’: Solid jobs report boosts Biden’s case for recovery

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Democrats in … array? Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

They did it. The bipartisan infrastructure bill passed, and Dems’ massive spending plan is one step closer to reality. POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu reports. Plus, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says President Biden might tap into U.S. oil reserves amid rising prices. And Surgeon General Vivek Murthy defends the White House’s vaccine mandate.
Nicholas Wu is a Congress reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

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