The Decoded Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Let the global vaccine brawl begin Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

In the scramble to get the entire world vaccinated, countries like China and Russia are trying to use vaccine sales and donations to lift their standings on the global stage. POLITICO’s Ryan Heath breaks down the tricky world of vaccine diplomacy. Plus, Joe Manchin says he supports Deb Haaland’s nomination to lead the Interior Department. And embattled postmaster general Louis DeJoy tells Congress to “get used to me.”
Ryan Heath authors the Global Translations newsletter 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.
Read more: China winning vaccine diplomacy battle, but will lose the war

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Why Neera Tanden’s nomination fell apart Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

Sexism. Double-standards. White male privilege. Those are some of the charges activists and Democrats are lobbing as Neera Tanden’s nomination to the Office of Management and Budget slips away over divisive tweets. POLITICO’s Laura Barrón-López reports on how Tanden's nomination as the first Asian American to lead the OMB fell apart. Plus, four board members of Texas’ power grid operator are resigning amid outrage over last week’s blackouts. And McConnell says he’ll support Merrick Garland’s nomination as Attorney General.
Laura Barrón-López is a White House 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.
Read more: ‘A double standard going on’: Democrats accuse GOP and Manchin of bias on Biden nominations

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Let’s talk about the Capitol’s diversity problem Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

The 117th Congress has a record number of women and people of color. But when it comes to the congressional staff working behind the scenes at the Capitol, diversity is still a huge problem. POLITICO’s Maya King reports. Plus, Xavier Becerra faces his first of two confirmation hearings. And the FDA says vaccine boosters will require less extensive trials.
Maya King covers race and politics 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.
Read more: This Congress is the most diverse ever. But Hill staffers remain overwhelmingly white.
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Welcome to Covid Court Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

Are you confused about what you can and can’t do during the pandemic? Have you had a dispute with a family member or a coworker about Covid safety? You’re not alone. Welcome to Covid Court, where POLITICO’s Renu Rayasam issues rulings on how to get through the pandemic without losing your mind. Plus, Merrick Garland gets his second chance. And Boris Johnson says all British adults will get a first vaccine dose by the end of July.
Renuka Rayasam covers the coronavirus pandemic for POLITICO and writes the POLITICO Nightly newsletter.
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.
Read more in POLITICO Nightly.

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The curse of the third term Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

It’s a curse that’s hung over New York politics for the last 50 years: No Governor since Nelson Rockefeller has made it past the third term in office. A few weeks ago, it looked like Andrew Cuomo was on track to break the curse. But now, roiled in a scandal involving Covid deaths at nursing homes, Cuomo’s political future is looking less certain. POLITICO’s Terry Golway reports. Plus, the heads of Facebook, Google and Twitter agree to testify before lawmakers again. And the Biden administration says it won’t share vaccines with poor countries until most Americans are vaccinated.
Terry Golway is the Albany editor for POLITICO New York.
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.
Read more:
Republican senators push to investigate Cuomo over New York nursing home deaths
New York assemblymember: Cuomo 'berated me,' asked me to lie about alleged cover-up
Cuomo makes frenemies with fellow Democrats amid crisis

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How to get everyone vaccinated Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Right now, the problem is not enough vaccines. But in a few months, when we have a bigger supply, we could be looking at a scenario where there aren’t enough people willing to take the vaccines we have. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle breaks down what she learned from conversations with nine state and local health officials about how to avoid that situation. Plus, Biden picks Obama-veteran Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to head the agency in charge of Medicare and Medicaid. And a judge orders two of the most notorious Capitol insurrection suspects to remain in jail.
This story is part of POLITICO's Recovery Lab series that looks at the smartest new ideas for combating the pandemic.
Read more:
Policy hackathon: How to fix vaccination
9 states getting it right
How Covid-19 could make Americans healthier
Sarah Owermohle covers drug policy 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.

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The President and the Prince Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

He’s not King yet, but Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman is the leader of Saudi Arabia in all but name. He’s also one of the biggest thorns in the side of Biden’s Middle East policy plans. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi reports. Plus, Trump attacks McConnell in a fiery statement. And NASA looks at whether it might have to delay a trip to the moon.
Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs 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.
Read more:
To speak or not to speak: Saudi Arabia poses a princely dilemma for Biden
Attack in Iraq highlights Biden's Saudi problem

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Biden made big Covid promises. Can he keep them? Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

Biden promised to “follow the science” throughout his campaign. But a month into his presidency, he’s learning the hard way that — from school reopenings to wearing masks — politics and science don’t always mesh. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn reports. Plus, Pelosi says an independent commission will investigate the Capitol insurrection. And the WHO grants emergency approval for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
Adam Cancryn is a health care 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.
Read more:
Biden’s follow-the-science mantra on school meets political reality
White House tiptoes around governors relaxing coronavirus rules

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Nikki Haley’s conundrum Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

Nikki Haley is no stranger to political tightropes. During her time in the Trump administration, she enjoyed the MAGA glow while avoiding Trump's brash brand of politics. But in the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection, that position is becoming less and less tenable — especially as a leading 2024 presidential contender. POLITICO's Tim Alberta reports. Plus, the White House secures 200 million more vaccine doses. And Biden moves to dismantle Trump’s Medicaid work rules.
Tim Albertais POLITICO's chief political 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.
Read more: Nikki Haley’s Time for Choosing

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How Europe fell behind on vaccines Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

Sure, the vaccine rollout in the U.S. hasn’t been smooth. But … it could be worse. Just look at Europe. POLITICO Europe’s Jillian Deutsch tells the complicated story of how the EU fell behind on vaccines. Plus, the Biden administration asks the Supreme Court to uphold Obamacare. And the South Africa variant is discovered in California.
Jillian Deutsch is a health reporter for POLITICO Europe.
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.
Read more:
How Europe fell behind on vaccines
Production snags likely to leave EU lagging in vaccinations for months to come

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