Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

Latest Episodes:

250: Around The World with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi May 23, 2024

Show notes

James and Al lay out the hard choices facing the Biden campaign, blast corruption on the Supreme Court, and welcome Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi to dive into geopolitics. They start by exploring US-Sino relations, covering President Xi’s governing philosophy, the enslavement of the Uighurs, what a successful trade policy looks like, how to bolster our regional alliances, and the need to protect Taiwan. Then, they look at the effects of Iran’s presidential succession and how to counter Russia’s total war mobilization in Ukraine before pivoting to the fentanyl crisis, the death of substance in Congress, and turning immigration into a winning issue.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!
Mentioned On The Show:
James’ Polling Class
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Get More From Rep. Raja Krisnamoorthi:
Twitter | House.gov | Website
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249: The Lost Cause with Heather Cox Richardson May 16, 2024

Show notes

James and Al tear into Trump for seeking bribes from Big Oil, blast the MSM for failing to cover what matters, share their take on the recent polls and primaries, and welcome historian Heather Cox Richardson. They draw parallels between contemporary politics and the Civil War era, exploring MAGA’s regressive roots, our democracy’s war with demagoguery, the electorate’s disillusionment, and why J6 represents a new “Lost Cause”. They also cover the corruption of the judicial system and the modern Republican party, calling for a revival of populism to revitalize our system and put in guardrails to protect it.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Heather Cox Richardson:
Twitter | Boston College | Substack | Facebook | Author of “Democracy Awakening” & Many Other Books
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248: God & Country with Katherine Stewart May 09, 2024

Show notes

James and Al reflect on Trump’s ongoing trial, the need for Biden to run a focused campaign, and the future of Gaza before welcoming author and journalist Katherine Stewart. They discuss the rise of the Christian nationalism movement in the USA, exploring how it relates to popular Christianity, its exploitation of the culture war and other political strategies it uses, and its tendency towards hierarchy, dominionism, and authoritarianism. They also examine its relationship to Trump and the modern Republican party, how it leverages the judicial system, and the dangers of Project 2025.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Katherine Stewart:
Twitter | Website | The New Republic | New York Times | All Articles | Author of “The Power Worshippers” & Other Books | God & Country
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247: Campus Chaos with Professor Emeritus Mark Yudof May 02, 2024

Show notes

Guest host Paul Begala joins Al to analyze the factors driving the ‘24 election and the dangers of another Trump term before speaking with UC President Emeritus Mark Yudof. They discuss where the pro-Palestine protests fit in the history of campus movements, how an oppressor/oppressed schema contributes to anti-Israel and anti-Semetic sentiment, why support for Israel is a liberal position, and where the line is between constitutionally protected speech and threatening action. With no end to the chaos on campuses in sight, they consider the best way to restore order and turn recent events into a teachable moment.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guests:
Paul Begala:
Twitter | University of Virginia Center For Politics | CNN | Author
Mark Yudof:
Twitter | Berkeley Law | UT System | Academic Engagement Network | Facebook
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246: War & Peace with General John Allen Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

James and Al game out Trump’s prosecution, reluctantly give credit to Speaker Johnson, and castigate the SCOTUS, before welcoming retired General John Allen to discuss our place in world affairs. They look at the effects of the foreign aid package, how to continue to support our allies, and the next phase of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars. Their analysis also dives into the evolving duties of the Marine Corps, how warfare is waged on the information battlefield, the challenges that define our relationship with China, and the role of risk and vulnerability in successful diplomacy.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
General John Allen:
Defense.gov | Brookings Institution | DHS.gov | AF.mil | Author of “Turning Point” | Author of “Future War”
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245: Convicting Trump & Finding The Center with Fred Wertheimer & Billy Ray Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

James and Al dive into Congress’ handling of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and analyze the politically transformative effects of Dobbs on the Republican party. Then they welcome legal expert Fred Wertheimer to discuss the progression of Trump’s first criminal trial, how the charges can be proven, and developments in the other legal challenges confronting him. They also are joined by political strategist Billy Ray to explore how identity politics have moved Democrats away from effective messaging, the changes the party needs to make, and why appealing to the center will lead to generational wins.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guests:
Fred Wertheimer:
Twitter | Just Security | Wertheimer Lipton | Democracy 21
Billy Ray:
Twitter | Common Defense | IMDB
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244: Supreme Allied Commander for The War On Women - Senator Tina Smith Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

James and Al decry Islamophobia and welcome MN Senator Tina Smith to discuss foreign relations and the Dobbs decision’s role in our politics. Following anti-abortion revanchism under the Comstock Act and extreme restrictions in red states, they analyze how to fight back by enacting legislation to secure women’s rights, the policies that will energize young voters, and what it will take to win state and national elections. They also strategize about how to overcome pro-Putin Republicans in the House to get support to Ukraine, secure an Israel-Hamas cease fire, and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Senator Tina Smith:
Senate.gov | Website | Twitter | MN.gov
Please Support Our Sponsors:
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Sleep better with Beam’s best-selling Dream Powder and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/warroom and use code: WARROOM
Miracle Made:
For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code WARROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/warroom

243: The Court & The Constitution with Justice Stephen Breyer Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

James and Al critique coastal elitism, explore how the Israel-Gaza war ends, and welcome Justice Breyer to discuss the role of the Supreme Court and its judges. They compare textualism and pragmatism using Justice Scalia as a foil, weigh the factors that go into reading the Constitution, debate politics’ place on the bench, review the ethics governing the court, and look at why public approval of the judicial branch is plummeting. In their conversation they also break down the language of the 2nd Amendment, explain how history is the ultimate arbiter of past decisions, and call on us to listen to one another to find compromise where we can.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Justice Stephen Breyer:
SupremeCourt.gov | Oyez | Harvard | Author of “Reading The Constitution” & Other Books
Please Support Our Sponsors:
Miracle Made:
For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code WARROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/warroom

242: March Madness with John Feinstein Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

James and Al take Rep. Jim Jordan to task for continuing to spew lies about the 2020 election and review the status of Trump’s many trials, their possible outcomes, and their effect on the race. They also debate what NBC’s firing of Ronna McDaniel says about the state of network journalism, and weigh how RFK Jr. affects the election after his vice presidential pick. Author and sports journalist John Feinstein joins them to discuss March Madness, the business of sports, Pete Rose’s fall from grace, all time sports greats, the best city for sports, and more.
Short note on audio quality:
Due to unforeseen technical issues we had to record this episode on Zoom without our professional microphones and audio interfaces!
Please excuse the slightly diminished audio quality.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guests
John Feinstein:
Twitter | WaPo | Author
Please Support Our Sponsors:
Miracle Made:
For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code WARROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/warroom
Total Gym:
For an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order, head to TotalGymDirect.com/warroom

241: Pestilence and War with Admiral James Stavridis and Dr. Cornelia Griggs Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

James and Al tear into the Orban government and analyze Trump’s influence on the Ohio Senate race before welcoming Admiral James Stavridis to discuss the global military landscape. They explore strategies for success in the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas conflicts, game out an effective response to threats against Taiwan, and look at how war fighting will evolve in the future. Then, they are joined by Dr. Cornelia Griggs for a reflection on the state of our healthcare system, current pandemic preparedness, and the COVID response on its 4th anniversary.
Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!
Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist
James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack
Get More From This Week’s Guests
Admiral James Stavridis:
Twitter | Website | Carlyle Group | Author of “2054” & Other Books
Dr. Cornelia Griggs:
Twitter | Threads | Website | MA General Hospital | Author of “The Sky Is Falling”
Please Support Our Sponsors:
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