Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

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220: Strategy of War with Admiral Stavridis and Ehud Barak Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

James and Al preview Rep. Mike Johnson’s upcoming speakership and are joined by former Israeli PM Ehud Barak to lay out the military options under consideration in Gaza, the goals that the war will seek to accomplish, and how the intervention might end. Then, they speak with Admiral James Stavridis to discuss the practicalities of a ground invasion and the effect of Iran backed Hezbollah becoming involved. They also delve into the status of forces that we are bringing to support Israel in the region, the state of our military readiness, and the pragmatism behind our actions there and in Ukraine.
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guests:
Admiral James Stavridis:
Twitter | Website | Carlyle Group | Author of “To Risk It All” & Other Books
Ehud Barak:
Twitter | FaceBook | Jewish Virtual Library | BGR Group
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219: Israeli Intrigue w/ Alon Pinkus & Congressional Chaos w/ Carl Hulse Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

James and Al are joined by Israeli foreign policy expert Alon Pinkas to explain the latest developments in the accelerating war in Gaza, its regional effects, and the roles of President Biden and PM Netanyahu. They explore the ramifications of the hospital explosion, the threat of Iran and Hezbollah, how the USA is viewed in the region, and if the Israeli government has the confidence of its people. Then, they speak with NYT’s chief Washington correspondent Carl Hulse to discuss the implications of Jim Jordan’s lack of qualifications to become the Speaker and his failure to attain the position despite the novel pressure being applied by conservative media. Will Steve Scalise be the next one to try for the position? And what are the downstream effects going into the 2024 elections?
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Alon Pinkas:
Twitter | Haaretz
Carl Hulse:
Twitter | NYT | Author of “Confirmation Bias”
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218: Israel with Jim Gerstein and Brigadier General Ty Seidule Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

Following the tragic attack on Israel by Hamas, James and Al are joined by political strategist Jim Gerstein to break down the situation on the ground and its regional ramifications. They delve into the potential for a wider conflict, how a follow-up invasion can destroy the prospects for Middle East peace, and how the Israeli government is responding. Then, they welcome Brigadier General Ty Seidule to examine the tactics used and the harm to our military readiness caused by Republicans. Between their war on the diversity of our troops and Senator Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions, are we ready for the next crisis?
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guests:
Jim Gerstein
GBAO Strategies
Brigadier General Ty Seidule (Ret.):
Twitter | West Point | Website | Hamilton College | New America | Author of “Robert E. Lee & Me”
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217: Beating Boebert with Adam Frisch & Identity Politics with Yascha Mounk Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

James and Al are joined by the congressional challenger to Lauren Boebert in Colorado, Adam Frish. They discuss the factors that led to her near defeat in the last election, his strategy of drawing a contrast between the chaos of MAGA rule and sane governance, and the importance of fighting to win back rural areas. Then they welcome Professor Yascha Mounk to explore the capitulation of pluralism to identity politics and ideological policing. Together, they explain how despite their good intentions, proponents are bringing about new forms of discrimination and undermining trust in our institutions.
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guests:
Adam Frisch:
Twitter | Campaign Website | Website | FaceBook
Yascha Mounk:
Twitter | John Hopkins | The Atlantic | Persuasion Community | Website | Author of “The Identity Trap” & Other Books | The Good Fight Podcast| CFR | CCNY
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216: The Shutdown with Rep. Brendan Boyle Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

James and Al contrast Senator Menendez with the crimes of Trump, preview the Republican field before the debate, and welcome PA Congressman Brendan Boyle. They discuss the likelihood of a government shutdown at Republican hands, why it’s proof that MAGA owns the party, and the financial dangers it poses. From lost job creation, cuts to schools, leaving law enforcement and the military without pay, and raising the risk of recession, is this an opportunity to flip the congressional seats that elected Republicans but were won by Biden in the general?
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Rep. Brendan Boyle:
Twitter | House.gov | Website | FaceBook | Instagram
Please Support This Week’s Sponsors:
Miracle Made:
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215: 2024 Election Prospects with Elaine Kamarck & Susan Swecker Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

James and Al welcome election expert Elaine Kamarck to discuss the primary process, the placement of South Carolina as the first in the nation, presidential succession, and the impact of No Labels. Then they talk with VA Democratic Party Chairwoman Susan Swecker to break down the upcoming elections in her state, how MAGA has supplanted traditional Republicans, and why 2023’s elections are such an important bellwether. James and Al also advise the press on how they should handle Trump, lambast Congressional Republicans, and analyze the likely government shutdown.
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Elaine Kamarck:
Twitter | Brookings Institute | FixGov Blog | Author of “Primary Politics” & Other Books
Susan Swecker:
Twitter | Democratic Party of Virginia | The Majority Project| @VaDemocrats
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214: The Fight For Our Kids with Senator Chris Murphy Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

James and Al shame Republicans for threats of government shutdown and for prioritizing spending cuts that killed the expanded Child Tax Credit and threw millions of kids into poverty. Then they welcome Senator Chris Murphy to discuss the disastrous repeal of the assault weapons ban, celebrate Biden’s passage of a gun safety bill, and highlight the potential for a coalition of parents and youth to take further action. They also look at the electoral prospects in 2024 and ways to expand the democratic coalition to create big wins. Is a focus on conversion over purity the answer?
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Senator Chris Murphy:
Twitter | Website | Senate.gov
Please Support This Week’s Sponsors:
Zbiotics:
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213: Biden’s White House with Frank Foer & The Extremist Threat with Kathleen Belew Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

James and Al welcome journalist Frank Foer for an inside look at the Biden White House, its strengths and policy successes, how his novel transition strategy kicked off a strong first year, and the factors defining the 2024 race as we head into the fall. Then, they talk with Professor Kathleen Belew to discuss the growing domestic threat of white power groups, how they operate and recruit, their obsession with controlling white women, and Trump’s role in fomenting energy around the great replacement theory while merging extremists and the Republican party.
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guests:
Frank Foer:
Twitter | The Atlantic | NewAmerica.org | Author of “The Last Politician” & Many Other Books
Kathleen Belew:
Twitter | Website | Northwestern University | Author of “Bring The War Home”
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212: The State of The Economy with Roger Altman Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

James and Al lament the Trumpist takeover of the House Oversight Committee and the expiry of childcare support, and talk with financial maven Roger Altman. They look at the improving strength of the economy, and weigh the options of Jay Powell as the risks of recession and inflation's dangers seem to be declining. Then, they break down the effects of China’s economic malaise and why they won’t surpass us, and explain why one of our biggest upcoming challenges will be spending the massive funds allocated to our country from the infrastructure bill and other initiatives.
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Roger Altman:
Evercore | The Hamilton Project

211: The Media with Sarah Ellison Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

James and Al give their take on the Republican field going into their first debate and preview the current legal outlook of Trump and his co-conspirators on the heels of Rudy’s prison booking. They also break down why the national mood has soured despite positive economic numbers and welcome journalist Sarah Ellison to discuss the love-hate relationship between Trump and Fox, how to cover Donald, and why Tucker is growing irrelevant in the face of Murdoch’s media machine. Then, they explore why Trump’s popularity holds with the people who feel forgotten and left behind. Will they ever see sense and abandon their candidate?
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!
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Sarah Ellison:
WaPo | Twitter | Author
Please Support This Week’s Sponsors:
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