RealClearPolitics Podcast

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Previewing the Republican Congressional Primary in Kentucky May 18, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss Tuesday’s Republican congressional primary in Kentucky’s fourth district, where President Donald Trump has made an extraordinary effort to defeat incumbent Republican Thomas Massey. Also, following Trump’s endorsement of a challenger in the GOP primary for Senate in Louisiana, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) lost his party’s nomination this weekend, placing third. Then, J. Peder Zane, editor in Chief of RealClear Investigations and co-host of the RealClear Investigations podcast, talks to the guys about two recent stories from the site: a look at the closure of a Wisconsin farm that raised beagles for animal testing, and how Medicaid spending on family members who act as caregivers for elderly and disabled relatives grew to a $50 billion program, despite never being approved by Congress. Then finally, they discuss former Vice President Kamala Harris’ list of “no bad ideas” on a podcast last week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reviewing President Trump's Visit in China May 15, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon wrap up the U.S./China Summit, and they take a look at yesterday’s meeting in Havana between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Cuba’s top security leaders, including Raul Castro’s grandson. Then, Matthew Spalding, Dean of the Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College’s DC campus and author of "The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence" talks to the guys about the 250th anniversary of American independence, the importance of civic education, and the “The Freedom 250 Mobile Museum,” which consists of six trucks that will travel the country to educate Americans on the nation’s founding. Next, they preview the first encyclical that will be issued by Pope Leo XIV as early as today, which reportedly will deal with artificial intelligence and the human soul. And last but not least, they dish up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump’s Latest Statements on Affordability May 14, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP contributor Richard Porter discuss President Trump’s latest statements on affordability and the War in Iran, a proposed cut in the federal gas tax, and Vice President JD Vance and the new White House anti-fraud task force. Next, Michael Auslin of the Hoover Institution and author of the new book, "National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America" joins the guys to discuss the changing role of the Declaration of Independence in American culture, and the future of U.S./China relations. Then, they discuss new polling in the California governor’s race and the race for mayor of Los Angeles. And finally, they look at allegations by TMZ that LA mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt has been living in a luxury hotel and not in the trailer featured in his online ads, and Spencer’s response to the claim. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump’s Summit in Beijing May 13, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss what to expect from President Trump’s two-day summit in Beijing. And, they talk about a new poll of likely Republican voters that shows Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 race for the GOP presidential nomination. Next, they discuss today’s Senate hearings chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) featuring a long-time CIA employee on the origins of the COVID-19 virus, and a new report out of Israel that documents the horrors committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Also, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff’s controversial new column on abuses in Israeli jails, which relies largely on allegedly pro-Hamas sources. And lastly, they discuss New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new video celebrating the city’s “balanced” budget, and Carl talks about his latest article on a new YouGov poll showing that many Democrats believe the assassination attempts against President Trump have been staged. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Senate Primary in Nebraska May 12, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss today’s Senate primary in Nebraska, where the leading Democratic candidate, Cindy Burbank, has promised that if victorious, she will not run in the November general election in order to give the independent candidate, Dan Osborne, a better shot at beating incumbent GOP Senator Pete Ricketts. Also, state lawmakers in South Carolina begin debate on redistricting, a move that would likely eliminate the seat currently held by influential Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn. Then, Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy joins the guys to discuss her a new book: All American Patriotism celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence. Next, they discuss today’s inflation data released by the U.S. Department of Labor which shows consumer prices in April up 3.8% from a year ago, the biggest annual increase since May 2023. And finally, President Trump leaves today for a summit meeting in China accompanied by a gaggle of U.S. business leaders. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Democrats’ Response to the Virginia State Supreme Court Decision May 11, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP National Political Correspondent Susan Crabtree discuss Democrats’ response to the Virginia State Supreme Court, including a proposal to lower the retirement age of Justices to 54. They also talk about Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) who wants to reform the Secret Service. Next, they discuss reality star Spencer Pratt’s campaign for mayor of Los Angeles and last Friday’s launch of Governor Gavin Newsom’s “Golden State Start’ initiative, a partnership with nonprofit Baby2Baby that will give every newborn delivered in participating hospitals 400 diapers for free. Then finally, they chat about the Defense Department’s release of new files dealing with UFOs, and new data that shows men faring worse than women in today’s job market and falling behind women when it comes to college graduation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Virginia State Supreme Court Strikes Down Redistricting Plan May 08, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss today’s decision by the Virginia State Supreme Court to strike down the state’s recently passed redistricting plan designed to give Democrats more congressional seats in the 2026 midterms. Also, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) said on a recent podcast that it's impossible to “earn” a billion dollars in America, and that such a fortune could only be acquired through some sort of theft. Then, Greg Swenson, chairman of Republicans Overseas UK and cofounder of the Hamilton Society, joins the guys to discuss yesterday’s local and regional elections in the UK, where the Reform UK Party made big gains against both the Labour and the Conservative Parties, and the implications of the election results for the future of the MAGA movement in the U.S. Next, they talk about the first-ever “Enhanced Games” to be held in Las Vegas later this month, where elite athletes will compete using performance enhancing drugs banned by other international sports federations. And then finally, they dish up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Weaponization of the Justice Department May 07, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and his quest to indict former National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci for alleged wrongful Senate testimony concerning gain-of-function research for the COVID-19 virus. Then, they talk about former President Barack Obama speaking to Stephen Colbert about the weaponization of the Justice Department, and Louise Lucas, the powerful Chair of the Virginia State Senate Finance Committee, who is the subject of a federal investigation for corruption involving her cannabis business. Next, Fox News Host Dana Perino joins the guys to discuss her new novel "Purple State" and whether Americans can find romance and friendship across party lines. And finally, they discuss last night’s mayoral debate in Los Angeles featuring incumbent mayor Karen Bass, Democratic city council member Nithya Raman and former realty star Spencer Pratt. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Requiem for Ted Turner May 06, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the passing of CNN founder Ted Turner today at the age of 87. Also, they look at yesterday’s election results in Indiana where at least five GOP state lawmakers who opposed President Trump’s redistricting plans were defeated by Trump-backed challengers. And they have a discussion about billionaire Ken Griffin, who talked yesterday about New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s efforts to increase taxes on the wealthy. Next, James Freeman of The Wall Street Journal joins the guys to discuss his latest “Best of the Web” column on the future of former Vice President Kamala Harris and why she has not endorsed a candidate in California’s gubernatorial primary. And, they take a look at last night’s California’s gubernatorial candidate debate. Then, they discuss a decision by an Arlington, VA prosecutor not to pursue criminal charges against the woman who distributed leaflets disclosing the address of White House aide Stephen Miller’s family, citing the woman’s freedom of speech. And finally, they chat about Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers being the State Department’s new “free speech warrior,” according to a new profile in The Free Press. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Primary Elections in Indiana May 05, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss today’s primary election in Indiana where seven Republican state lawmakers face primary challenges from candidates backed by President Trump because of their opposition to redistricting the state. Also, a look at Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and speculation that he may switch parties amid growing criticism from fellow Democrats and sagging polls among Democratic voters. Next, Ron Bailey, Science Correspondent for Reason Magazine, joins the guys to discuss the 40th anniversary of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, and the future of nuclear energy. Then, they preview Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with the Pope this Thursday. And finally, they take a look at this year’s Pulitzer Prize winners for journalism. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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