RealClearPolitics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Politics of 2 Criminal Cases, the Collapse of the Assad Regime in Syria, and Reactions to Comments Donald Trump Made to Kristen Welker Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss the politics of two criminal cases that have captured public attention, the collapse of Assad regime in Syria, and reactions to comments Trump made to Kristen Welker in a major network interview. Next, Tom talks to founder and past president of the Democratic Leadership Council: Al From, about lessons from Bill Clinton’s rise in the early 1990s. And finally, Carl talks to RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about the challenges of covering Joe Biden as he prepares to wind down his administration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reactions Over the Murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Mayor Eric Adams Signals He May Change N. Y. to a Non-Sanctuary City, and Analysts Say the Trump Administration is Shifting their Anti-Terror Efforts Away from White Supremacy Dec 07, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Washington correspondent for UnHerd - Emily Jashinsky, discuss online and mainstream media commentary following the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, including remarks that rationalize the assassination as a “reality check” for oligarchs. They also talk about a report by The Washington Post citing analysts who say the Trump Administration will shift its anti-terror activities away from white supremacists and other far-right groups. Plus, New York City Mayor Eric Adams will meet with Tom Holman next week, signaling a change in New York's status as a sanctuary city. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about how the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should seek congressional authorization to achieve sweeping governmental reorganization. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to author James Piereson about his New Criterion article on why Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency should target the N.E.D., and why it's so hard to shut down any government-funded operation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mitt Romney’s Exit from the Senate, the LPGA’s Decision to Require Tour Golfers to be Female at Birth, and Will the White House Issue “Preemptive Pardons” for Government Officials Who Might be Targeted by the New Trump Administration? Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss new reporting that the White House is considering issuing “preemptive pardons” for government officials who might be targeted by the new Trump administration. On the list for blanket pardons for illegal acts that may have been committed during the Biden presidency: retired general Mark Milley, former GOP Representative Liz Cheney, Senator Elect Adam Schiff and Dr. Anthony Fauci. They also talk about Mitt Romney’s exit from the Senate and the LPGA’s decision to require tour golfers to be female at birth or to have transitioned before the onset of puberty. Then, Tom Bevan and RCP National Correspondent Susan Crabtree discuss Thursday’s contentious House hearing on the two assassination attempts against Donald Trump, which devolved into a screaming match between Rep. Pat Fallon (R.-TX) and Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe. And finally, Carl Cannon talks to Tevi Troy, senior fellow at the Ronald Regan Institute and the author of "The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry” about what Joe Biden can get done in the less than seven weeks left in his presidency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SCOTUS Hears Oral Arguments Over a Law that Bars “Gender Affirming Care” on Minors, the Result of the Final House Race, and Pete Hegseth’s Mom Explains Her Critical Letter to Him on Fox News Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss today’s oral arguments at the US Supreme Court challenging a Tennessee law that bars “gender affirming care” on minors. The Biden Administration is arguing that the law discriminates on the basis of sex and is therefore unconstitutional. The Court seems skeptical. They also talk about Penelope Hegseth’s appearance this morning on Fox News explaining her 2018 email to her son accusing him of being an “abuser of women.” Pete Hegseth was on Capitol Hill Wednesday meeting with Senators in advance of his confirmation hearings and told Megyn Kelly in an exclusive interview that he is the right person to lead the Pentagon and retains Donald Trump’s support. Plus, they also discuss the result of the final House race which has been announced: Adam Gray won California's 13th Congressional District, unseating incumbent Republican John Duarte. That means that the GOP will hold 220 seats to the Democrats 215, but with some GOP members nominated to fill positions in the Trump administration, the Republican’s operating majority will be even slimmer, at least for the critical first few months of the new administration. Then lastly, Carl Cannon talks to John Maxwell Hamilton, RCP columnist and Journalism Professor at LSU, about how Democrats should deal with a second Trump administration, and whether a Trumpian revolution will really “Make America Great Again.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New Reporting on Pete Hegseth, Biden Visits Angola, and Trump to Attend Reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss reporting by Jane Meyer in The New Yorker on Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s tenure running two non-profit organizations, which includes allegations of drinking, sexism and poor management. They then discuss reporting by Sohrab Ahamri in Compact Magazine that rebuts The New Yorker’s claims. Plus, they have a look at Kevin Dowd’s guest column in the Sunday edition of The New York Times. They also talk about President Biden’s trip to Angola where he talked about slavery, and Donald Trump’s plans to attend this weekend’s celebration of the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, where he will join more than 50 other world leaders. Next, Carl discusses Hunter Biden’s history with one of his former classmates, RCP contributor and CEO of Rootz.ai, Eric Spitz. Then finally, Andrew talks to James S. Robbins, Academic Dean of the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC about the war in Syria and how Donald Trump’s Middle East policy will differ from that of Joe Biden's. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Reaction to Hunter Biden’s Pardon, the Nomination of Kash Patel to Head the FBI, and MSNBC’s Reaction to Revelations that Host Al Sharpton’s Foundation Received $500 Thousand from the Harris Campaign Just Days Before He Interviewed Her Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss the reaction to Hunter Biden’s pardon, and what it may mean for Biden’s legacy. They also talk about the nomination of Kash Patel to head the FBI, and MSNBC’s reaction to revelations that host Al Sharpton’s foundation received $500 thousand from the Harris campaign just days before he conducted a friendly interview with her on the network. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to New York Post writer Miranda Devine, author of Laptop from Hell, about why Joe Biden decided to pardon Hunter now and whether other pardons will come in the future. And then Tom Bevan talks to RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about how the White House press office is dealing with the Hunter Biden pardon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

RCP Holiday Flashback Podcast Nov 30, 2024

Show notes

Today's podcast is a flashback episode. First, Tom Bevan talks to Twitter Files author Matt Taibbi about Wikipedia’s removal of the RCP Polling Average before the election and the New York Times criticism of RCP for not weighing its averages. Next, Carl Cannon interviews Tim Shriver, CEO and founder of UNITE, about what Americans can do to improve our public dialogue in the impending second Trump era. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to author Nellie Bowles, columnist for the Free Press and author of the new book "Morning After the Revolution: Dispatches from the Wrong Side of History". Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The History of Thanksgiving in America Nov 29, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss the origins and history of the Thanksgiving holiday in America. Then, RCP National Correspondent Susan Crabtree and White House correspondent Phil Wegmann join the discussion to talk about the past year in politics and look forward to changes in 2025. Next, RealClear Defense editor David Craig and former State Department official Peter Berkowitz talk about veterans’ affairs and foreign policy challenges for the incoming Trump administration. And rounding it out, RCP Senior Copy Editor Cathi Warren joins the fun to talk about what she is thankful for, and to provide an insight into what goes into publishing RealClearPolitics daily. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kamala Harris’ Video Remarks to Supporters, the Nomination of Jay Bhattacharya to Head the National Institutes of Health, and Harris Advisor David Plouffe Reveals Harris’ Internal Polling Never Showed Her With a Lead Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss Kamala Harris’ video remarks to supporters released on Monday, and Harris campaign senior advisor David Plouffe's revelation that Harris’ internal polling never showed her with a lead. They also talk about the nomination of lockdown critic Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University to head the National Institutes of Health. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to Jay Bhattacharya, Trump’s nominee to head the NIH, about the importance of free speech and unfettered debate in discussing scientific issues. And winding it up, Carl Cannon talks with Emily Jashinsky, Washington correspondent for UnHerd, about Trump’s plan to “drain the swamp,” and what it may mean for business-as-usual within the beltway. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jack Smith Dismisses the Federal Cases Against Donald Trump, Biden’s Proposal to Add Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Weight Loss Drugs, and Repercussions from Trump’s Plan to Place a 25% Tariff on Imports from Canada and Mexico Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss Monday’s decision to dismiss Special Counsel Jack Smith’s cases against Donald Trump, and President Biden’s proposal to add Medicare and Medicaid coverage for Ozempic and other weight loss drugs – a move opposed by Trump’s HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kenney Jr. They also talk about reports that longtime Trump insider and aide Boris Epshteyn is the subject of an internal probe by Trump’s attorneys for trying to sell access to the President Elect. Plus, a look at repercussions from Trump’s plan to place a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP senior elections analyst Sean Trende about whether the 2024 results were “Trump-specific” or reveal a long-term trend within the GOP, and why California takes so long to count votes. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to Republican strategist John Feehery about how Speaker Mike Johnson will lead given his slender majority in the House, and what the nomination of former GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary will mean for public sector unions. 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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