RealClearPolitics Podcast

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Vice President JD Vance’s Campaign Swing to Ohio and Nebraska Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss Vice President JD Vance’s campaign swing this week to Ohio and Nebraska. Also, Vance and President Donald Trump endorse a campaign ad produced by the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign in Ohio that features his opponent Amy Acton’s biological mother calling her daughter a liar, while outgoing governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) condemns the ad as “deeply, deeply troubling," but still endorses Ramaswamy for governor. Then, they discuss a Wall Street Journal article that asks whether Americans are "still afraid of socialism". Plus, they talk about, DSA member New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigns for New York governor Kathy Hochul as they jointly appear in an ad touting “free” childcare for New York City residents, and President Trump announces a $25 million fund to reward Americans who report government fraud and abuse. Then, they discuss the start of the World Series and the role of money in baseball and politics. And finally, the guys give 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.

Last Night’s Senate Debates in Michigan and Kansas Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss last night’s Senate debates in Michigan and Kansas. Then, they talk about new polling by RCP of ten critical House races and what the data suggests about control of he House after the midterms. And, they take a look at new poll numbers on the Texas Senate race, and whether midterm polls are under-sampling Republican voters. Next, they discuss this morning’s announcement that Louise Lucas, the Virginia state senator who played a central role in the state's redistricting effort last year, was taken into federal custody, charged with bribery and racketeering related to marijuana. She has denied the charges. And finally, they look at AIPAC’s decision to cease making candidate endorsements and campaign contributions from its political action committee, while continuing to operate its superPAC. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fake Polling Data Revealed Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss fake polling data released by an outfit called Wedgewood Polls, which called their actions ““an experimental project to demonstrate the vulnerabilities, lack of oversight and overall low barrier to entry in the modern political polling industry”. They also take a look at a new campaign ad produced by the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign in Ohio, that features his opponent Amy Acton’s biological mother calling her daughter a liar. Next, James Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC, joins them to discuss the latest news on the Ukraine War, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement this morning that he would accept a ceasefire based on the current battlefront if provided sufficient security guarantees by the West. Then, they discuss United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby who called for a national wealth tax and a nearly 100% inheritance tax in an interview with The New York Times. And finally, they discuss a new article in Wired magazine which profiles Americans who left the country for Europe after President Donald Trump’s inauguration and have come to regret the decision. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Midterm Polls Two Weeks Before Election Day Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss midterm polls two weeks before Election Day, including Bret Baier’s Fox News report predicting a possible 52–48 Republican Senate majority if Republicans outperform their polls, as they have in the past. Then, Gad Saad, author of "Suicidal Empathy: Dying to be Kind" and a scholar at the University of Mississippi’s Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom, joins the guys to discuss riots in France, civil unrest spreading across Europe, and the dispute between Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Vice President JD Vance over the causes of political violence in France. Next, they discuss Elon Musk’s announcement that he will give every child in America one share of SpaceX stock, and a Politico report that Democrats are preparing major investigations into Musk if they win the House in November. And finally, they talk about Vladimir Putin’s proposed Russia/U.S./China summit to end the Ukraine war without Ukrainian participation. 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 Stumping for the Midterms Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss President Trump’s travel schedule for the week and what it reveals about the GOP’s inside view of the midterms. Also, a look at where Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) are campaigning, and a discussion of the short tenure of former White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia. Then, RCP Senior Elections analyst Sean Trende joins the team to discuss his new Substack page “The Poll Vault” and his post today on why early voting data is “irresistible, addictive and flawed.” And they take a look at the most recent polls and political advertising. Next, they discuss Senator Elise Slotkin (D-MI) who said last week that Democrats should prosecute current White House staffers as a “deterrent” to young conservatives who might consider serving in the Trump Administration. And finally, they look at Saturday’s “No Kings” rallies and Meta’s suspension of the group’s Instagram account due to an uptick in activity that it mistakenly attributed to Claude, the AI assistant. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The DOJ's Voting Lawsuit Against California Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon, and Richard Porter discuss the DOJ's lawsuit against California over suspected noncitizens voting via mail, news that Katie Zacharia failed the California bar exam, and the probe into Representative Ilhan Omar. Then, author Brett McGurk joins the guys to talk about his new book "Brink: Inside the Race to Free the October 7th Hostages". Next, they discuss Elon Musk's unveiling of a "rocket car" last night. And 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.

President Trump’s Diesel Deal with Russia Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss new inflation data and what it may mean for the midterms, the economic and political impact of President Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks that he feels betrayed by the Trump Administration over diesel and alleged throttling of Starlink data transmission speed by the U.S. government, which affects Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian missile attacks. Then, Director of Emerson College Polling - Spencer Kimball; joins the guys to discuss new polling from Iowa and whether polls may be overstating Democratic turnout in the 2026 midterms. Next, they discuss a New York Times report on women cabinet members in the Trump Administration and a Politico report that President Trump is considering replacing Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. And then finally, former President Bill Clinton will make his first appearance on the campaign trail for the midterms in Florida next week, and Hillary Clinton returns with a new podcast on the midterms cohosted by Kara Swisher. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last Night’s Candidate Debates Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss last night’s candidate debates, including debates for the Georgia, Maine and Iowa Senate races. Then, Mathew Bunson, editorial director and vice president of EWTN News and author of Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope joins the guys to discuss the latest news on the Pope’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. And finally, they talk about President Trump visiting Wasilla, Alaska, hometown of Sarah Palin, who did not appear at the President's rally. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

First Press Briefing by New White House Press Secretary Katie Zachariah Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss this morning’s press briefing by new White House Press Secretary Katie Zachariah, US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation, and Monday’s raid on the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) by the Department of Homeland Security. Also, reaction to the announcement by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that the firing squad execution of the Fort Hood terrorist would be steamed live. Next, Josh Kraushaar, editor in chief of Jewish Insider and a political analyst for Fox News Radio joins the guys to discuss the midterms, President Trump’s travel schedule in support of Republican candidates, and where the GOP is spending campaign money. Then, they talk about President Trump’s announcement of a deal to buy Russian diesel fuel in advance of the midterms. And finally, they discuss US District Judge Ana Reyes saying that the Trump Administration violated her instructions by cutting down hundreds of trees around East Potomac Golf Links, a public course in the nation’s capital. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Best of RCP Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America and author of The Primary Solution joins Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon to discuss a new poll from RealClear Opinion Research sponsored by Unite America and potential reforms to the primary system. Then, Wall Street Journal columnist and Fox News contributor Karl Rove joins the guys to discuss how the Democratic and Republican parties should react to the recently released Democratic Socialist of America’s 2026 platform which is entitled, “Workers Deserve More.” They also discuss whether Republicans will retain their majority in the House and preview this fall’s Texas Senate race. Then lastly, Harmeet Dhillon, US assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, joins them to discuss election integrity and the Department’s plan to deploy 1,000 poll monitors nationwide in the 2026 midterms. 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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