Sips & Substance — Politics Distilled

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Thanksgiving Special - 2024 Nov 30, 2024

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This week, we take a much needed break from politics and talk about the awesome things in America. Then, Jonathan will give his recommendations for some beers you should try during the holiday season. Enjoy!

Wielding Power: Appointments and Deportations Nov 24, 2024

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With another dramatic week involving Presidential appointments, we discuss the AG position, the nuances of absurdity, and how the nominees predict how Trump will govern. We also examine the feasibility and ramifications of a mass deportation scheme as well as Trump's plan to pay for tax cuts.
00:00 Introduction
01:28 Trump's Cabinet
28:38 Mass Deportation
49:42 Paying for Tax Cuts
Show Notes

Trump's Cabinet: The Good, The Bad, and the WTF Nov 16, 2024

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This week, President-elect Trump unveiled his picks for the cabinet and West Wing. We dive into the conventional choices, the extremely controversial ones, and what these decisions signal for the future of our country.
00:00 - Introduction
02:23 - F*ck You Politics
09:45 - Reasonable Appointments
12:49 - Dangerous, Competent Appointments
19:13 - Secretary of Defense
26:45 - Director of National Intelligence
32:14 - Attorney General
35:48 - HHS Secretary
41:50 - Recess Appointments
47:17 - The Future
49:59 - Jared Polis
54:12 - Action Plan
Show Notes:

2024 Postmortem and the Future Nov 09, 2024

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This week, we discuss Donald Trump's victory on Election Night and how well our predictions stacked up. We end the episode by briefly examining the presidential transition as well as the appointment of Susie Wiles to be the Chief of Staff.
00:00 Introduction
07:08 Beer Talk
08:45 Postmortem
13:17 Evaluating our Presidential Predictions
17:12 Surprises
24:24 Congress Predictions
29:05 Poll Analysis
42:42 Election Experience
49:02 Transition Overview

Show Notes

2024 Final Analysis Nov 02, 2024

Show notes

With less than a week to go before Election Day, we examine some of the signals (and noise!) that could give us some insight into who will win. Then we dive into some of the early vote data, bellwether counties, and how to watch Election Night like an expert. Lastly, we give our final predictions for the Presidency, Senate, and House races.
00:00 Introduction
02:41 Signals, Noise, and Early Vote Analysis
26:48 How to Watch Like An Expert
41:33 Presidential Predictions
54:57 Senate and House Predictions
Show Notes

Canvassing & The House Race Oct 26, 2024

Show notes

This week, we interview Jon Wong, a canvasser for the Democratic Party. We also take a much needed break from the Presidential contest to discuss the House races.
00:00 - Introduction
02:39 - Canvassing
22:29 - Pennsylvania Experience
39:49 - House Races

Israel - An Inflection Point Oct 20, 2024

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This week, we catch up on the many conflicts that Israel is involved in as well as the impact of Yahya Sinwar's death in Gaza. Then, we shift gears to discuss the media strategies of both campaigns as election day approaches.

00:00 - Introduction
02:14 - Israel-Gaza
15:10 - Israel-Lebanon
23:23 - Israel-Iran
32:27 - Media Strategies
45:38 - Kamala's Policy for Black Men

Show Notes

Disaster Politics Oct 12, 2024

Show notes

This week, we discuss the FEMA response and the politics associated with Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Then, we discuss some of the gems found in Bob Woodward's newest book: War. Lastly, we finish off a discussion of yet another NY Times poll that is causing panic among their readers.
00:00 Introduction
02:07 FEMA
24:39 Bob Woodward & Ethics
35:10 NY Times Florida Poll
Show Notes

State of the Race - The Senate Oct 05, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode, we begin with some quick hits where we revisit the Middle East, discuss the latest jobs report, and disparage the VP debate. In the main segment, we examine all of the competitive 2024 Senate races and the implications of the Democrats losing their majority. Lastly, we finish up with a discussion of the dreaded October Surprise.

00:00 Quick Hits
9:23 Senate Races
13:53 Arizona
17:18 Maryland
20:02 Nevada
23:56 Michigan
27:16 Pennsylvania
33:22 Wisconsin
36:09 Ohio
40:31 Montana
42:04 Florida
43:20 Texas
44:11 Nebraska
46:33 October Surprises

Israel vs. Hezbollah Sep 29, 2024

Show notes

This week, we check back in on the Presidential race and find that not much has changed. Then, we discuss the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and explore the impact that it has on America. This week, we check back in on the Presidential race and find that not much has changed. Then, we discuss the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and explore the impact that it has on America.
00:00 Introduction
02:22 Presidential Polling
18:02 Lebanese Civil War and Hezbollah
30:01 Israeli Political Climate
41:11 The Northern Front

Show Notes

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