Sips & Substance — Politics Distilled

Latest Episodes:

Shutdown Showdown and the Conspiracy Playbook Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

With a government shutdown looming over the horizon, we discuss the political ramifications and what to expect. We also dive into the Trump campaign's strategy of pushing conspiracy theories in order to rile up the base. Lastly, we discuss the cut to the federal funds rate.

00:00 Introduction
01:40 Government Shutdowns
23:16 Conspiracy Theory Strategy
47:24 Interest Rate Cuts

Show Notes

A Disastrous Debate and Foreign Meddling Sep 14, 2024

Show notes

This week, we discuss the first Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Then, we pivot to talk about foreign influence on both policy and our elections along with recent FARA indictments. Lastly, we do a brief analysis on Harris' proposed housing policy.

00:00 Introduction
2:55 Trump Debate Analysis
8:41 Harris Debate Analysis
13:48 mins is when we talk about moderators
18:01 Focus Groups
23:07 Foreign Influence
30:12 FARA - Foreign Agents Registration Act
36:41 Recent Indictments
43:11 Election Influence
54:43 Housing Policy

Show Notes

State of the Race - Flip a Coin Sep 07, 2024

Show notes

With just under two months to go before election day, we discuss the state of the presidential race. We examine the art of polling, election forecasting, and the election strategy of both campaigns. Lastly, we discuss the tariff policy of both campaigns and explain why tariffs are generally bad for everyone.

00:00 Introduction
03:55 Polling
17:29 Election Forecasts
24:38 Undecided Voters
34:38 Swing State Analysis
42:26 Tariff Policy

Show Notes

Immigration Policy - Right and Righter Aug 31, 2024

Show notes

This week, we discuss some of the most salient issues according to voters: Immigration/Border Policy and Inflation. We examine the history of recent attempts at immigration reform and discuss the immigration policy of both candidates. Lastly, we discuss how voters may react to falling gas prices.
00:00 Introduction
02:22 How We Got Here
16:54 Trump's Policy: Project 2025
33:46 Harris' Policy: Shifting Right
46:53 Inflation Cooling: Gas Prices
Show Notes
2024 GOP Platform
Donald Trump Platform
Project 2025 (DHS)
Democrat Party Platform
Migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border hit a record high at the end of 2023
What’s behind the influx of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border?
Border Bill Summary: James Lankford
Border Bill Summary: Kyrsten Sinema
AIC: An Analysis of the Senate Border Bill
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Secure the Border
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families Together
Most important issue for voters in the United States as of July 2024
Why Is Deflation Bad for the Economy?
Among U.S. couples, women do more cooking and grocery shopping than men

DNC Analysis Aug 24, 2024

Show notes

This week, we examine the overall strategy of the DNC and analyze if the Democrats were successful in their execution. Then, we continue last week's criticism of the media with a focus on fact checking.

00:00 Introduction
02:07 DNC Strategy
09:24 Republicans Welcome
14:41 New Definitions
19:45 Reproductive Health
25:18 Kamala's Vision & Policy
35:14 Playing It Safe
39:30 Fact Checking
46:13 Good Examples
54:55 Bad Examples

Voting Strategies and Media Criticism Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

Today, we discuss voting strategies for nonpartisans and analyze the merits of alternative primary systems such as ranked choice voting. In addition, we discuss the media coverage of the MAGA movement and how voters should consume political news/media.

00:00 Show Introduction
02:27 Voting Strategy Introduction
03:33 Never Trump Voters
12:35 Pro Gaza Voters
17:48 RFK Jr.
21:34 Alternative Primary Systems
41:51 Media Criticism
52:46 How to Consume Media

Show Notes

Capturing the Zeitgeist: 2024 Messaging Aug 10, 2024

Show notes

Today we discuss the VP pick as well as campaign messaging for the Trump and Harris campaigns. We end the episode with a meal of nigiri.

00:00 Introduction

01:44 VP Discussion

08:57 The Electorate

14:36 Historical Campaigns

25:15 Messaging 2024

43:39 Attacks on Walz's Service

48:39 Sushi

Show Notes:

Veepstakes! Aug 03, 2024

Show notes

Our second episode with improved audio! Today, we discuss Biden's proposed Supreme Court reform, a deep dive on the top 4 VP contenders, and green chili & cerveza.

00:00 Introduction

02:37 SCOTUS Reform

15:36 Josh Shapiro

27:47 Andy Beshear

36:31 Tim Walz

44:58 Mark Kelly

56:46 Green Chili and Cerveza

Show Notes: