The Stakes

Latest Episodes:

Special Post Debate Episode with Politico's Marc Caputo Oct 17, 2019

Show notes

Honestly Speaking was on the road this week for the CNN/NY Times Democratic debate in Westerville, OH. Politico 2020 campaign reporter, Marc Caputo joins Tara for a discussion on his debate takeaways and the state of the democratic race so far. He's on the Biden beat and is based in Florida, so Marc has valuable insight into the upcoming election. He also talks about his infamous confrontation with conservative talking head, Dan Bongino during the 2016 campaign that resulted in an epic Bongino meltdown, all caught on tape.

Tara shares her experience in Ohio and debate analysis.

Let's Talk Conflicts, Corruption and Conspiracies with Vicky Ward and McKay Coppins Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

Donald Trump is talking an awful lot about rooting out corruption as his excuse for soliciting foreign countries like Ukraine and China to investigate his political rivals. Really? On this week's episode, CNN Senior Reporter and author of Kushner Inc., Vicky Ward joins Tara on the podcast to discuss the conflicts, corruption and greed of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump in the White House. Also on this episode, McKay Coppins from The Atlantic, joins the conversation about his October cover story, "Succession" detailing the rivalry between the Trump siblings over who will be the heir apparent to the Trump legacy.

Tara takes on the litany of conflicts of interest, corruption and debunked conspiracies perpetuated by the Trump presidency.

Buckle Up, Impeachment is Happening with guests John Sipher and Kurt Bardella Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

Now that the whistleblower's complaint has been made public, along with the Ukraine call transcript, the details spell trouble for President Trump. Democrats have now opened up an official impeachment inquiry into Trump's abuse of power. His solicitation of foreign interference from Ukraine to hurt a political rival and the actions taken to that end has set the political world on fire. This week, retired CIA Clandestine Services Officer, John Sipher joins Honestly Speaking to discuss the impact Trump's actions have on national security. Is Trump a national security threat? How have the Russians weaponized information against us? What frustrates the intel community the most about Trump's attacks on them?

Also, joining the podcast, former GOP House Oversight Committee spokesman Kurt Bardella discusses his decision to leave the Republican Party and his latest USA Today column calling out Trump's complaint of being treated unfairly and congressional republicans hypocrisy on oversight.

Tara sets the record straight on the lies and misinformation being peddled by Trump, Giuliani and their lackeys regarding Ukraine, the whistleblower and the Bidens.

The Whistleblower & Why It Matters with Fmr FBI Agent and author Josh Campbell Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

This week, former FBI Special Agent Josh Campbell joins Tara to discuss his new book, "Crossfire Hurricane, Inside Donald Trump's War on the FBI."

But first, another week, another major scandal threatens Trump's presidency. As more information comes out about the intelligence community whistleblower's complaint against him, Trump and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani are waging an all out disinformation campaign against political rival Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. Tara breaks down the facts about Trump, Giuliani, The Bidens and Ukraine.

Biden's Media Battle with guest Ryan Lizza Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

After a hiatus, Honestly Speaking with Tara kicks off Season 2 with Politico's Chief Washington Correspondent Ryan Lizza. He discusses the Biden campaign's frustration with their media coverage, the role of "woke" twitter and the democratic field, and what it's like in the "spin room" after the latest democratic debate. Lizza also offers previously unknown details about his infamous 2017 late night interview with Anthony Scaramucci that ultimately led to his firing after only 10 days as White House Communications Director.

Tara is back with her tell it like it is commentary on the political hot topics of the week. This episode she gives her take on the Biden attacks, Trump's rage tweeting and the national security threats facing the country as Trump's incompetence as POTUS is on full display.

Racists, Russians and Republicans with guest Michael Weiss Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

This week, Tara talks all things Russian interference with Michael Weiss, Senior Fellow, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, NY Times best selling author and Daily Beast Columnist. In a robust conversation, Weiss explains the grave threat the Russians active measures operations pose to not only American democracy, but Europe as well. He breaks down the newly released Senate Intelligence Committee report on Russia's attack on our elections and takes on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's refusal to take up election security bills in the Senate. Are we ready for 2020? Has Trump really been tough on Russia? What about Wikileaks? What's Putin's endgame? This is an episode you don't want to miss.

Tara gives her take on the Mueller hearings, Trump's latest attacks on Rep. Elijah Cummings and other political hot topics.

The Ongoing Saga of Trump vs The Squad with guest David Swerdlick Jul 23, 2019

Show notes

The feud between Trump and "The Squad" has escalated. From nativist chants of "Send her back!" to racist rationalizations, the saga continues. This week David Swerdlick, an assistant editor at the Washington Post and CNN Political Analyst, joins Tara to discuss the impact of the Trump's latest display of racism toward the four freshman congresswomen of color, his continued ignorance of complex foreign policy issues and a preview of the much anticipated Mueller testimony.

Tara takes on the political hot topics of the week.

Go Back to Your Country with guest Joe Walsh Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

On this week's episode, Tara engages in a spirited discussion with special guest Joe Walsh (R-IL) former Illinois Congressman and host of the syndicated Joe Walsh Radio Show, about his thoughts on Trump's presidency and why he would never vote for him again. What made him finally dump Trump? Walsh calls out several Republicans by name for their acquiescence to Trump and gives his opinion on the best ticket to defeat Trump in 2020.

Tara takes on Trump's racist "go back to your country" tweets aimed at four duly elected American congresswomen and other hot political topics.

Justice Delayed-The Jeffrey Epstein Child Sex Case with Mimi Rocah Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

Back in 2007, billionaire financier, acquaintance of both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and child sexual predator, Jeffrey Epstein received one of the most unorthodox plea deals after an investigation found he was running a sex ring with teenage girls, some as young as 14, out of his Palm Beach, FL mansion. He served only 13 months in a county jail, which amounted to a slap on the wrist after federal charges were thrown out in exchange for two lesser state charges. Why? Fast forward to July 2019. Epstein was arrested coming off his private jet in New Jersey and charged with child sex trafficking by the vaunted Southern District of New York. Why did this happen now? Is justice finally going to be served?How difficult are sex crimes cases to prosecute? Does double jeopardy apply? What happened with the original plea deal?

Former SDNY federal prosecutor and MSNBC Legal Analyst, Mimi Rocah, joins Tara to breakdown the case. She also gives her take on the highly anticipated Robert Mueller congressional testimony next week.

Tara offers more details about the tangled web of Jeffrey Epstein, the Russian Mob, Trump and more political hot topics of the week.

A Salute to America? with guest Max Boot Jul 02, 2019

Show notes

Trump was recently overseas for the G-20 and a surprise summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. What did he actually accomplish, if anything? Are we safer now than when Trump first took office? What the hell was Ivanka doing over there? On this week's episode, Washington Post columnist, CNN Global Affairs Analyst and author of "The Road Not Taken, The American Tragedy in Vietnam" and "The Corrosion of Conservatism," Max Boot joins Tara to discuss the latest on Trump's foreign policy debacles and the fallout from the first Democratic primary debate.

Tara giver her take on the Biden/Harris debate controversy and sounds off about Trump's upcoming "Salute to America" July 4th event.