Following Biden dropping out of the race, Al and James tear apart the GOP’s reaction to Kamala’s rise, rebuke their racism, and lay out JD Vance’s attacks on Trump before welcoming seasoned pollster Jim Gerstein.  They discuss Kamala’s strong opening bid and why the American people are happy to have a different choice. Then, they encourage her campaign to focus on the rising cost of living, reforming immigration, and protecting abortion rights.  They also react to Netanyahu’s reception in...

Following the attempted assassination of Trump, Al and James discuss its effect on the race, the nomination of JD Vance, the Republican convention, and whether Biden’s recent press and hail-mary plans can shake things up. Then, they welcome legal scholar Pam Karlan to analyze Judge Cannon’s dismissal of Trump’s charges for mishandling classified docs, defend the need for special counsel appointments, and explore the avenues the Justice Department has to reopen the case.  They also break down...

Al and James discuss Kamala’s prospects, how to move the party forward, and Trump’s plans for retribution before welcoming FT’s US national editor Ed Luce. They explore how the far right was defeated in France and the UK if it signals a global movement and how our elections affect Europe.

In the aftermath of the presidential debate, Al and James sound the alarm on rising Christian Nationalism and welcome veteran journalist Ron Brownstein. They discuss the debate's impact on the race, whether it's feasible to replace Biden, and the dangers of the SCOTUS immunity ruling.

On the eve of the presidential debate, Al and special guest host Jill Wine-Banks discuss the upcoming contest, the impact of Dobbs on the election, and whether Biden will recapture a diverse voter coalition.  Then, Al is joined by former US Deputy SOS Jim Steinberg to cover recent developments in the Gaza and Ukraine wars, explain the turmoil in Israeli politics, call out the growing danger of terrorism, and explore how to have more effective US-Sino relations.  In their analysis, they look...

James and Al call out the Republican congressional caucus, review the political situation in Israel, mark Juneteenth, remember Willie Mays, and welcome veteran political strategist Bob Shrum.  They discuss the format of the upcoming presidential debate, Biden’s prospects, how he should handle the age issue, Trump’s weaknesses, the importance of debate prep, the power of a well-made point, and look back on famous debate moments from Nixon v. Kennedy, to Romney v. Obama.  Will a strong...

James and Al explain the impact of Hunter Biden’s conviction, emphasize the political power of falling crime rates, and welcome Lisa Lerer, author of The Fall of Roe.  They expose the right-wing movement that gave us Dobbs, call out Supreme Court corruption, debate the role of role of Alito’s leaked decision, discuss the failures of the progressive movement, and empahsize the need for pro-Roe forces to abandon their boadrooms and make their case at the grassroots.  Then, they look at what the...

James and Al defend Dr. Fauci and analyze Biden’s improving electoral prospects before welcoming propaganda expert Peter Pomerantsev. They discuss the British information campaign against the Nazis and how similar techniques can be used to help Ukraine and win elections.

James and Al call for the SCOTUS to be on the ballot, demand a higher minimum wage, and welcome the Financial Times’ Ed Luce. They discuss the upcoming British elections, Brexit’s consequences, competition with China, Putin’s next moves, Europe’s future, and the climate crisis.

James and Al lay out the hard choices facing the Biden campaign, blast corruption on the Supreme Court, and welcome Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi to dive into geopolitics.  They start by exploring US-Sino relations, covering President Xi’s governing philosophy, the enslavement of the Uighurs, what a successful trade policy looks like, how to bolster our regional alliances, and the need to protect Taiwan.  Then, they look at the effects of Iran’s presidential succession and how to counter Russia’s...

James and Al tear into Trump for seeking bribes from Big Oil, blast the MSM for failing to cover what matters, share their take on the recent polls and primaries, and welcome historian Heather Cox Richardson.  They draw parallels between contemporary politics and the Civil War era, exploring MAGA’s regressive roots, our democracy’s war with demagoguery, the electorate’s disillusionment, and why J6 represents a new “Lost Cause”.  They also cover the corruption of the judicial system and the...

James and Al reflect on Trump’s ongoing trial, the need for Biden to run a focused campaign, and the future of Gaza before welcoming author and journalist Katherine Stewart.  They discuss the rise of the Christian nationalism movement in the USA, exploring how it relates to popular Christianity, its exploitation of the culture war and other political strategies it uses, and its tendency towards hierarchy, dominionism, and authoritarianism.  They also examine its relationship to Trump and the...

Guest host Paul Begala joins Al to analyze the factors driving the ‘24 election and the dangers of another Trump term before speaking with UC President Emeritus Mark Yudof.  They discuss where the pro-Palestine protests fit in the history of campus movements, how an oppressor/oppressed schema contributes to anti-Israel and anti-Semetic sentiment, why support for Israel is a liberal position, and where the line is between constitutionally protected speech and threatening action.  With no end...

James and Al game out Trump’s prosecution, reluctantly give credit to Speaker Johnson, and castigate the SCOTUS, before welcoming retired General John Allen to discuss our place in world affairs.  They look at the effects of the foreign aid package, how to continue to support our allies, and the next phase of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars.  Their analysis also dives into the evolving duties of the Marine Corps, how warfare is waged on the information battlefield, the challenges...

James and Al dive into Congress’ handling of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and analyze the politically transformative effects of Dobbs on the Republican party.  Then they welcome legal expert Fred Wertheimer to discuss the progression of Trump’s first criminal trial, how the charges can be proven, and developments in the other legal challenges confronting him.  They also are joined by political strategist Billy Ray to explore how identity politics have moved Democrats away...

James and Al decry Islamophobia and welcome MN Senator Tina Smith to discuss foreign relations and the Dobbs decision’s role in our politics.  Following anti-abortion revanchism under the Comstock Act and extreme restrictions in red states, they analyze how to fight back by enacting legislation to secure women’s rights, the policies that will energize young voters, and what it will take to win state and national elections.  They also strategize about how to overcome pro-Putin Republicans in...

James and Al critique coastal elitism, explore how the Israel-Gaza war ends, and welcome Justice Breyer to discuss the role of the Supreme Court and its judges.  They compare textualism and pragmatism using Justice Scalia as a foil, weigh the factors that go into reading the Constitution, debate politics’ place on the bench, review the ethics governing the court, and look at why public approval of the judicial branch is plummeting.  In their conversation they also break down the language of...

James and Al take Rep. Jim Jordan to task for continuing to spew lies about the 2020 election and review the status of Trump’s many trials, their possible outcomes, and their effect on the race.  They also debate what NBC’s firing of Ronna McDaniel says about the state of network journalism, and weigh how RFK Jr. affects the election after his vice presidential pick.  Author and sports journalist John Feinstein joins them to discuss March Madness, the business of sports, Pete Rose’s fall from...

James and Al tear into the Orban government and analyze Trump’s influence on the Ohio Senate race before welcoming Admiral James Stavridis to discuss the global military landscape.  They explore strategies for success in the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas conflicts, game out an effective response to threats against Taiwan, and look at how war fighting will evolve in the future.  Then, they are joined by Dr. Cornelia Griggs for a reflection on the state of our healthcare system, current...

James and Al tear into the Orban government and analyze Trump’s influence on the Ohio Senate race before welcoming Admiral James Stavridis to discuss the global military landscape.  They explore strategies for success in the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas conflicts, game out an effective response to threats against Taiwan, and look at how war fighting will evolve in the future.  Then, they are joined by Dr. Cornelia Griggs for a reflection on the state of our healthcare system, current...

James and Al destroy the RNC and Senator Katie Britt’s SOTU response, before welcoming authors of “White Rural Rage” Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman for a demographic deep dive.  They expose the disproportionate influence of rural White voters, analyze the factors driving their regional decline, and explain how Republicans have leveraged their grievances to win a larger share of their vote.  Then, they prove that rhetoric has not translated into results on issues like coal mining expansion and...

James and Al give their take on Super Tuesday and the impact of a Trump conviction, before welcoming journalist Evan Osnos.  They analyze Biden’s electoral prospects and the validity of the polls, looking at how his personality has changed, whether he is fit to serve, and how to win over the doubters.  Then, they preview the potential and peril of the upcoming SOTU and evaluate the arguments driving his campaign strategy, including how to speak effectively about the increase in the cost of...

James and Al expose the hypocrisy of Jim Jordan and Matt Schlapp and welcome PA Senator Bob Casey.  They discuss the role of President Biden in down ballot elections, what it will take to win in PA, and the issues most important to voters.  They cover how Republican obstruction is exacerbating the border crisis and undermining national security, laying out how support for Ukraine and Israel makes us safer and boosts domestic manufacturing.  They also dive into Senator Casey’s work on the...

James and Al skewer the radical Republicans complicit in the events of J6 and welcome former presidential advisor and Lincoln biographer Sidney Blumenthal.  They shut down the corruption allegations targeting President Biden, discuss the capture of MAGA by Putin and propaganda, and lay out the threat Russia poses to our elections and allies.  Then, they dive into the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, examining what made him such an effective politician, key moments on his path to the...

James and Al celebrate the Democrats win of George Santos’ seat, blast Republicans for stopping the border bill, take on Robert Hur, and welcome law professor Pam Karlan.  They discuss what will go into the SCOTUS rulings on Trump’s immunity and ballot cases and whether the justices will attempt to “split the baby”.  Then they debate Judge Cannon’s impartiality in the Mar-A-Lago documents case and explore what can be done if she gets out of line.  Critically, they lay out the timelines of...