Episodes
Kamala Harris made history this week as the first woman of color to join a major party presidential ticket just as the nation commemorates the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. The centennial is yet another example of this nation’s complicated and often messy history. Black women who fought for the right to vote found themselves sidelined in the face of racism and political calculations. In our very first episode, CNN Political Director David Chalian and CNN Senior Political Reporter...
Published 08/21/20
Published 08/21/20
A night of powerful women and big names are set to speak at the DNC, including Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. Join CNN Political Director David Chalian for his insights on what you can expect from the third night of the convention. Plus, after months of undermining voting by mail, the president’s trying to save face with his most recent message about mail-in ballots to his supporters and a new bipartisan Senate report says 2016 Russian election interference was not a hoax.
Published 08/19/20
President Trump is trying to use the same attack he used on Obama against Kamala Harris: Questioning where she was born and claiming that she may not be eligible for the role of Vice President. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks this down, as well as the growing concerns about the post office and mail-in voting. Plus, Jared Kushner's meeting with Kanye West to discuss policy. 
Published 08/14/20
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote, we are sharing the stories of women who broke barriers in politics. In today’s episode we look back on the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm – the first elected Black Congresswoman and first Black woman to run for president as a major party candidate.
Published 08/14/20
New comments in President Trump’s ongoing war with mail-in voting fuels allegations that he is trying to manipulate the postal system for political gain. CNN Correspondent, Kristen Holmes discusses that, plus Trump’s attacks against presumptive Vice Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris. And a new government plan to allow more water through shower heads seems aimed at pleasing one person, and one person only.
Published 08/13/20
Why did Biden pick Kamala Harris? Why is she a historic pick? What role will she play during the campaign? CNN Political Director, David Chalian answers those questions and discusses how the Trump campaign is dealing with the new addition to the Biden campaign. Then, Biden and Harris make their first appearance together in the backdrop of a global pandemic.
Published 08/12/20
The wait is over! Biden picks Kamala Harris as his running mate, the first black woman ever to be chosen for that role. CNN Political Director David Chalian discusses why Harris was the Biden’s campaign's choice. He also discusses how the Trump and Biden teams are framing the battle over Social Security to their own advantage, plus why this year’s Democratic Convention is so unconventional.
Published 08/11/20
President Trump signs four executive orders for COVID economic relief, attempting to bypass Congress after he doesn’t get a deal. CNN Political Director David Chalian discusses why those executive orders fall short of what the President promised, and why he likely won’t be immortalized on Mount Rushmore. 
Published 08/10/20
Joe Biden walks back, yet again, controversial remarks about African-Americans. Plus, CNN Political Director David Chalian, discusses a contender reemerging in Biden’s Vice Presidential search and Senate Republican’s increasingly difficult battle for the majority.
Published 08/07/20
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote, we are sharing the stories of women who broke barriers in politics. In today’s episode we look back on the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth – a former slave who fought for abolition and women’s suffrage, without being able to read or write.
Published 08/07/20
The Trump campaign calls for a fourth, earlier, presidential debate, citing an increase in early voting. CNN Political Director David Chalian, breaks down why Trump and his team are lobbying for that change. Plus, he digs into how Vice President Pence is putting the Court on the ballot and Michelle Obama’s new revelation that she's suffering from 'low-grade depression’.
Published 08/06/20
Joe Biden’s campaign pulls the plug on the Milwaukee Convention as the DNC goes entirely virtual. CNN Political Director David Chalian discusses the calculus behind that choice and takes a look at Trump's mail-in-voting flip flops and Kanye West's GOP help. 
Published 08/05/20
For nearly 40 minutes, President Trump sits down with Axios reporter Jonathan Swan for an interview that reveals Trump's inability to fully grasp the coronavirus situation on his hands. With election day fast approaching, today CNN Political Director David Chalian explores the disconnect between Trump's reality and the pandemic facts of the matter. Plus, President Trump reverses his messaging on mail-in voting, and Chalian gives us a taste of what it would look like getting to 270 electoral...
Published 08/04/20
The Trump campaign's new strategy to take on Joe Biden is the same as there old strategy: Painting him as a radical left puppet. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the new ads the Trump campaign has released, plus one of Biden's potential VP picks in trouble already and Congress at a standstill. 
Published 08/03/20
The extra $600 a month in federal unemployment benefits authorized by Congress expire at midnight, and a deal is nowhere in sight. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why both parties could pay the political cost of failing to reach a deal. Plus, the fight over mail in voting is politicizing the postal service and trouble in Kansas for the Republican Party. 
Published 07/31/20
President Trump tweets about delaying the election, something he doesn't have the power to do. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how that controversial distraction is overshadowing the President's efforts to delegitimize voting by mail and the symbolism of these attacks on the day that voting rights champion John Lewis is laid to rest.
Published 07/30/20
President Trump refuses to press Putin about Russia’s alleged involvement in bounties placed on service member’s heads, even during their most recent call. CNN Political Director David Chalian explores that and the implications of Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert not being able to travel with the president after he tests positive for Coronavirus. Also, presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden is close to announcing his VP pick... but did a photographer capture a clue?
Published 07/29/20
President Trump's new "tone" regarding his pandemic efforts didn't last very long and ended with a spate of retweets meant to undermine Dr. Fauci. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks that down, and discusses the many ways in which this pandemic is changing the way we approach major political events this election cycle. Plus, Biden's campaign new ban on staffers using TikTok.
Published 07/28/20
In the latest polls from battleground states, President Trump is losing to Biden in every match-up. With only 99 days to election day, CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down Trump's uphill battle. Plus details on the GOP's trillion dollar economic relief plan, and the passing of civil rights icon John Lewis, as he laid in the Capitol today. 
Published 07/27/20
Despite President Trump's best efforts, his dream of a crowd filled convention is no more. CNN's Senior Political Reporter Nia-Malika breaks down his choice to cancel it. Also, with approximately 100 days to the election, a slew of recent polls shows Trump is losing to Biden in key battleground states. Plus, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s viral speech that condemns sexism in Congress.
Published 07/24/20
Biden and Trump are determined to paint each other as poor on race relations. If the last couple of days have been anything to go by, the lead up to November 2020 is going to be ugly. CNN Senior Political Reporter breaks down what we can expect from both campaigns. Plus protests in Portland continue to escalate as the city’s mayor is caught in the fray. Also, the latest threat to vote in mail could come in the form of postal budget cuts.
Published 07/23/20
After weeks of no pandemic task-force briefings, last night President Trump gave a somewhat measured response to America's current state, admitting it will get worse before it gets better. But Republican's have other problems in Congress. Join CNN Senior Political Reporter Nia-Malika Henderson as she breaks it all down, along with the fact that President Trump wished Ghislaine Maxwell “well” despite her trafficking indictment. Lastly, the US demands the closure of the Chinese consulate in...
Published 07/22/20
Following Portland, President Trump now threatens to send federal agents to other major cities to control ongoing protests. CNN Senior Political Reporter Nia-Malika Henderson breaks down how mayors will respond. Plus Biden’s Vice Presidential shortlist includes four Black women: a historical first, and the President backpedals his stance on masks in light of dipping poll numbers. 
Published 07/21/20
After a long battle with cancer, civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis passed away over the weekend. His legacy is remembered by many, and the nominee for his House seat will have big shoes to fill. CNN Senior Political Reporter Nia-Malika Henderson breaks this all down as well as Trump's latest Fox News Sunday interview where he continued to hedge on a national mask mandate. Plus, the White House objects to Senate's push for more CDC funding.
Published 07/20/20