Alex is out, so Trygve Olsen is back like he never left. It's a week after the election, but we're focused on the future. In the coming years, we have much to learn, but what do we need to make the change? What can we learn from Tammy Baldwin winning? The Matt Gaetz transition has been questionable, are you surprised? Making the change starts with us, so please go check out Sez.us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No sugarcoating this one, folks. Joe and Alex dive into - why? And what's next? Joe breaks down three factors the pro-democracy coalition needs to address, and fast. It all comes down to networks. How do we get out of the Stone Age and start meeting people where they really are? There's a better network around the corner. Go check out Sez.us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary strategist James Carville joins Joe and Alex to preview Election Day and discuss his new documentary, "Carville: Winning is everything, stupid!" Why does over 100 years of combined experience think this election is only pointing one way? Where should you be watching for election night data? And one key question James asks Joe and Alex - you won't want to miss this one. It's our last pre-Election Day episode! See you on the other side... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Our friend and data guru Tom Bonier joins the show to figure out what's real and what isn't with just days to go. Is early voting good for Democrats? Or just different? And what is going on with all these yo-yoing polls? Where are Tom and Joe most confident headed into the final weekend before Election Day - and what's everyone's bold prediction for the election? This is it, everybody. Go vote! Check vote.org to confirm your registration and make a plan to vote. You can see more of Tom's work...

When 2/3 of the polls being released are red waving... and the media's lapping it up... we get it. But take it from Trippi - why 40 years of experience says everyone needs to chill out. The panic isn't just premature, it's ridiculous. And Alex dives into the data showing the race is the same as it's been for weeks - and it's moving in one direction. And what's Joe looking at that others might have missed? Read JVL's piece in the Bulwark...

Old friend Reed Galen joins Joe and Alex with a report from on the ground... pretty much everywhere! Reed's traveling the battlegrounds with The Union - what's he seeing in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan? What are voters actually talking about? Plus, Joe and Reed talk about how organizing can make the difference in a close race. What is Reed seeing that may surprise you? And with just 19 days left, it's time to leave it all on the field. Check out Reed's podcast "The Home Front"...

With all the disinformation out there - what can we do? What's going on under the hood that has us optimistic about Pennsylvania? And Joe and Alex explain the swing voters that may cost Trump this fall. And Joe shares his latest on the Senate - including one race that might take many by surprise. And what's going on with the House? Plus, we get to your questions with less than 4 weeks to go.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With less than 5 weeks to go, Joe and Alex breakdown where the race stands. How things like field strategy, early voting, and new voter registration numbers can make a huge difference in a campaign that will be won on the margins. What does Jack Smith's bombshell evidence do to change the race? What about Tim Walz calling out JD Vance about 2020? All of it matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Rosenberg joins the show to explain why he's as optimistic as he's ever been. No, it's not hopium - there are clear signs everywhere. From Nebraska to North Carolina to a massive shift in the youth vote. And how does Simon think we can win this election in October?  Catch all of Simon's latest at hopiumchronicles.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe and Alex explain why we can all calm down about the totally bonkers New York Times poll that came out this week. Why is the world so focused on Pennsylvania this week? Joe breaks down each campaign's path to victory. And yes, we talk the latest Mark Robinson scandal that somehow doesn't feel as crazy as everything else he's ever said.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, a friend of the show, Trygve Olson, joins us. A few days after the debate, it's safe to say Vice President Kamala Harris shut out Donald Trump in front of over 67 million people on every question answered, so much so that VP Harris received an endorsement from one of the world's most famous people, Taylor Swift. Joe explains how Harris was more prepared than Trump and shows an apparent contrast between the two.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're officially post-Labor Day! While it might feel like we've been in high gear for a while, believe it or not, many voters are just now tuning in. Joe resets the race and explains why it's fallen into a 53-46 structure for a while now. And why that is bad news for Trump. What swing states are now in play - and why Joe thinks the campaign spending numbers tell a bigger story. Read Tom Edsall's piece about "Why the Presidential Election Got So Close"...

Why does it seem like Democratic attacks on Trump are breaking through now? Joe explains why it was always the contrast - and how Kamala Harris opens up new ways for Democrats to make the case. Why getting into Trump's head (and staying there) matters so much. And how should Kamala Harris prepare to debate Trump? Joe has some pointers. And don't forget to check out Sez.Us - it's time to stop being held hostage to algorithms and rebuild the town square. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Joe and Alex report live from the DNC in Chicago. Who made the biggest impact speaking in prime time? Will the momentum continue? And talk about mad. Trump's raging and that's only good news for Team Democracy. And why RFK isn't going to have the effect he wants... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're at the point where the avalanche of good polls for Kamala Harris are just impossible to ignore. What should we really be paying attention to? Joe has his eye on a few of the more eye-popping numbers out there - and why they're real. Plus - Trump's back on Twitter. Why we aren't exactly shaking in our boots after another "perfect" conversation. And what should we be looking for at the Democratic convention next week? Plus - if you're sick of all the BS on Twitter... Sez.us is coming....

Joe and Alex are back with why the Harris nomination - and Walz pick for VP - have unlocked a new, powerful contrast that Joe thinks will beat Trump and "JV" Vance this fall. What does Tim Walz bring to the ticket? Why is "dad joy" just what America needs right now? Yeah, we get into Trump's insane presser. He's shook. And he's clearly mad his horrendous VP pick is out there drawing no attention and no crowds. And how could the Trump team be so unprepared for Kamalamentum? Walzmentum?...

Momentum is everything on campaigns. Joe and Alex explain why Kamalamentum is real - and it is spectacular. It's not going away anytime soon. And on the other side - could it be possible for Trump to have a worse week? We'll see what happens the next time he opens his mouth. Why his campaign managers have to be very worried. And on a personal note for Joe - why the release of detained Americans in Russia is so meaningful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's official - Joe Biden is not running for re-election. Joe weighs in on his historic Oval Office address - and why it should remind all of us why we elected him in the first place. And now that the torch has been passed - what does Joe make of the enthusiasm so far? How can the Harris campaign capitalize on their momentum - and what do they need in a VP pick? Plus - what Joe's seeing in the data that should have Trump and MAGA very worried about Project 2025. And speaking of VP picks, is...

Of course, news breaks while Joe and Alex are explaining the Democrats' best path forward to the Presidency... what does Joe think is coming next? What did Trump see in JD Vance? Turns out, flattery will get you a vice presidential nomination... but will he add any votes? Plus - is anything said at the RNC actually breaking through? And why 'unity' is the last word Joe would use to describe the RNC. When they try to pivot, you shouldn't fall for it. But the media will. And for your moment of...

The sky is not falling! Joe explains how Democrats can end the noise, get to work - and beat Donald Trump this fall. Hint: when 53% of undecided voters think you're a threat to democracy, it's not going to end well... And why the winning contrast keeps getting clearer. What can Democrats do to really hammer it home? And what new issue data (not head to head polls) points to even more growth for Democrats this fall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe and Alex discuss the fallout from last week's debate performance - and the fallout from one of the scariest Supreme Court rulings in recent memory. SCOTUS just sent a clear signal: this election matters even MORE now - so what does that mean for Democrats moving forward? Why Joe thinks that even though there are no easy answers - why Democrats can find optimism for the race in the fall and why yes, he'd still rather be us than them... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Yes, we do talk about the debate. Yes, Alex watched steeplechase too. But where do both candidates go from here? Joe explains why - yes, President Biden struggled tonight - but why Trump didn't run away with the debate either. What's the biggest problem Joe Biden has to overcome? (Hint: it wasn't his performance.) And why does Joe think that regardless of tonight's results - Trump still won't be president? How Democrats should take heart in Joe Biden doing what's needed to beat Trump.  Learn...

Joe and Alex discuss the latest from the Sunshine State... why Florida might be closer than people realize. And what does that mean nationally? We zoom out and look at that new Fox News poll that has some VERY encouraging numbers under the hood. Turns out 34 felony convictions isn't actually a good thing... And what does Joe think President Biden has to do to win the debate next week? It all comes down to one word... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another big warning sign for Trump and MAGA after a massive underperformance in Ohio. Why Sherrod Brown has to be optimistic after a 20 point decline for Republicans... in Trump country, no less. How should Democrats message the Hunter Biden verdict? Joe thinks it's simpler than everyone is making it. And with more good news on the economy - will President Biden's performance start catching up to battleground Senate candidates? And Joe gets his crystal ball back out to answer a few listener...