And so begins the final week of the 2024 election...and it is a dead heat between Vice President Kamala Harris, and Former President Trump. Michael offers his thoughts on the state of the race, in particular what effect Trump's weekend rally at Madison Square Garden, which received a lot of negative attention, might have in the final days. Also, a look at all the latest polling, and reaction from listeners with one week to go til Election Day. Original air date 29 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Is opposition from the dominant media helping Donald Trump? Listen to him now, then vote, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast, and share with friends!

Michael welcomes NYU Professor and bestselling author Jonathan Haidt to talk about the need for people to get off their smart phones, get out of their bubbles, and...mingle! Not only is Haidt the author of "The Anxious Generation" and "The Coddling of the American Mind" (now out as a documentary), but he's also quoted in Michael's "Mingle Project" speech. Haidt is a big proponent of phone-free schools. Listen to his thoughts here, and share yours when you rate and review this podcast on your...

An incredibly well done, granular analysis of the counties you want to focus on a week from tomorrow when the votes start to come in. Michael Baharaeen, Chief Political Analyst at The Liberal Patriot, lays out all the 2024 battleground details with Michael in this deep dive. Original air date 28 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Is VP Harris making a mistake by not campaigning with President Biden? Listen now, then vote!

The AP is the gold standard when it comes to a journalism outlet announcing election results on election night. How does the AP do it? A deep dive here with Associated Press Washington Bureau Chief Anna Johnson with the details behind the curtain, on how the magic happens. Original air date 25 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Will we know the outcome by Friday after the election? Listen to his thoughts, and rate and review this podcast. Then, vote!28

What if Joe Biden was the better candidate all along? Harlan Ullman, Chair of the Killowen Group and Senior Advisor to the Atlantic Council poses that question in a provocative opinion piece in The Hill. Listen to his take with Michael here. Original air date 24 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Agree or Disagree...The race will not be as close as the polls suggest. Listen here, then rate and review this podcast and vote at Smerconish.com.

If you've listened to SiriusXM's POTUS 124 recently, you've not gone long without hearing a commercial for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, voiced by Ron Reagan. We've received so many comments about it, that we needed to find out what its all about. Michael welcomes Reagan, son of the late President Ronald Reagan, for a conversation on religion here. Original air date 23 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Should Kamala Harris say more about her work at McDonald’s or continue to ignore Trump in this regard? Listen here, vote there!

Shanin Specter, attorney for the exonerated "Central Park Five" joins Michael to discuss the defamation suit filed against former President Trump for what he said about them in a September 2024 presidential debate. The group of men were accused and convicted of raping and beating a woman in New York City in 1989. The convictions were vacated in 2002 after someone else confessed to the crime. Specter says had Trump immediately retracted and apologized after his comments in the debate with VP...

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Does Elon Musk's daily $1 million giveaway constitute an act of election interference or is it a demonstration of free speech? Listen here, vote there!

Who is going to win the election? According to an often-overlooked index, there are signs in popular culture that will point to one candidate over another. Michael talks to John Kenneith White, Professor Emeritus at Catholic University of America, who's written about cultural signs in an opinion essay at The Hill, he says they point to a Harris victory this year. Not all will agree - listen in! Original air date 21 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Politically speaking, did Trump win or lose the weekend with his ribald comments about Arnold Palmer and his working the McDonald’s drive-thru window? Listen here, then vote, and leave a rating and review of this podcast!

All eyes are on the Philly suburbs for the 2024 election in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania. Central to it all is Michael's hometown of Doylestown, where actor and comedian Tim Stack also happens to be from. Listen to this great conversation which may jog some hometown memories of your own. Original air date 18 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Is it now time for Netanyahu to claim victory and end the war against Hamas? Listen here, vote there!

Michael offers his thoughts on Vice President Harris' first sit-down interview with Bret Baier on FOX News, less than three weeks until Election Day. Original air date 17 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Should we take Trump's extreme rhetoric on the campaign trail literally?

Three weeks from today will be the Wednesday after Election Day. Listen to a state of the 2024 race conversation with Wide World of News and 2WAY political analyst Mark Halperin. Original air date 16 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Will Kamala Harris’ interview on Fox News be good or bad for her campaign? Listen here, vote there!

RealClearPennsylvania's Charles McElwee took a deep dive into a particular bellwether area of swing state Pennsylvania that has big implications for the 2024 election, for Politico Magazine. You'll get a real lesson in geography and politics in this conversation, no matter where in the country you are listening from.. Original air date 15 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Should the U.S. send an antimissile system and 100 troops to Israel? Listen here, then vote.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) recently downplayed the effects of climate change on hurricanes and their increasing in strength and destruction. Michael runs through the Governor's comments with one of the world's leading climate scientists, Dr. Michael Mann, Presidential Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of multiple books. Original air date 14 October 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: If Kamala Harris loses, it will be because of... a) Biden’s Late Exit, b) Failure to Differentiate from Biden, c) Misogyny, d) Racism, e) Media Coverage of Trump, f) Not Choosing Josh Shapiro, g) Running Too Controlled a Campaign, h) The Electoral College, i) Jill Stein?...