389: We Didn’t Start The Fire with Sam Forstag

James and Al celebrate the excellent candidates running for office and their growing prospects in the midterms, shame Trump for his renewed war on the press and the 1st Amendment, and make the point that the administration is focusing on the trivial when the world is on fire.  Then, they welcome union leader and smokejumper-turned-congressional candidate for MT-01, Sam Forstag, to discuss the war on rural hospitals, the dangerous influence of money in our politics, the death of accountability, and the need to focus on struggling Americans instead of endless wars.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guest: Sam Forstag: Twitter | Campaign Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTokPlease Support Our Sponsors:Trust & Will:Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/WARROOMHers W.L.:Ready to reach your weight loss goals? Visit forhers.com/warroom to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.

James and Al reflect on Trump’s erratic behavior amid his poorly executed midterm convention, how perception of him and MAGA is changing for the electorate, and the growing debate over AI.  Then, they welcome congressional candidate from CO-08, Manny Rutinel, to discuss the importance of properly regulating AI companies and data centers, how to address the cost of living crisis, and how we can create a more equitable future.  They are later joined by expert on our institutions and legal system, Ira Shapiro, to examine how Trump has disrupted the system, the scope of his corruption, and the challenge of restoring government integrity..Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guest: Manny Rutinel: Twitter | Campaign Website | Facebook | CO.govIra Shapiro: Twitter | Website | Albright Stonebridge | Author Please Support Our Sponsors:Mint Mobile:Get premium wireless for just $15 per month at mintmobile.com/warroomCasper:Right now, save up to 20% on mattresses when you go to Casper.comSuperpower:Head to Superpower.com and use code WARROOM at checkout for $50 off your membership. Get 150+ biomarkers tested every year plus a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod

James and Al eviscerate Trump’s midterm convention, share encouraging news about Kansas, analyze the factors most salient to voters, and make some 2026 predictions.  Then, they welcome congressional candidate Zach Dembo for KY-06 to discuss corruption, healthcare, and winning over rural voters.  They address the need to meet constituents where they are, the potential to win over independents, how raising the Social Security tax cap is a winning way to tackle income inequality and keep our country solvent, and the importance of restoring Medicaid and ACA subsidies.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guest: Zach Dembo: Twitter | Campaign Website | Facebook | InstagramPlease Support Our Sponsors:Quince:Upgrade your fall fashion and get 365-day returns and free shipping on high-quality, stylish, and affordable clothing you’ll wear for years to come when you go to quince.com/warroom or download the Quince app.  Now available in Canada and the United Kingdom.3 Day Blinds:For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/WARROOM  Trust & Will:Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/WARROOMMiracle Made:Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to TryMiracle.com/warroom and use the code WARROOM to claim your FREE 3-PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF.

James and Al compare Trump’s favorability to Congress, the value of youth in politics, the politicization of the military under MAGA, the explosion of corruption, and how democrats can win in the midterms.  Then, they welcome congressional candidate for FL-07, Bale Dalton, to speak on corruption, affordability, and tariffs with a focus on the value of a military background and a dedication to public service in the current environment.  Then, they are joined by Fairfax County Supervisor Jimmy Bierman to explore the politics and impact of data centers on voters and the public.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guests: Bale Dalton: Twitter | Campaign WebsiteJimmy Bierman: Website | Fairfax County.govPlease Support Our Sponsor:Hers W.L.:Ready to reach your weight loss goals? Visit forhers.com/warroom to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.

James and Al warn of Trump’s enduring strength with the base after the win of Lindsey Graham’s sister in South Carolina, while emphasizing the overall decline in support for MAGA.  Then, they welcome Stanford Law Professor Pam Karlan to discuss SCOTUS and its recent rulings, explain the shadow docket, and the defense of our democracy coming from lower-level judges and our Constitution.  Then, they are joined by congressional candidate for VA-02 and Navy veteran Elaine Luria to review Trump’s disastrous effect on our military readiness and the need to focus 2026 midterm campaigns on affordability, healthcare, and bringing the war in Iran to a close.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guests: Professor Pam Karlan: Stanford Law | DOJ.gov | Supreme Court Litigation ClinicElaine Luria: Website | congress.gov | navy.milPlease Support Our Sponsors:Hers W.L.:Ready to reach your weight loss goals? Visit forhers.com/warroom to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.Superpower:Head to Superpower.com and use code WARROOM at checkout for $20 off your membership. Get 100+ biomarkers tested every year, plus a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpodCasper:Right now, save up to 30% on mattresses and up to 35% on everything else when you go to Casper.com. 

James and Al explore the recent primaries in Florida and Alaska, Trump’s waning influence, and the meaning of the results as they look ahead to the midterms.  Then, they welcome congressional candidate for OH-07, Brian Poindexter, to discuss workers' rights, what it would take to win over voters in his district, and the value of making tariffs actually work for the average person and of fixing healthcare for those in need.  They are also joined by the congressional candidate John Vincent from SC-07 to discuss the dereliction of duty by Trump and his minions regarding the military, how to win as a Democrat in a red state, and how to support our military.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guests: John Vincent: Twitter | Website Brian Poindexter: Twitter | Website | FacebookPlease Support Our Sponsors:Trust & Will:Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/WARROOMMiracle Made:Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to TryMiracle.com/warroom and use the code WARROOM to claim your FREE 3-PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF.Hers W.L.:Ready to reach your weight loss goals? Visit forhers.com/warroom to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.Mint Mobile:Get premium wireless for just $15 per month at mintmobile.com/warroom

James and Al cover yesterday’s primary results and weigh the influence of Trump and the DSA on their respective parties going into the midterm elections.  Then, they welcome congressional candidate for WI-03, Rebecca Cooke, to discuss the reasons she won her recent primary, her plans to unite the factions of the party into a big tent for the general election, and the effect of big tech on local economies.  Afterward, they are joined by the author of the 2024 Democratic Party autopsy report, Paul Rivera, to explain the findings, take the party and the DNC to task, and lay out the changes the party needs to make going forward.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guests: Rebecca Cooke: Twitter | Website | Facebook | Instagram Paul Rivera: The Capacity Shop | New Left Accelerator | 2024 AutopsyPlease Support Our Sponsors:Smalls:Get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to Smalls.com/WARROOMAqua Tru:Go to AquaTru.com now for 20% off your purifier using promo code: WARROOM3 Day Blinds:For their buy 1, get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/WARROOM  Hers W.L.:Ready to reach your weight loss goals? Visit forhers.com/warroom to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.

James and Al give their take on the Michigan primary and push back against the DSA and their candidates while the future of the party is at stake.  Then, they welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Wessel to discuss the resilience of the US economy, the danger Trump has put us in, foreign currency interventions, and the need to address the national debt.  They also welcome IA-03 congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott to explore her faith, winning in a Midwestern Red state, the perils of ideological labels when elections are on the line, agricultural politics, and how to create a bigger tent that can win in enemy territory.  Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guests: Sarah Trone Garriott: Twitter | Website | Iowa.gov | Facebook | Instagram | TikTokDavid Wessel: Twitter | Website | Brookings | WSJ | AuthorPlease Support Our Sponsors:Miracle Made:Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to TryMiracle.com/warroom and use the code WARROOM to claim your FREE 3-PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF.Mint Mobile:Get premium wireless for just $15 per month at mintmobile.com/warroomTrust & Will:Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/WARROOMQuince:Upgrade your summer fashion and get 365-day returns and free shipping on high-quality, stylish, and affordable clothing you’ll wear for years to come when you go to quince.com/warroom.  Now available in Canada and the United Kingdom.

James and Al fight back on Dr. Fauci’s behalf after Republican attacks on him and his legacy and discuss the influence of the Democratic Socialists on the party and the upcoming midterms before welcoming congressional candidate for NE-02, Denise Powell.  They dive into the state of her race for a winnable district in a notoriously red state, looking at the prominence of the agriculture industry, concerns about the budget deficit, and fair tax policies.  They also emphasize the need to focus on affordability and explore her journey into politics, why she’s running, and why she can win.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guest: Denise Powell: Twitter | Website | Facebook | InstagramPlease Support Our Sponsors:Casper:Right now, save up to 20% on mattresses and up to 25% on everything else when you go to Casper.comHers W.L.:Ready to reach your weight loss goals? Visit forhers.com/warroom to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.Superpower:Head to Superpower.com and use code WARROOM at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod

James and Al raise awareness about the effect of misinformation and voter ID laws, call for strong leadership from the ground up, and weigh election predictions and candidate quality.  Then, they welcome Emmy-winning journalist turned congressional candidate for PA-10, Janelle Stelson, to discuss her campaign against Scott Perry.  They explore the challenges Democrats face in the district, her focus on healthcare, corruption, and the economy, how to address lies from the Right, and the need for change that targets the actual desires that constituents share with the candidates.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! More from James and Al:Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room SubstackGet updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarvilleGet More From This Week’s Guest: Janelle Stelson: Twitter | Website | Facebook Please Support Our Sponsors:Air Doctor Pro:Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code WAROOM to get UP TO $300 off today! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, plus a 3-year warranty, free!Miracle Made:Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to TryMiracle.com/warroom and use the code WARROOM to claim your FREE 3-PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF.Trust & Will:Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/WARROOM