RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss the role of unforced errors in politics and baseball, and look at the Trump campaign’s response to Joe Biden calling Trump supporters “garbage". They also talk about recent polls and Brit Hume’s views that reliance on polls has largely replaced shoe-leather campaign reporting, and not always for the better. Plus, they chat about today’s report from The New York Times on YouTube’s changing position on disinformation. And finally, Carl Cannon interviews J.T. Young about his new book Unprecedented Assault: How Big Government Unleashed America’s Socialist Left.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl review last night’s address by Kamala Harris and the reaction to President Biden’s comments calling Trump voters “garbage”. They also discuss swing-state polls and how the latest polling data affects each candidate’s path to victory in the electoral college. Then, they talk about the Washington Post‘s investigation of owner Jeff Bezos’ business interests in the wake of the paper’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate. Then finally, Tom Bevan talks to RCP contributor Charles Lipson about his article, “The Spinal Tap Election: Everything is Turned Up to 11” and the role of democratic institutions and well-established procedures as antidotes to heightened political rhetoric.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl preview tonight’s address by Kamala Harris from the Ellipse in Washington DC and look at the reaction to Donald Trump’s Sunday rally at Madison Square Garden. They also discuss new national and swing-state polls and whether polls have gotten more accurate since 2020. Plus, they talk about Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos’ letter justifying the decision to not endorse a presidential candidate, and the uproar at CNN over an on-air argument between Republican commentator Ryan Girdusky and pro-Palestinian journalist Mehdi Hassan. Then lastly, Andrew talks to senior elections analyst Sean Trende about early voting in Nevada and whether it tells us anything about the final tally in the Silver State.

Andrew, Tom, Carl, and White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss Sunday’s Madison Square Garden Trump rally and the media's reaction. And, they also discuss Trump’s new lead in the RCP average of national head-to-head polls and whether it's possible for Trump to win the popular vote and lose in the electoral college. Then, they talk about Kamala Harris’ closing arguments and preview Tuesday’s address on the Ellipse and Michelle Obama’s pitch to undecided men. Then finally, Andrew Walworth talks to Charles McElwee, editor of RealClear Pennsylvania, about where the presidential race stands in the Keystone state and what to watch for with eight days left until November 5th.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss the RCP Average of Polls which now shows Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in a tie and what that may mean as we near the final week of the campaign. They also take a look at last night’s town hall with J.D. Vance on News Nation and whether the Democrats' closing argument accusing Trump of fascism will move undecided voters in the critical swing states. Plus, The Washington Post decides not to endorse a presidential candidate and Charlie Stone talks to James Carville about the Harris campaign strategy and whether her advisers are taking his advice.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl review Kamala Harris’ appearance last night at a CNN town hall and discuss new swing state polls including two showing a tightening Senate race in Pennsylvania. They also discuss last night’s television debate among third-party candidates in Los Angeles and a New York Times story on how an NIH researcher suppressed publication of her own study of puberty blocking drugs in children because she feared its conclusions would be “weaponized” by transgender critics. Next, Carl talks to Outkick columnist Mary Katharine Hamm about the state of the election and which issues are driving voters to the polls. Then finally, Andrew talks to Bulwark contributor A.B. Stoddard about Donald Trump’s closing arguments and whether American men are ready to vote for a female President.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss new polls and whether Democrats are worried that the momentum may be turning against Harris in the final days of the presidential race. They also talk about Harris’ appearance on NBC News last night and look forward to tonight’s CNN Town Hall. Plus, a discussion of Jeffrey Goldberg’s piece in the Atlantic on Donald Trump’s alleged disdain for the military. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to Mike Leon about tonight’s televised debate featuring third-party presidential candidates including Jill Stein (Green Party), Chase Oliver (Libertarian Party), and Randall Terry (Constitution Party.) And winding it up, Carl Cannon talks to RealClear Investigations writer Mark Hemingway about how well-financed progressive foundations are providing support for financially distressed local news organizations, and whether that will further erode public confidence in the media.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss new polling out of Georgia that shows Trump with a slight lead in the battleground state and the path to victory in the electoral college for both candidates. They also talk about the decision by CBS to not release the transcript of the 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris and the new opinion research on Arab American voters. Next, Tom Bevan talks to senior elections analyst Sean Trende about Liz Cheney, the gender gap, and both parties’ ground game. Then finally, Carl Cannon talks to RealClear Investigations writer James Varney about new EPA programs funneling huge grants to untested nonprofits.

Andrew, Carl and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss new polls that show Harris with a one-point lead in the RCP head-to-head average of polls and how both candidates are crafting policy positions aimed at appealing to narrow constituencies in the final run-up to Election Day. They also talk about this weekend’s appearance by Donald Trump at a McDonalds in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and Elon Musk’s strategy to give one million dollars daily to a random swing state resident who signs his petition supporting First and Second Amendment rights. Next, Carl talks to Emily Jashinsky, host of the Undercurrents video podcast, about Kamala Harris’ outreach efforts to men and Donald Trump’s comments on Arnold Palmer’s anatomy. Then finally, Andrew talks to Henry Olsen, host of the Beyond the Polls podcast, about early voting and whether it tells us anything about what to expect in November.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss last night’s Al Smith Dinner in New York where comedian Jim Gaffigan and Donald Trump made in-person remarks and Kamala Harris addressed the audience through a pre-taped video featuring SNL alum Molly Shannon. They also talk about the state of both parties’ Get-Out-the-Vote efforts and a plan for the British Labour Party to send 100 volunteers to work on the Harris campaign in critical swing states. Next, Tom talks to RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende about the presidential campaign and which party is ahead in the race to control the House and Senate. And lastly, Carl talks to Peter Berkowitz of the Hoover Institution about disinformation and next steps for the US in the Middle East.