Saigon vs Kabul: Political and Geopolitical Consequences with Andrew Busch

Andrew, Carl, and Tom discuss Donald Trump’s meeting on capitol hill yesterday with GOP senators and representatives and the possibility that Trump is taking a more pragmatic approach in 2024 than in previous elections. They also chat about how voters should evaluate viral videos showing what are portrayed as Biden’s age-related gaffes, the recent polls that say Biden is doing surprisingly well among older voters, and today’s New York Times profile by Peter Baker of Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg who the author calls “Biden’s secret weapon.” Plus, they discuss a USA TODAY interview with Robert F. Kennedy who claims he'll be on the ballot in all 50 states. And lastly, Carl Cannon talks with RCP contributor Peter Berkowitz about the changing US policy toward Israel.

Andrew, Carl, and Tom discuss today’s meeting between President Biden and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and the announcement of a 10-year US/Ukraine security arrangement. Also, they have a discussion of last night’s Congressional Baseball Game, which was disrupted by climate protestors. Plus, they also talk about Hillary Clinton’s endorsement of Westchester County Executive George Latimer for the New York congressional seat held by Representative Jamaal Bowman and they chat about new polling that reveals Donald Trump is making significant inroads with younger voters, including a New York Times/Siena poll that shows Biden with only a 2-point lead over Trump with voters between the ages of 18-29. Next, Andrew Walworth talks with Republican strategist John Feehery about Donald Trump’s return to Capitol Hill, where he met with GOP House members and senators. Then lastly, Carl Cannon talks with Richard Benedetto, remembering President George H. W. Bush on what would have been his 100th birthday.

Andrew, Carl, and Tom discuss President Biden’s trip to Europe for the annual G-7 Summit and the implications of this weekend’s European Union elections. Also, the arrest by the FBI of eight foreign nationals in the US who are allegedly tied to Isis-K, the Afghan branch of the international terrorist organization. They also talk about new polling on voters’ attitudes toward Vice President Kamala Harris from Politico/Morning Consult, the results of yesterday’s primaries, and the life of journalist Howard Fineman who passed away at the age of 75. Next, Tom Bevan talks with RCP national correspondent Susan Crabtree about Army veteran Sam Brown’s victory in the Republican senate primary in Nevada. He will face incumbent Democrat Jacky Rosen in November in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most closely watched 2024 Senate races. And finally, Carl Cannon talks to RCP contributor Eric Spitz about the Olympics and Israeli athletes, the state of higher education, and Hunter Biden’s conviction on federal gun charges.

Andrew, Carl, and Tom discuss the political impact of the Hunter Biden verdict on federal gun charges and whether President Biden will pardon or commute his son’s sentence. They also chat about newly released footage of Nancy Pelosi from January 6th and a recent article in Rolling Stone magazine on Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito which was based on secret audio recordings made by a reporter posing as a religious conservative. Then, Andrew and Carl talk with Karlyn Bowman, public opinion expert at the American Enterprise Institute about voters’ attitudes toward politicians’ ethics and how they view Donald Trump in the wake of his New York conviction. And finally, Tom Bevan speaks with RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende about the latest polls.

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and White House Correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss a new Atlantic article by Mark Leibovich concerning Biden’s age and acuity and the politics of former President Trump’s continued gag order after the verdict in his New York hush money case. They also talk about the successful rescue of four hostages by the IDF over the weekend and the possibility that the US would negotiate directly with Hamas for the release of five Americans held hostage by them in Gaza. Then, Andrew and Carl talk with Miranda Devine, New York Post columnist and author of “Laptop From Hell: Hunter Biden, Big Tech, and the Dirty Secrets the President Tried to Hide” about the Biden family behavior at the Hunter Biden gun trial and the appearance of the laptop at the trial plus, new revelations from the proceedings.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss new jobs numbers from the Department of Labor and new polling that shows Trump and Biden tied in Virginia. They also talk about President Biden’s second speech commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day and Donald Trump’s fundraising event in San Francisco hosted by venture capitalist David Sacks. Next, Tom talks with White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about Team Biden’s strategy for handling the Hunter Biden gun trial. And finally, Carl talks with Adeline Von Drehle about Donald Trump joining TikTok and how other politicians have embraced social media.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss earlier presidential addresses commemorating D-Day and President Biden’s address marking the 80th anniversary of the invasion. They also talk about the appearance of the “laptop from hell” at Hunter Biden’s gun trial and the political impact of delays affecting former President Donald Trump’s trials. Then, Carl talks about remembering D-Day with John J. Waters, U.S. Marine Corp veteran and author of River City One. And lastly, Andrew talks to longtime defense correspondent and editor at the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune - Thom Shanker about his recent RCP article, “Forty-Nine Ways To Fix the World (Hint: Start Locally)”

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss Tuesday’s primary results in New Jersey, Montana, Iowa, and New Mexico and the fallout from Attorney General Merrick Garland’s five-hour testimony yesterday before the House Judiciary Committee. Then, they talk about today’s article in The Wall Street Journal headlined “Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping.” Reporters say it's based on interviews with more than 45 people over several months. They also discuss reports that the list of potential running mates for Donald Trump is getting shorter. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende about the long-term implications of the Trump conviction. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to Bree Davies and Paul Karolyi of City Cast Denver, hosts of “Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose,” a limited series podcast they created that focuses on the life and political career of the Colorado Congresswoman.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss new polling by Morning Consult and whether the verdict in the Trump trial will affect voters in November. They also talk about today’s Time Magazine cover story on Joe Biden and the reports of why Sally Buzbee, the top editor of the Washington Post, abruptly stepped down. Then, Andrew Walworth talks to A. B. Stoddard, columnist at the Bulwark news site, about the Democratic Party’s strategy to reach low-information voters. And last but not least, RCP White House Correspondent Phil Wegmann talks to Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) about his bid for leadership of the Senate GOP.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss the most recent polling showing voters’ reaction to Donald Trump’s conviction and the politics surrounding Hunter Biden’s federal trial on gun possession charges, which started today with jury selection. They also discuss Dr. Anthony Fauci’s appearance before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Fauci was the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 38 years before retiring. Next, RCP White House Correspondent Phil Wegmann talks to Michael Kripchak, the Democrat running in the special election in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District. The election will be held on June 11th and the winner will serve the remainder of the term. The seat has been vacant since January when former representative Bill Johnson, a Republican, resigned to become the president of Youngstown State University. Then finally, Carl Cannon talks to historian Tevi Troy about the importance of party platforms in the run up to this summer’s political conventions.