RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Donald Trump’s social media post calling on Senate Republicans to get rid of the filibuster in order to reopen the government. Also, this weekend federal food stamps payments are scheduled to start running out and ACA enrollment begins, which some feel will help spur Senators from both parties to compromise and stop the partial government shutdown. Then, they discuss races in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City as the final weekend of the 2025 election season begins. Plus, a look at Alvin Bragg’s campaign for New York District Attorney, where candidates have been largely silent on the unsuccessful outcome of his case against Donald Trump. Next, political scientist and author Charles Murray joins the guys to talk about his new book, Taking Religion Seriously. Murray is best known for thought-provoking political books like Losing Ground, The Bell Curve and Coming Apart. His latest effort is the story of his own faith journey and personal reflection on the nature of God, nature and existence. Then finally, the guys talk up this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Donald Trump’s Asia trip, including the results of his meeting in South Korea with Chinese President Xi Jinping. They also discuss a new Atlantic article about how several high-ranking Trump officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House advisor Stephen Miller, and Security of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have recently decided to relocate their homes to military bases in order to better protect themselves and their families from threats of violence. Next, they talk about the political impact of artificial intelligence as it changes the U.S. workforce. Major employers like Amazon, UPS and GM have recently announced cuts in middle management positions in anticipation of AI replacing white collar workers. And finally, Carl Cannon talks with Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia and Director of the Knowledge Standards Foundation, about his "Nine Theses on Wikipedia," and whether the site can find its way back to neutrality before a competitor steps in. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the US response to the disaster in Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, and whether the Trump Administration will redeploy naval assets in the Caribbean currently dedicated to drug interdiction in order to provide humanitarian aid to the island. They also discuss the latest revelations surrounding Operation Arctic Frost, the FBI investigation into alleged interference in the 2020 election by Donald Trump and his associates. The House Judiciary Committee reports that more than 160 Republican operatives and lawmakers were targeted by the FBI as part of the investigation. Then, they talk about the House investigation into former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity and use of the autopen, including news that Biden’s chief campaign strategist Mike Donilon’s testimony that he would have received a $4 million bonus if Biden were reelected, on top of $4 million in salary. And finally, the guys chat about the latest in the redistricting wars, including Maryland Democrats’ decision not to pursue redistricting in the state, a setback in Virginia for Democrats, and new polls that show Prop 50 in California is likely to win in next week’s statewide election. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss “Deciding To Win,” a new voter survey from a Democratic leaning think tank that says 70 percent of voters believe the Democratic Party is out of touch and urges the party to return to more centrist positions. They also talk about Steve Bannon’s recent interview with The Economist, where he described President Donald Trump as a “vehicle of divine providence” and said there was a plan afoot for him to serve another term starting in 2028. Next, they discuss the House Oversight Committee’s report on former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity and its conclusion that some of Biden’s presidential pardons should be voided because there was “no approval traceable to the president’s own consent". And finally, RCP national correspondent Susan Crabtree joins Andrew and Carl to discuss new polling that shows California’s Prop 50 is likely to pass next Tuesday, ushering in congressional redistricting designed to help Democrats win more House seats in the 2026 midterms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s trip to Asia, and whether the meaning of “America First” has changed over the course of the second Trump administration. They also talk about Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris, who both gave further indications this weekend about their plans to run for the White House in 2028. And, they look at Trump’s reaction to a statement by Steve Bannon that there was a plan underway for Trump to run for a third term. Next, they discuss the American Federation of Government Employees endorsement of a clean continuing resolution to put an end to the partial government shutdown, and what it means to the Democratic Party for a staunch union ally to come out against its position on continuing to keep the government closed. Then lastly, RCP contributor Richard Porter joins the guys to discuss a new poll of Democratic primary voters in Chicago on how they view anti-ICE measures in the city, including violence against federal agents. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss Phil’s most recent article about the future of the MAHA movement and its possible role in the 2026 midterm elections. Then, Mike Leon, host of the news and commentary podcast 'Can We Please Talk’ and a former producer at ESPN, joins the guys to talk about the latest gambling scandal at the NBA, and the FBI indictment of 30 people - including 3 current NBA figures - which was announced yesterday by FBI Director Kash Patel. After that, Phil talks to Beau Bayh, son of former Democratic Indiana Governor and U.S. Senator Evan Bayh, about his decision to run for Indiana secretary of state, the increasing political divide between rural and urban voters, and how he believes Democrats can succeed in red states. Then lastly, the guys share this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss America’s federal debt, which reached $38 trillion, a new record.  Also, new data from KPP shows that health insurance premiums for families insured through their employer have reached $27,000 a year. Then, they discuss the second and final debate in the New York mayor’s race, and what the Graham Plattner story in Maine says about the schism within the Democratic Party when it comes to supporting new, untested candidates vs. proven, professional politicians. Next, they talk about President Trump’s new sanctions on Russian banks, the decision not to hold another summit with Putin to discuss Ukraine, and the risks of releasing long-range missiles for use by Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory. Then finally, Attorney and RCP contributor Richard Porter joins Tom Bevan to discuss his most recent RCP article on the government shutdown and future of the Senate filibuster.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Tuesday’s referral by the House Judiciary Committee to the Justice Department of former CIA Director John Brennan for allegedly making false statements to Congress about his role in the Russia collusion investigation. Also, a look at reactions to demolition at the White House, where President Trump has starting construction on a new 90,000 square foot ballroom. Then, they talk about the controversy over Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner of Maine, who today covered over a chest tattoo of an image associated with the Nazi regime in Germany. Next, they discuss a Washington Post op-ed by Mouman Al-Natour, a lawyer from Gaza who had been held as a political prisoner by Hamas, about violent divisions between Hamas and Gazans who are ready for peace with Israel. And finally, Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the Alliance for Secure AI, joins Andrew and Carl to discuss concerns about the future of artificial intelligence, and federal and state efforts to regulate it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon have a discussion about the partial government shutdown as it enters its third week, and new polls showing who the American public blames for closing the government. They also discuss the Virginia governor’s race and campaign ads from both sides that focus on the issues of abortion and trans athletes in women’s spaces. Plus, they talk about new private texts that look likely to sink the nomination of Paul Ingrassia, the 30-year-old lawyer Trump nominated to lead the DOJ’s special counsel office. Plus, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is out promoting her new book, but is dogged by questions about Joe Biden’s mental acuity. Then finally, Richard Kauffman, CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital, joins Andrew and Carl to chat about America’s growing demand for energy, and why he believes an “all of the above” approach to energy security must include renewable sources such as wind and solar power. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss reaction to this weekend’s “No Kings” demonstrations, and whether the marches harbinger a strong Democratic performance in the 2026 midterms. They also discuss whether the U.S. fight against the South American drug trade is heating up, as President Trump imposed new tariffs and cut aid to Colombia after Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the Administration’s policy of firing missiles at alleged drug boats off the South American coast. Next, they wonder why President Trump granted clemency to George Santos, the former New York congressman convicted of wire fraud and identity theft. Santos had served three months of a seven-year sentence and was released this past Friday evening. Then finally, RCP contributor and former State Department official Peter Berkowitz joins Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon to discuss the recent violence in Gaza, and whether the peace initiative that led to the release of 20 live hostages is already breaking down. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.