Ken Paxton's Struggles

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon dive into the recent governor's debate in California between Democrat Javier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, hosted by CNN. The discussion centers around the debate's impact, with Becerra seemingly winning by simply not faltering, despite his significant lead in the polls. The team analyzes the candidates' strategies, including Hilton's populist appeal and Becerra's frequent references to President Donald Trump, questioning whether this approach effectively addresses Californian voters' concerns. They also touch on the implications of Becerra's record and the broader context of Democratic leadership in the state. Later, Nicole Russell from USA Today joins the conversation to discuss the Texas Senate race, focusing on Ken Paxton's struggles amid controversies and the potential impact of his decision not to debate opponent James Talarico. Russell highlights the unusual amount of money being spent on this race, questioning the strategic decisions made by the GOP in supporting Paxton. The episode wraps up with a look at the Maine Senate race, where Susan Collins appears to be gaining ground against her opponent, as well as the recent heroic actions of a passenger on a hijacked flight, drawing parallels to broader themes of courage and leadership. 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, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss yesterday’s AI summit at the White House and Sen. Eric Schmitt’s (D-MO) questioning of former Special Counsel Jack Smith at yesterday’s Senate hearings on Smith’s investigation of President Donald Trump. Next, they discuss revelations that the Department of Homeland Security is spending up to $20M on campaign-style ads for Donald Trump in advance of the midterms, White House efforts to address affordability and a new Wall Street Journal survey of voters’ economic concerns and preferred solutions. And finally, they discuss Senate races in Texas, New Hampshire and Minnesota. 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 this morning’s Senate testimony by Jack Smith, the former special counsel behind the federal criminal cases against Donald Trump. Also, a preview of today’s White House meeting between President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson and leaders of America’s top AI companies. Next, Emily Jashinsky joins the guys to discuss the controversy over a new television ad run by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) featuring a young white male on welfare, Hispanic voters in the midterms, and Madonna’s appearance on last Sunday’s VMA awards on CBS. Then lastly, they discuss the Trump Administration’s reversion of Title IX to exclude trans students and the salience of trans issues 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 the latest Senate and House polls with just 36 days to go to the November midterms. Then, Peter Berkowitz, author of the new book "Reclaiming Liberal Education in America", joins the guys to discuss the future of higher education. And finally, they discuss the legal and political ramifications of new national television ads featuring President Trump produced by the White House and paid for by the US taxpayer. 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 last night’s state dinner at the White House. Then, Brian Gaffney joins the guys to discuss his new book "The School of Hard Knucks: My Three Sons and Baseballs’ Wildest Pitch”. Next they talk about a new study from Cornell University. And finally they wrap up with their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. 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 latest on the ban of CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House and coverage of Senate races in Nebraska, Alaska and Texas. Then, RCP National political correspondent Susan Crabtree joins the guys to discuss religious suppression in China and today’s White House summit. And finally, they discuss new polling from Gallup that shows support for socialism in America at an all-time high, and now New York Times shareholders are suing the paper’s board over alleged biased coverage of Israel and Jewish issues. 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, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss today's arrival of Chinese leader Xi Jinping for meetings at the White House and a state dinner on Thursday night. Also, the latest efforts by CNN, MSNOW and Politico to regain access to the White House following President Trump’s decision to ban them from the building. Then, Joe Abraham, father of Katie Abraham, who was just twenty when she was killed in a car crash caused by an intoxicated illegal immigrant is now the executive director of VOICE (Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement), an office within ICE. He joins the guys to discuss efforts to support victims of illegal alien crime and their families. Next, they discuss the settlement between California and Paramount that clears the path to Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros/Discovery, which includes the cable news channel CNN. Also, they talk about The New York Times reporting a ProPublica investigation into why the FBI shut down a campaign finance inquiry into an advisor to Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). 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 former Vice President Kamala Harris who is campaigning in Michigan today with Democratic Senate Candidate Abdul Al-Sayed, and Illinois governor JD Pritzker who announced Monday that he has lost 80 pounds, adding fuel to speculation that he is running for the Democratic presidential nomination. Then, James S.Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC joins the guys to discuss President Donald Trump’s speech this morning to the UN General Assembly and this week’s White House meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. And finally, they discuss a new essay in The New York Times Magazine by journalist Nikola Hanna Jones, who is most famous for her role in developing the 1619 Project, on her decision to enroll her own daughter in a failing New York public school. 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 White House ban of CNN, MSNOW and Politico and today’s meeting between NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump. Then, Mike Leon, Head of U.S. content for DAZN, the sports streaming platform and host of the podcast, “Can We Please Talk?” joins the guys to discuss the Protect College Sports bill and the future of college athletics. And finally, they discuss the President’s announcement that the proposed Washington Arch would now include drones, snipers and ammunition, and they also talk about this weekend’s protests at the Kennedy Center. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of RealClearPolitics, Andrew Walworth is joined by Washington bureau chief Carl Cannon and contributor Richard Porter to delve into the ongoing discourse surrounding artificial intelligence and its implications for society. They kick off the conversation by examining the recent calls from AI industry leaders for federal regulation, questioning the motivations behind these requests and the potential consequences for innovation. Richard shares insights from his latest article on the SEC filings of major AI companies, discussing the inherent risks these firms face and the importance of transparency in their operations. The panel reflects on the balance between ensuring safety in AI development and the fear of stifling creativity through excessive regulation. As the discussion evolves, the team explores the broader philosophical questions regarding AI's role in decision-making, particularly in military contexts, and the potential for a new species of intelligent beings. Carl expresses skepticism about the government's ability to effectively manage these risks without hindering progress, while Andrew raises concerns about the politicization of the AI debate. The episode also touches on the current political landscape, with a focus on the upcoming midterm elections. The crew analyzes key Senate races and the challenges facing Republican candidates as they navigate a polarized electorate. They highlight the significance of candidate quality and voter enthusiasm in shaping the electoral outcome. Finally, Katherine Gale, founder of the Institute for Political Innovation, joins the conversation to discuss the structural issues within the two-party system and the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America. She advocates for electoral reforms that would enhance competition and better reflect the electorate's desires. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that traverses the intersections of technology, politics, and the future of democracy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.