108: Paul Begala

James and Al dive into Congress’ handling of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and analyze the politically transformative effects of Dobbs on the Republican party.  Then they welcome legal expert Fred Wertheimer to discuss the progression of Trump’s first criminal trial, how the charges can be proven, and developments in the other legal challenges confronting him.  They also are joined by political strategist Billy Ray to explore how identity politics have moved Democrats away from effective messaging, the changes the party needs to make, and why appealing to the center will lead to generational wins. 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! Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack Get More From This Week’s Guests: Fred Wertheimer: Twitter | Just Security | Wertheimer Lipton | Democracy 21 Billy Ray: Twitter | Common Defense | IMDB  Please Support Our Sponsors: Reel Paper: Get 30% off a subscription and free shipping on sustainable paper products for your home when you go to reelpaper.com/warroom and use promo code: WARROOM ExpressVPN: Control your data, defend your privacy, and protect yourself online with 3 free months on a VPN plan when you go to expressvpn.com/warroom

James and Al decry Islamophobia and welcome MN Senator Tina Smith to discuss foreign relations and the Dobbs decision’s role in our politics.  Following anti-abortion revanchism under the Comstock Act and extreme restrictions in red states, they analyze how to fight back by enacting legislation to secure women’s rights, the policies that will energize young voters, and what it will take to win state and national elections.  They also strategize about how to overcome pro-Putin Republicans in the House to get support to Ukraine, secure an Israel-Hamas cease fire, and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.  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! Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack Get More From This Week’s Guest: Senator Tina Smith: Senate.gov | Website | Twitter | MN.gov Please Support Our Sponsors: Total Gym: For an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order, head to TotalGymDirect.com/warroom  Beam: Sleep better with Beam’s best-selling Dream Powder and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/warroom and use code: WARROOM Miracle Made: For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code WARROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/warroom

James and Al critique coastal elitism, explore how the Israel-Gaza war ends, and welcome Justice Breyer to discuss the role of the Supreme Court and its judges.  They compare textualism and pragmatism using Justice Scalia as a foil, weigh the factors that go into reading the Constitution, debate politics’ place on the bench, review the ethics governing the court, and look at why public approval of the judicial branch is plummeting.  In their conversation they also break down the language of the 2nd Amendment, explain how history is the ultimate arbiter of past decisions, and call on us to listen to one another to find compromise where we can. 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! Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack Get More From This Week’s Guest: Justice Stephen Breyer: SupremeCourt.gov | Oyez | Harvard | Author of “Reading The Constitution” & Other Books Please Support Our Sponsors: Miracle Made: For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code WARROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/warroom

James and Al take Rep. Jim Jordan to task for continuing to spew lies about the 2020 election and review the status of Trump’s many trials, their possible outcomes, and their effect on the race.  They also debate what NBC’s firing of Ronna McDaniel says about the state of network journalism, and weigh how RFK Jr. affects the election after his vice presidential pick.  Author and sports journalist John Feinstein joins them to discuss March Madness, the business of sports, Pete Rose’s fall from grace, all time sports greats, the best city for sports, and more.  Short note on audio quality:  Due to unforeseen technical issues we had to record this episode on Zoom without our professional microphones and audio interfaces!  Please excuse the slightly diminished audio quality.  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! Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack Get More From This Week’s Guests John Feinstein: Twitter | WaPo | Author Please Support Our Sponsors: Miracle Made: For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code WARROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/warroom Total Gym: For an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order, head to TotalGymDirect.com/warroom 

James and Al tear into the Orban government and analyze Trump’s influence on the Ohio Senate race before welcoming Admiral James Stavridis to discuss the global military landscape.  They explore strategies for success in the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas conflicts, game out an effective response to threats against Taiwan, and look at how war fighting will evolve in the future.  Then, they are joined by Dr. Cornelia Griggs for a reflection on the state of our healthcare system, current pandemic preparedness, and the COVID response on its 4th anniversary. 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! Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube Playlist James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack Get More From This Week’s Guests Admiral James Stavridis: Twitter | Website | Carlyle Group | Author of “2054” & Other Books Dr. Cornelia Griggs: Twitter | Threads | Website | MA General Hospital | Author of “The Sky Is Falling” Please Support Our Sponsors: Washington Post: Get the best journalism in the business when you go to washingtonpost.com/warroom to subscribe for just 50 cents per week during your first year. Earth Breeze: Get 40% off earth friendly laundry detergent sheets when you go to earthbreeze.com/warroom Lomi: Turn your food waste into plant-food at the press of a button with Lomi. Use the code WARROOM to save $50 at lomi.com/warroom

James and Al destroy the RNC and Senator Katie Britt’s SOTU response, before welcoming authors of “White Rural Rage” Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman for a demographic deep dive.  They expose the disproportionate influence of rural White voters, analyze the factors driving their regional decline, and explain how Republicans have leveraged their grievances to win a larger share of their vote.  Then, they prove that rhetoric has not translated into results on issues like coal mining expansion and rural broadband access, arguing that Democrats are actually the better choice. 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! Check Out James Carville's New Videos: James Carville Explains…Donald Trump’s Potential Felony Conviction James Carville Explains…Why Trump Might Pick Kellyanne Conway As VP James Carville Asks… Does Trump Have Syphilis? James Carville Explains… Moms For Liberty #TrumpStinks James Carville Explains… Why Mike Johnson is a P.O.S. James Carville Explains… everything about Mike Johnson James Carville on the trail of Lauren Boebert Option: Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube - Playlist James Carville’s & Al Hunt’s Substack: Carville Uncensored | People & Politics  Get More From This Week’s Guests: Paul Waldman: Twitter | Substack | Boundary Issues Podcast | The American Prospect | WaPo | MSNBC | Author of “White Rural Rage” & Other Books Tom Schaller: Twitter | UMBC | Author of “White Rural Rage” Please Support Our Sponsors: Beam: Sleep better with Beam’s best-selling Dream Powder and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/warroom and use code: WARROOM Naked Wines: Head to nakedwines.com/warroom and click ‘enter voucher’ in the top right when you get to the website.  Put in WARROOM for both the code and password to get 6 premium bottles of wine for just $39.99 with shipping included! Reel Paper: Get 30% off a subscription and free shipping on sustainable paper products for your home when you go to reelpaper.com/warroom and use promo code: WARROOM

James and Al give their take on Super Tuesday and the impact of a Trump conviction, before welcoming journalist Evan Osnos.  They analyze Biden’s electoral prospects and the validity of the polls, looking at how his personality has changed, whether he is fit to serve, and how to win over the doubters.  Then, they preview the potential and peril of the upcoming SOTU and evaluate the arguments driving his campaign strategy, including how to speak effectively about the increase in the cost of living, his policy successes, and the threat Trump poses to democracy.    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! Check James Carville's new videos: James Carville Explains…Why Trump Might Pick Kellyanne Conway As VP James Carville Asks… Does Trump Have Syphilis? James Carville Explains… Moms For Liberty #TrumpStinks James Carville Explains… Why Mike Johnson is a P.O.S. James Carville Explains… everything about Mike Johnson James Carville on the trail of Lauren Boebert Option: Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube - Playlist Get More From This Week’s Guest: Evan Osnos: Twitter | The New Yorker | Brookings Institution | Website | Author Please Support Our Sponsors: Miracle Made: For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code WARROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/warroom Zbiotics: Get back into action with Zbiotics with 15% off your first order of the perfect solution to a night out when you go to zbiotics.com/pwr and use code: PWR Henson Shaving: Go to hensonshaving.com/pwr and enter PWR at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.)

James and Al expose the hypocrisy of Jim Jordan and Matt Schlapp and welcome PA Senator Bob Casey.  They discuss the role of President Biden in down ballot elections, what it will take to win in PA, and the issues most important to voters.  They cover how Republican obstruction is exacerbating the border crisis and undermining national security, laying out how support for Ukraine and Israel makes us safer and boosts domestic manufacturing.  They also dive into Senator Casey’s work on the fentanyl crisis and how to win on economic issues by focusing on the effect that shrinkflation and greedflation have on our cost of living. 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! Check James Carville's new videos: James Carville Explains…Why Trump Might Pick Kellyanne Conway As VP James Carville Asks… Does Trump Have Syphilis? James Carville Explains… Moms For Liberty #TrumpStinks James Carville Explains… Why Mike Johnson is a P.O.S. James Carville Explains… everything about Mike Johnson James Carville on the trail of Lauren Boebert Option: Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube - Playlist Get More From This Week’s Guest: Senator Casey: Twitter | Senate.gov | Congress.gov | Website | Facebook | Senate Committee On Aging Please Support Our Sponsors: Naked Wines: Head to nakedwines.com/warroom and click ‘enter voucher’ in the top right when you get to the website.  Put in WARROOM for both the code and password to get 6 bottles of wine for just $39.99 with shipping included! Washington Post: Get the best journalism in the business when you go to washingtonpost.com/warroom to subscribe for just 50 cents per week your first year. Miracle Made: For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code WARROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/warroom

James and Al skewer the radical Republicans complicit in the events of J6 and welcome former presidential advisor and Lincoln biographer Sidney Blumenthal.  They shut down the corruption allegations targeting President Biden, discuss the capture of MAGA by Putin and propaganda, and lay out the threat Russia poses to our elections and allies.  Then, they dive into the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, examining what made him such an effective politician, key moments on his path to the presidency, and the steps he took to hold the country together while it was tearing itself apart. 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! Check James Carville's new videos: James Carville Explains…Why Trump Might Pick Kellyanne Conway As VP James Carville Asks… Does Trump Have Syphilis? James Carville Explains… Moms For Liberty #TrumpStinks James Carville Explains… Why Mike Johnson is a P.O.S. James Carville Explains… everything about Mike Johnson James Carville on the trail of Lauren Boebert Option: Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube - Playlist Get More From This Week’s Guest: Sidney Blumenthal: Just Security | Wilson Center | The Guardian | Author Please Support Our Sponsors: Earth Breeze: Get 40% off earth friendly laundry detergent sheets when you go to earthbreeze.com/warroom Stellar Sleep: For a 7 day free trial then JUST $99 a year, head to stellarsleep.com/warroom

James and Al celebrate the Democrats win of George Santos’ seat, blast Republicans for stopping the border bill, take on Robert Hur, and welcome law professor Pam Karlan.  They discuss what will go into the SCOTUS rulings on Trump’s immunity and ballot cases and whether the justices will attempt to “split the baby”.  Then they debate Judge Cannon’s impartiality in the Mar-A-Lago documents case and explore what can be done if she gets out of line.  Critically, they lay out the timelines of Trump’s cases and what it will take for them to be resolved before voting begins. 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! Check James Carville's new videos: James Carville Explains…Why Trump Might Pick Kellyanne Conway As VP James Carville Asks… Does Trump Have Syphilis? James Carville Explains… Moms For Liberty #TrumpStinks James Carville Explains… Why Mike Johnson is a P.O.S. James Carville Explains… everything about Mike Johnson James Carville on the trail of Lauren Boebert Option: Watch James Carville Explains on YouTube - Playlist Get More From This Week’s Guest: Professor Pam Karlan: Stanford Law | DOJ.gov | Supreme Court Litigation Clinic Please Support Our Sponsors: Zbiotics: Get back into action with Zbiotics with 15% off your first order of the perfect solution to a night out when you go to zbiotics.com/pwr and use code: PWR Beam: Sleep better with Beam’s best-selling Dream Powder and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/warroom and use code: WARROOM Reel Paper: Get 30% off a subscription and free shipping on sustainable paper products for your home when you go to reelpaper.com/warroom and use promo code: WARROOM