Balance of Power

Daniel Squadron, former New York state senator and States Project co-founder; Jeanne Sheehan Zaino, a Harvard democracy fellow and Bloomberg politics contributor; and David Kochel, an Iowa Republican strategist, examine high-stakes Midwestern politics. They discuss Michigan’s pivotal Senate race, Trump and Obama’s campaign appearances, farmer frustration over tariffs and fuel costs, Republican turnout challenges, the emerging 2028 field, and why state legislative contests could reshape election control.

Emily Domenech, who leads federal permitting reform, discusses energy infrastructure, data centers, mining, and the push for faster approvals. Nicușor Dan, Romania’s president and a mathematician, warns of Russia’s hybrid warfare, drone incursions, and the stakes for Ukraine in any peace talks. The conversation also explores Trump’s $8 billion farm aid plan, farmer discontent, midterm risks, market jitters, and permitting’s role in lowering energy costs.

Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, analyzes shifting House ratings, tight Senate contests, and Minnesota’s Republican potential. Gautam Mukunda, a Yale leadership scholar and Bloomberg Opinion contributor, explores AI’s political and financial contradictions, deceptive campaign ads, and the fading impact of October surprises. The discussion also covers early voting, election security, and a controversial Ohio attack ad.

Jim Messina, Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign manager, discusses Democratic enthusiasm and early voting. Political scientist Jeanne Sheehan Zaino examines unexpectedly competitive Senate races in traditionally red states. Aerospace security expert Clayton Swope explores a Russian satellite’s menacing maneuver near a commercial spacecraft. The conversation also covers Trump’s Ukraine diplomacy and midterm strategy.

Nathan Dean, a Bloomberg Intelligence senior policy analyst, explores the midterms’ potential impact on markets and Washington. He discusses Democratic prospects, Trump’s remaining policy levers, debt-ceiling drama, tariffs and geopolitical power. Energy, AI, data centers, autos, defense, financial deregulation and farm aid are all in focus.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a leading Christian Democrat, discusses Europe’s security, investment, China trade and Russia’s threat to democracy. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger explains election safeguards, audits, deepfake risks and early turnout. The conversation also examines Trump’s Ukraine dispute, sanctions, diesel prices, Patriot missiles and the stakes for America’s midterms.

Tyler Kendall, a Bloomberg Washington correspondent, examines Katie Zachariah’s chaotic five-day tenure and Trump’s Georgia campaign challenges. Melinda Haring, an Atlantic Council fellow focused on Ukraine, discusses strained U.S.-Ukraine ties, air-defense shortages, intelligence alternatives and Russia sanctions. Gregory Allen, an AI policy expert and former Pentagon strategist, explores Anthropic’s IPO, safety rules, chip controls and the risks of massive AI infrastructure spending.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. The super political action committee tied to House Speaker Mike Johnson said it raised $94.4 million in the third quarter and entered October with $155.2 million in cash on hand as it shifts money to more competitive races before next month’s midterm elections. The Congressional Leadership Fund and an allied nonprofit called American Action Network have raised $370 million so far in the two-year election cycle, a record for the groups, the PAC said Thursday. Republican super PACs and party committees have enjoyed a wide fundraising edge, building a $1.1 billion war chest in their party committees and main super PACs by the end of the second quarter, triple the amount Democrats held.  Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Third Way Executive Vice President Jim Kessler. Siena Research Institute Executive Director Don Levy. Bloomberg News US Economy Team Leader Reade Pickert. Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton of Arizona. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don Beyer, a Virginia congressman and senior Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, discusses inflation, tariffs, Russian diesel, and Virginia’s competitive elections. Samara Klar, an Arizona political scientist studying independents and voter behavior, examines Arizona’s swing voters, immigration enforcement, and data-center backlash. The conversation explores affordability, Republican candidates distancing themselves from Trump, and the forces shaping the midterms.

Eli Yokley, Morning Consult’s U.S. politics analyst, examines Democratic momentum, voter fatigue, and backlash over data centers. Kelly Grieco, a Stimson Center senior fellow, explores Ukraine intelligence sharing, Russia’s advantage in an energy ceasefire, Houthi air-defense challenges, and Iran’s potential escalation. The discussion also covers Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation and Trump’s push in Alaska.