Sidebar
The Washington Post
The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann gather for a weekly in-depth conversation about politics and power. From presidential candidates to members of Congress to the judicial system, Sidebar dives deep on the topics and people at the forefront of the political conversation.
The crew sits down each Thursday (with the occasional breaking news episode) to discuss what has happened that week, and what’s coming up the next week – with guest appearances from Washington Post reporters.
The crew sits down each Thursday (with the occasional breaking news episode) to discuss what has happened that week, and what’s coming up the next week – with guest appearances from Washington Post reporters.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 17, 2021 • 25min
Washington’s revolving door hits Biden on the way in
President Biden promised a government where“public servants serve all Americans, not themselves or narrow special interests.” But one set of brothers pose a challenge to Biden's efforts to return to transparency and accountability in government. Related reading and episodesLobbyist brother of top Biden adviser poses challenge to president’s ethics promisesNot the'normal' Washington Biden promised
Jun 10, 2021 • 23min
Biden says ‘America is back’ on the world stage. Is it?
Can Biden rally the world’s democracies to meet today's challenges? And what might this trip reveal about the Biden foreign policy doctrine? On this episode, White House reporter Anne Gearan weighs in from Europe, as she travels with President Biden.Related reading and episodesBiden’s personal diplomacy to be tested on his first trip abroadOpinion: Joe Biden: My trip to Europe is about America rallying the world’s democraciesBiden, Boris Johnson release updated Atlantic Charter after first meeting
Jun 3, 2021 • 28min
The mystery of the pandemic’s origins (and what it means for Biden)
What are the geopolitical implications of the intelligence community"redoubling its efforts" to identify the pandemic's origins? And what are the political challenges for President Biden in acknowledging a theory once touted by the Trump administration?Vaccine hesitancy at home, desperation abroadCoronavirus‘lab leak’ theory jumps from mocked to maybe as Biden orders intelligence reviewTimeline: How the Wuhan lab-leak theory suddenly became credible
May 20, 2021 • 22min
Biden wants to end housing discrimination. Can he do that?
Discrimination is built into the American housing crisis. We examine the limits of President Biden's power to fix it, in this second episode in our occasional series about the policy challenges that President Biden faces during his first year in office.Promises made. Promises kept?How Biden stimulus bill will target homelessnessMarcia Fudge confirmed as first Black woman to lead HUD in more than 40 years
May 13, 2021 • 28min
Not the 'normal' Washington Biden promised
Are the divisions within the Republican party causing real problems for Biden’s goals? And if he’s forced to move his agenda forward with only the help of his own party, how might Democratic factions and party discord make that more difficult?Related reading and episodesPromises made. Promises kept?As Biden faces a struggle to hold the Senate, Democrats’ divisions resurfaceThe fight over Liz Cheney and Donald Trump is just beginning
May 6, 2021 • 23min
Vaccine hesitancy at home, desperation abroad
As the president lays out a new vaccine strategy at home, how much can Biden also do to help curb the spread of coronavirus around the world? And what do the challenges with U.S. vaccine hesitancy mean for supply here -- and abroad? Related reading and episodesBiden commits to waiving vaccine patentsWhite House is split over how to vaccinate the worldWill Biden get you a vaccine?
Apr 29, 2021 • 21min
Promises made. Promises kept?
One hundred days into the Biden administration, how far has the president come on his campaign pledges? Biden promised a new way of governing, so has much changed? Reporter Matt Viser unpacks President Biden's progress and what's next on his agenda. Related reading and episodesBiden’s big bet on big governmentBiden signed a $1.9 trillion bill. How much relief will Americans feel?Biden urges expansion of government services, setting up struggle with GOP
Apr 22, 2021 • 19min
Menthol cigarettes kill more Black Americans. Should Biden ban them?
The podcast discusses the impending decision by the Biden administration to ban menthol cigarettes and the implications for public health. It explores the influence of industry opposition, political concerns, and racial implications. The history of targeted marketing, the menthol exception, and the Africanization of menthol brands are also examined. The impact of menthol cigarettes on systemic racism and arguments for and against a ban are explored as well.
Apr 15, 2021 • 33min
Will the president cancel student debt?
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, an economist, and a student all weigh in on what to do — or not — about student debt, in this first episode in our occasional series about the policy challenges that President Biden might face during his first year in office. Related reading and episodesThe faces of student debtBiden at odds with Democratic leaders over lawmakers’ call to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student debt
Apr 8, 2021 • 27min
How a voting law ignited a culture war
The political power of culture warsRepublicans ramp up attacks on corporations over Georgia voting law, threaten‘consequences’The Georgia voting law, explained
