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
Aug 18, 2017 • 34min
Does a president need to unify the country to govern effectively?
In the aftermath of violence in Charlottesville, Va., we examine the history of political appeals to white fear and how past presidents have responded to crises. The award-winning Wesley Lowery weighs in on the state of race relations in America.
Aug 11, 2017 • 36min
How much power does a president have to lead us to nuclear war?
With insight from White House reporter Jenna Johnson, we learn the answers to this critical question from an expert in North Korean history and a professor who’s worked in past White Houses on counter proliferation and nuclear arms control.
Aug 4, 2017 • 24min
Will Trump's new chief of staff fix a White House in chaos?
Can Kelly bring order to the White House? We talk to Kristine Simmons from the Bush White House, Chris Whipple, author of "Gatekeepers: How The White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency," and Greg Jaffe who has reported on Kelly for years.
Jul 28, 2017 • 25min
Is it unusual for a president to publicly berate members of his own cabinet?
Can a president fire the attorney general? How much influence does a president have over the Justice Department? Reporter Ashley Parker, historian Tim Naftali and law professor Steve Vladeck on the politics, historical context and legal limitations.
Jul 21, 2017 • 27min
Trump promised to bring back American jobs, can he do that?
What can a president do to revive an industry in decline? Amy Goldstein, author of “Janesville: An American Story,” tells us what happens to people when factories close. Plus, Scott Paul of Alliance for American Manufacturing on how to help the industry.
Jul 14, 2017 • 0sec
Did Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer violate the law?
Jens David Ohlin, vice dean at Cornell Law School, explains the legal boundaries and political consultant Tracy Sefl takes us into the world of opposition research. Plus, "Trump Revealed" author Marc Fisher on the president's reaction to the news.
Jun 30, 2017 • 30min
Will Trump deliver on his health-care promises? (Part II)
Health policy reporter Paige Cunningham breaks down the Senate bill and explains what’s at stake. Plus, we talk to Republican Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Ariz., about how health care legislation directly affects his constituents.
Jun 23, 2017 • 29min
Special episode: Obama's secret struggle to punish Russia for Putin's election assault
In an exclusive report, The Post's national security team goes inside the Obama administration's decision-making after the CIA captured Putin issuing these instructions: defeat Clinton and help elect Trump. Reporter Greg Miller tells the story.
Jun 16, 2017 • 33min
How much of Obama's Cuba policies could Trump rollback?
Will Trump's policy toward Cuba undo the Obama administration's efforts to normalize relations? What's at stake? Karen DeYoung answers those questions. Plus, the history of U.S-Cuba relations and Obama's special assistant on U.S-Cuba negotiations.
Jun 9, 2017 • 31min
Will Trump accomplish his infrastructure promises?
The Post's Damian Paletta on how much Trump can achieve. Plus, former Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak on facing tragedy in his city in 2007. And Henry Petroski, author of "The Road Taken" on the history of America's infrastructure and how we got here.
