
Sidebar
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.
Latest episodes

Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 2min
Is Trump slipping?
This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with Post reporters watching key swing states: Amy Gardner joins the show to discuss a judge's decisions in Georgia; Yvonne Wingett Sanchez joins to discuss Arizona's senate race, the presidential election and an onerous voting law; and Michael Brice-Saddler joins to talk about his reporting on the Harris campaign's effort to court Black male voters in Michigan.Then, the crew breaks down Vice President Kamala Harris's efforts to reach new voters, and former president Donald Trump's bizarre moments at campaign events.

Oct 10, 2024 • 49min
The path to 270 electoral votes
This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey and James Hohmann are joined by national political reporter Michael Scherer to discuss how Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump could each win the presidential election in November. The crew breaks down their potential paths to victory, and how each is presenting themselves to voters, with just over three weeks left until Election Day.Then, Washington Post data scientist Lenny Bronner joins the show to explain The Post's polling average, and which states he's following closely in the final weeks of the campaign.

Oct 3, 2024 • 55min
October surprise
This week, the crew breaks down how an "October surprise" can change the course of a presidential election in its final weeks – and some of the most consequential ones in American election history. And there are a few brand new ones – from special counsel Jack Smith's filing on former president Donald Trump's immunity in his Jan. 6 legal case, to Hurricane Helene and the escalating war in the Middle East.Later in the show, the crew breaks down the most interesting moments from Tuesday's vice-presidential debate – and which ones will stick in the public consciousness. Plus, the ongoing war on fact checking.

Sep 26, 2024 • 58min
Preparing for the VP debate
This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by senior video journalist JM Rieger to preview the Oct. 1 vice-presidential debate between Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The crew examines the two vice-presidential nominees' popularity with voters, key topics that might come up in the debate, and how vice-presidential debates actually impact elections.Later, the crew breaks down the gender dynamics in the 2024 race, from the abortion issue to comments by candidates including former president Donald Trump and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), and the possibility of the country electing its first woman president.

Sep 19, 2024 • 55min
The Truth About Springfield, Ohio
This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with Senior Video Journalist Jorge Ribas, who just got back from Springfield, Ohio – where the neighborhood pets are decidedly not being eaten. The crew dives into why former president Donald Trump continues to lean into anti-immigrant rhetoric and how Springfield residents feel about the sudden wave of national attention on their city.Plus, a new Washington Post poll shows Trump and Vice President Harris are essentially tied in Pennsylvania – the key swing state that could determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.And does the Teamsters' decision not to endorse a candidate matter?

Sep 12, 2024 • 57min
Philadelphia Face-off
This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by Senior Critic-at-Large Robin Givhan, as they discuss how former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris performed at the Sept. 10 presidential debate – and the impressions each left voters with. Plus, why is Pennsylvania one of the key states in the 2024 presidential election – and can either candidate win without it?And later, the crew dives into Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris – and considers whether celebrity endorsements actually move the needle in elections.

Sep 5, 2024 • 43min
Debate prep
On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, JM Rieger and James Hohmann preview next week's debate, and what Vice President Harris and former president Trump need to do in what could be the final presidential debate of the cycle.
Plus, abortion – and Trump's stance on an abortion ballot initiative in his home state of Florida – has become a big part of the 2024 conversation.
And what's the latest on Trump's legal troubles? The delay tactics continue.

Aug 29, 2024 • 54min
Superseding indictment
Dan Balz, a veteran political correspondent, delves into the current state of the presidential race and the aftermath of the Democratic National Convention. He discusses the strategies candidates like Biden and Trump might use in the forthcoming debates. Joining him, law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett updates listeners on Trump’s legal battles, focusing on his new superseding indictment related to January 6 and ongoing cases in Georgia and New York, highlighting the intricate interplay between Trump's legal challenges and his campaign rhetoric.

Aug 23, 2024 • 56min
The Democratic Party's party
Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, and James Hohmann from The Washington Post are joined by Vice President Kamala Harris. They dive into the excitement and contrasts of the recent Democratic National Convention, especially Harris's galvanizing speech that shifted focus to broader representation issues. The team discusses the impact of engaging personal stories and the role of influencers in amplifying Democratic messaging. They also examine how social media is reshaping political engagement and reflect on the evolving dynamics between traditional and modern journalism.

Aug 15, 2024 • 47min
Trump stumped
Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann, and JM Rieger from The Washington Post delve into the upcoming Democratic National Convention and the strategic positioning of Kamala Harris. They question why she has limited media appearances despite rising poll numbers. The trio also discusses Donald Trump's ongoing legal challenges and their potential impact on his 2024 campaign, contrasting his quieter approach with Harris's proactive stance. Additionally, they touch on the legal complications surrounding former Congressman George Santos.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.