
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

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.

Aug 8, 2024 • 50min
Resetting the race
This discussion features Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann, Governor Tim Walz, and former President Donald Trump. They dive into the significant shift in the 2024 campaign atmosphere, especially Vice President Harris's choice of Walz as her running mate. The group analyzes Trump's ongoing legal issues and his fixation on the 2020 election, alongside the shifting dynamics of political discourse. Personal attacks are becoming the norm, reflecting on race, gender, and voter sentiment as the election looms large.

Aug 1, 2024 • 53min
Weird
Joseph Ferguson, a contributor to The Washington Post, discusses Donald Trump's controversial remarks at the NABJ convention and his attacks on Vice President Harris's racial identity. JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, faces scrutiny over his derogatory comments about women. The dialogue dives into the implications of identity politics, upcoming vice-presidential selections, and the challenges facing childless political leaders. The conversation reflects tension within the Republican party and the evolving strategies of the Democratic campaign.

Jul 25, 2024 • 58min
Veep
Exploring Kamala Harris's nomination for president and her VP pick, Biden's legacy, Trump's legal battles, J.D. Vance's political performance, criticism on childless politicians, and navigating political challenges.

Jul 23, 2024 • 59sec
Introducing, "The Sports Moment"
Sports reporter Ava Wallace from The Washington Post will be reporting on the 2024 Olympics in Paris. She invites listeners to join her journey capturing the highs, lows, and essence of the games. Follow her podcast and newsletter for in-depth coverage starting July 24th.

Jul 22, 2024 • 40min
Prosecutor for president
The podcast discusses President Biden's exit from the 2024 race and the impact on both Democrats and Republicans. They explore Kamala Harris as a potential nominee, Republican reactions, and the upcoming Democratic National Convention. There are debates on party unity, succession plans, and campaign strategies for the future elections.

Jul 19, 2024 • 51min
Unconventional
This podcast delves into Trump's nomination speech, the momentum of his campaign, legal cases in Florida and New York, and the takeover of social media in political conventions. Highlights include missed unity opportunity, contempt of Congress controversy, unconventional fashion choices, and the influence of music in political campaigns.

Jul 15, 2024 • 20min
The Pick is In
Washington Post journalists Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, and James Hohmann discuss Trump's pick for VP, J.D. Vance, and a legal case involving classified documents. They analyze Vance's potential impact, the unity at the Republican Convention, and the legal repercussions of the case against Trump.