
Hacks On Tap
When David Axelrod and Mike Murphy get together to talk politics, it’s not academic. They speak from the perspective gained through hundreds of campaigns for offices from City Hall to the White House. So if you want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes, where strategic decisions are being made, pull up a stool for Hacks on Tap. Incisive, sometimes uproarious and always entertaining, these political warhorses and their guests will give you insights you’ll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties.
Latest episodes

Apr 26, 2022 • 59min
Mouse Trap: DeSantis vs. Disney (with Mark McKinnon)
Mark McKinnon, executive producer and co-host of The Circus, joins Axe and Gibbs to talk about Ron DeSantis’ war with Mickey Mouse, leaked audio of Kevin McCarthy after January 6th, why the midterms will exacerbate polarization in Congress, and what it takes to craft a strong campaign slogan.

Apr 20, 2022 • 1h 5min
Ping Pong Politics (with Whit Ayres)
Whit Ayres, Republican pollster and strategist, joins Gibbs and Murphy to talk about the power of Trump’s endorsement in primary races, the states to watch this fall, and how our political system has become unstable.

Apr 13, 2022 • 1h 2min
Some Other Dude Did It (with Paul Begala)
Paul Begala, CNN contributor and former counselor to President Bill Clinton, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss rising consumer prices, the “some other dude did it” defense, Biden’s budding immigration issue, and Trump’s endorsement of Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania.

Apr 11, 2022 • 3min
Introducing Reflections of History with Jon Meacham
C13 Originals and Pulitzer Prize winner and best-selling author Jon Meacham, co-creators of the 2021 Webby Award-winning Best Podcast Series It Was Said and the acclaimed podcast Hope, Through History, join together again for a brand-new series that will guide listeners through critical moments in our history. Every Monday through Friday, Meacham travels back to impactful events that occurred on that date in history—the birth of a visionary filmmaker, the debut of an iconic athlete, the discovery of a lifesaving cure, a triumphant legal victory. You’ll learn how that event shaped politics, art, culture, sports and science, and why it’s still relevant today.

Apr 5, 2022 • 1h 12min
Gas & Groceries (with Steve Israel)
Former Congressman and chair of the DCCC Steve Israel joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the domestic policy challenges that stem from the war in Ukraine, Democrats’ strategy for the midterms, the special election in Alaska, and what will move swing voters in November.

Mar 29, 2022 • 57min
The Walkback of the Walkback
This week Axe and Gibbs were joined by the inimitable New York Times reporter and CNN analyst Maggie Haberman to discuss Biden’s trip to Poland, the January 6th committee, Trump on the campaign trail, and so much more!

Mar 22, 2022 • 1h 7min
Chronicles of the Culture Wars (with Ron Brownstein)
Journalist and CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings, how the culture wars may shape upcoming elections, the changing demographics in the country, and the races that will decide control of the Senate.

Mar 15, 2022 • 1h 3min
Bad For Business (with Stephanie Cutter)
Democratic strategist and communications guru Stephanie Cutter joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the importance of message discipline for both parties as we approach the midterms, the latest polling numbers, and Biden’s nominee for the Supreme Court.

Mar 9, 2022 • 1h 5min
Margin of Error (with Mark Mellman)
Pollster Mark Mellman joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the domestic political implications of Biden’s decision to ban Russian energy imports, how Democrats should move forward with their agenda ahead of the midterm elections, and the growing influence of Latino voters in the US.

Mar 2, 2022 • 51min
State of the State of the Union
The Hacks convene for a special late-night recap of President Biden’s first State of the Union address. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy discuss Biden’s rebuke of Putin, the moments of rare bipartisan unity, the speech’s messaging misses and successes, and the country’s esteemed designated survivor.