

Hacks On Tap
Vox Media
When David Axelrod, Mike Murphy, and John Heilemann 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.
From the Vox Media Podcast Network
From the Vox Media Podcast Network
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 26, 2022 • 1h 2min
Reset Report Card (with Jennifer Palmieri)
Jennifer Palmieri, co-host of Showtime’s The Circus and former White House communications director, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss Biden’s hot mic moment, escalating tensions with Russia over Ukraine, how the Biden administration should communicate the story of America’s resilience, and Newt Gingrich’s gift to Democrats.
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Jan 19, 2022 • 1h 5min
The Almighty vs The Alternative (with Jonathan Martin)
As the anniversary of President Biden’s inauguration approaches, the Hacks called in Jonathan Martin, a national political correspondent for The New York Times, to reflect on Biden’s first year in office. They discuss whether Biden needs a reset, the fate of some of the administration’s key legislation, the messaging and campaign strategies for both parties in the midterms, and if we’re witnessing the early signs of a Donald Trump vs Ron DeSantis showdown.
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Jan 11, 2022 • 1h 2min
Joltin’ Joe Comes Out Swinging (with Addisu Demissie)
Democratic political strategist Addisu Demissie joins Axe and Murphy to discuss President Biden’s speech on the anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, his condemnation of Trump, the voting rights fight, and the fate of the filibuster in the Senate. The Hacks also posit their essay contest vs. multiple choice election theory and examine the 2022 Senate map.
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Jan 5, 2022 • 1h 8min
The Madman Behind The Curtain
Mark McKinnon, the Stetson-wearing executive producer and co-host of Showtime’s the Circus, joins Gibbs and Murphy to help the Hacks kick off 2022. With the one-year anniversary of January 6th looming, the Hacks discuss the House select committee’s investigation into the attack on the Capitol, Trump’s legal troubles, and what Biden can learn from Hollywood.
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Dec 22, 2021 • 1h 9min
Hacky Holidays, Mailbag Edition!
To mark the end of 2021, Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy convene for a special holiday mailbag edition of Hacks on Tap. The Hacks discuss Manchin’s Build Back Better bombshell before taking questions from our esteemed listeners. Plus, Murphy’s year is made when a very special guest makes a surprise appearance.
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Dec 15, 2021 • 1h 2min
GOPuppets (with Steve Bullock)
Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the warning signs he sees for Democrats in rural America, the messaging challenges around Biden’s Build Back Better bill, the latest revelations from the January 6th committee, and speculation about the 2024 presidential race.
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Dec 8, 2021 • 1h 7min
20/24 Vision (with Bill Kristol)
Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark and director of Defending Democracy Together, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss some of the must-watch races in 2022, Trump’s continued efforts to subvert our democracy, and Kristol provides his “lit” 2024 Democratic ticket prediction.
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Dec 1, 2021 • 1h 6min
Kitten Swipes and Variant Fights (with John Heilemann)
John Heilemann, executive editor of The Recount and host of the Hell & High Water podcast, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the political ramifications of the new coronavirus variant, whether the Biden administration should wade into the culture wars, and the shocking normalization of political violence in this country. Plus, Murphy introduces us to the one and only Uncle Walt.
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Nov 17, 2021 • 1h 4min
Inflation Nation (with Tony Fabrizio)
Veteran Republican pollster and strategist Tony Fabrizio joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the long-awaited signing of the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, whether the legislation will have a measurable impact on upcoming elections, the political implications for rising prices, and this week’s “WTF” moment.
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Nov 10, 2021 • 1h 6min
Process Over Substance (with Amy Walter)
Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss the disconnect between the positive economic indicators and Americans’ pessimism about the state of the country, the passage of the infrastructure bill and the messaging opportunities and challenges it presents for the Biden administration, and the Hacks experience their own supply chain issues live on air.
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