Hacks On Tap
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 28, 2020 • 36min
Trump's Never Ending Reality Show (With Amanda Carpenter)
Guest Hack Amanda Carpenter of CNN and The Bulwark joins Gibbs and Murphy to recap the Trump National Convention. Did the GOP move the needle? What's the next move for Biden and Harris? Is Trump ever going to finish this speech?! The Hacks meticulously dissect the four day reality show and talk about what to expect over the next 67 days of Campaign 2020.
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Aug 25, 2020 • 60min
MAGA Mission: The RNC Begins
Guest Hack John Heilemann of Showtime's The Circus is back this week to help Axe and Murphy recap the first night of the Republican National Convention. The GOP promised a week full of optimism and opportunity; after night one, did they deliver? The Hacks discuss whether the first night offered a glimpse of the Republican primary in 2024, if the RNC will ultimately succeed in expanding Trump's base, and what Biden's campaign must do to counter the messaging coming out of the RNC.
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Aug 21, 2020 • 51min
DNC Recap
With our new Hackaroo host Robert Gibbs at the helm, Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs recap the Democratic National Convention. After an eventful week which culminated in Joe Biden officially accepting the Democratic nomination for president, the guys discuss their biggest takeaways. Did the Democrats accomplish what they set out to do? How will the Republicans respond next week? Plus, will traditional, funny hat-clad conventions ever return? Tune in to find out!
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Aug 18, 2020 • 58min
The Conventions Commence (with Rahm Emanuel)
The day after the debut of the first-ever virtual convention, Axe and Murphy convene to discuss what worked and what didn’t. Joined by former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Hacks break down the messaging, strategy, and tactics used throughout the first night of the Democratic National Convention. They also take listener questions about how convention speakers are selected, what the future holds for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and how Trump might impact down-ballot races.
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Aug 12, 2020 • 1h 8min
Executive Disorder (with Paul Begala)
Axe and Murphy are reunited this week and joined by Paul Begala, former counselor to President Clinton and author of the new book, "You're Fired: The Perfect Guide to Beating Donald Trump." The Hacks convened before Biden announced his choice of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, but that doesn't mean we can't include one final round of veepstakes. We also discuss the Trump campaign's renewed line of attack on Biden and assess whether it's an effective strategy, the President's executive orders, the future of the Republican party, and more.
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Aug 11, 2020 • 16min
It's Harris!
The veepstakes are finally over and the pick is in: Joe Biden has chosen Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate! In this special addition of Hacks on Tap, Axe, Murphy, and guest Hack Robert Gibbs discuss what went into this decision and what it means for Biden’s chances in November.
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Aug 4, 2020 • 1h 9min
Where’s the Manual for Mayhem?
Murphy is out on assignment this week, but thankfully Alex Wagner and Robert Gibbs are here to fill the void. The Hacks discuss Trump’s unrelenting attacks on mail-in voting and his attempts to undermine institutions like the Post Office that are vital to the election; the strategy—or lack thereof—behind granting sit-down interviews with the President; the latest speculation about Biden’s VP pick; and more.
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Jul 29, 2020 • 1h 8min
VP Jeebies (with John Heilemann)
This week we’re joined by super Hack John Heilemann, co-host of The Circus on Showtime. It’s no secret that one of Trump’s biggest obstacles to reelection is his own handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. What, if anything, can he do to make up ground before November? And with time running out for Biden to announce his VP pick, will he make a head or a heart decision? Plus, the recent polls are good news for Biden, but are Democrats too complacent? The Hacks discuss all this and more!
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Jul 22, 2020 • 60min
Fort Bragg-adocious (with Donna Brazile)
Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Democratic political strategist and former acting DNC Chair Donna Brazile. We talk about Trump’s new interview with Fox’s Chris Wallace, POTUS’s alternative reality strategy, and the Confederate-named military base controversy. We also assess the politics of the Democratic and Republican conventions, talk VP selection stakes, and more.
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Jul 14, 2020 • 56min
Cognitive Distancing (with Mark McKinnon)
Axe and Murphy are joined by guest hack Mark McKinnon, former presidential adviser and co-host of Showtime’s The Circus. This week we talk Trump’s continuous Covid catastrophe, presidential ad wars, Roger Stone on the loose, Veepstakes, and more. We also answer listener questions on Trump and race, presidential debates, and third-party advertising.
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