
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

Sep 20, 2023 • 1h 7min
The Dancing Bear Theory (with Sarah Longwell)
Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and host of The Focus Group podcast, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss the upcoming GOP debate, the difficulties of interviewing Trump, DeSantis and Haley’s viability, aging presidents, nailing jello to walls, and clowns with flame throwers.

Sep 12, 2023 • 1h 4min
Pony Faced Cowboys (with Bill Kristol)
This week Gibbs & Murphy are joined by Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark. They discuss Biden's overseas trip, media coverage of geopolitical issues, the analysis of the Republican electorate and divisions within the party, Trump's re-nomination, and the lack of credit given to Biden's infrastructure efforts. Plus, they share their experience driving an EV across the country and discuss insights on Russia from Gary Kasparov's book.

Sep 5, 2023 • 1h 1min
Talk A Little Louder (with Jeff Zeleny)
This week Axe and Gibbs were joined by Jeff Zeleny, who is the Chief National Affairs Correspondent for CNN. Jeff gives an update on what he has seen on the road in New Hampshire, the Hacks then break down Biden’s communication challenges, new poll numbers and the battle for the GOP nomination.

Aug 29, 2023 • 60min
The MAGA Hymn Book (with Scott Jennings)
This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist, conservative columnist, and CNN commentator. The Hacks discuss Trump’s most recent presidential portrait, his upcoming trial, and how this could impact the nominating process. The guys also talk about pre/post-Trump GOP candidates, post GOP debate performances, identify politics, Biden’s campaign performance, and so much more!

Aug 24, 2023 • 56min
Haley’s Comet
The bleary-eyed Hacks convened early this morning to discuss the first GOP debate of the 2024 election and the poll vaulting nature of politics. The guys bloviate about Trump’s absence, Nikki’s breakthrough performance, Ramaswamy’s rising poll numbers, and the candidate responses on abortion, supporting Trump, and January 6th.

Aug 15, 2023 • 60min
May The Fourth Indictment Be With You
The hosts discuss Trump's recent indictment and its potential implications, preview the upcoming GOP debate, and set the scene for the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary. They also discuss Hunter Biden's legal woes and the impact on the Biden administration. The importance of state polling, a good showing in Iowa, and potential endorsements are explored. The podcast concludes with a book recommendation and a discussion on potential Democratic candidates.

Jul 25, 2023 • 1h 2min
Costa La Vista (with Robert Costa)
Robert Costa, the chief election and campaign correspondent for CBS news, joined Axe and Murphy to discuss the great pageantry of democracy. The Hacks discuss GOP polling and spending, knocking out frontrunners, unprecedented indictments, DeSantis DeSinking, escape valves, medals for democracy, and so much more!

Jul 19, 2023 • 57min
Indict-Me-Not (with Dana Bash)
This bonkers news week Axe and Gibbs were joined by CNN’s chief political correspondent and anchor of “Inside Politics”. Dana walks us through the newest Trump indictment news, and the Hacks pick her brain on Trump’s messaging, what the indictments mean for 2024, and how the American people will serve as his jury. The Hacks also talk about Manchin campaigning in New Hampshire, Chris Christie qualifying for the GOP debate, Biden’s performance, Pence’s appeal, Faustian bargains, losers, cowards, chickens, and so much more!

Jul 12, 2023 • 1h 1min
Show Me Your Strategy (with Heidi Heitkamp)
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by former North Dakota Senator and current Director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, Heidi Heitkamp! The Hacks discuss DeSantis’s bet on Iowa and his courtship of Kim Reynolds, the flipping of abortion as a political issue, Super PAC ads, fundraising number, rural messaging, and the crickets from Biden’s presidential campaign. Plus Heidi gives some Fargo wisdom to her governor and Murphy sneaks in a Gina Raimondo plug!

5 snips
Jul 4, 2023 • 1h 1min
Mailbag Spectacular K Mart Special
This week Murphy and Gibbs bumped a few former presidents to celebrate their favorite holiday by answering YOUR questions! The guys bloviate about Bidenomics, Enron accounting, chickens in tuxedos, Kevin’s caucus politics, Supreme Court rulings, and supremely delicious political food festivities! Tune in and happy forth to you all!