The Blueprint with Jen Psaki

One candidate called for unity and promised to be a leader for all Americans on the Ellipse. The other continued a grievance tour and promised mass deportations amid a “love fest” at MSG. On this last episode before the election, Senator Claire McCaskill is joined again by Symone Sanders Townsend, former senior advisor to Vice President Harris, and co-host of MSNBC’s The Weekend. They tally the closing arguments of both candidates and the incredible volume of dark money in this election. Then, NBC’s own data whiz and numbers guru Steve Kornacki stops by to frame up what to expect on election night and the day(s) after, how to think about the polling and what to take away from shifting early voting trends. And the last segment of this episode is for you- the voters. Claire and Symone urge you be patient, keep calm and carry on. And even if you’re not in a swing state, do not sit this one out.Further Reading: As Claire and Symone mentioned, here is the Open Secrets tally of 2024’s biggest campaign contributors: Who are the Biggest Donors?Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows. 

This week,  Senator Claire McCaskill is joined by Michael Steele, former RNC Chair and co-host of MSNBC’s "The Weekend", to analyze both candidates' final stretch strategies, as millions of Americans on both sides of the aisle cast their votes early. Then, Illinois Congresswoman and registered nurse Lauren Underwood explains why-- beyond the Dobbs decision-- senior care, prescription drug prices, maternal care and healthcare affordability are all on the ballot. And before they wrap up, Claire and Michael spotlight the Republican voters who can’t stomach Trump but may be tepid on supporting Harris. Where are they? And will they show up?Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

With three weeks to go and early voting reaching record numbers, the campaigns are circling around their drastically disparate final pitches to voters. This week, MSNBC political analyst Elise Jordan joins former Senator Claire McCaskill to highlightTrump’s stark vision of the “enemies from within”, while Harris speaks to the center- and a combative Bret Baier on Fox News. Then, Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii lays out the vice president's framework to ease the housing crisis, what it means to go from NIMBY to YIMBY, and the importance of creating generational wealth for the next era of homebuyers. And lastly, Claire and Elise get to the heart of who to trust in the era of foreign interference, deepfakes and Trumpery.Further Reading: Here is the Washington Post piece Claire and Elise spoke about that shares how to spot deepfakes as the election nears: AI is spawning a flood of fake Trump and Harris voices. Here’s how to tell what’s real.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

Brendan Buck, a veteran Republican strategist, and Alan Bersin, former Border Czar under President Obama, join the discussion on immigration and election strategies. They examine the dramatic 80% drop in border crossings since last December and dissect the implications of past bipartisan efforts on immigration. Brendan highlights how Trump’s influence disrupts GOP messaging, especially regarding early voting. They also address the evolving demographics and strategies, including Governor Tim Walz's efforts to attract state college voters, reshaping the political landscape.

Kamala Harris, the current Vice President and former Senator, shares her inspiring journey to the political forefront. She talks about her early campaign struggles in San Francisco, showcasing innovative strategies like a memorable flyer. Harris candidly discusses her past relationship with Willie Brown and how she cleverly countered critics during her rise. The gripping atmosphere of her election night as District Attorney illustrates her resilience and determination. This engaging conversation delves deep into the nuances of navigating a challenging political landscape.

Heidi Heitkamp, a former U.S. senator known for her bipartisan efforts, joins David Axelrod, a former chief strategist for President Obama, to dissect a recent Vice-presidential debate. They reflect on the debate's surprising civility and J.D. Vance's contrasting approaches. Axelrod emphasizes the Harris-Walz team's focus in the final campaign stretch. The duo also discusses how authenticity impacts voter engagement and the significance of navigating unpredictable political landscapes as November approaches.

Senator JD Vance, a rising political figure advocating for his running mate, and Governor Tim Walz, a champion of progressive values, engage in a lively vice-presidential debate. They tackle pressing issues like gun violence and accountability, highlighting personal stories and the need for practical solutions. The discussion delves into contrasting policies on immigration, healthcare, and economic strategies, underscoring the ramifications of the January 6th events. Ultimately, they both call for civic engagement and optimistically envision a more inclusive political landscape.

With 40 days to go and voters paying attention, Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are vying for the upper hand when it comes to their plans for the economy and border security. Former Senator Claire McCaskill distills who has the winning arguments with her co-host this week, former chair of the RNC and co-host of MSNBC’s The Weekend, Michael Steele. The duo then get some insights into the integrity of our election process and why we should all feel good about the safety and security of the vote, with Benjamin Hovland, Chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. And before wrapping up, Claire and Michael explain why late September is the season for opposition research dumps, with some notable examples in North Carolina, Maryland and Ohio.  Further reading: As Claire mentioned, here is a Harris-Walz campaign fact sheet on their economic plan.  Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle sat down with Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh Wednesday night for an exclusive interview. It’s the VP’s first solo network interview since she became the Democratic nominee for president and comes just six weeks before election day. Listen to the full interview here and visit msnbc.com for more coverage in the lead up to the election.

After Sunday’s second apparent assassination attempt, former Senator Claire McCaskill and former Harris senior advisor Symone Sanders Townsend reflect on the volatility of the moment, and the importance of taking down the temperature, while not shying away from calling out incendiary comments intended to stoke the flames. Then, the co-founder of Men4Choice, Oren Jacobson, joins the dynamic duo to break down his mission to reframe reproductive choice from being a ‘women's issue’ to one that men fiercely advocate for as well. And lastly, as November inches closer and polls are dropping daily, a natural anxiety is ramping up among both campaigns. Claire and Symone dispense some wisdom on how to think about these snapshots that represent a moment in time.