Beyond the Polls is back! This week, Henry sits down with the Washington Post's Jason Willick to go over Donald Trump's haul ahead of his second inauguration. The duo speculates on everything from the president-elect's comments about desired new territories, defense aspirations, and tariffs, before considering how all of this fits with the MAGA coalition and how his maneuvers will play with the judiciary that Trump helped build in term one. Plus, Henry surveys the electorate's sentiments on presidents past and present as laid out in the latest Economist/YouGov poll.

For our last journey beyond the polls of the year, we examine the Democratic Party's options post-2024. Jonathan Cowan, president of the centrist think tank Third Way, joins Henry to explain how the left wing took over the party vessel and how they ran it off the tracks. They consider whether Democrats will get the message in time to compete in 2028 and go over the playbook necessary for those center-left candidates who are serious about winning elections. Henry's off for the holidays, but stay subscribed—or get started if you haven't already!—and we'll see you back in 2025.  

This week on Beyond the Polls, Henry sits down with Tim Goeglein of Focus on the Family to cover his new book, Stumbling Toward Utopia: How the 1960s Turned Into a National Nightmare and How We Can Revive the American Dream. They dive into the early roots of the midcentury's cultural upheaval and consider why Americans seem ready to turn back the tide.Plus, Henry eschews Beltway insider opinions in favor of ordinary Americans' take on Trump and Harris post-election, along with Trump's cabinet selections, as shown in recent polling data.  

This week features a spirited discussion on Donald Trump's surprising rise in favorability. The talk dives into how shifting demographics and current issues like the economy and crime are reshaping voter opinions. It also highlights the surge of populist parties across Europe, showing how traditional establishments are faltering. The podcast critiques the growing divide in France's political landscape and explores how these populist movements reflect deeper discontent with elite politicians, revealing a global trend impacting democracies.

Ruy Texiera, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and co-founder of the Liberal Patriot, shares his insights on the Democratic Party's struggles with working-class voters. He discusses how the party's shift to the left has alienated key demographics, particularly after major electoral losses. Texiera emphasizes the need for internal change and a reconnection with traditional values to unify the party. With reflections on Trump's influence and the importance of innovative leadership, the conversation highlights the Democratic Party's critical juncture.

Dive into the surprising outcomes of the recent election with a focus on Donald Trump's unique presidency. Explore the shifting dynamics among Latino voters who leaned towards Trump, influenced by economic and immigration issues. The discussion reveals a potential realignment in American politics as traditional narratives are challenged. Don't miss insights into the evolving political landscape, upcoming debates, and how global elections can reflect changing democratic trends. It's an intriguing mix of analysis and predictions for both voters and parties!

Henry’s guest for the final pre-election episode of the season has covered political campaigns for quite some time. But he’s never seen anything like the election we’re looking at today. Brit Hume and Henry discuss how the game has changed since they started: covering everything from the new media landscape, marked by a turn from the standard of neutrality to polling in the age of models, along with the fiercely divided electorate and these once-unimaginable candidates. Plus, Henry rants his way through all the swing states to make as plain as possible the complicated rules and regulations, procedures and peculiarities that will affect the Election Day result rollout. And he does a lightning-fast ad roundup of the ultra-close House races in Colorado 8, Pennsylvania 10, Arizona 1, and Michigan 10 to consider whether they might push the needle just over the edge. Happy Election Day, everyone!

The Harris Campaign is pulling out all the stops to edge out Donald Trump in what looks set to be the closest election since 2000. Lately, these efforts have concentrated on energizing enthusiasm among black voters. To discuss the alleged inroads made by Republicans with this group and to consider whether Democrats can hold onto their usual 90+ percent hold, Henry is joined by his pal Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist of the Washington Post. They also take a couple of pit stops in the past to assess, on the one hand, Donald Trump's unique talents, and on the other, what Joe Biden might do to assist his vice president's bid. Plus, Henry dives into the early vote returns and lays out what we can and can't know based on the models; and he takes a look at two dueling ads out of Florida that aim to sway voters for and against the state's abortion ballot initiative.

Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida and an expert on early voting, shares his insights on the early voting landscape. He discusses the historical evolution of early voting and its impact on electoral strategies, especially for Democrats and Republicans. The conversation delves into ballot security concerns, polling data, and outreach efforts to engage Black voters. Additionally, McDonald highlights the intricacies of mail-in voting and the variations in regulations across swing states as election season heats up.

Craig Gilbert, a Fellow at Marquette Law School and a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist, dives into the whirlwind of Wisconsin politics. He discusses the fascinating mix of Obama-Trump voters and anti-Trump Republicans shaping the state's electoral landscape. They analyze the narrow Senate race and the GOP’s clever voter ID strategy. Additionally, the conversation touches on innovative political ads designed to engage key demographics, including young women, and how candidates are adapting to resonate with independent voters.