

CNN Political Briefing
CNN
Join CNN Political Director David Chalian as he guides you through our ever-changing political landscape. Every week, David and a guest take you inside the latest developments with insight and analysis from the key players in politics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 16, 2024 • 27min
Harris on Policy, Then and Now
Jasmine Wright, a political reporter for NOTUS, who has closely followed Kamala Harris since her 2019 presidential campaign, shares insights on Harris's evolving policy positions. They discuss the Vice President's current cautious economic strategies compared to her earlier proposals and how challenges like inflation and immigration affect her political standing. Wright explores the complexities of Harris’s healthcare stance and the implications of her past campaign hurdles, highlighting her adaptation as she prepares for another election run.

Aug 9, 2024 • 26min
Walz Brings Minnesota ‘Vibes’ to the Harris Ticket
Vice President Kamala Harris made headlines when she chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate this week. CNN's Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny joins CNN Political Director David Chalian from the campaign trail to explain what went into the ‘vibes’-based decision, and the Midwestern Democrat’s ascent from history teacher to vice presidential hopeful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 2, 2024 • 30min
JD Vance Seeks To Find His Footing
In just a few years, Ohio Senator JD Vance has gone from author and conservative commentator to President Donald Trump’s running mate. Ohio Capital Journal reporter Nick Evans has been reporting on Vance’s career evolution since he ran for Senate. He joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to talk about how Vance is performing on the national stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 26, 2024 • 25min
The Kamala Harris Campaign Kicks Off
Democratic party leaders and donors are rallying around Vice President Kamala Harris as their presumptive presidential nominee. Harris finds herself in her second campaign for the presidency, but this one is in an entirely new context. So how did we get here? Astead Herndon is a national politics reporter for the New York Times and the host of the politics podcast, The Run Up. He previously covered Kamala Harris’ 2019 presidential campaign. He joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to explain how Harris meets this moment and what to expect in the next hundred days of her campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 19, 2024 • 26min
As Republicans Embrace Trump, Biden Faces Pressure
While former President Donald Trump received a hero’s welcome at the Republican National Convention, President Joe Biden is facing mounting pressure to drop out of the race. On the ground at the RNC, CNN’s Political Director David Chalian sits down with Ryan Lizza, POLITICO's Chief Washington Correspondent and host of the podcast “Playbook Deep Dive”. They talk about Biden’s candidacy teetering on possible collapse and how an assassination attempt on Trump’s life reshaped his convention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12, 2024 • 29min
Biden Ignites Panic Among Democrats
Joe Biden remains in the race for president, for now. But Democrats are divided over whether he should remain their nominee. CNN political commentator Karen Finney joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to explain how we got here and how the party moves forward from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28, 2024 • 24min
The Aftermath of Biden’s Debate Performance
President Joe Biden's performance on the debate stage last night created a panic in many corners of the Democratic party. CNN's Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny joins David Chalian to talk about where both campaigns go from here, and what he considers “perhaps the story of our lifetimes.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 21, 2024 • 26min
Biden’s Immigration Whiplash
President Joe Biden has announced an amnesty program for some undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens. It’s one of the biggest protections for undocumented immigrants since President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This comes after the President aimed to limit protections for asylum-seekers who cross the border illegally, earlier in June. CNN senior White House reporter Kevin Liptak joins David Chalian to explain the President’s policy whiplash, break down the new amnesty program, and discuss the response from Republicans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 14, 2024 • 26min
The Political Fallout from Hunter Biden’s Conviction
This week, a federal jury found President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, guilty on three federal felony gun charges. Will this impact Biden’s 2024 campaign? And how does this case compare, if at all, to the Trump trials? CNN Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent Paula Reid joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to unpack this historic week few weeks of legal news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 7, 2024 • 25min
How Will History Record Donald Trump’s Conviction?
Former President Donald Trump is now the first presumptive presidential nominee to run with a felony conviction. CNN historian Timothy Naftali joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to unpack this unprecedented moment and reflect on how history will remember Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices