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POLITICO
The POLITICO Tech podcast is your download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. New episodes on Thursdays.
Episodes
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Nov 22, 2021 • 12min
The decision Biden can’t make
President Joe Biden has been wrestling for weeks with whether to reappoint the current chair of the Federal Reserve or pick someone new. But he just can’t seem to pull the trigger. POLITICO’s Jonathan Lemire reports. Plus, White House adviser Brian Deese says he’s optimistic the Senate will pass President Biden's social spending legislation. And Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says federal vaccine mandates will not impact holiday travel.Jonathan Lemire is POLITICO's White House Bureau Chief.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Read more: Biden has a major economic decision to make and he can’t seem to pull the trigger
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Nov 19, 2021 • 22min
Presenting Playbook Deep Dive: Cat and Mouse
It’s one of the most demanding jobs in Washington journalism: tracking down a lawmaker who’s in the news but doesn’t necessarily want to talk. For the Congress press corps, scoring that story-making quote might mean standing on a marble staircase for hours — if the senator or representative decides to talk at all. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade takes us inside the Capitol Hill media “scrum” — as reporters like CNN’s Manu Raju reveal their tricks of the trade… and former Senator Jeff Flake discloses all the times he pretended to talk on his phone while walking past reporters.Rachael Bade is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.Jeff Flake is former Republican Senator from Arizona and current Ambassador-designate to Turkey.Manu Raju is CNN's chief congressional correspondent.Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO audio.Carlos Prieto is a producer for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Special thanks to Nicholas Wu, Kyle Cheney, Oriana Pawlyk, Nolan McCaskill, Juliegrace Brufke, Paul Kane who were also featured reporters in this episode.
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Nov 18, 2021 • 12min
You get a booster! You get a booster!
Federal officials are preparing to expand access to extra shots. And some states are already moving ahead. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn reports. Plus, Republicans overtake Democrats in voter registration in Florida. And the Pentagon rushes to combat rising housing and food costs for troops.Adam Cancryn is a health reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
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Nov 17, 2021 • 11min
Why gas prices are up
Republicans are pinning the price at the pump on Biden. But as POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre reports, it’s a bit more complicated. Plus, Pfizer asks the FDA for emergency use authorization of its Covid pill. And the Senate confirms a key USDA climate official.Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
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Nov 16, 2021 • 11min
From BIF to BIL
The bipartisan infrastructure framework is now the bipartisan infrastructure law. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder breaks down what the new funding will and won’t do. Plus, the CBO plans to score Biden’s social spending bill by Friday. And Florida moves forward with a rule banning school mask mandates and quarantine requirements.Tanya Snyder is a transportation reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
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Nov 15, 2021 • 12min
The fallout from COP26
Nearly 200 countries are endorsing a new agreement to lower emissions. But a last-minute push by China and India weakened the deal and could hurt poorer nations. POLITICO's Lorraine Woellert reports. Plus, Treasury Secretary Yellen says Covid will determine when inflation eases. And Rep. Schiff says he thinks Steve Bannon’s indictment will lead others to comply with the Jan. 6 panel.Lorraine Woellert manages POLITICO's sustainability coverage.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Sign up for POLITICO's 2021 Sustainability Summit
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Nov 12, 2021 • 29min
Presenting Playbook Deep Dive: The strategists who made the “Youngkin Republican”
For the first time in 12 years, a Republican won the governorship in Virginia. And it wasn’t just any victory — to claim the seat, Glenn Youngkin had to beat Terry McAuliffe, former governor and Democratic royalty. In this special presentation of Playbook Deep Dive, Ryan Lizza digs into the narrow win with Youngkin campaign strategists Jeff Roe and Kristin Davison, and the mistakes they think McAuliffe’s campaign made. Plus, senior politics editor Charlie Mahtesian on the significant places Youngkin gained the most votes.Ryan Lizza is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.Charlie Mahtesian is senior politics editor for POLITICO.Kristin Davison was a campaign strategist for Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin.Jeff Roe was a campaign strategist for Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin.Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO audio.Carlos Prieto is a producer for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
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Nov 11, 2021 • 12min
Vaccine mandates? Meet reality.
From legal challenges to murky data on vaccination rates, federal mandates are facing turbulence. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki reports. Plus, a virtual summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is tentatively set for Nov. 15. And New Jersey’s most powerful state lawmaker concedes his reelection loss to a little-known Republican.Natasha Korecki is a White House Correspondent for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
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Nov 10, 2021 • 12min
A conversation with whistleblower Frances Haugen
“The platform is out of control, and they haven’t invested in safety.” Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen sits down with POLITICO’s Mark Scott to talk about what it was like blowing the whistle on the tech giant. Plus, a government watchdog says 13 Trump officials violated the Hatch Act during the 2020 campaign. And the CBO says a score for Dems’ social spending bill could take weeks.Mark Scott is POLITICO's Chief Technology Correspondent.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Subscribe to POLITICO's EU Confidential podcast to hear the full interview with Frances Haugen.
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Nov 9, 2021 • 11min
Soooo.. this is an economic recovery?
Jobs numbers are great, and the economy is strengthening. But there’s also inflation. And supply chain problems. Oh, and a worker shortage. So what does all that add up to? POLITICO’s Megan Cassella reports. Plus, the Jan. 6 committee subpoenas several Trump allies. And the U.S. targets ransomware hackers with arrests, sanctions and payment seizures.Megan Cassella is an economic policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Read more: ‘Back into gear’: Solid jobs report boosts Biden’s case for recovery
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