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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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May 7, 2020 • 11min
The race for more coronavirus testing
Fifty-two days ago, President Trump vowed that widespread drive-thru coronavirus screening was finally coming. Now, the White House is declaring victory in the race for more testing. POLITICO's Dan Diamond explains where we really are — and whether it's enough to get the country on track for reopening. Plus, the Trump administration shelves a CDC guide to reopening. And Trump dismisses an ousted vaccine expert as "disgruntled."Dan Diamond is a health care 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.Read more: How a 96-hour project helped Trump's team reverse its testing debacle
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May 6, 2020 • 11min
The Senate is back (but the lobster rolls aren't)
"A very strange eeriness to this whole thing." That's how POLITICO's Marianne LeVine describes the scene at the Capitol right now. We look at what's different in the Senate amid the coronavirus pandemic — including a lack of lobster rolls at the GOP's weekly lunch. Plus, ousted HHS vaccine expert Rick Bright files a whistleblower complaint. And new research sheds light on how the pandemic is disproportionately hitting African American communities.Marianne LeVine is a congressional 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.
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May 5, 2020 • 12min
Sustainability in the age of coronavirus
Pollution has dropped dramatically. Los Angeles' skyline is no longer obscured by smog. Kangaroos have been spotted hopping through deserted Australian streets. POLITICO's Nick Juliano explains how the climate effects of the coronavirus pandemic are changing the way we think about sustainability. Plus, the Senate is baaaaaaack. And more states are letting businesses reopen.Nick Juliano is POLITICO's sustainability policy editor.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.Sign up for The Long Game, POLITICO's new sustainability newsletter.
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May 4, 2020 • 10min
'Armageddon in Atlantic City'
In February, Atlantic City was finally rebounding after years of financial turmoil. Then coronavirus hit. POLITICO's Matt Friedman explains why the coastal city could be one of the biggest economic disasters of the pandemic — and the harsh lessons we can learn. Plus, Dr. Birx calls anti-lockdown protests "devastatingly worrisome." And the Supreme Court hears arguments over the phone ... Up next: SCOTUS on TikTok.Matt Friedman is a reporter for POLITICO New Jersey.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.
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May 1, 2020 • 10min
The culture war over masks
For progressives, it's a sign of taking coronavirus seriously. On the right, it's a symbol of overreaction. POLITICO's Ryan Lizza breaks down the emerging cultural and political divide over wearing a mask — and how it gives a glimpse into the two Americas emerging amid the pandemic. Plus, Dr. Fauci warns against reopening too quickly. And the top intelligence agency rules out the theory that the coronavirus was manmade.Ryan Lizza is POLITICO's Chief Washington 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.Read more: Wearing a mask is for smug liberals. Refusing to is for reckless Republicans.
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Apr 30, 2020 • 12min
Chaos at the health department
“Alex is doing an excellent job!” That's what President Trump tweeted after POLITICO broke the story on White House officials weighing a plan to replace HHS secretary Alex Azar — just the latest in a series of chaotic and confusing events at the health department. Dan Diamond and Adam Cancryn explain what it all means for the agency at the center of the country's response to coronavirus. Plus, the White House's "Stay at Home" guidelines are expiring. And the head of the central bank warns of a lengthy economic recovery.Adam Cancryn is a health reporter for POLITICO.Dan Diamond is a health care 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.Read more: 'HHS has been kicked in the teeth'White House weighing plan to replace AzarTrump rejects reports of Azar firing
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Apr 29, 2020 • 10min
Trump and Republicans bet big on reopening. Will it work?
Republicans are resisting another massive coronavirus relief package and hoping the economy booms back sooner rather than later. POLITICO's Ben White explains why that's a big risk ahead of the November election. Plus, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US tops 1 million. And Dr. Fauci says he has "no doubt" new cases will emerge with reopening.Ben White is chief economic 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.Read more: Trump faces the risk of a coronavirus cliff.
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Apr 28, 2020 • 12min
How we trace the spread of coronavirus
Tracking who comes in close contact with people infected by the coronavirus is essential to understanding the spread of the disease — and getting regions on track to lift restrictions. POLITICO's Victoria Colliver explains how California plans to "build an army" of 10,000 contact tracers. Plus, Trump touts a new blueprint for increased testing that punts responsibility to states. And the WHO says the pandemic is far from over.Victoria Colliver is a health care 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.Read more: How California's contact tracing army could serve as model for nation's reopening.
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Apr 27, 2020 • 12min
Campaigning in the age of coronavirus
Campaigns are adjusting to life during a pandemic just like everyone else. POLITICO's Elena Schneider explains why that means a pivot to mail-in ballots — even for Republicans who have slammed remote voting in the past. Plus, Italy announces a plan for reopening. And Trump disputes reports of replacing HHS Secretary Alex Azar.Elena Schneider is a national political 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.
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Apr 24, 2020 • 13min
The cartoon life of Matt Wuerker
"I have very little adult supervision." Matt Wuerker, POLITICO's Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, has a colorful career sketching Trump, Pelosi, and other characters. We go inside the wonderful world of Wuerker as he shares some of his best stories... including that one time he tried using a Rumsfeld cartoon to negotiate troop withdrawals. Also, be sure to check out the new video series Punchlines featuring Matt Wuerker's cartoons and register for a free virtual cartoon workshop POLITICO Live is hosting with Matt on April 29. Matt Wuerker is the political cartoonist for POLITICO.Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
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