Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

It Was Said, the 2021 Webby Award winner for Best Podcast Series, returns with a new season to look back on some of the most powerful, impactful, and timeless speeches in history. Written and narrated by Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author-historian Jon Meacham, this documentary podcast series takes you through another season of ten generation-defining speeches. Meacham, along with top historians, authors and journalists, offers expert insight and analysis into the origins, the orator, and the context of the times each speech was given, and they reflect on why it’s important to never forget them.  It Was Said is a creation and production of Peabody-nominated C13Originals, in association with The HISTORY® Channel.

James and Al lay out how the Republican electorate is pushing the party’s candidates towards extremism and call on people of faith to stand up for immigrants and refugees.  Then, they bring on Catawba College’s Politics Chair Michael Bitzer to analyze the prospects of Democrats in North Carolina’s midterms.  Will changing demographics reverse the state’s rightward turn?  Keep a close watch on Cabarrus County! Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! Get More From This Week’s Guest: Michael Bitzer: Twitter | Catawba College | Old North State Politics | Author of “Redistricting and Gerrymandering in North Carolina” Please Support This Week’s Sponsors Reel Paper: Go to reelpaper.com/warroom to get 30% off and free shipping on your first order when you sign up for a subscription using the promo code: WARROOM Blinkist: For a 7 day free trial and 25% off a premium membership– plus Blinkist Connect which gives you two premium memberships for the price of one– go to blinkist.com/warroom ExpressVPN: To get 3 free months of VPN service with a 12 month plan, go  to Expressvpn.com/warroom

James and Al give an update on the politics of the Ukraine War and the ongoing fight for our rights.  Then, they bring on Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler to analyze the gubernatorial and senate races in his state, expound on the quality of the candidates, and tell us how to make an impact.  Will extremism and retrograde Republican policies deliver them big losses in this crucial midterm election? Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! Get More From This Week’s Guests Ben Wikler: Twitter | Wisconsin Democratic Party | Website | Wisconsin Donations | MoveOn Please Support This Week’s Sponsors Sleep Me: Save 25% off the purchase of any new Dock Pro, Cube, or Ooler sleep system when you got to sleep.me Magic Spoon: To get $5 of your next custom bundle of delicious Magic Spoon cereal go to magicspoon.com and use the promo code: WARROOM Raycon: Get 15% off your Raycon order when you go to buyraycon.com and use the promo code: WARROOM15

James and Al are joined by Bill Ballenger of the Ballenger Report for a thorough look at the midterm prospects for Democrats in the key swing state of Michigan.  Together, they analyze the impact of recent political developments from Dobbs to the Mar-a-Lago seizure on our elections, the growing fissure in the Republican Party, and the shrinking chances of a red wave. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! Get More From This Week’s Guests Bill Ballenger: Twitter | The Ballenger Report Please Support This Week’s Sponsors Blinkist: For a 7 day free trial and 25% off a premium membership– plus Blinkist Connect which gives you two premium memberships for the price of one– go to blinkist.com The Jordan Harbinger Show Go to jordanharbinger.com or wherever you get your podcasts to start listening

Stephen Kotkin, a foreign affairs and Russian expert, joins James and Al to discuss the history of the Soviet Union, Putin's leadership, the war in Ukraine, and the role of the United States and European powers. They explore Gorbachev's legacy, analyze the Molotov Agreement, compare Stalin with Putin, and appreciate the author's work on Stalin's third volume. They also touch on inflation, crime, Biden's student loan debt relief, and show support for sponsors.

James and Al are joined by Watergate Special Prosecutor Richard Ben Veniste to break down the differences between Trump and Nixon, and look at the role of the DOJ now that it’s faced with Trump’s crimes.  Then, they welcome premiere journalist Mark Leibovich to discuss the state of the country, Trump’s impact on the nation, and why journalists need to stand up for their political beliefs.  Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! Get More From This Week’s Guests Richard Ben Veniste: 9/11 Commission | IMDB | Author Mark Leibovich: Twitter | The Atlantic | NYT | Author of “Thank You For Your Servitude” & Other Books Please Support This Week’s Sponsors Reel Paper: Get planet friendly Reel Paper with 30% off and free shipping at reelpaper.com when you use the promo code: WARROOM Chili Sleep: To save 30% off your purchase of any new Ooler or Cube Sleep System, go to chilisleep.com and use the promo code: WARROOM

James and Al reflect on the recent primary elections, the raid on Mar-a-Lago, and the Democrats’ growing odds in the midterms.  Then, they bring on Princeton professor and author Sean Wilentz to dive into the potential of populism and an embrace of FDR’s and Bill Clinton’s legacies to revitalize the party.  Will that be the key to defeating the growing radicalism of MAGA Republicans? Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.   Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! Get More From This Week’s Guest: Professor Sean Wilentz: Twitter | Princeton University | Author of “No Property In Man” & Other Books Please Support This Week’s Sponsors: Blinkist: For a 7 day free trial and 25% off a premium membership go to blinkist.com Feals Focus Melts: Save 50% off your first order of Feals focus melts and get free shipping by going to feals.com with promo code: WARROOM

James and Al lay out the current state of the midterm elections and the implications of the raid on Mar-a-Lago.  Then, they are joined by author and Philadelphia Inquirer national columnist Will Bunch for a conversation about the disaster Republican moves to privatize and commoditize higher education have posed for young people around the country. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.   Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! Get More From This Week’s Guests: Will Bunch: Twitter | The Philadelphia Inquirer | Author of “After The Ivory Tower Falls” & Other Books Please Support This Week’s Sponsors: Feals Focus Melts: Save 50% off your first order of Feals focus melts and get free shipping by going to feals.com with promo code: WARROOM Raycon Get 15% off your Raycon order when you go to buyraycon.com and use the promo code: WARROOM15 Miracle Brand: For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets with 3 free towels, go to trymiracle.com and use the promo code: WARROOM

James and Al celebrate Celtics star Bill Russell, then bring on accomplished author and WaPo associate editor David Maraniss to discuss the life and legend of Jim Thorpe.  In their conversation they look at the struggles he faced throughout his life, the restoration of his status as an Olympic champion, and the many challenges Native Americans have suffered in our history. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.   Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! Get More From This Week’s Guests: David Maraniss: Twitter | Website | WaPo | Author of “Path Lit By Lightning” & Other Books Please Support This Week’s Sponsors: Miracle Brand: For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets with 3 free towels, go to trymiracle.com and use the promo code: WARROOM Magic Spoon: To get $5 of your next custom bundle of delicious Magic Spoon cereal go to magicspoon.com and use the promo code: WARROOM

James and Al highlight the need for Democrats to maintain solidarity in the primaries to protect democracy and the importance of the Dobbs referendum coming up in Kansas. Then, they’re joined by Emory Law School Professor Morgan Cloud for an in depth discussion of RICO laws and how federal statutes differ from those in Georgia.  Will GA be more successful in prosecuting Trump’s actions after the election results came out?   Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.   Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! Get More From This Week’s Guests: Professor Morgan Cloud: Emory University School of Law | SSRN Articles