
Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt
Master political strategist James Carville and revered journalist Al Hunt convenes a war room each week to discuss the battle for the soul of the nation! Join them as they gather the sharpest minds from across the country to see who has the most compelling case for the American people on the issues that matter most.
Latest episodes

Nov 30, 2023 • 1h 37min
225: Evangelicals and Extremism with Tim Alberta
James and Al share how Hunter Biden has outmaneuvered the partisan investigations of his family, give an update on the Republican primary, and welcome journalist Tim Alberta to discuss the modern evangelical movement and its alliance with Trump. They investigate how the faith has been co-opted by politics and culture, driven by the apocalyptic view that envisions Democrats as waging a war on Christianity. While doing so, they cover how religion has moved away from scripture, the disintegration of church and state being encouraged by Trump, and why religion is driving away many of its adherents.
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!
Check James Carville's new videos:
James Carville explains everything about Mike Johnson
James Carville on the trail of Lauren Boebert
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Tim Alberta:
Twitter | Website | Politico | The Atlantic | Author of “American Carnage” & “The Kingdom”

Nov 23, 2023 • 1h 13min
224: The Day The President Was Shot
James and Al discuss the Israel-Hamas cease fire, give tribute to Rosalynn Carter, and welcome Judge John Tunheim on the anniversary of JFK’s assassination. They dive into his work reviewing the confidential documents that were released, and weigh the events of that day in pursuit of the truth. They cover the single bullet theory, the importance of the Zapruder film, whether the FBI and CIA can be trusted about their role, and the actions of Lee Harvery Oswald and Jack Ruby. With some materials still set to be released, did they find out what actually happened?
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!
Check James Carville's new videos:
James Carville explains everything about Mike Johnson
James Carville on the trail of Lauren Boebert
Get More From This Week’s Guest:
Judge John Tunheim:
Federal Bar Association | USCourts.gov
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Nov 16, 2023 • 1h 1min
223: Generational Victory with John Della Volpe
James and Al condemn Republicans in each branch of government and welcome polling expert and author of Fight: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America, John Della Volpe. They analyze the growing cynicism of key parts of the Democratic coalition and discuss how vigorous campaigning, exciting young surrogates, and strong messaging around Biden’s accomplishments can bring them to the polls. While doing so, they highlight the critical role of Millenial and Gen Z voters while exploring their political leanings with the goal of making sure they show up big for Democrats. Will a focus on individual rights and restoring choice be the key to a winning campaign?
Check James Carville's new videos:
James Carville explains everything about Mike Johnson
James Carville on the trail of Lauren Boebert
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:
John Della Volpe:
Twitter | Harvard Institute of Politics | Website | Social Sphere | Substack | Author of “Fight”
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ExpressVPN:
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Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 14min
222: The Return of the Religious Right with Thomas Edsall
James and Al celebrate the election wins by Democrats in typically Republican strongholds, and implore the Democrats to avoid division over the war in Gaza. Then, they welcome veteran journalist Thomas Edsall to delve into the return of the religious right exemplified by the speakership of Mike Johnson, how Republicans have forsaken their moderate pro-business roots for votes from non-college educated voters, and the failure of the media to differentiate the two parties with their coverage when the Right has revealed its true colors. With that in mind, they lay out what it will take to hold the Democrats together, expand their voting block, and continue to win elections..
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:
Thomas Edsall:
Twitter | NYT | Columbia University | Author
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Nov 2, 2023 • 1h 14min
221: Bibi’s Face with Indira Lakshmanan
James and Al analyze the growing presidential field, and fire off on Mike Johnson and Netanyahu, before diving into foreign affairs with AP Global Enterprise Editor Indira Lakshmanan. They break down the effects of the accelerating conflict in Israel in the Middle East, how long the conflict will last, and the changing tide of global opinion. They also lay out how the war impacts our domestic polling, the leverage President Biden and Tony Blinken have over its future, and how splitting our priorities has impacted Ukraine’s fight against Putin.
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:
Indira Lakshmanan:
Twitter | AP | Pulitzer Center | Bloomberg

Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 20min
220: Strategy of War with Admiral Stavridis and Ehud Barak
James and Al preview Rep. Mike Johnson’s upcoming speakership and are joined by former Israeli PM Ehud Barak to lay out the military options under consideration in Gaza, the goals that the war will seek to accomplish, and how the intervention might end. Then, they speak with Admiral James Stavridis to discuss the practicalities of a ground invasion and the effect of Iran backed Hezbollah becoming involved. They also delve into the status of forces that we are bringing to support Israel in the region, the state of our military readiness, and the pragmatism behind our actions there and in Ukraine.
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:
Admiral James Stavridis:
Twitter | Website | Carlyle Group | Author of “To Risk It All” & Other Books
Ehud Barak:
Twitter | FaceBook | Jewish Virtual Library | BGR Group
Please Support This Week’s Sponsor:
Miracle Made:
For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels with promo code WARROOM, go to trymiracle.com/warroom
Beam:
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Oct 19, 2023 • 1h 35min
219: Israeli Intrigue w/ Alon Pinkus & Congressional Chaos w/ Carl Hulse
James and Al are joined by Israeli foreign policy expert Alon Pinkas to explain the latest developments in the accelerating war in Gaza, its regional effects, and the roles of President Biden and PM Netanyahu. They explore the ramifications of the hospital explosion, the threat of Iran and Hezbollah, how the USA is viewed in the region, and if the Israeli government has the confidence of its people. Then, they speak with NYT’s chief Washington correspondent Carl Hulse to discuss the implications of Jim Jordan’s lack of qualifications to become the Speaker and his failure to attain the position despite the novel pressure being applied by conservative media. Will Steve Scalise be the next one to try for the position? And what are the downstream effects going into the 2024 elections?
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:
Alon Pinkas:
Twitter | Haaretz
Carl Hulse:
Twitter | NYT | Author of “Confirmation Bias”
Please Support This Week’s Sponsor:
ExpressVPN:
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Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 21min
218: Israel with Jim Gerstein and Brigadier General Ty Seidule
Following the tragic attack on Israel by Hamas, James and Al are joined by political strategist Jim Gerstein to break down the situation on the ground and its regional ramifications. They delve into the potential for a wider conflict, how a follow-up invasion can destroy the prospects for Middle East peace, and how the Israeli government is responding. Then, they welcome Brigadier General Ty Seidule to examine the tactics used and the harm to our military readiness caused by Republicans. Between their war on the diversity of our troops and Senator Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions, are we ready for the next crisis?
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:
Jim Gerstein
GBAO Strategies
Brigadier General Ty Seidule (Ret.):
Twitter | West Point | Website | Hamilton College | New America | Author of “Robert E. Lee & Me”
Please Support This Week’s Sponsors:
Lomi:
Turn your food waste into plant-food at the press of a button with Lomi. Use the code WARROOM to save $50 at lomi.com/WARROOM
Zbiotics:
Get back into action with Zbiotics with 15% off your first order of the perfect solution to a night out when you go to zbiotics.com/pwr and use code: PWR
Miracle Made:
For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels with promo code WARROOM, go to trymiracle.com/warroom

Oct 5, 2023 • 1h 31min
217: Beating Boebert with Adam Frisch & Identity Politics with Yascha Mounk
James and Al are joined by the congressional challenger to Lauren Boebert in Colorado, Adam Frish. They discuss the factors that led to her near defeat in the last election, his strategy of drawing a contrast between the chaos of MAGA rule and sane governance, and the importance of fighting to win back rural areas. Then they welcome Professor Yascha Mounk to explore the capitulation of pluralism to identity politics and ideological policing. Together, they explain how despite their good intentions, proponents are bringing about new forms of discrimination and undermining trust in our institutions.
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:
Adam Frisch:
Twitter | Campaign Website | Website | FaceBook
Yascha Mounk:
Twitter | John Hopkins | The Atlantic | Persuasion Community | Website | Author of “The Identity Trap” & Other Books | The Good Fight Podcast | CFR | CCNY
Please Support Our Recent Sponsors In Past Episode Show Notes:
Past Episodes & Show Notes

Sep 28, 2023 • 50min
216: The Shutdown with Rep. Brendan Boyle
James and Al contrast Senator Menendez with the crimes of Trump, preview the Republican field before the debate, and welcome PA Congressman Brendan Boyle. They discuss the likelihood of a government shutdown at Republican hands, why it’s proof that MAGA owns the party, and the financial dangers it poses. From lost job creation, cuts to schools, leaving law enforcement and the military without pay, and raising the risk of recession, is this an opportunity to flip the congressional seats that elected Republicans but were won by Biden in the general?
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:
Rep. Brendan Boyle:
Twitter | House.gov | Website | FaceBook | Instagram
Please Support This Week’s Sponsors:
Miracle Made:
For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels with promo code WARROOM, go to trymiracle.com/warroom
Beam:
Try Beam’s best-selling Dream Powder and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/warroom and use code: WARROOM
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