RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss today’s special election in Tennessee’s reliably red seventh congressional district, where Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn is locked in a surprisingly close race with Republican Matt Van Epps for the seat vacated last summer by Representative Mark Green. Then, they discuss today’s cabinet meeting at the White House, and what is next in Venezuela and the Ukraine War. Also, new reporting on Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, USN Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley and the September 2nd attack on an alleged drug gun boat in the Caribbean, where two survivors of the initial airstrike were reportedly killed by a follow-on strike. And lastly they discuss a plan announced by billionaire Michael Dell and his wife Susan to give $250 to each of 25 million American children to supplement proposed “Trump Accounts,” for a total gift of $6.25 billion. Plus, they chat about new rules going into effect for Pentagon reporters, with press briefings scheduled for this week that will be attended by only a few conservative outlets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss whether the recent ambush of two National Guard members by an Afghan national will prompt changes in immigration law, and President Donald Trump’s remarks about Somali immigrants and the need for what he calls “reverse migration". Then, they discuss press reports that the U.S. Military killed two survivors of a September 2nd attack on a drug boat in the Caribbean, and Congressional calls for an investigation into Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s role in the alleged incident. Then finally, they talk about a New Yorker article by Benjamin Wallace-Wells on the effect of rising political violence on Americans’ willingness to participate in politics, and what can be done to lower the temperature of the national debate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy Thanksgiving! Here are some past interviews for you to enjoy on this holiday. Carl Cannon talks to human rights advocate Katrina Lantos Swett about threats to religious liberty here and around the world. Lantos Swett is President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, and former Chair and Vice-Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Tom Bevan talks to John Tillman, the founder of MediaPedia, a new company that hopes to provide transparency when it comes to media bias. The company uses artificial intelligence to rate the ideological leaning of reporters, which it says allows it to “empower news consumers to see the bias behind the bylines of legacy news outlets.” Andrew Walworth talks to war correspondent and former New York Times Pentagon reporter Thom Shanker about singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, whose gimlet-eyed view of world politics endeared him to a generation of foreign policy practitioners and observers. Zevon, who died in 2003 from cancer, was earlier this month inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Phil Wegmann, the RCP White House correspondent known for his insights on foreign affairs, dives into the controversial leak of a conversation between Envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart. He discusses the intra-party divides within the Republican Party regarding Ukraine support and the implications of their foreign policy stance. The conversation also touches on surprising polling data in Tennessee's special election, revealing a tight race that challenges assumptions about voter sentiment.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the latest on ceasefire negotiations in the Ukraine War, and whether Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are at odds over how to move forward. Also, a look at the possible court martial of Senator Mark Kelly for his participation in a video that urged service members to refuse unlawful orders from their superiors. And a judge decides to delay the Administration’s case against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Then, Will Rinehart of the American Enterprise Institute joins the guys to discuss the politics of building new, massive data centers across the country and Americans’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Then finally, they discuss polling in New Hampshire that shows Pete Buttigieg in first place in the race for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, and an article in the RealClearPolitics Takeaway newsletter today on new polling from The Pew Research Center concerning voters' feelings about President Trump’s job performance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss relations between President Donald Trump and New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, and whether the two can find common ground to help make the city more affordable for its residents. Also, Trump is developing his plan to address the high cost of health insurance. Will it be the basis for a compromise that could avoid a government shutdown in January? Then, Dean of the Institute for World Politics - James S. Robbins joins the guys to discuss the latest on ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine, and the rising military pressure on Venezuela, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan “Raizin” Cain visits troops in the Caribbean. Then lastly, they discuss the news that Rep. Marjorie Tayor Greene (R-GA) will depart Congress in January, and what her political future may hold. Plus, a “teen takeover” of the annual tree-lighting ceremony in Chicago’s Millennium Park in Chicago on Friday night left one 14-year old boy dead from gunfire and many others wounded, raising new questions about the way the city handles crime. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss a video released by six Democratic lawmakers with military and national security backgrounds that urges American service members to not follow illegal orders from their superiors, and President Donald Trump’s response. They also talk about Senator Eric Swalwell (D.CA) declaring his candidacy in the governor’s race in California, and Trump critic George Conway saying he may enter the Democratic primary for Rep. Jerry Nadler’s congressional seat in mid-town Manhattan. Next, they discuss front page stories in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal about the growing involvement of billionaires in American politics, and the struggle of middleclass Americans to make ends meet. Then, Rep. Gosh Gottheimer (D-NJ) joins the guys to discuss whether Democrats and Republicans can devise a compromise on health insurance costs that will avoid another government shutdown in January. And finally, a look ahead at today’s Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and they give their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories of the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the announcement that President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will meet for the first time face-to-face tomorrow in the Oval Office. And, they talk about Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent telling Fox News that taxpayers may receive a $2,000 “tariff dividend” next year, but he hopes they won’t spend it. Then, they discuss today’s funeral in Washington DC for former Vice President Dick Cheney. Plus, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) has been indicted on charges of stealing $5 million from FEMA during the Covid 19 crisis, funds she allegedly largely used to run for a seat in the House of Representatives, and hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyers announces his candidacy for the governor’s race in California. Then finally, Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America and the author of the book "The Primary Solution", joins the guys to discuss his proposal to create open primaries, a reform that he says will make politicians more responsive to all their constituents, not just the party faithful who vote in closed primary elections. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss reports of a “secret” peace plan that is being negotiated by President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterparts without input from Ukraine. Then, they talk about fallout from yesterday’s Oval Office comments by President Trump and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the murder of Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Next, RCP White House reporter Phil Wegmann joins the guys to discuss what's next in the efforts to compel the Justice Department to release documents related to the Epstein case. And, they chat about Trump’s relations with the press: he insults Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey, calling her “piggy” on Air Force One, and during yesterday’s Oval Office press opportunity, he tells ABC News White House reporter Mary Bruce that the FCC should revoke the network’s license. Then finally, they discuss the state of the redistricting battle across the country, including Texas where Republicans have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court challenging a federal three-judge panel’s rejection of the most recent remapping of the state’s congressional districts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center, sheds light on the Cook County property-tax crisis and the looming threat of a tax revolt. He discusses how downtown commercial declines are impacting residential neighborhoods, particularly in Black areas. The conversation dives into the proposed head tax, its potential negative effects on investment, and the unexpected pushback from the City Council. Additionally, they analyze the political consequences for Mayor Brandon Johnson amidst the fiscal turmoil, offering a glimpse into the intricate world of local governance.