RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss the performances of J.D. Vance and Tim Walz during last night’s vice-presidential debate, the impact on the 2024 race, and on each of the candidates’ future prospects. They also talk about the moderators of the vice-presidential debate and whether there will be another presidential debate before the election. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about how Democrats, Republicans, and the media are responding to the debate. Then winding it up, Carl Cannon talks to Kelly Loeffler, former Senator from Georgia, about her impressions of last night’s debate performances by both candidates.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss this morning’s missile attack of Israel by Iran, the Biden/Harris administration’s response, and the prospects of a wider war in the Middle East. They also talk about what both Tim Walz and J.D. Vance will try to accomplish in tonight’s’ vice presidential debate and the political impact of today’s massive port strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association. Next, they chat about Monday night’s Montana Senate debate between incumbent Democrat John Tester and GOP challenger Tim Sheehey, who are locked in a race that may decide which party controls the US Senate. Also, President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday. And finally, Tom Bevan talks to RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende about competitive US Senate races and what today’s polls tell us about who may control the Senate after November.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl look forward to tomorrow’s vice-presidential debate and discuss new swing state polls that show the Pennsylvania Senate race tightening up. They also talk about President Biden’s handling of Hurricane Helene and the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live this past weekend which began with a cold open lampooning presidential rallies featuring Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan and Dana Carvey. Next, Carl Cannon talks to J. Peder Zane of RealClear Investigations about how public schools are embracing business principles to measure performance with surprising results. And lastly, Andrew Walworth talks with Henry Olsen, host of the Beyond the Polls podcast, about the most recent data on the Hispanic vote which is trending away from Democrats nationally and in the critical swing states of Arizona and Nevada.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss Kamala Harris’ campaign appearance at the US border with Mexico today and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit at the White House yesterday and meeting with Donald Trump this morning in New York City. They also talk about Phil’s exclusive reporting on the conflict between the Heritage Foundation, which sponsored Project 2025, and the initiative’s former director Paul Dans. Then, Andrew Walworth talks to RCP national political correspondent Susan Crabtree about her latest stories on the Secret Service, including recent House members’ saying that the agency’s unwillingness to deploy aerial drones played a factor in both recent assassination attempts against Donald Trump and the latest on a Secret Service agent accused earlier this week of sexual assault against a Harris staffer. And wrapping it up, RCP contributor Charlie Stone talks to John P. Burke - president of Trek Bicycles about his latest book "A Bold Plan for America: 14 Nonpartisan Solutions Based on the Facts".

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss Kamala Harris’ first solo network news interview conducted last night by Stephanie Ruhle on MSNBC and they chat about Harris’ decision to visit the US/Mexican border tomorrow. Then, they talk about the new poll results that show growing Democratic strength in Texas and the announcement this morning that New York Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted for accepting illegal campaign contributions from overseas sources. Next, Carl talks to RCP contributor Bill Whelan of the Hoover Institution about California, politics, and baseball. And finally, Andrew talks to historian Jay Cost, author of "Democracy or Republic? The People and the Constitution" about the history of America’s two party system, and the effect that Donald Trump has had on the GOP.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss Kamala Harris’ economic policy speech delivered today in Pittsburgh and look forward to her first solo television network interview which will be conducted tomorrow by Stephanie Ruhle on MSNBC. They also talk about the new poll results from Gallup showing for the first time in 30 years; Republicans lead Democrats in terms of party affiliation during the third quarter of an election year. Plus, they have a discussion of Jamie Dimon’s announcement that he will not back either presidential candidate in November’s election. Next, Tom Bevan talks with RCP national political correspondent Susan Crabtree about her story today that a Secret Service agent has been accused of sexual assault against a staffer who works for Vice President Kamala Harris. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to Catholic University professor Jakub Grygiel about tomorrow’s White House meeting between President Biden and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky and what Zelensky’s “Victory Plan” might entail.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss President Biden’s appearance today at the United Nations and Donald Trump’s speech in Savannah, Georgia where he focused on taxes and economic policy. They also chat about RCP’s “This Day in History” feature which allows users to compare polling averages across the last 3 presidential elections. Plus, they have a discussion about Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelinsky’s comments criticizing Trump and J.D. Vance and his visit to Scranton, Pennsylvania to tour a US munitions factory making missiles used in the Ukraine War. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to RCP contributor Selena Zito about the state of the presidential and senatorial races in the swing state of Pennsylvania. And finally, six weeks before Election Day, Tom Bevan talks with RCP senior elections analyst Sean Trende about national and swing state polls.

Andrew, Tom, and Carl discuss Kamala Harris’ decision to not attend the traditional Al Smith Dinner in New York and the politics of a second presidential debate before Election Day. They also chat about today’s release of a letter written by the alleged Trump assassin and Joe Biden’s appearance tomorrow at the United Nations annual meeting in New York. Next, Carl interviews Patricia Murphy of the Atlanta Constitution about the state of the presidential race in the key battleground state of Georgia. And lastly, Andrew talks to Peter Berkowitz of the Hoover Institution about the intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and the Pentagon announcement that the US will deploy additional troops to the Middle East.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP contributor and host of The Unknowns Charlie Stone discuss Kamala Harris’ virtual campaign event with Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump’s appearance at the Israeli American Council National Summit in Washington, DC. They also talk about how the Harris campaign is outspending the Trump campaign by a factor of 20 to 1 on digital advertising and today’s unanimous House vote to improve protections for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP White House reporter Phil Wegmann about whether Democrats are moderating their campaign rhetoric in the wake of a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump. And finally, Andrew Walworth speaks to RealClear Investigations contributor Julie Kelly about the Justice Department’s treatment of January Sixth defendants and whether the tempo of J-6 arrests has increased in recent months for political purposes.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Unherd Washington correspondent Emily Jashinsky discuss the Teamster Union’s decision to endorse neither presidential candidate in this year’s election and new polls that show housing costs are of rising concern among swing state voters. They also talk about new polling from Howard University that shows Kamala Harris doing better among Black voters in swing states and news that some Chicago teachers report that they have been instructed to pass immigrant students regardless of their academic performance. Next, Carl Cannon talks with Michael Bright, CEO of Structured Finance Association, about the Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates and its impact on the economy and the upcoming election. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to journalist A.B. Stoddard of the Bulwark about Donald Trump’s recent allegation that November’s election may be compromised by the US Postal Service’s ability to handle mail-in ballots and the response by US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.