RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss today’s economic news, including new inflation numbers from the Commerce Department, the end of tariff exemption for small-value shipments from overseas, and the lowest Labor Day weekend gas prices since 2020. Then they talk about the lessons of Hurricane Katrina on the storm’s 20th anniversary, FEMA’s future, and “you cannot be serious” stories for the week. Tom Bevan talks to Matt Podgorski, pollster for M3 Strategies, and Richard Porter, former RNC Committeeman from Illinois, about a new poll on public support for a potential national guard deployment to Chicago. Then Tom chats with Fox News contributor Trey Gowdy, former prosecutor, congressman, and author of the new novel, The Color of Death.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss media coverage of the transgender shooter in yesterday’s attack on the Annunciation Catholic Church school in Minneapolis, as well as his writings and recordings prior to the shooting that included slogans written on gun magazines such as “Kill Donald Trump,” “For the children,” and “6 million were not enough". They also talk about the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez after she refused to resign from her post, and the resignations of other top CDC officials that followed. Plus, the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics disagree over who should get the latest Covid-19 booster. Next, Tom talks to Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO, about his latest poll results regarding voters attitudes toward President Trump’s job performance, inflation, and the Epstein files. And finally, Carl talks to Real Clear Investigations writer James Varney on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which he covered as a reporter for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans. 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 today’s school shooting in Minneapolis. And, they discuss a new poll by the Associated Press which shows 81 percent of Americans believe crime in major cities is a “major problem” and 53 percent approve of President Trump’s handling of the issue. They also talk about a special election for the state senate in Iowa with outsized implications, and “the two-state solution” for California - the GOP's response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan is to divide California in two. Next, RCP contributor Maggie Miller talks to RealClear Investigations journalist Lee Fang about how some of the nation’s wealthiest philanthropies are supporting efforts to reshape math instruction around social-justice principles. And finally, Carl Cannon talks to Amir Kanpurwala, co-founder of the opinion research firm “Outward Intelligence,” about Gen Z voter behavior. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP White House reporter Phil Wegmann discuss Trump's newsy day yesterday, including his response to Phil's question about communism and his comment that he's thinking about how to get into heaven. They also talk about President Trump firing Lisa Cook, member of the FED board of governors AND media coverage of the big crime issue. Next, Carl speaks to Cathi Warren and Anne Welty about changes to the SNAP program. And lastly, Andrew Walworth speaks to JC Sandberg. He's the Chief Policy Officer for the American Clean Power Association which represents energy storage, solar, hydrogen and wind power companies. They talked about the Trump Administration’s decision to issue a stop work order on the Revolution Wind project off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, which is 80 % completed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Guests Alex Hutchinson, an author exploring human curiosity and risk-taking, and Andy Rotherham, a former Virginia school board member, dive into hot-button issues. They discuss President Trump's controversial plans to deploy National Guard troops to cities facing crime spikes, the political implications of his actions, and the growing political tensions in Virginia's gubernatorial race. Hutchinson elaborates on the innate human desire for exploration and how it relates to making bold career decisions, while Rotherham tackles education policy challenges amid shifting party dynamics.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Emily Jashinsky, host of the “After Party” podcast, discuss the FBI raid of the home and office of former national security advisor John Bolton, and a Florida judge who has ordered a stop to construction at the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigrant facility in the Everglades due to environmental concerns. Then, they discuss the pros and cons of mail-in voting, and a new memo from the centrist Democratic group Third Way on recommendations to the Democratic Party on language choice which includes 45 words that Democrats should avoid. After that, they talk about the politics of rebranding the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain, and they each give out their “You Cannot Be Serious” storied for the week. Then lastly, Maggie Miller talks with Dr. Kendall Conger, a former Duke University physician who claims he was dismissed after questioning the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion agenda and wrote about it for RealClear Investigations. 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 redistricting wars, including the latest developments in California and Texas. And, they discuss how the Latino vote figures into both parties’ redistricting plans and how Hispanic voters may be up for grabs in 2026 and beyond. Then, they discuss the Federal Reserve’s annual summer meeting which starts today in Jackson Hole, and what's at stake for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and the U.S. economy. Plus, why President Trump wants the government to take a ten percent stake in Intel. Next, Carl Cannon talks to Cato Institute Vice President for International Studies Ian Vazquez about the trial of Hong Kong newspaper owner Jimmy Lai, who has been imprisoned by the Chinese government since 2020 on charges of sedition and collusion. Final arguments in his case are being heard today, and a guilty verdict could result in life imprisonment. And lastly, Andrew Walworth talks to RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about Tulsi Gabbard’s plan to reorganize the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, including major cuts to the agency’s staff. 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 new New York Times article on what the paper calls the Democratic Party’s “Voter Registration Crisis". And, they discuss new polling from Texas on the GOP Senate primary contest between incumbent John Cornyn and challenger Ken Paxton, and how the GOP nominee would fare against possible Democratic candidates including Colin Allred, Beto O’Rourke and Jasmine Crockett. Then, they talk about a new Washington Post poll showing that 69 percent of D.C. residents oppose Trump taking control of the city’s police department, and Elon Musk’s signaling that he is not going to start a third political party and may instead end up supporting Vice President J.D. Vance for president. Plus, they chat about a new Time magazine profile of Democratic candidate for New York Mayor - Zohran Mamdani, and what changes his leadership might make in a city where rent control and high taxes are already in place. And then, Tom talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who has emerged as a leading opponent of President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Peter Lipsett, host of the Giving Ventures podcast and vice president of Donors Trust, joins the discussion about the evolving conservative landscape post-Trump. He dives into the ideological divide between national conservatism and traditional free conservatism, highlighting key disagreements shaping today’s politics. The conversation also touches on the impact of Trump's policies, particularly the controversial mail-in voting stance, and how recent electoral shifts in Pennsylvania signal broader changes within Republican voter dynamics.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and National Review columnist Heather Wilhelm discuss the latest events in Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and what happens next in the battle over redistricting in Texas as Democratic lawmakers return to the state. They also talk about New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd’s new essay on crime in Washington DC, and two trends in education: starting the school year earlier, and moving to a four-day school week. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to cultural critic and author Martha Bayles about Denzel Washington’s recent comments on cancel culture, and whether cancel culture is in decline in the Trump era. Then finally, RCP contributor Maggie Miller talks to RealClear Investigations writer James Varney about whether the U.S. can break China’s hold on rare earth minerals by expanding mining here within its own borders. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.