The Smerconish Podcast

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is it essential for any peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine to include Russia surrendering all territories seized since 2014? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.

With the fast moves that Elon Musk is making under the "Department of Government Efficiency" umbrella as directded by President Trump, many say this might be illegal under the constitution, as all other branches of government are not being involved in the decision making. Are we in a constitutional crisis? NBC/MSNBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos joins Michael to say, no. Original air date 12 February 2025.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If Elon Musk uncovers substantial waste, fraud, and abuse, will skepticism about his motives overshadow his findings? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.

Admiral James Stavridis is a retired four-star U.S. naval officer. He is currently Partner and Vice Chair, Global Affairs of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. He is also 12th Chair of Rockefeller Foundation board.  Previously he served for five years as the 12th Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as 16th Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counter piracy, and cyber security. He also served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006-2009. He earned more than 50 medals, including 28 from foreign nations in his 37-year military career.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. Treasury stop minting new pennies? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.

There's more to the story: If the USAID doesn't spend $20M on funding Sesame Street broadcasts in war-torn areas to teach literacy, inclusion, and critical health lessons to children, who will they learn from instead of Big Bird? Some might say, Al-Qaeda. This conversation is about the bigger picture, about how programs like the aforementioned are part of the United States showing its "Soft Power" around the world. Learn much more here in Michael's interview with the person who coined that "Soft Power" term, Joseph S. Nye Jr. He is University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, and former Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Original air date 10 February 2025.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If the 2024 presidential election were re-run today, would the result be the same? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.

Sal Paolantonio covers the National Football League for SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, NFL Life and Fantasy Football Now. He also hosts the long-running X's and O's weekly preview show, NFL Matchup.

While Elon Musk and his "Department of Government Efficiency" are slashing areas of federal spending to combat the current national debt ($36 trillion) and the current fiscal year's deficit ($711 billion), we remember going through something similar back in 2010: Simpson-Bowles, known as "The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform." There were 12 members of Congress and 6 private citizens on the commission. In the end, they failed to get the required super-majority vote to advance their recommendations to Congress. Michael today speaks with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who sat on the committee, and voted against the commission's recommendations 15 years ago. Then, hear from the audience on the current fiscal state of the United States. Original air date 7 February 2025.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the personal views and public statements of an actor/actress influence whether they win an Academy Award? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.