Beyond Politics

Is the Kamala-mentum waning? It's a question that was raised in Politico and that's being pushed by the Republican side, especially the Trump campaign. We have some data and some insights from where the campaigns are spending their money. Also, we ask why would Kamala Harris go to New Hampshire? The unfolding legal situations for hunter Biden and Donald Trump, both in court today. And a cute animal story that goes in a disturbing direction.

ABC Legal Analyst Kim Wehle explains how the Supreme Court's decision granting immunity to US Presidents is way more far-reaching that it appears. When paired with the "pardon power," Presidents now wield a devastating one-two punch of power. Wehle is the author of a fascinating new book on the history and law of the pardon, and why Americans need to understand just how dangerous this power has become. Also: a look at the current legal situations involving Donald Trump, Jack Smith's refiling of the election interference case, and Judge Aileen Cannon's dismissal of the classified documents case. 01:34 Jack Smith's Election Interference Case 05:38 Aileen Cannon and the Classified Documents Case 09:09 The Supreme Court's Role and Bias 20:58 The History and Importance of Pardon Power 26:23 Potential Reforms and Fixes 29:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, joins former President Barack Obama and Senator Raphael Warnock to discuss the elusive nature of political likability. They explore how personal connections, attractiveness, and compliments can sway voter opinions. The conversation highlights the intricate psychology of campaign ads and the unique challenges that women and candidates of color face in creating relatability. Through engaging anecdotes and strategies from past campaigns, they reveal the art of making politics more personal and appealing.

Matt, Paul, and Alicia discuss Donald Trump's unhinged rant on Truth Social plus the recent Arlington National Cemetery incident, which has pushed Trump to new levels of insanity. The panel explores what triggered Trump's meltdown: Jack Smith's refiled case against him. They also question why, despite Trump's outrageous behavior, the race remains a 50/50 toss-up. Plus, the 10-year anniversary of 'Tan Suit Gate' involving former President Barack Obama. 00:00 Introduction: Trump's Unhinged Rant 01:07 Analyzing Trump's Truth Social Meltdown 03:58 The Normalization of Trump's Behavior 06:09 Misogyny and Disrespect Towards Women 09:11 Arlington National Cemetery Incident 18:06 Jack Smith's Indictment and Trump's Reaction 23:39 Why is This Still a 50-50 Race? 33:04 Tansuitgate Anniversary

***Don't forget to check out our mini-series on the hidden psychology of political campaigns on ⁠YouTube⁠ or ⁠Spotify⁠.*** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDbNEHJ_pV4 RFK Jr.'s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and his subsequent endorsement of Donald Trump would, until very recently, have been viewed as a watershed. But when it finally went down late last week, it barely made waves. Will it matter? 02:59 RFK Jr.'s Support Base and Its Implications 09:42 Kamala Harris's Campaign Strategy 17:21 Trump's Response and Campaign Strategy 20:50 Psychological Techniques in Campaigns 24:31 Trump's Campaign Challenges 29:38 Potential October Surprise

In this engaging discussion, psychologist Lauren Goldstein and campaign veteran Matt Robison reveal how political ads play psychological tricks on our brains. They break down the difference between central and peripheral routes of persuasion, showcasing how emotional storytelling wins elections. A standout analysis of Kamala Harris's ad shines a light on effective messaging strategies that resonate with voters. They emphasize the importance of emotional connections in political advertising, driving home why understanding these tactics is crucial in today's campaigns.

What do Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party need to do in the final stretch of the campaign to secure a win against Donald Trump? Paul, Matt, and Alicia take stock of where we are and where we need to get to. They also break down Harris' acceptance speech and the DNC's overall performance, the importance of upcoming debates, and the critical swing state of Pennsylvania. 00:55 Analyzing Kamala Harris's Acceptance Speech 01:35 Critique of the Democratic Convention 04:54 Discussion on Political Reporting and Media 13:31 Upcoming Mini-Series 17:38 Current State of the Campaign 23:25 Debate Expectations and Strategies 27:03 The Role of Swing States 32:05 Kamala Harris's Debate Tactics 37:07 Election Polls and Predictions 40:45 The Grammar Debate

Was last night's set of Democratic Convention speeches a game changer for Dems? Paul, Alicia and Matt think it quite possibly was, and got into such a heated discussion about it over text that they decided to take it right to the podcast. We cover why Doug Emhoff hit a grand slam, what Michelle did that worked so well, and why Barack Obama's speech marked a critical shift in Kamala's strategy. 00:57 Reactions to Obama's Speech 04:11 Alicia's Take on Dougie's Speech 05:23 Obama's Subtle Jabs and Nitpicks 08:54 Generational Differences and Grace 15:35 Obama's Inflection Point in the Campaign 19:51 Debating Obama's Legacy 30:05 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Today, an unvarnished and unbiased deep dive into the numbers and the scenarios for the 2024 election with former executive director of the Republican Party in Florida, Jamie Miller. We ask what are the best strategies and likeliest potential outcomes for the presidential race as well as down-ballot races? And we try to step outside either party's partisan perspective to see where the opportunities and pitfalls are. 00:00 Introduction: Beyond Politics with Matt Robinson 00:02 Stepping Outside the Echo Chamber 00:34 Interview with Jamie Miller: A Reasonable Perspective 01:15 Convention Insights: Kamala Harris and the Final Stretch 01:44 Historical Speeches and Convention Experiences 02:28 Echo Chamber vs. TV Land: Communication Differences 02:54 Analyzing the Republican Convention 05:20 Paths to Victory: Harris vs. Trump 05:47 Polling Momentum and Strategic Predictions 08:22 Impact of Down-Ballot Races 18:41 Budgeting and Campaign Strategies 19:41 The Importance of Key States 33:27 Debate Impact and State Strategies 35:03 Florida Politics: Crazy Stories and Strategic Errors 37:45 Conclusion: Wrapping Up with Jamie Miller

With polling data showing Kamala Harris bursting into the lead ahead of Donald Trump, what do they need to do at the upcoming conversation to keep the momentum going and propel them into November. Also, why are voters suddenly rating Harris ahead of Trump on the economy? Also, the controversy surrounding Olympic gymnast Jordan Childs and the governing body's decision to take away her medal. 01:43 Polling and Kamala's Momentum 05:27 Communication Tips for Dems 08:58 Balancing Policy and Values 13:50 Convention Entertainment 18:53 Warming Up the Crowd for Barack 21:27 Economic Plans and Voter Sentiments 23:49 Poll Results and Voter Trust 25:09 Emotional Resonance in Politics 33:46 Olympic Gymnastics Controversy