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A deep dive on the most important policy, political, and campaign story of the week, powered by National Journal’s expert correspondents. New episodes every Monday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 28, 2021 • 44min
Against the Grain Episode 137: Tug of War
CBS News senior political correspondent Ed O'Keefe talks about President Biden's push to win Democratic support for his agenda, the too-close-to-call Virginia governors race and what it's like to cover the White House.

Oct 18, 2021 • 55min
Against the Grain Episode 136: The Main Thing
Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report comes on the podcast to talk about Biden's challenges as a first term president, the pandemic influencing voter priorities and the outlook on midterm elections.

Oct 12, 2021 • 45min
Against the Grain Episode 135: Virginia State of Mind
Former Virginia congressman Tom Davis, a moderate Republican, breaks down the Virginia governors' race, its role in national politics, and how education has become the hottest topic in the race.

Oct 7, 2021 • 48min
Against the Grain Episode 134: Missing the Mark
Democratic pollster Mark Mellman comes on the podcast to discuss Biden's sinking approval numbers, growing anti-Israel sentiments in the Democratic party, and the challenges Democrats face to pass the president's agenda.

Sep 30, 2021 • 50min
Against the Grain Episode 133: Diagnosing the Pandemic
Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who is out with a new bestselling book, “Uncontrolled Spread: Why Covid-19 Crushed Us and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic," discusses when the pandemic will end, explains why Biden's vaccine mandate for private employers could backfire, and pinpoints the government's biggest mistakes throughout the COVID crisis.

Sep 24, 2021 • 46min
Against the Grain Episode 132: Democrats Divided
Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins the show to discuss the problems Democrats face by positioning themselves too far to the left on cultural issues. He also critiques how Democrats have handled the infrastructure and social spending legislation now before Congress.

Sep 17, 2021 • 53min
Against the Grain: Episode 131: David Vs. Goliath
Washington Examiner Senior Political Correspondent David Drucker joins the podcast to discuss his upcoming book, the retirement of Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, and the Virginia governor’s race.

Sep 9, 2021 • 50min
Episode 130: Republican Reboot
Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan joined the podcast to talk about his new book GOP 2.0 on why he believes the GOP needs to move on from former President Trump. He also discusses the state's Senate race and the 2024 presidential election.

Aug 13, 2021 • 55min
Episode 129: Not-so-Lazy Days of Summer
Republican strategist Scott Jennings joins the podcast to talk about the bipartisan infrastructure bill, mask and vaccine mandates, and the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Aug 5, 2021 • 50min
Episode 128: Behind Shontel Brown’s Victory
Democratic strategists Daniel Barash and Doug Thornell of SKDK join the podcast to reflect on their work on Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Shontel Brown's campaign against former Our Revolution President Nina Turner in the special election primary to replace HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.