RealClearPolitics Podcast

Join Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon, Richard Porter, and Andrew Walworth as they broadcast live from the GOP Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas. The episode kicks off with a recap of President Donald Trump's electrifying speech, where he promised a $5,000 dividend to every adult citizen if Republicans secure a victory in the midterms. The hosts dissect the implications of this bold claim, questioning its feasibility and potential impact on the electorate. As the discussion unfolds, the team reflects on the dynamics of the convention, highlighting Trump's ability to energize the crowd and the challenges faced by other Republican candidates. They also delve into the surprising endorsement of Republican Dave McCormick by Democratic Senator John Fetterman, raising questions about party alignment and voter sentiments in Pennsylvania. In the latter part of the episode, the conversation shifts to the intersection of technology and politics, with Carolina Lumeta reporting on an AI-focused event that coincided with the convention. The hosts explore the ongoing debates surrounding artificial intelligence, regulatory measures, and the potential risks associated with its rapid advancement. Finally, the episode pays tribute to the late Charlie Kirk, reflecting on his contributions to political discourse and the tragic loss felt by his family and community. The hosts emphasize the importance of respectful debate and the dangers of political violence. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon, and Carolina Lumeta as they report live from the GOP Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas. The team dives into the strategic implications of the convention, with insights from RNC Chairman Joe Gruters, who emphasizes the importance of putting President Trump on the ballot for the upcoming midterms. Carolina shares her thoughts on the Republican Party's messaging and key themes to watch for, including the push against Democratic socialism. The conversation shifts to the notable absences of some Republican candidates from swing districts, raising questions about Trump's influence on the ticket. The group explores the delicate balance candidates must strike between energizing the MAGA base and appealing to swing voters. With critical Senate races on the horizon, the hosts analyze individual state dynamics and the potential impact of local candidates on the broader national landscape. As the episode progresses, they discuss the significance of the convention for energizing the Republican voter base and the challenges posed by rising gas prices and inflation. They also touch on the evolving landscape of the Democratic Party and the potential ramifications of the upcoming elections for both parties. 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 Republican and Democratic Senate primaries in New Hampshire and the Republican Midterm Convention, which kicks off in Dallas tomorrow. The guys also discuss New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s signing ceremony last Friday marking the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Centers, where he passed the ceremonial pen to his Chief Counsel, Ramzi Kassem, who previously represented an al-Qaeda terrorist with links to the attack on the Pentagon. Also, students at Utah Valley University plan to protest a memorial event marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was killed by a gunman on the campus on September 10th. Lastly, Andrew and friends discuss back to school issues, including New York State’s decision not to release data showing school performance on Advance Placement tests and the progress of the charter school and school choice movements in the years since the Covid closures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump is set to address the nation tonight with an important update on the ongoing conflict in Iran, now entering its second month. Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon analyze the implications of the war, particularly in light of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks about reevaluating the United States' relationship with NATO. As questions arise regarding the effectiveness of NATO in the current geopolitical landscape, the trio debates whether the alliance still serves America's interests. The conversation shifts to the domestic front, discussing the potential political fallout from the war on gas prices and the upcoming elections. They also touch on President Trump's communication style and its impact on international relations. Additionally, the episode highlights the excitement surrounding NASA's Artemis 2 mission, which aims to return humans to the moon, and the contrasting opinions on the significance of space exploration. Finally, the discussion turns to the Supreme Court's hearing on birthright citizenship, with insights from Paul Thacker, who provides a detailed analysis of the legal arguments at play. The episode wraps up with a look at the intersection of sports and politics, focusing on the recent release of NBA guard Jaden Ivey and the implications of his views on LGBTQ issues. 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 delve into the latest immigration statistics from the Center for Immigration Studies, revealing a decline in both illegal and legal immigrant populations since President Donald Trump's administration began. They discuss the economic implications of these trends and whether Trump's immigration policies may be inadvertently harming the labor market. The conversation shifts to the political fallout from recent procedural votes in the House, as Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries reacts to defections within his party. The episode also features insights from Henry Olsen, who analyzes the upcoming midterm elections, the potential impact of redistricting, and the dynamics of the Democratic Party leading into 2028. 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 results of yesterday’s Democratic primaries in Massachusetts, newly released video from 2020 of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico talking about capitalism and the oil industry, and the fallout from the conflict between former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta joins in to discuss the politics of data centers in the midterms. The guys then discuss the recent deportation of former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos who has described himself as a “persecuted human rights icon.” 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 Democratic Senate primary in Massachusetts and yesterday’s 5-4 Supreme Court decision allowing construction of the White House ballroom to continue. Then, Matthew Gould, former British Ambassador to Israel and former deputy ambassador to Iran joins the guys to discuss the internal politics of Iranian leadership and how understanding that dynamic should inform U.S. policy toward Tehran. And finally, they discuss the Texas Senate race and the latest controversy over male cheerleaders in the NFL. 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 RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss the latest changes in US strategy in Iran, President Trump’s oil deal with Venezuela, and the renaming of Lake Ontario. Then, Presidential historian Tevi Troy joins them to discuss the Michigan Senate race and President Trump’s strategy for the midterm elections. Next, they discuss Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to renew her membership in the Democratic Socialists of America and the debate within the DSA concerning whether the organization should support her for president. And finally, they do a preview of the Republican midterm convention to be held in Dallas. 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 Emily Jashinsky discuss the Iran War hitting the six month mark and Trump's approval rating. They also talk about RFK Jr. saying that Pennsylvania health officials fabricated 2 recent measles deaths. Next, they discuss a new City Journal piece analyzing the dysfunctional government in Los Angeles. And finally, they chat about Dolly Parton's legacy of goodness and San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York who was busted in a prostitution sting earlier this week in Ohio. 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 Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss the GOP Senate runoff in South Carolina, and other Senate races in Iowa, Texas, and Alaska. Then, they are joined by Susan Crabtree to discuss her story about 3 members of the Secret Service communications dept being suspended. And, they also talk about Pete Hegseth's firing of the publisher, editor and reporter from the Stars and Stripes. Next, they discuss Meta's landmark $17 billion settlement with states over teen media addiction case. And finally, they talk about the passing and legacy of superstar singer and cultural icon Dolly Parton. 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 Carolina Lumetta discuss the GOP Senate runoff in South Carolina, Abdul El-Sayed debating Jesse Watters on FOX News, and Hakeem Jeffries' video about his meeting with Jared Kushner. Next, they discuss the Supreme Court decision on mail ballots, the Trump administration's unprecedented mass visa revocation program, and Marco Rubio's announcement the U.S. has removed Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terror. Then finally, they chat about Carolina Lumetta's article on Trump cabinet members all taking to TikTok, and the robot Olympics being held in China. 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 Richard Porter discuss Trump's economic 'D-Day' against Iran, his exploding trade war with Canada, and his stumping on behalf of Darline Graham in South Carolina over the weekend. Next, they interview Professor Jonathan Turley over his new book, "Rage and the Republic" and his Fox News column today calling Hasan Piker the "hateful Pied Piper of the left". And lastly, they discuss the news that the Washington Post has been ordered to rehire opinion columnist Karen Attiah after an arbiter found they had not proven she had engaged in "gross misconduct". They also touch on the most recent controversy in the WNBA. 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 President Donald Trump’s support for Darlene Graham’s Senate bid in South Carolina, Pete Buttigieg’s decision to appear in the state this weekend to court Black voters, and Rep. Seth Moulton’s challenge to incumbent Democratic Senator Ed Markey in Massachusetts. Next, RCP National Political Correspondent Susan Crabtree joins the guys to discuss Eric Swalwell’s legal problems, including the FBI’s recent seizure of his cell phone and laptop and new information on his relationship with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese spy. Also, a new New York Times article profiled Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s wife Jennifer, claiming that she is shaping the job “as no Pentagon spouse has before.” Then, they discuss the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to move to Britain after six years of living in the U.S. And finally, the guys deliver their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. 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 and Carl Cannon discuss the politics of data centers and artificial intelligence, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s new Executive Order on stricter requirements for data center developers in the state. Also a PAC supported by the AI company Anthropic is spending millions on ads to support Republican candidates who advocate regulation of AI, including Florida Republican Senator Ashley Moody. Then, Tom Bevan joins the guys and Harmeet Dhillon, US assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, comes on to discuss election integrity and the Department’s plan to deploy 1,000 poll monitors nationwide in the 2026 midterms. Then lastly, they discuss the politics of the U.S. national debt, which topped $40 trillion for the first time this week. 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 Tuesday's primary results, including self-proclaimed DSA member Angie Nixon’s surprise victory in the Democratic senate primary in Florida and the results of Alaska’s ranked voting contest. Also, current Sen. Darlene Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman faced off last night in a debate for the South Carolina Senate GOP nomination. Then, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), author of the new book, "No Prophets, the Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism", joins the guys to discuss what he sees as the “most dangerous political movement” in the United States and names House Speaker Johnson and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as among its leaders. Next, they discuss the legal battle between Disney/ABC and the Federal Communications Commission over what Disney claimes are violation of its first amendment rights. And finally, David Morens pled guilty to hiding federal records during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to cover up questions regarding the Wuhan Lab and the origins of the virus. 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 preview today’s primary elections in Florida and Alaska. Then, they discuss the growing opposition to Flock surveillance cameras and Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley’s defense of the company’s practices. They also cover Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed 57 percent increase in passenger-vehicle highway tolls and GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s call to eliminate tolls entirely. Then finally, Nick Eberstadt of the American Enterprise Institute joins the guys to discuss President Donald Trump’s recent overtures to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, as well as Trump’s decision to scale back U.S. participation in South Korea’s current military exercises. 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 Democratic National Committee’s weekend meeting in Austin, TX and the internal struggle between traditional Democrats and the party’s emerging socialist wing. Also, they talk about the Democratic Socialists of America celebrating the 100th birthday of Fidel Castro just in time for tomorrow’s Florida Democratic primary. Then, they discuss the online fight between billionaire Mark Cuban and California Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) over the state’s proposed billionaire wealth tax. And, they chat about Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer agreeing that “no one” wants to talk about Covid. Next, they discuss the apparent suicide of Jason Arday at age 41, who was the youngest ever Black professor at the University of Cambridge and was accused of plagiarism and lying about his background. And finally, they talk about a mother and daughter at Sunday’s WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream who were instructed by security to cover up the XX-XY t-shirts they were wearing in support of player Sophie Cunningham. 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, Emily Jashinsky and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss the resignation of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and the Administration’s request that the Supreme Court intervene to implement President Trump’s executive order restricting the use of mail-in ballots ahead of the midterms. Next, Andrew, Tom and Emily discuss New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s response to questions about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) who recently remarked that “Woke 1” was “crazy.” Also, A former employee of the Southern Poverty Law Center has been arrested on charges that she oversaw secret payments to informants inside white supremacist groups, including one with whom she allegedly had a romantic relationship with at the time. And finally, they discuss the possibility of Paramount/Skydance leaving California to avoid the state’s anti-trust challenge to its merger with Warner Bros./Discovery. Also, incoming freshmen at the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts will not receive grades for the first semester in order to “curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals.” 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 Josh Kraushaar, editor in chief of Jewish Insider and a political analyst for Fox News Radio discuss the results of yesterday’s primary elections including South Carolina’s special election for the GOP senate nomination and the primaries for the governor’s race in Wisconsin. Next, they discuss New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani who is facing pushback over the rollout of the city’s new "pied-a-terre tax" and whether the NYPD would provide security for his wife’s upcoming trip to Lebanon and Syria. And finally, they discuss Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette’s recent podcast appearance where they discuss MAHA and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s diet, and new vaccine guidelines from the White House. 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 RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss today’s primary elections including new polling from South Carolina’s special election for the GOP senate nomination. Also, the Wall Street Journal reports states are making efforts to clean up their voting rolls in anticipation of attacks by the Trump Administration this fall. Then, Peter Berkowitz, author Explaining Israel: The Jewish State, the Middle East, and America, joins Andrew and Tom to talk about the state of U.S./Israel relations in the wake of Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of the Trump Administration’s latest peace plan for Gaza. Also, Israel’s reaction to the new defense pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Then finally, Andrew, Tom and Sean discuss Hunter Biden’s recent appearance on Tucker Carlson’s podcast and the politics of the declining crime rate in America, as both Democrats and Republicans take credit for long-term downward trends in criminality. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.