RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss new inflation data and what it may mean for the midterms, the economic and political impact of President Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks that he feels betrayed by the Trump Administration over diesel and alleged throttling of Starlink data transmission speed by the U.S. government, which affects Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian missile attacks. Then, Director of Emerson College Polling - Spencer Kimball; joins the guys to discuss new polling from Iowa and whether polls may be overstating Democratic turnout in the 2026 midterms. Next, they discuss a New York Times report on women cabinet members in the Trump Administration and a Politico report that President Trump is considering replacing Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. And then finally, former President Bill Clinton will make his first appearance on the campaign trail for the midterms in Florida next week, and Hillary Clinton returns with a new podcast on the midterms cohosted by Kara Swisher. 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, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss this morning’s press briefing by new White House Press Secretary Katie Zachariah, US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation, and Monday’s raid on the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) by the Department of Homeland Security. Also, reaction to the announcement by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that the firing squad execution of the Fort Hood terrorist would be steamed live. Next, Josh Kraushaar, editor in chief of Jewish Insider and a political analyst for Fox News Radio joins the guys to discuss the midterms, President Trump’s travel schedule in support of Republican candidates, and where the GOP is spending campaign money. Then, they talk about President Trump’s announcement of a deal to buy Russian diesel fuel in advance of the midterms. And finally, they discuss US District Judge Ana Reyes saying that the Trump Administration violated her instructions by cutting down hundreds of trees around East Potomac Golf Links, a public course in the nation’s capital. 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 last night’s senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine and a candidate debate for attorney general in New York State between incumbent Democrat Letitia James and Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy. Next, Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America and author of "The Primary Solution" joins the guys to discuss a new poll from RealClear Opinion Research sponsored by Unite America and potential reforms to the primary system. Then, they discuss the passing of Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka and the shooting by ICE of an alleged gang member who had his five-year-old son in this car at the time. And finally, they give up 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, Tom Bevan and RCP contributor Richard Porter discuss the third anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel, the possible consequences of a Democratic takeover of the Senate, and last night’s Senate debate in Maine. Then, RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta joins the guys to discuss President Trump’s offer to create a new presidential retreat in West Palm Beach, his announcement that he would not reimburse the government for political ads currently paid for by the Department of Homeland Security, and the reason Governor Gregg Abbott (R-TX) will not be appearing with Trump at a rally today in San Antonio. Next, they talk about a new article in RCP by Richard Porter on billionaire Ken Griffith’s decision to leave Chicago for Miami and his contribution of $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University for a new campus in Florida. And finally, they discuss new polling from Gallup that shows many people do not have faith in American elections. 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 causes behind this week’s riots in France and Sunday night’s presidential election results in Brazil, where conservative candidate Flavio Bolsonaro ended in first place and is headed to a run-off election on Octobe 25th against progressive incumbent Lula da Silva. Then, they discuss newly announced White House assistant secretary Beni Rai Harmony, a 24-year-old former White House reporter who posted a holiday picture of herself wearing an “F—Biden” t-shirt while holding a rifle. Also, President Trump promises to send a $90 refund check to 20 million American seniors to help pay for their Medicare Part B premiums before the midterm elections. Next, they talk about Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito who discussed his views of the Supreme Court on Fox News amid speculation that the 76-year-old jurist may be considering retirement. And finally, they take a look at the first day of this fall’s Supreme Court calendar, which includes review of a case brought by the city of Boulder against two large oil companies seeking restitution for environmental harm they attribute to climate change. 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 dive into the recent governor's debate in California between Democrat Javier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, hosted by CNN. The discussion centers around the debate's impact, with Becerra seemingly winning by simply not faltering, despite his significant lead in the polls. The team analyzes the candidates' strategies, including Hilton's populist appeal and Becerra's frequent references to President Donald Trump, questioning whether this approach effectively addresses Californian voters' concerns. They also touch on the implications of Becerra's record and the broader context of Democratic leadership in the state. Later, Nicole Russell from USA Today joins the conversation to discuss the Texas Senate race, focusing on Ken Paxton's struggles amid controversies and the potential impact of his decision not to debate opponent James Talarico. Russell highlights the unusual amount of money being spent on this race, questioning the strategic decisions made by the GOP in supporting Paxton. The episode wraps up with a look at the Maine Senate race, where Susan Collins appears to be gaining ground against her opponent, as well as the recent heroic actions of a passenger on a hijacked flight, drawing parallels to broader themes of courage and leadership. 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 this morning’s Senate testimony by Jack Smith, the former special counsel behind the federal criminal cases against Donald Trump. Also, a preview of today’s White House meeting between President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson and leaders of America’s top AI companies. Next, Emily Jashinsky joins the guys to discuss the controversy over a new television ad run by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) featuring a young white male on welfare, Hispanic voters in the midterms, and Madonna’s appearance on last Sunday’s VMA awards on CBS. Then lastly, they discuss the Trump Administration’s reversion of Title IX to exclude trans students and the salience of trans issues in the 2026 midterms. 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 last night’s state dinner at the White House. Then, Brian Gaffney joins the guys to discuss his new book "The School of Hard Knucks: My Three Sons and Baseballs’ Wildest Pitch”. Next they talk about a new study from Cornell University. And finally they wrap up with 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, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss today's arrival of Chinese leader Xi Jinping for meetings at the White House and a state dinner on Thursday night. Also, the latest efforts by CNN, MSNOW and Politico to regain access to the White House following President Trump’s decision to ban them from the building. Then, Joe Abraham, father of Katie Abraham, who was just twenty when she was killed in a car crash caused by an intoxicated illegal immigrant is now the executive director of VOICE (Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement), an office within ICE. He joins the guys to discuss efforts to support victims of illegal alien crime and their families. Next, they discuss the settlement between California and Paramount that clears the path to Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros/Discovery, which includes the cable news channel CNN. Also, they talk about The New York Times reporting a ProPublica investigation into why the FBI shut down a campaign finance inquiry into an advisor to Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). 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 White House ban of CNN, MSNOW and Politico and today’s meeting between NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump. Then, Mike Leon, Head of U.S. content for DAZN, the sports streaming platform and host of the podcast, “Can We Please Talk?” joins the guys to discuss the Protect College Sports bill and the future of college athletics. And finally, they discuss the President’s announcement that the proposed Washington Arch would now include drones, snipers and ammunition, and they also talk about this weekend’s protests at the Kennedy Center. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of RealClearPolitics, Andrew Walworth is joined by Washington bureau chief Carl Cannon and White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta to dissect the latest developments in the political landscape. They kick off with an analysis of the current RCP Senate map, highlighting the tight races in key states such as Michigan and Iowa, and discussing how candidates are navigating their relationships with controversial figures like Hasan Piker. The conversation shifts to the implications of President Trump's fluctuating approval ratings and his impact on Republican candidates as they approach the midterms. The panel reflects on Trump's recent remarks and campaign strategies, particularly in battleground states, and how these factors may influence voter sentiment. Additionally, the episode touches on the ongoing discussions surrounding the Kennedy Center and the president's controversial push for recognition amid renovation debates. Carolina shares insights from a recent press conference held in the Rose Garden, where Attorney General Todd Blanch addressed voting fraud efforts and the administration's communication strategies. Finally, the crew examines the implications of a lawsuit against Columbia University by Khalil, raising questions about free speech and the role of educational institutions in the current political climate.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) interview while fly fishing with CNN’s Jake Tapper, where he said he would not run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 if Kamal Harris decided to run. Also, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) returns to the Senate floor to vote yesterday after a three-month absence due to health problems. RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende joins the crew to discuss yesterday’s Supreme Court’s decision to block the Trump Administration from moving forward with restrictions on mail-in ballots before the 2026 midterms. Also, a look at campaign spending by Republican PACS for the midterms. Andrew and friends discuss reporting that a large portion of Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamian wedding activities this spring were paid for by a Russian businessman with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also, a Catholic couple from Northborough, Massachusetts has spoken out about their fight with the state, which has placed their biological daughter in child protective services and placed a restraining order on them saying the family was insufficiently supportive of the minor’s gender transition therapy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.