Never Bet Against America

A demented, fascist, malignant narcissist and a normal old guy walk onto a debate stage...no, it's not the beginning of a joke, it's this Thursday night's debate. Dr. John Gartner and Stuart Stevens talk with Resolute Square's Lisa Senecal about what to expect when Dementia Don and Good Ole Joe meet on the debate stage. It's a preview not to be missed!

Joe and Alex discuss the latest from the Sunshine State... why Florida might be closer than people realize. And what does that mean nationally? We zoom out and look at that new Fox News poll that has some VERY encouraging numbers under the hood. Turns out 34 felony convictions isn't actually a good thing... And what does Joe think President Biden has to do to win the debate next week? It all comes down to one word...

Brian looks at Biden's mental ability and his coping mechanisms for his stutter, compared Trump's erratic behavior and memory lapses raise concerns about his cognitive decline.

The steady decline of traditional media seems a near certainty. In this podcast episode, Rick speaks with Margaret Talev, a journalist and head of the Institute for Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship at Syracuse University. They discuss the evolving challenges in the news industry, including the decline of local news, the rise of misinformation on social media, and the growing distrust in media, particularly among conservatives. Talev emphasizes the importance of reliable news sources for a healthy democracy and describes efforts to rebuild local news and civic engagement. She also shares insights from focus groups and polling on voter behavior and media consumption, highlighting the impact of media sources on public perceptions and polarization.

In this week's Campaign Memo, Stuart Stevens writes of his decades of experience prepping candidates for debates, "Over the years, I’ve developed strong opinions on debates, how to prep, and how to win."