The Latest

In a time when it can be difficult to find common ground in American politics one thing feels widely agreed upon, our collective dread for the upcoming presidential election. This week on the show we discuss just that with Time Magazine's Charlotte Alter, dissecting the current political landscape and the looming "Dread Election." Rick and Charlotte examine the widespread political fatigue among activists, the crucial role of young voters, and the influence of cancel culture on political discourse. Charlotte also highlights emerging young leaders and the quest for a message that resonates beyond the politically initiated.

Joe and Alex discuss yet another fiasco for the MAGA House GOP. How Democrats were able to turn the Hur hearing against the Republicans in their own hearing - and what it means long term. No wonder another GOP congressman is retiring. What's 50-60% of 2.9 million anti-Trump Republican votes? No wonder Joe thinks Trump's screwed. By the time you read this paragraph, Trump will have owed at least another thirty bucks of interest... And of course, the veepstakes we can't even believe we're discussing.

Stuart Stevens writes: "Over the next months, Americans will decide if the American experiment continues."

Need a dose of hope? Jen Mercieca brings it writing, "Not only...does it make good strategic sense for Democrats to embrace the terms of stability in American political discourse, not only would it help to defend American democracy from autocracy, but embracing these terms now might ultimately help to make America more democratic than it was before Trumpism."

Teri Kanefield covers the ongoing cycle of misinformation and outrage, fueled by fragmented media and profit-driven motives. What is the impact of partisan legal pundits and deliberate confusion tactics employed by certain media ecosystems on our public? Teri explains.

Sarah Ashton-Cirillo shines a light on the resistance efforts of anti-Putin groups and individuals in Russia, ranging from the Black Bridge partisan group to anarcho-communists. Following Navalny's passing, a shift in media attention and the renewed determination of Russian patriots aim to cripple and upend the Kremlin.

Robert McElvaine highlights the stark contrast between President Biden's SOTU and the opposition party's response and ambitions, “'Take America Back' means take the nation back from women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, non-“Christians,” and so on. Back to the days when the United States was 'a white man’s country.' Back to before the revolutionary changes that took off in 1964.as well as the GOP's dangerous alignment with authoritarianism."

David Pepper knows that we can begin to bring some accountability to Tennessee extremism through the Blue Tennessee program - because it's already been successful in other states.

Brian Daitzman examines the dangerous cult-like MAGA movement, its links to violence, and messianic adulation of Trump drawing parallels to Jim Jones and his doomed following.

David Pepper explains the media race to take the GOP misinformation bait - AGAIN - only to see today that Special Counsel Hur has more memory lapses under oath than he falsely claimed of Joe Biden.

Joe Trippi explains Buck's less than enthusiastic reaction to the possibility of be the No Labels "nominee."

Special Counsel Robert Hur testified on Tuesday and what Rick heard was evidence that the media is still not doing their jobs - and continue to put democracy at risk.

It’s difficult to tell where white Evangelicalism ends and Trumpism begins, so we’re excited Rick is joined by Sarah McCammon, NPR's national political correspondent and co-host of the NPR Politics podcast, about her book "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church." McCammon shares her personal narrative of growing up within the evangelical movement in the Midwest, her gradual estrangement from its teachings, and her eventual departure.

The Hur debacle, Britt's bad night, Ken Buck's ducking out, the RNC as Trump piggy bank - What does it mean for GOP congressional races that Trump is going to gobble up all the cash? Rick, Joe, and special guest David Pepper covered all that and much more!

Sean Hannity invents the term "Jacked up Joe" Fox includes a clip of an unhinged woman in a diner then completely lies about what she said. Lawrence Jones is awful. Kellyanne Conway clutches her pearls. Jesse Watters thinks Helium is combustible. It's a another wacky week on Fox News. Plus Juliet does a quick impression of Judge Jeanie and Katie Britt.

Al From sets the stakes for why we cannot afford a third-party spoiler this year: "Former President Trump has called for terminating the constitution and retribution against his political opponents. He poses an existential threat to our democracy. President Biden has made the preservation of democracy the central cause of his campaign."

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson stepped up to challenge Trump in the GOP primary and today he joins Rick to share his unique perspective on the state of the Republican Party, emphasizing the importance of returning to its traditional values of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and integrity. The discussion explores the challenges and strategies for reviving these core principles in today's insane political climate. The two also discuss the implications of Trump's potential re-election on the party's future, the importance of standing with allies, and the critical need for a Republican Party that actually solves problems.

With Super Tuesday in the books, why Joe and Alex agree... with Karl Rove? It turns out that calling your primary opponent's voters "communists" might not be a winning strategy. Why haven't the polls matched anywhere near the election results so far? Joe digs into it. And, yeah, you're going to see plenty of negative ads for the next eight months. "Those who have voted uncommitted will come out loud and strong to stop Trump"

What does Russia's disinformation attack on the U.S mean for our nation's future? Teri Kanefield examines the connections between the GOP & Putin's Russia, the strategies employed by the Internet Research Agency to spread societal division, and how successful hacking attempts by the GRU may continue to influence our elections.