2024 Presidential Election

Special guest Michael Podhorzer explains why living and dying by every poll between now and next November is pointless.

Joe describes how polls have become little more than "feelings thermometers," and why it's a problem that the media doesn't recognize that.

Joe Biden is facing a challenge in 2024, but is it Trump? The short answer is "no."

All polling is based on modeling, but Stuart's tracking how inaccurate those models have proven to be in a world and electorate that has dramatically changed.

Do the 40+% of Iowa Caucus voters who voted against Trump signal an opportunity for a Biden victory in November?

Jeff describes the long slide on the political right beginning in the days of Jerry Falwell and how we're now at the point of "conservatives" pushing theology as policy.

A top-to-bottom purge of non-partisan civil servants from government to be replace by Trump loyalists and sycophants - all with a theocratic, Christian Nationalist agenda. Kristin lays it out.

The GOP convention next week will not be and cannot be treated as though it's a normal political convention. Mark Jacob explains.

Well now, that was fun! Frank Rich, award-winning journalist, and Emmy and Golden Globe winning Executive Producer for shows including VEEP and Succession, joined Rick, Joe, and Stuart last night for a super-smart, riveting, and fun conversation. Catch up now!

The gloves came off as host Maya May, viral video sensation, and parent of Gen Z’ers, Kristen Toomey, and expert on Gen Z voters and founder and executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, Santiago Mayer discussed “WTF is happening with Gen Z male voters supporting Trump?” What’s the appeal of hypermasculinity and the influencers who push it? Is comedy the answer to bringing them back before we lose an important segment of the electorate for good? Catch up now!

The first part of Chapter 10 introduces the fictional character Dr. Joy Brewer, a dedicated researcher focused on studying cancer clusters affecting Black Americans. Joy learns from her colleague, Dr. Matthias Kunz, that all federal grants linked to race or gender are being canceled, jeopardizing her life’s work. Despite her attempts to advocate for her essential research, the political climate forces her into a corner where she must reconsider her direction. This part of the chapter closes with Joy’s resolute decision to remain true to her mission, suggesting a significant personal and professional loss amidst the disaster of Trump and his ideological allies. In the second part of chapter, the fictional Webster "Web" Powers, addresses a packed ballroom in Washington, D.C., on a day he considers pivotal for his political ambitions. Web, who has transformed from a simple condo salesman into a powerful figure opposing what he sees as “woke” ideologies in education and government, relishes the fear among his audience—representatives from universities and research institutions. He recalls how his concerns about a lack of patriotic historical education for his children led him on a crusade to eliminate anti-American content from schools, which in turn propelled him into politics. After achieving success in Florida by banning critical race theory and related concepts from education, he is ready to extend his efforts nationally. During his speech, he unveils plans to remove references to race, gender identities, and diversity from federal policies and grants, branding the funding of such initiatives as “racism.” His announcement indicates that billions in federal research funds supporting various racial and gender-focused studies will now be terminated, causing dread among established academics who relied on these grants. Web takes pleasure in exerting control, sensing that his audience, once dismissive towards him, is now subservient to his newfound authority. Ultimately, both narratives illustrate what happens when a Trump second term guided by Project 2025 destroys the lives and work of dedicated individuals committed to social justice and scientific integrity. We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode: Danai Gurira and Joel Hurt Jones who read the chapter and others who contributed character voices. Sound design by Jonathan Moser and Marilys Ernst. Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is written by David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

Gabriel Sherman discusses his new Trump biopic, The Apprentice, and the toxic bond between Roy Cohn and a young Donald Trump. He reflects on how Cohn’s influence shaped Trump’s political tactics and character, revealing a dark legacy of manipulation and corruption. Sherman also offers insight into the behind-the-scenes struggles surrounding the film, including Trump’s ultimately unsuccessful efforts to block its release—yet another predictable, calculated move. Follow Gabriel Sherman on X @GabrielSherman and find a local screening of the film “The Apprentice” at theapprenticemovie.com.

Last week on Fox News the 2024 election was reduced to a battle to win over one of the smallest voting demographics in the American electorate - Black men a group normally loyal to the Democratic Party. The network also ramped up fear of the emasculating left by pushing stories of trans female athletes and government programs that pay for gender affirming surgeries for prisoners. Kamala Harris was presented as an evil shrew while Tim Walz was an ineffective effeminate even though he’s been a highly successful politician since he flipped a Republican Congressional district blue and rose to the highest office in the state of Minnesota.

Old friend Reed Galen joins Joe and Alex with a report from on the ground... pretty much everywhere! Reed's traveling the battlegrounds with The Union - what's he seeing in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan? What are voters actually talking about? Plus, Joe and Reed talk about how organizing can make the difference in a close race. What is Reed seeing that may surprise you? And with just 19 days left, it's time to leave it all on the field. Check out Reed's podcast "The Home Front" wherever you get your podcasts. There's still time to volunteer - go to jointheunion.us and find out how you can help!

Last week on Fox the term misinformation became a code word for a crackdown on free speech while Vice President Kamala Harris was vilified for not doing enough and for doing too much to help hurricane victims. Kayleigh McEnany’s friend might have met a Black person, Melania Trump was pushing her merch on ‘The Five,’ while Jessica Tarlov revealed Trump’s ‘God Bless the USA Bibles’ were printed in China.

Rick Wilson interviews Congressman Colin Allred in a no-holds-barred conversation about his campaign to unseat Ted Cruz in Texas. They dive into Allred’s journey from NFL linebacker to the political arena, dissecting Cruz’s vulnerabilities and what it will take to flip the state blue. Along the way, Wilson and Allred trade jabs at Cruz’s controversial record, making this episode a must-listen for anyone tracking the 2024 election. Follow ColinAllred on X at @RepColinAllred and support his Senate campaign at colinallred.com. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. And please subscribe, rate and review this podcast, thank you!

Stuart Stevens writes, "After I replied to Mr. Ackman’s post, he invited me to refute each of his 33 justifications for supporting Donald Trump. So, I did."

With all the disinformation out there - what can we do? What's going on under the hood that has us optimistic about Pennsylvania? And Joe and Alex explain the swing voters that may cost Trump this fall. And Joe shares his latest on the Senate - including one race that might take many by surprise. And what's going on with the House? Plus, we get to your questions with less than 4 weeks to go.

Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X, subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com, and buy his books “Everything Trump Touches Dies: A Republican Strategist Gets Real About the Worst President Ever” and “Running Against the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump – and Democrats from Themselves” at fine bookstores everywhere.

We're four weeks out from election day but early voting is well underway in many states. Simon Rosenberg shed light on how the early vote is looking - learn why it's encouraging - and set the stakes for continuing to work more and worry less over the next month. Catch up now!

In a classic Rick rant, he breaks down the politicization of Hurricane Helene, criticizing the usual suspects (Trump, Elon Musk, etc) for spreading misinformation about FEMA's response. He highlights the coordinated, bipartisan efforts of federal and state governments in addressing the disaster and condemns the use of tragedies for political gain.

It can feel at times like there's nothing we don't know about Trump. However, there are still a few select people who seem to be able to uncover more and more, giving us critical insight into the former President. In this episode, Rick interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner about their new book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. They delve into Trump’s long-standing strategy of creating an illusion of wealth, his reliance on tax loopholes, and how he used his father's empire to prop up his failing ventures. The conversation also touches on Trump's role in the USFL's downfall, his relationship with banks, and the lasting impact of The Apprentice on his public image. Susanne and Russ' book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success, available now.

Simon Rosenberg joins the show to explain why he's as optimistic as he's ever been. No, it's not hopium - there are clear signs everywhere. From Nebraska to North Carolina to a massive shift in the youth vote. And how does Simon think we can win this election in October?

Rick is joined by The Lincoln Project’s Senior Creative Advisor as the two former Republicans reflect on their experiences during the Trump years. They also offer a glimpse under the hood at the creative process and strategy behind The Lincoln Project, revealing how they develop their hard-hitting political messaging and campaigns. Follow Ben Howe on X @BenHowe and buy his book “The Immoral Majority: Why Evangelicals Chose Political Power over Christian Values” at fine bookstores everywhere. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. And please subscribe, rate and review this podcast, thank you!

Chapter Two of David Pepper's "Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal" podcast depicts the personal story of Eve, a nurse struggling with infertility, whose treatment is threatened by the new president's executive order banning certain fertility treatments. The episode explores how the president's policies would impact everyday Americans, particularly women and families, by interfering with reproductive freedom and the right to self-determination. The author of the serialized novel “2025,” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how the fictional story is directly based on the policies outlined in the Trump’s Project 2025 and the president's own words, underscoring the very real and devastating consequences a second Trump term and the implementation of Project 2025 could have. You can read Chapter Two of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel-chapter-2

Stuart Stevens was joined by political scientist, strategist, and author Rachel Bitecofer for a no-holds-barred conversation about GOP and Dem campaign strategy from Bush v Gore to Harris v Trump. Rachel's the author of "Hit 'Em Where It Hurts." Is that was Kamala Harris and the Dems are finally doing? Catch up now.

Fox made a dramatic pivot from trashing Kamala Harris to promoting Donald J. Trump. The network also obsessively covered the second assassination attempt on the former president. Fox hosts complained about heated rhetoric while ignoring Trump’s inflammatory words. The network also featured a lot of Trump including him on a n episode of “Gutfeld,” and giving away it’s primetime coverage to show a live feed of a Trump rally in Long Island, NY. Laura Ingraham whipped up fear about Haitian immigrants while Lawrence Jones claims there was no racial aspects to their harassment. Fox & Friends tried to make it seem like the recent interest rate cut by the Fed was a bad thing.