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.

More than a week into the Sleepy Don election interference trial, are Trump's legal troubles finally catching up to him? Joe explains just how damaging they've been to Trump. And why you shouldn't be fooled by the new polls suggesting RFK Jr. hurts Trump more than President Biden. Joe explains why it's all a huge head fake -- why the money doesn't lie. Plus: What numbers from a key Pennsylvania district should have Team Trump very worried?

Dr. Jen Mercieca writes, "Trump has repeatedly shown the nation that while he might stand on the debate stage and look like someone who is there to debate, he most definitely is not." Why? Authoritarians don't debate.

Trump will be the next president, according to today's guest, if we do not learn the lessons of the past. On this episode Rick connects with author of the book "Blowback" and a vocal critic of Donald Trump, Miles Taylor. They dive into the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency, particularly focusing on the drastic changes he could impose on American democracy and government functionality. Taylor elaborates on his concerns about Trump's vindictive use of power, the politicization of civil services, and the shift in foreign policy towards autocratic regimes. The episode serves as a warning and a call to action, urging us to recognize and respond to the threats posed by a possible Trump re-election to our democracy.

After comparing his most recent poll to past Harvard Youth polls, John Della Volpe writes ," I was honestly surprised by what I found — and it made me reconsider whether I am thinking about the Biden/Trump campaign the right way."

The potential implications for individual Americans and the country of a 2nd Trump term are darker than you may imagine. Project 2025 is one such outcome. In this episode, Rick is joined by author Andra Watkins to discuss her Substack publication, "How Project 2025 Will Ruin Your Life." Watkins, a former Christian nationalist, dives into the details of Project 2025, a hypothetical policy proposal she believes could dramatically alter American society through strict, moralistic governance - morality police, anyone?

There's a Democratic fundraising avalanche burying MAGA. Joe and Alex zoom out to answer the most common listener question from 2024.The massive momentum shift towards President Biden in almost every recent poll is no fluke -- why? And why MAGA's huge fundraising hole matters even more than people realize -- and why the Senate is back in play. What about the House? Has "MAGA Mike" really changed his tune -- and will it matter? And should President Biden debate Trump? Finally, Joe and Alex highlight a new leaked Kremlin document showing the depths of Russian election interference.

John Della Volpe breaks down the 47th Harvard Youth Poll: "The students were curious about the state of the 2024 campaign, but we also dug deep into important issues like Israel/Gaza, immigration, institutional trust, culture wars, mental health, along with typology and attitudes about voting and politics."

"Donald Trump is a liar. He is a master manipulator, a deceiver, and a distractor," writes Gevin Reynolds with all the directness, passion, and honesty that the moment requires - doing what far too few with a platform still manage to do after eight long years of gaslighting.

Stuart Steven's writes, "Can enough voters base their vote on age to cost Biden re-election? Sure, it could happen. But is there any reason it must happen? Of course not. That's why we have campaigns."

Conservatives in America are not typically known as lovers of environmental advocacy. Well, our guest bucks that trend. Benji Backer, an environmental advocate and author of "The Conservative Environmentalist" joins Rick to discuss the urgent need for practical and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, critiquing both extreme denial and radical approaches currently dividing the political landscape. Backer emphasizes a historical bipartisan approach to environmental issues and proposes a balanced pathway that leverages American ingenuity and respects local knowledge.

One spoiler down, another to go. No Labels is out of the Presidential fight - but Joe gets into why Trumpland is feeling good about RFK Jr. - including funneling $20m from a top donor his way. How is the media still missing the point about all these spoilers? Plus - can Trump actually talk his way out of his big abortion problem? Joe explains why the problem runs much, much deeper than most realize. And why the GOP is all in, sledgehammer or not.

It feels like all anyone wants to talk about these days is how AI is taking over. Well, we thought it time to have an expert on to break it all down. In this episode Rick speaks with AI expert Daniel Faggella in a comprehensive discussion on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. They speak to the implications of AI on the workforce, economy, and society, examining both the current state and future possibilities. Faggella brings insights from his experience in market research, discussing how AI is reshaping industries from legal to entertainment. They explore the concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI), its accelerated timeline, and potential societal impacts. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in politics, the concept of a political singularity, and the ethical considerations of AI development.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson said he wouldn't endorse Biden in 2024. He also didn't endorse or praise Trump. Fox News tried to make a lot out of random celebrities complaining about things. Kid Rock praised Trump while failing to disclose that Budweiser is sponsoring his latest music tour. The Five blamed an earthquake on Democrats. There was a lot of bigotry against transgender people. Matt Whitaker misrepresented Bill Clinton's sock drawer scandal along with the Presidential Records Act.

A deep-dive into John Della Volpe's recent polling on an issue that could go a long way in deciding the outcome of the election.

The participation of talented young people is a critical element in a functioning democracy. On this episode, Rick sits down with Gevin Reynolds, a rising figure in Democratic politics with experience in the Biden White House. They dive into the 2024 campaign landscape, focusing on Biden's presidency and the strategic positioning of the Democratic party. Reynolds shares insights on the administration's handling of crises like COVID-19, economic challenges, and racial justice issues. The discussion also touches on Vice President Harris's role and public perception, the impact of recent State of the Union addresses, and the evolving political dynamics among young and minority voters.

Joe and Alex discuss a bombshell New York Times piece from our friend Tom Edsall on just how deep the Trump dark money apparatus goes -- over 100 groups, $2 billion in funding... and very little of it out in the open. Why Project 2025 is a blueprint for turning America into a pro-Trump authoritarian state. What are we supposed to do about it? Then, Joe and Alex explain why right-wing pollsters have the media trapped in a false polling narrative -- why is the mainstream media so obsessed with pro-Trump polling?

Simon Rosenberg dives into the latest 2024 election polls showing Biden's lead, updates on the GOP primary voting, internal GOP opposition to Trump, the Maryland Senate race, and fundraising efforts for Democratic candidates.

From polls and pundits to dramatic headlines, sorting through the chaos of the presidential election is no easy task. To help parse madness, Rick had a conversation with Elaine Kamarck, political expert and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. The two give their view of the current state of American politics and the presidential election.

If you missed this show, do yourself a favor and catch up! Gevin Reynolds, writer, political commentator, Biden-Harris Admin alum, joined Rick, Stuart, and Joe for a conversation on the black vote in America, the racism at the core of Trump's popularity, the themes of rights and freedom that will inspire voters in November, and how Biden needs to do to show up and talk about his policies that are and will continue to advance progress for Americans of color - which is good for ALL Americans.