What's the deal with Punching Up?

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!

Democracy is under siege, and state-sanctioned vigilantes are leading the charge. In this episode Rick speaks with Jon Michaels and David Noll, authors of the upcoming book Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy. They discuss the alarming rise of state-backed vigilante activities, particularly through laws like Texas SB8, and how these efforts are aimed at achieving authoritarian political control. The conversation explores the MAGA movement's tactics, the threats to democratic institutions, and the potential dangers surrounding future U.S. elections. It's a chilling analysis of how private actors, with state approval, are shaping America’s political landscape.

Rick talks with Beto O’Rourke and Claire Dewar about the ripple effects of Harris’s entry into the race on Texas politics, sparking a surge in volunteerism and voter engagement. They also discuss the deepening corruption and extremism within the Texas GOP, as well as the crucial role immigrants play in the local Texan economy. Follow Beto O’Rourke on X @BetoORourke, follow Claire Dewar on X @ccdewar, and join Powered By People here http://www.poweredxpeople.org. 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.

Mark Jacob writes: "Journalists need to stop inviting politicians on their programs if they refuse to answer questions. Otherwise it’s not news – it’s just a game of dodgeball."

On the two-year anniversary of the historic Dobbs Decision, guest Ryan Hamilton shares the experience he and his wife had, which Republicans continue to claim doesn’t exist: abortion laws endangering the life of a mother. Talking with host Rick Wilson, Ryan relays the harrowing experience of he and his wife losing their baby and the life-threatening circumstances they had to endure in the aftermath of archaic laws in Texas. You don’t want to miss this one.