The Hacks are once again joined by former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to break down the latest in a raucous week in DC. Wisconsin improbably held its primary amid a pandemic, despite the governor’s attempt to postpone it. Could this set a precedent for November? Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs discuss the ousting of yet another White House press secretary and what this means for the administration. Plus, they discuss the probability of a virtual convention and what more, if anything, the Bid...
Apr 07, 2020•56 min
This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by former Obama White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to discuss the latest: When reality becomes reality TV: Trump’s daily press briefings threaten to sweep reality under the rug in a barrage of disinformation. Is Trump’s tactic an effective one? Where’s Joe?—In the throes of a pandemic, it seems impossible for Biden to forge a platform of his own. Could Biden's empathetic message be seen as the antidote to Trump, or will the general election simply be a ...
Apr 01, 2020•50 min
The socially-distanced Hacks reunite virtually to discuss the latest: Trump twists his tune as the dire COVID-19 consequences take hold. Trump is zeroing in on the pandemic’s economic impact, but will this messaging be effective, and is it smart? Biden’s buzz abates as coronavirus coverage rightfully continues to dominate news cycles. Axe and Murphy put on their campaign hats and offer strategic advice for the presumptive Democratic nominee: how should he position himself during a nationwide cri...
Mar 24, 2020•43 min
The socially-distanced Hacks reunite with special guest John Heilemann of MSNBC, Showtime’s The Circus , and The Recount. As the gravity of the Coronavirus escalates and the world shudders to a halt, where do we go from here? What does it mean for what’s left of the Democratic primary and beyond? In the wake of another round of primaries on Tuesday, Bernie’s chance at nabbing the nomination dwindles even further. Will he bow out any time soon, and what becomes of his loyal base? Reality cuts thr...
Mar 19, 2020•55 min
The Hacks convene the day after what might be the last debate of the primary to share their reactions and analysis. What did Biden and Sanders do well and where did they miss the mark? Will Biden’s promise to choose a woman as his running mate change the game? And with COVID-19 rightfully dominating the news, where does the race go from here? Tune in to hear the latest from Hacks on Tap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
Mar 16, 2020•36 min
Another Super Tuesday is behind us! Bernie Sanders makes it clear he intends to stay in the race — for now. What does this mean for the upcoming head-to-head debate in Arizona? What message does Biden need to send to Sanders’ supporters in order to gain their support? Axe and Murphy dive into the data from last night's contests to see what, if anything, the turnout may portend for the general election. Plus, the Hacks talk politics of the Coronavirus. We also take listeners' questions on the new...
Mar 12, 2020•47 min
Turns out Super Tuesday was super exciting. The Hacks spent a day taking it all in and are now ready to sort through the fallout. Where did Biden’s surprise surge come from? Now that the race has narrowed to two, what’s the path forward for both candidates? Are the Democrats still facing the prospect of a contested convention? Plus, Axe and Murphy open the mail bag to take listeners’ questions. Tune in to hear all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoice...
Mar 05, 2020•54 min
The Hacks convene in the aftermath of the South Carolina Democratic primary to talk about what Joe Biden’s win might mean for the rest of the race. Did Biden get his Mo-Joe back? Buttigieg drops out — does this portend the end for Klobuchar and Warren as well? And what should we be looking for on Super Tuesday? ...All this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Mar 02, 2020•28 min
On this bonus crossover episode, the Hacks join Slate's "How To! With Charles Duhigg" to discuss how to weigh ideology vs. electability and rank the issues that really matter. They talk to an Independent voter who hasn't made up his mind. Can their advice help Anthony—and all of us—make sure our vote counts? Released February 25, 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Feb 27, 2020•29 min
The Hacks are back for a special post-Nevada, pre-South Carolina pod: First, Sanders claims his surge has the Democratic establishment worried: can anyone best Bernie or will the Democratic socialist nab the nomination? And what might a Sanders nomination mean for down-ballot races? The aftermath of Bloomberg's paltry debate performance remains to be seen, but may spell trouble for the billionaire. Will another media blitz move the needle for the former mayor? As we turn the corner on Nevada and...
Feb 25, 2020•52 min
The Hacks are back to break down the latest Democratic debate from Las Vegas, Nevada– Mike Bloomberg makes his debate stage debut but bombs under a barrage of blows. He may have fallen short on the debate stage at the hands of Elizabeth Warren and others, but will his incoming ad blitzes erase his paltry performance? Plus, Pete Buttigieg takes some of the wind out of Klobuchar’s sails, but will this muddle in the middle ultimately benefit Bernie? Where are we now? As we lurch toward Super Tuesda...
Feb 20, 2020•47 min
The Hacks are back to break down the results out of New Hampshire. Bernie Sanders narrowly edged out Pete Buttigieg in the first in the nation primary. Amy Klobuchar proved that the “Klobusurge” is real after a strong debate performance propelled her to a third place finish in New Hampshire. As we look towards Nevada and beyond, what do the results from the first two contests mean for Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren? What do Buttigieg and Klobuchar need to do to continue their momentum in the lea...
Feb 12, 2020•51 min
Bleary-eyed and results-less, Murphy and guest hack Robert Gibbs join forces to wade through last night’s Iowa caucus madness. Are the Iowa caucuses no longer viable? Laden with technical difficulties and “quality control” issues, was the mangled process the nail in the coffin for Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status? Or for caucuses in general? As the country holds its breath, multiple candidates seize on the opportunity to tout a “victory” speech: to what degree is the real winner’s spotlight dil...
Feb 04, 2020•58 min
The Hacks are back this week with a live edition before students at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. We talk all the latest— First, John Bolton’s new book coincidentally coincides with his willingness to testify before the Senate. If he is indeed called as a witness, how much will it matter – if at all? Trump defense lawyer Pam Bondi aims her case squarely at the Bidens and Burisma – is Burisma the new Benghazi? Biden, Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar vie for the lead in...
Jan 28, 2020•55 min
The Hacks are here to talk all the latest: The impeachment trial launches in the Senate and both sides assume their marks: will it amount to more than Kabuki theater, or will the partisan paradigm pervade? And how much will it matter in November? T minus two weeks until our favorite time of the year: the Iowa caucuses! Polling points to cadre of four frontrunners: under what circumstances could any of them pull ahead? And as the Warren/Bernie feud continues to dominate news coverage, who benefit...
Jan 21, 2020•53 min
The mad dash to the Iowa caucuses are upon us! The Hacks break down the Des Moines Register/CNN Democratic Debate—and pinch-hitting for David this week is the great Robert Gibbs, former White House Press Secretary under President Obama. The Hacks tackle Iowa: it’s a race to the finish as four leading candidates vie for the top spot. Gibbs and Murphy draw from their experiences as former campaign pros to dish behind-the-scenes info on the Iowa caucuses. Can caucus procedure shape the outcome? And...
Jan 15, 2020•1 hr 1 min
The Hacks kick off the new decade with all the latest— President Trump ordered the fatal strike of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week. Was there a strategy behind the move, and to what end? Will the attack play to his base or undermine his pledge to end endless war? John Bolton says he’ll testify before the Senate during the President’s impeachment trial. But will it move the needle in the Senate? The Iowa caucuses are upon us! With a purported three-way tie between Biden, Buttigieg, and Be...
Jan 07, 2020•56 min
The Hacks reunite in Los Angeles, California as the sixth Democratic debate draws to a close. Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar overperform the norm: will this newfound Joe-mentum last? The blows buffet Buttigieg: will he weather the storm? We turn to impeachment: the House of Representatives voted this week to impeach Donald Trump, but his approval rating remains steady. How will the saga unfold, and what will it portend for the 2020 election? All this and more during our midnight edition of Hacks on...
Dec 20, 2019•39 min
The hacks are here to talk all the latest— Politics of impeachment: as the impeachment saga continues to unfold, Democrats and Republicans alike continue to politicize the process. How much — if at all — will this weaken Trump in 2020, and will any senators defect from the party line? Someone had his Cup o’ Joe! Biden talks tough toward an Iowa voter — did he cross the line, or is this the energy voters want to see from him? Bloomberg’s bid: he’s flush with cash and flooding the airwaves—but wil...
Dec 10, 2019•48 min
This week, the Hacks dive into the latest polling out of New Hampshire and size up the state of the race. With the breaking news that Sen. Kamala Harris is dropping out, will other lower-tier candidates follow suit? Is Bloomberg’s huge ad buy cash well-spent, or will he fail to break through? Will Mayor Pete’s weekend jaunt through the Carolinas move the needle? Plus, Axe and Murphy talk Trump’s visit to the NATO summit and dig into the latest impeachment news. Tune in for all this and more! Lea...
Dec 04, 2019•54 min•Ep. 26
The Hacks are back to discuss the latest Democratic debate. With public impeachment hearings sucking up most of the oxygen, did the debate move the needle in the race? Axe and Murphy break down each candidate’s performance and recap the night’s best—and worst—moments. The Hacks also weigh in on the latest impeachment news. Despite some extraordinary testimony, will the Senate vote to convict? Tune in to hear Axe and Murphy’s take! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...
Nov 21, 2019•44 min
The Hacks huddle to tackle the latest: The public impeachment hearings kick off this week. Republicans have been auditioning wild arguments in defense of the president—and Jeff Sessions’ new Senate ad suggests this won’t change—what, if anything, will bring Republicans around? Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick and former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg consider throwing their hats into the Democratic race. Will it spark a Deval-ution or fail to bloom? Pete Buttigieg surges in Iowa but is s...
Nov 12, 2019•45 min
The Hacks are back this week to talk through the latest: The famed Liberty and Justice Dinner (formerly known as the Jefferson-Jackson) wrapped last Friday in Iowa: Who stood out, what does it mean, and how much will it shake up the race? Poll-a-palooza: Why do Axe and Murphy dub the slew of new polls in early swing states a “wake-up call” for Dems? State of the Senate: a growing number of Republican senators consider acknowledging Trump's misdeeds with Ukraine—but does it matter? …And we raise ...
Nov 05, 2019•42 min
This week, the Hacks talk politics of al-Baghdadi: did Trump overplay the death of the ISIS leader? Will Trump benefit, and will it last? The timing of Nancy Pelosi's impeachment decision strikes Axe and Murphy as peculiar: Why now? What does it mean for 2020? Joe Biden's new 60 Minutes interview featured the side of Biden everyone's been waiting for. Is the former Veep's 'Candidate Protection Program' turning over a new leaf? Plus, the Hacks talk Nate Silver's new FiveThirtyEight story on wheth...
Oct 29, 2019•42 min
This week, the Hacks dive into: The state of the Senate Republicans: Is Mitt Romney — aka Pierre Delecto — a lone detractor of harbinger of what’s to come? Plus, Lindsay Graham tells Axios that evidence of a true quid pro quo could change his mind on impeachment, and new data spells potential trouble for some senators up for re-election in 2020. It’s out of the frying pan and into the fire for Elizabeth Warren as she continues to be pressed for details on her Medicare for All plan. She’s promise...
Oct 22, 2019•1 hr
The fourth Democratic presidential debate is behind us and the hacks are here to break it all down. All eyes are on Liz Warren as she gets frontrunner treatment for the very first time: how did she fare? Buttigieg bites back: is this a turning point for the South Bend mayor? Biden becomes background: can his candidacy sustain steam? Amy brought her A-game: but is this too little, too late? What’s not working for Cory Booker? Plus, the hacks dive into what the latest FEC filings mean for each of ...
Oct 16, 2019•37 min
The Hacks are back from their jaunt to Austin and itching to dig into the latest. Hill Republicans and Democrats alike are in a tizzy over Trump’s call to pull troops out of Syria – but will the move resonate with his voting base? Meanwhile the impeachment inquiry has some congressional Republicans wondering if it's time to revolt and bolt. The great John Heilemann joins Axe and Murphy to share intel from the ground in Iowa and lets us in on who he thinks is the dark horse to watch. And finally,...
Oct 09, 2019•51 min
The Hacks reunite LIVE at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, TX. This time, they’re joined by super-hack Karl Rove — former Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush — to break down all the latest on the impeachment inquiry, alleged Trump transgressions, the 2020 race, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 30, 2019•1 hr 5 min
From whistleblowers to whistlestops, Axe and Murphy are chewing over the latest call for impeachment, Rep. Joe Kennedy, and new polling out of Iowa. Mayor Pete Buttigieg joins the show from his Not-the-Straight-Talk-Express bus tour of Iowa to give his take on impeachment, what he hears from voters out on the trail, and what sets him apart from the other candidates. In the mailbag, the hacks are talking brokered conventions, young voters, and advice for New Hampshire Never-Trumpers. Learn more a...
Sep 24, 2019•52 min
The Hacks are back after a Democratic debate with no shortage of talking points: Castro put Biden on blast, Betsy from Oklahoma ditched the cap and gown, and Beto brought the passion on guns. Axe and Murphy also touch on the escalating tensions with Iran over the bombing of a Saudi oil refinery and the latest accusations against Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Senator Amy Klobuchar joins the show to talk about her role in the Kavanaugh hearings and the path forward for her Presidential candidacy. We wr...
Sep 16, 2019•1 hr 1 min
