Democratic political strategist Addisu Demissie joins Axe and Murphy to discuss President Biden’s speech on the anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, his condemnation of Trump, the voting rights fight, and the fate of the filibuster in the Senate. The Hacks also posit their essay contest vs. multiple choice election theory and examine the 2022 Senate map.
Mark McKinnon, the Stetson-wearing executive producer and co-host of Showtime’s the Circus, joins Gibbs and Murphy to help the Hacks kick off 2022. With the one-year anniversary of January 6th looming, the Hacks discuss the House select committee’s investigation into the attack on the Capitol, Trump’s legal troubles, and what Biden can learn from Hollywood.
To mark the end of 2021, Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy convene for a special holiday mailbag edition of Hacks on Tap. The Hacks discuss Manchin’s Build Back Better bombshell before taking questions from our esteemed listeners. Plus, Murphy’s year is made when a very special guest makes a surprise appearance.
Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the warning signs he sees for Democrats in rural America, the messaging challenges around Biden’s Build Back Better bill, the latest revelations from the January 6th committee, and speculation about the 2024 presidential race.
Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark and director of Defending Democracy Together, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss some of the must-watch races in 2022, Trump’s continued efforts to subvert our democracy, and Kristol provides his “lit” 2024 Democratic ticket prediction.
John Heilemann, executive editor of The Recount and host of the Hell & High Water podcast, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the political ramifications of the new coronavirus variant, whether the Biden administration should wade into the culture wars, and the shocking normalization of political violence in this country. Plus, Murphy introduces us to the one and only Uncle Walt.
Veteran Republican pollster and strategist Tony Fabrizio joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the long-awaited signing of the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, whether the legislation will have a measurable impact on upcoming elections, the political implications for rising prices, and this week’s “WTF” moment.
Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss the disconnect between the positive economic indicators and Americans’ pessimism about the state of the country, the passage of the infrastructure bill and the messaging opportunities and challenges it presents for the Biden administration, and the Hacks experience their own supply chain issues live on air.
Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy assemble to discuss Election Day 2021, including the rough night for Democrats, the impact of national politics on local races, the reset Democrats—and Biden—need in order to avoid huge losses in the midterms, and whether Glenn Youngkin has successfully cracked the code when it comes to GOP success in the Trump era.
Dave Wasserman, US House editor of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the final stretch of the Virginia governor’s race, the impact of Democrats’ actions—or lack thereof—in Congress on the upcoming election, and the latest redistricting developments and projections for the midterms. Plus, Wasserman reveals how he came up with his iconic phrase, “I’ve seen enough.”
This week the hacks look into their crystal ball with former Virginia Congressman Tom Davis to discuss Virginia’s upcoming gubernatorial election. Then, they time travel to figure out how Biden can make big moves to pass his infrastructure bill and how the 2022 midterms could effect leadership positions in both the Democratic and Republican Party. Plus, Murphy taps into his artistic side when he answers a listener question from the mailbag!
This week, Steve Israel, former Congressman and future bookshop owner, joined Axe and Murphy to talk about Trump’s endorsement of Chuck Grassley, Trump’s power over the GOP and how Dems can use it to fuel turnout in 2022, the Virginia Governor’s race, never-ending negotiations on the hill, and much more!
Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy are together again (and full of puns) to discuss Biden hitting the road to tout his “Build Back Better” plan, the debt ceiling debacle, Trump’s upcoming trip to Iowa, and the latest in Virginia’s gubernatorial race.
John Anzalone, a longtime Democratic pollster who polls for President Biden, joins Gibbs and Murphy to talk about this “eventful” week in Washington. The Hacks discuss Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s latest plan for the infrastructure bill and the Democrats’ reconciliation bill, how the events of this week might impact messaging for the 2022 midterm elections, and President Biden’s approval rating.
Jonathan Martin, a national political correspondent for The New York Times, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the rift between progressive and moderate Democrats over the size and scope of their economic agenda, the latest example of Trump’s grip on the Republican Party, and whether foreign policy matters to voters.
Dana Bash, CNN’s chief political correspondent, co-anchor of State of the Union, and host of the new podcast Total Recall: California’s Political Circus, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss the results of the California recall election and the key takeaways for Democrats’ messaging as we head into the midterms. The Hacks also cover the latest on the Democrats’ social spending package and ponder whether Independents are truly independent.
Peter Hamby, host of Snapchat’s Good Luck America and founding partner of and contributor to Puck, joins Gibbs and Murphy for a deep dive into the upcoming recall election in California, including how the effort to remove Governor Gavin Newsom from office came to be and their predictions about whether he survives. Plus, the Hacks discuss Texas’ new abortion ban and its impact on the 2022 midterm elections.
Axe and Gibbs are joined by Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark, to discuss the public perception and political ramifications of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the resurgence of COVID and its implications for Biden’s approval rating and beyond, and the needle Nancy Pelosi must thread in order to advance Biden’s agenda.
It’s all Hacks on deck this week as Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy convene to discuss the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the scenes of panic and chaos in Kabul, Biden’s address to the nation, and the political implications of it all. Plus, the Hacks unpack the latest in the Democrats’ efforts to pass Biden’s economic agenda and the most recent developments in the California recall election.
Paul Begala, CNN contributor and former counselor to President Clinton, joins Axe and Murphy to help make sense of not one but two breaking news alerts in the span of one hour. The Hacks discuss the most recent efforts by some members of the GOP to further politicize the pandemic, the resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Senate’s passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and where the legislation goes from here.
Private first class hackaroo Mark McKinnon, executive producer and co-host of Showtime’s The Circus, joins Axe and Gibbs to talk about the CDC’s messaging mishaps, the New York Attorney General’s finding that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed state employees, and how much political currency bipartisanship actually wields.
Jackie Calmes, national columnist for the Los Angeles Times and author of Dissent: The Radicalization of the Republican Party and Its Capture of the Court, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the powerful testimony delivered during the opening hearing on the insurrection, the latest bumps in the road for infrastructure negotiations, the impact of the Delta variant on Biden's agenda, and the "Shakespearean" tales playing out around the country.
This week Gibbs and Murphy were joined by former Congressman Steve Israel who graciously shared his expertise as a former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair to discuss redistricting, campaign fundraising, and the upcoming 2022 midterms. They also discussed infrastructure negotiations and the (both physical and metaphorical) tools Nancy Pelosi uses to negotiate, Murphy explains his WWII analogy, and more!
Former Minnesota Senator Al Franken joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the latest lunacy to come out of CPAC, the escalating fight over voting rights and the possibility of a filibuster carve-out, and whether the largest price spike since 2008 will impact negotiations in Congress.
Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark and director of Defending Democracy Together, joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss efforts to increase vaccination rates amid heightened concerns about the Delta variant, the two-track infrastructure legislation, the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Vice President Kamala Harris, and the politics of US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Democratic political strategist and communications expert Stephanie Cutter joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the efforts to save the bipartisan infrastructure deal after Biden’s botched rollout, the early jockeying among ’24 GOP presidential hopefuls to capture the Trump base, and whether Vice President Kamala Harris has been set up for success. Plus, the Hacks discuss the triumph that was the reimagined Democratic National Convention and inauguration celebration, both of which are eligible for Em...
Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report and a PBS NewsHour contributor, joins Axe and Gibbs to talk about the “political theater” surrounding the voting rights bill, the likelihood that Democrats stay united on infrastructure spending, and how rising crime in New York City has shaped the focus of the city’s mayoral primary.
Howard Wolfson, Democratic political strategist and former Deputy Mayor of New York City, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Joe Biden’s first foreign trip as president, why this is a pivotal moment for democracy, and the challenges that remain for a bipartisan infrastructure bill. Plus, the Hacks take a deep dive into New York City’s mayoral race and explore the ways in which the primary is a microcosm of the debate over messaging in the Democratic Party.
Charlie Sykes, Editor at Large of The Bulwark, host of the Bulwark Podcast, and author of “How the Right Lost Its Mind” joined Gibbs and an optimistic Murphy to discuss the overtime infrastructure talks, Senator Manchin and good faith negotiations, Trump’s return to the campaign trail, and what this all means for the 2022 midterms.
Jonathan Martin, a national political correspondent for The New York Times, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss the make or break moment for infrastructure talks, whether a bill to restrict voting in Texas will reinvigorate the voting rights debate in the Senate, and why 2021 might be the best of times and the worst of times for progressives. Plus, the Hacks discussion Jonathan’s reporting on how races in New Mexico and Arkansas are test cases for both parties ahead of the midterms. Learn more about ...
