Hacks On Tap - podcast cover

Hacks On Tap

Vox Mediawww.hacksontap.com
When David Axelrod, Mike Murphy, and John Heilemann get together to talk politics, it’s not academic. They speak from the perspective gained through hundreds of campaigns for offices from City Hall to the White House. So if you want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes, where strategic decisions are being made, pull up a stool for Hacks on Tap. Incisive, sometimes uproarious and always entertaining, these political warhorses and their guests will give you insights you’ll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties.  From the Vox Media Podcast Network
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Episodes

Introducing Reflections of History with Jon Meacham

C13 Originals and Pulitzer Prize winner and best-selling author Jon Meacham, co-creators of the 2021 Webby Award-winning Best Podcast Series It Was Said and the acclaimed podcast Hope, Through History, join together again for a brand-new series that will guide listeners through critical moments in our history. Every Monday through Friday, Meacham travels back to impactful events that occurred on that date in history—the birth of a visionary filmmaker, the debut of an iconic athlete, the discover...

Apr 11, 20223 min

Gas & Groceries (with Steve Israel)

Former Congressman and chair of the DCCC Steve Israel joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the domestic policy challenges that stem from the war in Ukraine, Democrats’ strategy for the midterms, the special election in Alaska, and what will move swing voters in November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 05, 20221 hr 12 min

The Walkback of the Walkback

This week Axe and Gibbs were joined by the inimitable New York Times reporter and CNN analyst Maggie Haberman to discuss Biden’s trip to Poland, the January 6th committee, Trump on the campaign trail, and so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 29, 202257 min

Chronicles of the Culture Wars (with Ron Brownstein)

Journalist and CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings, how the culture wars may shape upcoming elections, the changing demographics in the country, and the races that will decide control of the Senate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 22, 20221 hr 7 min

Bad For Business (with Stephanie Cutter)

Democratic strategist and communications guru Stephanie Cutter joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the importance of message discipline for both parties as we approach the midterms, the latest polling numbers, and Biden’s nominee for the Supreme Court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 15, 20221 hr 3 min

Margin of Error (with Mark Mellman)

Pollster Mark Mellman joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the domestic political implications of Biden’s decision to ban Russian energy imports, how Democrats should move forward with their agenda ahead of the midterm elections, and the growing influence of Latino voters in the US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 09, 20221 hr 5 min

State of the State of the Union

The Hacks convene for a special late-night recap of President Biden’s first State of the Union address. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy discuss Biden’s rebuke of Putin, the moments of rare bipartisan unity, the speech’s messaging misses and successes, and the country’s esteemed designated survivor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 02, 202251 min

The State of the Union Is… (with Jon Favreau)

Jon Favreau, co-host of Pod Save America, host of Offline, and former speechwriter for Barack Obama, joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss Biden’s condemnation of Putin’s aggression toward Ukraine, the political implications of US sanctions against Russia, what Biden needs to accomplish in his upcoming State of the Union speech, and whether Trump’s legal troubles will impact his political future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Feb 23, 20221 hr 9 min

The RINO Rebellion? (with Amy Walter)

This week, Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the latest in the Trump vs. McConnell saga, the political influence of parents, and Biden’s upcoming State of the Union speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 20221 hr 9 min

Legitimate Political Discourse

Not one but two guest Hacks join Axe this week while Murphy and Gibbs are away on assignment. John Heilemann, Executive Editor of The Recount, and Amanda Carpenter, political columnist for The Bulwark, chat with Axe about Mike Pence’s attempt to pivot away from Trump, the RNC’s censure of Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney, whether Democrats should invoke Trump in the midterm elections, the latest chapter of Covid politics, and Biden’s Supreme Court nomination process. Learn more about your ad choice...

Feb 09, 20221 hr 5 min

Eruption of Mt. Orange

This week, the Hacks assemble to mark episode number 150. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy discuss the strength of Trump’s grip on the GOP, the latest in the standoff with Russia, the politics of the Supreme Court, and why at the end of the day, political messaging rules all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 02, 20221 hr 3 min

Reset Report Card (with Jennifer Palmieri)

Jennifer Palmieri, co-host of Showtime’s The Circus and former White House communications director, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss Biden’s hot mic moment, escalating tensions with Russia over Ukraine, how the Biden administration should communicate the story of America’s resilience, and Newt Gingrich’s gift to Democrats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 26, 20221 hr 2 min

The Almighty vs The Alternative (with Jonathan Martin)

As the anniversary of President Biden’s inauguration approaches, the Hacks called in Jonathan Martin, a national political correspondent for The New York Times, to reflect on Biden’s first year in office. They discuss whether Biden needs a reset, the fate of some of the administration’s key legislation, the messaging and campaign strategies for both parties in the midterms, and if we’re witnessing the early signs of a Donald Trump vs Ron DeSantis showdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Jan 19, 20221 hr 5 min

Joltin’ Joe Comes Out Swinging (with Addisu Demissie)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jan 11, 20221 hr 2 min

The Madman Behind The Curtain

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 05, 20221 hr 8 min

Hacky Holidays, Mailbag Edition!

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 22, 20211 hr 9 min

GOPuppets (with Steve Bullock)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 15, 20211 hr 2 min

20/24 Vision (with Bill Kristol)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 08, 20211 hr 7 min

Kitten Swipes and Variant Fights (with John Heilemann)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Dec 01, 20211 hr 6 min

Inflation Nation (with Tony Fabrizio)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 17, 20211 hr 4 min

Process Over Substance (with Amy Walter)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Nov 10, 20211 hr 6 min

Dems In Disarray?

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 03, 20211 hr 4 min

Off To The Races (with Dave Wasserman)

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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Oct 27, 20211 hr 3 min

All Roads Go Through Virginia

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices....

Oct 19, 20211 hr 9 min

The Shot Clock Ticks

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 12, 20211 hr 9 min

Here’s The Deal?

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 05, 20211 hr 2 min

Where the Rubber Meets the Road (with John Anzalone)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Sep 28, 20211 hr

A High-Wire Act (with Jonathan Martin)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 21, 202156 min

A New Day For Newsom (with Dana Bash)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...

Sep 16, 20211 hr 8 min

Can the Golden State Stay Blue? (with Peter Hamby)

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Sep 07, 20211 hr 9 min
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