Episode 144: Let the Midterm Races Begin
Republican strategist Brad Todd talks about Biden’s dependence on his base and his outlook on the 2022 midterms.
Jan 07, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 144
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Episodes
Episode 143: Breaking Down Redistricting
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter 's Dave Wasserman comes on the podcast to discuss redistricting, offers his outlook for the 2022 elections, and lists several lawmakers whose fortunes took the greatest hit as a result of the new Congressional lines.
Dec 16, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 143
Episode 142: Back to Business
Narrative Strategies' founding partner Ken Spain, a former communications director at the National Republican Congressional Committee, talks about Republican chances in the midterms, rates Kevin McCarthy's efforts in unifying a fractious Republican caucus, and discusses how companies and CEOs should position themselves in today's polarized climate.
Dec 09, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 142
Against the Grain Episode 141: Food Fight
Strategist Dan Sena comes on the podcast to talk about how Democrats can turn their political fortunes around, and the political implications if Roe vs. Wade is overturned.
Dec 01, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 141
Against the Grain Episode 140: Under the Magnifying Glass
Axiom Strategies Vice President Kristin Davison talks managing the Glenn Youngkin campaign to an upset victory.
Nov 18, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 140
Against the Grain Episode 139: How to Fix Congress
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Rep. William Timmons (R-SC) come onto the podcast to talk about the Modernization committee's work and solutions for creating bipartisanship.
Nov 09, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 139
Against the Grain Episode 138: About Last Night
Third Way Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Matt Bennett comes onto the podcast to break down how Republicans won in Virginia, and how progressives lost badly in local races.
Nov 04, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Against the Grain Episode 137: Tug of War
CBS News senior political correspondent Ed O'Keefe talks about President Biden's push to win Democratic support for his agenda, the too-close-to-call Virginia governors race and what it's like to cover the White House.
Oct 28, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 137
Against the Grain Episode 136: The Main Thing
Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report comes on the podcast to talk about Biden's challenges as a first term president, the pandemic influencing voter priorities and the outlook on midterm elections.
Oct 18, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 136
Against the Grain Episode 135: Virginia State of Mind
Former Virginia congressman Tom Davis, a moderate Republican, breaks down the Virginia governors' race, its role in national politics, and how education has become the hottest topic in the race.
Oct 12, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 135
Against the Grain Episode 134: Missing the Mark
Democratic pollster Mark Mellman comes on the podcast to discuss Biden's sinking approval numbers, growing anti-Israel sentiments in the Democratic party, and the challenges Democrats face to pass the president's agenda.
Oct 07, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 134
Against the Grain Episode 133: Diagnosing the Pandemic
Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb , who is out with a new bestselling book, “Uncontrolled Spread: Why Covid-19 Crushed Us and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic," discusses when the pandemic will end, explains why Biden's vaccine mandate for private employers could backfire, and pinpoints the government's biggest mistakes throughout the COVID crisis.
Sep 30, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Against the Grain Episode 132: Democrats Divided
Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins the show to discuss the problems Democrats face by positioning themselves too far to the left on cultural issues. He also critiques how Democrats have handled the infrastructure and social spending legislation now before Congress.
Sep 24, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 132
Against the Grain: Episode 131: David Vs. Goliath
Washington Examiner Senior Political Correspondent David Drucker joins the podcast to discuss his upcoming book, the retirement of Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, and the Virginia governor’s race.
Sep 17, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 131
Episode 130: Republican Reboot
Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan joined the podcast to talk about his new book GOP 2.0 on why he believes the GOP needs to move on from former President Trump. He also discusses the state's Senate race and the 2024 presidential election.
Sep 09, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Episode 129: Not-so-Lazy Days of Summer
Republican strategist Scott Jennings joins the podcast to talk about the bipartisan infrastructure bill, mask and vaccine mandates, and the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Aug 13, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Episode 128: Behind Shontel Brown’s Victory
Democratic strategists Daniel Barash and Doug Thornell of SKDK join the podcast to reflect on their work on Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Shontel Brown's campaign against former Our Revolution President Nina Turner in the special election primary to replace HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.
Aug 05, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Episode 127: Staying on Message
Republican strategist Jordan Shaw talks about pandemic politics as mask mandates return. Shaw also discusses 2022 Republican primaries in swing states like North Carolina and Pennsylvania, where he's representing Pat McCrory and Sean Parnell in those respective Senate races.
Jul 29, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Episode 126: Running in Place
Jonathan Martin, national political correspondent for the New York Times and a Hotline alum, joins the podcast to discuss covering the Trump era, races to watch, and the evolution of political journalism.
Jul 15, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 126
Episode 125: Golden State of Mind
Policy adviser Lanhee Chen talks about his campaign for state controller of California and the challenges of running as a Republican statewide. Chen also discusses the gubernatorial recall effort and the state government's approach to crime.
Jul 09, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Episode 124: Dan's Plan
Dan Sena, founding partner of Sena Kozar Strategies and former executive director of the DCCC, joins the podcast to discuss the 2020 election, Hispanic voters, and the Democratic coalition.
Jul 01, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Against the Grain Episode 123: The Narrow Path
Sean Trende, the senior elections analyst at RealClearPolitics , joins the podcast to discuss the 2022 outlook, Republican and Democratic rhetoric on crime, and the Biden administration's political success six months in.
Jun 21, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Episode 122: Comstock Takes Stock
Former Rep. Barbara Comstock joins the podcast to discuss the state of the Republican party, rising GOP leaders, and the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial election.
Jun 15, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Episode 121: The Primary Problem
Katherine Gehl, the founder of The Institute for Political Innovation, joins the podcast to talk about how party primaries affect polarization and gridlock in Washington. Gehl discusses her proposals to reform elections, including ranked choice voting and all-party primaries.
Jun 10, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Episode 120: A Bronx Tale
Democratic congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY 15) joins the podcast to discuss his upbringing in the Bronx, support for Israel, and endorsement of Andrew Yang in the NYC mayoral election.
Jun 02, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Episode 119: Crunching Numbers
Republican pollster Chris Wilson joins the podcast to discuss what issues are motivating GOP voters. He also talks about why polls missed Republican gains in 2020 and how Democratic politicians' responses to the pandemic could affect 2021 and 2022 races.
May 26, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Episode 118: Shaken, Not Stirred
Former Republican congressman Denver Riggleman joins the show to discuss the Virginia governor's race, the GOP leadership fallout and midterm opportunities, and UFOs.
May 17, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Episode 117: Virtual Reality
Democratic digital strategist Annie Levene joins the podcast to talk about how candidates can effectively use digital platforms. She also discusses get out of the vote efforts for Democratic voters and the political ramifications of President Biden's economic policies.
May 07, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Episode 116: Straight Talk Express
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joins the podcast to talk about President Biden's address to Congress and how the Republican Party can win back suburban voters. Christie also talks about governors races in his home state and California, including about Caitlyn Jenner's candidacy, and his own 2024 plans.
Apr 29, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Episode 115: Prediction Time
Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, joins the podcast to discuss President Biden's first 100 days in office, the 2022 Senate field, and the Virginia governor's race.
Apr 22, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 115
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