Tara is joined by New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu to examine the Republican presidential race and the key challengers to Donald Trump’s seemingly insurmountable grip on the lead. Throughout their conversation, they shine a light on all of the major GOP contenders, discuss some of the Democratic and third-party upstarts, and debate the possibility of either party moving on from the Trump and Biden monoliths before the 2024 election. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newslet...
Nov 28, 2023•37 min
Tara is joined by political strategist and adviser Michael LaRosa to reflect on his time within the White House ecosphere and discuss what the Biden campaign team should do to update their messaging to a public that seems to be ignoring his presidential successes. She then welcomes Adam Green from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee to the pod to shine a light on some of the current national polling data and offer strategies on how Democrats can garner political momentum heading into next ...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr
Tara kicks off the episode by chatting with New Hampshire political insider Matthew Bartlett about the latest polls coming out of the Granite State, before bringing on Republican Party pollster and political strategist Patrick Ruffini to break down the growing support for Donald Trump among working-class voters of color. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & The Brightest', at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guests...
Nov 16, 2023•51 min
Tara is joined by Matt Bennett from Third Way to examine the new proliferation of third-party groups looking to challenge the Trump-Biden monopoly. They discuss the rise of the No Labels party, debate the political leanings of independent voters around the nation, and shine a light on fringe presidential hopefuls like RFK Jr., Cornel West, and Dean Phillips. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter "The Best & The Brightest" at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount co...
Nov 14, 2023•49 min
The GOP candidates just had their third debate, but the larger debate may be why any of this even matters for the presidential race. Tara Palmeri and Julie Mason search for an answer to that question and more in their recap of Thursday’s debate, and give out the night’s gold, silver, and bronze medals in the process. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Julie Mason Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 09, 2023•51 min
Tara is joined by former spokesperson for the 2020 Biden campaign, Michael LaRosa, to share their reactions and analysis of a recent New York Times national poll that shows Donald Trump currently leading Joe Biden in six key swing states. They then discuss the Democrats’ growing anxiety over this data, the effect of Trump’s indictments on GOP voters, and whether the divided messaging within the DNC on the Israel-Gaza conflict will be problematic for Biden’s re-election chances. For more of Tara'...
Nov 07, 2023•35 min
Tara Palmeri sits down with former Vice President Mike Pence’s chief strategist, Marc Short, to talk about his time on the campaign trail, any regrets, and the state of the presidential race. Plus: Will Pence continue challenging Donald Trump from the sidelines? For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter "The Best & The Brightest" at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Marc Short Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Sound Desi...
Nov 02, 2023•44 min
Tara begins the pod with an update on the Democratic primary race and Mike Johnson’s first days as the new House Speaker. She’s then joined by Shelby Talcott from Semafor to discuss President Biden’s age issue, how it’s perpetuating his dwindling polling numbers, and what the Democratic party and his campaign team are doing to change the subject. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20....
Oct 31, 2023•31 min
After a few chaotic weeks, House Republicans finally elected a House speaker on Wednesday ... and it's someone you'd never expect. Tara sits down with fellow Puck correspondent Tina Nguyen to break down how exactly Mike Johnson wound up with the speaker position and what it means for the MAGA movement, potential aid to Ukraine, and a possible government shutdown. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the disc...
Oct 26, 2023•29 min
Tara begins the show with an update on the as-yet-unresolved turmoil within the GOP as they continue their search for a new House Speaker. She’s then joined by Adrian Carrasquillo from The Messenger to discuss the Democrats' flawed messaging to Hispanic voters in southwest swing states, the effect of Trump’s hardline immigration rhetoric on this demographic, and whether the Latino vote will ultimately be the linchpin in the next presidential election. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up...
Oct 24, 2023•36 min
Tara joins U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong (North Dakota) on Capitol Hill to pull back the curtain on a chaotic and deeply divided House Speaker race. They discuss the likelihood of a Jim Jordan victory, search for bipartisan possibilities, and speculate on how the GOP will be able to climb out of its internal turmoil. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Gues...
Oct 19, 2023•40 min
Tara starts the pod by delivering an update on the race for House speaker. She's then joined by Sarah Matthews, who served as deputy press secretary for Donald Trump. They dive into Sarah’s experiences working within the chaos and examine the adjustments that the current Trump campaign team has made to limit the flow of information going in and out of the organization and to maintain its edge over its political rivals. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & ...
Oct 17, 2023•48 min
Today, House Republicans chose Steve Scalise to be the next House speaker via a secret vote, but will he pass a floor vote? Tara is joined by fellow Puck writer Abby Livingston to break down what led to Scalise’s nomination and examine the splintering his selection caused within the party. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Abby Livingston Producers: Devo...
Oct 12, 2023•34 min
Tara and Jake discuss the ongoing saga surrounding the speaker vacancy in Congress. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan appear to be the front-runners, but don’t count out a surprise contender—and we’re not talking about Kevin McCarthy. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter "The Best & The Brightest" at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20 Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Jake Sherman Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...
Oct 10, 2023•27 min
Following the historic ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Tara sits down with fellow Puck writer Abby Livingston to examine the chain reaction that led to this monumental decision in the House, theorize what could have kept McCarthy in office, and discuss what exactly happens next. Plus, Tara and producer Conor discuss a recent poll showing Nikki Haley pulling well ahead of Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Bright...
Oct 05, 2023•37 min
Tara is joined by NBC News correspondent Jon Allen to discuss the obstacles and fears facing aspiring Democrats who may want to challenge Joe Biden and the DNC establishment in the upcoming primaries. They touch on the growing resentment within the party regarding Biden’s age and leadership, and ponder whether abortion issues and anti-Trump resentment will be enough to get him back into office. To sign up for Tara’s newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest,' go to puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the c...
Oct 03, 2023•24 min
Tara reports live from Simi Valley following the weirdest GOP debate yet! After debriefing in the spin room, Tara recruits Axios political correspondent Alex Thompson to give out awards and discuss the night’s winners and losers. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Alex Thompson Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
Sep 28, 2023•37 min
With the other GOP challengers trailing far behind Donald Trump in the polls, are this week’s debates even worth paying attention to? Mark McKinnon—former chief strategist to John McCain and George W. Bush, advisor, and host of 'The Circus'—says yes. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20 Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Mark McKinnon Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about you...
Sep 26, 2023•57 min
Polls show that voters are begging for more choices among their candidates, but a third-party contender might not be the right answer when it comes to shutting down Trump. On today’s episode, Tara chats with political strategist and Lincoln Project cofounder Reed Galen to figure out whether this is the moment for a third-party breakthrough. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host:...
Sep 21, 2023•49 min
Tara speaks with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich about the Republican strategy behind pursuing an impeachment inquiry. Then, she asks Puck congressional reporter Abby Livingston whether the GOP’s game of brinksmanship will backfire. To sign up for Tara’s Puck newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' visit puck.news/tarapalmeri Host: Tara Palmeri Guests: Newt Gingrich and Abby Livingston Producers: Mike Wargon and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic...
Sep 19, 2023•43 min
Even prior to this week’s impeachment inquiry, Joe Biden has been dogged by attacks from Donald Trump and his allies … but so far, he hasn’t hit back. On today’s episode, Tara chats with First Lady Jill Biden's former press secretary, Michael LaRosa, about whether the president should be punching back. He also talks about what it's like to work with the Bidens, and how Joe likely sees his own polls. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest' at puc...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Congress is back in session, just in time to decide if it will continue to fund the federal government. Tara talks to Puck News reporter Abby Livingston about the looming funding deadline and House Speaker McCarthy’s eternal standoff with his own party’s far-right faction. Plus, how Hakeem Jeffries and New York Democrats are handling the migrant crisis in their state. To sign up for Tara’s Puck newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' visit puck.news/tarapalmeri Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Abby L...
Sep 12, 2023•25 min
Poll after poll shows Joe Biden and Donald Trump neck-and-neck in a potential rematch, but President Obama’s re-election guru Jim Messina says to disregard the polls: Biden is stronger than you think. On today’s episode, Tara debates Messina on whether the warning signs are legitimate. To sign up for Tara’s Puck newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' visit puck.news/tarapalmeri Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Jim Messina Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
Sep 07, 2023•34 min
Republican Super PACs are betting big money on finding a candidate who can unseat Trump. On today’s episode, Tara speaks with her Puck colleague Teddy Schleifer on why these “Donor Daddies” keep making the same mistakes. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Teddy Schleifer Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 04, 2023•43 min
Tara is joined by public affairs strategist and former diplomat Matt Mowers to discuss the super-PAC phenomenon, admire the follow-through of Miami mayor Francis Suarez, and examine the major story lines that could emerge post-Labor Day. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Matt Mowers Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Theme: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 31, 2023•46 min
Tara is joined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson, who recently penned an op-ed in The New York Times saying we shouldn’t underestimate the enthusiasm most Republican primary voters have for Donald Trump’s candidacy. They’re not concerned he might be unelectable. In fact, they think he has the best chance to beat Joe Biden. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Kristen Soltis Anderson Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 29, 2023•47 min
Tara is on the ground in Milwaukee, where she’s joined by Alex Thompson to pick the winners and losers from the first Republican debate. Then she speaks with Matthew Bartlett in New Hampshire for a deeper look at the Spin Zone. Hosted by Tara Palmer Guests: Alex Thompson and Matthew Bartlett Producers: Ashleigh Smith, Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 24, 2023•46 min
Tara Palmeri welcomes you to the premiere of ‘Somebody’s Gotta Win.’ To start the show off, she is joined by NBC’s Jon Allen to set the stage for the first Republican presidential debate. They discuss Ron DeSantis’s multiple miscues and who has the most to gain—and lose—in Milwaukee. Then, Tara asks GOP consultant Matthew Bartlett which candidates Republican donors are highest and lowest on. Host: Tara Palmeri Guests: Matthew Bartlett and Jonathan Allen Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Conor Nevins...
Aug 22, 2023•46 min
Puck senior political correspondent Tara Palmeri is here to help you get through what may be the most chaotic and consequential presidential election cycle of our lifetime. With 15 years covering politics, Tara speaks with the smartest political brains to discuss what is happening behind the scenes in Washington D.C., and on the campaign trail. Producers: Ashleigh Smith, Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 15, 2023•49 sec
