National Journal Politics Editor Josh Kraushaar hosts the sharpest minds in Washington for no-BS conversations about what’s really happening inside the Beltway and on the campaign trail.
The Against the Grain podcast hosted by Josh Kraushaar is a must-listen for anyone interested in politics. As one of the most astute and important analysts of politics alive today, Kraushaar offers a deep understanding of the complex dynamics influencing both parties and the entire national political landscape. His strong feel for political trends makes this podcast incredibly informative and enlightening. Alongside his newsletter and rich Twitter feed, Kraushaar is my go-to source for understanding what's going on in politics and predicting what will happen next.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its commitment to presenting diverse viewpoints. In an era where echo chambers dominate, it is refreshing to hear opinions from both the center left and center right. The discussions are grounded in facts rather than emotion, offering listeners a chance to discover political truths based on reality rather than being subjected to gaslighting or fear mongering. This balanced approach is hard to find in today's overheated political climate, making Against the Grain stand out among other political podcasts.
This podcast also stands out for its interview format that allows guests to express their views without being put on the defensive. It provides a space for a wide variety of political perspectives, fostering thoughtful discussions and giving listeners an opportunity to gain insights from different sides. The guests chosen by Kraushaar offer deep insight into what is happening within the Beltway, further enhancing the richness of each episode.
While there are many positive aspects to this podcast, it can sometimes feel lacking in depth. Given that each episode covers multiple topics from both sides of the aisle, there may not be enough time devoted to fully exploring each issue. This can leave listeners craving more substantial analysis or discussion on certain topics.
In conclusion, The Against the Grain podcast hosted by Josh Kraushaar is a valuable resource for those seeking balanced and informed political analysis. With his expertise and careful curation of guests, Kraushaar provides a platform for diverse viewpoints and insightful discussions. While it may occasionally lack depth in its coverage of certain topics, this podcast still stands out as one of the best political commentary sources available. Whether you're a millennial or not, this podcast is definitely worth your time if you enjoy politics.
Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss President Trump's polling numbers after a busy news week with threats of war with Iran, infighting in the West Wing, and Dems in disarray. Plus, a guest appearance from Hotline House races reporter James A. Downs.
Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on new national correspondent Erika Filter to discuss Democrats' struggles with messaging in the Trump 2.0 era, the White House's new communication strategy, and more.
With this year's Congressional Baseball Game taking place at Nationals Park on Wednesday, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on the leading expert on the history of the game, Nathaniel Rakich of Baseballot. They discuss Democrats' losing streak, the players to watch, and how torpedo bats could impact the game. Follow Nathaniel's baseball and political insights on X, Bluesky, and on Baseballot.
Editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour speaks with Robert Shea and Adam Hughes, cofounders of GovNavigators, about the differences between civillian and military contracts, the implications of Trump's cuts to the federal government on the private sector, and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The House Budget Committee Sunday night voted to move the "big, beautiful bill" forward after the bill failed in a committee vote on Friday. NJ Daily Editor Ledyard King brings on senior congressional correspondent Casey Wooten and Senate correspondent Savannah Behrmann to discuss the potentials pathways for the bill and what tax cuts could be affected in negotiations.
Hotline editor Kirk Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook handicap the midterm elections and discuss the political dynamics of incumbents facing younger primary challengers.
NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King brings on Senate reporter Savannah Behrmann and House reporter Casey Wooten to talk the updates on budget reconciliation. They talk which programs could be at risk due to budget cuts, the role of the Senate parliamentarian in the reconciliation process, and more.
National Journal has released Margins to Mainstream, a comprehensive look at the acceleration of policy ideas coming from nontraditional sources and what this could mean for organizations looking to anticipate policy shifts. In a webinar last week, Pope Ward and Jeff Dufour broke down the rise of alternative media and its growing influence, challenges in tracking these decentralized voices, and the best tools and strategies to stay ahead. You can find the presentation here if you'd like to follow along while you listen. Download the special report here.
Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on former Hotliner and political analyst Matt Holt to give a temperature check of the Democratic Party ahead of President Trump's 100th day in office. They talk Democrats' weaknesses in the 2024 presidential elections, the brewing Tea Party sentiments within the party, the gameplan for Democrats in the midterm elections, and more.
In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series, Hotline editor Kirk Bado brings on House race correspondent James A. Downs and governors and state legislatures correspondent Mary Frances McGown to talk about the shifting political landscapes in state legislatures, the economic impact of tariffs on states, and how funding cuts impact governors in blue and red states.
NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King brings on House reporter Casey Wooten and Senate reporter Savannah Behrman to break down what's happening with the budget reconciliation, congressional reactions to President Trump's tarrifs, and Speaker Mike Johnson's deal on proxy voting.
Editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss Rep. Elise Stefanik's return to the House, the off-year governor races, and potential primary challenges to Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Ahead of midterms, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on Senate races correspondent Nicholas Anastácio to see where the Senate battlefield forms with open primaries, retirement announcements, and how the midterms could impact Republican female senators.
Ahead of the midterm elections, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado takes a look at the possible storylines that could form as Democrats and Republicans plan out the race for the House. House races correspondent James A. Downs and Inside Elections deputy editor Jacob Rubashkin join the podcast to give their expert analysis on what races could be the ones to watch.
Speaker Mike Johnson tries to juggle several fiscal balls: a spending bill to avoid a looming government shutdown; a multi-trillion-dollar reconciliation package, a recissions package, and a deadline to suspend the debt ceiling or face default. NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King brings on House reporter Casey Wooten to break down these fiscal priorities.
Hotline editor Kirk Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss President Trump's first month in office and how his presidency may affect the midterm congressional races. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Foreign Affairs Correspondent Cristina Maza has been reporting from the Munich Security Conference and watching the results of the elections in Germany. She joins NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King to discuss her reporting at the conference, the outcomes of the election, and reactions from European leaders to President Trump's foreign policy positions.
Editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour brings on White House correspondent George E. Condon Jr. to discuss the rapid pace of news coming out of the White House, Elon Musk's increasing influence over the federal government and early favorability polling.
Capitol Hill has been the stage for multiple confirmation hearings for President Trump's nominees. While many of his nominations have flown through the confirmation process, some of Trump's picks have faced controversy. NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King brings on Senate correspondent Savannah Behrmann, health care correspondent Erin Durkin, and foreign policy and defense correspondent Cristina Maza to break down who's already confirmed, who's next in line, and who might be in trouble.
Editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook break down the first few days of President Trump's new term including his executive orders, his confirmation hearings for his nominees, and what new political dynamics could arise from the next four years.
Soon-to-be President Trump faces a different inauguration compared to his first one. Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on senior national correspondent Zac Weisz and White House correspondent George E. Condon Jr. to discuss the logistics of Trump's indoor inauguration and what to expect in the first weeks of his second term in office.
In this bonus episode with Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook, they discuss the latest updates in President-elect Trump's legal battles, online misinformation and decreased news engagement affecting the wildfires in California, what to expect from the news landscape in Trump's second term and more.
With the beginning of the 119th Congress, NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King brings on senior congressional reporter Casey Wooten to look back at the Jan 6th, 2021 attack on the Capitol and the uncertainty surrounding the election of Speaker Mike Johnson. Senate correspondent Savannah Behrmann joins the podcast to discuss John Thune becoming the Majority Leader of the Senate and what's ahead for him. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
For the last podcast episode of 2024, NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King brings on National Journal Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour and Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado to look back at 2024 in politics. They recap the most memorable headlines from this year, make predictions on what could happen under the incoming Trump administration, what they're keeping an eye on and lastly what their new year's resolutions are. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss election post-mortem analysis, President-elect Trump's controversial nominees and their thorny path ahead in the Senate, and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
NJ Daily Managing Editor Ledyard King brings on health care correspondent Erin Durkin and foreign-policy and defense correspondent Cristina Maza to break down President-elect Trump's nominees for health care, foreign policy, intelligence, and immigration. They discuss the controversies surrounding some of the nominees, and their potential impact on policy. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
NJ Daily Managing Editor Ledge King brings on Senate correspondent Savannah Behrmann and senior congressional correspondent Casey Wooten to discuss the upcoming changes to the House and the Senate with new members, controversial confirmation hearings, and more under an incoming Trump administration. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Hotline editor Kirk Bado discusses the election results and what's to come with senior national correspondent Zac Weisz, Senate campaign correspondent Nicholas Anastácio, House race correspondent James Downs, and gubernatorial reporter Mary Frances McGowan. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
In this jam-packed episode, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado discusses the races and storylines to watch with National Journal's correspondents. Follow our correspondents on National Journal's live blog on Election Day starting at 6 p.m. ET here: https://www.nationaljournal.com/2024election-coverage/ Time stamps for each race: Presidential: 0:00-40:05 Senate: 40:05-1:01:10 House: 1:01:10-1:27:50 Governor's races: 1:27:50 Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour and The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss the early vote returns, the suddenly competitive Nebraska Senate race, and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
As the election inches closer, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado takes a look at the Senate map with Senate-races correspondent Nicholas Anastácio. They break down what races could flip, the defense opportunities for the parties, what's going on in the Nebraska Senate race, and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series “Cook Catch Up,” Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook check in on the presidential race as it nears its end, break down the deluge of tight national polls, and check in on other competitive races.
Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour brings on White House correspondent George E. Condon Jr. to discuss what remains on President Biden's to-do list before the end of his term, the vice presidential debate and more headlines. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Hotline editor Kirk Bado, Senate-races reporter Nicholas Anastácio, and House-races reporter James Downs discuss the recently released rankings of the races most likely to flip. Find the Senate Power Rankings here and the House Power Rankings here. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series “Cook Catch Up,” Editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss the pathways both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump will need to succeed through the electoral map, the latest controversy surrounding North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and whether it could affect Trump's campaign, and the role of the economy in voters' minds this election. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Watch Charlie Cook's C-SPAN discussion here.
After the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on senior national correspondent Zac Weisz to recap the moments from the debate, how campaigns are pivoting in the aftermath of the debate, and how much Harris needs to win the popular vote to succeed in the Electoral College. Read Zac's article here. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook check in on the presidential election as it looms closer to November, measure the messaging of Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign and former President Trump's campaign ahead of their debate on Tuesday and discuss the lack of House races polling. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook recap the DNC, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s departure from the presidential race, and the latest in polling. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The National Journal Daily and Hotline teams are at the Democratic National Convention this week, bringing you another dispatch from the Windy City. Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado talks to Courtney Rice of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, podcaster and pundit Bill Press, and Jessica Mackler of EMILYs List about the excitement for presidential nominee Kamala Harris and down the ballot. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Sign up here for National Journal's Convention Daily for in-depth coverage of the DNC this week.
The National Journal Daily and Hotline teams are at the Democratic National Convention this week in Chicago, bringing you the first of many dispatches from the Windy City. Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado and National Journal editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour talk about their first impressions of the convention and Senate correspondent Savannah Behrmann talks to Rep. Gabe Amo and former Rep. Christopher Shays about their excitement for the new Democratic presidential ticket. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Sign up here for National Journal's Convention Daily for in-depth coverage of the DNC this week.
Since President Biden has stepped aside and Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the nomination, Democrats have closed the gap on Republicans in polling, pulling ahead in some surveys. Their recent success is partially due to rising Democratic enthusiasm and their new attack against Republicans that seems to be landing—focusing on “weirdness.” Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on American Bridge 21st Century President Pat Dennis to talk about how the liberal super PAC and opposition research group is driving Democrats' offensive against former President Trump's campaign. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
As a young correspondent for Newsweek Magazine, Tom DeFrank was a witness 50 years ago to Nixon's forced departure from the Oval Office following the Watergate scandal and the sudden ascension of Gerald Ford to the presidency. Today, National Journal's contributing editor Tom DeFrank talks to NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King about his five-part series laying out each of the five days from Monday Aug. 5 when President Nixon had no intention of leaving to Friday Aug. 9 when he and his family left the White House for the last time as leader of the free world. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
From President Biden stepping out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris replacing him to former President Trump's attempted assassination and his new running mate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, the presidential race has been buzzing with headlines over the last three weeks. Editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour brings on senior national political correspondent Zac Weisz to break down the questions behind these headlines and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
In this adapted episode from National Journal's Convention Daily webinars from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King and senior national correspondent Zac Weisz to recap former President Trump's speech, the takeaways from this convention, unity within the Republican party and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Supreme Court recently overturned 40 years of precedent in administrative law known as the Chevron doctrine. NJ Daily Managing Editor Ledyard King brings on senior congressional correspondent Casey Wooten to explain how the ruling will reverberate on Capitol Hill as it takes away power from rulemakers in the executive branch. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series “Cook Catch Up,” Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook unpack the first presidential debate and discuss President Biden's widely panned performance. They discuss whether Biden remains as the Democratic nominee, potential replacements, and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Hotline editor Kirk Bado, associate editor Hannah Thacker, and House-races reporter James Downs discuss top strategies in political advertising, overarching themes in this year's ads, and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
On the two year anniversary of the Dobbs case, Hotline editor Kirk Bado, health reporter Erin Durkin, and gubernatorial reporter Mary Frances McGowan discuss the possibility of a federal abortion ban, forthcoming ballot initiatives in the states, and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
On Wednesday, the annual Congressional Baseball game will take place at Nationals Park where Democrats and Republicans will face off for a bicameral game for charity. Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado brings on FiveThirtyEight's Nathaniel Rakich to give the history behind the game and break down player statistics and team insights. Read Rakich's Congressional Baseball Game statistics here.
Foreign policy and defense correspondent Cristina Maza returns from a conference in Estonia that centered on NATO's role in the security of Europe as war rages well into its third year in Ukraine. NJ Daily Managing Editor Ledyard King brings her on to discuss NATO's role in Ukraine, how European leaders are watching the U.S. presidential election, and how Europe's Middle East policy differs from President Biden's policy.
In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series “Cook Catch Up,” editor in chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss the latest New York Times/Siena polling in swing states, whether the Biden campaign sees its upcoming debate with former President Trump as a Hail Mary moment, the Maryland Senate race and more. Episodes of National Journal Radio are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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