Podcast appearances and mentions of Bill Scher

Starting a trade war is just stupid. But maybe Trump simply doesn’t really care about tanking the economy. On this show, Washington Monthly politics editor Bill Scher points out that the current president appears to be trying to steer America The post Trade Peace Beats Trade War: Where Are the Democrats? appeared first on KDA Keeping Democracy Alive Podcast & Radio Show.

The Big Beautiful Bill is finally past the quiet phase. The behind-the-scenes negotiations have spilled into the open, and now we're in the bloodletting. Speaker Mike Johnson wants this out of the House by Memorial Day, which means committee votes need to happen, and fast. But right now, the Budget Committee is a problem. Hardliners are balking — Ralph Norman, Josh Brecheen, and Chip Roy are all leaning no. They're not satisfied with the Congressional Budget Office's timeline for a cost estimate, and they're worried the Medicaid changes could pressure red states into expanding coverage.Mike Lawler and Marjorie Taylor Greene are fighting on Twitter over SALT deductions — state and local tax breaks — and that fight is not going away. There's talk of raising the cap from $30,000 to $40,000 or adjusting the phase-out thresholds. But this is exactly why they're doing one big bill instead of multiple smaller ones. Everyone knew it was going to be painful. Nobody wanted to go through this kind of battle again and again for every policy item.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Still, I'm bullish. It's ugly right now, but that doesn't mean it's doomed. The usual sign of failure — a flood of press conferences from members declaring the bill dead — hasn't happened. Republicans aren't holding cameras. They're texting reporters. They're venting in group chats. But they're not going on record saying they'll tank Trump's agenda. That's a big difference. This isn't like other bills I've seen die. It still feels like something they're going to get through — just barely.The key players are all doing what they need to do. Trump is overseas for now, but his influence is still real. He got Johnson the speaker's gavel. He's kept this whole thing moving. When he's back, the pressure campaign ramps up. Meanwhile, JD Vance is already starting his Senate charm offensive to get reconciliation done once it clears the House. They know they'll lose a few senators, but they're planning for that. The goal is to get something — anything — through.And here's what's actually in it: no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security for anyone making under $150,000. Yes, those provisions sunset in four years, but let's be honest — once they go into effect, they're not going anywhere. Nobody's going to vote to take those benefits away from working people. Republicans used to hate that logic — the “give a mouse a cookie” approach to entitlements — but now they're writing the cookies themselves. And they're going to love running on them.This bill is messy. It's jammed with contradictions. It's being held together with string and prayers. But I still think it passes. And if it does, the Trump administration gets to claim a huge legislative win — not just a headline, but real, sticky policy that people will feel in their paychecks. That's the ballgame.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:52 - Big Beautiful Bill Progress00:15:51 - Interview with Bill Scher00:39:39 - Update00:40:23 - Inflation00:43:36 - Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship00:45:44 - Iran Nuclear Deal, "Sort Of"00:47:57 - The News Sheriff00:53:03 - Interview with Bill Scher (con't)01:18:02 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Join Matt Lewis and Bill Scher on the DMZ as they tackle three hot political topics! -- Is Senator John Fetterman spiraling, or are disgruntled staffers stirring drama? -- Could Democrats flip the Senate with Trump-backed GOP nominees faltering in Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana? -- And will Democrats impeach Trump a third time if they retake the House? Dive into the latest on Fetterman's mental health concerns, the 2026 Senate map, and the risks of impeachment in this must-watch episode.  Subscribe for more political analysis, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Washington Monthly magazine Political Editor Bill Scher joins Patrick to talk about internal conflicts between Democratic primary voters and how it could impact the Senate race in Illinois or the 2028 presidential race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Looming Constitutional Crisis as Trump Continues to Defy the Supreme Court and Federal District Courts With "The Dog Ate My Homework" Excuses | A Little-Noticed FEC Ruling Opens the Door For the Next Frontier of Plutocracy | The Tariff War Trump Has Launched Against China That He Will Surely Lose backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia bsky.app/profile/ianmastersmedia.bsky.social facebook.com/ianmastersmedia

Washington Monthly Politics Editor Bill Scher joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss deportations without due process and if AOC is the new face of the Democratic Party. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Robison talks to Washington Monthly Bill Scher about why amidst all the awful things happening under Donald Trump there is some good news, and a few things going better than people realize. We cover why the filibuster may be more beneficial to Democrats than commonly believed, why Chuck Schumer may have done ok on his government funding decision, and why the cratering popularity of JD Vance is a big deal. To keep up with all of Matt's work, subscribe at this link:https://substack.com/@mattrobison2?utm_campaign=unknown&utm_medium=web00:00 Introduction: Taking a Deep Breath05:05 Discussion on Filibuster's Impact12:54 Shutdown Politics and Schumer's Decision19:32 Republican Challenges and JD Vance's Unpopularity24:38 The Shifting Politics of the Republican Party30:07 The Filibuster and Democratic Strategy32:15 Judiciary and Midterm Elections44:19 Medicaid and Medicare Debates

Bill Scher, Politics Editor for Washington Monthly, joins Patrick to talk about the fallout of the Signal war plans disclosure, JD Vance, and if Democrats are getting played by Republicans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Sen. Chuck Schumer drop the ball by dodging a government shutdown fight with Donald Trump? On this episode of The DMZ, Bill Scher and Matt Lewis break down Schumer's punt on the funding bill, the growing backlash from Trump voters blindsided by ICE deportations and DOGE job cuts, and what it all means for Democrats' 2026 midterm comeback. From Elon Musk's wild influence to Medicaid cuts on the horizon, we're digging into the political mess. Is Schumer a shrug or a strategist? Can Dems turn Trump's chaos into House and Senate wins? Hit play and find out!  Key Topics:  -- Chuck Schumer's filibuster fail and government shutdown dodge  -- Donald Trump's policies hitting his own voters—ICE, DOGE, tariffs  -- 2026 midterms: Democrats' shot at the House and Senate  -- Elon Musk's DOGE and the Medicaid cuts threat

Join Matt Lewis and Bill Scher in the DMZ as they dive into:-- Donald Trump's latest moves—tariffs, federal workforce cuts, and all-out economic chaos. -- Is there a method to the madness, or is Trump risking a recession with no plan? -- From West Virginia's vibe shift to Elon Musk's DOGE-fueled firings, we unpack the stakes—stagflation, cronyism, and a GOP rooting for the bad guys. -- Are Democrats fighting back effectively, or just flailing? -- Elon Musk Misunderstood the Film “Office Space.”-- Remembering blog legend Kevin Drum-- And MUCH more!

Join Matt Lewis and Bill Scher on DMZ as they dive into the latest political analysis. In this episode, Bill discusses his provocative Washington Monthly article, "Trump's Historically Bad First Month of Polls Should Terrify Republicans." With Trump's approval ratings dropping 7 points in just one month — starting stronger than his first term but already treading water — these early numbers could spell disaster for congressional Republicans facing the 2026 midterms. From unpopular tariffs and Elon Musk's growing unpopularity to potential economic missteps like inflation and job cuts, is Trump governing as advertised, or is he overreading his mandate? Matt challenges Bill's optimism, questioning voter expectations, poll reliability, and whether Republicans can break from Trump's grip. Are Democrats poised to capitalize, or will Trump's chaos reshape the political landscape? Watch now for expert insights on Trump's presidency, GOP strategy, and the road to 2026!

The United States has officially imposed broad tariffs on two of its largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, marking one of the most aggressive trade measures in recent history. With potential economic fallout looming, world leaders, economists, and businesses are scrambling to assess the impact of President Donald Trump's latest move.From Trade Deals to Trade Wars: How We Got HereDuring Trump's first term, his administration took a mixed approach to tariffs. While he aggressively targeted China with import duties — many of which remain under President Biden — his strategy with Canada and Mexico was more nuanced. Initial tariffs on specific industries such as lumber, steel, and aluminum eventually gave way to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a revised version of NAFTA that stabilized trade relations.However, with Trump back in the White House, he has revived concerns over trade imbalances, particularly with Canada and Mexico. On January 20th, Inauguration Day, Trump signed an executive order launching a review of USMCA, with findings due in April. But before that process could unfold, he moved forward with major tariff increases.On February 1st, Trump announced two executive orders imposing sweeping tariffs. Canadian imports now face a 25% tariff, with a lower 10% tariff on energy exports like oil and gas. Mexico has been hit with a flat 25% tariff on all imports. Though negotiations initially delayed the tariffs by 30 days, they have now gone into full effect, shaking up a $1.3 trillion annual trade relationship.To justify the tariffs, Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a legal framework typically used for sanctions. He linked the move to national security concerns, specifically citing fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration.Sweeping Tariffs Hit North America HardThe response from Canada and Mexico has been swift and severe. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the tariffs as "absolutely unacceptable" and unveiled a $30 billion retaliatory tariff package, with plans for an additional $125 billion in tariffs within 21 days if the dispute is not resolved. Several Canadian provinces have announced bans on U.S. products, pulling American wine, beer, and liquor off store shelves.In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a sharp protest but has not yet outlined a formal retaliation. However, Mexican officials have signaled that they may target key U.S. industries, including soybeans, pork, and beef exports.Domestically, the tariff decision has sparked significant economic concern. Stock markets tumbled following the announcement, and major retailers like Target and Best Buy have warned that prices on imported goods will rise sharply, with businesses passing the cost onto consumers.Economists overwhelmingly predict inflationary pressure, warning that tariffs could lead to a U.S. recession and further damage trade relations. The automotive industry is expected to see major price hikes, as will sectors reliant on steel and aluminum, energy resources, agriculture, and consumer goods such as electronics, clothing, and household appliances.Trump's Endgame: Tough Negotiation or Economic Gamble?These tariffs will likely be felt most harshly by Canada and Mexico, as the United States is their largest export market. Seventy-five percent of Canadian exports go to the U.S., while for Mexico, that number is even higher at 80%. By limiting these exports, Trump is exerting maximum pressure on both countries, but the strategy raises significant questions.Is he using tariffs as leverage to renegotiate USMCA? Does he expect Canada and Mexico to cave under economic strain? Or is this a broader shift toward economic protectionism, despite warnings from economists?Trump's decision could make or break his administration. While his supporters may see the move as a strong stance against unfair trade practices, rising prices and economic downturns could alienate voters — especially those who supported him for his stance on inflation control. The coming months will reveal whether these tariffs are a negotiation tool or a long-term policy shift. For now, both the U.S. and its North American neighbors brace for an economic showdown.Chapters* 00:00:00 - Introduction* 00:02:39 - Ukraine Mineral Deal Fallout* 00:06:35 - The Impact of Tariffs on Trade Relations* 00:17:22 - Consequences of Tariffs on the Economy* 00:22:15 - Interview with Bill Scher* 00:58:09 - Update introduction* 01:00:13 - J.D. Vance's European Controversy* 01:03:02 - GOP Government Funding Bill* 01:04:48 - Democrats' Plans to Protest Trump's Speech* 01:08:00 - Interview with Katie Harbath* 01:45:25 - Outro This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Trump's Politicization of the Military and the Firing Its Top Lawyers So That His Unlawful Orders Won't be Blocked | The Historical Plunge of Trump's Poll Numbers in Just One Month | Having Patel and Bongino Head the FBI Means Trump Will Go after His Enemies While He Can Break the Law With Impunity backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia bsky.app/profile/ianmastersmedia.bsky.social facebook.com/ianmastersmedia

What have Matt and Bill been up to? ... A Complete Unknown vs. Netflix ... Should we listen to more Joe Rogan? ... What does Mike Johnson's victory say about the GOP? ... Can Democrats recover? ...

What have Matt and Bill been up to? ... A Complete Unknown vs. Netflix ... Should we listen to more Joe Rogan? ... What does Mike Johnson's victory say about the GOP? ... Can Democrats recover? ...

What have Matt and Bill been up to? ... A Complete Unknown vs. Netflix ... Should we listen to more Joe Rogan? ... What does Mike Johnson's victory say about the GOP? ... Can Democrats recover? ...

What have Matt and Bill been up to? ... A Complete Unknown vs. Netflix ... Should we listen to more Joe Rogan? ... What does Mike Johnson's victory say about the GOP? ... Can Democrats recover? ...

I don't think Kamala Harris will ever be president. I don't think she has a connection with Americans beyond a core Democratic base who can be easily woo'd by another shiny object. I think she would do best in the one-party state she came from and run for governor of California where she might even pass for the centrist she positioned herself as nationally.But I may well be wrong. If I am Bill Scher will have told me otherwise. He believes she enters our four-year cycle to select the next president as the most well positioned Vice President loser in recent American history. Damning with faint praise? Maybe. We discuss 2028 and everything we got wrong about the election in this chat!Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview00:03:06 - Bill Scher on 2024 Election Insights00:15:01 - Trump's Continued Popularity00:40:02 - Trump's Lawsuit Against Iowa Pollsters00:45:02 - House GOP Budget Standoff00:46:47 - AOC's Leadership Challenge in Congress00:50:09 Handicapping 2028 Contenders This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Washington Monthly Political Editor Bill Scher shares his analysis about Republican control of Congress, Trump's cabinet picks and other trending political news.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Washington Monthly Political Editor Bill Scher gives his take on the election results, Democratic governors vowing to protect their states from Trump policies and other trending political news.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Harris's interviews? ... Focus on "fascism"? ... Positions from 2019? ... Sexism? ... Too much of a politician? ... Biden? ... Inflation? ...

Harris's interviews? ... Focus on "fascism"? ... Positions from 2019? ... Sexism? ... Too much of a politician? ... Biden? ... Inflation? ...

The Selzer poll and the weighting debate ... Will Bill and Matt change their predictions? ...

The Selzer poll and the weighting debate ... Will Bill and Matt change their predictions? ...

Who would get more accomplished: Harris or Trump? ... Does Trump know more about wielding power than during his first term? ... Trump's past failed record on mass deportations ... How will "garbage" impact the race? ... Predictions! ... Who will Matt vote for? ...

Who would get more accomplished: Harris or Trump? ... Does Trump know more about wielding power than during his first term? ... Trump's past failed record on mass deportations ... How will "garbage" impact the race? ... Predictions! ... Who will Matt vote for? ...

On this week's DMZ, Bill Scher and Matt Lewis make their 2024 presidential and U.S. Senate predictions. They also discuss...-- Which candidate would get more done as president-- Whether Senate Republicans would blow up the filibuster-- Donald Trump's lousy record on deporting illegal immigrants-- Why Joe Biden's stupid "garbage" gaffe hurts Kamala Harris, and changes the subject from the Puerto Rico controversy-- Who Matt's voting for in 2024-- The Dodgers beat the Yankees!-- And MUCH more

Don't take early numbers too seriously. It's the first chapter of a book. You might think you know where it goes, but each story is different. Early votes are not linear, they are often jumbled by different start times or counting processes. So don't take them seriously.Okay? Did you read that? Are you not going to take them seriously?Fine. Let's torture ourselves with early voting data. * VoteHub* Jon Ralston Early Voting Blog* UMichVoterAlso…The great Bill Scher (Washington Monthly) joins to discuss where Kamala Harris is and how she wins the election. Andrew Heaton tells us of all the political signage he's seen during his road trip from Texas to Washington DC. Chapters2:56 Early Vote13:21 Bill Scher1:00:13 UPDATE (Obama and Kamala, $28 million Polymarket Bet, Trump Legal Strategy)1:09:50 Andrew Heaton This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

How did Harris do at the CNN Town Hall? ... Is sexism hurting Harris? ... Should Harris go after Trump as a fascist? ... Is Harris' campaign better run than past Democratic campaigns? ... What is up with Tucker Carlson's creepy spanking speech? ... Trump's ahistorical argument for ending the income tax ...

How did Harris do at the CNN Town Hall? ... Is sexism hurting Harris? ... Should Harris go after Trump as a fascist? ... Is Harris' campaign better run than past Democratic campaigns? ... What is up with Tucker Carlson's creepy spanking speech? ... Trump's ahistorical argument for ending the income tax ...

Should we brace for a Trump victory? ... Or does Harris have the edge? ... Trump is now the candidate who sees voters as deplorable ... Why aren't conservative smear attempts working? ...

Should we brace for a Trump victory? ... Or does Harris have the edge? ... Trump is now the candidate who sees voters as deplorable ... Why aren't conservative smear attempts working? ...

With the Fateful Election 3 Weeks Away, an Update on Polls and Predictions | Is America Itself on Trial in This Election and Could it Soon Descend Into Darkness Like Germany in the 1930's? | The Political Violence Spilling Out of Red States in Our Vigilante Nation backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia facebook.com/ianmastersmedia

Did Kamala's media blitz help or hurt? ... Has Kamala lost momentum, or are pollsters using a flawed methodology? ... Why are conservatives sticking with Trump? ... Trump's bizarre answer to Ben Shapiro's ground game question ... Have YouTube and podcasters supplanted the mainstream media? ...

Did Kamala's media blitz help or hurt? ... Has Kamala lost momentum, or are pollsters using a flawed methodology? ... Why are conservatives sticking with Trump? ... Trump's bizarre answer to Ben Shapiro's ground game question ... Have YouTube and podcasters supplanted the mainstream media? ...

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Are Democrats smart to spend in Texas and Florida? ... Is Trump smart to tell women he will protect them? ... Does Trump have a ground game? ...

Are Democrats smart to spend in Texas and Florida? ... Is Trump smart to tell women he will protect them? ... Does Trump have a ground game? ...

Would Kamala Harris have been worse off if Biden resigned? ... Why is Matt losing conservative friends? ... Should politicians fact check constituent stories? ...

Would Kamala Harris have been worse off if Biden resigned? ... Why is Matt losing conservative friends? ... Should politicians fact check constituent stories? ...

What Kamala got right ... What Trump got wrong ... Why undecided voters are the worst ... Why probabilistic forecasts are stupid ... Do the Swift and Cheney endorsements matter? ...

Is Biden-Harris foreign policy neoconservative or Reagan conservative? ... How much are Trump and Biden alike on foreign policy? ... Matt warns up to Walz ... How should Harris approach next week's debate? ...

What's wrong with Walz joining Harris for her first interview? ... Should Harris have gone local for her first interview? ... Why is Trump embracing RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard? ...

A Review of Last Night's Democratic National Convention and a Preview of Tonight's | The Generational Change Underway in the Harris/Walz Democratic Party | China Sues Stanford For Mao's Secretary's Diaries With an Inside Look at the CCP From 1935 to 2018 backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia facebook.com/ianmastersmedia

Are too many former Democratic presidents speaking at the convention? ... Does Kamala Harris need to win the national popular vote by a lot to win the Electoral College? ... Does Tim Walz need a better response to attacks on his military service? ... Does Donald Trump need a campaign shake up? ...

Are too many former Democratic presidents speaking at the convention? ... Does Kamala Harris need to win the national popular vote by a lot to win the Electoral College? ... Does Tim Walz need a better response to attacks on his military service? ... Does Donald Trump need a campaign shake up? ...

Donald Trump's Twitter Spaces interview with Elon Musk gave us a lot of talking. But one bizarre quote does explain the difference Donald would like to draw between he and Kamala on foreign policy.Bill Scher (Washington Monthly) joins the show to discuss the rollout and rapid rise of Kalama Harris.Chapters00:00 Analyzing the Trump-Musk Twitter Spaces Conversation08:28 Contrasting Trump's Foreign Policy Approach with Kamala Harris'20:38 FBI Investigating Hacking Incident Targeting Trump Campaign23:10 Challenges Faced by Special Counsel Jack Smith25:12 President Biden to Address DNC Opening Night?33:07 Bill Scher Analyzing the Successful Rollout of Kamala Harris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TIMESTAMPS:  Intro (0:00) White Dudes for Harris (1:50) Interview with John Ziegler (34:55) Interview with Bill Scher (59:35) Outro (1:30:57) - - - Watch full episodes on Rumble, streamed LIVE 7pm ET. Become part of our Locals community - - -  Follow Glenn: Twitter Instagram Follow System Update:  Twitter Instagram TikTok Facebook LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices