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Trump's tariff announcement disrupted global markets, catching international leaders and the business community off guard and fueling economic anxiety. Why the surprise? How can they still engage the administration productively? The news of the tariffs, along with elections in Wisconsin and Florida and Senator Booker's marathon speech, gave Democrats a chance to show momentum. Did they present a fresh vision or fall back on the usual anti-Trump narrative? Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties have consistently failed to meaningfully address the growing national debt and deficit across multiple administrations. Has this ongoing fiscal neglect paved the way for movements like MAGA to present alternative solutions aimed at restoring economic competitiveness? Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.
Between Trump's Address to Joint Session of Congress, his fluctuating trade and tariff policies, and the threat of a government shutdown, politicos question whether the president's actions are more performance than policy. With no clear leader or unified message, how much longer will Democrats remain disorganized? And, are Republicans stuck in a “team mentality,” prioritizing loyalty over scrutiny of DOGE? Featuring Public Strategies' Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.
Most Americans agree the federal government overspends and our debt is unsustainable. But Elon Musk's approach at the Department of Government Efficiency is challenging assumptions—not about the problem, but the execution. Instead of the usual bureaucratic reshuffle, he's taking unprecedented action, with ripple effects reaching localized federal workers. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Kyle Anderson.
President Trump appears to be following through on his promises, while the Democratic Party seems unprepared to effectively counter his actions. The question arises: who will step forward as the leader to challenge this trajectory? Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Kyle Anderson.
As the Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency work to streamline the federal government by reducing its size and workforce, their actions are increasingly colliding with a mountain of lawsuits. Featuring Public Strategies' Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.
Trump's return to the White House began with a decisive policy rollout but quickly unraveled amidst confusion, uncertainty, and tragedy. A hastily issued OMB memo freezing aid to 2,600 programs—only to be swiftly reversed—sparked confusion and concern. This was compounded by Trump 2.0's first major crisis with the tragic commercial aviation disaster on the shores of the Potomac. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French and Kyle Anderson.
Donald Trump returns to Washington as the 47th President of the United States. Explore what to expect on day one, including the inauguration ceremony and anticipated executive actions. Key areas of focus will likely include deregulation, immigration, and tariff policies, as his administration sets the tone for its priorities and approach to governing. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.
With the recent passing of Cozen O'Connor founder and chairman, Steve Cozen, our team reflects with gratitude on the privilege of knowing and working with Steve, a visionary leader who had a profound impact on our firm and the community. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Kyle Anderson.
What will Trump 2.0 look like? Central to the incoming administration's vision is the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), designed to streamline federal operations and eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks. What challenges could derail these ambitions? Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.
As Trump's personnel announcements continue to roll out, Americans are given a glimpse into his vision for the next four years. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.
On Tuesday, voters sent a clear message to Washington: the country is on the wrong track, and they're looking for solutions in an ever-changing world. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French, Julia Hammond, and Meagan Foster.
With the election just days away, the Public Strategies team predicts key race outcomes and discusses whether divided government will continue. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.
Did the minds of any voters change after the Harris-Trump debate? Does the debate matter for down ballot races? Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.
The media's narrative has Democrats viewing the presidential race through rose-colored glasses, but this election will be decided by razor-thin margins. While the Harris-Walz campaign positions itself as the “changemakers,” many Americans are still unsure what their vision of “change” truly means. Tuesday's first Harris-Trump debate gives former President Donald Trump a critical chance to redirect the conversation from personality politics back to policy. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer and Mark Alderman.
As Vice President Kamala Harris clinches the Democratic nomination for president this week, the Public Strategies team reports from Chicago, site of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, providing a bipartisan analysis of the current state of play. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.
With Vice President Kamala Harris rising to the top of the Democratic ticket, the “double-haters” now have a choice this November. The shift from President Joe Biden to Harris has energized the Democratic base, bringing young voters back into the fold. What role will gender and race play in the election? Who will she select as her running mate? Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin.
This RNC is being hailed as one of the best stage-managed conventions ever. All eyes now shift to see who comes out of Chicago as the Democrat nominee. One thing is certain, this will not be a normal August. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.
Concerns over President Joe Biden's age and fitness are shaking up the Democratic Party, leaving his nomination hanging in the balance. As the party evaluates his viability against Donald Trump, a critical question emerges: who has what it takes to defeat the former president? Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.
As Americans watched the first televised presidential debate, it became clear that American politics had hit a new low in its political discourse. Between President Biden's inability to set a narrative and pace, and former President Trump's rapid-fire barrage of false statements, it resembled more of a debacle than anything remotely presidential. Featuring Public Strategies' Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.
Returning to Capitol Hill for the first time post-presidency, Trump found support among Republican leaders and members aiming to emulate the party's 2016 success. Immigration and economic challenges remain top concerns for American voters, mirroring the recent rise of the far-right in Europe. Shifting focus to the Supreme Court, concerns about judicial politicization, ethics, and impartiality underscore the need for reform to preserve the system's credibility. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin.
The vilification of politics creates a perception that nothing gets done in Washington. While Congress often appears dysfunctional, it continues to govern, quietly advancing bipartisan, critical pieces of legislation. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.
In recent years, the Philadelphia suburbs have emerged as a bellwether for presidential elections. With national voter enthusiasm at an all-time low, is the Commonwealth's senate race overshadowing the presidential election? The fate of the nation hangs on the smallest shifts in historical voter demographics, encompassing critical issues such as the border crisis and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, the Hon. Rodney Davis, and Kyle Anderson.
As norms and institutions encounter scrutiny, the political pendulum remains in motion, illustrated by the foreign aid discussion on Capitol Hill, the contentious discourse surrounding the Middle East conflict on college campuses and in major urban centers, and the unfolding of Trump's first criminal trial in New York City. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.
State supreme courts have become as political as courts get. Could the recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling on reproductive rights cost Republicans the November election? Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.
The intricate interplay between economic perceptions and immigration places President Biden in a delicate balancing act with swing state voters. Given the outcomes of the past two elections hinged on this pivotal electorate, the prevailing political polarization and prominence of these issues could be enough to tip the scales. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and the Hon. Rodney Davis.
As 2024 shapes up to be a turnout election, both Democrats and Republicans are working to fine-tune their messaging to mobilize voters. Can President Biden reshape the economic narrative effectively? Will the "uncommitted" movement, fueled by progressive concerns over the Israel-Gaza conflict, influence the outcome? How are Republicans reframing their discourse on abortion? Featuring Public Strategies' Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and the Hon. Rodney Davis.
Despite the influx of dollars into Nikki Haley's campaign, the South Carolina primary could mark its end of the road. But, until the financial well runs dry, will Haley power through in the off-chance Trump's court cases take a political toll? Looking to Washington, the Public Strategies team analyzes the ebb and flow of Capitol Hill over the last decade, including a loss of bipartisan socialization, a degradation of party unity, and a consolidation of executive power. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin.
As we enter President's weekend, would the former leaders be disappointed we aren't further along in our nation's trajectory? Is the end of American exceptionalism closer than we know? Join Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French as they look back at our country's historical struggles, discuss whether Tom Suozzi's win is a good omen for the Democrats in November, and ask whether the absence of a clear foreign enemy today is at the root of all this internal dysfunction.
The special counsel report on President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents reignites doubts about his age and mental fitness as he seeks reelection. With no clear Democratic alternative questions are swirling about Biden's ability to finish out a second term. Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, political greed derails the bipartisan border deal, cementing immigration as the new third rail. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and the Hon. Rodney Davis
Bipartisan legislating is turning heads in Congress as the House advanced this week a significant tax package and the Senate continues negotiations on a border and national security supplemental. Don't blink, but will Congress actually get things done, or will election year politics threaten to derail both efforts? Featuring Public Strategies' Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Kaitlyn Martin.
Following Iowa and New Hampshire, the path to the Republican nomination narrows for Nikki Haley, moving former president Donald Trump one step closer to securing the nomination. As the reality of a Biden-Trump rematch weighs heavy on the minds of voters, the Public Strategies team pulls back the curtain on a hypothetical second Trump term. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Hon. Rodney Davis, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin.
As GOP candidates gear up for the New Hampshire Caucus, the shadow of Donald Trump looms large against his GOP challengers, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, who fail to effectively criticize the former president and appeal to his unwavering MAGA base. Come November, the 2024 presidential outcome will ultimately be shaped by the economic psyche of voters. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin.
With the Iowa Caucus on the horizon, the Public Strategies team analyzes past nomination paths and illustrates scenarios for a presumptive Biden-Trump 2024 rematch. While Nikki Haley may have a “Hail Mary” with Independents in New Hampshire, former president Donald Trump's momentum among the GOP base appears to be inescapable. Featuring Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Hon. Rodney Davis.
From “Walking in a Biden Blunderland” to “Must be Santos,” the Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies team embraced the holiday season yet again with Christmas carol parodies, reflecting on 2023's political and legislative challenges and sharing their hopes for the new year. Featuring CPS' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Hon. Rodney Davis, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin.
The presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT refused this week to declare in congressional testimony that calling for the genocide of Jews constitutes harassment under their codes of conduct. Their failure to do so supports the GOP narrative about biased institutions. Meanwhile, the economy continues to chug along but companies still struggle to find workers. Featuring CPS' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.
The US House of Representatives expels New York Congressman George Santos. Meanwhile on the campaign trail, support continues to coalesce around Nikki Haley. To be seen as a strong alternative to the former president, Haley must master a balancing act between the party's conservatives and moderates. Featuring CPS' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French and Kaitlyn Martin.
As President Biden manages instability abroad, the House GOP Conference continues its search for a speaker. Featuring CPS' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Hon. Rodney Davis, and Towner French.
With government funding running out in less than 40 days, the House Republican Conference is scrambling to find a Speaker that can reach the 218-vote threshold. At the same time, the crisis at the southern border is intensifying, forcing the Biden Administration to continue fmr. President Trump's border wall. Featuring CPS' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Hon. Rodney Davis, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin.
Explore how Speaker McCarthy kept the government open and what to watch for in the coming weeks as the battle with the House Freedom Caucus, debate over Ukraine funding, and the fight over the Speaker's gavel continue. Featuring CPS' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Hon. Rodney Davis, and Towner French.
As the CPS team returns from August Recess, the Beltway is in a downward spiral with a looming government shutdown, a crisis at the southern border, mounting indictments for fmr. President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, and a House impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Featuring CPS' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Rodney Davis, and Towner French.
With the 2024 elections on the horizon and the August recess encroaching, the CPS team popcorns topics: Is Bidenomics a winning or losing 2024 campaign message? What's the significance of the NDAA and what happened with the House Freedom Caucus this week? Does the Biden White House have a double standard with cannabis and cocaine? Featuring: CPS' Mark Alderman, Rodney Davis, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin Interested in learning more? Follow Beltway Briefing and subscribe to our weekly political roundup for the C-suite, Cozen Currents, at rb.gy/8x107.
From the crowded 2024 Republican presidential field to the influence of media, Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies (CPS) discusses Trump's most recent indictment and arraignment, and their impact on a potential 2024 Biden-Trump rematch. Featuring: CPS' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Rodney Davis, Patrick Martin & Kaitlyn Martin Interested in learning more? Follow Beltway Briefings and subscribe to our weekly political roundup for the C-suite, Cozen Currents.
After weeks of political impasse and tense negotiations, the Senate voted 63-36 to approve bipartisan legislation to raise the nation's debt limit, sending the compromise bill to the White House ahead of a projected Monday default deadline. The result, at least until January 2025, will allow the Treasury to immediately resume paying bills with borrowed funds and it will impose spending caps on portions of the budget for two years. Public Strategies' Mark Alderman, Rodney Davis, and Towner French discuss this truly bipartisan success and break down the final tallies in both chambers. Also, as former VP Pence is set to launch his presidential campaign on June 7, they also ponder what impact it will have on the growing 2024 Republican primary
President Biden, Speaker McCarthy, and other congressional leaders were scheduled to meet on Friday to talk about a possible deal to increase the borrowing limit and meet the GOP demand of reducing federal spending. But the meeting has been postponed until early next week. On Wednesday, in what was the first major television event of the 2024 presidential campaign, CNN hosted a prime-time town hall with Donald Trump, propelling a tsunami of criticism from inside and outside the network. Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Rodney Davis, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin discuss the debt-ceiling fight gripping Washington and the renewed questions about how the news media should handle the challenge of covering the Republican Party's leading candidate going into the 2024 election.
What a week it has been: on Wednesday, Public Strategies hosted a reception for Rodney Davis, officially welcoming the former five-term congressman representing Illinois' 13th District to the firm. On Tuesday, after months of teasing and a lot of built-up anticipation, President Biden announced he will seek a second term in office, joined by Vice President Harris as his running mate. And on Monday, Fox News star host Tucker Carlson was abruptly fired. Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin talk about Biden's announcement and discuss the impact on the conservative media landscape of Carlson's sudden departure.
Dave McCormick, a former under secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and a well-funded former hedge fund CEO, has released a new book and is launching a new PAC. It's fueling speculation he might run again for a Pennsylvania Senate seat in 2024, after narrowly losing to Mehmet Oz last year. Meanwhile, there are calls for 89-year old Senator Feinstein (D-CA) to resign because of her prolonged absence from the Senate due to her health. Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Kaitlyn Martin ponder whether McCormick may be the GOP's ticket to a 2024 win in Pennsylvania and discuss how Sen. Feinstein's temporary replacement or permanent resignation could impact the Senate Democrats.
With the 2024 presidential election inching closer, the looming potential indictment of the former President dominated the news this week, alongside discussions of a potential TikTok ban. Trump faces scrutiny in four ongoing criminal investigations that are gaining momentum, with the potential to upend the 2024 presidential race, in which Trump has already announced his candidacy. TikTok is under fire following its CEO Chew's Congressional testimony on Thursday. Public Strategies' Mark Alderman, Rodney Davis, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin highlight the complexity of the legal calculations being made by prosecutors in New York, Georgia, and DOJ as they examine Trump's conduct on several fronts, and discuss a Senate bill that would give Commerce Department the ability to review and potentially ban technologies associated with foreign governments, as TikTok faces increased congressional scrutiny.
In what was a textbook case of classic bank runs, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapsed with astounding speed last weekend. Are these failures the legacies of poor practices specific to these banks, or did aggressive interest-rate hikes and poor bank supervision cause their downfall? Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Rodney Davis, and Towner French break it all down and debate the makeup of the Republican presidential field.
With less than two years to go until the 2024 presidential election, reports are swirling about which public figures may throw their hats in the ring for what is already shaping up to be one of the most heated political races in American history. Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Rodney Davis, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin debate whether Trump still remains a power center within the Republican electorate or if his influence may be on the decline. They also discuss how the White House is trying to navigate the politically charged issue of crime, including President Biden's decision not to use his veto power to block a GOP-led effort to repeal changes to the District of Columbia criminal code.