Practically Political

Dave Spencer and co-hosts Kurt Bardella and Ashley Davis break down the latest battles over redistricting, rising gas prices, growing questions around Kash Patel’s future at the FBI, and the early conversations shaping the 2028 presidential race. In this episode, the trio debates the fallout from Virginia’s overturned redistricting initiative, whether Donald Trump is tightening his grip on the Rep...

Dave Spencer and co-hosts Kurt Bardella and Ashley Davis break down the fallout from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and what it says about security, the political response, and whether anything in Washington will actually change. You’ll hear firsthand from Ashley, who was at the event and seated with FBI Director Kash Patel, including why even the highest-profile gatherings have r...

Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis break down a week of major political fallout, from Eric Swalwell’s exit to broader questions about misconduct, power, and accountability in Washington. In this episode, the trio discusses how the Swalwell controversy is playing out, whether Congress needs stronger independent oversight, and what it reveals about power and accountability in politics and...

Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella , and Ashley Davis break down the latest political headlines, including the Eric Swalwell controversy, the crowded California governor’s race, and growing tensions around Trump’s Iran strategy and U.S. foreign policy. In this episode, the trio discusses whether Democrats can consolidate in California, how the Swalwell allegations are reshaping the race, and what JD Vanc...

Hosts Kurt Bardella, Ashley Davis, and Dave Spencer dissect the latest upheaval in the Trump administration and deliver bold predictions about who's next on the chopping block. You'll discover why Attorney General Pam Bondi's sudden departure may have less to do with her performance and everything to do with the looming Epstein files testimony scheduled for April 14th. The hosts debate whether her...

What happens when government funding deadlines collide with international conflict and looming midterm elections? In this wide-ranging episode of Practically Political, hosts Ashley Davis and Dave Spencer are joined by political strategist Kurt Bardella for a no-holds-barred conversation that spans the chaos on Capitol Hill to military action in Iran to early predictions for the 2026 electoral map...

Can a progressive Democrat win statewide in deep-red Texas? And what happens when bipartisan political strategists debate everything from the DHS shutdown to gas prices during an active war? This episode delivers both. You'll discover the inside story of James Tallarico's surprisingly energetic Texas Senate campaign from the strategist who helped engineer it. Chuck Rocha—the union organizer turned...

Get ready for a no-holds-barred political showdown that tackles two of the most explosive issues dominating Washington right now. This episode of Practically Political delivers exactly what the show promises: unfiltered debate between sharp political minds who aren't afraid to challenge each other—and the conventional wisdom. In the first segment, host Dave Spencer sits down with political strateg...

In this episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis dive deep into the latest political upheaval in Washington and the escalating tensions in the Middle East. You'll discover the real reasons behind Kristi Noem's dramatic departure from the Department of Homeland Security—and why it had less to do with policy failures and more to do with the cardinal sin o...

In this special check-in episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave, Kurt, and Ashley deliver an immediate post-State of the Union analysis that goes beyond the talking points. If you're looking for honest, bipartisan political commentary that cuts through the noise, this episode delivers exactly that. You'll discover why this State of the Union may have been one of the least impactful in recent...

In this explosive episode, you'll get breaking analysis of the Supreme Court's landmark 6-3 decision declaring Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, and what it means for the economy, Congress, and the upcoming State of the Union address. Key topics you'll explore in this episode: • The Supreme Court's constitutional reasoning behind striking down Trump's tariff authority and why this wasn't an ideolo...

In this episode of Practically Political, hosts Ashley Davis and Dave Spencer tackle two major conversations dominating the political and cultural landscape: Donald Trump's controversial push to nationalize elections and the surprising success of Melania Trump's documentary. You'll discover an in-depth analysis of Trump's election nationalization proposals and whether this represents serious polic...

Hosts Kurt Bardella, Dave Spencer, and Ashley Davis dive deep into the most pressing political issues facing America today—from the fallout of the Minnesota shooting crisis to the high-stakes government shutdown negotiations unfolding in real-time. Why Listen: You'll discover how the political landscape is shifting as Democrats find themselves with unexpected leverage for the first time since the...

Dave Spencer leads a spirited roundtable discussion on one of the most controversial foreign policy moves of early 2026: President Trump's aggressive push regarding Greenland and its implications for NATO, national security, and America's standing in the world. You'll discover diverse perspectives on Trump's unconventional negotiating tactics, from viewing them as strategic brilliance to diplomati...

Hosts Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella tackle some of the most contentious issues dominating today's headlines. You'll get an unfiltered, cross-partisan discussion about federal law enforcement operations, the potential invocation of historic presidential powers, and what the political landscape might look like in 2028. What You'll Learn: You'll discover diverse perspectives on the us...

Welcome to chaos theory with your hosts Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis. This week, the Practically Political crew tackles the biggest question nobody saw coming: What happens when the president decides military operations are the new foreign policy? From the stunning extraction of Venezuela's Maduro to Trump's Greenland obsession, Dave, Kurt, and Ashley dive headfirst into what migh...

This week on Practically Political, the gang reunites with a familiar voice—Carrie Sheffield returns for a lively holiday debate that doesn't pull any punches. With Trump's approval numbers hitting historic lows and 75% of Americans feeling the economy is on the wrong track, Dave, Kurt, Ashley, and Carrie dig into whether the administration can course-correct before the 2026 midterms. Is "blame Bi...

Pete Hegseth's disastrous tenure as Defense Secretary takes center stage as Dave, Ashley, and Kurt dissect the growing cracks in his support—even among Republicans. From the Venezuela bombing debacle to throwing an Admiral under the bus, the hosts explore whether Trump's loyalty to his embattled cabinet pick has finally met its match. Plus, the crew tackles Trump's pardon spree that would make eve...

Ten months into Trump's second term, the unthinkable is happening—MAGA is showing cracks. Dave, Ashley, and Kurt dive into whether Trump has become a lame duck faster than any president in modern history. From the Epstein files vote defying his wishes to his approval ratings hitting January 6th lows, the hosts debate if the Republican coalition is finally splintering. They also dissect who really...

Day 38 of the government shutdown, and Republicans just got a reality check. Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis break down why the GOP's 2025 election losses prove what everyone suspected: Trump's magic doesn't transfer. From Mikie Sherrill's 13-point blowout in New Jersey to Abigail Spanberger's Virginia sweep, Democrats showed up when it mattered—and younger voters came home. But the...

Day 30 of the government shutdown, and President Trump is halfway around the world. Dave, Kurt, and Ashley dissect the unprecedented absence of a president during a federal shutdown, analyze tight gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, debate whether the Supreme Court will finally check Trump's tariff power, and assess his high-stakes Asia trip. From SNAP benefits disappearing to Gen Z sh...

Dave, Kurt, and Ashley dissect the 22nd government shutdown in 50 years, questioning whether Democrats have a winning strategy or are just setting themselves up for another loss. The hosts debate messaging failures, the Republican advantage in the media ecosystem, and why fighting over future crises rarely moves voters. Plus: was Trump's military generals gathering pure stagecraft? The surprising...

In this episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis discuss the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and its implications for political discourse in America. They explore the reactions from political leaders, the role of social media in radicalization, and the ongoing issues of mental health and gun control. The conversation also touches on the upcoming go...

Dave Spencer delivers a sobering assessment of the Trump administration's first eight months, rating it at "90% worst case scenario." The hosts break down the spectacular failure of the Alaska summit with Putin, the deteriorating situation in Gaza, and how Trump's tariff wars are driving traditional allies like India into China's arms. They also examine the systematic dismantling of non-partisan a...

Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis dissect the Texas Democrats' dramatic flight to Illinois over gerrymandering, Trump's alarming purge of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the federal takeover of DC policing. Plus, they preview the high-stakes Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and what it means for Ukraine's future. Will Trump's "art of the deal" hold up against Putin's power plays? Chapt...