Hacks On Tap

This week Gibbs and Murphy were joined by a man whose many titles will take up most of our episode description. He is a Senior Editor at The Atlantic, a Senior Political Analyst for CNN, and the author of “Rock Me on the Water: 1974 — The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics”. Now that the dust has settled they look back on the midterms and discuss the upcoming race...

It’s the one-week anniversary of the 2022 midterms and to celebrate Gibbs and Murphy dive deep into the results. The Republicans may have underperformed nationally but where did they make state gains and why? Who is on the Democratic bench for 2024 and who will they face on the Republican side? Does anyone read our listener mailbag questions anymore? All of these questions, and more, will be addre...

Here’s a preview of a new podcast, Story of the Week. Each week, journalist Joel Stein chooses an article that fascinates him, convinces the writer to tell him about it, and then interrupts a good conversation by talking about himself. Sometimes the story will be the one everyone is talking about, like the New Yorker article on smoking hallucinogenic toads. Other times, it’s a story you might have...

The midterm special hackathon extravaganza is finally here and we couldn’t think of a better guest to join us than POLITICO’s Politics Bureau Chief and Senior Columnist, Jonathan Martin. The Hacks discuss the results we have from the midterms and breakdown what that means for control of the Senate, House, and eventually The White House! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad...

In their final episode before the midterms all three Hacks convene to discuss Obama emerging on the campaign trail, they update us on key races including: Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Utah — and they prepare us for the midterms — will it be a ripple or a wave? And don’t forget, your vote matters, VOTE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the Hacks were joined by a super esteemed Hackeroo, the formidable Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. Together they put on their beer goggles to look back on past elections for context on today’s polarization; discuss upcoming debates, viral moments, and narrative benders; and talk all things midterms and gut instincts. Plus David’s do...

This week the Hacks were joined by two formidable and local Hacks to deep dive into the Nevada and Georgia races. First up is Nevada! Jon Ralston, CEO of the Nevada Independent, joined us to discuss the Cortez Masto v. Laxalt Senate race and walks as through the intricacies of the Nevada ballot. Then we’re joined by Greg Bluestein, author of “Flipped: How Georgia Turned Purple and Broke the Monopo...

This week the Hacks were joined by Superstar Hack Extraordinaire Jonathan Martin to discuss Trump’s rally in Arizona, the optics of GOP candidates aligning themselves with the former president, the strategy of participation in midterm debates this cycle, and so much more!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With five weeks to go before the election, it’s Murphy madness as we welcome Molly Murphy, Democratic pollster and strategist, to the show. Axe, Murphy, and the other Murphy discuss the continued impact of the Dobbs decision—among other issues—on voter enthusiasm, new allegations against Herschel Walker, and the races that will determine control of the Senate. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

It Was Said, the 2021 Webby Award winner for Best Podcast Series, returns with a new season to look back on some of the most powerful, impactful, and timeless speeches in history. Written and narrated by Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author-historian Jon Meacham, this documentary podcast series takes you through another season of ten generation-defining speeches. Meacham, along with top hi...

Republican pollster and strategist Dr. David Hill joins Murphy and fellow Auburn fan Gibbs to discuss how this midterm cycle compares to cycles in the past, the likelihood of split ticket voting in Georgia and elsewhere, whether there’s a brewing rivalry between Governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis, and share tips and tricks for being a sophisticated consumer of polls. Learn more about your ad c...

Mo Elleithee, former communications director for the Democratic National Committee and current executive director of the Georgetown Institute of Politics, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Democrats’ attempt to defy gravity this election cycle, Ron DeSantis’ political stunts, and the cultural issues dominant in both parties today. Plus, the Hacks review the races that will determine control of the U...

Jon Favreau, “podcasting royalty” and former speechwriter for Barack Obama, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Democratic enthusiasm around the country, the critical role suburban voters will play in this year’s midterm elections, key Senate races to watch, and insights from focus groups on the new season of Jon’s podcast, The Wilderness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...

Axe and Murphy convene the day after Labor Day to kick off the official sprint to the midterms. They discuss Biden’s decision to go after MAGA Republicans, the wisdom of both Biden and Trump inserting themselves in the middle of the campaign conversation, how the Dobbs decision may impact turnout in November, and Murphy takes us on trip across the pond for an update on UK politics.  Learn more abo...

The Atlantic’s Mark Leibovich joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Biden’s messaging on the campaign trail ahead of the midterms, Ron DeSantis’ political future, the primaries in Florida and New York, and insights from Mark’s book, Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump’s Washington and the Price of Submission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New York Times senior political reporter Maggie Haberman joins Axe and Murphy to discuss how the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago impacts Trump’s political capital, whether the Department of Justice adequately understood the current political environment, Trump’s relationship with Kevin McCarthy, and what to expect from today’s primaries in Wyoming and Alaska. Plus, Maggie previews her forthcoming book,...

Republican pollster and strategist Whit Ayres joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the FBI search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, Biden and the Democrats’ string of legislative victories and whether it will translate to success in the midterms, the status of key Senate races around the country, and the polling trends to watch this fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad...

The Hacks are back with plenty of snacks to break down the results of an illuminating primary night. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy discuss the surprising voter turnout in Kansas, the fate of pro-impeachment Republicans around the country, the growing slate of election deniers in key states, President Biden’s winning streak, and Speaker Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...

Democratic strategist Lis Smith, author of Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story, joins Axe and Murphy to talk about the season finale of the January 6th hearings, Trump and Pence’s dueling speeches, the shifting size of the red wave in the midterms, and whether Biden finally has some bumper sticker wins under his belt.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, formidable Hack and CNN contributor Paul Begala joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the unraveling of Build Back Better, the strategy of the 1/6 committee in advance of their highly anticipated hearing on Thursday, Trump’s donor courting tour, and - in between Murphy swooning over big oil - we venture across the pond* to discuss UK politics.  *No horrible British accents were included in...

The Hacks are back to discuss whether the Department of Justice could indict Donald Trump, recent polling from The New York Times and what it portends for both Biden and Trump’s political future, how Biden should respond to questions about 2024, and the Senate race in Georgia. Plus, Murphy gets an opportunity to gloat and use the word “chortle,” a Hacks on Tap first. Learn more about your ad choic...

The Hacks respond to a slightly delayed bat signal in this special edition of Hacks on Tap to break down the shocking testimony during the Jan. 6th hearings, whether the latest revelations impact Trump’s political future, the ramifications for the midterms, and whether Biden has a newfound opportunity to take charge on domestic issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...

Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and host of The Focus Group podcast, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss how Trump voters are reacting to the January 6th hearings, the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade and whether it gives Democrats an opportunity to go on offense in the midterms, Mitch McConnell’s approach to the bipartisan gun control bill, Elise Stefanik’s hard turn to towar...

Amanda Carpenter, political columnist for The Bulwark, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Trump’s political future in light of the Jan. 6 committee’s findings, the shocking number of election deniers on the ballot across the country, the merits of a gas tax holiday, Biden’s upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, and the LA mayor’s race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Heilemann, host of the Hell & High Water podcast and executive editor of The Recount, is back with Axe and Murphy to discuss the revelations from the January 6th hearings, President Biden’s limited toolkit on inflation and what it means for the midterms, whispers of Biden’s political future, the bipartisan gun bill, and the races to watch in South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. V...