WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

After Speaker Mike Johnson bows out, Republicans pick a new leader, skipping Steve Scalise. Plus, California's Prop. 40 wealth tax loses, Elon Musk's spending shows money can’t buy elections, and the Supreme Court considers administrative judges. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Republicans reconvene after the election for a last hurrah for their majority. Can they pass permitting reform and a reconciliation budget bill for defense? Anything else?  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After the GOP's grim election, Trump names a new chief of staff: Stephen Miller, who designed the policies that voters just repudiated. Plus, as Chuck Schumer draws a line on Supreme Court nominees, are Justices Alito and Thomas in for a long haul? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vice President JD Vance blames the big GOP shellacking on the unpopular war with Iran. Is he right? And will the President now try to strike a deal with the Iranian regime, keep up the blockade or start a new round of military strikes? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Democrats win one of the biggest midterm election victories in decades, sweeping Republicans out of the House and securing the Senate majority. What's behind this epic Republican loss and how does Donald Trump respond? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After President Trump's closing argument talks up his D.C. renovations, what message might voters send? Plus, the Justices debate whether Colorado can deny money to Catholic preschools unless they enroll families who oppose them on sex and gender. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Democrat Haley Stevens shocks her party by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers instead of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. What does her reversal say about a rift among Democrats, and should both parties be concerned about a rise in antisemitism? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Voters will consider nearly 150, including: Will California or Colorado raise taxes, while getting voter ID? Will Virginia and Missouri have abortion in their constitutions? Will Arizona ban traffic cameras? And how about Idaho's official state gun? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Control of the Senate rests on a handful of races, mostly in GOP-leaning states such as Alaska, Texas, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio. Can Republicans survive the undertow of Donald Trump's unpopularity to hold a majority? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Benjamin Netanyahu overperforms the polls in this week's election, though it isn't clear he can form a government. Plus, an ugly antisemitic ad in Michigan and Barack Obama's swipe at American cheesecake.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The country's first election since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre is a referendum on the prime minister, but challenger Gadi Eisenkot says he's equally as tough. Plus, Brazil's Lula da Silva wins again, and Maria Corina Machado returns to Venezuela. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paul Gigot speaks with political scientist Ruy Teixeira about what could happen to moderate voices in the Democratic party if progressives succeed in the midterms, and what the potential results could mean for the Trump coalition in 2028.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two weeks before the midterms, Justice Kagan accuses the Supreme Court of undermining democracy. But how much will gerrymandering help the GOP, and can't voters solve it? Plus, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall favors a giant Social Security tax increase. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Abdul El-Sayed will test whether a Bernie Sanders Democrat can win in a swing state, while Republicans hope Michele Tafoya can pull off an upset in liberal Minnesota. Plus, the controversy over Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring opponent Amy Acton's mother. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Journal’s Jack Butler joins the show to debrief a reporting trip to Texas and how James Talarico is wooing Republican voters who aren’t warm to Ken Paxton. Plus, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby endorses a wealth tax grab and new death taxes.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump doesn't rule out meeting with China and Russia as he ratchets up the pressure on Ukraine. Global View columnist Walter Russell Mead joins the show to unpack the larger thinking behind Trump's latest flurry of diplomacy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The U.S. President escalates his strategy to end the Russia-Ukraine war by putting pressure only on Ukraine. Plus, what's behind the riots in France? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's pitched as a one-time 5% retroactive tax on billionaire wealth, but money is already fleeing California in response, which is why Gov. Gavin Newsom backs Prop. 42 to nullify it. Plus, the latest inflation report shows prices up 3.7% in a year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sen. Dan Sullivan says the road to a Republican majority in the Senate goes through Alaska, but can he overcome a challenge from not just Mary Peltola, but also the confusion caused by ranked choice voting and “Decoy Dan” Sullivan?  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ukraine says its satellite data is being throttled and hamstringing the country’s ability to defend against Vladimir Putin. Plus, NATO’s top military commander unveils a plan to defend the alliance in the event Putin widens his war.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sen. Darline Graham avoids another serious debate misstep, but recent polls show her only a point ahead of Democrat Annie Andrews. Plus, the GOP spends millions to try to save Ken Paxton in Texas, as the press publishes more damaging leaked recordings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donald Trump looks to end the Russia-Ukraine war by making a fuel deal with Vladimir Putin, and calls for an energy ceasefire. Plus, Donald Trump says he may resume a military campaign against the Houthis after the Riyadh airport bombing.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What did voters learn from TV showdowns in Michigan, Maine and Iowa? Republicans are on defense about tariffs, while Democrats struggle to explain abolishing health insurance. Meantime, Abdul El-Sayed won't say Iran is a bigger threat than Israel.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a speech in Greece defending the achievements of Western civilization. Plus, riots break out across France over school conditions, and the country’s gloomy economic outlook looms large over the protests. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The defense technology company is betting it can speed up production of U.S. Navy attack submarines. Christian Brose of Anduril joins Kate B. Odell to unpack the new venture announced this week with the Trump Administration.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.