The Smerconish Podcast

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will the midterms mark the end of the Trump era? Michael examines political strategist Doug Sosnik's provocative analysis of the coming election. Could the 2026 midterm elections signal the beginning of the end of Donald Trump's political dominance? With Trump's approval rating at 33%, history suggests Democrats could be headed for a massive victory. But So...

Is the Trump era nearing its end? veteran Democratic strategist and former Clinton White House adviser Doug Sosnik joins Michael for a revealing, data-driven look at what could be a political earthquake on Tuesday, November 3. With President Trump's approval rating at historic lows, Americans struggling with the cost of living, and the war with Iran weighing heavily on voters, Sosnik explains why...

A dirty political trick or just smart campaign strategy? A stunning New York Times investigation reveals an alleged scheme involving Democrats recruiting a second candidate named Dan Sullivan to potentially confuse voters in Alaska's heated Senate race. Michael breaks down the controversy, the role of ranked-choice voting, and whether this tactic crosses an ethical or legal line. Today's poll asks...

With Election Day just days away, could an October Surprise change everything? Veteran political analyst Mark Halperin joins Michael for a final look at the 2026 midterms, weighing the possibility of a Democratic tsunami against a Republican upset. Which Senate races could determine control of Congress, and will President Trump accept the results? Halperin also explores the last-minute wild cards...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will AI do more good or harm in your lifetime? Artificial intelligence could cure cancer, fight Alzheimer's, and revolutionize government services. It could also pose an existential threat to humanity. Michael examines the extraordinary promises and alarming risks outlined in Anthropic's IPO prospectus, including tens of thousands of words devoted to potent...

Can President Donald Trump really strip Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of her U.S. citizenship—and potentially have her deported? As the Trump administration investigates the Minnesota Democrat, Michael speaks with Minneapolis immigration attorney David L. Wilson of the Wilson Law Group to explain denaturalization, the legal process for revoking citizenship. What constitutes immigration fraud? Why are s...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which drives voters more, their demographics or their values? We like to believe our votes reflect our values. But what if race, gender, age, and education are far more predictive of our political choices? Michael examines new voter data from The New York Times showing dramatic demographic shifts between the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, alongside G...

Should taxpayer dollars fund schools—or follow students? Pennsylvania State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams is a Democrat who's breaking with his party on school choice, arguing that America's public education system is failing too many children. He joins Michael to discuss school vouchers, charter schools, teachers unions, and the Trump administration's new federal scholarship tax credit. Plus, ca...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: It takes 218 seats to control the House. How will the midterms end? a) Republicans keep control, b) Democrats win narrowly (218–229 seats), or c) Democrats win big (230 seats or more)? With just eight days until the 2026 midterm elections, Michael examines whether Republicans can hold the House or whether Democrats are headed for a commanding victory. Elect...

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Did JD Vance help or hurt his chances of winning the 2028 GOP nomination by defending Ramaswamy's ad? Vice President JD Vance is standing behind Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial attack ad targeting Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, even as prominent Republicans condemn its deeply personal content. President Trump has doubled down in support, but Ohio G...

Are the kids alright? After joining former RNC Chairman Michael Steele for a conversation with 600 students at Pennsylvania's Hill School, Michael shares his message to America's next generation. Are Americans truly more divided than ever, or have we simply forgotten how to disagree? From political polarization and social media misinformation to the dangers of living in ideological bubbles, Michae...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Ramaswamy's ad using his rival's mother will: a) help him, b) hurt him, or c) make no difference. Vivek Ramaswamy's latest attack ad in the Ohio governor's race features Amy Acton's estranged mother calling her own daughter a liar. But there's a stunning detail the commercial leaves out: mother and daughter reportedly haven't seen each other in 47 years, an...

Will JD Vance run for president in 2028, and would Donald Trump immediately endorse him? 2WAY Editor-in-Chief Mark Halperin joins Michael with exclusive insights from his interview with the Vice President aboard Air Force Two. Plus, could John Fetterman switch parties and cost Democrats control of the Senate? Halperin also reveals his latest 2028 Democratic presidential rankings, with Gavin Newsom...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will Europe's wave of violent protests reach America soon? France is experiencing a wave of unrest, with protests spreading across Europe and political tensions rising on both sides of the Atlantic. Could America be next? Michael examines the competing explanations for the violence—from President Trump's warnings about immigration to economic pressures, gov...

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Listen to Michael's conversation with Dr. Peter Gray on his new book "Restoring Childhood" here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Subscribe to the Smerconish YouTube channel here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Could a Democratic Congress rein in President Trump? The 2026 midterm election 'concludes' two weeks from tomorrow. Michael examines what Democrats could actually accomplish if they reclaim control of the House, Senate, or both. From investigations and subpoenas to healthcare, tariffs, and judicial confirmations, Democrats have an ambitious agenda—but Trump...

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which is the bigger midterm prize, the House or the Senate? Election Day is just over two weeks away - Michael breaks down what's really at stake if Democrats reclaim one or both chambers of Congress. A House majority could unleash investigations, subpoenas, spending battles, and even another impeachment vote. But Senate control brings a different kind of p...

With less than three weeks until the 2026 midterm elections, are Republicans facing a much bigger defeat than anyone expects? Political analyst Mark Halperin joins Michael to explain why President Trump is campaigning in deep-red states, what internal GOP polling may be revealing, and how MAGA infighting could make a bad election night even worse. They also discuss growing questions surrounding Tr...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Who cut Ukraine's Starlink service this week? Was it Trump? Was it Musk? Was it both or was it a glitch? As Ukrainian forces face a massive Russian missile barrage, reports of sudden Starlink restrictions are raising urgent questions about who controls battlefield communications. Michael examines the escalating tensions between Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and...

This is the audio version of "Can We Agree?" Episode #4. 'Can We Agree" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any common ground on the questions that matter most to Americans today. Subscribe to the Smerconish YouTube channel to never miss an episode! "Socialism" is a word Republicans have used against Democrats as a slur for decades. No...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will the midterm election results cause the president to make significant changes to his cabinet and/or policies? With Democrats favored to retake the House, and the Senate hanging in the balance, Michael looks beyond Election Day to a more consequential question: What will President Trump do if Republicans suffer a major defeat? Will he shake up his cabine...