Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

James and Al are joined by Pete Buttigieg’s Senior Communications Advisor Lis Smith for a conversation about her career journey as a political veteran, how to succeed on the campaign trail, and what to look for when you pick a candidate.  They also take on the issues defining the midterms, what democratic messaging needs, and the importance of making the elections about the candidates instead of a...

James and Al are joined by Financial Times U.S. National Editor Ed Luce and Freedom House President Michael Abramowitz for a look at the recent upheavals in foreign affairs.  In their conversations, they cover the resignation of Boris Johnson and its impact on Britain, the latest developments in our relationship with Saudi Arabia, and what it all means for the United States, Ukraine, and Europe. E...

We’re sharing a bonus episode from our friends at Revisionist History, Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast about things misunderstood and overlooked. This season, Malcolm’s obsessed with experiments – natural experiments, scientific experiments, thought experiments. In this preview, we learn about Paul Madden, who ran the California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement in the 1930s. He enacted an expensive, burd...

James and Al are joined by Bulwark writer, author, and anti-Trump conservative Tim Miller to delve into the departure of the Republican party from the Reagan/Bush legacy in an appeal to the grievances of its base.  They also look at the fire of political passion, the addiction of the campaign trail, and how it can drive people to go along to get along.  When your candidate goes off course, what do...

The State of the Supreme Court with Linda Greenhouse

James and Al review the latest 1/6 hearing and upcoming Supreme Court rulings, then welcome D.C. Bureau Chief of The Intercept Ryan Grim to analyze the increasing ineffectiveness of progressive organizations and the perils of woke culture.  In their conversation, they break down the fragmentation of the Left, and emphasize the need to build coalitions to achieve goals and win elections– even if it...

James and Al fire off on the ineffectiveness of liberal organizations and what they need to do to help win elections.  They then welcome Silicon Valley Congressman Ro Khanna to lay out his view of progressive capitalism and the need to bring our industries back home, highlighting the importance of common sense and why we shouldn’t give up on the promise of the USA.  Email your questions to James a...

James and Al break down the results of this week’s primary elections and are joined by author and congressional expert Ira Shapiro.  In their conversation, they discuss how Mitch McConnell has contributed to the destruction of the Senate as an institution, its value as a check on executive power, and the need to unify against obstruction and to defend our values. Email your questions to James and...

Following the Memorial Day weekend, James and Al welcome former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Admiral James Stravidis, to look back on some of our greatest naval heroes.  Then, they discuss the ways the different branches of the armed forces are responding to modern challenges, the need for more ships, and how strategic ambiguity is being used to deter a conflict between China and Taiwan. Email y...

James and Al go off on the growing epidemic of gun violence and the apathy of the public.  Then, they welcome Fmr. US Deputy Treasury Secretary and Evercore Founder Roger Altman to understand what’s happening with the economy.  In their conversation, they cover the role of the Fed, the possibility of recession, and what President Biden has done to strengthen the country’s prospects. Email your que...

James and Al sound off on the politicians who would back Russia after their aggression.  Then, they are joined by NYT political correspondents and authors of “This Will Not Pass” Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns to analyze where the parties stand going into midterms, and break down the most important results from this week’s primaries. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gma...

Big Tech makes big decisions over our lives: What products we see, how we feel about world events, what to censor — to some degree, even what medical decisions we make. Yet who controls Big Tech? The firms are so powerful and rich they really act as judge and jury now. Increasingly, they are accountable to no one. “Defending Democracy (and us!) from Big Tech” is a 3-episode docu-series from the De...

James and Al take on the Supreme Court for invalidating abortion rights, and stress the need for activist groups on the Left to get out into the field and fight for us.  Then, they welcome former Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen for an update of the situation in Ukraine and the fight for democracy here at home after the events of January 6th. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@...

James and Al fire off on the disastrous Supreme Court decision overturning Roe V. Wade, and the state of our judicial system after the leak.  Then, they welcome former speech writer to Joe Biden, Al Gore, and many other leaders, Jeff Nussbaum.  In their conversation they cover the history of the key moments and undelivered speeches that defined the world from Emperor Hirohito, to Eisenhower, Nixon...

From critically acclaimed podcast studios Pineapple Street and Wondery comes a new 8-part series called Will Be Wild that shines a light on the human stories left out of the headlines. It goes deep into the lives of people who took part in that day. People who saw it coming. And people who fear that January 6th was just the beginning of something, not the end.   Follow Will Be Wild wherever you ge...

James and Al call on Democratic interest groups to kick things into high gear before the midterms and are joined by MI State Senator and viral star Mallory McMorrow.  They discuss the increasing hate and personal attacks from Republicans, how to stand up for the values of the Democratic party, and the need to fight back with policy and hope when faced with culture war.   Email your questions to Ja...

James and Al lay out the case for Democrats to stop their internal criticism and infighting going into the midterms.  They also welcome 4-Star USMC General John Allen for an in-depth analysis of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, our readiness, and the current threats we face.  How is Ukraine fairing?  What are the weaknesses of Russia’s military?  And how can the USA and NATO help?   Email your que...

James and Al explain Trump’s weakening hold on the Republican Party and host PBS NewsHour’s Chief Correspondent Amna Nawaz for a discussion on immigration and incarceration.  They look at the role of border issues in our politics, the need for increased immigration and streamlined commerce, our history of asylum, and the dangers of the nation’s growing emphasis on criminalization. Email your quest...

James and Al are joined by author and former Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper for a deep dive into the bellwether politics of his state, the hypocrisy of Republicans, and the need to meet their attacks head on.  They also discuss the importance of winning local elections, mobilizing small donors, and reminding voters of President Biden’s many accomplishments going into the midterms. Ema...

We’re sharing a special preview of the new season of Against the Rules from Pushkin Industries. On Against the Rules, bestselling author Michael Lewis takes a searing look at what’s happened to fairness in American life. In the preview you’re about to hear, Michael speaks with Todd Park, entrepreneur and former chief technology officer of the United States. Todd talks about the idea that, in any b...

James and Al sit down with former U.S. National Security Council official and expert in Russian and European affairs Fiona Hill to discuss why Putin invaded, what he expected in the aftermath, and what happens next.  Then, they welcome political consultant turned Academy Awards and comedy writer Jon Macks to analyze the events of the 2022 Oscars. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswar...

James and Al are joined by PBS NewsHour’s foreign affairs and defense correspondent Nick Schifirin to lay out Russia’s goals for its war in Ukraine.  They also break down the balance of power between the two militaries, and highlight Zelensky’s appeals to the world compared to Putin’s authoritarian politics of control.  Is there a risk of unconventional weapons being used as the conflict continues...

James and Al welcome John Hopkins’ Agora Institute Senior Fellow Peter Pomerantsev to examine Putin’s plans in Ukraine and the role of propaganda in the conflict.  They discuss what the West needs to do now, Russian public opinion, how to win the information war, and what it will take for democracies to triumph over authoritarian regimes while staying true to their innate strengths. Email your que...

James and Al look at the latest developments in Ukraine, and host Senior Editor of The Atlantic Ron Brownstein.  They take on the increasing regressivism of the Republican party, the role of race in contemporary politics, the state of the Supreme Court, threats to democracy at home and around the world, and where the Democrats should go from here. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswa...

James and Al break down this week’s elections and review the State of the Union.  Then, they are joined by Ed Luce of the Financial Times to delve into President Biden’s handling of the Ukraine crisis, the role Putin has played in strengthening NATO and bringing Europe closer together, and possible off ramps to the conflict.  Could mediation by China be the answer?  And will sanctions and a succes...