Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

James Carville & Al Hunt are joined by Rep. Jason Crow to discuss the upcoming November Midterm elections, emphasizing the need for House Democrats to remain vigilant and proactive in their campaigns. They highlight the importance of recruiting candidates with diverse backgrounds, particularly veterans, who can bring real-world experience to politics. The conversation also touches on the criti...

James Carville and Al hunt are joined on the sofa by Ruth Ben-Ghiat discussing the current landscape of education and authoritarianism, the characteristics of strongmen leaders, and the implications of fascism in modern politics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the rule of law, the reactionary nature of fascism, and the global authoritarian landscape. The discussion also touches on t...

James and Al unload on the Epstein scandal and the Republican response, emphasizing accountability and the role journalism plays in upholding our democracy.  Then, they are joined by Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison, to demand the removal of ICE after the shooting of protesting citizens and multiple breaches of judicial rulings, discussing why he is leading a state investigation, his in...

James & Al are joined by Mitch Landrieu and discuss the current state of American politics, emphasizing the importance of electability and the need for Democrats to reconnect with working-class voters. They explore the concept of sanctuary cities, the challenges facing law enforcement, and the impact of racism and immigration on society. Landrieu expresses optimism about local governance and t...

James & Al along with John Della Volpe discuss the shifting attitudes of young people towards political issues, particularly in light of recent events. They explore how younger generations perceive these issues on a personal level, the importance of listening to their voices, and the innovative use of AI in polling to gather real-time insights. The discussion highlights the need for political...

James & Al explore the current political landscape as it pertains to the 2026 elections, focusing on the Democratic Party's strategies, key races, and the importance of effective messaging. The discussion highlights the differences between the political environment of 2018 and the present, emphasizing the need for inspirational candidates and a more inclusive approach to voter engagement. The...

James and Al discuss the tragic killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the wider battle for the soul of the city and the nation, looking at the effect of the escalating situation on the midterms, the solidarity of the administration, and the likelihood of impeachment after a predicted Democratic sweep.  Then, they welcome POV International co-founder Annegrethe Rasmussen to break down the strug...

James and Al blast Trump for his increasingly crazy governance and game out the implications for the country, before taking a detour into the exciting turnaround of the championship-winning Hoosiers.  Then, they welcome Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi to discuss the administration's provocative and flailing attempt to control Greenland and the situation in Venezuela after the arrest of Maduro.  From ther...

James and Al sound the alarm over Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, explore the repercussions of his war on the Federal Reserve and the DOJ, and break down the political dynamics in the Senate and at the state level while investigating whether Democratic candidates are ready to meet the moment.  Then, they welcome The Atlantic’s Franklin Foer to discuss the massive reductions in the federal workfo...

Following the kidnapping of Maduro by our military, James and Al examine the role that oil and the court-ordered release of the Epstein Files played in Trump’s decision to intervene in Venezuela, how it will affect our politics, and if it’s the start of more aggressive behavior by the administration.  Then, they welcome the author of “Storm At The Capitol”, Mary Clare Jalonick, to discuss the lead...

James and Al kick off the year by welcoming entertainment maven George Stevens Jr., financial wizard Roger Altman, and esteemed journalist Jill Abramson to reflect on the 1st year of Trump’s 2nd term and game out the year ahead.  They share their thoughts on the transformative impact of A.I., Trump’s declining popularity, the evolution of the entertainment industry in the streaming era, the power...

James and Al hype the growing exodus from Trump, tear into the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files, and lament the decline of journalism as represented by Bari Weiss at CBS.  Then, they welcome their wives, PBS superstar Judy Woodruff and famed political consultant Mary Matalin, to discuss the upcoming 250th anniversary of the USA, the need to live up to our founding principles, and the mood of pe...

James and Al discuss Susie Wiles’ exposé of Trump’s administration in Vanity Fair, share their takes on her description of the people in it, MAGA’s growing schism, Rob Reiner’s legacy, and Trump’s reaction to his murder.  Then, they welcome Dr. James Densley of the Violence Prevention Project in the aftermath of mass shootings at Brown University and Bondi Beach to explain the growing gun violence...

James and Al celebrate the generational win in the Miami mayoral race, explain Trump’s rapid decline in popularity, and sound the alarm over corporate and foreign influence in entertainment and the broader economy.  Then they welcome polling legend John Della Volpe to discuss his findings from the Harvard Youth Poll, which shows that young people are increasingly disillusioned with politics, losin...

James Carville & Al Hunt Are joined this week by Congressman Jason Crow and discuss military leadership of Pete Hegseth, accountability, and the current state of morale within the armed forces. He emphasizes the importance of candidate quality in political recruitment and critiques the current administration's approach to international relations and corruption. Crow's insights reflect his expe...

Al Hunt and James Carville discuss the incompetence of the Trump administration. They are joined by Tom Edsall to talk about the rise of Christian nationalism and far right extremists in the Republican Party, including the role of anti-Semitism in current political discourse.    James & Al then answer listener questions like exploring the impact of economic policies on voters, the dynamics wit...

James and Al welcome Clinton consigliere Sidney Blumenthal to discuss the Epstein file release, what we might find, and how it will influence the future of our politics and upcoming elections.  They also look at the current state of Trump’s influence on the Republican Party, whether there will be a rebellion, and if he can hold his coalition together.  Then, they review his recent hosting of MBS a...

James and Al celebrate the reopening of the government and applaud those willing to cross the line, while still criticizing the administration's failure to achieve a better outcome for the American people.  Then, Politics War Room welcomes Brigadier General Ty Seidule (Ret.) to discuss our military heroes, the renaming of our bases to reflect those loyal to our country rather than those who fought...

After a big win, James and Al explain why the Democrats outperformed in the off-season elections, focusing on the declining affordability of life under Trump, his anti-democratic actions, and the desire for change in the electorate.  Then, they look at the implications for the upcoming national elections, the growing headwinds to MAGA and Republican rule, and the potential to increase the share of...

James and Al break down the imminent elections in NJ, VA, the state Supreme Courts, and on Prop 50 in CA, with a deep dive into the effects of gerrymandering and what it means for the parties.  Then, they welcome economics wizard Yves Instel to discuss the theft from the Louvre, hear the story of his flight from Paris to the USA during WW2, and reflect on art and culture.  They are also joined by...

James and Al hype Trump’s falling approval ratings, explain why even die-hard Republicans are starting to abandon him, and call out MAGA’s war on higher education, before giving us some good news about why there might be reasons for hope and change.  Then, they welcome architectural expert Paul Goldberger to discuss Trump’s war on our nation’s heritage as represented by our historical structures,...

James and Al celebrate the hostage return, call on the Democratic leadership to stand up and take the reins, and expose the savagery of the upcoming class of Young Republicans.  Then, they welcome the New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein and political seer Larry Sabato to discuss the candidates and forces at play in the gubernatorial races in NJ and VA.  They explore how Spanberger and Sherrill are...

James and Al sound off on the presence of ICE and other federal agents on our streets, call out the DOJ’s failure to uphold the law, and explain the dangers that come with the usurpation of democracy, from civil unrest to lost faith in elections.  Then, they welcome Rep. Brendan Boyle of PA to discuss the NJ Governor’s race, lay out the perils of the government shutdown and what it means for peopl...

James and Al welcome former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta to discuss the budget crisis, Hegseth’s approach to Pentagon leadership, the outrageous attacks on our generals, and the shaky status of the rule of law in the Trump era.  Then, they cover the races in NJ, VA, and NYC, looking at the strategies that can deliver victory, why Mamdani could be an inspiring and uniting figu...

Politics War Room addresses the dire crisis of political and social violence by sounding the alarm over the dangers our country faces.  Former LA Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu begins by exploring the challenges facing the average American, how Democrats can speak to them, the issues that they care about, and most importantly, how to win.  Then, Professor Benjamin Hett of Hunter College at CUNY puts the...