Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

In the midst of the Republican’s farcical battle to elect the next Speaker of the House, James and Al are joined by NYT’s Washington expert Carl Hulse for deeper insight into the proceedings.  They discuss Rep. McCarthy’s prospects, the effect of the proposed motion to vacate, and what the disarray means for critical legislation and the future of the next congress– with a little bit of football th...

With 2023 almost here, James and Al ring in the new year with friends George Stevens, Jill Abramson, Fred Wertheimer, and Jane Mayer.  Together, they discuss the current state of the media and entertainment, before forecasting the political future of the speakership, the presidency, dark money, and the Ukraine-Russia war– with a solid takedown of lying George Santos.   Email your questions to Jame...

With Christmas just around the corner, James and Al welcome their wives Judy Woodruff and Mary Matalin to ring in the season with some holiday stories.  Then, they take on the corruption of the Republican party, contrast Trump and Nixon, and lay out the perils of dark money and why it’s a winning issue.  Should the Democrats be focused on the big issues with more than 2/3rds support instead of wed...

James and Al summon political consultant and the mastermind behind the win of Senator Warnock in Georgia, Quentin Fulks, to analyze how their campaign won its critical run-off election for majority control.  They also discuss the ways campaigns in swing states can broaden their appeal, how to bring voters with Democratic sympathies back to the polls, and what it might look like if the party adopte...

James and Al are joined by UF Political Science Prof. Michael McDonald to discuss the factors that led to the re-election of Sen. Warnock in GA, the weakness of MAGA, and how minorities and turn-out play a key role in victory.  They also look at the issues that bring voters to the polls, why Democrats overperformed expectations in the midterms, and what to do to make sure it keeps happening in 202...

James and Al are joined by Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego for a wide ranging conversation covering everything from the prospects of the newly elected House and who might lead each party, to the desires of AZ voters and how to keep the state voting Blue.  They also do a deep dive into border issues, focusing on how to support immigration and win elections with smart and nuanced policy.   Email y...

In this special episode exploring the pernicious effects of dark money on our politics, James and Al welcome Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, investigative journalist Jane Mayer, and former AZ AG Terry Goddard.  They dive into how dark money is corrupting our political parties, the Supreme Court, and our electoral systems, while naming some of the biggest offenders.  More importantly, they also share t...

James and Al take on the greed of oil companies and the dark money fueling the Republican takeover of the judicial system before bringing on Rep. Ro Khanna to explore the role of progressives, how they play into the future of liberalism, and their place in the Democratic party.  Then, they pivot to author Tyler Bridges to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the infamous Stanford v. Cal football game...

With the midterm results continuing to come in with a strong showing for Democrats, James and Al bring on NYT contributor and author of ‘Weapons of Mass Delusion’ Robert Draper to dive into why many expectations of a red wave got upended.  They cover the weaknesses of the Republican candidates, the electoral hazards of playing into Trumpian delusions, and if the Right has finally been taken to tas...

James and Al fire off on the forces in the Democratic Party driving away voters and bring on pollster Stanley Greenberg to explore the numbers behind the issues that are defining the midterms.  They examine how proposed policy and language affects the electorate with a view towards what works and what doesn’t, before diving into elections in Israel and other countries around the world. Email your...

James and Al bring on Associate Editor of the Financial Times Ed Luce to discuss the fall of Liz Truss, the high turnover of the UK’s Prime Ministers, and what to expect going forward under Rishi Sunak.  Then, they’re joined by expert on Pennsylvania politics Jonathan Tamari from the Philadelphia Inquirer to lay out the factors defining the midterm races there, weigh the candidates, and look ahead...

Facing a world in chaos and with early voting in Georgia surprising observers, James and Al bring on foreign policy expert David Ignatius and Georgia political specialist Stephen Fowler to break down the latest.  In their discussion, they look at the state of the midterm elections in Georgia after the debates, and explore the latest from the Ukraine War, and the growing political discontent in Ira...

Now that the midterms are only a few weeks away, James and Al summon WaPo political reporter and Arizona expert Yvonne Wignett Sanchez for a deep dive into the crucial gubernatorial and senate races there.  In their analysis, they discuss the impact of MAGA extremism and transplanted voters, the decisive importance of latinos and suburbanites, and compare the candidates while looking ahead to 2024...

James and Al let loose on the hypocrisy of Herschel Walker and the so-called Religious Right, and bring on veteran Ohio political analyst Howard Wilkinson to look at the Democrats’ midterm prospects there.  Then, they welcome military analyst Michael Kofman to break down the latest developments in the Ukraine War including annexation, the nuclear option, conscription, and more.  Is Russia finally...

James and Al emphasize the importance of addressing climate change in light of the massive storms brewing on the East Coast, and give us a general overview of the state of the midterms with just over a month left.  Then, they bring on Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston to break down the politics of his state, and how we can expect Democrats to do there in the upcoming election. Email your question...

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...

James and Al lay out how the Republican electorate is pushing the party’s candidates towards extremism and call on people of faith to stand up for immigrants and refugees.  Then, they bring on Catawba College’s Politics Chair Michael Bitzer to analyze the prospects of Democrats in North Carolina’s midterms.  Will changing demographics reverse the state’s rightward turn?  Keep a close watch on Caba...

James and Al give an update on the politics of the Ukraine War and the ongoing fight for our rights.  Then, they bring on Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler to analyze the gubernatorial and senate races in his state, expound on the quality of the candidates, and tell us how to make an impact.  Will extremism and retrograde Republican policies deliver them big losses in this crucial midter...

James and Al are joined by Bill Ballenger of the Ballenger Report for a thorough look at the midterm prospects for Democrats in the key swing state of Michigan.  Together, they analyze the impact of recent political developments from Dobbs to the Mar-a-Lago seizure on our elections, the growing fissure in the Republican Party, and the shrinking chances of a red wave. Email your questions to James...

James and Al are joined by foreign affairs and Russian expert Stephen Kotkin for a deep dive into the history of the Soviet Union, how Putin is running the country in its aftermath, and the current state of the war in Ukraine.  What role do the United States and the European powers have in repulsing their aggression?  Will Ukraine hold firm?  And how does the conflict impact the world? Email your...

James and Al are joined by Watergate Special Prosecutor Richard Ben Veniste to break down the differences between Trump and Nixon, and look at the role of the DOJ now that it’s faced with Trump’s crimes.  Then, they welcome premiere journalist Mark Leibovich to discuss the state of the country, Trump’s impact on the nation, and why journalists need to stand up for their political beliefs.  Email y...

James and Al reflect on the recent primary elections, the raid on Mar-a-Lago, and the Democrats’ growing odds in the midterms.  Then, they bring on Princeton professor and author Sean Wilentz to dive into the potential of populism and an embrace of FDR’s and Bill Clinton’s legacies to revitalize the party.  Will that be the key to defeating the growing radicalism of MAGA Republicans? Email your qu...

James and Al lay out the current state of the midterm elections and the implications of the raid on Mar-a-Lago.  Then, they are joined by author and Philadelphia Inquirer national columnist Will Bunch for a conversation about the disaster Republican moves to privatize and commoditize higher education have posed for young people around the country. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswa...

James and Al celebrate Celtics star Bill Russell, then bring on accomplished author and WaPo associate editor David Maraniss to discuss the life and legend of Jim Thorpe.  In their conversation they look at the struggles he faced throughout his life, the restoration of his status as an Olympic champion, and the many challenges Native Americans have suffered in our history. Email your questions to...

James and Al highlight the need for Democrats to maintain solidarity in the primaries to protect democracy and the importance of the Dobbs referendum coming up in Kansas. Then, they’re joined by Emory Law School Professor Morgan Cloud for an in depth discussion of RICO laws and how federal statutes differ from those in Georgia.  Will GA be more successful in prosecuting Trump’s actions after the e...