Potomac Perspective with Brian Gardner

First tariffs, next taxes? In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro discuss what's shaping up to be the next great debate in Washington. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This material is for informational purp...

President Trump declares “Liberation Day” in America, imposing sweeping tariffs on the nation’s top trading partners. In a special edition of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner welcomes Summit Global Strategies President and former Congressional and Treasury Department staffer Christopher Smith to the podcast for a discussion on President...

President Trump has fired both Democratic Commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission as he attempts to exert more influence over independent federal agencies. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro discuss the motives behind this move, and whether similar action could be taken at the Federal Reserve.  &...

President Trump faces Congress in his first major address since returning to the White House. In the latest edition of the Potomac Perspective podcast, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro review some of the economic and tax proposals highlighted in the President’s speech and handicap the chances these ideas will eventually become law. This materia...

More tough talk on trade, as President Trump suggests sector-specific tariffs could be on the table. In the latest edition of the Potomac Perspective podcast, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro look at what industries could be targeted. Also discussed: the outlook for M&A and tax policy. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy G...

Donald Trump is back in the White House with a bang. There's been a flurry of activity from the new administration, following President Trump's swearing in this week. In the premiere episode of Season Four of Potomac Perspective, we break down the high priority policy areas and their potential impacts on business and financial markets.  This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strat...

President-elect Trump fills more key cabinet positions as his team takes shape. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro examine how Trump's personnel picks reflect his planned push for a pro-growth, deregulatory agenda.  This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus &...

Donald Trump reclaims the presidency in a comeback victory that also carries Congressional Republicans into power. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro recap the election results and examine how investors could ride the “red wave” as new policy priorities emerge. This material is prepared by the Washington Po...

After a summer of unexpected twists and turns, the race for the White House nears the finish line. In a special episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner gives co-host Neil Shapiro his final election call and examines potential sector winners and losers and policy priorities with business and market implications. This material is prepared by the Washin...

New polling shows Donald Trump and Kamala Harris running neck and neck in the final days of the presidential race, igniting talk of a “contested election” and potential chaos. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro discuss whether financial markets are historically influenced more by political uncertainty or ec...

With Election Day less than a month away, the presidential race seems too close to call. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro discuss what to watch in the campaign’s homestretch – and look at how political party realignment could help reshape the electoral college map. This material is prepared by the Washing...

A potential cap on credit card rates, no tax on tips, and more SALT in your diet? In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro run through the latest menu of presidential proposals from the campaign trail. Plus, how Congress appears to have avoided a potential government shutdown – for now. This material is prepared...

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump square off in their first, and possibly only, debate of the 2024 presidential campaign. But did either candidate do enough to sway undecided voters? And what policy takeaways are there for investors, entrepreneurs, and big business? In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro rate the...

As Kamala Harris officially accepts the Democratic presidential nomination, many are wondering how she will govern if elected. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro examine what a potential Harris economic agenda might look like. Also discussed: the latest polling information and whether Donald Trump could soo...

The final piece of the 2024 presidential campaign is in place, with Kamala Harris naming Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her Vice-Presidential running mate. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro discuss the Walz pick and how it may, or may not, change the trajectory of the race. This material is prepared by the...

After a series of unprecedented twists and turns, the presidential campaign is now in a reset. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to become the Democratic nominee and take on Donald Trump in the November election. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro examine the new state of the 2024 race. This material is p...

This could be a make or break week for President Biden’s re-election campaign. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro handicap the odds of Biden staying in the race. Also discussed: Donald Trump’s short list of potential running mates and what to expect from Congressional testimony from Fed Chairman Powell and...

Following a shaky debate performance, concerns are mounting about President Biden’s age and his ability to serve another term. In the latest edition of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro discuss the fallout from Thursday’s Biden-Trump faceoff, which could be an inflection point in the campaign. This material is prepared by the Wash...

Fresh polling shows a majority of Americans don’t expect Donald Trump’s recent criminal conviction to impact their vote in November. In the latest edition of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner speaks with co-host Neil Shapiro about the state of the U.S. presidential race, and whether overseas elections happening now could provide important clues about how...

Donald Trump is found guilty on all counts in his “hush money” trial, injecting yet another wild card into the presidential campaign. In a special edition of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner speaks with co-host Neil Shapiro about the verdict and its potential implications, including financial market reaction. This material is prepared by the Washington P...

There could be change coming to the agency charged with protecting bank deposits plus it’s crypto week in Congress. Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro run through the details in the latest episode of Potomac Perspective. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This ma...

It could be a make or break moment for House Speaker Mike Johnson, as a package of foreign aid bills comes up for a Congressional vote. Plus, Donald Trump’s hush money trial gets underway in New York, threatening to shakeup the presidential campaign. Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro have details in the latest episode of Potomac Perspective. This mate...

When Congress returns next week from recess, lawmakers will face a busy agenda. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro preview the debates over a foreign aid package that includes funds for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan – and federal support for reconstruction efforts following the dramatic bridge collapse in Mar...

With the nominations clinched, Joe Biden and Donald Trump begin a new phase of the presidential election campaign. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro examine the potential paths to victory for each candidate. Also discussed: possible Trump running mates to round out the Republican ticket. This material is p...

With Joe Biden and Donald Trump cruising toward the November election, the 2024 presidential race is shaping up as a matchup unlike any we’ve seen before. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro run through the takeaways from the Super Tuesday primary contests, and also preview this week’s State of the Union add...