Potomac Perspective with Brian Gardner

Congress could be hurtling toward a government shutdown after all. In the new episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro handicap the battle over the budget. Also discussed: the latest from the presidential campaign trail and the fate of the 401(k) as we know it. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group...

The stage appears set for a Biden vs. Trump rematch this November. In the new episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro examine how economic issues could drive this presidential election and provide both candidates with potential paths to victory. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nico...

Donald Trump’s rout in Iowa could signal an early end to the Republican presidential nomination process. In the latest edition of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner tells co-host Neil Shapiro there doesn’t seem to be a viable path forward for the other GOP candidates. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus &am...

The field of Republican presidential candidates is dreaming about Iowa, site of the nation's first caucuses later this month. Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro kick off a new season of Potomac Perspective with a look at the 2024 election and how it will likely influence the political, congressional, and regulatory agendas for the coming year.   This m...

Congress debates additional aid to Ukraine, as President Zelensky descends on DC. Plus, the latest on a possible crackdown on US investment in China and can Nikki Haley emerge as a viable threat to Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination? Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro have the latest in this episode of Potomac Perspective. This mat...

Lawmakers are making a list and checking it twice. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and Co-Host Neil Shapiro discuss what to expect during the final stretch of the congressional year. Plus, the latest from the campaign trail as the Iowa Caucus looms large. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stife...

What do the results from Election Day 2023 tell us about 2024? In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro look ahead to the upcoming presidential race. Plus, can a government shutdown be avoided and what’s at stake when President Biden meets with China’s Xi Jinping? This material is prepared by the Washington Polic...

What should we expect from the new Speaker of the House? In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner tells co-host Neil Shapiro, Speaker Mike Johnson is a political conservative but with a moderate temperament - and faces several immediate challenges that will put his leadership abilities to the test.   This material is prepared by the Wash...

The House of Representatives has been without a speaker for two weeks, leaving the chamber effectively paralyzed at a very tumultuous time. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and Co-Host Neil Shapiro discuss where things stand as Congress faces a potential government shutdown and grapples with escalating unrest in the Middle East....

The search is on for a new Speaker of the House, after the historic ousting of Kevin McCarthy from the top spot. In this episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and co-host Neil Shapiro discuss the potential implications on everything from energy policy to crypto regulation and look ahead to yet another looming threat of a government shutdown. This m...

Congressional Republicans are launching an official impeachment inquiry against President Biden. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner tells co-host Neil Shapiro this is interesting political theater, but probably not a market-moving event. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Com...

And they’re off! Republican presidential candidates square off in their first debate of the 2024 race – with one notable exception. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner and Co-Host Neil Shapiro recap the night and highlight key takeaways for investors. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicol...

Legal issues mount for Donald Trump, as his closest rival for the Republican presidential nomination shakes up his campaign. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner has the latest on the GOP frontrunners. Plus, we take a closer look at how the recent Fitch downgrade of the U.S. credit rating could play out in the markets. This material...

The Biden administration focuses on the urge to merge. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner breaks down new proposed antitrust guidelines that could impact corporate combinations. Plus, Brian and co-host Neil Shapiro discuss the possibility of a government shutdown – and how the markets might react. This material is prepared by the W...

Despite positive rhetoric following U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen’s recent trip to China, tensions between the two countries will likely remain elevated, according to Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, we examine the main issues of contention – plus we take a look at why ESG considerations are now taking center stage in Congress....

Dollars and sense? President Biden is planning a major push to own the economy, but could it come with a price? In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner has the latest from the campaign trail. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). This material is for...

A new indictment against Donald Trump threatens to shake-up the 2024 presidential race. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner has the latest from the campaign trail. Plus, Brian talks with co-host Neil Shapiro about the chances for a government shutdown this fall and potential changes in corporate tax rules. This material is prepared...

The debt ceiling bill faces a few political hurdles, but it's expected to pass both the House and Senate sometime this week. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner looks at what's in and out of the compromise agreement. He also previews the next debt debate in 2025, which will probably include a major fight over taxes. This material is...

The mood surrounding the debt ceiling debate seems more optimistic than it has in months, which could boost the financial markets. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner has an update on negotiations to avoid a U.S. default. Plus, another round of Congressional hearings into recent bank failures could provide new clues about future reg...

President Biden will seek a second term to “finish the job”, which could mean a possible revival of several controversial proposals. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner takes a closer look, plus he offers an update on the debt ceiling debate and the policy response to recent bank failures. This material is prepared by the Washington...

The 2024 presidential election seems a long way off, but there have already been several developments that could dramatically impact the race. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner takes an early look at where things stand. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporate...

The “blame game” takes center stage on Capitol Hill, as Congress probes recent bank failures that rattled financial markets. In the latest episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner has the key takeaways and looks at what actions may be taken to prevent a future banking crisis. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel,...

Government intervention in the banking system will likely come with a political price. In this episode of Potomac Perspective, Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner looks how the federal response to recent bank failures could lead to increased scrutiny of the entire industry.   This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, In...

The action in Washington shifts to the Supreme Court, as justices consider several cases with potential implications for consumers and investors alike. Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner explains, in a new episode of the Potomac Perspective podcast. This material is prepared by the Washington Policy Strategy Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”). Thi...

Pop go the chances of tariff relief! Recent sightings and takedowns of surveillance balloons over the U.S. could make the already long odds of repealing the 2018 special taxes on Chinese imports even greater. Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner has the latest on US/China relations, plus an early look at the 2024 presidential race, in the latest episode of Potomac Perspective. T...