The Blueprint with Jen Psaki

"We have our jury,” announced Judge Juan Merchan late Thursday as the historic trial against the former president continues. Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri explore the heart of the case and underscore the finer points of jury selection ( voir dire ) with former US attorney and law professor Joyce Vance. Plus, a look at Biden’s three-day st...

This week, as Biden announced a new student debt relief plan, Trump waffled on his reproductive rights position. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri drill down on the implications of both for 2024. Then, MSNBC’s All In host Chris Hayes stops by to talk shop about a new recurring series on his Why Is This Happening? podcast. Claire, Jen a...

Tensions are elevated as protests continue in Israel and Trump is scrambling for cash. This week, former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri offer Team Biden the strategy of walking and chewing gum at the same time. Then, Daria Dawson, Executive Director of America Votes , joins to highlight how the organization is working to mobilize voters th...

As we get closer to Trump's first criminal trial, Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri sit down for a conversation with NBC News presidential historian Michael Beschloss on how former president Trump has changed long held presidential traditions, and how history will judge this time. The focus then shifts to compare and contrast how forme...

Five more states held primaries this week, and former Vice President Pence joined the growing list of Trump’s former cabinet members that just can’t back him in 2024. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri analyze the trends and the importance of Biden’s effort to court Latino voters. Then, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes stops in...

President Biden and Vice President Harris are hitting the road. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri weigh in on the post-State of the Union tour, including the Veep’s stop at an abortion clinic in Minnesota. And they get into Majority Leader Schumer’s direct call for new elections in Israel. Then, NBC’s Director of Elections, John Lapins...

Though 2024’s Super Tuesday issued few surprises, there were nuanced insights for Democrats and troubling signs for Trump. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri look at lessons learned from the 15 state contests. Then, Third Way’s Matt Bennett joins to detail No Labels' well publicized gathering that is not opened to the public, to decide...

On a special “How To Win 2024’ edition, live from the 92nd Street Y, MSNBC’s Katy Tur hosts former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jen Palmieri to talk about Biden’s record, Trump’s base of support and what's at stake in the coming presidential election.  Among the issues they touch on: the war in Gaza, the Alabama IVF ruling, the immigration stalemate, and...

With Michigan and South Carolina in the rear view, former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Comms Director Jen Palmieri digest the results from their unique perspective, diverging from much of the media coverage. And onward to Super Tuesday with former Lt. Governor and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele. They talk about Nikki Haley’s odds, the departure of Ronna McDan...

After a week that saw the Alabama Supreme Court decide that frozen embryos are children and Joe Manchin decide against a third-party run, Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Comms Director Jen Palmieri dig into the week's ups and downs through their unique strategy lens. They also welcome Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to detail a healing community in the wake of gun violence in his c...

Getting into their campaign mode three-point stance, Senator Claire McCaskill and White House Comms Director Jen Palmieri shift gears to look at the biggest news of the week from their unique comms and strategy lens. And after last week’s report from Special Counsel Hur that's put a spotlight on Biden, veteran prosecutor Andrew Weissmann talks about the politics of what should not have been a poli...

After a week of epic fails from the House and Senate GOP on Mayorkas and immigration, Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri highlight the significant chasm between Biden and Trump’s campaign coffers. Like Biden, the country’s economic picture is pretty rosy, so why does their guest, economist Jason Furman, think Biden is trailing Trump on the economy? And why does Nikki Haley keep insisting...

Former Senator Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri dig into the week's biggest stories from the campaign trail including Nikki Haley's new “Grumpy Old Men” ad campaign and Liz Cheney trolling on X. Also, this week, the House impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas takes shape, despite conservatives like Alan Dershowitz saying it’s a bad idea. Jon Ralston, founder and CEO o...

With the New Hampshire primary in the rearview, Senator Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri break down what the results from the Granite state mean for Nikki Haley, Donald Trump and Joe Biden. And NBC’s resident Biden-ologist Mike Memoli stops in for a look at what the Biden re-election campaign is up to, and what core issues he needs to address with voters. Plus: A spotlight on the No Labels e...

Donald Trump won big in Monday’s Iowa Caucuses leaving Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley far behind. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri analyze Trump’s win and explain why it may not be the landslide his campaign is touting. Plus: a look ahead to the upcoming New Hampshire primary, where the race is up for grabs given the state's high percentage of independent voters. For that, Clair...

December was a record month for migrants crossing the US/Mexico border, and the crisis is only getting more amplified as Republicans hold Biden’s border spending bill hostage. In today’s episode, former Senator Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri talk with El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar about how Dems can lead on this issue and hold Republicans accountable. And looking ahead to the Iowa...

Kristi Noem? Nancy Mace? Tucker Carlson? It appears increasingly likely that Donald Trump will be the GOP presidential nominee, so who will he pick as his running mate? Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri dive into the nightmare scenarios, the more realistic options, and who he might be considering with Bulwark publisher and GOP strategist Sarah Longwell..   To listen to the shows i...

From anti-abortion measures to restricting care for transgender troops to (likely) authorizing an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark joins former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri for a year-end roundup of House Republicans’ worst votes of 2023 that could haunt them in 2024. To listen to the shows in this feed and other MS podcasts without ads, sign...

2024 is almost here and so is primary season. Before things kick into full gear with the Iowa caucuses in January, Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri are answering your political (and your not-so-political) questions – about how to combat waning interest in President Biden, who might make the ticket as former President Trump’s running mate, and how Travis Kelce scored a date with Taylor Swift....

Earlier this week, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against a pregnant woman in Dallas seeking an abortion following a fatal fetal diagnosis. The ruling prompted outcries from abortion-rights activists across the country. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri are joined by Christina Reynolds of EMILYs List to break down what happened in Texas and look ahead to how the push for abortion a...

In recent weeks, Donald Trump has made his plans for a second term clear: he wants to use the military on domestic soil, repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and increase deportation efforts – to name a few. Former Senior Advisor to President Obama, Dan Pfeiffer, joins former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri to take a closer look at Trump’s second term threats. Plus, they shine a...

Younger voters have steadily backed the Democratic Party for years, but support for the Biden Administration has faltered. What are young people looking for in 2024? Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri are joined by North Carolina Democratic Party Chair, Anderson Clayton, to find out how Biden can win over voters in this key group. Plus, they shine a spotlight on The Affordable Care...

Democrats are becoming increasingly concerned by the growing number of third-party candidates who could run in 2024. Jennifer Palmieri and former Sen. Claire McCaskill take a deep dive into the potential spoilers. Plus, Third Way’s Matt Bennett warns Jen and Claire about something they had no idea about! To listen to the shows in this feed and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Prem...

While Republicans were busy fighting each other in the House and inside Senate hearings this week, Democrats worked together to avert a government shutdown. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri explain what they see as the GOP's culture of violence and what Democrats need to do to keep control of the Senate in 2024. Plus, President Biden’s Deputy Campaign Manager, Rob Flaherty, joins...

Donald Trump's rivals took aim at each other in the third GOP debate while the ex-president mocked them from afar. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri explain why they think the debate “means squat.” Plus, VA Sen. Tim Kaine joins us to discuss Democrats’ big wins on election night and what the party needs to do to win in 2024.   To listen to the shows in this feed and other MS podca...