The Politics Lab

Bill and Phil examine data on the uniquely hostile language of the 139 House Republicans who challenged the Electoral College vote, listen to audio of Donald Trump from Bob Woodward’s new book, break down new polling data on American’s attitudes on U.S. foreign policy, and close by playing a game of “What’s More Upsetting?”

On this episode, Bill and Phil examine Kari Lake and the dynamics of the Republican Party in Arizona, discuss a playbook for saving democracy, and close with a reflection on the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis and compare it to Putin’s recent nuclear threats.

On this episode, Bill and Phil discuss take a deep dive into the upcoming midterms, the evolving situations in Iran and Russia, and the challenges facing the Department of Justice as it weighs charging the former president with a crime. 

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the likelihood of Russia using nuclear weapons, explore the violent rhetoric on the political right, and close with a fun look at the politics of hair. 

On this episode, Bill and Phil examine protests in Iran and Russia and whether the regimes will survive, preview the midterm elections, and play a game of what’s more stupid. 

Bill and Phil discuss Russia’s plans for a partial mobilization and annexation vote in Ukraine, Biden’s comments on U.S. soldiers fighting to defend Taiwan, far right movements in Sweden, Italy and Canada, and Donald Trump’s apparent embrace of QAnon.

Bill and Phil discuss Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive against Russia, Mike Pence’s arguably unconstitutional authorization of force on January 6th, and ponder the deeper meaning of our political rhetoric and specifically the “stop the steal” phrase.

On this episode, Bill and Phil discuss last week’s controversial speeches from Joe Biden and Donald Trump, Chile’s attempt to create a new constitution, and whether the United States will soon follow suit and have a constitutional convention of its own.

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the death of Mikhail Gorbachev, new data on the state of global democracy, Biden’s use of the term ‘semi-fascist’ to describe the MAGA movement, and a big picture look at Biden's foreign policy doctrine.

Bill and Phil consider the contentious role of history in our current political environment, discuss whether the Ukraine war means the end of Francis Fukuyama’s end of history thesis, and explore some recent scholarship on the question of whether Trump supporters are capable of changing their minds

Bill and Phil are back from their break and reflect on Donald Trump’s legal troubles, the success of pro-Trump candidates in Republican primaries, and Joe Biden’s wave of legislative success.

Bill and Phil take an international focus and discuss elections in Brazil, growing unease about China and Taiwan, a dangerous constitutional referendum in Tunisia, and allegations of pro-nazi rhetoric coming from Hungary’s leader, Victor Orban.

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss possible Supreme Court reforms, dreary poll numbers for both Biden and Trump, whether Ron DeSantis is the real threat to democracy, and Biden’s awkward trip to Saudi Arabia.

On this week’s 4th of July themed episode, Bill and Phil discuss the country’s mixed feelings about celebrating the 4th of July this year, how the country might go about fixing what ails it, how all of this fits within the broader debate about the rise and decline of great powers, and then close with a round of “Who Had the Better Political Insult?” 

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil try to process the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and stunning new revelations from the January 6th Committee hearings.

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the latest from the January 6th Committee hearings, results from this week’s French legislative elections, the Republican platform in Texas, and whether the Supreme Court should listen to public opinion.

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil break down the January 6th Committee hearings, Chinese military aircraft harassing Australian and Canadian jets in Pacific waters, and the potential for bipartisan gun legislation.

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the state of the war in Ukraine, whether Trump has lost influence over the 2022 midterms, and the debate over student loan debt forgiveness.

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the Buffalo shooting, Biden’s statement on the defense of Taiwan, the recent antics of Clarence and Ginni Thomas, and play a round of ‘What’s More Stupid?’

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the implications of overturning Roe v. Wade , what lessons to draw from the latest election in the Philippines, and whether the United States will be able to stay out of the Russia/Ukraine war.

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on news that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, compare the nuclear threat in Ukraine to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and break down the New York Times’ look at the impact of Tucker Carlson.

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the conflict in Ukraine and whether its likely to spread beyond Ukraine’s borders, what to make of news that Kevin McCarthy was secretly supportive of removing Trump from office after January 6th, and whether the 14th amendment might keep Marjorie Taylor Greene from being on the ballot in 2022.

This week, Bill and Phil reflect on recent developments in Ukraine, stunning new findings on the state of the U.S. democracy, and the global debate over free speech, and then they play a round of “What’s More Stupid?”

Bill and Phil discuss the first round of the presidential election in France, David Brooks’ argument that the era of globalization is over, and the challenges historians face in assessing the Trump presidency.

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on Russian atrocities in Ukraine and whether they meet the definition of genocide, the wave of nationalism spreading around the world, and why Vladimir Putin, and not Joe Biden, is enjoying a rally-around-the-flag bump in approval ratings.