The Smerconish Podcast

Michael talks to author and journalist Gerald Posner about the Supreme Court hearing the case of the Sackler family, founders of Purdue Pharma, and whether they can be protected from future lawsuits tied to the opioid crisis. Posner is author of the 2020 book "Pharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America." Original air date 5 December 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https:...

Michael has been part of a book club with friends for over 20 years. Their latest book that they got together to discuss, eat, and drink over this week is "Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine" by David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts. It is the basis for today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine? Original air date 5 Decem...

Could a terrorist attack be predicted by a futures or betting market? Michael revisits an outside the box idea from two decades ago, which is now top-of-mind with what is happening in Israel and Gaza. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can money buy happiness? It is a (not so) simple question that Michael is asking as today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com. He offers up research and data and explains his thoughts here - listen, then vote! Original air date 4 December 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael discusses the most recent debate between Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis. Michael continues the discussion by speaking with a diverse group of callers and asking each of them how they feel the debate went. Original air date 01 December 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the pentagon continuing to pursue military actions in both the middle east and many other parts of the world, Michael asks today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Does the U.S. global footprint make its citizens more or less safe? Listen to his thoughts here, then vote! Original air date 01 December 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for informa...

Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Admiral (Ret.) James Stavridis gives Michael his perspective on the Israel-Hamas cease-fire agreement, and offers thoughts on the legacy of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who passed away at age 100. Original air date 30 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and u...

With a debate happening tonight, and one next Wednednesday, Michael asks today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which debate will have more viewers? DeSantis vs. Newsom (tonight), or the 4th GOP Presidential Debate (Wednesday December 6). Listen to his thoughts here, then vote! Original air date 30 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for inf...

Michael is incredibly proud of the Daily Newsletter he sends out each morning - 20 different links to a wide variety of news stories to start your day. But, he does sometimes miss some really great stories - here he catches up on what's not in today's newsletter...he picks up a physical copy of the New York Times, and learns a lot. Come along for the ride! Original air date 29 November 2023. Hoste...

A specific phrase has become a battle cry for pro-Palestinians activists, and has angered Jews who see it as a call for Israel to be wiped off the map. Michael asks about it in today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is there any benign interpretation of the phrase: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”? Listen to his thoughts here, then vote! Original air date 29 November 202...

A new Wall Street Journal/NORC poll shows that voters see the 'American Dream' slipping out of reach. Michael gets the data and details from WSJ reporter/editor Aaron Zitner. The question: Do you believe that anyone who works hard in this country can get ahead? Original air date 28 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collec...

"Even Most Biden Voters Don’t See a Thriving Economy" is a front page headline on today's New York Times. This article has Michael asking today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which is more fueling voter angst? Social media and perceptions, or, Real conditions in the economy? Listen to his thoughts here, then vote! Original air date 28 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compa...

Michael discusses Biden's low poll numbers and its correlation with the current state of the economy. Michael continues the discussion by speaking with a diverse group of callers and asking each of them how they feel the economy is doing as well as how it is affecting them individually. Original air date 27 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for in...

Gaza civilians under Israeli barrage are being killed at a historic pace. Israel has cast the deaths of civilians in the Gaza Strip as a regrettable and unavoidable part of modern conflict. Listen to Michael lay out today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Agree or Disagree: Israel military activities in Gaza should be considered proportionate inasmuch as they minimize civilian casualties in...

The Fall 2024 presidential debate schedule has been announced. Michael offers up some memorable debate moments from years past, and then welcomes Frank Fahrenkopf, co-chair of the non-partisan non-profit Commission on Presidential Debates to talk about how the location selection process works. Original air date 22 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com...

Michael looks back at November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was killed. Listen to conversations from the archives with Senator Arlen Specter and forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht, Michael spoke with them in 2003 on the 40th anniversary of the assassination. Original air date 22 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about...

The non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced the 2024 debate schedule for next fall, with three presidential and one vice presidential debate happening in September and October in TX, PA, VA and UT. Listen to Michael lay out today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If held, will the debates in Fall of 2024 significantly influence the outcome of the Presidential Race? Listen...

Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Admiral (Ret.) James Stavridis gives his insights on Israel's "proportionality" of response to attacks from Hamas. Original air date 21 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Is it possible to draft a court order which balances Donald Trump's First Amendment rights with the need to protect the safety of possible witnesses? Listen to Michael lay it out here, and then vote! Original air date 21 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and u...

Michael recaps a fascinating conversation he had on CNN over the weekend with Jacob Chansley, known as "QAnon Shaman" when he stormed the US Capitol on January 6th 2021. He has done his time in prison and is now running for congress in Arizona. Original air date 20 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of p...

With President Biden celebrating his 81st birthday today, and former President Trump facing numerous lawsuits and indictments, Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Which is more likely to determine the outcome in 2024: Biden's age or Trump's legal peril? Listen to his thoughts here, then vote! Original air date 20 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. S...

Michael welcomes Ann Arbor News and MLive's Michigan Football Beat Reporter Aaron McCann to give the back story and details - and more that you likely don't know about the interesting rules of college football - following the announcement of a three-game suspension for Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh. Original air date 17 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz...

In 2002, Al Qaeda terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden wrote a letter laying out his justification for the September 11th attacks on the U.S. The letter was published by many news organizations back then, and now it has resurfaced. It prompts Michael to offer his take - or two takes - on today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should social media outlets publish or censor Bin Laden's 2002 "Lett...

What is going on with the Israeli hostages in Gaza? What to efforts to rescue them look like? Michael talks to Soufan Group Senior VP Christopher O'Leary. He was previously the Director of U.S. Hostage Rescue & Recovery. Original air date 16 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adverti...

Attention keyboard warriors....Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Do you agree with Nikki Haley: “Every person on social media should be verified by their name." Listen to his thoughts here, then vote! Original air date 16 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data fo...