The Smerconish Podcast

As Hurricane Lee approaches the Atlantic Seaboard and the recent Hurricane Idalia's path of destruction is on the mind, Washington Post business and technology writer Jacob Bogage talks to Michael about how it is getting much tougher and much more expensive to find insurance in areas susceptible to natural disasters. Original air date 11 September 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. Se...

Michael offers a commentary on new polling showing very low approval ratings for President Biden, which makes some wonder if he is not the best candidate for Democrats to run for President in 2024. Original air date 8 September 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Michael's recent conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to be a central part of the story on whether masks are effective against preventing COVID or not, today he welcomes the lead author of the Cochran Library's review of mask studies. Listen to his interview with Oxford University Epidemiologist Dr. Tom Jefferson. Original air date 7 September 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com...

Michael welcomes Rob Rogers, former cartoonist for the Pittsburg Post Gazette, who is now drawing an exclusive political cartoon for the Smerconish.com Daily Newsletter every Wednesday. Original air date 6 September 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 offers follow-up thoughts to a weekend interview he conducted with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on new data showing masks were not as effective against COVID-19 as previously thought. And, he hears from John Barry, author of "The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History." Original air date 5 Sept...

Michael checks out the latest Ad Fontas Media Bias Chart, and he likes where he's landed. Original air date 29 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As news comes out that the Biden administration wants to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana and lower its drug classification, Michael takes an olfactory trip down memory lane. Plus, a check-in with Bloomberg Health Reporter Riley Ray Griffin on what the administration is trying to do. Original air date 1 September 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com f...

Michael speaks with Wesley Wofford, a sculptor selected by the city of Philadelphia to create a statue of Harriet Tubman. He is white, and many were not happy with how the artist selection process was made. Listen to this conversation focusing on cultural appropriation. Original air date 31 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...

Michael talks to Wide World of News political analyst Mark Halperin about the latest in the 2024 presidential race, including what might happen on the democratic side if President Biden were to drop out of the race. Original air date 30 August 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 and TC engage in a conversation about a piece in the LA Times by Marisa Gerber, titled "Americans face an epidemic of loneliness. For some, supermarket self-checkouts make it worse." Many people experience joy by quick, weekly encounters in stores with people who work there, who they see regularly. But, as workers get replaced by machines...those encounters become more infrequent. Original...

On the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech at the March on Washington, Michael asks, are people judged more by the color of their skin or the content of their character? He is joined by Dr. Christopher Strain, Professor of History & American Studies at Florida Atlantic University. Original air date 28 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See http...

Michael offers thoughts on Former President Trump surrendering in jail in Fulton County, GA, and getting out on $200,000 bond. A big question: Why was this not more widely covered? Original air date 25 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The first 2024 Republican primary debate had a little someone for everyone, and likely no two people saw it the same way. Michael offers his thoughts. Original air date 24 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Rudy Giuliani surrenders in Georgia, charged in the case alleging attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, Michael wonders, what happened to America's Mayor? The former Mayor of New York City who led the city through 9/11 has changed over the last two decades. Original air date 23 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...

Michael breaks down the $200,000 bond order set by a judge in Fulton County, Georgia, and the restrictions it brings against former President Trump. Original air date 22 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We are at an incredible moment in time. Michael has never seen anything in like it - there is so much mystery. President Trump is facing four indictments, and some now are saying he may not even eligible to run for President because of what happened on January 6th, but, he holds a strong lead for the GOP nomination. Hear Michael's thoughts here. Original air date 21 August 2023. Hosted by Simpleca...

Michael is joined by William J. Haun, Senior Counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is representing a couple in Massachusetts, who was denied the ability to foster a child, because of their religious views. Original air date 18 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advert...

Part of the 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War, bans people who aided in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, from working for its government. This could, for his actions related to January 6th, make former President Trump ineligible to run for President again. So argues Edward "Ned" Foley, Professor at Ohio State University and contributor to The Washington Post, in today...

Four indictments against former President Trump. But...they may not hurt him. Michael breaks down the pyschology of why the indictments help Trump. Original air date 16 August 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 digs deep into the Fulton County, GA, indictment of former President Donald Trump for alleged election interference. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The New York Times' Adam Liptak joins Michael to bat around a theory that might have some substance: whether the 14th Amendment really poses a threat to former President Donald Trump's reelection hopes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're back with the question that continues to dirty the waters of the upcoming presidential election: how will the timing of Trump's trials impact 2024? Original air date 11 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Provoked by a Mike Pence gaffe in a new video at the gas pump, Michael, Former Advance Man Josh King, and our listeners swap stories of politicians revealing how out of touch they can be. From Dukakis to Obama to Bush, overpriced haircuts and ill-fitting helmets, today's episode is full of campaign trail throwbacks and good laughs. Original air date: 10 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWiz...

Political Analyst Mark Halperin is back this week to unpack the latest logistical questions around Trump's trials. Original air date 9 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Renowned financial journalist William Cohan reports on a radical deal being drawn up on Wall Street to make peace with the Trump Indictments. Could this dream make it out of Manhattan and into Washington? Original air date 8 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.