Dan Morain, a journalist who spent decades at the Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee, and who is the author of “Kamala’s Way,” the first biography of Vice President Kamala Harris, talks about her rise in California politics that has led her to the doorsteps of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. PLUS: A look back at the Harris-Trump debate, the intrusi…

Anti-Trump Republican strategist Mike Murphy tries to sum up a surreal month of politics, starting with Joe Biden’s debate from hell and ending with the president’s withdrawal and the likely anointment of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. On her VP selection, Murphy offers a prediction … and a preference. And Mat…

Alan Schroeder, author of the definitive book on presidential debates, takes us on a tour of memorable debates over the years and tries to assess how next week’s “bash” (CNN pun intended) between President Biden and former President Trump may affect the November vote — if at all. NPR’s Ron Elving adds up the pros and cons of Trump’s many potential …

Republican and Never-Trump strategist Mike Murphy joins us to discuss the state of politics in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts, the first time a former president was ever convicted of a crime. He also talks about the Joe Biden campaign and what he must do if he is to win re-election. PLUS: The RNC disses Larry Hogan, …

Pamela Wood of the Baltimore Banner sets up Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Maryland to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin. David Trone and Angela Alsobrooks are engaged in an increasingly heated contest for a seat Republicans haven’t won in 44 years. But the presence of popular former Gov. Larry Hogan on the November ballot has given the GOP unexpec…

NPR’s David Folkenflik sorts out the brouhaha NBC News found itself in when it hired Ronna McDaniel as a paid commentator — a hire that lasted all of four days. An all-staff mutiny followed her new employment, given her role as a Trump enabler in his effort to overturn the 2020 election. David also weighs the advantages, if any, in hiring partisan …

The announcement by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat-turned-independent, that she would not seek a second term was hardly a surprise. But it shook up a key Senate race in a body where Republicans are closing in on a majority. Ron Hansen of the Arizona Republic lays out what’s ahead between likely nominees Ruben Gallego (D) and Kari Lake (R).…

Mark Z. Barabak of the Los Angeles Times sets up Tuesday’s California Senate primary for the seat once held by Dianne Feinstein. A race long dominated by three Democratic House members — Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee — the campaign suffered a jolt when a Republican, former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, got in the race. Now there are accusa…

Yale Prof. Kathryn Lofton explores the whole Taylor Swift rumor mill lunacy and explains the pitfalls celebrities encounter as they decide whether to use their fame for political ends. And Spectrum News New York political director Bob Hardt dissects the upcoming race to succeed George Santos in New York’s Third Congressional District. PLUS: The Hou…

We speak to two veterans of New Hampshire politics, former Republican state chair Fergus Cullen and longtime Democratic state lawmaker Lou D’Allesandro. Cullen maintains that despite sizable dissatisfaction among Republicans with Donald Trump, Nikki Haley does not look like she is in a position to pose a threat to the former president. And D’Allesa…

It's a review of 2023 and a look ahead to 2024 with NPR's Ron Elving. The post Episode #407: Farewell To 2023, Bracing For 2024 appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.Av Ken Rudin

We hear from the biographers of two trailblazers who have left us, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. And we hear about an investigative podcast about Ohio's greatest political scandal in history. The post Episode #406: Farewell To The Trailblazers appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.…

Election Day is on Tuesday, and we look at the race for governor in Kentucky and the battle for the state legislature in Virginia. Plus, Mike Pence is out, and Tommy Tuberville loses friends. The post Episode #405: Pence Is Out; Is Choice In? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.Av Ken Rudin