Shows

We explore the increasing polarization of both political parties. How can centrist politicians reach across the aisle when more ideological members of their party threaten them with primary challenges? Plus, we discuss the Democrats’ decision to exclude Fox News from hosting any presidential debates, and we go back 15 years to when a state senator named Barack Obama won the Illinois Senate primary.

President Trump’s enthusiastic reception at CPAC followed a week marked by a failed North Korea summit in Hanoi and a request from the House Judiciary Committee for troves of documents. We recap an eventful week in the Trump presidency. Plus, getting to know the two latest entrants in the Democratic race: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. And could a serious Republican 2020 challenge to President Trump gain a footing in New Hampshire?

All eyes were on former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s House testimony on Wednesday. What new, if anything, did we learn about President Trump? Were any minds changed? Plus, we discuss the possibility of an imminent presidential run by former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas, and we look back at the history of the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms in office.

What makes President Trump’s national emergency declaration different from national emergencies declared by past presidents? Plus, why Bernie Sanders may have a tougher time standing out in a more crowded 2020 presidential field. We also get the latest from North Carolina’s 9th congressional district, which is heading for a do-over election this year, and we look ahead to next week’s mayoral election in Chicago.

Last week we thought that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was days away from leaving office. Then a poll showed that Virginians are split over whether Northam should resign. Plus, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota enters the presidential race. And we remember two former Congressmen who passed this week: Walter Jones, Jr. of North Carolina, and John Dingell of Michigan.

The Democrats gave a Pelosi clap to President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. We break down the points that Trump made in his speech. Plus, we discuss the unfolding leadership crisis in Virginia. And we examine the political career of New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, the latest Democrat to jump into the presidential race.

There’s a latte talk about former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s potential independent presidential bid this week. Plus, what are the chances we could see a Republican challenger to President Trump’s re-election campaign in 2020? And we discuss a new book about the Brown family dynasty in California.

Have you lost count yet of how many presidential candidates are already in the 2020 race? This week, we examine the strengths and weaknesses of some of the leading candidates. Plus, will the media apply any of the lessons from its 2016 campaign coverage in 2020? And, we look back at the history of presidential candidates making appearances on television programs.

While President Trump serves fast food at the White House, federal employees and contractors face the hardships of going without pay for nearly a month. Is there any hope of a resolution to the budget impasse? Plus, why did House Republicans wait until now to punish Rep. Steve King for making racist remarks? We also learn more about Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as she launches her presidential campaign, and preview a new political era in Kansas.

The government shutdown is close to becoming the longest in U.S. history. We look back at past government shutdowns and the political ramifications they had for both parties. Meanwhile, we examine the more prominent role that women will play in the 116th Congress. And with “only” 13 months to go until the Iowa caucuses, we look at the early groundwork being laid by candidates in the Hawkeye State.