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…

Former Partner-in-Crime Ron Elving returns to the Political Junkie for a review of 2023 and what to expect in 2024 when, by most accounts, the presidential contest will be a repeat of four years ago: Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump. The post Episode #407: Farewell To 2023, Bracing For 2024 appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.…

Jonathan Alter, author of a great biography about Jimmy Carter, talks about the significant role played during his life by Rosalynn Carter, his life partner and first lady, who died last month at 93. We replayed a 2019 interview with Evan Thomas, the author of a biography of Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first female Supreme Court justice, who …

We preview two big elections that will be decided on Tuesday. Al Cross analyzes the gubernatorial contest in ruby red Kentucky, where Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, running on his record and support for reproductive rights, is thought to be favored against state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a black Republican who is a protege of Mitch McConnell …

The House took some three weeks following the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, but there is a new Speaker: Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana. We follow the road to victory and discuss Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed role of kingmaker. In addition: — We talk to Paul Horcher, who as an independent Republican assemblyman from California in 1994 decided to…

KQED’s Scott Shafer talks of the trailblazing career of Dianne Feinstein, the longtime California senator who died last month at 90. And we watch history in the making as Kevin McCarthy is ousted as Speaker of the House, the first time that had ever happened. Music in this episode: You Don’t Move Me by Keith Richards Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You…

GOP strategist Mike Murphy on Mitt Romney, Nikki Haley and this week's second Republican debate. We explore what's behind the Impeach Biden effort. And Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been indicted. The post Episode #402: Murphy’s Law — On Romney, Haley And The Debates appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.…

Interviews with two political guests who died last week, Democrat Bill Richardson and Republican Gerald Carmen, are repeated in this episode. The post Episode #401: From The Archives, Gone, But Not Forgotten appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.Ken Rudin による

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan talks about Donald Trump, the GOP debate, his future plans, and memories of his father, who courageously supported Nixon's impeachment in 1974. The post Episode #400: Larry Hogan’s Heroes appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.Ken Rudin による