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Hacks On Tap
When David Axelrod and Mike Murphy get together to talk politics, it’s not academic. They speak from the perspective gained through hundreds of campaigns for offices from City Hall to the White House. So if you want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes, where strategic decisions are being made, pull up a stool for Hacks on Tap. Incisive, sometimes uproarious and always entertaining, these political warhorses and their guests will give you insights you’ll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties.
2020: Extra Innings (with John Heilemann)
Axe and Murphy sit down with the one and only John Heilemann to try to make sense of this moment. The Hacks discuss some of the dynamics that contributed to the insurrection, the politics of a second impeachment trial, and Trump’s unwillingness to accept any responsibility for the mob he helped incite. But, it’s not all doom and gloom: The Hacks also discuss the rounding out of Biden’s cabinet, including the one and only Gov. Gina Raimondo.
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01:03:3013/01/2021
A Republic, If You Can Keep It
Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy sit down at the end of a sad and surreal day in American history. As Congress reconvened to finish certifying President-elect Biden’s victory, the Hacks discuss the insurrection by an angry mob at the US Capitol, the results of the Georgia Senate runoff election, and the politics of this extraordinary moment.
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57:0207/01/2021
Hacky Holidays!
With the Electoral College handing Biden what felt like his 17th win, Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs convene for the last time this year to bid adieu to 2020. The Hacks discuss the future of Trumpism, Murphy shares his optimistic outlook for American democracy, and Axe and Gibbs squabble over the outcome of stimulus negotiations. So grab a beer and enjoy some holiday Hacks cheer!
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59:5516/12/2020
A Most Gracious Loser (with John Heilemann)
Axe and Gibbs are joined by superhack John Heilemann, now the host of his own podcast “Hell & High Water.” The Hacks discuss the ongoing attempt by Trump to subvert our democracy, take a deep dive into some of the challenges facing the Democratic party in the near term, and talk about the politics of the stimulus negotiations.
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01:01:3409/12/2020
Kook D'Etat (with Jennifer Palmieri)
Jennifer Palmieri, former White House communications director and host of the podcast “Just Something About Her,” joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Trump’s latest tantrum about election fraud, Biden’s announcement of his communications team and other top administration picks, and how the Republicans must now reap what they sow when it comes to turnout in Georgia.
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59:1702/12/2020
Bonjour, Biden Boom
Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs gather to give thanks for a start to the formal transition process and for a slew of qualified cabinet picks by President-elect Biden. They also discuss the looming Georgia runoff election, what a sharper message might look like for both parties, and Murphy finally issues a much-anticipated apology to the French army.
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57:1325/11/2020
My Cousin Rudy
Murphy and Gibbs are joined by President-elect Joe Biden's pollster John Anzalone to talk about what the Hell is going on right now (it's all good, don't worry!), review the decisions the Biden campaign made and go over why they won, dive into Georgia and discuss the state of political polling.
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53:2420/11/2020
A White House Held Hostage (with Dave Wasserman)
This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. It’s been two weeks since Election Day and the Hacks continue their postmortem with a deep dive into what happened in congressional districts across the country. They also look ahead to the Georgia special election and discuss what the 2020 race tells us about the future of both parties.
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01:05:3718/11/2020
Trump Outrage Fatigue
With the election in the rear view mirror (and yes, despite what the president says, it is over!) Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs discuss Trump’s ongoing attempts to undermine the institutions of our democracy, speculate about what Trump might do next, and break down the latest Democratic intraparty squabbles.
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57:3513/11/2020
President-Elect Joe Biden
After election night turned into election week, it’s finally official: Joe Biden is the next President of the United States. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy discuss the results of this unprecedented campaign and the challenges and opportunities ahead for President-Elect Biden.
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01:00:5808/11/2020
Election Day Survival Guide
Well Hackaroos, we’ve arrived. Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs sit down for the last time before Election Day to discuss the final moments of the campaign, what to expect on November 3rd, and when we might have an answer on who will be the next President of the United States.
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01:00:2302/11/2020
We're Rounding The Corner... To Election Day (with Mark McKinnon)
Axe and Gibbs are joined by private first class Hackeroo and The Circus' Mark McKinnon to talk about whether Texas will turn blue, what Trump's possible electoral path could be to winning, and the timing of how Election Night's results will roll in next Tuesday. Listen until the end to hear McKinnon's "wild ass forecast" for the GOP 2024 standard bearer.
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57:5130/10/2020
T-Minus One Week (with Rahm Emanuel)
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is back to help Axe and Murphy begin the one week countdown to Election Day. With COVID dominating the airwaves, the Hacks discuss Trump’s continued disregard for safety precautions, what the latest polling and campaign ad buys tell us about the state of the race, and the Hacks make their first and highly anticipated electoral college predictions.
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55:0928/10/2020
Welcome to Fiasco Season 1 Bush v. Gore
Host Leon Neyfakh transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of our country’s most pivotal historical events, bringing to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present. Fiasco season 1 takes listeners to the contested 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, and the extraordinary legal battle that unfolded in Florida. Fiasco is a Luminary original. To hear other seasons, go to luminarypodcasts.com.
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03:3826/10/2020
The Final Debate: Mr. Mute vs. Sir Scranton
Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy sit down after the final presidential debate, accompanied by some chips and guac, for a late-night edition of snacks-on-tap. The Hacks discuss the night’s biggest moments and whether, with 11 days to go until the election, the debate made an impact on the race.
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43:0923/10/2020
Polls Traumatic Stress Disorder (with John Heilemann)
With two weeks to go until Election Day, John Heilemann of Showtime’s The Circus is back to help Axe and Murphy break down the latest national polls, Trump’s closing strategy (or lack thereof), and to preview the final debate.
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58:0620/10/2020
Crazy Uncle POTUS (with Mark Salter)
Axe and Gibbs are joined by Mark Salter, longtime political advisor to the late Senator John McCain and author of a new book The Luckiest Man: Life with John McCain. The Hacks recap the dueling town halls, Trump’s inability to change the narrative, and whether a return to the days of “country first” conservatism is possible.
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59:0816/10/2020
Repeat After Me: It's Not 2016 (with Amy Walter)
Amy Walter, the national editor of the Cook Political Report, joins Murphy and Gibbs to discuss the impact of the Supreme Court confirmation hearings and the state of the 2020 Presidential race (yup, you guessed it, it’s stable). Together, they also walk through the most important Senate races we are all talking about to determine who will control the chamber in 2021.
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01:04:0213/10/2020
Pencesplaining & Insect Baiting
Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy are abuzz with post-debate analysis as they convene for a special late night edition of Hacks on Tap. They break down the night’s biggest moments and discuss whether, in a tumultuous week for the 2020 race, this moved the needle in any way.
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42:4308/10/2020
A Cluster on Steroids (with Claire McCaskill)
Former Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the physical and metaphorical clusters surrounding President Trump. The Hacks attempt to make sense of Trump’s return to the White House after a brief stay at Walter Reed, unpack the latest polling numbers, and the Senator offers advice for her former colleagues on how Democrats should navigate the impending hearings for Trump’s Supreme Court pick.
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56:0906/10/2020
Hacks on Call
The news that President Trump tested positive for Coronavirus has thrown the campaign—and the country—into a new realm of uncertainty. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy convene for a special edition of Hacks on Tap to discuss this breaking news and what it means for the presidential race.
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22:1702/10/2020
Who Is "They" And Where Is This River? (with Charlie Sykes)
Axe and Gibbs spend this episode talking to The Bulwark's Charlie Sykes and in search of this river! Two days after the Cleveland Debacle we sift through the debate one more time, talk about the politics of the economy and ask Charlie about what's happening in his state of Wisconsin. We're still wondering who is they and, yes, we'll keep looking for the river.
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55:0802/10/2020
$h!t Show
Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs convene after the first presidential debate to discuss the perfectly polite and productive national conversation we just witnessed. What are the implications for the race moving forward? How does this impact the VP debate next week? Has the shouting ended? The Hacks break down all this and more.
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53:0730/09/2020
Trump's Peaceful Transfer of Glower (with Rahm Emanuel)
Murphy and Gibbs welcome the Honorable Hack/former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to talk about Trump’s comments on election rigging, what Biden has to do in the upcoming debate next week and more politics around the Supreme Court.
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57:0625/09/2020
SCOTUS Scramble (with Bob Shrum)
Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Bob Shrum, longtime political consultant, speechwriter, and strategist. The Hacks discuss the politics of the Supreme Court vacancy and what this means for Republicans’ chances of keeping the majority in the Senate. Plus, with one week to go before the first presidential debate, the Hacks break down what both Biden and Trump must achieve in this critical first encounter.
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59:0622/09/2020
Lowering the Barr
Axe is joined by John Heilemann of Showtime’s The Circus, and Matthew Dowd, Chief Political Analyst at ABC and former chief strategist for the Bush 2004 campaign. The Hacks discuss Attorney General Bill Barr’s eye-popping assertions, the politics of a COVID vaccine, and the latest installment of Democratic bedwetting about Biden’s campaign strategy.
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01:01:2018/09/2020
The Mellman College of Polling Knowledge (with Mark Mellman)
You got a polling question? Well, we got your answer! Murphy and Gibbs tap the voluminous knowledge and experience of super pollster Mark Mellman on battleground states, Latino voters, undecided voters, debate polling bumps, third party voters, how a poll is conducted and…ok, you get the point!
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57:2915/09/2020
Playing It Down With Bob
Gibbs and Murphy are joined by guest hack Joe Trippi. In this episode, they talk about Trump’s 18 (!!!) interviews with Bob Woodward, the polling anxiety that goes with being a Democrat and winning Senate seats in tough political territory in 2020.
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48:5911/09/2020
Coward in Chief (with Stephanie Cutter)
Axe and Murphy are joined by Stephanie Cutter, a longtime Democratic operative who most recently produced the 2020 Democratic National Convention. They discuss the Atlantic’s reporting that Trump made disparaging remarks about the military, how the Trump campaign squandered its huge cash advantage, and what the Biden campaign must do in the lead-up to the first debate.
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54:4209/09/2020
An Election So Nice, You’ll Want to Vote Twice! (With Mark McKinnon)
Gibbs and Axe are joined by the one and only Mark McKinnon, co-host of Showtime’s The Circus and a former Presidential advisor to George W. Bush, who spent the week in the battleground state of Wisconsin. We cover the plethora of new national and state polling and talk about where the race stands 60 days before the 2020 election.
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54:5904/09/2020
Post-Convention Politics & The Dark Force Farce
Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Addisu Demissie, former campaign manager for Cory Booker’s presidential run and senior advisor for Joe Biden and the DNC. With both national conventions in the rear view mirror, a new phase of the 2020 presidential campaign has begun. The Hacks discuss Trump’s continued law and order strategy, the efficacy of Biden’s condemnation of violence and destruction, and how voters in critical swing states are interpreting the pageant of democracy.
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01:04:5102/09/2020
Introducing: It Was Said (w Jon Meacham)
Welcome to It Was Said, a 10-episode limited documentary series looking back on some of the most powerful, impactful and timeless speeches in American history. Join Pulitzer Prize winning and best-selling author-historian, Jon Meacham, Peabody-nominated C13Originals Studios and HISTORY, as we take you through 10 speeches. Season One of It Was Said draws on a selection of speeches from powerful figures in history like Martin Luther King, Jr., Ronald Reagan, JFK, RFK, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Lewis, Edward R. Murrow, and Barbara Jordan. Meacham will offer expert insight and analysis into their origins, the orator, the context of the times they were given, why they are still relevant today, and the importance of never forgetting them. Each episode of this documentary podcast series will also bring together some of the top historians, authors and journalists relevant to each respective speech and figure.
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04:5431/08/2020
Trump's Never Ending Reality Show (With Amanda Carpenter)
Guest Hack Amanda Carpenter of CNN and The Bulwark joins Gibbs and Murphy to recap the Trump National Convention. Did the GOP move the needle? What's the next move for Biden and Harris? Is Trump ever going to finish this speech?! The Hacks meticulously dissect the four day reality show and talk about what to expect over the next 67 days of Campaign 2020.
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35:5628/08/2020
MAGA Mission: The RNC Begins
Guest Hack John Heilemann of Showtime's The Circus is back this week to help Axe and Murphy recap the first night of the Republican National Convention. The GOP promised a week full of optimism and opportunity; after night one, did they deliver? The Hacks discuss whether the first night offered a glimpse of the Republican primary in 2024, if the RNC will ultimately succeed in expanding Trump's base, and what Biden's campaign must do to counter the messaging coming out of the RNC.
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59:5825/08/2020
DNC Recap
With our new Hackaroo host Robert Gibbs at the helm, Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs recap the Democratic National Convention. After an eventful week which culminated in Joe Biden officially accepting the Democratic nomination for president, the guys discuss their biggest takeaways. Did the Democrats accomplish what they set out to do? How will the Republicans respond next week? Plus, will traditional, funny hat-clad conventions ever return? Tune in to find out!
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51:2021/08/2020
The Conventions Commence (with Rahm Emanuel)
The day after the debut of the first-ever virtual convention, Axe and Murphy convene to discuss what worked and what didn’t. Joined by former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Hacks break down the messaging, strategy, and tactics used throughout the first night of the Democratic National Convention. They also take listener questions about how convention speakers are selected, what the future holds for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and how Trump might impact down-ballot races.
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57:4018/08/2020
Executive Disorder (with Paul Begala)
Axe and Murphy are reunited this week and joined by Paul Begala, former counselor to President Clinton and author of the new book, "You're Fired: The Perfect Guide to Beating Donald Trump." The Hacks convened before Biden announced his choice of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, but that doesn't mean we can't include one final round of veepstakes. We also discuss the Trump campaign's renewed line of attack on Biden and assess whether it's an effective strategy, the President's executive orders, the future of the Republican party, and more.
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01:07:3812/08/2020
It's Harris!
The veepstakes are finally over and the pick is in: Joe Biden has chosen Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate! In this special addition of Hacks on Tap, Axe, Murphy, and guest Hack Robert Gibbs discuss what went into this decision and what it means for Biden’s chances in November.
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15:4511/08/2020
Where’s the Manual for Mayhem?
Murphy is out on assignment this week, but thankfully Alex Wagner and Robert Gibbs are here to fill the void. The Hacks discuss Trump’s unrelenting attacks on mail-in voting and his attempts to undermine institutions like the Post Office that are vital to the election; the strategy—or lack thereof—behind granting sit-down interviews with the President; the latest speculation about Biden’s VP pick; and more.
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01:08:5804/08/2020
VP Jeebies (with John Heilemann)
This week we’re joined by super Hack John Heilemann, co-host of The Circus on Showtime. It’s no secret that one of Trump’s biggest obstacles to reelection is his own handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. What, if anything, can he do to make up ground before November? And with time running out for Biden to announce his VP pick, will he make a head or a heart decision? Plus, the recent polls are good news for Biden, but are Democrats too complacent? The Hacks discuss all this and more!
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01:08:1129/07/2020
Fort Bragg-adocious (with Donna Brazile)
Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Democratic political strategist and former acting DNC Chair Donna Brazile. We talk about Trump’s new interview with Fox’s Chris Wallace, POTUS’s alternative reality strategy, and the Confederate-named military base controversy. We also assess the politics of the Democratic and Republican conventions, talk VP selection stakes, and more.
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59:3422/07/2020
Cognitive Distancing (with Mark McKinnon)
Axe and Murphy are joined by guest hack Mark McKinnon, former presidential adviser and co-host of Showtime’s The Circus. This week we talk Trump’s continuous Covid catastrophe, presidential ad wars, Roger Stone on the loose, Veepstakes, and more. We also answer listener questions on Trump and race, presidential debates, and third-party advertising.
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56:2414/07/2020
Chaos Culture and a Special Senate Deep-Dive (with Amy Walter)
The Hacks return for a special Senate deep-dive with The Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter. First, we talk Trump’s new ad offensive, the torqued up grievance war, and how it may play in the 2020 presidential race. We turn to the Senate and assess the most competitive races: vulnerable seats, Republicans in trouble, and the likeliest blue-to-red flips. When will it be time for down-ballot Republicans to distance themselves from Trump? And can they — or is Trump too hard to dump?
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01:03:0708/07/2020
Pandemic Panic: Trump’s COVID Crack-Up (with John Heilemann)
This week the Hacks welcome back John Heilemann of Showtime’s The Circus and The Recount. We cover Covid's resurgence in red states and how it could affect Trump’s reelection bid, mixed messaging from the White House, Trump’s reckoning with race relations, new swing state polling, how Trump-Biden debates could impact the election, and more. We also answer listener questions on competitive Senate races, what the conventions might look like, and what advice we might give to those who might want to jump in to politics and lend a hand to campaigns.
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01:03:0301/07/2020
Tirades in Tulsa (with Robert Gibbs)
This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. We talk Trump’s Tulsa tirade and what the smaller-than-anticipated crowd size could mean for the campaign, the administration’s ongoing bungled pandemic response, big obstacles for Biden, the Bolton book, and more. Plus, we answer listener questions on whether a national crisis changes the importance of the economy in the minds of voters, to what extent we can trust polls this year, and Susan Rice VP speculation.
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01:00:2823/06/2020
The President of Lawlessness and Disorder (with Alex Wagner)
Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Alex Wagner of Showtime’s “The Circus” and CBS News.
Trumpworld is in turmoil as civil rights protests churn nationwide, POTUS’s poll numbers plunge, and the Supreme Court hands down a landmark pro-LGBTQ decision penned by Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch. The Hacks talk through what this means for Trump’s electoral prospects and more.
Plus, we discuss statewide polling and competitive Senate races, and answer listener mailbag questions on whether anything Trump does can turn his base against him, AG Barr and the potential for blanket pardons, and which media markets Team Biden should prioritize.
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56:1216/06/2020
Protests, Polling, and Provisions (with Phil Rosenthal)
Joining Murphy at the helm this week is Phil Rosenthal, television writer, producer, and creator of Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil.” This week, we talk Trump’s plummeting approval rating amid nationwide protests, what Joe Biden needs to do to from now until November, what the latest polling could portend for the general election, and more. We also talk about the politics of food and how a meal can bring people together, especially on the campaign trail. Finally, Murphy answers listener questions on closed party primaries and which states might the likeliest bellwethers on election night.
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45:3209/06/2020
A Nation Grieves and the President Seethes (with Robert Gibbs)
Axe and Murphy are joined this week by former Obama White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. We discuss the grief and outrage gripping the nation in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, the suppression of peaceful protestors at Trump’s behest, how the politics of the moment have shifted, Joe Biden’s attempt to take the wheel, and more. The Hacks also take listener’s questions about Trump’s relationship with Twitter, the youth vote, and what polls portend for Trump.
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59:3303/06/2020
Masks and Gaffes (with John Heilemann)
Axe and Murphy are joined by guest hack John Heilemann of The Recount and Showtime’s The Circus. This week we unpack the latest polling, what the Hacks think might move persuadable voters, Biden’s most recent gaffe and how it might impact the veepstakes, convention apprehension, and more. Plus, we answer listener questions on campaign strategy, Arizona's potential to flip from red to blue, and the likelihood of Trump swapping out VP Pence for Nikki Haley.
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01:00:1327/05/2020
POTUS’s Prescription: Hoaxes and Hydroxy (with Rahm Emanuel)
Guest hack Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago mayor and Chief of Staff to President Obama, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Trump’s trip down hydroxychloroquine lane, the Democratic party’s messaging problem, ‘Obamagate,’ and more. Plus, Axe, Murphy, and Rahm answer listener questions on Trump’s teflon approval ratings, the effectiveness of negative campaign ads, and what young people can do to get involved in politics and public service.
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56:3020/05/2020