
POLITICO's Off Message
181 episodes — Page 3 of 4

Ep 80Chad Griffin & Paula Vogel
Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin assesses the record of Trump White House--and Ivanka Trump--on gay rights and what the Resistance has to learn. Tony-nominated Paula Vogel talks her play "Indecent" and anxieties about art in the age of Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 79Linda McMahon complains of White House 'bottleneck'
Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon discusses going from bankruptcy to WWE millions, the first time she met Donald Trump, staffing challenges and her mission to introduce more small business owners to the SBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 78Wyclef Jean: I might run for office someday
Wyclef Jean’s advice for celebrities who want to get political: Don’t be like Kathy Griffin.Read up, said the musician of Fugees fame, and one-time aspiring celebrity-turned-president himself. And if you’re a high-profile person, think about how what you’re doing and saying might be interpreted, or maybe misinterpreted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 77Ben Sasse on Trump and being an adult
Mention President Donald Trump’s name and Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse closes his eyes, rocks back and forth on his heels in almost momentary pinched smile meditation, waiting for it to pass.He never liked Trump. He still doesn’t like Trump. And now that he’s promoting his new book, “The Vanishing American Adult,” he doesn’t want to talk about the American president’s not counting as an adult according to the principles he spends 300 pages laying out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 76Problem Solvers insist it's not too late for tax reform
Rep. Tom Reed and Rep. Josh Gottheimer say that President Trump can get the biggest tax reform package in history done in conjunction with the largest infrastructure package, and that he can get it through with bipartisan support by early 2018. Reed and Gottheimer aren’t crazy—they’re the co-chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, and they insist their day has come. The voters who elected Trump demand it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 75Eric Garcetti isn’t running for president (wink, wink)
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti sits down with Isaac Dovere to discuss his relationship with Donald Trump, what he learned about politics from his father and what his hopes are for his own political career. Plus, Isaac is joined by California Playbook author Carla Marinucci for insight into Garcetti's possible career moves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 74Rahm Emanuel: 'America’s reliability is now in question'
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel believes everyone in Washington is too focused on the craze around President Trump and unable to see what’s actually going on—and what’s not. Emanuel says that “America’s word and America’s reliability is now in question,” and the turmoil and drama surrounding the West Wing has over shadowed major events like the proposed upheaval to the tax code, mounting tensions with North Korea and Oval Office invites for anti-democratic leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 73Sophia Bush: 'I have a right to take up space'
EActress and political activist Sophia Bush sits down with Isaac Dovere in New Orleans to discuss fighting for what she believes in (even if that means losing followers), standing up against sexism in the work place and why her social anxiety is "through the roof." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 72Tom Cotton has no problem with Donald Trump
Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton sits down with Isaac Dovere to discuss his love of Abraham Lincoln, how he cultivated such a friendly relationship with the Trump White House and what he learned from his time in the military. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 71Gov. John Kasich on a "post-truth" America
Ohio Gov. John Kasich sits down with Isaac Dovere this week to discuss the development of his faith, the difficulty of losing both his parents at a young age to a drunk driver and the moment he met President Nixon and the incredible amount of compassion he witnessed from him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 70‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ crashes up against Trump
In Donald Trump, author Margaret Atwood and actress Elisabeth Moss see an eerie echo of her novels. Activist Stephanie Schriock is fighting to ensure that they're wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 69Elliott Abrams: Steve Bannon 'not a good influence'
Former Reagan and Bush diplomat Elliott Abrams sounds off on Steve Bannon, President Trump’s about-face on Syria and the boss he almost had. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 68Ed Murray: Meditating in the age of Trump
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray joins Off Message to discuss the city's lawsuit against the federal government on the sanctuary cities, how a monk encouraged him come out as a young man and what President Trump doesn't understand about the immigrant community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 67Roger Stone on Russian claims: "They have no proof"
ERepublican strategist Roger Stone says he’s apologized to Paul Manafort for getting him involved in all the inquiries about possible Russian connections to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. But Stone says he hasn’t apologized for anything he’s done himself—not to Trump, and not to anyone else. There’s nothing to apologize for, in his mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 66Dave Brat: 'There's primaries coming' off Obamacare repeal
The Virginia congressman says it shouldn’t take a PhD to see what’s wrong with how his own party is handling the health care situation. He also discusses the importance of civics classes, if Paul Ryan is a conservative and his take on "fake news." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 65Adriano Espaillat: Trump has ‘permeated this toxic environment’
The New York congressman discusses his experience coming to the United States as a nine-year-old boy, his take on fellow New Yorker President Donald Trump, his love for foreign affairs and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 64Michael Chertoff: 'I’d be guessing' on Trump's ability to handle crisis
Former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff sits down with Isaac Dovere to discuss the country's most pressing security concerns, how to be prepared for the unexpected, his experiences with 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, and how he thinks the Trump administration is holding up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 63Donna Brazile on DNC hack: 'I was scared'
The former Democratic National Committee Interim Chair Donna Brazile sits down with Isaac Dovere in the midst of the election in Atlanta. Brazile opens up about the toll the 2016 election hacks took on her personally, how her good rapport with Donald Trump turned sour and addresses the CNN flap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 62Tom Perez: "Trump is anathema to America"
Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez discusses his fight to become the new chair of the Democratic National Party and the many mistakes made in the 2016 presidential election. Perez discusses the upcoming election to lead a party on the mend, the milestones reached under President Obama which are on their way to the chopping block under President Trump and the desperate need to redefine the mission of a faltering political party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 61Jon Karl: Trump White House "incredibly open"
ABC's Chief White House Correspondent Jon Karl has a front row to the Trump White House. And despite what the president has said about the "unfair media", Karl says this administration has been incredibly accessible and open. He also says reporters can fall victim to groupthink and get caught up in thinking about traditions Trump is breaking more than thinking about why the traditions were there in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 60Congressmen Marc Veasey and Brendan Boyle: Reaching out to blue collar voters
The two Democratic congressmen sit down with Isaac Dovere over some beers to discuss why they felt compelled to start the Blue Collar Caucus, what Republicans really think of Donald Trump and how they're going to help Democrats understand what they missed about the electorate in 2016. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 59Hakeem Jeffries: 'Every racist' voted for Trump
POLITICO's Isaac Dovere sits down with New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries to discuss his experience with detainees at JFK Airport, the similarities between Donald Trump and Richard Nixon, and how Democrats plan on pushing back against the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 58John Malcolm: Is Trump a Constitutional conservative?
Isaac Dovere sits down with Heritage Foundation's John McDonald for an in-depth discussion on how the next Supreme Court justice is chosen, what sets the best candidates apart from the rest and Donald Trump's Constitutional politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 57Chuck Todd: What makes Donald Trump laugh?
Meet the Press host Chuck Todd sits down with Glenn Thrush to discuss his father's influence on his career, why he regrets allowing Donald Trump to call in to the Sunday show and the public's perception of the media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 56Keith Ellison's one-man march
Minnesota congressman Keith Ellison sits down with Glenn Thrush to discuss growing up in Detroit, fighting Muslim stereotypes, what led him to Louis Farrakhan as a young man and why he's best suited for the top DNC post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 55Tim Ryan: Lessons in losing
Ohio congressman Tim Ryan sits down with Glenn Thrush to discuss how mindfulness influences his everyday life, why losing to Nancy Pelosi for House minority leader was the "best professional experience" of his life and how Democrats need to tweak their messaging in order to reach working class people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 54David Brock: Clinton campaign allowed her image "to be destroyed"
Media Matters founder and long-time Clinton friend David Brock sits down with Glenn Thrush for a 2016 post-mortem. Brock criticizes the Clinton campaign's press strategy, lays out tactics for Democrats going forward and opens up about how pizza-gate has affected his day-to-day life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 53Grover Norquist: The anti-tax man's take on Trump
Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist sits down with Glenn Thrush to discuss how anti-communism books inspired his political career at 10 years old, his take on Donald Trump's politics and why he believes America does best with less government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 52Maggie Haberman: How New York tabloids shaped Trump
New York Times reporter and friend Maggie Haberman sits down with Glenn Thrush to discuss how they began their career together in New York City Hall and how the tabloid culture shaped Donald Trump. Haberman also sheds light on Trump's angry tweeting, cabinet picks and management style. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 51Best of Off Message
In honor of Election Day, Glenn Thrush takes a look back at his favorite moments on the show - interviews that framed the narrative, made news, gave insight into the candidates' mindsets or, at least, gave us a laugh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 50Mark Stephenson and John Hagner on early voting
Data gurus Mark Stephenson and John Hagner sit down with Glenn Thrush to discuss early voting and absentee ballots - what the trends say about campaign strategies and the electorate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 49Mark Kelly: Everyone deserves to be heard on guns
Astronaut Mark Kelly sits down with Glenn Thrush to discuss his lifelong experience with guns, from having two parents in law enforcement to being shot at while in Navy and, of course, the act of gun violence that left his wife, Gabby Giffords, in critical condition. Kelly opens up about the importance of having civil conversations with those who adamantly disagree with you and what needs to be done to stop gun violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 48Kris Kobach: Trump’s immigration whisperer
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach sits down with Glenn Thrush in Topeka, Kansas, to discuss the challenges of being a conservative at Harvard, what has driven Kobach to make immigration reform his life's work, his take on the Trump tapes and voter fraud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 47Michael Che, Colin Jost: What SNL's weekend anchors really think of 2016
ESaturday Night Live's Colin Jost and Michael Che sit down with Glenn Thrush in 30 Rock for an unvarnished conversation about hating on Donald Trump, what Hillary Clinton is like behind the scenes and growing up in New York City. These guys are hilarious and their take on Trump might just surprise you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 46Jen Palmieri: 2016 is 'a harrowing experience'
Hillary Clinton’s communications director Jen Palmieri sits down with Glenn Thrush in the Brooklyn headquarters to talk debate prep and which Donald Trump the campaign is expecting on the stage Monday night. Palmieri also opens up about her time working with Elizabeth Edwards and discusses why Hillary has a hard time connecting with voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 45Jill Stein: Trump may have 'memory problem'
Jill Stein: Trump may have 'memory problem' by POLITICO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 44Ann Coulter: The Doyenne of the Deplorables
Author and political commentator Ann Coulter delves into what in her genetic makeup allows her to endure and even delight in being called unsavory names (most recently at the Comedy Central Roast). Coulter also discusses why she is so drawn to Donald Trump and what influence she's had over his immigration platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 43Neera Tanden: Hillary Clinton's anger translator
Neera Tanden: Hillary Clinton's anger translator by POLITICO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 42Tony Blair: Centrism may be dead
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair sits down with Glenn Thrush in London to discuss the relationship between American and British politics, his close relationship with the Clintons, Brexit, and the danger of approaching politics with a closed-mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 41John Dickerson: Don't blame media for Donald Trump's rise
John Dickerson: Don't blame media for Donald Trump's rise by POLITICO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 40Chris Murphy: Newtown gave me a mission
Senator Chris Murphy made a name for himself when he held a 15 hour filibuster calling for gun control reform. The freshman senator sits down with Glenn Thrush in Philadelphia to discuss how the Sandy Hook shooting jolted him into action - giving his work in the Senate and life purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 39Jeff Weaver on the Bernie Sanders surrender
Bernie Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver sits down with Glenn Thrush in Philadelphia to discuss growing up in Vermont, his love of comic-books, Clintonism and what Sanders understands about politics that she doesn't. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 38Robby Mook on how to sell Hillary
Hillary Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook sits down with Glenn Thrush in Philadelphia to discuss how they came together with the Sanders camp, why voters may not trust Clinton until after she's elected and the Russians hacking DNC emails. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 37Nancy Pelosi's advice to Hillary Clinton: 'Be yourself'
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sits down with Glenn Thrush in Philadelphia's Walls Fargo Center to share her perspective on being the country's highest-ranking female politician and what she learned from her experiences at 14 conventions - including the 1968 Chicago convention brimming with protests and violence. Pelosi also gives some advice to Hillary Clinton in order to rise above Donald Trump's "faked" sincerity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 36Mike DuHaime: Christie 'wasn't expecting' veep nod
Longtime Chris Christie adviser Mike DuHaime sits down with Glenn Thrush in Cleveland to discuss Christie's complicated relationship with Donald Trump, how the Bridgegate scandal affected his White House bid and Trump's RNC performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 35Bill Kristol to Democrats: Don't underestimate Trump
Weekly Standard founder Bill Kristol sits down with Glenn Thrush in Cleveland to discuss his take on Donald Trump's candidacy and why he can't get on board. Kristol reviews Trump's performance at the convention and muses about how he could strengthen his policy platforms while preserving his brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 34Chuck D takes on Rudy G
Public Enemy frontman Chuck D sits down with Glenn Thrush in Cleveland to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, his experience with race relations growing up in New York City and his take on the 2016 race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 33Ted Cruz talks: He's not ready to endorse ... yet
Texas senator and former 2016 hopeful Ted Cruz sits down with Glenn Thrush to discuss Governor Mike Pence joining the Trump ticket, what the senator admires about President Obama's past campaigns, and what he and Bernie Sanders have in common. Cruz also blasts the media's coverage of Trump and delves into what the press has gotten wrong about him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 32Playbook passes the torch
The new Playbook authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman sit down with Glenn Thrush to discuss how they got their start in Washington, what they've learned along the way and how they plan to fill the shoes of Mike Allen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 31Nate Silver: Primary whiff made me humbler, smarter
Statistician and fivethirtyeight.com founder Nate Silver sits down with Glenn Thrush to discuss his general election predictions, how his attitude towards journalism has changed since 2008, what he's learned from getting it wrong, and how third-party votes could affect 2016. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices