Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

Al and James welcome The New York Times National Security Correspondent David Sanger to analyze the recent Russian cyber attacks on our country and go through our possible responses, legislative and otherwise. James is appalled we could let it happen, and all three wonder if our country is still secure. Then, Al and James continue their annual holiday season tradition by bringing their wives Judy Woodruff and Mary Matalin on the podcast to end the year before the Politics War Room gears up for 2021! Get More From This Week’s Panelists: David Sanger Twitter Author of Confront and Conceal Author of The Inheritance Author of The Perfect Weapon The Perfect Weapon HBOTrailer Mary Matalin Website Author of Love & War Author of All’s Fair Author of Letters To My Daughters Judy Woodruff Twitter PBS NewsHour Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: BETTER HELP (00:59:31) VISIT WWW.BETTERHELP.COM/WARROOM AND JOIN THE OVER 1,000,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN CHARGE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH WITH THE HELP OF AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL.

Texas and Trump have been rejected by the Supreme Court and things are starting to look like President-Elect Biden will sail smoothly into his inauguration. Al and James discuss their support for most of his cabinet picks so far, even though they worry that the party needs to focus on shoring up support (not to mention the Senate) before swinging for the fences. Then, they are joined by Ron Brownstein to shoot down any concerns about fraud overturning the election, and gaze into the future of Trump and the two parties, so we can be ready for what’s coming next. Get More From This Week’s Panelists: Ron Brownstein Twitter CNN National Journal The Atlantic Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: BETTER HELP VISIT WWW.BETTERHELP.COM AND JOIN THE OVER 1,000,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN CHARGE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH WITH THE HELP OF AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL.

President Elect Biden’s cabinet is beginning to fill up, and James and Al have a lot to say on the subject. And if the party wants to win both seats in the Georgia Senate run-offs, they would do well to listen! Then, they are joined by Bloomberg columnist and author of Trump Nation, Tim O’Brien to give insight into the final machinations of the Trump White House and what we can expect from him going forward. Luckily there is some optimism from historian and author of The Great Influenza, John Barry, when he helps us game out the next phase of our battle against COVID. Get More From This Week’s Panelists: Tim O’BrienTwitterTrump NationJohn BarryTwitterWebsiteThe Great InfluenzaEmail your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: BETTER HELP (00:20:18)VISIT WWW.BETTERHELP.COM/WARROOM AND JOIN THE OVER 1,000,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN CHARGE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH WITH THE HELP OF AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL. MAGIC SPOON (01:01:48)GO TO WWW.MAGICSPOON.COM/WARROOM TO GRAB A VARIETY PACK AND TRY IT TODAY! AND BE SURE TO USE OUR PROMO CODE WARROOM (THAT’S ONE WORD) AT CHECKOUT TO GET FREE SHIPPING.

It’s the election that never seems to end, but with President-Elect Biden putting together a cabinet and Trump’s legal challenges floundering across the country, Al and James are looking ahead to 2021. Georgia maven Stephen Fowler joins the show to discuss the facts on the ground and his expectations for the Senate races there. Then Senator Chris Dodd comes on to share his optimism for the Biden administration and his surprising hopes for bi-partisanship between Biden and McConnell. The question is, will the country be able to move on with them? Get More From This Week’s Panelists: Stephen FowlerTwitterPodcast: Battleground: Ballot Box Senator Chris DoddTwitterEmail your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS:The Great Courses Plus Get access to any and all courses for an entire month- completely free! So don’t wait any longer, sign up today using our special url: www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/warroom United Harvest If you value quality, flavor, and convenience when ordering your meat, check out www.unitedharvest.com and be sure to use that promo code warroom to save 20% off your order of 50 dollars or more.Paint Your Life Celebrate the moments that matter most with Paint Your Life. Text politics to 64-000 for 20% off and free shipping on your order.

The Biden era is finally beginning, and his cabinet and prospective agenda are already exciting people across the political spectrum. Al and James are fired up, and talk to political maven Bill Kristol about the prospects for the Republican party, and why he’s a fan of Biden and the Democrats after Trump. Then, journalist and author of Joe Biden: The Life, The Run, and What Matters Now, Evan Osnos, comes on to tell us about the real Biden and what we can expect from his administration internationally. Verdict is, it’s looking good! Get More From This Week’s Panelists: Evan Osnos Twitter Author of Joe Biden: The Life, The Run, And What Matters Now Bill Kristol Twitter Conversations With Bill Kristol Defending Democracy Together Republican Voters Against Trump The Foundation for Constitutional Government The Bulwark Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: Four Sigmatic Fuel your productivity and creativity with some delicious mushroom coffee. You’ll save up to 40% and get free shipping with Four Sigmatic when you go to: www.foursigmatic.com/warroom. United Harvest If you value quality, flavor, and convenience when ordering your meat, check out www.unitedharvest.com and be sure to use that promo code warroom to save 20% off your order of 50 dollars or more. Paint Your Life Celebrate the moments that matter most with Paint Your Life. Text politics to 64-000 for 20% off and free shipping on your order.

As we get further from the election, it’s time for Biden to start putting together a cabinet. Al and James take a look at how it might look and what to expect in the early days of a Biden-Harris administration before taking your questions. Then they’re joined by Shane Harris, to talk about how President Trump could make the Snowden leaks pale by comparison to what he can sell or release, and Georgia expert Chris Huttman to give us insight into the fate of its Senate seats. Will it go dark blue? Learn More About This Week’s Panelists: SHANE HARRISTwitter: @shaneharris Books: @WAR, The Watchers CHRIS HUTTMANWebsite: 20/20 Insight Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR:MAGIC SPOON Go to www.magicspoon.com/warroom to grab a cereal variety pack and try it today! Be sure to use our promo code warroom (that’s all one word) at checkout to get free shipping!

With Biden the presumptive President-Elect, James and Al take a moment to celebrate the win, despite wishing that the Democratic party had worked harder on its messaging. They’re joined by Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Tom Edsall of the New York Times to discuss how the international order will change under a Biden Administration and whether the party can mend the growing schism between the work and moderate wings of the party. Either way, it’s a whole new world... Books From This Week’s Panelists: ED LUCEThe Retreat Of Western LiberalismTOM EDSALLThe Age of Austerity: How Scarcity Will Remake American PoliticsEmail your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from!THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR:THE GREAT COURSES PLUS (00:18:45)Start your journey with The Great Courses Plus today! Sign up with our special url: www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/warroom. When you go there, you’ll get a full month of unlimited access- for free!

James and Al break down election law and court challenges with Cass Sunstein before being joined by an all star panel with Jill Abramson, Paul Begala, and Tara Setmayer to help us digest what we experienced on election day. With no official call made, is it in the bag for Biden and McConnell? It’s a whole new era. Will we be stuck in the same battles of the last four years, or can we expect to build back bigger, bolder, and better in 2021? Books & Podcasts From This Week’s Panelists: Jill Abramson Merchants of Truth Paul Begala You’re Fired: The Perfect Guide To Beating Donald Trump Tara Setmayer Honestly Speaking With Tara Setmayer Cass Sunstein How Change Happens Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON. Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you’re from! THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR: MAGIC SPOON Go to www.magicspoon.com/warroom to grab a variety pack and try it today! and be sure to use our promo code warroom (that’s one word) at checkout to get free shipping.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Live Stream 'Election 2020

James and Al are joined by two political giants from critical swing states - Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan - to discuss the situation on the ground with only a few days to go until the election. Which counties are make or break for Biden? Will he be able to flip both states and expand the map? And perhaps most importantly, when will we know either way? Listen and find out what the War Room predicts for November 3rd! Gov. Whitmer’s article ‘The Plot to Kidnap Me’ in The Atlantic Register for the FREE Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Live Event Thursday 29 Oct at 7:00 ET - James and Al will be talking to David Shribman live at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Election 2020 Online Town Meeting.Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @POLITICON THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS:HYDRANT Hydrant - Where water meets wellness - we’ve got a special deal for our listeners to SAVE 25% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER: Go to www.drinkhydrant.com/warroom or enter our promo code warroom (that’s all one word) at checkout. STEADYMD SteadyMD is now accepting members of all ages, in all 50 states. Go to www.steadymd.com/warroom to take the free quiz and see which doctor is a perfect fit for you.THE GREAT COURSES PLUS Start your journey with The Great Courses Plus today, your future self will thank you! Sign up with our special url: www.TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/warroom and get a full month of unlimited access - for free!

Sarah Silverman is excited about the Biden campaign, but worries that we are losing the cause of progress to our cultural divisions. Meanwhile election day is only 2 weeks away, and over 41 million voters have already cast their ballots. Michael McDonald of the United States Elections Project goes over how things look. And so far, the early voting seems to indicate a groundbreaking year for Democrats, but in election season, anything can happen. Can we look forward to normalcy after November 3rd? LISTEN TO THE SARAH SILVERMAN PODCAST EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO JAMES AND AL [email protected] OR TWEET THEM TO @POLITICON THIS WEEKS SPONSORS: STEADYMD (00:12:27) SteadyMD is now accepting members of all ages, in all 50 states. go to www.steadymd.com/warroom to TAKE THE FREE QUIZ AND SEE WHICH DOCTOR IS A PERFECT FIT FOR YOU. BLINKIST (00:37:41) Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer just for our listeners: Go to www.blinkist.com/warroom to TRY IT FREE FOR 7 DAYS AND SAVE 25% OFF YOUR NEW SUBSCRIPTION. THE GREAT COURSES PLUS (00:58:41) Start your journey with The Great Courses Plus today, your future self will thank you! Sign up with our special url: www.TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/warroom when you go there, YOU’LL GET A FULL MONTH OF UNLIMITED ACCESS- FOR FREE

With only weeks to go, gigantic sums of campaign cash have washed over the electoral landscape, but when the country is this polarized does money still talk? James and Al are starting to become optimistic about a Biden election, and think this might be his chance to expand the map. University of Houston’s Dr. Richard Murray reviews the possibility of flipping reliably red states, while Founder and President of Democracy 21 Fred Wertheimer discusses the role of cash in 2020 strategy and where it comes from. After listening to them, do you think this is the year that the Democrats shock in the south? EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS FOR JAMES AND AL AT [email protected] OR TWEET THEM TO @POLITICON THEY WILL DO THEIR BEST TO ANSWER THEM ON NEXT WEEK'S EPISODE! WE THANK THIS WEEKS SPONSORS:BLINKIST (00:12:17)Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer just for our listeners: Go to BLINKIST.COM/WARROOM to try it FREE for 7 days AND save 25 percent off your new subscription.FOUR SIGMATIC (00:33:50)We've worked out an EXCLUSIVE offer with Four Sigmatic on their best-selling Mushroom Coffee: Get up to 40% off plus Free Shipping on Mushroom Coffee bundles. Go to FOURSIGMATIC.COM/WARROOM This offer is ONLY for Politics War Room listeners and is not available on their regular website.MAGIC SPOON (00:53:34)Go to MAGICSPOON.COM/WARROOM to grab a variety pack and try it today! And be sure to use our promo code WARROOM at checkout to get free shipping. TIMELINE:00:00 - Intro03:00 - Liberty vs. Democracy06:15 - The stain on Amy Coney Barrett11:00 - Remembering Roberta McCain15:15 - Taking Texas17:00 - The real demographics20:30 - An outstanding gerrymander23:00 - The Texas Republican dilemma27:30 - The most interesting county in the US30:00 - Election bellwethers36:45 - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Money40:00 - Unprecedented cash flow44:30 - Shining a light on dark money48:45 - The fight for the courts55:30 - Listener Q&A

The President and his team have been infected with the Coronavirus, giving new significance to the phrase October Surprise. But even though James and Al think an electoral blow out is coming, it’s too early for Democrats to get comfortable— there are too many threats. Guest Professor Kathleen Belew details the rise of white supremacist movements and their plans for overthrowing the United States, while former DOJ Fraud Section Chief Andrew Weissmann tells us that Bill Barr has downplayed the foreign plans to affect our elections. Is our country at risk once again?TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS FOR JAMES AND AL TO @POLITICON AND THEY WILL ANSWER THEM ON NEXT WEEK'S EPISODE! Latest Books By Our Guests: Kathleen Belew: Bring the War Home Andrew Weissmann: Where Law Ends THIS WEEKS SPONSORS:HYDRANT (00:16:40:16)We’ve got a special deal for our listeners to save 25% off your first order: Go to DrinkHydrant.com/WARROOM or enter our promo code WARROOM at checkout.MAGIC SPOON (00:40.25.14)Go to magicspoon.com/WARROOM to grab a variety pack and try it today! And be sure to use our promo code WARROOM at checkout to get free shipping.STEADY MD (01.06.22.07)Go to SteadyMD.com/WARROOM to take the FREE quiz and see which doctor is a perfect fit for you. TIMELINE:00:00 - Intro01:30 - One incredibly long week04:00 - Disease in the White House08:00 - House and Senate predictions11:45 - Crunching the voting numbers19:00 - The hidden threat of white supremacy23:30 - Pent-up frustation29:30 - Oklahoma as a flash point34:00 - The post-war bump in hate38:30 - The banality of evil42:30 - Bob Mueller’s failures47:15 - Republican law and order54:45 - Why did you lie to Congress?1:00:45 - The Dunham investigation1:08:00 - Audience Q&A

The first presidential debate is over and James and Al declare Joe Biden the clear winner. Following favorable post-debate coverage across the platforms, and with mail-in ballot use breaking records and banking Democratic votes, it’s not looking good for President Trump. Ben Ginsburg wonders whether he's running effectively as an incumbent or if the party will collapse after he leaves office. Meanwhile Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman questions recent Democratic strategy in the Ohio battleground and whether the Biden campaign is repeating Hillary’s mistakes in misunderstanding the electorate there.Email your questions for James and Al to [email protected] and they will answer them on next week's episode!This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon cereal. Magic Spoon tastes amazing. It’s honestly too good to be true. 0 sugar, 11 grams of protein, and only 3 net carbs, It’s keto-friendly, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, low carb, and GMO-free.Go to MagicSpoon.com/WARROOM and use the code WARROOM for free shipping.Show Notes:00:00 - Intro01:00 - Less of a mess than you think03:45 - Biden toughs it out08:15 - The Great Divider12:00 - No pardon without an admission of guilt14:30 - New York's finest prosecutors20:30 - The Ohio playbook26:00 - The persuasion zones28:30 - A post-industrial state30:00 - Campaigning like there's no pandemic35:00 - Buckeye Republicans42:45 - The truth about ballot fraud46:15 - A former strategy for the right48:00 - The future of a party in distress53:30 - The role of poll watchers

With the election only 6 weeks away and Democrats confronted with a surprise conservative Supreme Court nomination, worries are rising about the strength of Biden’s candidacy. Senator Cory Booker has some reassuring words for the concerned, tells us about the equalizing power of baby bonds, and the feeling that this election is a moral moment for the nation. Meanwhile, Sean McElwee discusses the difficulties of uniting the left, and his belief that progressives will unite behind Biden in November.

A major contributing factor to Trump's success in 2016 was his love-hate relationship with the mainstream media. Whether it was giving the then-candidate a disproportionate amount of free press, or an unwillingness to be critical in a misguided attempt to appear balanced, news agencies everywhere unwittingly aided and abetted the President's rise to power. Now journalist James Fallows argues they have neither learned their lesson nor are they willing to be held accountable for their irresponsible behavior. Also, author Deborah Fallows suggests that in remaining hyper-focused on the "sport" of national politics, little attention is ever given to the real needs and interests of communities outside urban coastal areas.

Whether you’re convinced that nothing stands between Trump and another four years in the White House, or you manage to keep faith in the hope Biden’s campaign provides, it behooves all of us to be fully prepared as to what might happen once the vote counts come in on Election Night. United Nations Foundation vice chair and former U.S. Senator Timothy E. Wirth shines a light on all kinds of clandestine efforts the President might pursue in order to obfuscate or nullify a Democratic victory. But as the nation focuses on the election, Los Angeles Time Joseph Serna reminds us that the threat of climate change creates all kinds of future problems, not the least of which have been manifested by the recent California wildfires.

While Trump's outrageous behavior may still shock some, there are plenty of the most savvy and seasoned political veterans who see him for what he really is: a desperate charlatan who is capable of anything. Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft president Andrew Bacevich is even able to look forward, beyond this dark period, to the larger issues America faces as a global player. Dr. Michael P. McDonald, professor of political science at the University of Florida, predicts a brighter future for Democrats. And Texas Democratic Party consultant Billy Begala enjoys a hearty laugh at the recent follies of Trump supporters in his state.

Any opponent of Donald Trump has their work cut out for them, as his use of disinformation, dishonesty and disorder are unprecedented. So the U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district Conor Lamb fully understands the rough road ahead for Vice President Biden over the next few months. Yet Lamb also is keenly aware of the candidate's realist perspective, and just how useful that will be for campaigning in the part of his state often referred as "Trump country." Plus Dr. Rashawn Ray, a David M. Rubenstein Fellow in Governance Studies at The Brookings Institution and Professor of Sociology and Executive Director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research at the University of Maryland, College Park lends his considerable expertise to the conversation on what should be done in the wake of the protests throughout the nation.

Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report handicaps the Presidential race coming out of the conventions as Biden's lead stays consistent. UNC Professor Dr. Rick Luettich shares his expertise on hurricanes heading into storm season. James and Al react to the conclusion of the Republican National Convention at the White House as a truly bizarre experience.

Senator Jeff Flake separates Conservatism from Trumpism seeking to reclaim the soul of the Republican Party while Wall Street Journal Executive Washington Editor Gerald F Seib examines Reagan as the precursor to Trump in his new book 'We Should Have Seen It Coming: FROM REAGAN TO TRUMP–A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO A POLITICAL REVOLUTION.' Meanwile, James Carville pursues discussion with both guests on the concept that the base of the Republican party is preoccupied by racial resentment laying the foundation for Donald Trump to capitalize on this by speaking directly to the issue where others would not, and he was, in turn, embraced by Republican voters.

Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, reflects on the Committee’s bipartisan report on Russia's interference in our elections, the US Government's response to prevent a repeat of 2016 this November, the details of Steve Bannon's indictment representative of the Trump Administration's serial corruption, and a recap of the Democratic National Convention.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn champions the House bill to save the Post Office securing American's right to vote-by-mail. The Democratic Congressman from South Carolina discusses the races in his home state, Biden's strong pick of Kamala Harris as his running mate, and Michelle Obama's speech at the DNC. James and Al truly wish they were in Milwaukee, and dissect the latest revelations from the Senate Intelligence Committee which point to mounting evidence of collusion.

COVID-19 has changed the landscape of American politics in countless ways. The logistics of the November election leave a lot of questions lingering in the air. However, the chair of the Democratic Party for the state of Wisconsin Ben Wikler has plans laid out, not only for the national convention, but also for addressing voter suppression and Trump's dismantling of the United State Postal Service. Senior Vice President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Dan Mathews also underlines the the troubling inadequacies in how the country treats its aging population while discussing his unique relationship with his schizophrenic mother, as detailed in his new book "Like Crazy: Life with My Mother and Her Invisible Friends."

The specter of 2016 still looms in the minds of Democrats everywhere, creating no small amount of fear and uncertainty about what might happen come November. But while caution may prove prudent, there is no denying that there are stark differences between four years ago and today. Hart Research Associates president Geoff Garin outlines key polling numbers explaining a likely turn away from Trump in the coming months. And nowhere is that resentment towards the current status quo felt more than among America's beaten and broken middle class, whom New York Times economics reporter Jim Tankersley explores the plight of in his new book "The Riches of the Land."

With all eyes on Trump v. Biden , it can be easy to forget that there's a lot more at stake this November than just the presidency. Even congressional races may finally be getting the attention they deserve. But National Democratic Redistricting Committee president Kelly Burton and Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee preside Jessica Post argue that the real work is far more granular, down at the local legislative level. And the world of political scandal, journalist Seth A. Richardson (The Cleveland Plain Dealer) highlights one of the most staggering examples of graft in American history, involving an energy company, a wide array of figures at the heart of Ohio politics, and $60 million in bribes.

Much of the blame for the sad state of affairs the United States is facing gets heaped at the feet of Donald J. Trump. But while a fair amount of guilt should be borne by his contemporary enablers, there has also been a clear path over the last 50 years that has led the Republican party towards the existential darkness the president is now dragging them into. Bradlee Professor of Government & the Press at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Thomas Patterson and Julian Zelizer, the Malcolm Stevenson Forbes Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton School of Public & International Affairs, pinpoint the key players in this grand decline, including Nixon, Cohn, Reagan and Gingrich.

While the coronavirus creates chaos and uncertainty in every sector, there are few things as vital to both the immediate and distant future of the United States as the country's education system. And its importance is matched only by the complexity involved in starting the school year safely in a few months. As West Des Moines Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Remy points out, every school is different, and no one plan will suffice for all of the nearly 13,000 school districts throughout the country. And on the topic of learning, author Ben Sheehan ("OMG WTF Does The Constitution Actually Say?") laments the lack of civic education and what that means for the future of American democracy.

The Hard Hat Riot of 1970 may have lost some of its historical importance in the eyes of everyone but the most astute modern day political operatives. But author David Paul Kuhn ("The Hard Hat Riot") and political strategist Stan Greenberg ("RIP GOP") make the case that any Democrat worth their salt should mark that infamous clash between college students and construction workers as the inception of the greatest electoral barrier their party has faced in the 50 years since. That is the disenfranchisement of blue collar whites, and their departure from the left was felt in the 2016, just as they may serve as Biden's key to victory in 2020. Plus, Al and James discuss Trump's latest outrages.

The prevailing belief of the day may be that the Republican Party has sold its soul to the devil and a Democratic victory in November is America's only hope for salvation. But Oklahoma Senator James Lankford begs to differ, asserting that his colleagues in Congress have made efforts to ensure rule of law and equality for all, including introducing police reform and voting protection measures. At the same time, journalist Matt Bai ("All The Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid") argues that by valuing urbanity over all else, the Democrats loosen their connection to some of the most important voters in the country, allowing Trumpism to take hold.

The Supreme Court has dealt powerful blows to the Trump agenda in recent days, protecting DACA recipients' status and upholding anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals. Duke University School of Law Douglas B. Maggs Professor Emeritus of Law Walter Dellinger notes that the conservative justices see beyond the current president, towards a lifetime of decision-making. But that does not mean the U.S. justice system will remain intact with William Barr at the helm, he warns. On the other hand, political consultants Keith Mason and Paul Begala find hope in the new direction communities around Atlanta and Houston are taking, no matter the outcome of 2020.

There is no doubt that footage of George Floyd's death at the hands of four Minneapolis police officer is as shocking as it is damning of the American criminal justice system. But it is far from being the first incident of its kind, and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism professor Howard French ("Everything Under The Heavens") refuses to let white people use the excuse they didn't already know this was the reality for black people across the country. He notes it is time for America's institutions to take a long, hard look at themselves if they want this tragedy to not be in vain. And political reporter Ron Brownstein (The Atlantic) crunches the numbers on demographic changes among both Democrat and Republican voters, as well as posits some suggestions for the coalition Biden could build.

Few people have as deep and intimate an understanding of who Donald Trump is as a person as Bloomberg Opinion executive editor Timothy L. O'Brien. Not only has O'Brien written an entire biography of the man in his book "TrumpNation: "The Art of Being The Donald," he was even sued by Trump for libel for giving a true account of the scope of the president's financial worth. In due course, Timothy has actually become an astute observer of the Trump brand, peering beyond the fabricated persona to see what really lies beneath. Plus, Al and James discuss just what might happen if things don't go well for Trump in November.

Yet another death of an African American man at the hand's of the police has lead to demonstrations across United States and around the world. People are yet again demanding greater accountability, transparency and equality in treatment from their peace officers. But what will it really take to dramatically change how men and women in uniform interact with the public, especially minorities? David Harris, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law's Sally Ann Semenko Endowed Chair, tries to answer some of the questions about the nature of this issue and suggest how policing systems can be changed at all levels of government. Plus, Al and James touch base on Trump's photo op and Senate election prospects.

How has the Republican party fallen so far from grace? Is the rise of Trumpism the cause of this rapid decline, or a symptom of the party leadership's disconnection from its base? What does the future hold for a political organization that has sold it soul for victory? These are just some of the questions Charlie Sykes, editor-in-chief, and Tim Miller, and contributor for the Never-Trump, conservative news site The Bulwark, try to answer. Historian Ron Chernow ("Alexander Hamilton") sets the record straight about Ulysses S. Grant's military prowess, presidential record and alcoholism. Plus Al and James give a rundown on the Senate seats up for grabs in November.

To many Americans, the economy is mystery. Normal market trends and fiscal policy aside, though, the coronavirus pandemic presents an unprecedented challenge for understanding how the country might weather the storm of soaring unemployment and a near total halt to business as usual. That's where David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal & Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution, steps in, providing unique insight into what extremely low interest rates and climbing national debt mean for investors and individuals of all stripes. Plus, James presents an outline for how Joe Biden's campaign can springboard off of an existing network of talented creatives rather than build an entire movement from the ground up.

Balanced, accurate and informative journalism is possibly more important now than it ever has been. Yet with financial limitations and logistical nightmares a plenty, publishing the most important stories in an rapidly changing world is no easy task. Los Angeles Times executive editor Norman Pearlstine expounds on the precautions his newspaper has taken, as well as the need to shift focus away from from Europe and North America. In that same vein, Brookings Institute senior fellow and former CIA analyst Jung H. Pak explains how the often maligned and misunderstood dictator of North Korea poses a greater threat to global peace than many anticipate, as laid out in her book “Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer’s Insights into North Korea’s Enigmatic Young Dictator."

While facing the global pandemic on your own might seem frightening and difficult, going through this one-of-a-kind crisis with a partner does still present its own challenges. How does one keep themselves and their significant other healthy, safe and entertained enough in quarantine to not be at each others' throats? Well actress Marlo Thomas and her husband, American media personality Phil Donahue, have 40 years of successful marriage to pull from in that regard, in addition to the cumulative knowledge gathered for their forthcoming book "What Makes a Marriage Last — 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life." Plus, Al and James discuss the moral and intellectual incompetence of the Trump administration's coronavirus response.

The grim toll of the coronavirus pandemic is a reality many Americans have come face-to-face with in recent months. And with the number of COVID-19 related deaths rising daily, it can be difficult for those who have yet to experience loss from it firsthand to understand the scope of this terrible disease. There is historical precedent, however, for how the country has dealt with this sort of tragedy, author and former Harvard president Drew Faust (The Republic of Suffering) notes. How the U.S. handled its hundreds of thousands of Civil War dead revealed a great deal about the country, she says, as does the current crisis. And while many of us might seek reprieve from our harrowing circumstances in the world of basketball, baseball or football, sports writer John Feinstein (The First Major) paints an unfortunately complex and nuanced picture of what it might take for athletes to get back to their respective games.

If the title of president of the Brookings Institution isn't impressive. enough, John R. Allen has plenty on his resume to raise your eyebrows at. Retired four-star Marine Corps general. Former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. Department of State Distinguished Honor Award winner. So when he suggests that America's adversaries are taking advantage of the global pandemic, it's time to pay attention. But when he says that the country's military has never been more ready to take on these looming threats, it should offer some solace. Plus, Al and James talk out the pros and cons of Klobuchar, Harris and other possibilities for Biden's VP spot.

From Secretary of State to Ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright has been a major player on the world stage in many different capacities, and therefore has spent a decades-long career embracing the bigger picture and seeking solutions to humanity's problems on a global scale. So there are few people better equipped to step back and evaluate the magnitude of America's involvement in geopolitics and the need for its leadership in an ongoing crisis like the coronavirus. She also acknowledges that the next step our government should take is to look within and try to heal the partisan fracturing in order to better deal with the larger issues at play. In that vein, Al and James offer praise to governors on the other side of the aisle who have taken it upon themselves to go against the White House and their party leadership in addressing the pandemic.

Associated Press Deputy Bureau Chief for all White House, Congressional and political coverage Michael Tackett has seen a lot in his career, and never backed down from a challenge. He discusses how covering controversial basketball coach Bobby Knight in college trained him to deal with Trump, and explains how he stays focused on the issues at hand, even when the president makes things personal. Meanwhile, journalist Joanne Lipman (USA Today, Wall Street Journal) shares details of one the most important stories surrounding the coronavirus pandemic: its impact on a variety of medical treatments and procedures, many of which are lifesaving. And to top things off, Bernie Sander's surprise announcement creates clarity for November.

As a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Shribman (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/Boston Globe) has had keen insight into how the two countries have been operating since coronavirus first reached North America. On the one hand, he notes, Canada has taken decisive action directed by a head of government who exemplifies the seriousness and gravitas needed for these extreme circumstances. On the other, he points out that the U.S. has been directionless and far from uniform in its approach, and the difference shows. Al and James also hold their breath in the hopes that things don't get any more outrageous before November.

Author Deborah Fallows and journalist James Fallows spent years traveling to small cities and towns outside America's major population centers in order to research their national bestseller "Our Towns A 100,000-Mile Journey Into the Heart of America." In following up with those communities recently, they are able to share how individual leaders and local groups have stepped up to deal with the growing coronavirus outbreak in spite of the lack of guidance from higher levels of government. Al and James also ponder what a candidate like Joe Biden can do in a situation as dire as this.

Political consultant Stephanie Cutter (former Deputy Campaign Manager for Obama 2012) weighs in on how Joe Biden can gracefully accept Bernie Sanders near-certain defeat in the primary. She also offers some advice on how Biden can appear more presidential in the months to come. University of Pennsylvania Department of Medical Ethics chair Dr. Zeke Emanuel lays out just how much of an effect coronavirus will have on American society, as well as offers some thoughts on how to manage the crisis. Al and James also discuss how Bernie Sanders can keep his movement alive, even in near-certain defeat.

Historian and author John Barry ("The Great Influenza") draws comparisons between the follies of Woodrow Wilson's handling of the of the major flu outbreak over 100 years ago and the Trump administrations approach to the ongoing global health crisis. Al and James examine the outcomes of this week's primaries and offer some advice to Joe Biden as he makes his way towards the Democratic convention and a near-certain nomination. 2020 Politics War Room is produced by Native Creative Podcasts from American University in Washington, DC.

James Carville and Al Hunt analyze Joe Biden's super Super Tuesday taking the delegate lead over Bernie Sanders. Evercore CEO Roger Altman examines the volatility of the stock market amidst CoronaVirus concerns. 2020 Politics War Room is produced by Native Creative Podcasts.

Blueprint Strategies founder and CEO Antjuan Seawright shares insight on the debate and primary from South Carolina. Former CEO of the DNC and the current Executive Director of the SINE Institute of Policy and Politics at American University Amy Dacey discusses a possible brokered convention. On the 'Back Page', James and Al lament the administration's management of the coronavirus outbreak. 2020 Politics War Room is produced by Native Creative Podcasts from American University in Washington, DC.

Nevada debate moderator Jon Ralston from The Nevada Independent discusses Bloomberg's first debate in Nevada. Ruy Teixeira helps us understand the ideological motivation providing greater context on his Washington Post column. On the 'Back Page', James and Al talk about the pervasiveness of corruption. 2020 Politics War Room is presented by the SINE Institute at American University. Read the transcripts of every episode at ncpodcasts.com/politicswarroom

Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe talks election politics postulating that Michael Bloomberg could take Virgnia. James and Al borrow time from Tom Steyer's senior advisor Geoff Berman to share his expertise on delegates. Christy 'Numbers' Harvey tries to keep baseball boring. Find transcripts at https://ncpodcasts.com/politicswarroom