RealClearPolitics Podcast

Director of Emerson College Polling Spencer Kimball joins Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon to discuss new polling numbers in key Senate races from PollVault/Emerson, and President Trump’s surprise announcement this morning that U.S. aid to Israel would be cut at the end of this year. Then, they discuss President Trump’s closing argument for the midterms from the Reflecting Pool yesterday and everyone predicts his winners and losers in toss-up Senate races. And then finally, they continue their predictions of winners and losers in toss-up Senate races and look at which party will win the House majority, and by how much. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende joins Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon to discuss Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens' surprise endorsement of GOP candidate Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race. Also, new polls from The New York Times and Atlas Intel, and the question of whether Republican voters are underrepresented in this year’s polls. Then, RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta joins the guys to discuss today’s closing campaign speech by President Trump scheduled to take place at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC. And, they take a look at this weekend’s Halloween Party at Mar-a-Lago, where the President “came as Donald Trump". Then finally, they discuss a new article by RCP national correspondent Susan Crabtree on Democrats’ new argument against transgender bans, and Democratic Michigan Senate Candidate Abdul El Sayed’s appearance last night on 60 Minutes, where he defended his position on biological males in women’s locker rooms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Donald Trump’s decision to reschedule rallies in Iowa and Kansas this weekend, after announcing yesterday that he would spend the weekend holding tele-rallies instead. Also, Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan and Elon Musk disagree over what's at stake for the GOP and the country in the midterms and beyond. Then, Washington Post columnist Henry Olsen joins the guys to discuss what to watch for on election night, and talk about a new Washington Post poll that shows Democrat Adam Hamilton leading incumbent Republican Roger Marshal 52%-43% among likely voters in the Kansas Senate race.
Next, they discuss the impact and meaning of a video of a Red Baron Pizza employee facing off against a social media prankster that has gone viral. And finally, the guys dish up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon discuss a New York Times article alleging that the campaign of Alaskan Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola recruited a candidate with the same name as the incumbent senator, Republican Dan Sullivan, in order to cost him votes. Peltola denies the accusation. Also, President Donald Trump is campaigning in South Carolina today for GOP Senate candidate Darline Graham, and RCP CEO and co-founder John McIntyre writes that Democrats are poised for “the largest generic ballot win since Obama’s 2008 blowout". Then, New Yorker staff writer Nick Paumgarten joins the guys to discuss his new book "The Intangibles", which deals with growing up, masculinity and hockey. Next, they talk about investigative journalist James O'Keefe, who is charged with voter fraud and identity theft in Minnesota resulting from an undercover video he shot exposing the potential for voter fraud due to the the state’s voter-vouching law, which permits a registered voter to vouch for the residence of as many as eight other people on election day. And finally, they chat about former President Barack Obama responding to President Trump, saying he “lived” at the Cheesecake Factory during his daughters’ childhood. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the results of the Israeli elections and what it means for US/Israeli relations. They also talk about President Donald Trump’s remarks yesterday that he would accept the midterm results “only if they’re honest elections”. Then, Democratic campaign strategist Dane Strother joins the guys to discuss the race for the Senate in Texas, where both President Trump and Democratic candidate James Talarico appeared yesterday at rallies in the city of Lubbock. And, they also take a look at how AI is being widely used in campaign ads this cycle. Then lastly, they discuss the accuracy of the polls in the midterms, and they look at why prediction markets and polls often differ, as they do in forecasting who will win the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss the state of the midterms one week before election day and the potential effect of midcycle redistricting. They also look at the prospects for passage of a Maryland ballot measure that would allow politicians to redraw congressional districts, and what it would mean for Governor Wes Moore’s (D-MD) national profile. Then, they discuss a new PAC attack ad aimed at Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the Senate primary race in Michigan that some say is antisemitic. And, they talk about Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Action responding to an ad by Vivek Ramaswamy that featured her estranged mother calling her a liar. Then finally, they discuss President Donald Trump’s recent Truth Social post attacking comedian Bill Mahrer following a White House dinner, and they talk about President Barack Obama coming under fire for remarks about the décor at The Cheesecake Factory. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP contributor and author of A Declaration of Independents Greg Orman discuss the Justice Department's suit to block the certification of Alaska’s Senate results if GOP candidate Dan Sullivan loses due to voter confusion over a second candidate with the same name appearing on the ballot. Then the team talks to RCP columnist and author of Explaining Israel: The Jewish State: The Middle East and America Peter Berkowitz discuss what is at stake in tomorrow’s national elections in Israel and the future of US/Israeli relations. Also, a look at a just released Gallup poll on how Republicans, Democrats and Independents rank key American values, including patriotism, equality and freedom.

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss Vice President JD Vance’s campaign swing this week to Ohio and Nebraska. Also, Vance and President Donald Trump endorse a campaign ad produced by the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign in Ohio that features his opponent Amy Acton’s biological mother calling her daughter a liar, while outgoing governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) condemns the ad as “deeply, deeply troubling," but still endorses Ramaswamy for governor. Then, they discuss a Wall Street Journal article that asks whether Americans are "still afraid of socialism". Plus, they talk about, DSA member New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigns for New York governor Kathy Hochul as they jointly appear in an ad touting “free” childcare for New York City residents, and President Trump announces a $25 million fund to reward Americans who report government fraud and abuse. Then, they discuss the start of the World Series and the role of money in baseball and politics. And finally, the guys give up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss last night’s Senate debates in Michigan and Kansas. Then, they talk about new polling by RCP of ten critical House races and what the data suggests about control of he House after the midterms. And, they take a look at new poll numbers on the Texas Senate race, and whether midterm polls are under-sampling Republican voters. Next, they discuss this morning’s announcement that Louise Lucas, the Virginia state senator who played a central role in the state's redistricting effort last year, was taken into federal custody, charged with bribery and racketeering related to marijuana. She has denied the charges. And finally, they look at AIPAC’s decision to cease making candidate endorsements and campaign contributions from its political action committee, while continuing to operate its superPAC. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss fake polling data released by an outfit called Wedgewood Polls, which called their actions ““an experimental project to demonstrate the vulnerabilities, lack of oversight and overall low barrier to entry in the modern political polling industry”. They also take a look at a new campaign ad produced by the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign in Ohio, that features his opponent Amy Acton’s biological mother calling her daughter a liar. Next, James Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC, joins them to discuss the latest news on the Ukraine War, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement this morning that he would accept a ceasefire based on the current battlefront if provided sufficient security guarantees by the West. Then, they discuss United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby who called for a national wealth tax and a nearly 100% inheritance tax in an interview with The New York Times. And finally, they discuss a new article in Wired magazine which profiles Americans who left the country for Europe after President Donald Trump’s inauguration and have come to regret the decision. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss midterm polls two weeks before Election Day, including Bret Baier’s Fox News report predicting a possible 52–48 Republican Senate majority if Republicans outperform their polls, as they have in the past. Then, Gad Saad, author of "Suicidal Empathy: Dying to be Kind" and a scholar at the University of Mississippi’s Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom, joins the guys to discuss riots in France, civil unrest spreading across Europe, and the dispute between Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Vice President JD Vance over the causes of political violence in France. Next, they discuss Elon Musk’s announcement that he will give every child in America one share of SpaceX stock, and a Politico report that Democrats are preparing major investigations into Musk if they win the House in November. And finally, they talk about Vladimir Putin’s proposed Russia/U.S./China summit to end the Ukraine war without Ukrainian participation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss President Trump’s travel schedule for the week and what it reveals about the GOP’s inside view of the midterms. Also, a look at where Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) are campaigning, and a discussion of the short tenure of former White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia. Then, RCP Senior Elections analyst Sean Trende joins the team to discuss his new Substack page “The Poll Vault” and his post today on why early voting data is “irresistible, addictive and flawed.” And they take a look at the most recent polls and political advertising.
Next, they discuss Senator Elise Slotkin (D-MI) who said last week that Democrats should prosecute current White House staffers as a “deterrent” to young conservatives who might consider serving in the Trump Administration. And finally, they look at Saturday’s “No Kings” rallies and Meta’s suspension of the group’s Instagram account due to an uptick in activity that it mistakenly attributed to Claude, the AI assistant. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon, and Richard Porter discuss the DOJ's lawsuit against California over suspected noncitizens voting via mail, news that Katie Zacharia failed the California bar exam, and the probe into Representative Ilhan Omar. Then, author Brett McGurk joins the guys to talk about his new book "Brink: Inside the Race to Free the October 7th Hostages". Next, they discuss Elon Musk's unveiling of a "rocket car" last night. And finally, they dish up their "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS" stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss new inflation data and what it may mean for the midterms, the economic and political impact of President Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks that he feels betrayed by the Trump Administration over diesel and alleged throttling of Starlink data transmission speed by the U.S. government, which affects Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian missile attacks. Then, Director of Emerson College Polling - Spencer Kimball; joins the guys to discuss new polling from Iowa and whether polls may be overstating Democratic turnout in the 2026 midterms. Next, they discuss a New York Times report on women cabinet members in the Trump Administration and a Politico report that President Trump is considering replacing Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. And then finally, former President Bill Clinton will make his first appearance on the campaign trail for the midterms in Florida next week, and Hillary Clinton returns with a new podcast on the midterms cohosted by Kara Swisher. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss last night’s candidate debates, including debates for the Georgia, Maine and Iowa Senate races. Then, Mathew Bunson, editorial director and vice president of EWTN News and author of Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope joins the guys to discuss the latest news on the Pope’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. And finally, they talk about President Trump visiting Wasilla, Alaska, hometown of Sarah Palin, who did not appear at the President's rally. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta discuss this morning’s press briefing by new White House Press Secretary Katie Zachariah, US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation, and Monday’s raid on the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) by the Department of Homeland Security. Also, reaction to the announcement by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that the firing squad execution of the Fort Hood terrorist would be steamed live. Next, Josh Kraushaar, editor in chief of Jewish Insider and a political analyst for Fox News Radio joins the guys to discuss the midterms, President Trump’s travel schedule in support of Republican candidates, and where the GOP is spending campaign money. Then, they talk about President Trump’s announcement of a deal to buy Russian diesel fuel in advance of the midterms. And finally, they discuss US District Judge Ana Reyes saying that the Trump Administration violated her instructions by cutting down hundreds of trees around East Potomac Golf Links, a public course in the nation’s capital. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America and author of The Primary Solution joins Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon to discuss a new poll from RealClear Opinion Research sponsored by Unite America and potential reforms to the primary system. Then, Wall Street Journal columnist and Fox News contributor Karl Rove joins the guys to discuss how the Democratic and Republican parties should react to the recently released Democratic Socialist of America’s 2026 platform which is entitled, “Workers Deserve More.” They also discuss whether Republicans will retain their majority in the House and preview this fall’s Texas Senate race. Then lastly, Harmeet Dhillon, US assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, joins them to discuss election integrity and the Department’s plan to deploy 1,000 poll monitors nationwide in the 2026 midterms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss last night’s senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine and a candidate debate for attorney general in New York State between incumbent Democrat Letitia James and Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy.
Next, Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America and author of "The Primary Solution" joins the guys to discuss a new poll from RealClear Opinion Research sponsored by Unite America and potential reforms to the primary system. Then, they discuss the passing of Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka and the shooting by ICE of an alleged gang member who had his five-year-old son in this car at the time. And finally, they give up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss yesterday’s speech by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Parthenon in Greece defending Western civilization, and reactions to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official statement on the third anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel by Hamas terrorists. Then, filmmaker Eli Steele joins the guys to discuss his new documentary, “Shelby Steele’s White Guilt,” which looks at the history of race in America and the rise of identity politics. And finally, they discuss last night’s Senatorial debate in Kansas, President Trump’s statement that he may fire top political aides Chris LaCivita and James Blair for providing election advice to a Russia-linked government while playing key roles in his midterm campaign operation, and a Wall Street Journal article focusing on US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle that alleges she asked a supporter of President Trump to pay her $100,000 credit card bill just before her confirmation hearing in exchange for access to Trump officials. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP contributor Richard Porter discuss the third anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel, the possible consequences of a Democratic takeover of the Senate, and last night’s Senate debate in Maine. Then, RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta joins the guys to discuss President Trump’s offer to create a new presidential retreat in West Palm Beach, his announcement that he would not reimburse the government for political ads currently paid for by the Department of Homeland Security, and the reason Governor Gregg Abbott (R-TX) will not be appearing with Trump at a rally today in San Antonio. Next, they talk about a new article in RCP by Richard Porter on billionaire Ken Griffith’s decision to leave Chicago for Miami and his contribution of $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University for a new campus in Florida. And finally, they discuss new polling from Gallup that shows many people do not have faith in American elections. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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