Trial Balloon

Kamala Harris picks Tim Walz. Donald Trump tries to regain the spotlight. Links we discussed: Why Trump Talks About Hannibal LecterHarris Reset the RaceWhat I Got Wrong About Harris’ Running Mate PickTim Walz Was a Safe Pick — But That’s Not BadCarville Says He’ll Deal with Fetterman After the ElectionSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Trump botches his pivot to Kamala Harris and the politics of "weird." Links we discussed: Kamala Harris May Soon Be the FavoriteTrump Botches ResetGOP Pollster Shows Tight RaceQuote of the DayWeird is the Most Effective insult Democrats Have TriedDemocrats Could Regret Calling Trump WeirdSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Joe Biden steps aside and Kamala Harris takes over. Links we discussed: Kamala Harris May Squash the Trump BounceKamala Harris Gives Her First Campaign SpeechEarly Thoughts on a New Presidential RaceKamala Harris Now Needs a Running MateSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Donald Trump accepts the Republican presidential nomination amid heated speculation that President Biden is on the verge of dropping his re-election race. Links we discussed: The State of PlayWhere the Effort to Push Biden Aside StandsSome Thoughts About the GOP ConventionAn Unrelenting Three WeeksRepublicans Leave Democrats a Massive OpeningSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

In the aftermath of Joe Biden's terrible debate performance, can Democrats win in 2024? Links we discussed: My Reaction to the Biden Press ConferenceThe Most High-Pressure Press Conference EverThe Dam Is HoldingBarack Obama Isn’t Going to Push Biden OutSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

The aftermath of the first 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Links we discussed: Where Things StandSome Thoughts on the Last WeekSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Is Florida a swing state? The politics of inflation. Can you talk politics in the office? Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Have you seen the pre-debate ads?… Incumbents have a history of not doing well in first debate… Links we discussed: Joe Biden to paint Donald Trump as ‘unhinged’ felon in $50mn ad campaignWhy Biden Finally Decided to Whack Trump on VerdictCan Florida Be a Swing State Again?Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

The Hunter Biden fallout... Trump takes total control of the GOP... The presidential tickets are nearly set -- or are they? Links we discussed: The Hunter FalloutThe Swiftboating of Joe Biden Has BegunHow Hunter Biden’s Conviction Actually Helps His FatherTrump Got What He Wanted In Last Night’s PrimariesVoters Have Real Doubts About Kamala HarrisThe Most Courageous Thing That Joe Biden Can DoSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Trump threatens to prosecute his political rivals... Why even a felony conviction won't upend this race... And does the bully pulpit still exist? Links we discussed: Trump Says He Has ‘Every Right’ to Prosecute His RivalsEven a Felony Conviction Likely Won’t Upend This RaceTrump’s Vows Put Rule of Law on the BallotHow Much More Warning Do Voters Need?Democrats Must Make Trump’s Guilty Verdict KnownSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

We began this recording just before Donald Trump was found guilty at his "hush money" criminal trial -- and came back right after the verdict. Oh, and we also talked about the Supreme Court and Elon Musk. Links we discussed: Trump Found Guilty of 34 FeloniesThis Will Be Tough for Trump to SpinTrump’s Is Guilty of Undermining the Rule of LawAnd a bonus link: Real Time Reaction to the Trump VerdictSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Who is Nikki Haley? Did Biden wait too long to run to the center? Should Democrats run on the Supreme Court? Links we discussed: Politics Ain't BeanbagNikki Haley Drives a Hard BargainBiden Campaign Woos Nikki Haley VotersA Problem with the Supreme CourtSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Who took the de-bait -- Trump or Biden? Should Biden be moving to the center? What's up with that New York Times/Siena poll? Links we discussed: There’s Still a Good Chance Debates Never HappenQuote of the DayThe Biden Campaign Is Worried The Simple Math That Could Swing the Election to Biden Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Is immigration really the biggest issue? Kristi Noem is this cycle's Sarah Palin. Marjorie Taylor Greene just made Hakeem Jeffries speaker. Links we discussed: Immigration Named Top U.S. Problem for Third Straight MonthIt’s Fine to Ignore the PollsVideo: Fox News Decides It’s Done with Kristi NoemKristi Noem Cuts Short Book Tour Citing ‘Bad Weather’Marjorie Taylor Greene Ostracized by ConservativesSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Crime and immigration vs. abortion and the economy. Links we discussed: Conversation with John AvlonAbortion Is Now Almost Completely Banned In the SouthTrump Has Taken the Most Extreme Position on AbortionSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

The Trump trial and the split screen campaign. And Mike Johnson's power is backed by Democrats. Links we discussed: The Split Screen for the Next 6 WeeksTrump Is Already TestifyingTrump Is a Pretty Weak StrongmanBeing Stuck in a Courtroom Is Just What Trump NeededChaos and OppressionSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Biden must tend to the center. Bill Barr, Chris Sununu and Larry Hogan can't seem to leave Trump's GOP. And Mike Johnson puts his job on the line. Links we discussed: While Biden Worries About the Left, the Voters He Needs Are in the CenterLarry Hogan Says He Won’t Leave the GOPJohnson Schedules Vote on Foreign Aid, Putting His Job on the Line Mike Johnson May Become a ‘Coalition Speaker’Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Arizona's abortion ruling is a disaster for Trump and Republicans. Stubborn inflation is a problem for Biden and Democrats. Can red states knock Biden off the ballot? Links we discussed Trump Flails on AbortionFed May Not Cut Interest Rates This YearRed States Threaten to Keep Biden Off the BallotSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Trump says he'll have a big announcement on abortion "next week." Democrats prepare to go after RFK Jr. and with help from his family. Mike Johnson is trying to get something for Ukraine aid but could lose his job in the process. Links we discussed Trump Has No Idea What to Do On AbortionMike Johnson’s Future May Depend on Ukraine BillMike Johnson Opens Door for Ukraine Aid PackageDemocratic Attacks Against RFK Jr. Rattle His CampaignConservative Media Sours on RFK Jr.Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Does watching Fox News make you less informed? Could the House flip to Democratic control? Does RFK Jr. hurt Biden or Trump more? Links we discussed Those Who Don’t Watch Fox Less Likely to Vote for TrumpDemocrats Need to Be Ready If GOP Loses ControlBiden Holds Small Lead NationallyRFK Jr. the SpoilerSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter