Hacks On Tap
275 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★★ - 6.3K ratingsWhen David Axelrod, Mike Murphy and Robert Gibbs 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.
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Episodes
All's Fair in Love and Warren
October 16, 2019 18:49 - 36 minutes - 16.9 MBThe fourth Democratic presidential debate is behind us and the hacks are here to break it all down. All eyes are on Liz Warren as she gets frontrunner treatment for the very first time: how did she fare? Buttigieg bites back: is this a turning point for the South Bend mayor? Biden becomes background: can his candidacy sustain steam? Amy brought her A-game: but is this too little, too late? What’s not working for Cory Booker? Plus, the hacks dive into what the latest FEC filings m...
Great and Unmatched... Wisdom (with John Heilemann)
October 09, 2019 00:03 - 50 minutes - 23.4 MBThe Hacks are back from their jaunt to Austin and itching to dig into the latest. Hill Republicans and Democrats alike are in a tizzy over Trump’s call to pull troops out of Syria – but will the move resonate with his voting base? Meanwhile the impeachment inquiry has some congressional Republicans wondering if it's time to revolt and bolt. The great John Heilemann joins Axe and Murphy to share intel from the ground in Iowa and lets us in on who he thinks is the dark horse to watch. And fina...
Hacks Live from Austin with Karl Rove
September 30, 2019 19:05 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBThe Hacks reunite LIVE at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, TX. This time, they’re joined by super-hack Karl Rove — former Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush — to break down all the latest on the impeachment inquiry, alleged Trump transgressions, the 2020 race, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hard Rain from Ukraine and Boarding the Bus with Mayor Pete Buttigieg
September 24, 2019 23:40 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBFrom whistleblowers to whistlestops, Axe and Murphy are chewing over the latest call for impeachment, Rep. Joe Kennedy, and new polling out of Iowa. Mayor Pete Buttigieg joins the show from his Not-the-Straight-Talk-Express bus tour of Iowa to give his take on impeachment, what he hears from voters out on the trail, and what sets him apart from the other candidates. In the mailbag, the hacks are talking brokered conventions, young voters, and advice for New Hampshire Never-Trumpers. Learn m...
More Debates and 10,000 Takes with Sen. Amy Klobuchar
September 16, 2019 21:31 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBThe Hacks are back after a Democratic debate with no shortage of talking points: Castro put Biden on blast, Betsy from Oklahoma ditched the cap and gown, and Beto brought the passion on guns. Axe and Murphy also touch on the escalating tensions with Iran over the bombing of a Saudi oil refinery and the latest accusations against Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Senator Amy Klobuchar joins the show to talk about her role in the Kavanaugh hearings and the path forward for her Presidential candidacy. W...
Houston, We Have a Preview
September 11, 2019 23:29 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBThe Hacks are back in the run-up to Thursday’s debate. And the stage in Houston will be packed with TEN candidates—so what does each need to do in order to stand out? In order to keep the cash flowing? In order to maintain top-tier status? In order to avoid getting swallowed-up? Murph and Axe belly-up to the bar and sort through what each campaign’s hacks must be thinking right about now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hats, Prattle, and a Primary Battle with Mark McKinnon
September 03, 2019 21:15 - 52 minutes - 59.7 MBIn this week’s episode, Biden flubs the details, but will it ever cross the line with voters? Axe and Murphy also take stock of the rest of the field ahead of the next Democratic debate, what's next for the candidates who didn't make the stage, and Trump's half-hearted hurricane watch. Guest hack Mark McKinnon joins the show to talk about Warren's worries with white working-class and black voters, his affinity for Mayor Pete, and redemption for Beto in Texas. Plus, the hacks hand out a bit o...
A Hack in Hog Heaven and Trump’s Tempestuous Trip
August 27, 2019 22:20 - 46 minutes - 53.8 MBAxe is back from his stint in the cornfields of Iowa armed with new intel to break down with Murphy. But first – the hacks talk Trump’s erratic behavior at the G7 summit, size up Trump’s new primary challenge from former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, pose a theory as to why the governors in the Democratic race have yet to break through, and unpack Axe’s Iowa interviews with the leading presidential candidates. The hacks later dive into the mailbag and answer listener questions on Democratic strategy,...
Mooch Ado About Something
August 20, 2019 23:22 - 59 minutes - 67.6 MBAxe has returned from his secret mission and is reunited with Murphy as they hash through Trump’s latest poll numbers and his frustration with Fox News. The first Biden TV ad has dropped in Iowa, but does he have what it takes to go the distance? And Anthony Scaramucci joins the Hacks—he’s back in the President’s crosshairs after voicing his opposition to him, and fills us in on his plan to “beat the bully.” He even makes a bit of news on his next steps. Finally the hacks field questions fro...
Calling All Conspiracies and Let Biden Be Biden
August 13, 2019 20:15 - 49 minutes - 56.7 MBIn this week’s episode, Democratic strategist and guest host Paul Begala joins Murphy on the mic to take stock of this week’s news. The hacks talk Jeffrey Epstein’s sudden death and the rise of conspiracy theories in politics, how Biden could benefit from leaning into his gaffes, and assess the Democratic candidates’ standings in the race. Guest hack and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri joins the show to share who she thinks has broken through in the Democratic fi...
Words, Guns, El Paso and Dayton with Rep. Steve Israel
August 07, 2019 21:19 - 43 minutes - 50 MBAfter the country was jolted yet again by mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, the hacks huddle up to talk about the how the President responded, what we should expect from a "Consoler in Chief," and how some Democratic candidates may set themselves apart as they respond to the tragedies. Former Congressman Steve Israel joins the show to talk about the realities of gun politics, why he hopes this time will be different, as well as his views on the state of the race. Lastly, David and Mike t...
Showdown in Motown
August 01, 2019 09:08 - 37 minutes - 42.9 MBIn this week's episode, the Hacks huddle in Detroit in the wake of the second round of Democratic debates. Axe and Murphy share their takes on the Biden-Harris rematch, discuss the progressive-moderate party divide, highlight Warren and Booker's strong performances, and gauge the impact this round will have on the candidates moving forward. The Hacks also break down the memorable moments: Gabbard takes aim at Harris, Bernie brings the fight, Biden bites back, and a handful of one percenters ...
May the debate stage be ever in your favor, Sen. Michael Bennet joins the show
July 23, 2019 21:50 - 42 minutes - 48.2 MBThis week, Axe and Murphy question whether Bob Mueller’s testimony will have any bearing on the race. Then, we’ll preview the Hunger Games, also known as the second round of Democratic debates. It's do or die for candidates stuck at 1%. And, we'll talk to one of those 1 percenters -- Colorado Senator Michael Bennet -- about how he plans to break through and keep the party from "going off a cliff." Plus, we dive into the mailbag to answer questions about the electoral college and whether the ...
Trump's big trap and who ought to wrap
July 15, 2019 23:20 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBIn this week’s episode, Axe and Murphy talk Trump’s strategy behind attacking the progressive freshmen House members, how the latest poll numbers spell potential for Kamala Harris, and whether Pete Buttigieg's coolheaded approach will help or hurt him in the race. Howard Wolfson, former deputy mayor of New York City, joins the show to talk about Michael Bloomberg's decision not to run and what role a third party candidate might play in a general election. Axe and Murphy dive to the mailbag t...
Warren's huge haul and Steyer's surprise with Jon Favreau
July 09, 2019 22:32 - 45 minutes - 51.7 MBThis week, the hacks make sense of the newly announced fundraising numbers, talk Biden’s attempt to relaunch, discuss the political impact of Trump’s flip on the census question, and share their thoughts on Mitch McConnell’s new Senate challenger. Guest hack Jon Favreau of Pod Save America joins the show to talk about billionaire Tom Steyer throwing his hat into the race, the Democratic landscape in a post-debate world, and the rise of left-wing media. Axe and Murphy dive into the mailbag an...
5: The post debate pollercoaster and the art of Beto-busting with Julián Castro
July 02, 2019 20:35 - 49 minutesThis week, the hacks throw on their strategists’ caps and discuss how they would manage the leading campaigns in the wake of the first debates. Axe and Murphy also break down the slew of post-debate polling, talk Trump’s trip to North Korea, and discuss whether there’s a lane for a more moderate candidate should Biden’s support continues to slip. Guest hack Julián Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Democratic presidential candidate, joins the show to talk about his...
The post debate pollercoaster and the art of Beto-busting with Julián Castro
July 02, 2019 20:35 - 56.8 MBThis week, the hacks throw on their strategists’ caps and discuss how they would manage the leading campaigns in the wake of the first debates. Axe and Murphy also break down the slew of post-debate polling, talk Trump’s trip to North Korea, and discuss whether there’s a lane for a more moderate candidate should Biden’s support continues to slip. Guest hack Julián Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Democratic presidential candidate, joins the show to talk about his ...
Recapping the first Democratic debates
June 28, 2019 07:27 - 38.3 MBThe first round of debates is in the books. Who helped themselves the most and who's spending their weekend doing damage control? In this bonus episode of Hacks on Tap, Axe and Murphy parse through the winners and losers of the first round of Democratic primary debates. The hacks break down the most memorable moments: Kamala Harris' exchange with Joe Biden, Buttigieg's answer on the South Bend police shooting, Warren's performance as the solo frontrunner onstage night one, Booker's response o...
4: Recapping the first Democratic debates
June 28, 2019 07:27 - 33 minutesThe first round of debates is in the books. Who helped themselves the most and who's spending their weekend doing damage control? In this bonus episode of Hacks on Tap, Axe and Murphy parse through the winners and losers of the first round of Democratic primary debates. The hacks break down the most memorable moments: Kamala Harris' exchange with Joe Biden, Buttigieg's answer on the South Bend police shooting, Warren's performance as the solo frontrunner onstage night one, Booker's response ...
3: Double-whammy in Miami: First Democratic debate preview
June 25, 2019 21:41 - 53 minutesThe hacks talk Biden and Buttigieg’s tough week with race relations [2:52], escalating tensions with Iran [14:48], and preview this week’s Democratic debates [20:14]. Guest hack Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, joins to talk about how each campaign will hope to win the spin game [31:53]. David and Mike also dig into the mail bag , taking listeners’ questions on the electoral college, the relative advantages of the Democratic pr...
Double-whammy in Miami: First Democratic debate preview
June 25, 2019 21:41 - 61.5 MBThe hacks talk Biden and Buttigieg’s tough week with race relations [2:52], escalating tensions with Iran [14:48], and preview this week’s Democratic debates [20:14]. Guest hack Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, joins to talk about how each campaign will hope to win the spin game [31:53]. David and Mike also dig into the mail bag , taking listeners’ questions on the electoral college, the relative advantages of the Democratic pri...
Trump purging pollsters, Dems ducking digital
June 18, 2019 08:00 - 41 minutes - 48.1 MBThis week the hacks talk about President Trump's interview on ABC [1:11], Trump's latest polling prospects [6:20], who was helped and who was hurt by the Democratic debate lottery [14:40], and guest hack David Plouffe joins the show to talk about why Democrats aren't paying more attention to digital advertising while Trump goes all in [18:58]. Finally the hacks open up the mailbag to take a few questions from listeners about bullying, Never-Trumpers, and the importance of the early primary s...
1: Biden plays Hyde and go seek, Warren rising in Iowa
June 11, 2019 19:00 - 42 minutesIn the inaugural episode of Hacks on Tap, the hacks discuss the latest Democratic poll out of Iowa [1:30], the perils of being frontrunner [6:48], Biden's flip on the Hyde Amendment [10:30], the challenges facing female candidates with guest hack Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan [20:48], Elizabeth Warren's rise [33:02], and Trumps tariff turmoil [35:29]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Biden plays Hyde and go seek, Warren rising in Iowa
June 11, 2019 19:00 - 48.1 MBIn the inaugural episode of Hacks on Tap, the hacks discuss the latest Democratic poll out of Iowa [1:30], the perils of being frontrunner [6:48], Biden's flip on the Hyde Amendment [10:30], the challenges facing female candidates with guest hack Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan [20:48], Elizabeth Warren's rise [33:02], and Trumps tariff turmoil [35:29]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Introduction to Hacks on Tap with David Axelrod and Mike Murphy
June 06, 2019 23:14 - 1 minute - 2.04 MBThroughout the 2020 presidential campaign, battle-tested operatives will be sitting on bar stools along the trail, sharing war stories and unique, sometimes uproarious cuts on the latest developments. Hacks on Tap is your invitation to join two of the best. Campaign veterans Axelrod and Murphy will take listeners deep inside the top level of American politics. These seasoned pros have seen it all: the peaks and valleys, the pressure-cooker moments, the huge breaks and the horrible calamities...