Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast artwork

Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

1,151 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 455 ratings

Daily thoughtful conversation about the latest news and politics.

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Episodes

Nicholas Kristof On Biden Blind Spots, Double Standards, Campus Protesters

April 26, 2024 18:58 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MB

Nicholas Kristof, opinion columnist for The New York Times and author of several books, including the forthcoming memoir Chasing Hope (Penguin Random House, 2024), shares his critique of how he says President Biden has mishandled the United States' role in Israel's war in Gaza, what he sees as Biden's reasoning, the political implications and what the United States could do moving forward to end the war.  

Has The Supreme Court “Already Botched” Today’s Trump Immunity Case?

April 25, 2024 15:22 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MB

Melissa Murray, NYU law professor, co-host of the "Strict Scrutiny" podcast and the co-author (with Andrew Weissmann) of The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024), previews the oral arguments the Supreme Court will hear on former President Trump's immunity case.  

Where Trump Jurors Get Their News

April 24, 2024 18:11 - 26 minutes - 24 MB

One key part of the juror questionnaire in former President Donald Trump's "hush money" trial asked about the prospective jurors' media diets, which showed some interesting responses. On Today's Show: Erica Orden, Politico reporter, recaps what has happened so far at the juror selection and the consequent start of the trial, where David Pecker, the former publisher for the National Enquirer, testified about that publication's "catch and kill" strategy to suppress negative stories about peop...

Landmark Union Vote Succeeds; Union Members For Biden and Trump

April 23, 2024 19:52 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MB

Jane McAlevey, labor organizer, columnist for The Nation and the author of several books, including (with Abby Lawlor)Rules to Win By: Power and Participation in Union Negotiations (Oxford University Press, 2023), reflects on her life's work in organizing and recent wins for labor, and what she sees as crucial for workers to do if they want to continue the positive streak for unions.  

Of Protests and Passover: Noah Feldman on “To Be A Jew Today”

April 22, 2024 21:43 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MB

As Passover begins, Noah Feldman, Harvard law professor, founding director of the Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law, and the author of To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People (Macmillan, 2024), talks about his new book, inspired by his conversations with his children and even more relevant since 10/7, that tries to define what all Jews have in common.

The Cold War Is Over. Welcome To The “New Cold Wars”

April 18, 2024 18:55 - 24 minutes - 22 MB

Recent history has shown how two global superpowers engage on the world stage. What changes when a third nation joins the mix? On Today's Show: David Sanger, White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times, talks about what he calls the new 'Cold Wars'—emphasis on the 's'—as the U.S., China and Russia vie for dominance.

Divided SCOTUS Might Let Hundreds of January 6th Rioters Off The Hook

April 18, 2024 14:27 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MB

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning the law used to charge defendants for their actions on January 6th. On Today's Show: Kate Shaw, professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, co-host of the Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny, a contributor with ABC News and a contributing opinion writer with The New York Times, offers her legal analysis.

Why Sen. Gillibrand Has A Child Care Bill Specifically For Police

April 16, 2024 19:24 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

What is on Congress's radar after Iran's strike on Israel? On Today's Show: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) talks about her work in Washington, including the war in Gaza, her bill for child care for police officers and more.

Doris Kearns Goodwin On The 1960s and Today

April 15, 2024 19:12 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MB

How are the politics and society of today similar to those of the 1960s? On Today's Show: Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian, author of many books, including Team of Rivals and her latest, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s (Simon & Schuster, 2024), writes about the life and times she shared with her late husband, Dick Goodwin, a speechwriter and advisor to JFK, RFK and LBJ.

Inflation, Bidenomics, And The 2024 Election

April 12, 2024 16:19 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

This election year, the politics of inflation will be a key issue for voters.  On Today's Show: John Cassidy, staff writer at The New Yorker, talks about the latest inflation report and how both parties are responding.

Speaker Mike Johnson's Balancing Act Between the Right and the Far Right

April 11, 2024 17:59 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MB

With Congress facing a number of key issues, we explore the Rep. Mike Johnson's stewardship of the nation's business before the House of Representatives.  On Today's Show: Luke Broadwater, congressional correspondent for The New York Times, talks about the latest congressional news, including the pressure on Speaker Johnson from the right over FISA, spending, foreign aid, and more.

New Biden Student Loan Forgiveness: We Explain Who’s Included

April 10, 2024 18:07 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MB

The White House says that President Biden’s new student loan forgiveness plan could help 30 million borrowers. On Today's Show: Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at the Washington Post, shares her reporting and unpacks the details.

Why Trump’s Abortion Video Needs Some Follow-Up Questions

April 09, 2024 18:04 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MB

Former President Trump recently stated that he thinks abortion policy should be left to the states, as many in the GOP are expressing support for a national 15-week abortion ban. On Today's Show: Molly Ball, senior political correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, talks about the 2024 election and abortion in light of recent developments

Employment Is “As Good As It Gets.” What Does It Means Politically?

April 08, 2024 17:41 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MB

Objective economic indicators continue to show a mismatch with the public's perception of the state of the economy.  On Today's Show: Megan Cassella, CNBC Washington correspondent, talks about Friday's jobs report, Treasury Sec. Yellen's trip to China, and other national political and economic news.

Biden and Trump React Differently To Gaza Aid Worker Killings

April 05, 2024 21:00 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MB

President Biden has reportedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu the humanitarian situation in Gaza had to improve, following the killings of aid workers delivering food and supplies.  On Today's Show: Yasmeen Abutaleb, Washington Post White House reporter and co-author of the book, Nightmare Scenario: Inside the Trump Administration Response to the Pandemic that Changed History (Harper, 2021), offers analysis of the U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza

An Israeli Journalist Assesses The Hunger Relief Group Killings

April 03, 2024 19:13 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

An Israeli attack in Gaza has killed seven aid workers from the organization World Central Kitchen. On Today's Show: Allison Kaplan Sommer, a journalist for Haaretz and the host of the Haaretz podcast, talks about Israeli response to the deaths of the WCK aid workers, the state of U.S./Israel relations, and other developments in the Israel/Hamas war.

Why It Might Matter If We Label Trump A Fascist

April 02, 2024 18:44 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MB

As Donald Trump's rhetoric grows increasingly more inflammatory, debate surrounding whether or not to use the label 'fascist' heats up as well. On Today's Show: Andrew Marantz, staff writer at The New Yorker and author of Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation (Viking, 2019), discusses his latest piece, which explores whether or not Trump is a fascist, and what that label conceals or reveals about his campaign and his supporters.

Biden vs. Trump Money Primary; Cesar Chavez Family vs. RFK Jr.

April 01, 2024 18:18 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MB

The Biden campaign is currently out-fundraising Trump, who needs money not only for the campaign but for his growing legal bills. On Today's Show:  Rebecca Davis O'Brien, reporter covering campaign finance and money in U.S. elections for The New York Times, explains why it matters, who is giving campaign cash and the difference between what large and small donors want when they give money.

Kara Swisher on Covering Tech and Its Moguls

March 29, 2024 19:08 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MB

One of Silicon Valley's most intrepid journalists shares her analysis of how the tech business helps shape the digital products they producer which in turn, shape our lives.  On Today's Show: Kara Swisher, tech journalist, host of the podcasts "On with Kara Swisher" and "Pivot" and the author of Burn Book: A Tech Love Story (Simon & Schuster, 2024), tells her story as it overlaps with that of the tech industry, and what's gone right and where it's gone wrong.

Boats, Bridges And The Safety Of Our Critical Infrastructure

March 28, 2024 20:14 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

How is critical infrastructure built and regulated—and what systems are in place to prevent an accident like the collision in Baltimore from happening in the future? On Today's Show: Peter Ford, founder of SkyRock Advisors, a port and maritime infrastructure advisor, and a member of the Cornell Program in Infrastructure Policy advisory board, and Brian Buckman, professional engineer and founder and CEO of Buckman Engineering, discuss maritime and bridge infrastructure.

Biden’s Billionaire Tax Is Popular. But It’s Not That Simple.

March 27, 2024 18:57 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MB

A new Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll that shows President Biden seemed to have gotten a bump in some swing states after the State of the Union. On Today's Show: Laura Davison, politics editor at Bloomberg News, talks about the poll and what it suggests about the politics and policies that Biden touted, including the fact that that taxing the rich is a popular position among swing-state voters.

Assessing Airline Safety As Boeing's CEO Steps Down

March 26, 2024 16:27 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

The CEO of Boeing, Dave Calhoun, announced he will step down this year amid a management scandal. On Today's Show: Lori Aratani, reporter covering transportation issues for The Washington Post, breaks down what's going on at the fraught airline company and just how safe it is to fly.

Arabs and Jews Working Together For Israeli-Palestinian Peace

March 25, 2024 19:06 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MB

When it comes to the war in Gaza, some Israelis and Palestinians have an an appetite for productive dialog about what peace and justice could look like for both peoples.  On Today's Show: Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood, national co-directors of Standing Together, talk about their work leading a group that advocates for peace and justice for all Israelis and Palestinians, and how they are approaching their work amid the war.

The Conservative Misinformation Campaign To Get Women Off Birth Control

March 22, 2024 21:05 - 21 minutes - 20 MB

Misinformation on social media—some of it seeded by groups that are anti-reproductive rights—is leading women away from using birth control. On Today's Show: Lauren Weber, health and science accountability reporter at The Washington Post, explains how it is affecting women's choices and access to reproductive care.

Why We (and Even Ron DeSantis) Should Care About The Crisis In Haiti

March 21, 2024 13:38 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MB

Violent gangs in Haiti have a history of violent interference in the country's democratic processes. On Today's Show: Garry Pierre-Pierre, founder and publisher of The Haitian Times, discusses the unfolding crisis in Haiti where gangs have ousted the president and wreaked havoc on the population.

Chef José Andrés On Getting Food Into Gaza

March 19, 2024 17:28 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MB

With multiple major global conflicts raging, a humanitarian chef discusses the importance of civilian aid and  food distribution. On Today's Show: José Andrés, a Michelin-starred chef, Emmy-winning television host, founder of the non-profit organization World Central Kitchen and the author of Zaytinya: Delicious Mediterranean Dishes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon (Ecco, 2024), talks about his work on the ground in Ukraine and Gaza with World Central Kitchen and his new cookbook.

Chef José Andrés On Getting Food Into Gaza

March 19, 2024 13:20 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MB

With multiple major global conflicts raging, a humanitarian chef discusses the importance of civilian aid and  food distribution. On Today's Show: José Andrés, a Michelin-starred chef, Emmy-winning television host, founder of the non-profit organization World Central Kitchen and the author of Zaytinya: Delicious Mediterranean Dishes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon (Ecco, 2024), talks about his work on the ground in Ukraine and Gaza with World Central Kitchen and his new cookbook.

Wildly Different Reactions to Schumer’s Gaza Speech

March 18, 2024 20:28 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MB

What domestic or foreign consequences will come of a speech given by the highest ranking Jewish American lawmaker in US history, criticizing Israel's leader? On Today's Show: Claudia Grisales, NPR Congressional correspondent, talks about the latest national politics news, including the reverberations of Sen. Schumer's remarks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Wildly Different Reactions to Schumer’s Gaza Speech

March 18, 2024 13:43 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MB

What domestic or foreign consequences will come of a speech given by the highest ranking Jewish American lawmaker in US history, criticizing Israel's leader? On Today's Show: Claudia Grisales, NPR Congressional correspondent, talks about the latest national politics news, including the reverberations of Sen. Schumer's remarks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Worse Than Netanyahu? The Israeli Officials Who Schumer Criticized Most

March 15, 2024 16:00 - 20 minutes - 18.3 MB

Calls for a 'ceasefire' in Gaza mean different things to different stakeholders. On Today's Show: Jon Alterman, senior vice president and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Khaled Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and director of its Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, discuss what a ceasefire could look like, and why it's not just a simple question of making peace.

Worse Than Netanyahu? The Israeli Officials Who Schumer Criticized Most

March 15, 2024 13:00 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MB

Calls for a 'ceasefire' in Gaza mean different things to different stakeholders. On Today's Show: Jon Alterman, senior vice president and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Khaled Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and director of its Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, discuss what a ceasefire could look like, and why it's not just a simple question of making peace.

Highlights From Biden's Post-SOTU Interview With Jonathan Capehart

March 14, 2024 16:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MB

After President Biden's State of the Union Address last Thursday, he began campaign trip to four swing states, taking a policy-laden victory lap after a successful speech. On Today's Show: Jonathan Capehart, associate editor at the Washington Post, host of the podcast "Capehart" and the Washington Post Live's "First Look," and host of The Saturday Show and The Sunday Show on MSNBC, talks about his interview with President Biden and other national political news.

Highlights From Biden's Post-SOTU Interview With Jonathan Capehart

March 14, 2024 15:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MB

After President Biden's State of the Union Address last Thursday, he began campaign trip to four swing states, taking a policy-laden victory lap after a successful speech. On Today's Show: Jonathan Capehart, associate editor at the Washington Post, host of the podcast "Capehart" and the Washington Post Live's "First Look," and host of The Saturday Show and The Sunday Show on MSNBC, talks about his interview with President Biden and other national political news.

What AOC and MTG Agree On: Don’t Ban Tik Tok

March 13, 2024 18:44 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

This morning, the House voted overwhelmingly to pass a TikTok 'ban,' which now faces an uphill battle in the Senate.  On Today's Show: Drew Harwell, Washington Post technology reporter, talks about the reasons for the bill and what happens if the bill to ban the popular social media app or force its parent company to sell it passes.

What AOC and MTG Agree On: Don’t Ban Tik Tok

March 13, 2024 13:51 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

This morning, the House voted overwhelmingly to pass a TikTok 'ban,' which now faces an uphill battle in the Senate.  On Today's Show: Drew Harwell, Washington Post technology reporter, talks about the reasons for the bill and what happens if the bill to ban the popular social media app or force its parent company to sell it passes.

Biden Versus Climate Change, Trump Versus Climate Science

March 12, 2024 17:32 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

With the 2024 election season heating up, we look at the campaigns, and at Biden's recent State Of The Union, to compare the candidates' records and rhetoric on climate change. On Today's Show: Scott Waldman, White House reporter focused on climate change at Politico's E&E News, compares President Biden's record on climate with former President Trump's, and shares what Trump says he will do if elected regarding energy and climate change.

Biden Versus Climate Change, Trump Versus Climate Science

March 12, 2024 12:18 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MB

With the 2024 election season heating up, we look at the campaigns, and at Biden's recent State Of The Union, to compare the candidates' records and rhetoric on climate change. On Today's Show: Scott Waldman, White House reporter focused on climate change at Politico's E&E News, compares President Biden's record on climate with former President Trump's, and shares what Trump says he will do if elected regarding energy and climate change.

No “Red Line” For Biden on Gaza War Military Aid

March 11, 2024 19:54 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MB

In the wake of the State of the Union, and amid further developments in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, we take stock of Biden's foreign policy. On Today's Show: Susan Glasser, a staff writer at The New Yorker, where she writes a column on life in Biden's Washington and co-anchors a weekly roundtable discussion on "The Political Scene" podcast, and co-author with Peter Baker of The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 (Doubleday, 2022), talks about the latest national political n...

No “Red Line” For Biden on Gaza War Military Aid

March 11, 2024 15:50 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MB

In the wake of the State of the Union, and amid further developments in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, we take stock of Biden's foreign policy. On Today's Show: Susan Glasser, a staff writer at The New Yorker, where she writes a column on life in Biden's Washington and co-anchors a weekly roundtable discussion on "The Political Scene" podcast, and co-author with Peter Baker of The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 (Doubleday, 2022), talks about the latest national political n...

Biden Lectures Bibi, Laughs At Republicans, In SOTU

March 08, 2024 20:51 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MB

Yesterday evening President Joe Biden delivered this year's State Of The Union speech, which centered on both pressing foreign policy concerns and critical matters of American democracy. On Today's Show: Tyler Pager, Washington Post White House reporter, offers analysis of President Biden's State of the Union address, amid high election year stakes.

Biden Lectures Bibi, Laughs At Republicans, In SOTU

March 08, 2024 15:40 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

Yesterday evening President Joe Biden delivered this year's State Of The Union speech, which centered on both pressing foreign policy concerns and critical matters of American democracy. On Today's Show: Tyler Pager, Washington Post White House reporter, offers analysis of President Biden's State of the Union address, amid high election year stakes.

The Battle For Haley Republicans and 'Uncommitted' Democrats Begins

March 08, 2024 10:11 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MB

  After Super Tuesday, a look at how the 2024 presidential candidates might be vying for low-enthusiasm members of their party in the coming months. On Today's Show: Errol Louis, political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of Inside City Hall and The Big Deal with Errol Louis, New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast "You Decide," shares his analysis of Super Tuesday results including breaking news that Nikki Haley has suspended her 2024 election campaign.

Unpacking The Results of California's Senate Primary

March 07, 2024 17:00 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MB

California voters have decided that the Senate race in November's general election will pit Rep. Adam Schiff against Republican and former LA Dodgers star Steve Garvey. On Today's Show: Christian Paz, senior politics reporter for Vox, offers analysis of California's Senate primary.

Unpacking The Results of California's Senate Primary

March 07, 2024 10:25 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MB

California voters have decided that the Senate race in November's general election will pit Rep. Adam Schiff against Republican and former LA Dodgers star Steve Garvey. On Today's Show: Christian Paz, senior politics reporter for Vox, offers analysis of California's Senate primary.

The Battle For Haley Republicans and 'Uncommitted' Democrats Begins

March 06, 2024 17:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MB

  After Super Tuesday, a look at how the 2024 presidential candidates might be vying for low-enthusiasm members of their party in the coming months. On Today's Show: Errol Louis, political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of Inside City Hall and The Big Deal with Errol Louis, New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast "You Decide," shares his analysis of Super Tuesday results including breaking news that Nikki Haley has suspended her 2024 election campaign.

Trump Indictments Meet Super Tuesday

March 05, 2024 19:02 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MB

How do the major legal cases facing the former president intersect with today's important primaries? On Today's Show: Melissa Murray, NYU law professor, co-host of the "Strict Scrutiny" podcast, and Andrew Weissmann, professor of practice at NYU School of Law who was the lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel's Office, authors of The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024), discuss the Supreme Court's ruling allowing Don...

Trump Indictments Meet Super Tuesday

March 05, 2024 13:59 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

How do the major legal cases facing the former president intersect with today's important primaries? On Today's Show: Melissa Murray, NYU law professor, co-host of the "Strict Scrutiny" podcast, and Andrew Weissmann, professor of practice at NYU School of Law who was the lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel's Office, authors of The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024), discuss the Supreme Court's ruling allowing Don...

Will Michigan’s “Uncommitted” Movement Spread on Super Tuesday

March 04, 2024 18:48 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MB

Asma Khalid, White House correspondent for NPR and co-host of The NPR Politics Podcast, contributor to ABC News, talks about the latest national political news, including whether the "uncommitted" voters will become a bigger problem for President Biden, and more.

Will Michigan’s “Uncommitted” Movement Spread on Super Tuesday

March 04, 2024 11:35 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MB

Asma Khalid, White House correspondent for NPR and co-host of The NPR Politics Podcast, contributor to ABC News, talks about the latest national political news, including whether the "uncommitted" voters will become a bigger problem for President Biden, and more.

The Border Debate Is Politics. Here’s How Some Real People Are Living It.

March 01, 2024 18:45 - 15 minutes - 13.7 MB

News broke this week of two separate overcrowded locations in New York City housing dozens of migrants from Africa. On Today's Show: Amaha Kassa, founder and executive director of African Communities Together, talks about the challenges facing African asylum seekers in the city.

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