Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
1,151 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 455 ratingsDaily thoughtful conversation about the latest news and politics.
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Episodes
The Border Debate Is Politics. Here’s How Some Real People Are Living It.
March 01, 2024 13:43 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBNews 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.
The Historic Presidential Campaigns Of Rev. Jesse Jackson
February 29, 2024 19:03 - 15 minutes - 14 MBOn Today's Show: For Black History Month, Clarence Lusane, professor and current director of the International Affairs program at Howard University, reflects on Jesse Jackson's two historic bids for the presidency.
The Historic Presidential Campaigns Of Rev. Jesse Jackson
February 29, 2024 13:59 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBOn Today's Show: For Black History Month, Clarence Lusane, professor and current director of the International Affairs program at Howard University, reflects on Jesse Jackson's two historic bids for the presidency.
Sen Gillibrand On Fetal Personhood in Alabama, And (Maybe) Nationwide
February 28, 2024 18:00 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBNew York's junior senator provides her take on Alabama's recent 'fetal personhood' case, and what it could mean for reproductive health around the country. On Today's Show: U.S. Senator (D, NY) Kirsten Gillibrand talks about her work in Washington and more national politics.
Sen Gillibrand On Fetal Personhood in Alabama, And (Maybe) Nationwide
February 28, 2024 12:51 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBNew York's junior senator provides her take on Alabama's recent 'fetal personhood' case, and what it could mean for reproductive health around the country. On Today's Show: U.S. Senator (D, NY) Kirsten Gillibrand talks about her work in Washington and more national politics.
What The “Saddam Hussein Tapes” Reveal About Our Two Iraq Wars
February 27, 2024 17:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBHow did misunderstandings and miscommunications, including between the Bush administration and Saddam Hussein lead to the 2003 invasion of Iraq? On Today's Show: Steve Coll, an editor at The Economist in London, dean emeritus of the Columbia Journalism School, former president of New America, and the author of Ghost Wars and his new book, The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A. and the Origins of America’s Invasion of Iraq (Penguin, 2024), traces the prelude to war over non-existent w...
What The “Saddam Hussein Tapes” Reveal About Our Two Iraq Wars
February 27, 2024 14:14 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBHow did misunderstandings and miscommunications, including between the Bush administration and Saddam Hussein lead to the 2003 invasion of Iraq? On Today's Show: Steve Coll, an editor at The Economist in London, dean emeritus of the Columbia Journalism School, former president of New America, and the author of Ghost Wars and his new book, The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A. and the Origins of America’s Invasion of Iraq (Penguin, 2024), traces the prelude to war over non-existent w...
No, Trans Girls Don’t Become Athletes To Bully Other Kids
February 26, 2024 20:42 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBAs we close out the second month of the 2024 election year, numerous anti-trans laws have been enacted across the country. On Today's Show: Alejandra Caraballo, Clinical Instructor at Harvard Law School's Cyberlaw Clinic, looks at the latest in anti-trans policies including an executive order in Nassau County that targets young trans women athletes as well as Oklahoma’s anti-trans laws that are under new scrutiny after a 16 year old nonbinary child died a day after an altercation in their s...
No, Trans Girls Don’t Become Athletes To Bully Other Kids
February 26, 2024 15:22 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBAs we close out the second month of the 2024 election year, numerous anti-trans laws have been enacted across the country. On Today's Show: Alejandra Caraballo, Clinical Instructor at Harvard Law School's Cyberlaw Clinic, looks at the latest in anti-trans policies including an executive order in Nassau County that targets young trans women athletes as well as Oklahoma’s anti-trans laws that are under new scrutiny after a 16 year old nonbinary child died a day after an altercation in their s...
What NJ Rep. Mikie Sherrill Saw At The Rafah Crossing
February 23, 2024 20:09 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBAfter a recent visit to the region, a local congress member, Navy veteran and House Armed Services committee member shares her thoughts on the situation in Gaza. On Today's Show: U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D, NJ-11) talks about U.S. foreign policy
What NJ Rep. Mikie Sherrill Saw At The Rafah Crossing
February 23, 2024 15:03 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBAfter a recent visit to the region, a local congress member, Navy veteran and House Armed Services committee member shares her thoughts on the situation in Gaza. On Today's Show: U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D, NJ-11) talks about U.S. foreign policy
Elie Mystal On Trump Immunity, Embryos As Legal Children, And More
February 22, 2024 22:13 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBWith so much political news being bound up with legal cases and proceedings, we bring you some legal analysis. On Today's Show: Elie Mystal, justice correspondent for The Nation and the author of Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution (The New Press, 2022), breaks down the latest on Trump's legal woes, Alabama's ruling on IVF and more.
Elie Mystal On Trump Immunity, Embryos As Legal Children, And More
February 22, 2024 16:52 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBWith so much political news being bound up with legal cases and proceedings, we bring you some legal analysis. On Today's Show: Elie Mystal, justice correspondent for The Nation and the author of Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution (The New Press, 2022), breaks down the latest on Trump's legal woes, Alabama's ruling on IVF and more.
A Liberal Muslim Perspective on Gaza and the U.S.
February 21, 2024 18:41 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBHow might the Israel-Hamas war impact the standing of the United States in the eyes of Muslim moderates around the world? On Today's Show: Mustafa Akyol, senior fellow at the Cato Institute focusing on Islam and modernity, and the author the forthcoming book The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World (St. Martin's Essentials, 2024), argues that perceived indifference to Palestinian suffering in Gaza is alienating the Islamic world...
A Liberal Muslim Perspective on Gaza and the U.S.
February 21, 2024 13:18 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBHow might the Israel-Hamas war impact the standing of the United States in the eyes of Muslim moderates around the world? On Today's Show: Mustafa Akyol, senior fellow at the Cato Institute focusing on Islam and modernity, and the author the forthcoming book The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World (St. Martin's Essentials, 2024), argues that perceived indifference to Palestinian suffering in Gaza is alienating the Islamic world...
AOC On Five Years Of The Green New Deal
February 20, 2024 19:11 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBFive years ago this month, progressives in Congress began pursuing the passage of a legislative package known as the Green New Deal. On Today's Show: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY 14th District), talks about the anniversary of the idea, its accomplishments so far, and the national and global priorities on climate change ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
AOC On Five Years Of The Green New Deal
February 20, 2024 13:55 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBFive years ago this month, progressives in Congress began pursuing the passage of a legislative package known as the Green New Deal. On Today's Show: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY 14th District), talks about the anniversary of the idea, its accomplishments so far, and the national and global priorities on climate change ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Idrees Kahloon From The Economist On Putin, Trump And The Rise Of 'National Conservatism'
February 19, 2024 18:31 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBDemocratic constituencies around the world appear happy to support 'strongman' style leaders, in the name of nationalism. On Today's Show: Idrees Kahloon, Washington bureau chief for The Economist, talks about his recent reporting on the rise of illiberal leaders, plus responses to the death of Alexei Navalny, the Munich Security Conference, Israel and Gaza and more.
Idrees Kahloon From The Economist On Putin, Trump And The Rise Of 'National Conservatism'
February 19, 2024 13:25 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBDemocratic constituencies around the world appear happy to support 'strongman' style leaders, in the name of nationalism. On Today's Show: Idrees Kahloon, Washington bureau chief for The Economist, talks about his recent reporting on the rise of illiberal leaders, plus responses to the death of Alexei Navalny, the Munich Security Conference, Israel and Gaza and more.
Masha Gessen on Navalny, Ukraine and Putin
February 16, 2024 17:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBRussian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist and political prisoner Alexei Navalny has died. On Today's Show: Masha Gessen, The New Yorker staff writer and the author of Surviving Autocracy (Riverhead Books, 2020), digests this news and offers analysis as Putin's war in Ukraine approaches its second anniversary.
Masha Gessen on Navalny, Ukraine and Putin
February 16, 2024 14:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MBRussian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist and political prisoner Alexei Navalny has died. On Today's Show: Masha Gessen, The New Yorker staff writer and the author of Surviving Autocracy (Riverhead Books, 2020), digests this news and offers analysis as Putin's war in Ukraine approaches its second anniversary.
Jon Stewart and Others Think We Need To Talk About The Candidates’ Age. Do You?
February 15, 2024 19:33 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBLast week's news of comments from Special Counsel Robert Hur's report on Biden's age and mental agility hit a nerve. On Today's Show: Damon Linker, senior lecturer in political science at the University of Pennsylvania and writer of the Substack newsletter “Notes from the Middleground,” explains his argument expressed in a recently published piece for The Atlantic that "Democrats Should Pick a New Presidential Candidate Now."
Jon Stewart and Others Think We Need To Talk About The Candidates’ Age. Do You?
February 15, 2024 14:30 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBLast week's news of comments from Special Counsel Robert Hur's report on Biden's age and mental agility hit a nerve. On Today's Show: Damon Linker, senior lecturer in political science at the University of Pennsylvania and writer of the Substack newsletter “Notes from the Middleground,” explains his argument expressed in a recently published piece for The Atlantic that "Democrats Should Pick a New Presidential Candidate Now."
How Democrat Tom Suozzi Won On Long Island And What It Does (and Doesn’t) Mean for November
February 14, 2024 18:41 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBLast night, voters elected Tom Suozzi over Republican Mazi Pilip to replace disgraced House member George Santos in New York's 3rd congressional district. On Today's Show: Brigid Bergin, WNYC's senior political correspondent, and Randi Marshall, editorial board writer and columnist for Newsday, talk about the results of the special election.
How Democrat Tom Suozzi Won On Long Island And What It Does (and Doesn’t) Mean for November
February 14, 2024 13:38 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBLast night, voters elected Tom Suozzi over Republican Mazi Pilip to replace disgraced House member George Santos in New York's 3rd congressional district. On Today's Show: Brigid Bergin, WNYC's senior political correspondent, and Randi Marshall, editorial board writer and columnist for Newsday, talk about the results of the special election.
The Backlash Against Building The Solar Energy Grid
February 13, 2024 19:44 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBTo reach the target of 100% clean energy production by 2035, more wind and solar plants need to be built. On Today's Show: Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent for USA TODAY covering climate change and the energy transition, talks about her year-long investigation into why and how communities across the United States are banning wind and solar energy, despite clean energy goals and the consequences of a warming climate.
The Backlash Against Building The Solar Energy Grid
February 13, 2024 13:35 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBTo reach the target of 100% clean energy production by 2035, more wind and solar plants need to be built. On Today's Show: Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent for USA TODAY covering climate change and the energy transition, talks about her year-long investigation into why and how communities across the United States are banning wind and solar energy, despite clean energy goals and the consequences of a warming climate.
Biden's And Trump's Approaches To NATO, And Other Foreign Affairs
February 12, 2024 17:00 - 18 minutes - 17 MBRecent comments from former President Trump suggest that if re-elected, he would abandon the commitments inherent in the US's NATO membership. On Today's Show: Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power (Twelve, 2021) and the forthcoming The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024), rounds up the latest news from Biden's White House, the campaign trail, and more national headlines.
Biden's And Trump's Approaches To NATO, And Other Foreign Affairs
February 12, 2024 14:41 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBRecent comments from former President Trump suggest that if re-elected, he would abandon the commitments inherent in the US's NATO membership. On Today's Show: Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power (Twelve, 2021) and the forthcoming The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024), rounds up the latest news from Biden's White House, the campaign trail, and more national headlines.
Should Colorado Get To Decide Whether Trump Can Run?
February 09, 2024 21:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBYesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over Colorado's decision to disqualify Trump from the primary ballot. On Today's Show: Emily Bazelon, staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, co-host of Slate's "Political Gabfest" podcast, Truman Capote fellow for creative writing and law at Yale Law School and author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration (Random House, 2019,) offers her legal analysis.
Should Colorado Get To Decide Whether Trump Can Run?
February 09, 2024 15:19 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBYesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over Colorado's decision to disqualify Trump from the primary ballot. On Today's Show: Emily Bazelon, staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, co-host of Slate's "Political Gabfest" podcast, Truman Capote fellow for creative writing and law at Yale Law School and author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration (Random House, 2019,) offers her legal analysis.
Biden Makes Tough Call on Climate And Natural Gas Exports
February 08, 2024 21:04 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBThe Biden administration recently paused a plan to build a large hub for natural gas export. On Today's Show: Robinson Meyer, founding executive editor of Heatmap, a new climate-focused media company, breaks down the Biden administration's recent announcement to pause a decision on whether to approve what would be the largest natural gas terminal in the United States.
Biden Makes Tough Call on Climate And Natural Gas Exports
February 08, 2024 15:56 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBThe Biden administration recently paused a plan to build a large hub for natural gas export. On Today's Show: Robinson Meyer, founding executive editor of Heatmap, a new climate-focused media company, breaks down the Biden administration's recent announcement to pause a decision on whether to approve what would be the largest natural gas terminal in the United States.
Clare Malone on “The Meme-ification of American Politics”
February 07, 2024 20:03 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBAs more and more people get their news from social media, how have political memes come to play such an outsized role in the discourse? On Today's Show: Clare Malone, staff writer at The New Yorker, covering politics discusses how the internet, and meme culture, is continuing to having an influence on politics ahead of the 2024 election.
Clare Malone on “The Meme-ification of American Politics”
February 07, 2024 15:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBAs more and more people get their news from social media, how have political memes come to play such an outsized role in the discourse? On Today's Show: Clare Malone, staff writer at The New Yorker, covering politics discusses how the internet, and meme culture, is continuing to having an influence on politics ahead of the 2024 election.
With Voting Underway To Replace George Santos, Democrat Tom Suozzi Campaign Interview
February 06, 2024 20:11 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBNow that George Santos has been ousted from Congress, the special election to fill his seat is underway. On Today's Show: Tom Suozzi, former congressman (D-NY3), talks about his campaign to reclaim his seat in Congress, representing the north shore of Long Island and parts of northern Queens, in the special election on February 13.
With Voting Underway To Replace George Santos, Democrat Tom Suozzi Campaign Interview
February 06, 2024 14:12 - 22 minutes - 21 MBNow that George Santos has been ousted from Congress, the special election to fill his seat is underway. On Today's Show: Tom Suozzi, former congressman (D-NY3), talks about his campaign to reclaim his seat in Congress, representing the north shore of Long Island and parts of northern Queens, in the special election on February 13.
Highlights and Politics of the Bipartisan Senate Immigration Bill
February 05, 2024 22:39 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBA bipartisan deal on immigration policy is working its way through Congress. On Today's Show: Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker staff writer and the author of Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis (Penguin Press, 2024), tells the larger story of the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border through the stories of individuals making the journey from Central America -- and talks about the politics of the current crisis, including the bipartisan comprom...
Highlights and Politics of the Bipartisan Senate Immigration Bill
February 05, 2024 17:35 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBA bipartisan deal on immigration policy is working its way through Congress. On Today's Show: Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker staff writer and the author of Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis (Penguin Press, 2024), tells the larger story of the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border through the stories of individuals making the journey from Central America -- and talks about the politics of the current crisis, including the bipartisan comprom...
Lawmakers Worry About Social Media's Impact On Kids. But What Can They Actually Do?
February 02, 2024 18:39 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBA hearing this week on kids' online safety became contentious and, at times, emotional as senators from both parties grilled tech CEOs. On Today's Show: Will Oremus, technology reporter at The Washington Post, offers a recap and analysis.
Lawmakers Worry About Social Media's Impact On Kids. But What Can They Actually Do?
February 02, 2024 13:28 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBA hearing this week on kids' online safety became contentious and, at times, emotional as senators from both parties grilled tech CEOs. On Today's Show: Will Oremus, technology reporter at The Washington Post, offers a recap and analysis.
Can Republicans Impeach The Homeland Security Secretary Over Policy Disagreements?
February 01, 2024 19:08 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBHouse Republicans have begun the process to impeach the Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over border policy. On Today's Show: Jacqueline Alemany, Congressional investigations reporter for The Washington Post, explains what Republicans are thinking, how they haven't actually presented any impeachable offenses and why Democrats say the GOP is abusing impeachment and using it as a political tool ahead of the 2024 election.
Can Republicans Impeach The Homeland Security Secretary Over Policy Disagreements?
February 01, 2024 13:57 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBHouse Republicans have begun the process to impeach the Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over border policy. On Today's Show: Jacqueline Alemany, Congressional investigations reporter for The Washington Post, explains what Republicans are thinking, how they haven't actually presented any impeachable offenses and why Democrats say the GOP is abusing impeachment and using it as a political tool ahead of the 2024 election.
Joshua Green Compares Left and Right Populism in America Today
January 31, 2024 18:37 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBHow will the modern political left impact the 2024 election season, and how has it evolved since its roots in the Occupy Wall Street movement after the 2008 financial crisis? On Today's Show: Joshua Green, national correspondent for Bloomberg Businessweek and the author of The Rebels: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Struggle for a New American Politics (Penguin Press, 2024), talks about the rise of the progressive wing of the Democratic party and where it...
Joshua Green Compares Left and Right Populism in America Today
January 31, 2024 13:30 - 22 minutes - 21.1 MBHow will the modern political left impact the 2024 election season, and how has it evolved since its roots in the Occupy Wall Street movement after the 2008 financial crisis? On Today's Show: Joshua Green, national correspondent for Bloomberg Businessweek and the author of The Rebels: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Struggle for a New American Politics (Penguin Press, 2024), talks about the rise of the progressive wing of the Democratic party and where it...
We Have Troops In Jordan? Why Exactly Is That?
January 30, 2024 19:53 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBThree U.S. service members were killed in Jordan this week, and now some Republicans are proposing that the United States should attack Iran. On Today's Show: Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many books, including The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War (Simon & Schuster, 2020), explains why we even have troops in Jordan and other places in the Middle East at all, and how this is all related to the Israel-Hamas war.
We Have Troops In Jordan? Why Exactly Is That?
January 30, 2024 14:51 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBThree U.S. service members were killed in Jordan this week, and now some Republicans are proposing that the United States should attack Iran. On Today's Show: Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many books, including The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War (Simon & Schuster, 2020), explains why we even have troops in Jordan and other places in the Middle East at all, and how this is all related to the Israel-Hamas war.
Biden Confronts Enthusiasm Gap Among Black Voters In South Carolina
January 29, 2024 19:58 - 25 minutes - 23 MBSouth Carolina's Democratic Primary is Saturday, February 3rd, and the Republicans hold theirs on February 24th. On Today's Show: Meg Kinnard, national politics reporter at The Associated Press, writer of their "Ground Game" newsletter and a South Carolina resident, shares her reporting and analysis on the politics of the Palmetto State—including the issues that voters there care most about, and whether President Biden will garner the enthusiasm from Black Democratic voters as in 2020.
Biden Confronts Enthusiasm Gap Among Black Voters In South Carolina
January 29, 2024 13:42 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBSouth Carolina's Democratic Primary is Saturday, February 3rd, and the Republicans hold theirs on February 24th. On Today's Show: Meg Kinnard, national politics reporter at The Associated Press, writer of their "Ground Game" newsletter and a South Carolina resident, shares her reporting and analysis on the politics of the Palmetto State—including the issues that voters there care most about, and whether President Biden will garner the enthusiasm from Black Democratic voters as in 2020.
Dean Jelani Cobb on Journalism School and the DuPont-Columbia Awards
January 26, 2024 19:28 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBLast night at Columbia University, they handed out this year’s DuPont-Columbia Awards for excellence in broadcast and digital journalism. On Today's Show: The host of the ceremony, Jelani Cobb, dean of the Journalism School at Columbia University and a staff writer at The New Yorker, talks about some of the winners and the work of journalists today.