Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

Politicon

Master political strategist James Carville and revered journalist Al Hunt convenes a war room each week to discuss the battle for the soul of the nation!  Join them as they gather the sharpest minds from across the country to see who has the most compelling case for the American people on the issues that matter most.

  • 15 minutes 45 seconds
    356: The Rising Star of Texas Politics: James Talarico

    James & Al are joined on the sofa by James Talarico as they discuss his campaign for the U.S. Senate from Texas, emphasizing the importance of grassroots support and addressing issues like healthcare and housing. He reflects on his political journey, the role of faith in his life, and the need for a Democratic Party that truly represents the people. Talarico also critiques the politicization of Christianity and advocates for a return to the core values of compassion and service.

    Chapters
    00:00 James Talarico: The Rising Star of Texas Politics
    00:10 Challenging the Status Quo in Texas
    03:30 The Role of Faith in Politics
    06:25 Legislative Achievements and Bipartisanship
    10:52 The Teachings of Jesus and Political Responsibility
    14:09 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Democratic Party

    13 February 2026, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    355: Stop The Steal with Michael Waldman

    In this election-focused episode, James and Al welcome the President of the Brennan Center For Justice, Michael Waldman, to discuss the administration's attempts at voter suppression and its historical parallels.  They expose the myth of widespread voter fraud, explain the laws and constitutional framework that set up and protect our elections, and dissect the problems with the SAVE Act.  Then they lay out a plan to stop the steal in 2026, focusing on the media's role, voter mobilization, public awareness, and increasing civic engagement, before taking your questions.

    Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

    More from James and Al:

    Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

    Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

    James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

    Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

    Get More From This Week’s Guest: 

    Michael Waldman: Twitter | Brennan Center For Justice | Author

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    12 February 2026, 10:00 am
  • 22 minutes 37 seconds
    354: How Trump Is Weaponizing The Law with Abbe Lowell

    James Carville & Al Hunt are joined by super-lawyer Abbe Lowell, they discuss the current political climate, the differences in the Justice Department under the current administration, and the implications of prosecutorial overreach. He highlights the importance of due process, the role of subpoenas, and the unique challenges faced by lawyers today. They also delves into specific cases, such as that of John Bolton, to illustrate the political motivations behind certain prosecutions. The conversation emphasizes the need for legal representation and the historical context of prosecutorial power in the United States.

    Chapters
    00:00 False Equivalency in Political Discourse
    02:19 The Unprecedented Nature of the Current Justice Department
    05:35 Subpoenas and Due Process: A Legal Perspective
    08:21 Prosecutorial Overreach: Historical Context and Examples
    11:10 The Case of John Bolton: Political Motivations in Prosecution
    14:33 The Role of Lawyers in Protecting Rights
    21:36 The Future of Legal Advocacy and Accountability

    10 February 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 57 seconds
    353: The Political Landscape Ahead of the Midterms With Rep. Jason Crow

    James Carville & Al Hunt are joined by Rep. Jason Crow to discuss the upcoming November Midterm elections, emphasizing the need for House Democrats to remain vigilant and proactive in their campaigns. They highlight the importance of recruiting candidates with diverse backgrounds, particularly veterans, who can bring real-world experience to politics. The conversation also touches on the critical role of accountability and oversight in Congress, especially in light of the current political climate.

    Chapters
    00:00 The Political Landscape Ahead of November
    02:53 Recruiting New Candidates for Change
    06:00 The Role of Veterans in Politics
    08:54 Accountability and Oversight in Congress

    10 February 2026, 2:12 am
  • 23 minutes 48 seconds
    352: Trump Is Sabotaging America with Ruth Ben-Ghiat

    James Carville and Al hunt are joined on the sofa by Ruth Ben-Ghiat discussing the current landscape of education and authoritarianism, the characteristics of strongmen leaders, and the implications of fascism in modern politics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the rule of law, the reactionary nature of fascism, and the global authoritarian landscape. The discussion also touches on the future of democracy, leadership, and the challenges of restoring trust and diplomacy in America.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Authoritarianism and Strong Men
    02:54 The Nature of Strong Men and the Rule of Law
    05:50 Fascism and Its Characteristics
    09:16 The Reactionary Nature of Fascism
    12:07 The Global Landscape of Authoritarianism
    15:00 The Future of Democracy and Leadership
    17:55 Restoring Trust in America and Its Institutions

    6 February 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 1 hour 39 minutes
    351: MN v. ICE & Seahawks v. Patriots / with MN AG Keith Ellison & Greg Cosell

    James and Al unload on the Epstein scandal and the Republican response, emphasizing accountability and the role journalism plays in upholding our democracy.  Then, they are joined by Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison, to demand the removal of ICE after the shooting of protesting citizens and multiple breaches of judicial rulings, discussing why he is leading a state investigation, his interactions with Tom Homan, and how the situation is affecting local politics. Afterwards, they welcome NFL expert Greg Cosell to analyze the upcoming Super Bowl and lay out the state of the game. 

    Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

    More from James and Al:

    Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

    Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

    James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

    Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

    Get More From This Week’s Guests: 

    Greg Cosell: Twitter | NFL Films | The Install Podcast | YouTube | Co-Author of “The Game That Changed The Game”

    Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison: Twitter | Office Of The Minnesota Attorney General | Congress.gov | Website

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    5 February 2026, 10:00 am
  • 19 minutes 44 seconds
    350: Electability in American Politics with Mitch Landrieu

    James & Al are joined by Mitch Landrieu and discuss the current state of American politics, emphasizing the importance of electability and the need for Democrats to reconnect with working-class voters. They explore the concept of sanctuary cities, the challenges facing law enforcement, and the impact of racism and immigration on society. Landrieu expresses optimism about local governance and the necessity of unity in politics to overcome division and foster a better future for all Americans.

    Chapters
    00:00 The Political Landscape and Electability
    02:55 Understanding the Working Class Voter
    05:42 Sanctuary Cities and Law Enforcement
    09:53 Racism and Immigration in America
    13:47 Optimism in Local Governance
    16:42 Divisiveness in American Politics

    4 February 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 43 seconds
    349: How Young Voters Are Reacting to Trump's ICE Raids

    James & Al along with John Della Volpe discuss the shifting attitudes of young people towards political issues, particularly in light of recent events. They explore how younger generations perceive these issues on a personal level, the importance of listening to their voices, and the innovative use of AI in polling to gather real-time insights. The discussion highlights the need for political engagement that resonates with the personal experiences of young voters and the potential of new research methods to enhance understanding of public opinion.

    Chapters
    00:00 Shifting Attitudes Among Young Voters
    02:38 Understanding Young Independents' Perspectives
    06:03 Innovative Research with Crowdvox
    08:56 The Role of AI in Political Engagement
    11:48 Lessons from Political Campaigns

    3 February 2026, 5:34 pm
  • 12 minutes 20 seconds
    348: What The Pollsters Think

    James & Al explore the current political landscape as it pertains to the 2026 elections, focusing on the Democratic Party's strategies, key races, and the importance of effective messaging. The discussion highlights the differences between the political environment of 2018 and the present, emphasizing the need for inspirational candidates and a more inclusive approach to voter engagement. The speakers also analyze specific races in Pennsylvania and caution against common pitfalls in Democratic messaging.

    More from James and Al:

    Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

    Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

    James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

    Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

    2 February 2026, 6:12 pm
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
    347: Make Greenland Danish Again With Annegrethe Rasmussen

    James and Al discuss the tragic killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the wider battle for the soul of the city and the nation, looking at the effect of the escalating situation on the midterms, the solidarity of the administration, and the likelihood of impeachment after a predicted Democratic sweep.  Then, they welcome POV International co-founder Annegrethe Rasmussen to break down the struggle for Greenland’s sovereignty, the role NATO has played in mediating the dispute, and the future of Danish-American relations.  They also dive into Danish culture and the historic ties between our nations.

    Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

    More from James and Al:

    Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

    Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

    James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

    Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

    Get More From This Week’s Guest: 

    Annegrethe Rasmussen: Twitter | POV International | LinkedIn | Author of “The Challenges Of The United States” 

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    29 January 2026, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    346: Imperial Trump With Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

    James and Al blast Trump for his increasingly crazy governance and game out the implications for the country, before taking a detour into the exciting turnaround of the championship-winning Hoosiers.  Then, they welcome Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi to discuss the administration's provocative and flailing attempt to control Greenland and the situation in Venezuela after the arrest of Maduro.  From there, they pivot to the chaotic operations of ICE, the dire need to reform our immigration system so that things don’t escalate further, and review what Congress is doing in the lead-up to midterms.

    Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

    More from James and Al:

    Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

    Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

    James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

    Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

    Get More From This Week’s Guest: 

    Rep. Raja Krisnamoorthi: Twitter | House.gov | Website 

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    22 January 2026, 10:00 am
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