NPR’s David Folkenflik sorts out the brouhaha NBC News found itself in when it hired Ronna McDaniel as a paid commentator — a hire that lasted all of four days.  An all-staff mutiny followed her new employment, given her role as a Trump enabler in his effort to overturn the 2020 election.  David also weighs the advantages, if any, in hiring partisan voices in news organizations — a practice that goes back decades.

And we rerun an interview we had with Joe Lieberman back in August of 2017, where the Connecticut senator and 2000 VP candidate talks about his career, Al Gore’s decision to name him to the ticket, how he saw the Bill Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, and his almost appearance as John McCain’s running mate in 2008.  Lieberman died last month at 82.

PLUS:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his running mate, and the different ways Donald Trump has assessed his candidacy.  And the establishment choice for the U.S. Senate pulls out of the New Jersey Democratic primary.

Music in this episode:

Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen

Dirty Laundry by Don Henley

Isn’t Life Strange by The Moody Blues

The post Episode #412: Old McDaniel Told A Lie appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

The announcement by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat-turned-independent, that she would not seek a second term was hardly a surprise.  But it shook up a key Senate race in a body where Republicans are closing in on a majority.  Ron Hansen of the Arizona Republic lays out what’s ahead between likely nominees Ruben Gallego (D) and Kari Lake (R).

And Jacob Rubashkin, the deputy editor of Inside Elections, sums up the major results from Super Tuesday and looks ahead to next week’s Ohio Republican Senate primary, the winner to take on three-term Democrat Sherrod Brown.

Plus:  A highly combative Joe Biden and a highly caffeinated Katie Britt highlight the State of the Union.

Music in this Episode:

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

You Lost by Austin Archer

Tuesday’s Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd

The post Episode #411: A Sense Of Yuma After Sinema’s Departure appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Mark Z. Barabak of the Los Angeles Times sets up Tuesday’s California Senate primary for the seat once held by Dianne Feinstein.  A race long dominated by three Democratic House members — Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee — the campaign suffered a jolt when a Republican, former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, got in the race.  Now there are accusations that Schiff, the acknowledged frontrunner, is trying to make sure his opponent in November is Garvey, considered the easiest to beat, rather than one of his Democratic House colleagues.

PLUS:  The age issue and Joe Biden.  And the sanity issue and Donald Trump.  In addition, Mitch McConnell announces he will be leaving the leadership position he’s held longer than any other senator in history.

Music in this episode:

I Can’t Explain by the Who

I Hate Myself for Loving You by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

California Girls by the Beach Boys

The post Episode #410: California Girls (And Guys) appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Yale Prof. Kathryn Lofton explores the whole Taylor Swift rumor mill lunacy and explains the pitfalls celebrities encounter as they decide whether to use their fame for political ends.

And Spectrum News New York political director Bob Hardt dissects the upcoming race to succeed George Santos in New York’s Third Congressional District.

PLUS:  The House GOP effort to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas blows up in Speaker Mike Jobnson’s face.  And a federal appeals court unanimously rejects Donald Trump’s argument that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took as president.

Taylor Swift button designed by SmithDigital.

Music in this episode:

409 by the Beach Boys

The Winner Takes It All by November Ultra

High Hopes by Frank Sinatra

Harding, You’re the Man by Al Jolson

Anti Hero by Taylor Swift

A Life of Illusion by Joe Walsh

The post Episode #409: Swift Paranoia Taylor-Made For MAGA appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

We speak to two veterans of New Hampshire politics, former Republican state chair Fergus Cullen and longtime Democratic state lawmaker Lou D’Allesandro.  Cullen maintains that despite sizable dissatisfaction among Republicans with Donald Trump, Nikki Haley does not look like she is in a position to pose a threat to the former president.  And D’Allesandro acknowledges unhappiness with President Biden’s decision to remove N.H. from its perch as the “first in the nation” primary state.  But it shouldn’t be enough to threaten him in Tuesday’s contest.

Music heard in this episode:

Sitting On Top of the World by Cream

Last Dance by Donna Summer

Old Man by Neil Young

The post Episode #408: New Hampshire, Where Trump Came, Saw and Concord? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Former Partner-in-Crime Ron Elving returns to the Political Junkie for a review of 2023 and what to expect in 2024 when, by most accounts, the presidential contest will be a repeat of four years ago:  Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump.

The post Episode #407: Farewell To 2023, Bracing For 2024 appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Jonathan Alter, author of a great biography about Jimmy Carter, talks about the significant role played during his life by Rosalynn Carter, his life partner and first lady, who died last month at 93.

We replayed a 2019 interview with Evan Thomas, the author of a biography of Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first female Supreme Court justice, who died on December 1st.

And we heard about a fascinating podcast from WOSU’s Renee Fox, who in her series talks about the biggest political scandal in Ohio history, the fall and imprisonment of former state House Speaker Larry Householder.

PLUS:  George Santos gets the boot, Doug Burgum shakes up the presidential race, Joe Manchin is ready for more trouble, and Patrick McHenry quits Congress with a surprising give me retirement or give me death message.

Music in this episode: 

Out and In by the Moody Blues

This Guy’s In Love With You by Herb Alpert

Shallow by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga

Mr. Bad Example by Warren Zevon

The post Episode #406: Farewell To The Trailblazers appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

We preview two big elections that will be decided on Tuesday.  Al Cross analyzes the gubernatorial contest in ruby red Kentucky, where Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, running on his record and support for reproductive rights, is thought to be favored against state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a black Republican who is a protege of Mitch McConnell and endorsed by Donald Trump.  And in Virginia, both houses of the General Assembly are up for grabs, and Bob Holsworth says a GOP sweep could enhance the national image of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a popular Republican who is not up this year but who is putting his entire political muscle into the effort.  But should Democrats hold onto the state Senate AND take the house of delegates, it could send a signal that support for abortion rights is a winning issue.

PLUS:  Republicans continue harping on Biden’s mental ability while Trump continues to spew nonsense and gibberish … Mike Pence ends his presidential campaign … and GOP senators have finally had enough with Tommy Tuberville’s tactics.

Music in this episode:

I Ran (So Far Away) by A Flock of Seagulls

Shame On You by Indigo Girls

It’s Got to be Kentucky by Tom T. Hall

Freedom of Choice by Devo

The post Episode #405: Pence Is Out; Is Choice In? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

The House took some three weeks following the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, but there is a new Speaker:  Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana.  We follow the road to victory and discuss Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed role of kingmaker.

In addition:

— We talk to Paul Horcher, who as an independent Republican assemblyman from California in 1994 decided to bolt his party and vote for Democrat Willie Brown for Speaker … an act that got him recalled.

— We go back into the archives for a 2015 conversation with former Congressman Bob Livingston, himself a former potential House speaker, who talks, with regret, about the ousting by the far right of Speaker John Boehner.  Bob also offers his thoughts on the assumed successor at the time, Kevin McCarthy, as well as a presidential field for 2016 that could include Donald Trump.

Music in this episode:

Burning Down the House by Talking Heads

What I Like About You by The Romantics

I’m Not the Man I Used to Be by Fine Young Cannibals

Trouble by Lindsey Buckingham

The post Episode #404: Master Of The House (For Now) appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

KQED’s Scott Shafer talks of the trailblazing career of Dianne Feinstein, the longtime California senator who died last month at 90.

And we watch history in the making as Kevin McCarthy is ousted as Speaker of the House, the first time that had ever happened.

Music in this episode:

You Don’t Move Me by Keith Richards

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson

The post Episode #403: Goodbye To DiFi … And Kevin Too appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

GOP strategist Mike Murphy on Mitt Romney, Nikki Haley and this week's second Republican debate. We explore what's behind the Impeach Biden effort. And Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been indicted.

The post Episode #402: Murphy’s Law — On Romney, Haley And The Debates appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.