Ken Rudin's Political Junkie

New York’s Andrew Cuomo is not the only Democratic governor with problems.  In California, Gavin Newsom is facing a recall, and by most accounts the proponents are going to have enough signatures to make it to the …

We all agree that sexual harassment is bad, regardless of who is the accused.  The allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, look …

Will a history of snarky tweets doom Joe Biden’s nominee for budget director?  Republicans who have tolerated and ignored Donald Trump’s daily …

Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared her candidacy for governor of Arkansas, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her father, Mike Huckabee, who also …

A somber look at January 2021, starting with President Trump’s attempt to get Georgia officials to rig the election in his favor, and continuing on …

Tuesday’s runoffs in Georgia will determine which party will control the Senate in the new Congress.  Greg Bluestein of the Atlanta …

Ron Elving joins Ken to talk about some of the political giants who died this year, most notably Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and …

The Electoral College had its constitutional say this week, and it ratified the November vote:  Joe Biden 306, President Trump 232.  No dissenters, …

Donald Trump may have lost, but former Nebraska Congressman Hal Daub argues that the Republican Party did very well in the 2020 elections, winning seats they weren’t supposed to and surprising all the forecasts of a …

Both political parties are focusing on the two Senate runoffs in Georgia on January 5th.  Wyche Fowler, a Georgia Democrat elected to the Senate in …

The two Georgia Senate runoffs on Jan. 5th will determine which party gets control. Democrats must win both if they are to claim the majority; if …

Joe Biden may have won the presidency, but he'll serve without the expected Democratic Senate victory, and with a smaller House majority as well. And California Gov. Gavin Newsom will have a tough decision to make in …

A look at the key battles for the Senate, with Democrats needing a net three (or four) seats to win the majority. And whither the Republican Party …

Joe Biden's problems with articulating a coherent policy on court reform has brought comparisons to what FDR faced when he tried to pack the Supreme …

Two Senate races in the Carolinas are the focus this week, as incumbent Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is trying to hold off a stiff …

Selected and limited information from the White House about the president's health has continued with Trump and the coronavirus. And we look back at …

Republicans are being accused of hypocrisy, but at the end of the day there will be a new, very conservative Supreme Court justice to succeed the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And remembering the hoopla behind Bill …

Ron Elving analyzes the state of the presidential race with less than eight weeks to go. Plus, could Minnesota, which hasn't voted for a Republican …

On this special episode, we look back at many great moments from the history of presidential and vice presidential debates, with commentary from several journalists and historians on how those moments may have helped …

The Republicans wrap up their convention, setting the 2020 election into full swing. We hear from a Republican who avoided Trump in 2016 explain why …

The Democrats hold a convention like no other. We review the moments that highlighted an emotional and historic week. Plus, unpacking President …

Far from the coronations they are today, political conventions used to be filled with moments that were contentious, memorable and historic. We …

We review the latest scorecard of Joe Biden’s running mate hopefuls. Plus, a look ahead to next week's Minnesota primary and a recap of …

We discuss what President Trump might do if Joe Biden is declared the winner in November. Plus, in his new biography of Joe McCarthy, Larry Tye …

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia recounts her long relationship with the late Georgia Congressman John Lewis. Plus, …

We talk with former Virginia governor Douglas Wilder about his history-making political career. Plus, we examine the extent of voter suppression in …

Will Sen. Susan Collins' votes to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh and acquit President Trump come back to haunt her in November? Plus, a new book …

Neal Conan sorts out Joe Biden’s potential VP picks, Supreme Court expert Amy Howe weighs in on Chief Justice John Roberts' decisions on gay rights, DACA, and abortion. And we look at how the latest round of Kennedys …

This week on the Political Junkie, an examination of the definite voting trends that have developed during the pandemic. Plus, why several …

We break down the landmark Supreme Court decision that forbids job discrimination against LGBTQ people. Plus, a look at why several Democratic members of Congress are facing tough opposition in next Tuesday's New York …

We examine the primary day nightmare in Georgia, with long lines and broken voting machines. NPR's Ron Elving returns to size up all the potential running mates for Joe Biden. And we remember the career of Robert …

We discuss President Trump’s response to the nationwide demonstrations after the killing of a black man by the Minneapolis police. Plus, Ken …

Former attorney general Jeff Sessions is fighting to reclaim the Senate seat he held for two decades - what's at stake? Plus, a scorecard of the nine …

We look at how President Trump's attacks on President Obama, and the Bidens, have been met with approval by Senate Republicans. Plus, examining the candidates running against Iowa Rep. Steve King, and Jason Marisam, …

We examine the history of attorneys general and how they sometimes appear to favor the president instead of the Constitution. Plus, the challenges for Vice Presidents as they navigate the pluses and minuses of the …

With Republican-turned-independent-turned Libertarian congressman Justin Amash of Michigan's probable presidential candidacy as a Libertarian, who will be hurt more, Trump or Biden? Former NAACP President Cornell Brooks …

We look at the politics of the pandemic in Georgia and examine what will likely be a very tough race for Senator Susan Collins in Maine. Plus, we go …

What are the usual pluses and minuses nominees look for in picking a VP? Plus, Curt Smith discusses his book about the love affair between politics …

We review the top political news of the week including the endorsements of Joe Biden by Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama, plus analysis of how …

Wisconsin voters were told to stay home because of the coronavirus and then told to go out and vote in the state's primary. We discuss what put …

Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent for ABC News, discusses his new book describing what it’s like to watch Donald Trump up close. Lou Cannon, who during the Reagan presidency was the chief White House …

Should media outlets continue covering President Trump’s briefings on the coronavirus live? Plus, the impact of several postponements of …

Some states are postponing their primaries due to the coronavirus outbreak. What are the problems with this approach, and what are the solutions? And …

We discuss how the entrance of Steve Bullock into the Montana Senate race gives Democrats a chance at a much-needed pickup. Plus, did sexism …

Super Tuesday has come and gone, with Biden emerging as the big, and surprising, winner. We assess California's decision to move up their primary earlier this year. And while many early voters cast ballots for …

We analyze the final Democratic debate before the South Carolina primary. Plus, a preview of what's happening on Super Tuesday in North Carolina, …

We discuss the memorable lines, what we learned, and who benefited from the no-holds-barred Democratic debate in Las Vegas. Plus, analysis of the …

The results of Tuesday's New Hampshire primary are in, so where does the race for the Democratic nomination go from here? Plus, a look ahead to next …

Could the disastrous Monday night in Iowa end that state’s hold on first-in-the-nation status? Plus, a longtime friend of Sen. Lamar Alexander says …

Will the John Bolton manuscript lead to testimony in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump? Plus, how a victory in Iowa might prove to be a …