Capitol Closeup

Paul is joined by his wife -- noted musician, singer, and teacher Peggo Horstmann Hodes -- for fun performances, funny stories, light verse, and seasonal cheer. 

Also, what's the deal with the 38 page powerpoint plan for a Trump coup, is democracy over, and what does it mean that unemployment is at record lows?

Paul speaks with veteran journalist Kevin Landrigan. They cover the twists and turns in the energy picture and the dire warnings about rolling electricity blackouts for the Grid this winter, the PUC's strange decision to cut energy efficiency, the COVID surge and the politics of Covid for Governor Sununu, and 2024 Presidential hopeful Mike Pence's recent trip to New Hampshire.

Is Roe V. Wade about to be overturned, and if so, what does that mean for society and for our politics?  Maybe not what you think.  Also, a first-time ever prosecution of the parents of a school shooter, was Donald Trump intentionally trying to spread Covid (including to Joe Biden) and the legacy of Bob Dole. 

Paul speaks with Zandra Rice Hawkins of Granite State progress and Nancy Glynn of Moms Rising about the Build Back Better Plan and what the  health care and child and family provisions mean for Granite Staters.

Also, Just how crazy is Lauren Boebert? And did Ashley Judd try to pick up our very own Matt Robison? 

Concord City Councilor Rob Werner joins Paul to talk about the 26th annual Conference of Parties, the climate change conference in Glasgow, and about local, sate and national politics around climate change. Rob vividly describes the scene in Glasgow as well as the successes and challenges of the conference. All this while here at home, on the last day of the Climate Change conference, the NH PUC decimated New Hampshire's energy efficiency efforts.

Also, the Rittenhouse verdict; what it's like serving in the minority in the US House (hint: awful); and more Greek references than you can possibly keep up with!

Paul interviews Beyond Politics co-host Matt Robison about his recent article in Newsweek "Stacey Abrams Just Gave Democrats a Blueprint for Saving Themselves."  Matt points out the massive headwinds that Democrats face, including Republican structural advantages like the fact that Republicans get half the votes in the Senate for representing just 43 percent of the country, as well as an enthusiasm gap.  In the recent Virginia and  New Jersey elections, Democratic candidates actually exceeded their vote totals from the previous election—but Republicans still exceeded them by way more. Together, this means that Democrats don't  need to match Republican voter enthusiasm to win; they need to lap it.

Matt argues that Stacey Abrams' recent approach created a blueprint for a more effective form of American politics; away to engage voters that Democrats should try to have any chance in the years ahead. 

Doesthe Bannon arrest change anything?  How should Dems deal with the perception versus the reality of inflation? Has violence become the norm in political culture? And why is there so much chatter about finding someone besides Kamala Harris if Biden doesn't run in 2024?