Forward Thinking Politics

Forward Thinking Politics episodes:

• 02.21.2019

  EP 72 - Feb. 21, 2019 - "Not Helping Himself"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about former Assistant FBI Director Andrew McCabe's book tour and accusations against President Trump. Shane Harris from the Washington Post joins us to discuss Trump's unhappiness with Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. We also speak to...

  
• 02.19.2019

  EP 71 - Feb. 19, 2019 - "The Hypocrisy of Politicians"

  Patrick Pfingsten calls out politicians for their hypocrisy on executive actions by President Obama in 2014 and President Trump last week. We're joined by former Obama administration lawyer Sam Berger on Trump's emergency declaration and the status of Obamacare. We're...

  
• 02.12.2019

  EP 70 - Feb. 12, 2019 - "Thomas Jefferson is Rolling Over in His Grave"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the "black face" incidents in Virginia politics. We're also joined by former Congressman Heath Shuler of North Carolina to discuss hyperpartisanship, the extreme movement of each party, and race relations.

  
• 02.07.2019

  EP 69 - Feb. 7, 2019 - "The State of the Union is in Disarray"

  Patrick Pfingsten breaks down President Trump's second State of the Union speech. We get perspective from both side with RNC National Press Secretary Cassie Smedley and former Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak from Michigan.

  
• 01.31.2019

  EP 68 - Jan. 31, 2019 - "Hindsight is 2020"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the foreshadowing of Howard Schultz's potential 2020 campaign for president as an independent. We're also joined by co-host and executive producer of The Circus on Showtime, Mark McKinnon, to discuss the indictment of Roger Stone and another...

  
• 01.29.2019

  EP 67 - Jan 29, 2019 - "Rolling Stone"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the indictment of Trump associate Roger Stone.  We're also joined by longtime Republican strategist and Stanford University professor Lanhee Chen on the end of the government shutdown, Stone, and the race for 2020.

  
• 01.24.2019

  EP 66 - Jan. 24, 2019 - "The Human Cost"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses how out of touch politicians are to the real impact of the government shutdown. We're joined by former Acting Director of Immigration & Customs Enforcement, John Sandweg, to talk about border security and the steps to solving...

  
• 01.22.2019

  EP 65 - Jan. 22, 2019 - "Head Games"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the political battle and human impact of the government shutdown. Axios Political Reporter Shannon Vavra reports on the stalemate on Capitol Hill. We're also joined by former Press Secretary to Vice President Pence and Special Assistant...

  
• 01.17.2019

  EP 64 - Jan. 17, 2019 - "Dead Person Walking"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the confirmation hearing of Bill Barr to be Attorney General and is joined by former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade to debate some of Barr's positions. We're also joined by Jon Sopel of the BBC on the British...

  
• 01.15.2019

  EP 63 - Jan. 15, 2019 - "Stone Cold Killer"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the enormity of the FBI counterintelligence investigation into Donald Trump's Russia ties. We're joined by longtime CIA operative and Russian expert John Sipher to discuss Trump's Russia ties and the threats the Putin regime presents to the...

  
• 01.10.2019

  EP 62 - Jan. 10, 2019 - "The Most Important Person in Washington"

  Patrick Pfingsten is joined in studio by Democratic political operative Peter Hanscom. They discuss our polarized politics and the federal government shutdown. We also talk about Nancy Pelosi's ascension back to the House Speaker's office with San Francisco Chronicle reporter...

  
• 01.08.2019

  EP 61 - Jan. 8, 2019 - "Shutdowns Are Dumb"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the personal and political stupidity of the partial federal government shutdown. We're joined by Democratic strategist Doug Thornell on the shutdown, the progressive stars of the new Congress, and the growing field in the race for...

  
• 01.03.2019

  EP 60 - Jan. 3, 2019 - "Last Remaining Superpower"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses Donald Trump's flaky foreign policy decisions and the resignation of former Defense Secretary James Mattis. We talk to Gabby Orr of POLITICO from the White House on the way the administration is handling the shutdown. We're also...

  
• 12.20.2018

  EP 59 - Dec. 20, 2018 - "The Ghost of Christmas Weird"

  Patrick Pfingsten laments on Donald Trump's strange handling of major public policy issues, including withdrawing troops from Syria and funding for the border wall, all with a little Christmas spirit thrown in. We're also joined by former Illinois Congressman Joe...

  
• 12.18.2018

  EP 58 - Dec. 18, 2018 - "Shut It Down"

  The federal government draws closer and closer to a shutdown. Who's to blame? We ask Politico Capitol Hill reporter John Bresnahan. We're also joined by Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporter Molly Beck on Wisconsin Republican efforts to strip the incoming Democrat governor...

  
• 12.11.2018

  EP 57 - Dec. 11, 2018 - Trump's Achilles

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about what we know and don't know regarding the Mueller investigation into the President. We break down recent court filings against Michael Cohen, Paul Manafort, and a potential Russian spy with national security lawyer Brad Moss. And...

  
• 12.04.2018

  EP 56 - Dec. 4, 2018 - "A Magnificent President"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses his memories of George H.W. Bush and how the next generation of leaders can take his lessons to improve our politics. We're also joined by former Bush speechwriter and author of "Character to the Core", Curt Smith,...

  
• 11.29.2018

  EP 55 - Nov. 29, 2018 - "Battle of the Border"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the potential shutdown of the federal government over Donald Trump's proposed border wall. In the wake of Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith's runoff victory, we talk about Mississippi politics and politics in the south with former State Senator...

  
• 11.27.2018

  EP 54 - Nov. 27, 2018 - "She's Bad At It"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses why Donald Trump is considering replacing Mike Pence on the GOP ticket in 2020. We're also joined by former Hillary Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis-Doyle on Clinton's struggles with the electorate, 2020 contenders, and why Democrats in...

  
• 11.20.2018

  EP 53 - Nov. 20, 2018 - "Fury on the Left"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses an effort inside the Democratic party aiming to stop Nancy Pelosi at getting another term as Speaker of the House. Orange County Register Reporter Jordan Graham joins us to talk about Democrat gains in the former Republican...

  
• 11.15.2018

  EP 52 - Nov. 15, 2018 - "An Entire Generation"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about Republican struggles with voters under 40 in last week's midterm elections. We're joined by former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator George Allen on the future of the GOP, Donald Trump, and our political divisiveness.

  
• 11.13.2018

  EP 51 - Nov. 13, 2018 - "Cindy Hyde-Smith's Bad Week"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the controversy between the White House and CNN Reporter Jim Acosta. We're joined by Mississippi Clarion-Ledger Political Reporter Luke Ramseth on the Mississippi runoff election between Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mike Espy. Patrick also reflects on the results...

  
• 11.08.2018

  EP 50 - Nov. 8, 2018 - "The Middle Majority"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses how a Democratic House and Republican Senate mean very little progress and how the majority of Americans in the middle can control the agenda. We discuss a likely recount in the Florida Senate race with Gatehouse Media...

  
• 11.06.2018

  EP 49 - Nov. 6, 2018 - "The Man to Blame"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the effectiveness of negative ads and how young staffers have been killing themselves for a cause they believe in. We're also joined by McKay Coppins, Staff Writer for The Atlantic, on former House Speaker and Presidential...

  
• 11.01.2018

  EP 48 - Nov. 1, 2018 - "Around the World in 30 Minutes"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the down-ballot races that you may not be paying attention to that likely have more impact on your life than the races getting the most publicity. We're joined by political reporters from Missouri, Florida, West Virginia,...

  
• 10.30.2018

  EP 47 - Oct. 30, 2018 - "A Little Bit Better"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about division in society and politics that has led to mass shootings and bombs being sent to political opponents. We're joined by U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, who is locked in a tough re-election race and get an...

  
• 10.25.2018

  Episode 46 - Oct. 25, 2018 - "There's a New Tipping Point"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about bomb scares to former Presidents Obama and Clinton and ties to the decline in political rhetoric. We're joined by A.B. Stoddard from Real Clear Politics to discuss discourse and midterm elections. 

  
• 10.23.2018

  Episode 45 - Oct. 23, 2018 - "Two Weeks to Judgement Day"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the closing map for House Republicans as they try to hold on to control of the House of Representatives. We're joined by author Chris Whipple to talk about White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, his recent...

  
• 10.11.2018

  Episode 44 - October 11, 2018 - "The Leader Sets the Tone"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the infatuation with flashy celebrity politicians. Austin American-Statesman Chief Political Writer Jonathan Tilove joins us to talk about the U.S. Senate race in Texas. We're also joined by former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell on the Supreme...

  
• 10.02.2018

  Episode 43 - Oct. 2, 2018 - "Lincoln is Rolling Over in His Grave"

  Patrick Pfingsten is in Springfield, Illinois, talking about the sad condition of his home state. We're joined by Mark Maxwell of WCIA-TV to discuss the race for Illinois Governor and a hotly contested Congressional race. Amy Chozick of the New...

  
• 09.27.2018

  Episode 42 - September 27, 2018 - "The Day of Reckoning"

  Patrick Pfingsten does live analysis during the opening of the Kavanaugh hearing on Capitol Hill. We're joined by former White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry on Kavanaugh, the future of the Supreme Court, and the job facing current Press Secretary...

  
• 09.25.2018

  Episode 41 - September 25, 2018 - "Uncharted Territory"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about how the Kavanaugh nomination and scandal has reached a new low in American politics. We're joined by Todd Ruger of CQ/Roll Call to discuss the nomination fight and allegations, as well as the future of Deputy...

  
• 09.20.2018

  Episode 40 - September 20, 2018 - "Chicken Little"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the hyperbole of today's news cycle, as well as the confirmation battle of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. We're joined by Kyle Kondik, Managing Editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia to...

  
• 09.18.2018

  Episode 39 - September 18, 2018 - "Dragging Them Through the Mud"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses his concerns about the allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Commentary Magazine Associate Editor Noah Rothman joins us to discuss the Kavanaugh accusations and why they're being made in the wrong arena. 

  
• 09.13.2018

  Episode 38 - September 13, 2018 - "This Is an Intervention"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the obsession with media for all things Trump. We also discuss ethics with former Obama White House "ethics czar" and former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Norman Eisen.

  
• 09.11.2018

  Episode 37 - September 11, 2018 - "We're All Americans"

  Patrick Pfingsten tells the story of a 9/11 hero and how it impacts our politics today in a special edition of the podcast.

  
• 09.06.2018

  Episode 36 - September 6, 2018 - "The Call Is Coming From Inside the White House"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the anonymous New York Times Editorial written by an administration official criticizing the President. We're also joined by former John McCain staff lawyer and Federal Election Commission Chairman Trevor Potter on McCain's life and how messed up...

  
• 09.04.2018

  Episode 35 - September 4, 2018 "The Senate Judiciary Clown Show"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about and listens live to, the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing of Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. He also discusses the most frustrating parts of Donald Trump's interview with Bloomberg. We're joined by Vanderbilt University Law...

  
• 08.30.2018

  Episode 34 - August 30, 2018 "Con Men Con"

  Patrick Pfingsten and GOP strategist Mike O'Brien discuss life on the campaign trail and the impact of Donald Trump. Republican strategist and author Rick Wilson, author of Everything Trump Touches Dies, discusses John McCain, Trumpism, and the midterms. 

  
• 08.28.2018

  Episode 33 - August 28, 2018 "For Whom The Bell Tolls"

  Patrick Pfingsten looks back on the life, legacy, controversies, and politics of U.S. Senator John McCain, who died this weekend at 81. We're joined by Amy Sullivan, co-host of the Impolite Company podcast, to discuss the Catholic Church scandal and...

  
• 08.23.2018

  Episode 32 - August 23, 2018 "Snitches Get Stitches"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses Donald Trump's "snitches get stitches" defense surrounding the Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen convictions. We're joined by former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi to break down the Manafort and Cohen cases, how they relate to Trump, and where...

  
• 08.21.2018

  Episode 31 - August 21, 2018 "The Opposite of Progress"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses how the Catholic church scandal could have an impact for years to come. Politico Congressional Bureau Chief John Bresnahan joins us to discuss Democrat attempts to stall or kill the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme...

  
• 08.16.2018

  Episode 30 - August 16, 2018 "Paul Manafort's World of Hurt"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the federal trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Molly Beck, a political reporter for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel fills us in on the Wisconsin Primary results. Former Assistant Secretary of State P.J. Crowley discusses President...

  
• 08.14.2018

  Episode 29 - August 14, 2018 "A Reality Star Goes to Work at the White House"

  Patrick Pfingsten says Omarosa Maginault Newman's new book and media tour may be interesting, but it's missing the point. We're joined by Sherman Smith of the Topeka, KS Capital-Journal to discuss the razor-thin race for Governor in that state. We...

  
• 08.09.2018

  Episode 28 - August 9, 2018 "A Special Election is Special"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses Tuesday night's special election in Ohio and is joined from Columbus by WSYX-TV reporter Ben Garbarek to discuss the race that has yet to be called. We also welcome longtime Democratic strategist and former spokesman for Senate Majority Leader...

  
• 08.07.2018

  Episode 27 - August 7, 2018 "It is Impossible to Make Everyone Happy"

  Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Indianapolis City Councillor Colleen Fanning to discuss political discourse and the way we treat each other today. Joel Ebert, a political reporter for The Tennesseean in Nashville on Thursday's primary results. We also talk to Mike Pesca,...

  
• 08.02.2018

  Episode 26 - August 2, 2018 "Facts are Facts"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about Donald Trump's control of Twitter, the news cycle, and the opinions of his supporters. We're joined by Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Michael O'Hanlon to discuss President Trump's complaints about NATO and the ongoing threat posed by...

  
• 07.31.2018

  Episode 25 - July 31, 2018 "The Party of Trump"

  Patrick Pfingsten discusses the divide in the Republican Party and how to close the gap and start governing again. He's joined by conservative commentator and author Kurt Schlichter to talk about what led the GOP to this divide and where...

  
• 07.26.2018

  Episode 24 - July 26, 2018 "They're Trying to Impeach Rod Rosenstein"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the effort by some House Republicans to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. He's joined by former Assistant U.S. Attorney in New York, Elie Honig, to discuss Rosenstein, Michael Cohen, and the Russia investigation. 

  
• 07.24.2018

  Episode 23 - July 24, 2018 "More Like Inspector Gadget"

  Patrick Pfingsten talks about the partisan overreaction to FISA warrants released on former Trump campaign staffer Carter Page. He's joined by Axios cybersecurity reporter Shannon Vavra and by Republican strategist Rick Tyler.