Episode #359: From “Beat The Press” To The Governorship?

Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared her candidacy for governor of Arkansas, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her father, Mike Huckabee, who also served in that office. Janine Parry of the University of Arkansas says that with a famous name and the likely backing of a former president, she may well be on her way to victory.

The impeachment trial of Donald Trump begins on Tuesday and by all indications there is little chance that the Senate will come up with 17 Republicans ready to vote to convict.  The New York Times’ Carl Hulse explores what’s at stake for now-Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as well as for a party that seems to be torn over Liz Cheney and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

The rightwing shift of the GOP is felt not only in Washington but in Arizona, where the party recently censured the widow of John McCain, the current Republican governor, and a former Republican senator.  Ron Hansen of the Arizona Republic reflects on a party that has lost both Senate seats in the past two years and watched a Democrat, Joe Biden, carry the state for the first time since 1996.

And Howard Wilkinson of Cincinnati’s WVXU reports on the retirement of Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman and the fight to win his seat in 2022.

Music in this week’s program

Daughter by Pearl Jam

Impeach the President by The Honey Drippers

The Logical Song by Supertramp

Massive Attack by Angel

Out of Time by The Rolling Stones

Sara Smile by Hall and Oates