Left, Right & Center

Left, Right & Center episodes:

• 04.12.2024

  Trump’s abortion position? Leave it up to the states

  This week, former President Donald Trump took credit for leaving decisions about abortion bans up to individual states, while pledging to maintain that choice for states if he’s re-elected. Can we expect the lack of federal guidance on individual rights...

  
• 04.05.2024

  Will congressional candidates suffer from voters’ fatigue with Biden, Trump?

  Donald Trump and Joe Biden aren’t the only ones preparing for a tight race this year. With every House seat and a third of Senate seats up for grabs in November, both Democrats and Republicans are hoping to take control...

  
• 03.29.2024

  What’s behind the recent wave of Congressional exits?

  Two dozen Democrats and over 20 Republicans plan to retire from Congress this year. Several members of the House have chosen to end their terms early, making the situation especially difficult for an already tight GOP majority. The most recent...

  
• 03.22.2024

  What’s driving the divide between Netanyahu and the White House?

  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer upset critics on the right when he called for an election in Israel to remove Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister. Schumer’s counterpart, Mitch McConnell, called the move “disrespectful” of Israeli democracy and sovereignty. Many think...

  
• 03.15.2024

  This election season, will media learn from past mistakes?

  An election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump became official after the two clinched the nominations for their respective parties this week. Media outlets have experience reporting on the two of them, but the stakes seem higher this time...

  
• 03.08.2024

  Voters, not courts, to decide 2024 election

  In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court found that Colorado did not have the power to remove Donald Trump from the state’s primary ballot. Though the justices had a difference of opinion on how the ruling was decided, their overall...

  
• 03.01.2024

  How Mitch McConnell changed the courts and US politics

  Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell announced that he would step down from his role as Senate minority leader this November, though he’ll still be a senator through the end of his term. McConnell had been the head of the Senate’s Republican...

  
• 02.23.2024

  Will Navalny’s death motivate the US to act in Ukraine?

  Mourning continues after the death of Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader and one of Vladimir Putin’s most vocal critics. Navalny, who returned to Russia in 2021 following an attempted poisoning, died in a remote prison last Friday. His widow...

  
• 02.16.2024

  Are we failing to put Trump and Biden concerns into proper context?

  Donald Trump made waves with a speech at a campaign rally in South Carolina last week. The former president recalled an encounter with a leader of a NATO country, where he threatened to withhold U.S. protection from Russia if the...

  
• 02.09.2024

  Republicans’ horrible, no good, very bad week in Congress

  A tumultuous week in Congress centered around the failure of a comprehensive immigration and national security bill. Democrats in the Senate compromised on demands by Republicans for tighter border measures. The hope was that it would help secure more military...

  
• 02.02.2024

  Who’s in charge at the border?

  A drone attack on a United States military base in Jordan killed three servicemembers. President Biden announced that a decision had been made on responding to the attack, though details weren’t shared. The White House did say Iranian-backed militias responsible...

  
• 01.26.2024

  How can Biden, Trump can get voters to believe in their visions?

  A rematch of the 2020 presidential election seems unavoidable. Most voters may be disappointed by the choice between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, whose victory in the New Hampshire Republican primary made his nomination a near certainty. President Biden and...

  
• 01.19.2024

  What did Trump’s Iowa victory reveal about the political landscape?

  Donald Trump’s path to the GOP nomination kicked off with a win in the Iowa caucus this week, which some media outlets announced early. One key to his victory was outperforming among demographics he struggled with in the 2016...

  
• 01.12.2024

  Democracy is on the ballot (and the docket) in 2024

  Donald Trump is appealing the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling that his role in the January 6 Capitol riots classifies as engaging in insurrection and thus disqualifies him from appearing on the state’s Republican primary ballot. The Colorado judges’ ruling relies...

  
• 01.05.2024

  Can Haley, Desantis keep the spotlight after Iowa?

  The Iowa caucus is two weeks — and one Republican debate — away. The crowded GOP field has narrowed down to three. Is there a miracle in store for Ron Desantis or Nikki Haley that would allow them to overcome...

  
• 12.29.2023

  What 2024 could mean for trust in the judiciary, journalism

  As 2023 comes to a close, speculation about what the government will look like this time next year is running wild. The nation will be readying for a second term of either Donald Trump or Joe Biden as president. But...

  
• 12.22.2023

  Why Colorado court’s ruling (probably) won’t spell an end for Trump

  The Colorado Supreme Court determined, by a vote of 4-3, that Donald Trump was ineligible to be on the state’s ballots. The court found the former president engaged in insurrection against the United States — a charge he hasn’t been...

  
• 12.15.2023

  Biden calls out Bibi

  President Biden’s steadfast support for Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack is looking less steadfast this week. At a donor event, Biden warned, “They’re starting to lose [international] support by indiscriminate bombing that takes place.” Our panel takes on...

  
• 12.08.2023

  Why is the House focusing on antizionism while addressing antisemitism?

  A rise in antisemitism in the wake of Israel’s war with Hamas caught the attention of the House of Representatives this past week. Members of the House held a hearing with college presidents addressing antisemitic incidents on campuses. They also...

  
• 12.01.2023

  Will Biden’s leadership hold under pressure?

  A temporary pause on fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas was agreed upon with the help of President Biden and the Qatari government. It’s a volatile situation, relying on the continued trade-off of hostages and prisoners between the two...

  
• 11.24.2023

  Reading the tea leaves of early polling

  With the primary season just around the corner, voters can expect an influx of polling data. Sorting through it all can be tricky. David Wasserman of the non-partisan Cook Political Report discusses what numbers we should be paying attention to,...

  
• 11.17.2023

  Congress avoids a shutdown — and doesn’t seem thrilled about it

  Congress agreed to a new spending bill this week to avoid a government shutdown. The bill relies on the same type of structured deadlines that cost former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy his party’s support and eventually his job. New Speaker...

  
• 11.10.2023

  Will Dems’ success this week boost Biden in 2024?

  It was Election Day in several states this week. Voters hit the polls to decide on abortion as a constitutional right in Ohio. Kentucky and Mississippi made their choice for governor. And every state legislative seat in Virginia was up...

  
• 11.03.2023

  Regulating AI: What’s the government’s power?

  President Biden signed a sweeping order focused on reinforcing safety, security, and trust in artificial intelligence. It creates federal guardrails for the continuously evolving technology, while advocating for its development. The government was slow to address calls for regulating social...

  
• 10.27.2023

  Democracy is back in session

  After an embarrassing three weeks of nominees and almost-elections, the House of Representatives finally chose a new speaker — Republican Rep. Mike Johnson, who tried to help Donald Trump overturn the 2020 election. Now, can Congress get to work...

  
• 10.20.2023

  What does a just response from Israel look like?

  President Biden traveled to Israel this week to offer support, but warned against letting rage consume the response against Hamas. Plus, there’s been a lot of dehumanizing rhetoric around the conflict. What real world impact could that have?

  
• 10.13.2023

  What will Israel’s war with Hamas mean for Gaza?

  After Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis in an attack at the Gaza border over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to respond with unprecedented force. That meant a wave of airstrikes over Gaza, killing more than 1,100 Palestians, reported...

  
• 10.06.2023

  How the House was lost and what could come next

  For the first time ever, the House of Representatives voted to oust its speaker. This week, House Democrats joined forces with the small contingent of Republicans who wanted Kevin McCarthy gone. Was it the right call, and what’s next? Hunter Biden...

  
• 09.29.2023

  Can the party of Reagan right its course?

  Republican presidential candidates faced off in another primary debate this week. As they stated their case to voters, they aligned themselves with Ronald Reagan’s vision for the Republican Party. But is the party of Reagan a thing of the past? Donald...

  
• 09.22.2023

  Biden v. Trump: Who will win over more auto workers amid strike?

  The United Auto Workers union initiated a partial strike after failing to reach a new contract with automakers General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. Thirteen thousand workers hit the picket lines outside of plants in Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. As the...

  
• 09.15.2023

  Dems at odds over support for asylum seekers

  New York City Mayor Eric Adams says the city is struggling to support 110,000 migrants who have arrived there in the last year. He’s called for support from the federal government. Republicans have taken a victory lap as the Democratic...

  
• 09.08.2023

  Biden’s race for re-election approaches new hurdle

  The choice between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is a toss-up nationally. Will a possible rematch turn emerging polling trends into a new political reality? The effects of climate change were on full view this summer. The insurance industry claims that...

  
• 09.01.2023

  Will ‘Trump Lite’ leave voters wanting more?

  Vivek Ramaswamy had a strong performance in the first Republican primary debate. It’s too early to tell how it will translate in the polls. Can he connect the party’s base with the next generation of voters? Nikki Haley drew heat for...

  
• 08.25.2023

  GOP candidates fight to fill Trump’s absence

  The first primary debate of the 2024 presidential election took place in Milwaukee this week. Eight Republicans took the stage. Who left their mark? Donald Trump was invited but chose not to attend. His presence continues to linger over the participants...

  
• 08.18.2023

  Georgia On My Mind

  A fourth indictment was filed against Donald Trump this week — in the state of Georgia. Fulton County D.A. Fani T. Willis presented a sprawling document charging Trump and 18 others for conspiring to reverse the state’s results in...

  
• 08.11.2023

  Buckeye State bucks ballot initiative

  Ohio voters turned out in droves to reject a ballot measure that would change the state’s amendment process. An upcoming vote on abortion rights lingered in the background of the special election. What role could abortion play in national voter...

  
• 08.04.2023

  Adding indictments to injury

  Donald Trump was indicted this week for several charges related to the events of January 6. U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith presented a strong legal case against the former president. Will litigating the Capitol riots help mend the political divide,...

  
• 07.28.2023

  McCarthy’s on the Hunt(er)

  House Speaker Kevin McCarthy thinks it may be time to open an impeachment inquiry to get more information on President Biden’s involvement in his son Hunter’s questionable business dealings. Congress can pursue impeachment at its own discretion, but is now...

  
• 07.21.2023

  Who’s afraid of the big bad Trump?

  Conservative groups and the Donald Trump campaign are collaborating to expand executive powers if Trump secures a second White House term. At the heart of the plan is a legitimate debate about the scope of government —- and legitimate fears...

  
• 07.14.2023

  Tuberville blocks nominees — will US military lose its might?

  Both the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the National Institutes of Health need a chief. Some senators are blocking confirmation of those nominees — so what will it take to win them over? Meanwhile, Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama...

  
• 07.07.2023

  Voters believe in Biden’s policy. Do they believe in the man?

  President Biden is putting the spin on “Bidenomics.” The administration is hoping they can capture voters with improved messaging on popular policies, but will it work? We’re a week removed from the end of the Supreme Court’s most recent term. What...

  
• 06.30.2023

  What’s next for diversity efforts as SCOTUS strikes down affirmative action?

  The Supreme Court ruled against long-standing affirmative action practices for public and private universities. Is there any chance this could improve how colleges try to increase diversity on campuses, or will it set back the clock in the push for...

  
• 06.23.2023

  Biden’s uphill battle, and a year post-Roe

  President Biden is hitting the campaign trail to tout his first-term accomplishments, gain support, and refill his war chest. But in the face of sagging poll numbers, can he convince voters to grant him a second term?  It’s now been one...

  
• 06.16.2023

  Trump’s been indicted — again

  Donald Trump has broken another record. Already the first former president ever indicted on criminal charges, he’s now the first ever indicted twice. He faces 37 felony counts stemming from his improper withholding of top secret documents at Mar a...

  
• 06.09.2023

  ‘He’s boring as hell’: Mike Pence jumps into presidential race

  Mike Pence is officially running for president — against the former president who made him vice president. He’s trying to evoke Reagan conservatism, but does the Trump-dominated GOP actually want to go retro? And does Pence have the charisma to...

  
• 06.02.2023

  House debt ceiling vote: Winner, loser, bipartisan outlier?

  The months-long battle to raise the limit on how much money the federal government can borrow cleared its biggest hurdle: the Republican-controlled House, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “We didn’t do it by taking the easy way,” McCarthy said. “We decided...

  
• 05.26.2023

  An embarrassing start as DeSantis announces 2024 presidential bid

  Florida Governor Ron DeSantis finally announced his bid for president. He did it on Twitter with Elon Musk, the platform’s controversial owner, and it did not go well. After 25 minutes of silence and delays, DeSantis finally gave his speech....

  
• 05.19.2023

  Are Democrats doomed to lose their gains in Senate?

  Democrats are worrying about the Senate map as 23 seats are up for reelection, as compared to 10 on the Republican side. Many of these seats are in swing states or red states. What should Democrats do to ensure some...

  
• 05.12.2023

  Same old Trump in CNN town hall: Sign of what to expect in 2024 race?

  Trump took the stage again for a New Hampshire town hall hosted by CNN, and it was like going back in time to 2016. He rehashed the stolen election claim and hurled insults, and more. Is the U.S. bound to...

  
• 05.05.2023

  Should Biden have ordered 1500 troops to US-Mexico border?

  Biden seemed to take a page out of Trump’s playbook this week by ordering 1,500 active duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. He stated it was meant to help the National Guard and Border Patrol deal with the surge of...