Jeff Greenfield remembers how Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush consoled the nation during crisis and trauma, and compares their actions to those of Donald Trump, whose response to a deadly plane crash was one of blame and nastiness.

Rick Pluta of Michigan Public Radio discusses the retirement of Sen. Gary Peters (D) and the battle in 2026 to succeed him — a battle that could include Pete Buttigieg.

And Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch talks of the pressures back home that may have forced Sen. Joni Ernst, a rape victim during college, to vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, despite the sexual assault allegations against him.

PLUS:  A look at the first two weeks of Trump.

Music in this episode:

It’s My Party by Lesley Gore

Mean Mr Mustard by The Beatles

America by Simon & Garfunkel

Under Pressure by Queen

The post Episode #421: The Consoler In Chief appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Donald Trump’s election opened up two Senate seats — in Ohio, where JD Vance was elected vice president, and in Florida, where Marco Rubio joined the Trump Cabinet as Secretary of State.  Jeremy Pelzer, a political reporter with Cleveland.com and the Cleveland Plain Dealer, talks about new Sen. Jon Husted, who had been Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s lieutenant governor.  And Susan MacManus, a leading Florida political analyst, tells us everything we need to know about Ashley Moody, the state’s former attorney general who now succeeds Rubio.

And the recent death of former President Jimmy Carter has Carter biographer Jonathan Alter wondering if the overwhelming sadness about the 39th president’s passing might be tied to the widespread revulsion of the new occupant of the White House.

Music in this episode:

Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

Susan by Aimee Mann

Turn! Turn! Turn! by the Byrds

The post Episode #420: Decency And Civility, Then And Now appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Republican strategist Terry Holt explains what happened on November 5th and dissects some of Donald Trump’s more controversial Cabinet picks.

Aubrey Jewett of the University of Central Florida handicaps who will succeed Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio in the Senate.

Former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson (D-IN) has a new book filled with essays from Democrats and Republicans alike making the case that bipartisanship really works … and must work.

And former Oklahoma TV anchor Scott Thompson talks of his experiences with former Sen. Fred Harris, who sought the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination on a platform of fairness and equality.  Harris died last month at the age of 94.

Music in this episode:

They’re Coming to Take Me Away by Napolean XIV

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

Pick Me by Alec Benjamin

Long, Long, Long by the Beatles

The post Episode #419: Trump Won, And His Cabinet Choices Prove It appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Holly Michels of the Montana State News Bureau for Lee Newspapers reports on the tough re-election battle facing Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat seeking a fourth term in an overwhelmingly Republican state … and this time, with the very popular Donald Trump on the ballot.

And Rob Schofield of NC Newsline is covering the race for governor in North Carolina, where we have learned that the Republican nominee, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson — heartily endorsed by Trump — has in the past posted racist and misogynistic writings that may have all but ended his prospects for victory.

PLUS:  Jack Smith still has Trump in his sites … a quick look at the VP debate … and Happy 100th for Jimmy Carter.

Music in this Episode:

Smelly Cat by Phoebe and Chrissie Hynde

Birthday by The Beatles

High Hopes by Frank Sinatra

Your Racist Friend by They Might Be Giants

The post Episode #418: Butte And The Beast appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Dan Morain, a journalist who spent decades at the Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee, and who is the author of “Kamala’s Way,” the first biography of Vice President Kamala Harris, talks about her rise in California politics that has led her to the doorsteps of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

PLUS:  A look back at the Harris-Trump debate, the intrusion of Taylor Swift into the political battle, and how the inclusion of Laura Loomer into Trump’s inner circle has shaken up the Republican Party.

Music heard in this episode:

Cool for Cats by Squeeze

Freedom by Beyonce

The post Episode #417: The Unfathomable Rise Of Kamala Harris appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Anti-Trump Republican strategist Mike Murphy tries to sum up a surreal month of politics, starting with Joe Biden’s debate from hell and ending with the president’s withdrawal and the likely anointment of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.  On her VP selection, Murphy offers a prediction … and a preference.

And Matt Arco, a political reporter for the Star Ledger and NJ.com, reports on the conviction and upcoming resignation of New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, and how it affects this year’s Senate race.

PLUS:  Memories of Lyndon Johnson’s withdrawal in 1968.

Music in this episode:

Kamala! by Randy Rainbow

Running on Empty by Jackson Browne

I’m Not the Man I Used To Be by Fine Young Cannibals

The post Episode #416: I’d Walk A Mile For A Kamala appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Alan Schroeder, author of the definitive book on presidential debates, takes us on a tour of memorable debates over the years and tries to assess how next week’s “bash” (CNN pun intended) between President Biden and former President Trump may affect the November vote — if at all.

NPR’s Ron Elving adds up the pros and cons of Trump’s many potential running mates and, when pressed, announces his prediction.  Ken Rudin agrees with him.

And Republican strategist Frank Donatelli recounts his career of working for GOP presidential candidates going back to Ronald Reagan and lists the VP picks that were successful … and less so.

Photo by Reuters.

Music in this episode:

Don’t Stand So Close To Me by The Police

Another Star by Stevie Wonder

Those Were the Days by Mary Hopkin

The post Episode #415: The Debate — Cui Bono? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Republican and Never-Trump strategist Mike Murphy joins us to discuss the state of politics in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts, the first time a former president was ever convicted of a crime.  He also talks about the Joe Biden campaign and what he must do if he is to win re-election.

PLUS:  The RNC disses Larry Hogan, Bob Good may have a bad primary, and the Libertarians boo Trump’s ballsy bid for its endorsement.

Trump courtroom sketch by Jane Rosenberg.

Music in this Episode:

Don’t You Want Me by The Human League

Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival

The post Episode #414: Trump Law, Meet Murphy’s Law appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Pamela Wood of the Baltimore Banner sets up Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Maryland to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin.  David Trone and Angela Alsobrooks are engaged in an increasingly heated contest for a seat Republicans haven’t won in 44 years.  But the presence of popular former Gov. Larry Hogan on the November ballot has given the GOP unexpected hope.

PLUS:  Kristi Noem’s self-sabotaged bid to become Donald Trump’s running mate.  And a farewell to Pete McCloskey, the maverick Republican congressman from California whose opposition to the war in Vietnam spurred him to challenge President Nixon in the 1972 primaries.

Photo by The Baltimore Banner

Music in this episode:

Vice President Fruitley by the Eels

Saigon Bride by Joan Baez

It’s a Maryland Thing by Jimmy Charles

The post Episode #413: Maryland Has A Thriller, Farewell To Pete, And A Ruff Ending For Kristi appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

NPR’s David Folkenflik sorts out the brouhaha NBC News found itself in when it hired Ronna McDaniel as a paid commentator — a hire that lasted all of four days.  An all-staff mutiny followed her new employment, given her role as a Trump enabler in his effort to overturn the 2020 election.  David also weighs the advantages, if any, in hiring partisan voices in news organizations — a practice that goes back decades.

And we rerun an interview we had with Joe Lieberman back in August of 2017, where the Connecticut senator and 2000 VP candidate talks about his career, Al Gore’s decision to name him to the ticket, how he saw the Bill Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, and his almost appearance as John McCain’s running mate in 2008.  Lieberman died last month at 82.

PLUS:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his running mate, and the different ways Donald Trump has assessed his candidacy.  And the establishment choice for the U.S. Senate pulls out of the New Jersey Democratic primary.

Music in this episode:

Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen

Dirty Laundry by Don Henley

Isn’t Life Strange by The Moody Blues

The post Episode #412: Old McDaniel Told A Lie appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.