Remember all the things Congress needed to get done this fall?  Carl Hulse of the New York Times explains that many of the lawmakers’ priorities have shifted in the wake of the unexpected huge expense of paying for the cleanup in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and, to add to the misery, Hurricane Irma.

Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report gives us an early-bird look at the Senate seats up in 2018. The numbers favor the GOP; of the 33 seats up, 25 are currently held by Democrats, leaving them more vulnerable. But the poor approval ratings for President Trump may temper some of the Republicans’ hopes.

Democrats have their own problems, with lingering resentments between supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Now Clinton, in her post-election book entitled “What Happened,” explains why she lost … and includes some swipes at Sanders, her rival for the Dem nomination last year. Aaron Blake of the Washington Post has analysis.

And we go back 50 years, to September of 1967, when the presidential hopes of Michigan Governor George Romney were damaged when, in a TV interview, he talked about being “brainwashed” while touring Vietnam. Scott Romney, son of George — and brother of Mitt — talks about how the gaffe, which became more logical as the years went by and Americans learned more about how the war was going, hurt his father’s campaign.

Photo via REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein

Music used in this podcast:

Nothing But The Truth by Procol Harum

(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding

I Predict by the Sparks

What Happened by Corey Smith

My Old Man by Ian Dury and the Blockheads

Brainwashed by George Harrison 

The violence in Charlottesville has already created a split in the Trump administration as well as within the Republican Party.  Bob Holsworth, a longtime analyst of Virginia politics, says it may very well have an effect in this year’s gubernatorial election in the Old Dominion.

With President Trump openly attacking Republican senators — such as Jeff Flake and Mitch McConnell, among others — we are reminded that it is rare but not unheard of to see a president battling with senators from his own party.  George Mitrovich was the press secretary for Sen. Charles Goodell (R-N.Y.) in 1970, and he remembers the attacks on his boss by Vice President Spiro Agnew.  And Susan Dunn, a professor at Williams College and author of a book about President Franklin Roosevelt’s effort to purge Democratic senators in the 1938 primaries, recalls what FDR tried to accomplish.

And as we approach the Sept. 12 primary for mayor in New York City, we talk to Erin Durkin of the Daily News, who reports that while Mayor Bill de Blasio’s negatives are high and voters are not thrilled with him, he is an almost sure bet to win a second term this year.

Photo via Brian Snyder/Reuters

Music used in this podcast

I Could Be Good for You by 707

Eighties by Killing Joke

The Logical Song by Supertramp

I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party by The Beatles

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd

New York State of Mind by Billy Joel

I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Hilde Restad, a political professor in Oslo, Norway and an observer of American politics, offers her impressions of the demonstrations in and President Trump’s reaction to Charlottesville.  She received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, and her country was taken over by the Nazis during World War II, which makes her analysis that much more valuable.

Dan Nowicki of the Arizona Republic talks about the open hostility from President Trump towards Senator Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican who is up for re-election next year. Trump has encouraged the candidacy of someone challenging Flake from the right in the GOP primary.

Brigid Harrison of Montclair State University discusses the upcoming corruption trial of Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). Should he be found guilty — a big “if” — there would be pressure on him to resign, which is the last thing the Democrats want.

And we go back to August of 2008, nine years ago this week, when Barack Obama named Joe Biden as his running mate. Biden, who had made two unsuccessful bids for the presidency, is thought to be considering a third run in 2020.

Photo via Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Music used in this podcast:

Freedom by Ritchie Havens

Madman Across the Water by Elton John

He’s a Rebel by The Crystals 

Sheila by Tommy Roe

Time Is Running Out by Muse

Never Say Never by Justin Bieber featuring Jaden Smith

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We open the program by hearing from two voices related to the violence and tragedy last Saturday at Charlottesville.  M.A. Sullivan, a longtime resident of the college town, attended the rally to give support to the counter-protesters and witnessed some of the awful confrontations first hand.  And Mark Potok, formerly with the Southern Poverty Law Center and a longtime observer of rightwing extremism and white supremacist hate groups, talked about how many of these once-upon-a-time fringe figures have received more attention and coverage since Donald Trump’s election last year.

While there has been lots of focus on Republican infighting in the age of Trump, the Democrats have some healing to do as well. Zack Fink of New York 1 talks about party disunity in the Empire State, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo is widely expected to win a third term next year and may be looking beyond 2018 for a presidential bid two years after that.  And Seema Mehta of the Los Angeles Times explains how a contest for California state Democratic chair, which took place back in May, is still causing headaches for the party, as the losing candidate has yet to concede and the tension is reminding many of the Hillary Clinton vs. Bernie Sanders battle that split the Dems back in 2016.

And 17 years after becoming the first Jew to be named to a major party presidential ticket, former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman talks about his run for VP in 2000, his party’s dilemma over how to deal with Bill Clinton’s flaws during that campaign, and how close he came to being named John McCain’s running mate in 2008.

Photo via Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune

Music used in this podcast:

Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire

Both Sides Now by Judy Collins

California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas

The F.B.I. TV Series Opening Theme composed by Bronislau Kaper

Isn’t Life Strange by The Moody Blues

We’re still some 30 months or so away from the 2020 presidential primaries, but already there is a candidate in the race hoping to take on President Trump.  It’s John Delaney, a three-term Democratic congressman from Maryland, who talks about his effort and why he thinks he has a shot.

There is a new White House chief of staff, and it’s John Kelly.  The former Homeland Security secretary is seen as a strong disciplinarian, and that’s usually a good attribute for a COS.  But, as Chris Whipple — author of a great history of the job, “The Gatekeepers” — points out, it may not fit with the style of the president of the United States.  Whipple discusses the best, and the not so best, chiefs of staff.

Martha Kumar of Towson University talks about the relationship, whatever there is of it, between Donald Trump and the media.  It’s been poisonous from Day One, and it does remind some of how Richard Nixon viewed the press during his time in office.

And with Alabama voters going to the polls on Tuesday, Gigi Douban of WBHM in Birmingham handicaps the top three Republicans running for the Senate seat formerly held by Jeff Sessions.

Photo via Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun/TNS

Music used in this podcast:

Babe I’m Gonna Leave You by Led Zeppelin

Do You Believe In Magic by The Lovin’ Spoonful

You Can’t Do That by The Beatles

At The Zoo by Simon & Garfunkel 

Hey Paula by Paul & Paula

Strange Days by The Doors

High Time We Went by Joe Cocker

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As more troubles hit the White House, the president’s opposition is taking more aggressive action.  That includes a bill to impeach Trump, as offered by Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat.  Sherman explains why he offered the bill and argues that support for such a move will increase with time.

Jill Wine-Banks, who was an assistant special prosecutor during Watergate, compares and contrasts what went on with President Nixon in 1973-74 and what is happening now with Trump.  She sees many similarities between the two.

Carl Cannon, the Washington bureau chief of RealClearPolitics, is on the program with his new book that has a fascinating entry for every day of the year.  It’s called, “On This Date — From the Pilgrims to Today, Discovering America One Day At a Time.”

And it was 14 years ago this week that Sen. Ernest Fritz Hollings, a South Carolina Democrat, announced he would not seek re-election in 2004.  Michael Copps, his longtime chief of staff, discusses Hollings’ long, fascinating and influential career.

Photo via CNN

Music used in this podcast:

Master of the House from Les Miserables movie soundtrack

Take It To Da House by Trick Daddy featuring Trina 

Oldies but Goodies by Little Caesar & The Romans

Wonderful World by Sam Cooke

Zombie Stomp by Ozzy Osbourne

Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer by Joan Baez

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We’re still trying to catch our breaths over the drama concerning the Senate health care votes and the return of John McCain, and President Trump’s treatment of his attorney general.  But we lead this week’s show with a look at California Gov. Jerry Brown, who is trying to anoint himself as the progressive alternative to Trump.  Dan Walters, a longtime columnist for the Sacramento Bee who just moved over to CALMatters, sums up Brown’s career in the 40-plus years since he was elected governor the first time.

All the governors have been rated by Morning Consult, the media, and technology firm — the good and the bad.  David Mark and Cameron Easley of Morning Consult dissect their rankings from the very best to the very worst.

Simon Sidi is the creator of Politicon, the annual event in California that combines leaders in the political world with stars of the comedy and entertainment field.  The 2017 incarnation of Politicon is this weekend, July 29 and 30, and Sidi tells us what to expect.

And we go back 43 years, to the fateful July 1974 vote of the House Judiciary Committee to impeach President Nixon for crimes committed during the Watergate scandal.  Elizabeth Holtzman, a Democrat from New York who at the time was a freshman member of the House, describes what she went through during that historic and troubling period.

Photo via Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Music used in this podcast: 

Already Gone by the Eagles

California Über Alles by the Dead Kennedys

I Like You by Phyllis Nelson

On with the Show by the Rolling Stones

Maverick theme song from TV series

Go Now by The Moody Blues

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Seven years of promising to get rid of Obamacare have brought the Republican Party to a place where they did not expect to be.  In charge of the House, Senate AND the White House, the GOP nonetheless conceded this week that they don’t have the votes to change America’s health care policy.  Carl Hulse of the New York Times outlines everything that went wrong for President Trump and his party.

There’s a special Senate race going on in Alabama this year, and it’s a doozy.  It’s to fill the seat once held by now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions.  The question isn’t whether the Republicans will keep the seat; the state is ruby Red.  But, as Alabama political columnist Steve Flowers notes, there’s no guarantee that Luther Strange, who was appointed to fill Sessions’ seat and who has the backing of Mitch McConnell and the Washington establishment, will win.  The primary is Aug. 15 and the runoff is Sept. 26.

And we go back 48 years, to the summer of 1969, when Sen. Edward Kennedy drove off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts.  He escaped but his passenger, a single woman by the name of Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned.  Stephen Kurkjian, a Pulitzer Prize winner when he worked for the Boston Globe — but then a cub reporter for the Globe, covering Chappaquiddick — recounts the events of that tragedy and ponders the questions still unanswered.

Photo via AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Music used in this podcast:

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen

It’s Over by Roy Orbison

Power and the Passion by Midnight Oil

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Watching and Waiting by The Moody Blues

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Questions about whether there was any proof about Russians willing to help the Trump campaign disappeared this week, as it was revealed that Donald Trump Jr., presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner and then-Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort sat down with someone close to the Kremlin in 2016 who promised damaging information about Hillary Clinton.  Aaron Blake of the Washington Post reminds us of the months-long set of denials and whether this is an indication of some sort of collusion.

The Trump administration has ordered up a Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, citing the possibility that 3-5 million people illegally cast votes in 2016.  Others say this commission is really about putting up more roadblocks on citizens’ right to vote.  Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center for Justice says “integrity” is not a word that belongs in this commission’s title.

And we hear from Roland Burris, the longtime Illinois officeholder who was infamously appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2008 by the scandal-tarred Gov. Rod Blagojevich.  It was eight years ago this week that Burris announced he would not seek to hold onto his seat.  He explains that decision, along with offering highlights from his career.

Photo via John Moore/ Getty Images

Music used in this podcast:

Fakin’ It by Simon & Garfunkel 

I’m Over You by The Silos

I Got a Right by The Misfits

Barbara Ann by The Beach Boys

Look A Little On The Sunny Side by The Kinks

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There’s no way we can celebrate Independence Day without hearing about significant independent presidential candidates of the past half century.  Ron Rapoport of the College of William & Mary takes us on a tour, starting with Gary Johnson and Jill Stein in 2016 and traveling to 1968 with George Wallace.

A new book chronicles the relationship between Dr. Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy, and it shows how JFK started his political career almost ambivalent when it came to civil rights … and how his views changed during those turbulent times.  The book is “Kennedy and King: The President, the Pastor and the Battle Over Civil Rights,” and author Steven Levingston walks us through Kennedy’s fascinating transformation.

Bob Shrum, the Democratic strategist who ran John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign, among others, talks about the decision, for better or worse, to name John Edwards as Kerry’s running mate that year.

And Jeff Shesol, author of “Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. the Supreme Court,” reminds us of FDR’s ill-fated scheme to pack the Court with liberal supporters following Roosevelt’s landslide re-election victory in 1936.

Photo via Richard Drew/AP

Music used in this podcast:

Wooly Bully by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs

Freedom Of Choice by Devo

If I Had A Hammer by Pete Seeger

You Cheated by The Shields

My Way by Frank Sinatra

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