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.

The announcement by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat-turned-independent, that she would not seek a second term was hardly a surprise.  But it shook up a key Senate race in a body where Republicans are closing in on a majority.  Ron Hansen of the Arizona Republic lays out what’s ahead between likely nominees Ruben Gallego (D) and Kari Lake (R).

And Jacob Rubashkin, the deputy editor of Inside Elections, sums up the major results from Super Tuesday and looks ahead to next week’s Ohio Republican Senate primary, the winner to take on three-term Democrat Sherrod Brown.

Plus:  A highly combative Joe Biden and a highly caffeinated Katie Britt highlight the State of the Union.

Music in this Episode:

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

You Lost by Austin Archer

Tuesday’s Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd

The post Episode #411: A Sense Of Yuma After Sinema’s Departure appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Mark Z. Barabak of the Los Angeles Times sets up Tuesday’s California Senate primary for the seat once held by Dianne Feinstein.  A race long dominated by three Democratic House members — Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee — the campaign suffered a jolt when a Republican, former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, got in the race.  Now there are accusations that Schiff, the acknowledged frontrunner, is trying to make sure his opponent in November is Garvey, considered the easiest to beat, rather than one of his Democratic House colleagues.

PLUS:  The age issue and Joe Biden.  And the sanity issue and Donald Trump.  In addition, Mitch McConnell announces he will be leaving the leadership position he’s held longer than any other senator in history.

Music in this episode:

I Can’t Explain by the Who

I Hate Myself for Loving You by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

California Girls by the Beach Boys

The post Episode #410: California Girls (And Guys) appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Yale Prof. Kathryn Lofton explores the whole Taylor Swift rumor mill lunacy and explains the pitfalls celebrities encounter as they decide whether to use their fame for political ends.

And Spectrum News New York political director Bob Hardt dissects the upcoming race to succeed George Santos in New York’s Third Congressional District.

PLUS:  The House GOP effort to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas blows up in Speaker Mike Jobnson’s face.  And a federal appeals court unanimously rejects Donald Trump’s argument that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took as president.

Taylor Swift button designed by SmithDigital.

Music in this episode:

409 by the Beach Boys

The Winner Takes It All by November Ultra

High Hopes by Frank Sinatra

Harding, You’re the Man by Al Jolson

Anti Hero by Taylor Swift

A Life of Illusion by Joe Walsh

The post Episode #409: Swift Paranoia Taylor-Made For MAGA appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

We speak to two veterans of New Hampshire politics, former Republican state chair Fergus Cullen and longtime Democratic state lawmaker Lou D’Allesandro.  Cullen maintains that despite sizable dissatisfaction among Republicans with Donald Trump, Nikki Haley does not look like she is in a position to pose a threat to the former president.  And D’Allesandro acknowledges unhappiness with President Biden’s decision to remove N.H. from its perch as the “first in the nation” primary state.  But it shouldn’t be enough to threaten him in Tuesday’s contest.

Music heard in this episode:

Sitting On Top of the World by Cream

Last Dance by Donna Summer

Old Man by Neil Young

The post Episode #408: New Hampshire, Where Trump Came, Saw and Concord? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Former Partner-in-Crime Ron Elving returns to the Political Junkie for a review of 2023 and what to expect in 2024 when, by most accounts, the presidential contest will be a repeat of four years ago:  Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump.

The post Episode #407: Farewell To 2023, Bracing For 2024 appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Jonathan Alter, author of a great biography about Jimmy Carter, talks about the significant role played during his life by Rosalynn Carter, his life partner and first lady, who died last month at 93.

We replayed a 2019 interview with Evan Thomas, the author of a biography of Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first female Supreme Court justice, who died on December 1st.

And we heard about a fascinating podcast from WOSU’s Renee Fox, who in her series talks about the biggest political scandal in Ohio history, the fall and imprisonment of former state House Speaker Larry Householder.

PLUS:  George Santos gets the boot, Doug Burgum shakes up the presidential race, Joe Manchin is ready for more trouble, and Patrick McHenry quits Congress with a surprising give me retirement or give me death message.

Music in this episode: 

Out and In by the Moody Blues

This Guy’s In Love With You by Herb Alpert

Shallow by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga

Mr. Bad Example by Warren Zevon

The post Episode #406: Farewell To The Trailblazers appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.