With Annalyse on vacation, Brendan Buck is at the controls during a busy week on Capitol Hill. First, following Senator Mitch McConnell’s announcement that he’s stepping down as Republican Leader, Brendan welcomes Paul Kane of the Washington Post to talk about how McConnell changed the Senate and explain the dividing lines in the Republican Conference as it chooses its next leader. Plus, it’s SOTU week! Mike Ricci – Seven Letter Partner and former top aide to Speakers Ryan and Boehner – joins the show to discuss the State of the Union: what makes a good speech, what makes for a bad response, and what to watch for on Thursday night.

Host: Brendan Buck

Guests: Paul Kane and Mike Ricci

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

AP: Congressional leaders come out with 6 spending bills in a drive to avoid a partial shutdown

WaPo: Senate Republicans will face leadership struggle between Trump, McConnell views

NBC News: Biden to juggle competing political demands in State of the Union address