In this bonus episode, Editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss Democrats' Senate battleground strategy and Republicans' panic over losing the majority, the latest in national polling, and the latest headlines.

In our new monthly webinar series, "Hotline Live," Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado talks to senior political correspondent James A. Downs, national correspondent Erika Filter, states correspondent Abby Turner, and Senate campaigns correspondent Nicholas Anastácio. In this roundtable discussion, they lay out predictions for another pivotal election year.

As part of the Trump 2.0: From Platform to Policy webinar series last year, National Journal editor-in-chief Jeff Dufour talked to Dean Ball, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and former Senior Policy Advisor on AI and Emerging Technology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. They discuss the topic of reshaping federal AI strategy and the Trump administration's AI plan.

In this bonus episode, Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss the changing of the guard within the Republican party, the after effects of congressional retirements, and President Trump's sinking approval.

The new Hotline 2026 Midterm Preview special report provides a comprehensive overview of the races, trends, and campaigns that will dominate the road to the midterms. In this webinar, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado is joined by national correspondent Erika Filter, Senate campaign correspondent Nicholas Anastácio, House race correspondent James A. Downs, and states correspondent Abby Turner. They discuss races, trends, and storylines shaping the 2026 midterm elections.

Download the 2026 Midterm Preview special report here: https://go.nationaljournal.com/hotlinemidtermpreview/

Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado brings on national political correspondent Erika Filter to discuss President Trump's role or lack thereof on the midterm campaign trail, the political dynamics between Republican candidates and Trump, and the Democratic hopefuls on the campaign trail instead.

With the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia getting closer to Election Day, Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado brings on states correspondent Abby Turner to discuss the campaign trail for Republican and Democratic candidates, which issues have become important to voters, and more on the political dynamics.

In this bonus episode, Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss the battles on the Senate map, the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, and the changing political dynamics this midterm cycle.

Read Gary Jacobson's article here: https://www.psqonline.org/article.cfm?IDArticle=20715

Watch the Midterm Election Preview on C-SPAN here: https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/midterm-election-preview/667195

Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado and NJ Daily managing editor Ledyard King jump on the podcast to discuss where things stand on Day 6 of the government shutdown. They detail the positions of Democrats and Republicans, which party voters find more responsible, and what role the White House could play to resolve the standoff.

Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss the latest news on redistricting, the impending government shutdown, and how thermostatic politics could affect the dynamics of the midterm elections.