Lots of action in this edition of the podcast, recorded just hours after Gov. Chris Sununu shocked the political world (except for NHJournal's Michael Graham) with his announcement that he's not running for the U.S. Senate but will seek a fourth term as governor.

The Josiah Bartlett Center's Drew Cline weighs in, as does Greg Moore of the N.H. chapter of Americans for Prosperity. And longtime GOP strategist Patrick Hynes offers his thoughts on the state of the 2022 campaign as well. 

What are the GOP's odds of picking up this Senate seat without Sununu? Who are the likely candidates for the party's nomination?

It's all in this edition of the New Hampshire Journal podcast.

On this post-election edition of the NHJournal podcast, host Michael Graham offers a desperate plea on behalf of  U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan to her fellow Democrats in Washington, DC: Why are you doing this to her?

In the wake of the Democrats' shellacking, particularly in New Jersey, Hassan's never been exposed as more vulnerable in next year's Senate race. Why are Democrats doing so much to make her job harder?

Also on the podcast, Drew Cline from the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy talks about the policy issues that impacted the 2021 elections. He also gives a shout out to Gov. Chris Sununu's comments re: housing policy.

And speaking of Sununu -- why the heck isn't he announcing his U.S. Senate bid...RIGHT NOW?

So many questions, so little time. (OK, actually it's about 32 minutes....)

On this edition of the New Hampshire Journal podcast, the Washington Examiner's David Drucker talks about his new book on the future of the GOP, "In Trump's Shadow," and previews his Tuesday, October 26th appearance at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College.

More about the book here.

More about the NHIOP appearance here.

On this edition of the New Hampshire Journal podcast, Georgia's Republican Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan previews his upcoming appearance at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics to discuss his new book "GOP 2.0."  He believes there are lessons for Republicans to learn from former President Trump, both good and bad, that they can use to win in 2022 and beyond.

Also, New Hampshire's federal delegation again issues press statements about a state council's vote, while refusing to hold open press events to discuss their own.

Hosted by Michael Graham.

New Hampshire Journal's Damien Fisher was on the scene of Wednesday's 4-1 vote rejecting federal funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. He talks about what he saw and shares audio of protesters in their own words.

One idea vaccine mandate opponents are pushing: Having the government order businesses not to mandate the shot. Drew Cline from the free-market think tank The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy talks about it. He also lays out the findings from a new JBC study on how restrictive land use rules are killing communities in New Hampshire.

Hosted by Michael Graham

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott joins the New Hampshire Journal podcast in advance of his swing through the state to help raise money for the NHGOP.  He talks COVID, crime and Gamecocks football (Go Cocks!) with fellow Palmetto Stater Michael Graham, managing editor of NHJournal.

And Drew Cline of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy is on board to talk about the housing crisis facing Granite State businesses and workers, and an upcoming JBC conference on ideas to address those challenges.

DISCLAIMER: NHJournal cannot be held responsible for the content of this podcast due to the 5G tower outside the studio which may or may not be used by the "Grey Pope" to control our thoughts via the tentacled creatures in our most recent vaccine shot.

You've been warned.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo talks to NHJournal about his upcoming visit to promote school choice and parental empowerment, but he also talks at length about events in Afghanistan. "It's the difference between American strength and American weakness," Pompeo says of the Biden strategy.

And host Michael Graham asks why Democrats seem to believe that, now that the troops are out of Afghanistan, that the story will end? Isn't it more likely that stories of Americans held hostage, allies being abused, etc. will continue for weeks, if not months?

It's part of the larger question NHJournal has been asking for weeks: What are Democrats doing today to improve their chances of re-election in 2022?

Senator Rick Scott was in New Hampshire on Saturday (8/21) to talk about President Joe Biden's economic policy (and make a stop by Gov. Chris Sununu's house?) He had harsh words for Biden on Afghanistan, suggesting his refusal to address the crisis, as well as other issues like the southern border surge, show it's time to consider invoking the 25th Amendment and removing him from office.

Longtime foreign policy analyst K.T. McFarland is also on the podcast, talking about her upcoming appearance at an NHGOP fundraiser.  Like Sen. Scott, she's  harshly critical of Biden's Afghanistan policy and says America will feel the ramifications for years to come.

Hosted by Michael Graham.

On this edition of the New Hampshire Journal podcast, retired Army Gen. Don Bolduc bashes President Biden's "incompetence" in handling the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Bolduc, who is also a candidate for the NHGOP's nomination in next year's U.S. Senate race, also supports America working with the Taliban going forward. 

And despite being President Trump's pick for U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, native Granite Stater Will Ruger has nothing but praise for the Biden pull out. Ruger sees it as Biden enacting 'America First' foreign policy and commends Biden for having the courage to stick with the policy despite criticism and disturbing images coming from Kabul.

Hosted by Michael Graham

On this special edition of the NHJournal podcast, former U.S. Senator -- and possible candidate for N.H. Governor -- Kelly Ayotte gives a scathing critique of the Biden Administration's mishandling of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Ayotte also talks about when to fire government officials, the coming rise of Al Qaeda and the possibility she might run for governor in 2022.

Hosted by Michael Graham