Perino on Politics

With the Senate heading home for summer recess and the Midterm Elections drawing closer, lawmakers are leaving plenty of unfinished business behind. Co-founder of South & Hill Strategies, Colin Reed, fills in for Dana and is joined by Washington Examiner and Washington Post columnist, Salena Zito. They discuss what was accomplished before the five-week break and the uncertain path forward with Iran.

The two also examine the growing debate over data centers and how the rise of democratic socialism has affected Democrats' relationship with working-class voters.

Uphill Battle: Salena explains why four highly competitive Pennsylvania House races could ultimately help determine which party controls Congress after November.

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As tensions with Iran fuel uncertainty overseas, the absence of the late Senator Lindsey Graham is being felt on Capitol Hill. Former Prosecutor and host of Sunday Night in America and The Trey Gowdy Podcast, Trey Gowdy, reflects on his longtime friend and the unique role Senator Graham played in shaping foreign policy and bridging political divides. With the Senate racing to address key priorities before its five-week recess, Trey weighs in on the fight over FISA and what it will take to get Congress moving.

 Book Club: Plus, Trey shares a look inside his new legal thriller, The Sound of Regret—drawing on his own experience as a prosecutor to explore the complicated relationships, difficult choices, and very real risks at the heart of the criminal justice system.

You can pre-order HERE!

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With 99 days until the midterms, what still hangs in the balance?

Founder of Mehlman Consulting and author of The Age of Disruption  Substack, Bruce Mehlman examines the road ahead, from the Democrats’ tough Senate map to how sticky inflation continues to weigh on voters.

Plus, Bruce and Dana dissect the escalating U.S.-China AI race following China’s release of the Kimi K3 model and recent autonomous security breaches.

Uphill Battle: Bruce breaks down which election reforms could actually rebuild public trust as President Trump pushes to pass the SAVE Act.

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Fresh off hosting a world-class World Cup, America faces a global game of politics that never stops. Senior Vice President of CRC Advisors and host of the 10-Minute Drill podcast, Matt Whitlock, analyzes the high-stakes battles shaping the upcoming Senate map.

He describes the fallout from Maine's Democratic caucus after Graham Platner’s departure, the ideological intra-party showdown brewing in Michigan’s Senate primary between Haley Stevens and DSA-backed candidate Abdul El-Sayed, and the chaotic gubernatorial primary unfolding in Wisconsin.

Uphill Battle: Dana and Matt explore the growing bipartisan pushback against AI data centers in local communities and a rare opportunity for bipartisan action on cryptocurrency regulation.

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Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died at the age of 71. As Congress comes back into session, how will the loss of Senator Graham affect the next four months and beyond?   

Co-founder of South & Hill Strategies, Colin Reed, fills in for Dana today, joined by Fox News contributor and Outkick columnist Mary Katharine Ham. They discuss Senator Graham's legacy, his unique ability to build bipartisan bridges, and the global implications of losing his powerful, pro-Israel voice in international affairs. The duo also unpacks the ongoing electoral fallout surrounding Maine democrat Graham Plattner and the growing prominence of socialist candidates on the left. 

Uphill Battle: Mary Katharine Ham shares her concerns about education and literacy levels, focusing on local school districts that are seeing massive drops in essential funding. 

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Following a historic weekend celebrating America's 250th birthday, Americans united despite deep political divides. Partner at TAG Strategies Adam Scheidler highlights the importance of authenticity in political messaging and the challenges of communicating effectively in the current political climate.

 Adam touches on the significance of visuals and storytelling in conveying messages, as well as the importance of understanding the audience in political communication.

 Uphill Battle: Adam discusses the upcoming midterm elections and the need for Republicans to communicate their message effectively to counter the Democratic Socialists' influence. 

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Founding Partner at Cavalry LLC and co-host of the Ruthless podcast, Josh Holmes analyzes the rise of new Democratic Socialists of America candidates and the challenges this poses for the Democratic Party. He explains how the DSA has effectively organized and communicated its message, while Democratic leadership appears unwilling to acknowledge a shift in the party. Dana and Josh also explain what this could mean for Republicans in the 2026 midterms.

Uphill Battle: Josh questions whether hyper-partisanship has gone so far that some politicians refuse even to celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday. 

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Fox News contributor, Outkick columnist, and host of the Getting Hammered podcast, Mary Katharine Ham shares how charismatic democratic socialists are successfully unseating establishment Democrats and why this far-left surge presents a massive national risk for the Democratic Party.

With the 250th birthday of America on the horizon, Mary Katharine shares practical advice for parents on using historic sites and local landmarks to foster national pride and historical literacy in their children.

Uphill Battle: Mary Katharine discusses how parents are facing a battle against excessive classroom screen time as teachers' unions are attempting to secure funding to combat a tech-overload crisis.

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Following a weekend of major sporting events and historic wins, Colin Reed, co-founder of South & Hill Strategies, discusses the national mood. He explains why consumer sentiment sits at historic lows despite booming stock markets, record home values, and low unemployment.

Colin analyzes the rise of Democratic Socialists and the upcoming Washington, D.C. Mayoral election.

Uphill Battle: With AI threatening to displace workers, Dana and Colin discuss how young people are skipping the traditional college route to find success in a rapidly changing job market.

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As the Midterm map begins to take shape, both Democrats and Republicans are strategizing how they can win over Americans in this election. Senior Vice President of CRC Advisors and Host of the 10-Minute Drill podcast Matt Whitlock describes the Democrats' current candidate-quality problem and whether progressives can survive the campaign trail. Matt also highlights California's notoriously slow ballot counting and its structural flaws.

 Uphill Battle: Dana and Matt discuss widespread welfare and government fraud, highlighting the recent exposure of massive schemes that waste taxpayer money.

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