Politicology

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How do you win campaigns in a world awash with lies? And why do candidates and campaigns struggle to “use their normal brains” when those lies happen to start online? 

In the second episode of this two-part conversation, join host Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Sasha Issemberg to discuss the way Democratic political campaigns are adjusting to the challenges of the new information landscape, as Sasha’s reveals in his new book The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age.

In part 2:

(01:53) What strategists learned about combating disinformation from foreign campaigns 

(06:30) How a Brazilian candidate turned a lie about him into a branding opportunity 

(17:50)How the Supreme Court in Brazil tried to fight disinformation 

(30:00) Who gets to decide what’s a lie online? 

(38:17) The use of AI in campaigns and disinformation

Read The Lie Detectives: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-lie-detectives

Read The Victory Lab: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-victory-lab

Follow Ron, Sasha, and Mike on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/sissenberg

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus

How do you win campaigns in a world awash with lies? And why do candidates and campaigns struggle to “use their normal brains” when those lies happen start online? 

In this two-part conversation, join host Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Sasha Issemberg to discuss the way Democratic political campaigns are adjusting to the challenges of the new information landscape, as Sasha’s reveals in his new book The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age.

In part 1:

(02:01) Why Sasha wrote The Lie Detectives

(03:33) The evolution of campaign tactics in the early 2000s

(04:43) The focus on “disinformation” after the 2016 election 

(7:10) The Trump campaign’s strategy to depress turnout in 2016, and the difference between “suppression” and “depression.”

(10:36) Strategies for discouraging turnout in 2020 

(14:30) How campaigns should decide what wrong information to respond to online

(20:31) The generational shift in campaign decision makers

(30:18) The shift to calling opponents “liars”

Read The Lie Detectives: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-lie-detectives

Read The Victory Lab: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-victory-lab

Follow Ron, Sasha, and Mike on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/sissenberg

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ 

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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

This week, we discuss election integrity, how our elections are more secure than they’ve ever been, and the opportunities bad actors are going to use to cast doubt on the election.

Then, we’ll discuss Vice President Harris’s “media blitz” and who she’s trying to reach.

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the U.S. government using its power to take out banks when it doesn’t like their customers—and shed some light on why crypto created the biggest Super PAC in the 2024 campaign.

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

David Becker (CBS News’ election law expert; Executive Director of The Center for Election Innovation and Research)

Lucy Caldwell  (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party)

Susan Del Percio  (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) 

Segments this week:

(03:27) Election Integrity 

(26:41) Harris’s media blitz

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/beckerdavidj

https://x.com/lucymcaldwell

https://x.com/DelPercioS

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

WP - On private call, Arizona’s top Democrats debated a ‘dire’ ballot dilemma - The Washington Post

NPR - Arizona's high court rules that thousands can vote a full ballot after records flaw

CNN - Republicans are suing more election officials over voter rolls in several battleground states | CNN Politics

PBS - GBH’s New Special DEADLOCK Encourages Civil Discourse about Ethical Dilemmas

Segment 2: 

ABC News -In media blitz, Harris broadens reach but struggles to differentiate herself from Biden - ABC News

WP - How Kamala Harris’s media blitz went - The Washington Post

Axios - Harris: "Not a thing" she'd have done differently than Biden

Axios - Behind the Curtain: America's shocking agreement

NYT -Poll Finds Harris Rising as She Challenges Trump on Change - The New York Times

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus

How do you win campaigns in a world awash with lies? And why do candidates and campaigns struggle to “use their normal brains” when those lies happen start online? 

In this two-part conversation, join host Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Sasha Issemberg to discuss the way Democratic political campaigns are adjusting to the challenges of the new information landscape, as Sasha’s reveals in his new book The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age.

In part 1:

(02:01) Why Sasha wrote The Lie Detectives

(03:33) The evolution of campaign tactics in the early 2000s

(04:43) The focus on “disinformation” after the 2016 election 

(7:10) The Trump campaign’s strategy to depress turnout in 2016, and the difference between “suppression” and “depression.”

(10:36) Strategies for discouraging turnout in 2020 

(14:30) How campaigns should decide what wrong information to respond to online

(20:31) The generational shift in campaign decision makers

(30:18) The shift to calling opponents “liars”

Read The Lie Detectives: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-lie-detectives

Read The Victory Lab: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-victory-lab

Follow Ron, Sasha, and Mike on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/sissenberg

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus

It’s been one year since the horrific terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th. 

Hamas terrorists entered Israel and brutally raped and murdered over 1,200 people and gleefully live streamed some of the most horrific scenes we've ever seen. Over 200 people were abducted into Gaza by Hamas and a lot has changed over the last year. Tensions are continuing to rise and war is continuing to spread in the region.

In this episode, visual poet Nitzan Mintz and street artist  Dede Bandaid join Ron Steslow to discuss the impact of their guerrilla art poster campaign aimed at raising awareness for hostages kidnapped by Hamas. 

They reflect on the emotional toll of the ongoing situation, the importance of community support, and the role of art in advocating for humanity. They share personal experiences of trauma, resilience, and hope, emphasizing the need for continued awareness and action to bring the hostages home.

Then Ron talks to Jodi Rudoren, editor-in-chief of The Forward about the unprecedented attack on October 7th, its impact on Israeli and American Jewish communities, and The Forward’s new podcast series Make Art Not War

Segments to look forward to:

(03:09) The Impact of the Campaign

(06:22) Focusing on the Humanity of Hostages

(09:21) The Emotional Toll of the Hostage Crisis

(16:50) Community Support and Resilience

(23:27) The Role of Art in Advocacy

(26:59) Hope and Responsibility

(29:54) The Power of Community

(32:42) How unprecedented the October 7th attack was 

(35:00) Impact on Israeli and American Jewish Communities

(41:17) Differentiating Coverage in a Polarized Media Landscape

(54:52) Art as a Response to Conflict

Follow Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

Follow Dede, Nitzan, and the campaign on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kidnappedfromisrael/

https://www.instagram.com/nitzanmintz/

https://www.instagram.com/dedebandaid/

Check out The Forward and Make Art Not War: 

The Forward: https://forward.com/

Make Art Not War: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ 

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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

This week, we have a special crossover episode with The Latino Vote Podcast.

We talk about Kamala Harris’s trip to the southern border and shift in messaging on border security.

Then, we discuss Donald Trump leaning into Christian “spiritual warfare” and how it could shape challenges to the election.

Later, we dive into the Wall Street Journal’s analysis of the increase in reliance on government spending and how it is shaping both parties’ push for populist economic policies.

Finally, Ron, Mike, and Chuck answer questions from the live audience.

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder)

Chuck Rocha (Founder of Solidarity Strategies) 

Segments this week:

(03:51) Harris goes to the southern border 

(16:05) Trump leans into spiritual warfare 

(26:45) Increasing reliance on government spending 

(36:28) Audience questions 

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Watch Deadlock: An Election Story—https://bit.ly/3zJvsNQ

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/madrid_mike

https://x.com/ChuckRocha

Related readings

Segment 1: 

CNN - Harris tries to turn the tables on Trump by embracing the border as a key issue | CNN Politics

Segment 2: 

Twitter - Response to Trump tweet

The Bulwark - How ‘Left Behind’ Got Left Behind - by Matthew D. Taylor

Pew - In Tight U.S. Presidential Race, Latino Voters' Preferences Mirror 2020

Salt Lake Tribune - LDS Republican Jeff Flake, former U.S. senator, endorses Kamala Harris for president

Segment 3: 

WSJ - Americans Are More Reliant Than Ever on Government Aid - WSJ

Q&A: 

Watch Deadlock: An Election Story—https://bit.ly/3zJvsNQ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus

In this conversation, John Spencer, an urban warfare expert,  discusses the escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. 

He explains the differences between Hezbollah and Hamas, the implications of Iran's involvement, and the evolving nature of warfare, including precision strikes and tactical innovations. Spencer emphasizes the importance of understanding the global stakes and America's role in maintaining the international order amidst these conflicts.

Segments to look forward to:

(01:24) The Current Situation in the Middle East

(04:16) Understanding Hezbollah vs. Hamas

(12:22) Iran's Role, Imminent Missile Attacks, and Escalation Risks

Follow Ron and John on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/SpencerGuard

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

This week, we discuss election integrity and what could happen if Donald Trump contests the results of the November election.

Then, we’ll discuss Vice President Harris’s comment saying she’d support removing the filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade.

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the scandals embroiling Mark Robinson, the candidate running for Governor of North Carolina, his inflammatory posts, and how the Robinson scandals could impact Republicans up and down the ticket. 

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Geoff Duncan (Fmr. GA Lt. Governor) 

Idrees Kahloon (Washington Bureau Chief for The Economist)

Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder)

Segments this week:

(03:02) Election Integrity 

(27:36) The Filibuster 

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/GeoffDuncanGA

https://x.com/imkahloon

https://x.com/madrid_mike

Related readings

Segment 1: 

The Economist - What will happen if America’s election result is contested?

USA Today - Georgia's election board passed a controversial hand-count rule: Here's what to know

The Hill - Romney on possible Trump retribution: 'I would take him at his word'

Segment 2: 

NPR - Harris says she would support ending the filibuster to bring back Roe v. Wade

CNN - Manchin won’t endorse Harris over vow to gut filibuster to codify abortion rights: ‘Shame on her’ | CNN Politics

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus

In our digital age, people have grown to see social media platforms as mere tools and applications. 

Marcus Collins, the award-winning marketer, former digital strategist for Beyoncé, and author of "For The Culture", argues otherwise. 

Join host Ron Steslow as he sits down with Marcus to unravel the deep-seated influence of culture on social media and our daily choices.

Marcus elaborates on his assertion that "social media is people" and why understanding this fundamental idea changes our approach to digital platforms. He also delves into the crucial role of culture in hyperpolarization and how it weaves into the fabric of our society.

Segments to look forward to:

(01:20) How Marcus came to study culture: "I feel like I'm at my best when I'm helping people realize the best version of themselves…”

(04:26) The connection between marketing and psychology

(08:42) The importance of purpose in advertising: "Start with what you believe and when you start with what you believe people who see the world the way you do go, 'Finally, someone said it. That's my person.'”

(17:02) The influence of culture on consumer choice

(20:40) The connection between culture and politics

(24:00) Case study: How Patagonia leveraged culture to build their brand

You Should Read For the Culture: https://amzn.to/3QjLDaH

Check out Predictably Rational by Dan Ariely: https://amzn.to/3rPeWHL

Follow Ron and Marcus on X (Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/marctothec

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we discuss the second attempted assassination of Donald Trump and who’s most responsible for rhetoric that encourages political violence.

Then, we’ll discuss the spreading rumors about migrants eating pets, Trump’s very online campaign, and the attempt to backfill outright lies with spurious evidence of plausibility.

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about how articles on Wikipedia are manipulated and why you should beware of what you read there.

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica)

Craig Snyder (Fmr. Chief of Staff for Sen. Arlen Specter)

Segments this week:

(02:33) The second assassination attempt

(23:16) Dogs, cats, and a very online campaign 

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/AndyKroll

https://twitter.com/wednesdaysnyder

Related readings

Segment 1: 

NYT - Secret Service Did Not Search Trump Golf Course Perimeter Before Gunman’s Arrest - The New York Times

The Dispatch -Trump’s Cynical Hypocrisy on Extreme Rhetoric - Jonah Goldberg - The Dispatch

Axios -Lawmakers' own security fears drive Secret Service push

Segment 2: 

WSJ - How the Trump Campaign Ran With Rumors About Pet-Eating Migrants—After Being Told They Weren’t True - WSJ

CNBC - Ohio GOP Gov. DeWine says 'at least 33' bomb threats prompt Springfield to begin daily school sweeps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices