Politics and Polls

Politics and Polls episodes:

• 04.21.2022

  #260: How the Democrats Failed to Solve Inequality (Lily Geismer)

  The GOP is often seen as "the party of the rich," enacting policies that benefit the wealthy and leave the poor behind. However, a new book by historian Lily Geismer reveals that Democrats also played a significant role in deepening...

  
• 03.31.2022

  #259: Does America Need a Reboot? (Will Hurd)

  Big questions are coming up as the midterm elections inch closer. Where does the GOP stand in the post-Trump era? How severe is political polarization? And how will President Biden and his team tackle some of the country’s biggest challenges...

  
• 03.15.2022

  #258: The War In Ukraine and U.S. Politics

  Russia's attacks on Ukraine are getting closer to NATO countries and striking civilians trying to flee. Negotiations for a resolution have been attempted, but all have failed so far. Nuclear weapons seem as though they loom large, as the world...

  
• 03.10.2022

  #257: Fighting for Peace: From Lincoln to Modern Europe

  Following Russia's invasion into Ukraine, the world finds itself again in a moment of war. As gunfire and bombings continue, it's unclear whether Putin will give up this fight, leading to questions about how to achieve an end to the...

  
• 02.16.2022

  #256: Living with COVID-19 (Ezekiel J. Emanuel)

  COVID-19 restrictions are being dropped around the country as the U.S. enters what feels like a state of normalcy, at least to some. Oncologist and health expert Ezekiel J. Emanuel joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to discuss how the...

  
• 02.03.2022

  #255: The Dismantling of American Democracy (Karen Greenberg)

  Taking readers from Ground Zero to the Capitol Insurrection, Karen Greenberg describes the subtle tools that were forged under George W. Bush in the name of security — all of which had profound effects on democracy. She details these tools...

  
• 01.18.2022

  #254: Injustice … in the Pursuit of Justice (Laura Coates '01)

  Laura Coates '01, CNN anchor and legal analyst and, believes in education as a form of activism. This led her to write her new book, "Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor's Fight for Fairness," a groundbreaking account of bias in the...

  
• 01.06.2022

  #253: Jan. 6 & Democracy Today (Carolyn Shapiro)

  On the anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection, this week's episode focuses on the strains placed on American democracy. From voter suppression to wreckage at the U.S. Capitol, many of our political processes feel under attack, leaving some...

  
• 12.16.2021

  #252: A Boost for Science (2021 in Review)

  It's the end-of-the-year broadcast for Politics & Polls! Julian and Sam recap the year, beginning with a discussion on the Jan. 6 insurrection and a seemingly under-the-radar fight for democracy. They also chat about the supply chain, inflation and jobs,...

  
• 12.16.2021

  #251: Are We Ready for Omicron?

  Omicron, a new variant of COVID-19, is making its way around the globe, shuttering international flights and bringing back former restrictions. How will the U.S. react? Julian and Sam discuss this moment and how it's a big test for the...

  
• 11.18.2021

  #250: On the Knife's Edge — Democratic Power in Midterms 2022

  Is it too early to talk about the 2022 Midterm Elections? Julian and Sam don't think so, which is why they unpack some of the issues that may threaten Democratic power next year. They discuss the role redistricting will play...

  
• 11.09.2021

  #249: Progressive Jewish Values & the Secular World (Julian Zelizer)

  Abraham Joshua Heschel was a Polish-born American rabbi, theologian, and civil rights and anti-war leader. To this day, Heschel remains a symbol of the fight to make progressive Jewish values relevant in the secular world. Julian Zelizer wrote a...

  
• 10.21.2021

  #248: Where Can the Center Right Find a Home? (Christine Todd Whitman & Miles Taylor)

  Pro-Trump extremists seem to have a tight grip on the Republican Party at both state and national levels. With elections around the corner, traditional Republicans are now calling for party officials to move the GOP away from "Trumpism." Some are...

  
• 10.06.2021

  #247: Was Pulling U.S. Troops out of Afghanistan a Mistake? (Amb. Robert Finn)

  Since President Joe Biden pulled U.S. troops out of Afghanistan, many are sorting through whether a withdrawal was really necessary. Regardless, the decision marks a decided end to a long and protracted war, which began during 9/11. Amb. Robert Finn...

  
• 09.23.2021

  #246: When the Left Attacks Big Government (Paul Sabin)

  Big government is often attacked. In the 1960s and 1970s, social advocates like Ralph Nader and Rachel Carson led the charge in the form of public interest groups. While they disrupted a number of government plans, some unintended consequences emerged:...

  
• 08.19.2021

  #245: The Continued Fight for Voting Rights (Wendy Weiser)

  How are Congress and the courts exercising their powers on the issue of voting rights? Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang are joined by Wendy Weiser, vice president for democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, for a...

  
• 08.12.2021

  #244: Public Health Saved Your Life (Dr. Leana Wen)

  New daily Covid-19 infections in the U.S. are reaching 100,000+, yet, not too long ago, that number was 11,000. With everyone asking ‘where do we go from here?’, Dr. Leana Wen joins Julian and Sam to consider the path through...

  
• 08.05.2021

  #243: In Plain Sight: Lady Bird Johnson (Julia Sweig)

  Behind almost every U.S. President there has been a First Lady... but we don't always hear much about them. This week, author Julia Sweig joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to discuss her book and podcast, “In Plain Sight,” which delves into the...

  
• 07.30.2021

  #242: Partisan Identity & Political Instability (Brendan Nyhan)

  How are partisan identity and misinformation connected? Sam Wang is joined by Brendan Nyhan to discuss misinformation, partisan identity, and the stability of America's democratic norms. Nyhan is a professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth College. He is a...

  
• 07.22.2021

  #241: Vaccines, Critical Race Theory & More

  What in the world is going on? Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang catch you up on some of the biggest discussions happening in politics today: messaging about vaccines and the ongoing controversy about critical race theory and school curriculums.  

  
• 07.15.2021

  #240: ‘Alligator Candy’ & the Strength of Community (David Kushner)

  Julian Zelizer sits down with David Kushner to discuss his new podcast Alligator Candy, which is based on his memoir of the same name. The podcast tells the story of Kushner’s family and how the community came together after the disappearance of his...

  
• 07.08.2021

  #239: Did Bill Barr Corrupt the DOJ? (Elie Honig)

  How did Bill Barr alter the effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) during his time as President Donald Trump's attorney general? Elie Honig joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang for a deep dive into the DOJ and a...

  
• 07.01.2021

  #238: The Truth is Out There...Somewhere (Adam Frank)

  Is there life on other planets? Are UFOs evidence of such life? Astrophysicist Adam Frank joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to discuss his research of technosignatures — signs of past or present use of technology on other planets — and the search for evidence of life outside Earth. Adam Frank is...

  
• 06.24.2021

  #237: Nixon at War (Kurt Andersen)

  President Richard M. Nixon is perhaps best known for the Watergate scandal and becoming the first U.S. president to resign. But how much more is there to that familiar narrative? Kurt Andersen joins Julian Zelizer to discuss his new podcast, Nixon at War, and the behind-the-scenes story of the downfall...

  
• 06.17.2021

  #236: JFK, MLK, and Nine Long Days (Paul Kendrick)

  The arrest of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sent the 1960 Kennedy Campaign into overdrive in the last nine days of a historic campaign for the presidency. But what happened during that lead-up to one of the closest elections...

  
• 06.10.2021

  #235: Big Tech, Big Data, and Big Lies (Jonathan Mayer)

  Online misinformation runs rampant on social media and is having tangible impacts on American society. What can be done to combat the spread of these untruths?   Jonathan Mayer joins Sam Wang in this episode to discuss misinformation, big tech,...

  
• 05.27.2021

  #234: Why People Believe Falsehoods (From Vaccines to Votes)

  We're living in a political disinformation era. Public opinion is sharply divided not just on the facts, but what actually constitutes fact or fiction. Two issues have made this dilemma crystal clear: the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines and the outcome...

  
• 05.20.2021

  #233: Why Democrats Should be Bold But Careful (Paul Starr)

  How much time does the Biden administration have until Republicans revitalize their strength or even expand in the midterms? This is a question brewing among Democrats who wonder whether they should go bold with legislation, or tread lightly to protect...

  
• 05.13.2021

  #232: Liz Cheney Ousting, Census Accuracy & Vaccine Persuasion

  Catching up on the politics of the week, Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang discuss how Rep. Liz Cheney was ousted from her role as House Republican Conference chair by the GOP, a position she's held since 2017, and what it...

  
• 05.06.2021

  #231: Biden’s Infrastructure Plan (Matt Yglesias)

  The Biden Administration is steadfastly pushing through a $4.1 trillion infrastructure plan, which some are comparing to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal of the 1930s. Moving beyond roads, bridges, and tunnels, Biden’s bipartisan bill includes improvements to broadband internet,...

  
• 04.29.2021

  #230: How Nebraska Became a Republican Stronghold (Ross Benes)

  After the election of Donald Trump, rural America — which made up a good portion of Trump's base — quickly became a focal point. Authors like J.D. Vance and others wrote about their struggling hometowns in the hopes of understanding...

  
• 04.22.2021

  #229: Can Immigrants Still Chase the American Dream? (Sarah Coleman)

  Given today's anti-immigrant, nativist sentiments, is the American Dream even still possible for immigrants to the U.S.? For decades, the politics behind immigration control have undermined the idea of citizenship for all, making this a hard question to answer. In...

  
• 04.15.2021

  #228: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency (Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes)

  President Joe Biden is approaching his 100th day in office, yet his ultimate win against incumbent Donald Trump was never a foregone conclusion. In their new book, “Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency,” political reporters Jonathan Allen and...

  
• 04.08.2021

  #227: 40 Acres, a Mule, and an Early Civil Rights Champion (Bruce Levine)

  An often-forgotten champion for racial justice in America is Thaddeaus Stevens, a 19th century statesman. He was a leader of the young Republican Party's radical wing, fighting for anti-slavery and anti-racist policies long before others endorsed them. Unlike many of...

  
• 04.01.2021

  #226: Racism at its Roots (Don Lemon)

  As America’s only Black prime-time anchor, Don Lemon's monologues on racism, antiracism, and the nation's systemic flaws speak for his millions of fans. In this episode, Lemon speaks candidly with Julian Zelizer about his new book, "This Is the Fire:...

  
• 03.25.2021

  #225: Conspiracies in American Politics (Michael Butter and Nancy Rosenblum)

  Conspiracy theories are embedded in American history, though today they circulate at speeds we haven't seen before. Qanon, or Q, is a modern-day example of the power of conspiracies in American political discourse. Loyalty to Q is a common theme...

  
• 03.18.2021

  #224: American Rescue Plan, Vaccines & the Filibuster

  Within the first 100 days of Joe Biden’s presidency, he’s already signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package as the vaccine roll-out is accelerating. Meanwhile, the Democrats wrestle with advancing their priorities in the Senate, as Republicans continue to filibuster....

  
• 03.11.2021

  #223: John Marshall's Full Legacy (Robert Strauss)

  John Marshall may be one of the most influential founders to never become President. As an early chief justice, he was a principal founder of the U.S. system of constitutional law. But more than that, his story is entwined with...

  
• 03.04.2021

  #222: How Ted Kennedy Championed Modern Liberalism (Neal Gabler)

  The story of liberalism isn't often told, especially as the conservative era has taken root. Yet, there was a key figure in the formation of modern-day liberalism who is indeed worthy of attention: the late Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy. Historian...

  
• 02.25.2021

  #221: Is the Senate a Threat to Democracy? (Adam Jentleson)

  Nearly every major decision governing the country bears the stamp of the U.S. Senate. Yet, the current makeup of the Senate — which is predominantly white, conservative males — does not necessarily represent the majority of Americans. Some even argue...

  
• 02.18.2021

  #220: The President’s Cabinet (Lindsay Chervinsky)

  Once all members are confirmed, President Joe Biden’s cabinet will be the most diverse group of advisers ever appointed. This team even includes Princeton’s Cecilia Rouse, who currently awaits a Senate vote. In this episode, historian Lindsay Chervinsky joins Julian Zelizer and Sam...

  
• 02.11.2021

  #219: How War Shapes Us (Margaret MacMillan)

  From World War I to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflict has long been a part of American history. These events have molded society and culture,  producing effects that ripple through generations.  Author and historian Margaret MacMillan joins Julian Zelizer and...

  
• 02.04.2021

  #218: How the Religious Right May Have Provoked the Insurrection (Katherine Stewart)

  At the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, religious messaging echoed through the streets as Christian-right activists protested the 2020 presidential election. What role did the religious right play in the uprising at the Capitol? And will they continue...

  
• 01.28.2021

  #217: An Insurrection, an Inauguration & an Impeachment

  January has been a politically charged month. Georgia flipped blue in two runoff U.S. Senate races, followed by a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. A week later, President Joe Biden was inaugurated, and now debates in the U.S. Senate...

  
• 01.21.2021

  #216: Presidential Legacies (Jonathan Alter)

  People often wonder what a U.S. President’s legacy will be — especially those who only serve one term in office — but the ways we remember Presidents can change over time. One such case is President Jimmy Carter who, to...

  
• 01.14.2021

  #215: All About JFK (Fredrik Logevall)

  Today, many are examining leadership in American politics. Historians, biographers, and journalists are turning to the past to uncover how leadership, especially the presidency, has changed throughout the decades. Among those is historian Fredrik Logevall, who recently published a book on...

  
• 01.07.2021

  #214: Georgia Senate Runoff Election

  Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang speculate on the Georgia Senate runoff election in this episode, which was recorded Jan. 5 — before the final outcome was known. They discuss what the results will mean for the U.S. Senate, Joe Biden's presidency, and...

  
• 12.17.2020

  #213: Millennials in Politics (Charlotte Alter)

  Anew generation in American politics is emerging as millennials are now taking up political offices. Emboldened and energized, these young leaders are challenging conventional party leadership in the hopes of moving beyond today’s deeply embedded divisions. Charlotte Alter joins Julian Zelizer...

  
• 12.03.2020

  #211: How Strong is American Polity? (Jack Balkin)

  Presidents have a unique way of shaping polity, though government strength is also tested in other ways. Party polarization, money in politics, economic inequality, and other forces have all hindered the ability to govern. American legal scholar Jack Balkin joins Julian Zelizer...

  
• 11.19.2020

  #210: All About State Courts - Packing, Expansion & More (Marin Levy)

  The unique circumstances of this year's elections created quite a stir among state courts regarding mail-in ballots, with some requiring intervention by the Supreme Court. In these politically charged times, what is the role of the courts?  Sam Wang interviews...