Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

James Carville and Al hunt are joined on the sofa by Ruth Ben-Ghiat discussing the current landscape of education and authoritarianism, the characteristics of strongmen leaders, and the implications of fascism in modern politics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the rule of law, the reactionary nature of fascism, and the global authoritarian landscape. The discussion also touches on the future of democracy, leadership, and the challenges of restoring trust and diplomacy in America.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Authoritarianism and Strong Men
02:54 The Nature of Strong Men and the Rule of Law
05:50 Fascism and Its Characteristics
09:16 The Reactionary Nature of Fascism
12:07 The Global Landscape of Authoritarianism
15:00 The Future of Democracy and Leadership
17:55 Restoring Trust in America and Its Institutions

James and Al unload on the Epstein scandal and the Republican response, emphasizing accountability and the role journalism plays in upholding our democracy.  Then, they are joined by Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison, to demand the removal of ICE after the shooting of protesting citizens and multiple breaches of judicial rulings, discussing why he is leading a state investigation, his interactions with Tom Homan, and how the situation is affecting local politics. Afterwards, they welcome NFL expert Greg Cosell to analyze the upcoming Super Bowl and lay out the state of the game. 

Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

More from James and Al:

Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

Get More From This Week’s Guests: 

Greg Cosell: Twitter | NFL Films | The Install Podcast | YouTube | Co-Author of “The Game That Changed The Game”

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison: Twitter | Office Of The Minnesota Attorney General | Congress.gov | Website

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James & Al are joined by Mitch Landrieu and discuss the current state of American politics, emphasizing the importance of electability and the need for Democrats to reconnect with working-class voters. They explore the concept of sanctuary cities, the challenges facing law enforcement, and the impact of racism and immigration on society. Landrieu expresses optimism about local governance and the necessity of unity in politics to overcome division and foster a better future for all Americans.

Chapters
00:00 The Political Landscape and Electability
02:55 Understanding the Working Class Voter
05:42 Sanctuary Cities and Law Enforcement
09:53 Racism and Immigration in America
13:47 Optimism in Local Governance
16:42 Divisiveness in American Politics

James & Al along with John Della Volpe discuss the shifting attitudes of young people towards political issues, particularly in light of recent events. They explore how younger generations perceive these issues on a personal level, the importance of listening to their voices, and the innovative use of AI in polling to gather real-time insights. The discussion highlights the need for political engagement that resonates with the personal experiences of young voters and the potential of new research methods to enhance understanding of public opinion.

Chapters
00:00 Shifting Attitudes Among Young Voters
02:38 Understanding Young Independents' Perspectives
06:03 Innovative Research with Crowdvox
08:56 The Role of AI in Political Engagement
11:48 Lessons from Political Campaigns

James & Al explore the current political landscape as it pertains to the 2026 elections, focusing on the Democratic Party's strategies, key races, and the importance of effective messaging. The discussion highlights the differences between the political environment of 2018 and the present, emphasizing the need for inspirational candidates and a more inclusive approach to voter engagement. The speakers also analyze specific races in Pennsylvania and caution against common pitfalls in Democratic messaging.

More from James and Al:

Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

James and Al discuss the tragic killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the wider battle for the soul of the city and the nation, looking at the effect of the escalating situation on the midterms, the solidarity of the administration, and the likelihood of impeachment after a predicted Democratic sweep.  Then, they welcome POV International co-founder Annegrethe Rasmussen to break down the struggle for Greenland’s sovereignty, the role NATO has played in mediating the dispute, and the future of Danish-American relations.  They also dive into Danish culture and the historic ties between our nations.

Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

More from James and Al:

Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

Get More From This Week’s Guest: 

Annegrethe Rasmussen: Twitter | POV International | LinkedIn | Author of “The Challenges Of The United States” 

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James and Al blast Trump for his increasingly crazy governance and game out the implications for the country, before taking a detour into the exciting turnaround of the championship-winning Hoosiers.  Then, they welcome Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi to discuss the administration's provocative and flailing attempt to control Greenland and the situation in Venezuela after the arrest of Maduro.  From there, they pivot to the chaotic operations of ICE, the dire need to reform our immigration system so that things don’t escalate further, and review what Congress is doing in the lead-up to midterms.

Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

More from James and Al:

Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

Get More From This Week’s Guest: 

Rep. Raja Krisnamoorthi: Twitter | House.gov | Website 

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James and Al sound the alarm over Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, explore the repercussions of his war on the Federal Reserve and the DOJ, and break down the political dynamics in the Senate and at the state level while investigating whether Democratic candidates are ready to meet the moment.  Then, they welcome The Atlantic’s Franklin Foer to discuss the massive reductions in the federal workforce under Trump, the effects of losing their experience and expertise, the need for a functioning bureaucracy, and whether we are on the cusp of a resurgence of true patriotism.

Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from!

More from James and Al:

Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

Get More From This Week’s Guest: 

Frank Foer: Twitter | The Atlantic | NewAmerica.org | The Purged | Author

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Following the kidnapping of Maduro by our military, James and Al examine the role that oil and the court-ordered release of the Epstein Files played in Trump’s decision to intervene in Venezuela, how it will affect our politics, and if it’s the start of more aggressive behavior by the administration.  Then, they welcome the author of “Storm At The Capitol”, Mary Clare Jalonick, to discuss the lead-up to J6, Trump’s effect on the crowd and the power of a mob mentality, what actually happened that day, and its ongoing impact on our politics and democracy.

Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you’re from! 

More from James and Al:

Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon.

Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube.

James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack

Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville

Get More From This Week’s Guest: 

Mary Clare Jalonick: Twitter | AP | Author of “Storm At The Capitol”  

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