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This week, the crew breaks down how an "October surprise" can change the course of a presidential election in its final weeks – and some of the most consequential ones in American election history. And there are a few brand new ones – from special counsel Jack Smith's filing on former president Donald Trump's immunity in his Jan. 6 legal case, to Hurricane Helene and the escalating war in the Middle East.

Later in the show, the crew breaks down the most interesting moments from Tuesday's vice-presidential debate – and which ones will stick in the public consciousness. Plus, the ongoing war on fact checking.

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by senior video journalist JM Rieger to preview the Oct. 1 vice-presidential debate between Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The crew examines the two vice-presidential nominees' popularity with voters, key topics that might come up in the debate, and how vice-presidential debates actually impact elections.

Later, the crew breaks down the gender dynamics in the 2024 race, from the abortion issue to comments by candidates including former president Donald Trump and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), and the possibility of the country electing its first woman president.

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with Senior Video Journalist Jorge Ribas, who just got back from Springfield, Ohio – where the neighborhood pets are decidedly not being eaten. The crew dives into why former president Donald Trump continues to lean into anti-immigrant rhetoric and how Springfield residents feel about the sudden wave of national attention on their city.

Plus, a new Washington Post poll shows Trump and Vice President Harris are essentially tied in Pennsylvania – the key swing state that could determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

And does the Teamsters' decision not to endorse a candidate matter?

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by Senior Critic-at-Large Robin Givhan, as they discuss how former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris performed at the Sept. 10 presidential debate – and the impressions each left voters with. 

Plus, why is Pennsylvania one of the key states in the 2024 presidential election – and can either candidate win without it?

And later, the crew dives into Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris – and considers whether celebrity endorsements actually move the needle in elections.

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and JM Rieger sit down with chief correspondent Dan Balz to discuss the aftermath of the Democratic National Convention, and where the presidential race is heading with a debate scheduled less than two weeks away. Plus, the crew dives into Trump's apparent campaign strategy and his social media rants.

Later, law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett joins the show for an update on Trump's legal cases, from special counsel Jack Smith's appeal in Trump's Florida classified documents case, to his new superseding indictment in the Jan. 6 case, to updates from Georgia and New York.

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down just after the conclusion of Vice President Kamala Harris's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. The crew discusses the vibes of the convention, how different it felt from the July Republican National Convention, and the policies Democrats put at the heart of their 2024 campaign. Then, the team goes through their favorite moments of the week.

Plus, were Democrats more effective than Republicans at harnessing the power of influencers and social media? The Washington Post Universe's Carmella Boykin and Joseph Ferguson join the show to discuss what's going on in the DNC's "influencer lounges" and beyond.

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger preview next week's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and dive into when Vice President Harris might start focusing more on policy. Plus, why hasn't the new Democratic nominee done any formal interviews with reporters yet?

And former president Donald Trump is still struggling to adjust to the new dynamic in the presidential race – as his legal cases slowly march on.

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the huge vibe shift in the 2024 campaign, Vice President Harris's selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, and how the Republican ticket is responding.

Plus, former president Donald Trump is still litigating the 2020 election in his speeches, and attacked the Republican Governor of Georgia and his wife at a recent Atlanta rally.

And Trump's legal cases continue to move forwards slowly; the crew recaps what's happening with his D.C. election interference case and New York hush money case. 

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger are joined by The Washington Post Universe's Joseph Ferguson to discuss former president Donald Trump's appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, and his attacks on Vice President Harris's racial identity.

Later, the crew dives into Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance's continuing controversy over past comments he's made about women who don't have children. And who will Harris pick as her own vice-presidential nominee? We're like to find out in the next few days.