The Bill Press Pod

Trump is to Blame. Candidate Quality Mattered.

Corruption Tied to Affordably Cut Thru. Top versus Bottom Framing.

GOP Redistrict Backfired. Trump’s Building Fixation.

Dems Must Do Accountability AND Affordability.

Any Action in the Lame Duck? Winners and Losers.

Most Surprising Results. 

With Allan Smith, National Political Reporter for NBC News, Jeff Dufour, Editor in chief at National Journal and Jason Dick, Editor in chief at CQ-Roll Call. 

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National security analyst Joe Cirincione joins Bill to assess how a possible Democratic shift in Congress could reshape U.S. foreign policy, from the Iran and Ukraine wars to tariffs, foreign aid, and support for Israel. They also examine rising global authoritarianism, allies’ growing independence from Washington, and the stakes of the midterm elections.

Key topics:

Cirincione argues a Democratic House could reassure allies and create a check on Trump’s foreign policy, while also encouraging some Republicans to break ranks.

Possible congressional tools on Iran include war powers resolutions, funding restrictions, and oversight hearings into the conflict and damage to U.S. bases and equipment.

The conversation weighs the risk of escalation against Iran, including the possibility of attacks on energy infrastructure or a tactical nuclear strike on a deeply buried nuclear site.

Congress could push for Patriot missile deliveries to Ukraine, scrutinize proposed U.S.-Russia deals, and reconsider sanctions waivers.

Press and Cirincione discuss private control of military communications and satellite capabilities, focusing on Elon Musk’s role and the risks of privatized defense infrastructure.

They consider efforts to restart U.S. foreign aid and restore USAID, which Cirincione describes as a source of American soft power.

The discussion covers Israel’s coalition negotiations, possible changes to U.S. military aid, and concerns about the war in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank.

Cirincione sees signs of resistance to authoritarianism abroad, while Canada and European allies pursue more independent partnerships amid declining trust in the United States.

Congressional efforts to repeal tariffs could address both consumer costs and the constitutional role of Congress in taxation and trade.

The episode closes with a discussion of Haley Stevens, staff resignations, Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign, and Bruce Springsteen’s endorsement.

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Democrats Trending Up. Weak GOP Early Vote.

What Will House Dems Do? Double Chamber Sweep?

Alaska Sullivans October Surprise. Ted Cruz for SCOTUS.

John Husted’s Ass. Prices and Corruption Drive Votes.

Cheese Cake Factory: Obama vs Trump.

With Igor Bobic, Senate Reporter or The Washington Sun, Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor and Evan McMorris-Santoro, Politics Reporter and co-author of The Washington Sun’s morning newsletter.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org

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One week before the midterms, Bill talks with Scott Ellis. Scott is the founder and CEO of MasteryTrack and a member of Patriotic Millionaires. They discuss Proposition 40, California's proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires' wealth. Supporters say it would raise $100 billion for health care. Scott argues that extreme wealth concentration is the root cause of threats to democracy, markets and a free press, and that tax reform is the answer.

Today, Bill urges us all to push the Democrats over the finish line, especially in the Senate. He and Carol sent some valuable last minute donations to Democratic Senate Candidates in 8 states: Michigan, Maine, Ohio, Iowa, Alaska, Kansas, South Carolina and Mississippi. And to use ActBlue.com to get the money right to the candidates.

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Dems Will Win House and Maybe Senate.

Maine and Michigan Still Close. Musk Spends Big in Texas.

Polling Errors Always Possible. Vivek Ad Backfires.

Can Trump Motivate More Than MAGA? Trump’s Ass Fixation.

Trump’s War on the Press Gets Nastier.

With S.V. Date, Senior White House Correspondent at HuffPost, Jessica Piper, Senior Data Reporter at Politico and Kirk Bado, Editor, National Journal Hotline.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Laborers' International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org.

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Bill talks with Susan Page about her book, The Queen and Her Presidents, and the long, carefully managed relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and 15 American presidents. The conversation looks at the Queen’s political instincts, her use of soft power, and the moments when protocol, personality, and geopolitics collided.

In this episode, Susan Page explains why Queen Elizabeth was far more than a ceremonial figure and how she helped steady the U.S.-U.K. relationship across decades of changing presidents. The discussion ranges from Reagan and Obama to Carter and Trump, with plenty of behind-the-scenes detail from Page’s reporting.

Susan explains why Ronald Reagan was the Queen’s closest presidential relationship, with their shared love of horses, Hollywood, and informal correspondence.

The “talking hat” incident with George H.W. Bush becomes a memorable example of how the Queen handled American protocol mistakes with grace.

Page shares why Jimmy Carter was likely the president the Queen liked least, after a protocol breach involving the Queen Mother.

Dwight Eisenhower stands out as an early, almost paternal figure in the Queen’s life, tied to wartime gratitude and the U.S. role in Europe’s rescue.

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama formed an unexpectedly warm bond with the Queen, despite early expectations that age and experience would create distance.

The famous Michelle Obama brooch story is used to show how the Queen could send pointed political signals without saying a word.

Donald Trump is discussed as a more complicated case, with Page noting both Trump’s claims that they got along and the diplomatic usefulness of his admiration for the Queen.

The episode closes by emphasizing the Queen’s real influence behind the scenes, especially during moments like Suez, the Falklands, and tense transatlantic politics.

 You can get your own copy of Susan’s delightful book at Bookshop.org.

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Midterm Intensity. Texas Really in Play.

Collins Stuck to Trump. Iowa-Ohio-Kansas-Alaska Could Flip.

Trump’s On the Ballot. Big Beautiful Bill Not Resonating.

Does Tying Corruption to Affordability Work?  Wars Drag Down GOP.

Can Trump’s Base Save the GOP?  DHS Raids Rep. Omar. With Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ-Roll Call, John Bennett, White House Correspondent & Editor-At-Large at CQ-Roll Call. Jessica Taylor, Senators and Governors Editor at the Cook Political Report and Jessica Wehrman, Deputy Policy Editor at Punch Bowl News. 

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What does it mean when a political movement claims that the United States should be governed according to a particular religious vision? In this episode, Bill talks with Congressman Jared Huffman about Christian nationalism, its growing influence in American politics, and the challenge it poses to democracy and church-state separation. Huffman distinguishes Christian nationalism from Christianity itself, describing it as a fusion of religious and political identity that presents conservative Christianity as central to being American. Huffman’s book is No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism.

Huffman connects the movement’s ideas to the events of January 6, arguing that the attack on the Capitol was not only political but also carried a powerful religious dimension. He reflects on the symbols, prophetic language, and worship imagery present that day, and explains why he believes those elements are important to understanding the forces behind the insurrection. The conversation then traces how parts of the religious right have changed over time—from seeking influence through elections and persuasion to embracing a more confrontational vision of political power.

The discussion also examines the New Apostolic Reformation and the Seven Mountains Mandate, which Huffman describes as influential in the movement’s push to shape major institutions, including government. He considers how that worldview appears in Congress, pointing to religious symbols at the Capitol and describing networks of ministries, prayer groups, and Bible studies that he believes can affect public policy. Throughout, the episode asks where the line should be drawn between the personal faith of public officials and efforts to establish a preferred religious vision through government.

Huffman also discusses the relationship between Donald Trump and evangelical supporters, including the “King Cyrus” narrative used by some religious leaders to frame Trump as a divinely chosen figure. He shares his view that the January 6 committee’s final report did not fully address the role of Christian nationalism, and reflects on the reluctance of many Democrats to speak directly about religion and politics. To close, he describes the Congressional Free Thought Caucus, which he co-founded with Jamie Raskin, and makes the case for defending church-state separation as a principle that protects people of every faith—and those with none.

To get a copy of Congressman Huffman’s book, No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism at your local bookstore or at Bookshop.org.  

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Blue Wave or Blue Tsunami. Polls Accurate?

GOP Ad Blitz Working? Senate Dems Cash Crunch.

“You can’t eat Road Salt.” Does Seniority Matter?

GOP Conceding NC and GA, Distancing From Trump.

Dems on Trams Rights and Focus on  Cost, Care, Corruption.

Kimberly Guilfoyle Scandal. JD Defines Socialism.

 With Ginger Gibson, former Senior Washington Editor for NBC News Arthur Delaney, Senior Reporter for HuffPost, Samuel Benson, Politics Reporter for Politic and Zach Cohen, Senior Reporter at Bloomberg Government

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Kai Bird joins the Bill Press Pod to discuss his biography of Roy Cohn, written with Susan Goldmark, and why Cohn still matters decades after his death. The conversation traces the direct line from McCarthy-era smear tactics to Donald Trump’s politics, showing how Cohn’s playbook shaped Trump’s approach to loyalty, retaliation, media attacks, and personal branding. Bird explains how a once-dismissed Washington fixer became a central figure in understanding the Trump era, and why Cohn’s influence still haunts American political life.

• Bird argues that Donald Trump learned his core political instincts from Cohn, including insulting opponents, suing critics, and never admitting defeat
• The book’s central thesis: Roy Cohn is the direct line connecting Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump
• Bird describes Cohn as ruthlessly intelligent, socially charming, and capable of winning over New York’s elite despite his reputation
• The origin story of Trump and Cohn’s relationship: their 1973 meeting at Le Club in Manhattan
• Cohn advised Trump to fight a housing discrimination case aggressively, launching a long relationship that helped Trump with zoning, tax abatements, and access to Manhattan power circles
• Bird and Bill Press compare McCarthy’s rise with Trump’s, including how political allies often avoided confronting them directly
• The episode highlights several Cohn tactics that Trump later made famous: name-calling, delaying legal cases, counterattacking, and manufacturing “victory”
• Bird details Cohn’s corruption, including unpaid bills, tax problems, bribery accusations, and the ethically troubling attempt to secure influence through legal work
• The closing takeaway: Trump’s admiration for Cohn is not just strategic, but personal and enduring

You can order your own copy of American Scoundrel, Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump at Bookshop.org.

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