The Decoded Podcast

So how the heck did a centuries-old American institution end up at the center of the most heated political fight in Washington? It’s a little complicated, but POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro breaks down the mail-in ballot battle. Plus, Biden calls for a nationwide mask mandate. And early polls show voters like Harris as a VP candidate.

Zach Montellaro is a campaign reporter for POLITICO and author of the Morning Score newsletter.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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The election’s less than three months away, and health policy is front and center due to the coronavirus pandemic. POLITICO’s Dan Diamond breaks down how Kamala Harris’ past positions on health care could provide some fresh fodder for Trump attacks — but could also spark some new passion among progressives. Plus, the Big 12 is playing football this fall. And de Blasio says New York City might have to cut 22,000 jobs in October.

Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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Negotiations on a new round of Covid relief have stalled. And that means no renewal of the eviction moratorium. POLITICO's Katy O'Donnell breaks down the "toxic brew" of problems that could arise if the government doesn't take action quickly. Plus, Biden announces Harris as his Veep pick. And the number of confirmed coronavirus cases globally tops 20 million.

Katy O'Donnell covers finance for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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Months ago, city hospitals were fighting over essential medical supplies as Covid cases surged. That’s not happening anymore. But doctors, nurses and caregivers say they’re still struggling with resources, especially at smaller health facilities and in rural areas. POLITICO’s Tucker Doherty breaks down what he learned from interviews with dozens of frontline workers in the pandemic. Plus, Trump and Biden are still figuring out their convention plans. And public health officials are dropping like flies.

Tucker Doherty is a health reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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Trump's poll numbers are sagging. A group of social conservatives is pushing anti-transgender issues as the solution. But some Trump advisers think it’s a recipe for disaster. Gabby Orr and host Eugene Daniels explore the rift in the Trump team's strategy.

Eugene Daniels is a reporter for POLITICO.
Gabby Orr is a White House reporter for POLITICO.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

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Moncef Slaoui helped design vaccines for Big Pharma, one reason why Trump picked him to help lead "Operation Warp Speed." But Slaoui's deep drug industry ties have made him a target for watchdogs, too. POLITICO's Dan Diamond on Slaoui's tricky position and how close we are (or aren't) to a vaccine.

Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.
Annie Rees is a host-producer for POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
 

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Teachers are afraid. Parents are desperate. Child care workers are frustrated. They all want kids to succeed. POLITICO's Mackenzie Mays breaks down the fight that's escalating as schools prepare to reopen — in-person, online or some combination of the two — during a pandemic.

Mackenzie Mays is a POLITICO education reporter based in California.
Adrienne Hurst is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produced this episode.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. 
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

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An orthopedic surgeon with Indian immigrant parents. A former ambassador with ties to Trump and Mitt Romney. Both pro-life and pro-gun. Both criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement. Two Republicans vie for who is more conservative as a Tennessee Senate race heats up. POLITICO's Alex Thompson talks about why this race is a reflection on larger shifts in the party.

Alex Thompson is a POLITICO reporter covering the 2020 election.
Erica Morrison is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produced this episode.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. 
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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Time may have lost all meaning for most of us. But when it comes to the presidential election, the clock is still ticking. POLITICO's Ryan Lizza brings us inside of Trump's and Biden's campaigns as they enter the final stretch — under circumstances unlike any election in U.S. history.

Ryan Lizza is POLITICO's Chief Washington Correspondent.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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Short answer: We don’t really know. But there are three directions it could go. POLITICO’s chief economic correspondent Ben White breaks them down — and why the future of the largest economy in the world is virtually in the hands of Congress. Plus, Rep. John Lewis is laid to rest. And Trump calls for Covid survivors to donate blood plasma.

Ben White is chief economic correspondent for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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