Who scored and who didn't at the first GOP presidential debate? A.J. Kaufman and I take a look at some fresh polling data and try to game out what comes next. Did Trump make a mistake in skipping the debate, or did he hit a home run in his Tucker Carlson interview?

Donald Trump announced that he won't do primary debates. Andrew Malcolm and I discuss the tactic and the strategy. Will this allow the other candidates to break past the media focus on Trump and his legal fights? We also discuss the rise of Vivek Ramaswamy from the tertiary pack, and what that might mean.

Did Joe Biden blow a hole in his media-generated empathy persona? Or did he just expose his cognitive issues? It might be both in Biden's "no comment" answer regarding the Maui fires, Andrew Malcolm and I suggest. We also analyze the latest in the Hunter Biden probe, and take another critical look at the lack of media interest in the corruption surrounding Biden Inc. We also try to ketchup on condiment choices, and confess our french-fry sins.

The pro-abortion lobby won a constitutional-process initiative in Ohio this week. Does that mean they'll win on an abortion-rights amendment in November? Michael J. New says not so fast. A midsummer special election is different than a November election -- and Michael has some precedents for his optimism as well.

Can a boy battle through physical infirmity to grasp his dreams of professional sports stardom? Can a father find enough faith to leave his son in God's hands? A new film about the true story of baseball star Rickey Hill gives us a look at those questions, as does "The Hill" director/producer Jeff Celentano. We talk about faith, about the film, and about the long road both traveled to get this story to the big screen on August 25th.

Do revisionists have a point about the Japanese surrender? Andrew Malcolm spent years in Japan and offers his own unique perspective on the annual August debate, made more acute by the release of Oppenheimer. We also talk about NBC News' latest "Republicans pounce!" narrative, and discuss the strange new direction taken by the New York Times.

Where else but Washington DC can a man come to town with only a suitcase and a briefcase -- and leave with four homes and a fortune?  Matt Lewis discusses his new book Filthy Rich Politicians, and how many different ways exist for our governing class to make their fortunes at our expense. Can a new bill in the Senate put a stop to it, or will voters have to muscle up and put an end to the grifts?

Have we stopped being a serious people? Andrew Malcolm and I discuss the death penalty, the presidential election, and how Americans largely avoid engaging in either debate in the serious manner required. We also talk about Donald Trump's interview with Maria Bartiromo and his own refusal to engage in the debates.

Has Bidenomics succeeded or failed? Peter Grandich joins us to discuss the question, but Peter worries more about the impact of the BRIC nations as they emerge. We also talk about the crisis in confidence with the DoJ, FBI, and now the Secret Service on the rule of law. Is the biggest divide in American politics really GOP v Democrats or insider v outsider?

Did Maria Bartiromo help Ron DeSantis -- by being a tough journalist? Andrew Malcolm and I discuss the state of the GOP nomination contest, and why it really hasn't yet begun. We also talk about the NYT's stunning decision to disband its sports desk, the surprising (or not) endorsement from Turkey for Sweden's NATO bid, and the risks and necessity of sending cluster bombs to Ukraine.