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James from SUNY Albany writes:

I’m studying Political Science, and I fully admit I’m a political nerd. I can’t get enough of polling, and I love watching the electoral map shift almost daily. 

From what I’m seeing, it’s not just looking rough for Republicans; it’s starting to resemble a potential electoral disaster. It's remarkable that states like Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina, and even South Carolina are being discussed as competitive.

I know the panel doesn’t put much faith in polling, and I understand why. Historically, polls tend to underestimate Republican support and overestimate Democratic strength. But maybe this cycle is different. It’s also interesting that mainstream outlets are giving more attention to prediction markets, treating them as potentially meaningful indicators of how races might unfold.

So here are my questions: does the panel think polling might be more accurate this time around? Have pollsters actually learned anything from the last few cycles where their models missed the mark? And what about prediction markets, are they a potentially reliable source for understanding the direction of these races?

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Terry from the University of Georgia writes:

I’m sure this will spark debate, and Dr. Mark will probably roll his eyes reading it, but I need to ask the question anyway. 

Trump has repeatedly declined to rule out declaring a national emergency if a Blue wave materializes next month. That kind of refusal to affirm a commitment to free and fair elections is deeply troubling. 

The hypocrisy doesn’t help: he’s urging Republicans to vote early, vote by mail, and monitor the polls, the very practices he has spent years criticizing or trying to restrict through executive action. And when pressed, he won’t even rule out deploying the military or ICE to polling places.

So, humor me for a moment. What if the worst‑case scenarios people worry about actually happened? What if ICE or the military were sent to interfere at the polls? What if he declared a national emergency or even attempted to invoke martial law? Essentially, what if the fears Dr. Brooklynn keeps raising came to pass?

What scenarios would be possible? Could things turn violent? How would the military respond if placed in that position? What about Congress? Would Republicans defend constitutional norms, or would they simply go along? And once the dust settled, what consequences might fall on those who enabled such actions, and on those who resisted? 

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In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.

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Sierra, from THE Ohio State University, writes:

As a law student who also minors in Political Science, I watched the Senate hearings with Jack Smith knowing full well they were designed more for spectacle than for any meaningful insight into the investigations. Even with that expectation, I was stunned. The Republicans managed to embarrass themselves at nearly every turn.

Missouri’s Eric Schmitt couldn’t get the city, the state, the league, or even the league’s gender right, one of the most blatant displays of incompetence I’ve seen in a congressional hearing. And Darlene Graham’s exchange with Smith was remarkable for all the wrong reasons: she showed little grasp of the investigative process, only for Smith to politely praise her brother and note that Lindsey Graham would have been a witness for the prosecution. That moment alone could be taught in a seminar on unforced political errors.

I won’t even get into Senator Kennedy and his “throw up in my mouth” remark. 

But credit where it’s due: Amy Klobuchar stood her ground amid a panel of testosterone‑charged Republicans trying to score points instead of asking substantive questions. So, here’s what I’m wrestling with: why hold a hearing like this so close to the midterms? What was the strategic logic? Did Republicans genuinely think they had a compelling argument, or was this simply a last‑minute attempt at distraction? If it was the latter, it backfired, and badly. Instead of shifting attention, they highlighted exactly the weaknesses they hoped to obscure.

What was the panel's impression of the clown show?

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Sydney from Las Vegas, Nevada writes:

I’m a student from UA studying Political Science.

Last week, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly. Trump’s remarks, particularly his threat to “annihilate” Iran, were met with scattered laughter in the chamber, while Netanyahu faced a largely empty hall as many delegates walked out before he began. These moments are symbolic, of course, but symbolism can be powerful.

And speaking of symbolism, Denmark’s choice to play “Send in the Clowns” during a signing ceremony with U.S. officials regarding Greenland was undeniably pointed, and admittedly, darkly humorous. None of these gestures are likely to change policy outcomes in the eyes of Trump or Netanyahu. Yet the message they send to the rest of the world is unmistakable.

I want to focus on the substance of the two leaders’ remarks. Both essentially threatened to eliminate another member state of the United Nations, an extraordinary escalation in tone for speeches delivered in that forum. And when we consider the broader strategic context, Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, the fact that the United States is facing real constraints in its military capacity, and the growing diplomatic isolation of both the U.S. and Israel, these kinds of statements seem counterproductive. The situation is already volatile, and much of the world is nearly unified in condemning the ongoing war.

Looking ahead to November, an important question emerges: if congressional power shifts significantly, could that meaningfully influence U.S. war policy? Even if a new majority replaced certain officials, such as Secretary Hegseth, foreign policy has traditionally been dominated by the executive branch. Would a change in Congress be enough to alter the direction of U.S. engagement in the conflict?

And one final question: why wasn’t Netanyahu arrested under the ICC warrant? Given the international legal framework, the optics of his appearance raise questions about enforcement, jurisdiction, and the political realities that shape how international law is applied. 

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In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.

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Mike from Houston, Texas, writes:

I found it striking that during President Xi’s visit last week, most of the coverage circulating in the U.S. came from Chinese media. American news outlets, for the most part, are still absent from the White House press pool after President Trump’s ban on CNN, ProPublica, and MS Now. Some commentators argue that denying the administration airtime deprives Trump of the attention he craves. 

That may be true, but it raises a serious question: is withholding coverage worth the cost of not knowing what the administration is doing? At what point does limiting Trump’s media exposure become less important than ensuring the public has access to essential information?

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The Nova Society Podcast 

In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.

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Kelly, from Marquette University, writes:

I’m a history student at Marquette University, and my thesis examines the recurring patterns that precede major global conflicts. 

In the 1920s, Germany became a pariah state under the punitive terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The resulting national humiliation, economic collapse, and political fragmentation created fertile ground for the rise of Hitler, whose regime sought to reclaim status and redress perceived injustices through militarization and expansion. That trajectory ultimately led to World War II.

Setting contemporary political figures aside for the moment, it’s worth noting that several world leaders have openly expressed doubts about the reliability of the United States as a long‑term partner. New military and economic alliances are emerging without U.S. participation. In many respects, the United States appears increasingly isolated on the world stage. I agree with those who argue that the international system is unlikely to return to its pre‑2020 configuration.

This raises a critical question: could a sustained loss of prestige and global influence push the United States toward electing a leader who promises to restore national prominence by any means available, including coercive force? In other words, are we witnessing conditions analogous to Germany’s post‑Versailles grievance narrative, conditions that might encourage a future leader to pursue an aggressive, restorative agenda?

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The Nova Society Podcast 

In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.

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Today we welcome Markham Hilsop to the show. Markham is a Canadian journalist and CEO of Energi Media, one of Canada's leading independent news organizations. Our journalism currently averages over 6 million views/reads per month. We also have a sizable and growing US audience. Energi Media is celebrating its 18th year. 

This was an enjoyable episode for all of us here at the Nova Society.

We will apologize in advance for some of the poor quality of the recording, but we found this guest so engaging that our team worked overtime to salvage as much of this interesting interview as possible.

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The Nova Society Podcast 

In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.

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Today we welcome Wesley Warshawer to the show.

Wesley Warshawer is a business analyst in Silicon Valley’s semiconductor industry, a Fulbright Scholar to South Korea, essayist, podcast host, and speaker. 

He loves his work. For a living, he analyzes situations with data and communicates about it. 

But outside of semiconductors, he is passionate about exiting the safety of his “bubble” to learn. After a profound epiphany during a study abroad semester in India at 19, Wesley has sought wisdom through travel. Travel can be across the world or across town. It can be as simple as visiting a new neighborhood, trying a new restaurant, or meeting someone new. Outside your comfort zone, you are a sponge for personal insight and growth. 

Wesley shares his epiphany moments and encourages audiences to leave the comfort of their bubble to learn more about themselves. 

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The Nova Society Podcast 

In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.

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Today, Dr. Don Kettl agreed to stay around and help answer some listener questions.

Tam from Boulder, Colorado, writes:

 Trump recently announced that if Republicans win both the House and Senate in the midterms, he will issue a $5,000 check to every American. Speaker Johnson has hinted that the House might be willing to work with him on something like this, though he added, “no promises.”

To me, this sounds uncomfortably close to buying votes, and I must imagine there are legal or ethical boundaries around even suggesting something like this. 

 So, my question is: Is this kind of promise actually illegal, or does it fall into the category of political messaging that’s technically allowed?

And more importantly, given all the previous financial‑incentive promises, checks, rebates, cryptocurrency ideas, and so on, has any of this been effective politically, or does it mostly fade once the election is over? 

We also had time for a bonus question. 

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The Nova Society Podcast 

In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.

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Today, we’re delighted to welcome back Jen Thompson as she joins us on the eve of her forthcoming book, Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten.

A former high‑powered Republican strategist and congressional lawyer, Jen built her career at the center of national politics before a near‑fatal car accident forced her to step away from Washington and rethink everything, professionally, personally, and philosophically. Her story is one of ambition, impact, and ultimately, transformation.

www.jenthompsonwritethings.substack.com

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The Nova Society Podcast 

In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.

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