The Playbook Podcast

In an exclusive interview with Dasha Burns, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) gives his first reaction to Democrats’ historic midterm wins, reveals which potential 2028 candidates have already called him up, and explains why he thinks the path to the White House in 2028 runs through the South. 

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President Donald Trump is shaking up the White House after Republicans’ humiliating midterm defeat, ousting chief of staff Susie Wiles and replacing her with Stephen Miller. But Miller’s rise didn’t happen overnight.

New reporting from POLITICO’s Dasha Burns and Will Steakin reveals how Miller’s wife, Katie, spent weeks lobbying Trump allies to help secure the job for her husband. In a special weekend edition of the Playbook Podcast, Dasha and Megan Messerly unpack the West Wing power struggle, Wiles’ downfall and what Miller’s promotion means for the next two years of Trump’s presidency.

The race for Rep. Jim Clyburn’s coveted 2028 endorsement is already heating up. He tells Dasha Burns in an exclusive interview who he has spoken to and what it will take to win his support. Then the other stories animating Washington: 2028 is already here with a new movement to draft Rep. Ro Khanna for president and Pete Hegseth is facing fresh scrutiny after Republicans’ midterm wipeout.

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A decade after Sen. Bernie Sanders nationalized his brand of economic populism, Democrats are winning on his message. What lessons have they learned since 2016 and could a new progressive movement carry that momentum into 2028? Then the other stories animating Washington: President Donald Trump is taking the GOP's midterm drubbing in a surprisingly Zen fashion, while Vice President JD Vance points the finger at the Iran war, with Trump's blessing. 

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The results are in: Democrats scored a massive midterm win, seizing control of Congress. In this special Election Night Playbook episode, co-authors Dasha Burns, Adam Wren and Will Steakin join Senior Political Columnist Jonathan Martin and Senior Executive Editor Alex Burns to unpack the biggest takeaways. Plus, the team speaks with President Donald Trump about why he thinks Republicans suffered such major losses.  

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It's Election Day. Both Republicans and Democrats can agree on one thing: The results could reshape the political landscape for years to come. Will the blue tsunami predicted by some polls materialize? And could MAGA face a major political reckoning in the aftermath? Join the Playbook authors for this Election Day preview. 

Tonight is POLITICO Elections Live at 9 pm ET. Stream on politico.com or the POLITICO app. 

Days before the midterms and the vibes are feeling off. The polls point to a Democratic wave, but neither party seems to believe them. Plus, the final days of campaigning have taken a bizarre turn with Rep. Haley Stevens making a surprise endorsement for Mike Rogers. 

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With Election Day days away, Republican strategist T.W. Arrighi and Democratic strategist Lis Smith join Dasha to break down what’s driving a surprisingly competitive midterm map. They discuss the central role of affordability, how candidates are navigating voter frustration with the status quo, and the risks and rewards of tying campaigns to President Trump.

The conversations also look beyond Tuesday: What should each party learn from the results, and what could this cycle signal about the fight for the parties’ futures?

Watch POLITICO Elections Live at POLITICO.com or the POLITICO app, starting at 9pm ET on Tuesday.

Have thoughts for The Conversation? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin over breakfast in New York City for a wide-ranging conversation about governing in 2026. She discusses working with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, her conversations with President Donald Trump over ICE operations and why she says data centers should bring their own power. 

Hochul also weighs in on Israeli leadership and the possibility of a Palestinian state, the future of the Democratic Party and its 2028 presidential field, and her hopes for the Buffalo Bills. 

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is eyeing a big reelection win. But the stakes for one of Democrats’ most closely watched rising stars go well beyond Tuesday. Then the other stories animating Washington: Donald Trump is struggling to stay on message in the final midterms stretch, new polls raise questions about the possibility of a Democratic Senate sweep and Ken Paxton cancels a campaign rally, giving Gov. Gavin Newsom an opening to stir the pot. Plus, a signature 200-second interview with former Michigan state lawmaker Mari Manoogian. 

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