The Playbook Podcast

Republicans brace themselves for a potential midterm blowout – while Democrats see a clearing in the smoke. One thing for certain, GOP candidates and their teams are forced to make some tough choices given the bleak road ahead. Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Megan Messerly unpack Sen. Bernie Sanders’ new AI ban, why Angela Paxton broke her silence on the Texas Senate race and how a viral story about a lesbian bar in Western Massachusetts made its way to Washington. 

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President Donald Trump will roll out the literal red carpet this evening for President Xi Jinping, kicking of the Chinese leader’s three-day Washington stint with an AI-star-studded dinner. But what progress can the two world leaders actually make on AI? Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Megan Messerly and Ali Bianco unpack Sen. Jon Husted’s recent remarks on the Iran war and this week’s round of 2028 potentials, including Chris Christie. 

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This episode was originally published on Sunday, September 20. We re-published due to a platform issue. There are no changes to the content.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-endorsed challenger, joined Dasha to discuss the future of the Republican Party and reflect on how to make Congress more effective as he enters his final months in office.

Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, also addresses his vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the measles outbreak and vaccine policy, the influence of the MAHA movement, Social Security’s looming funding crisis and the need for congressional guardrails on artificial intelligence.

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Six weeks before Republicans ask voters to reject socialism and communism, President Trump is spending the week embracing socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani and preparing to welcome China’s communist leader, Xi Jinping. Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Will Steakin break down the Republican reaction. Plus Playbook unpacks Mike Rogers recent ad denouncing the Iran war, what new polling says about Kamala Harris’ favorability and a Marco Rubio name drop by a covert rap group. 

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It’s U.N. General Assembly week and Mike Waltz is in the spotlight again. Is his role as U.S. ambassador a springboard to higher aspirations? POLITICO's senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi joins to discuss. Plus a source in the intelligence community is calling one of Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s senior advisors a “walking counterintelligence red flag” after a wedding mishap, Trump preps for two headline-making meetings, and the president continues his battle against the media. 

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AI is quickly becoming a 2028 litmus test for Democrats. Playbook spoke with some of the party’s potential presidential contenders grappling with the latest wave of AI doom. Then the other stories animating Washington: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sends a message to President Donald Trump and Sen. Bill Cassidy gets candid about RFK Jr. Plus Democratic strategist Rob Flaherty joins Playbook for a 200-second interview on the politics behind AI. 

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The debate over AI safety took center stage at POLITICO’s Decoded Summit. Senior technology reporter Brendan Bordelon joins the podcast to unpack where top Trump AI adviser David Sacks draws the line on safety measures and how the tech industry is responding to Washington’s growing appetite for guardrails. Then a breakdown of the other stories animating Washington: Gov. Josh Shapiro sends some 2028 signals with a new slate of AI announcements, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman weighs in on a potential Kamala Harris comeback and Hasan Piker gets airtime on a major cable network. 

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Most Americans say there is a risk of AI destroying humanity – that's according to a new POLITICO Poll about public perception of AI. What does the data say about AI as a driving force in 2028? Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Adam Wren digest the other news animating Washington: President Trump’s Kennedy Center meltdown, why bestiality became a major focus of a Senate hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel and a preview of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate announcement. Plus, a first-in-Playbook look at a new campaign ad in New Hampshire from Senate Majority PAC. 

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Some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names are changing their tune on AI regulation and an unlikely alliance is joining the chorus. Among these strange bedfellows are Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, who are both set to speak at a “pro-human” AI event today. POLITICO Congress tech reporter Owen Dahlkamp joins to unpack this surprising cohort of AI critics and what it could mean for 2028. Then Playbook co-authors Dasha Burns and Will Steakin break down two viral videos from potential 2028 contenders: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President JD Vance. 

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Alarming warnings from the biggest players in artificial intelligence are sending Washington scrambling for answers. Can they catch up to the moment before AI moves to the next? Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Ali Bianco dive into the other stories animating Washington: a packed legislative agenda as Congress returns, Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s celebration of a controversial R&B artist and response to vandalism on the new Charlie Kirk statue. 

For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook