The Politics Lab

Bill and Phil examine data on the uniquely hostile language of the 139 House Republicans who challenged the Electoral College vote, listen to audio of Donald Trump from Bob Woodward’s new book, break down new polling data on American’s attitudes on U.S. foreign policy, and close by playing a game of “What’s More Upsetting?”

On this episode, Bill and Phil examine Kari Lake and the dynamics of the Republican Party in Arizona, discuss a playbook for saving democracy, and close with a reflection on the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis and compare it to Putin’s recent nuclear threats.

On this episode, Bill and Phil discuss take a deep dive into the upcoming midterms, the evolving situations in Iran and Russia, and the challenges facing the Department of Justice as it weighs charging the former president with a crime. 

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the likelihood of Russia using nuclear weapons, explore the violent rhetoric on the political right, and close with a fun look at the politics of hair. 

On this episode, Bill and Phil examine protests in Iran and Russia and whether the regimes will survive, preview the midterm elections, and play a game of what’s more stupid. 

Bill and Phil discuss Russia’s plans for a partial mobilization and annexation vote in Ukraine, Biden’s comments on U.S. soldiers fighting to defend Taiwan, far right movements in Sweden, Italy and Canada, and Donald Trump’s apparent embrace of QAnon.

Bill and Phil discuss Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive against Russia, Mike Pence’s arguably unconstitutional authorization of force on January 6th, and ponder the deeper meaning of our political rhetoric and specifically the “stop the steal” phrase.

On this episode, Bill and Phil discuss last week’s controversial speeches from Joe Biden and Donald Trump, Chile’s attempt to create a new constitution, and whether the United States will soon follow suit and have a constitutional convention of its own.

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the death of Mikhail Gorbachev, new data on the state of global democracy, Biden’s use of the term ‘semi-fascist’ to describe the MAGA movement, and a big picture look at Biden's foreign policy doctrine.

Bill and Phil consider the contentious role of history in our current political environment, discuss whether the Ukraine war means the end of Francis Fukuyama’s end of history thesis, and explore some recent scholarship on the question of whether Trump supporters are capable of changing their minds