With the other GOP challengers trailing far behind Donald Trump in the polls, are this week’s debates even worth paying attention to? Mark McKinnon—former chief strategist to John McCain and George W. Bush, advisor, and host of 'The Circus'—says yes.
For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guest: Mark McKinnon
Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins
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What’s the Point of Another GOP Debate?

Puck senior political correspondent Tara Palmeri is here to help you get through what may be the most chaotic and consequential presidential election cycle of our lifetime. With 15 years covering politics, Tara speaks with the smartest political brains to discuss what is happening behind the scenes in Washington D.C., and on the campaign trail.

News

Tara is joined by MSNBC political analyst and new Puck contributor John Heilemann, and they begin the pod by discussing Michael Cohen’s testimony in the Donald Trump hush money trial and the impact the case could possibly have on voters in November. They then assess the state of the Trump and Joe Biden campaigns, share their reactions to the announcement of their upcoming debates, and dissect the current presidential poll numbers.
For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, ‘The Best and the Brightest,’ at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guest: John Heilemann
Producer: Chris Sutton
Production Supervision: Conor Nevins
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Feeling the Trump Trial Aftershocks With John Heilemann

Tara is joined by CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig, and they begin their conversation by sharing their reactions to the newly announced Trump-Biden debates coming later this year. They then dissect this week’s developments in the Donald Trump hush money trial and speculate on its outcome.
For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, ‘The Best and the Brightest,’ at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guest: Elie Honig
Producer: Chris Sutton
Production Supervision: Conor Nevins
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Predicting the Trump Verdict With Elie Honig

Tara is joined by Puck’s own Teddy Schleifer and they begin their conversation by examining the icy relationship between the Nikki Haley and Donald Trump camps, and debating the viability of them joining forces on a 2024 election ticket. They then dive into myriad hot-button topics, including Melinda Gates severing ties with the influential Gates Foundation, the right-wing TikTok phenomenon, and much more.
For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, ‘The Best and the Brightest,’ at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guest: Teddy Schleifer
Producer: Chris Sutton
Production Supervision: Conor Nevins
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Measuring the Nikki Haley Trial Balloon

Tara is joined by Republican consultant and former chief of staff to Mitch McConnell, Josh Holmes, and they begin their conversation by discussing Donald Trump’s current standing within the GOP and what the party has done to streamline the somewhat mercurial relationship with its presumptive nominee. They then dive into all of the tight senate races around the U.S. and shine a light on the Republicans' path to regain the majority in the chamber.﻿
For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, ‘The Best and the Brightest,’ at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guest: Josh Holmes
Producer: Chris Sutton
Production Supervision: Conor Nevins
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Mitch McConnell’s Advisor Predicts the Senate Map

Tara starts the pod by sharing her reporting on Ivanka Trump's possible return to the world of politics and, more importantly, her dad’s inner circle. She’s then joined by Democratic pollster Evan Roth Smith to discuss the obstacles that are keeping Joe Biden’s approval numbers low, examine the ways he can get them back up, and debate the influence of the "double hater" voter base in the upcoming election.
For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, ‘The Best and the Brightest,’ at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guest: Evan Roth Smith
Producer: Chris Sutton
Production Supervision: Conor Nevins
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What’s the Point of Another GOP Debate?

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