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Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Ricochet
Each week Henry Olsen, columnist and senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, will talk about the presidential and congressional races with leading political journalists and analysts, people who are out in the field and won't give you media spin. Find out who's leading the pack and who's an also-ran, with Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen.
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- 5 days ago57 min
Southern Bellwethers?
We've got Senate runoffs in the Deep South next week, and that means we already know what's in the bag... right? Wrong! Jessica Taylor, Cook Political Report's Senate and Governors Editor, returns to update us on a couple of surprisingly close Republican primaries. Tune in to hear about an Alabama outsider's formidable challenge to the Trump-endorsed candidate and the Republicans hoping to unseat a relatively strong John Ossoff in the increasingly purple Peach State. The duo also looks ahead to the next big Democratic Senate primary in Michigan.Plus, Henry jets around the far corners of the country for a rant on Graham Platner's win in Maine, Spencer Pratt's loss in Los Angeles, and how ranked-choice voting might leave Congressional control uncertain if races in Alaska and Maine remain tight. And we take a look at a trio of uber-expensive ads for a California gubernatorial candidate you may not have even heard about.
- 1 weeks ago51 min
Mapmaker, Matchmaker
Though election watchers generally have to make some peace with selfish motives and unpleasant truths, there is more to democracy than the cynics would have you believe. Sean Trende is back for a chat on this theme as it applies to the redistricting wars. In 2020, the Virginia Supreme Court tasked Sean with helping draft the commonwealth's congressional map—the very map that state Democrats unsuccessfully tried to replace this year. He and Henry talk through the labor involved in drawing fair lines, and the unique challenges of doing so in an age of partisan gamesmanship.Plus, we had a primary bonanza on Tuesday! Henry rants through what we can glean from the results still trickling in from California, Zach Lahn's surprise victory in Iowa over his Trump-endorsed opponent, and a few more progressive insurgents breaking through establishment Democrats' trenches.And if you haven't already, be sure to sign up for Henry's "Margin of Victory" newsletter to stay ahead of the curve this election season.
- 2 weeks ago1h 8m
This Year's Model
America is a change agent. Just this week, we witnessed another sign of that as unstoppable MAGA momentum pushed notorious Ken Paxton to a walloping victory over party loyalist John Cornyn. So how does one gauge public opinion in such a dynamic terrain? To answer that, Henry sits down with James Kanagasooriam of the research firm Focaldata. The duo discusses the history of polling and the current methods for addressing new challenges, such as response rate collapse and demographic biases toward politically engaged voters, and how these fit into the timeless task of interpreting the results. All of it adds up to a must-listen lesson on how some pollsters innovate to make their boldly accurate calls.Plus, Henry examines the Texas runoff results and looks ahead to exciting primaries coming up in California, New Jersey, Iowa, Montana, and South Dakota.
- 3 weeks ago53 min
Waving Cane in the Lone Star State
Texas is known for super-sizing every endeavor, so amid another hyper-polarized election season you can bet on a spectacle with an ensemble cast down south. Scott Braddock of Quorum Report joins Henry this week to give us the inside scoop on the Cornyn-Paxton Senate runoff and a close look at the characters vying for redrawn House districts around the major metro areas.Plus, Henry examines this week's primary results, paying special attention to the victory for polarization — evidenced by Thomas Massie's decisive defeat at the president's behest on the one hand, and the big win in PA-03 by new Squad member Chris Rabb on the other.
- May 14, 202659 min
Peachy Primaries and Commonwealth Commotions
We've got seven primaries coming through this week, and that means we're on the move! First, Martha Zoller takes Henry on a tour of Georgia's crowded Republican contests to vie for John Ossoff's Senate seat, House districts, and the Governor's mansion in Atlanta. Next, we jump up north, where Erin Covey returns to give an in-depth analysis of key races in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. We're adless this week, but Henry has much to say about the Republican breakthrough beyond the gerrymander trenches and the implications it may have for House control come November.
- May 7, 202652 min
Safe Senate Seat Scuffles
The old rhyme promises that May brings the flowers, and sure enough we're seeing early bursts of the election season bloom! This week, Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report guides us through three surprisingly close Republican primaries in the reliably red South. Get to know the candidates chasing open Senate seats in Alabama and Kentucky, and take a gander at Bill Cassidy's feverish fight in Louisiana to survive Trump's retribution for his 2021 vote in favor of Trump's impeachment. Expect strong weather and prepare for runoff. Plus, Henry looks at Tuesday's bloodbath in Indiana and Ron DeSantis's gerrymander and sees signs that Trump's bare-knuckle style might secure another title for the heel. And lastly, we glance at dueling ads between California's top Democratic gubernatorial candidates.
- Apr 30, 202649 min
Beggars Can't Be Hoosiers
When the Trump administration launched its controversial mid-decade redistricting effort earlier this year, it was met not only with howls of outrage from Democrats but also with steadfast opposition from Republicans in Indiana. Now, the president and Governor Mike Braun are weighing in on the state senate primaries, endorsing challengers over the defectors. To take us through the twists and turns of this exceptional drama, Henry sits down with Brian Howey of State Affairs Pro Indiana. Plus, Henry dives into Florida's own GOP-friendly demography to consider whether Governor DeSantis will have better fortune in the map-making endeavor. And we examine an ad trifecta from the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA that may portend the future of targeted political messaging.
- Apr 23, 202648 min
What Really Matters
It's no secret that ordinary Americans are often puzzled by the fights animating partisans inside the Beltway. A question emerges, however: What would our representatives talk about if they thought more like the people who elected them? Today, Henry sits down with Tim Goeglein of Focus on the Family to discuss his new book, What Really Matters: Restoring a Legacy of Faith, Freedom, and Family.Plus, Henry breaks down how the economic fallout from the war with Iran is weighing down Trump's approval and the chances for Republican congressional hopefuls. And stay tuned until the end for a closer look at two clever attack ads—one aimed at Thomas Massie and another with sights on Sherrod Brown.
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About Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen
Each week Henry Olsen, columnist and senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, will talk about the presidential and congressional races with leading political journalists and analysts, people who are out in the field and won't give you media spin. Find out who's leading the pack and who's an also-ran, with Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen.
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