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The Politics Guys: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Michael Baranowski
The Politics Guys is an independent, ideologically diverse American politics and policy podcast hosted by experts: political scientists, law professors, and practicing attorneys with government experience. Our mission is to give listeners a much-needed break from conservative and liberal echo chambers through civil, rational, and evidence-based discussion of American politics and policy from multiple perspectives.
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- 2 days ago52 min
Kash Patel’s Vetting Revisions, Pardons for Cash, War Powers Votes, and Fed Rate Hikes
On this week’s episode of The Politics Guys, Trey Orndorff (Oklahoma Christian University) is joined by political scientist Justin Holmes (University of Northern Iowa), filling in while Ken Katkin takes a short hiatus. The hosts break down a bizarre Senate Judiciary oversight hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel, an explosive congressional report on executive pardon brokers, a House vote to end U.S. military operations in Iran alongside a parliamentary standoff that sent Congress home early, and the Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in three years.The Politics Guys on Facebook | XListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys.The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
- 5 days ago56 min
Socialism and the Democratic Party
Mike talks with Blake Ashby, co-founder of the Institute for Urban Capitalism and author of Socialism and the Democratic Party: The Case for a Return to Moderated Capitalism. They discuss why younger and older Americans hear very different things when they hear “socialism,” what Marx got right about capitalism—and where socialism goes wrong—and why Ashby argues that neither laissez-faire capitalism nor state control offers a workable answer. They also examine worker cooperatives, public utilities, deregulation and inequality, the role of government in making markets possible, capital flight, taxation, and Ashby’s case for “bubble-up economics.” The conversation closes with a political question for Democrats: if many policies associated with socialism are popular, does the label matter—or should the party stop worrying about the word and focus on the substance?Blake Ashby on XThe Politics Guys on Facebook | XListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys.The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
- 6 days ago16 min
Mail Ballots, Ukraine Talks, Germany’s Far-Right Surge
Mike and Michael open this midweek supporters’ episode with the Trump administration’s new Postal Service rules for mail ballots, a federal judge’s injunction blocking them, and whether the Supreme Court is likely to intervene. That leads to a broader debate over Trump’s attacks on mail voting, election distrust, MAGA’s cult-like dynamics, and whether criticism of the Supreme Court’s emergency docket is justified.Next, they examine the administration’s effort to use the federal SAVE system to verify voter citizenship, including privacy concerns, inaccurate records, and the risk of eligible citizens being removed from the rolls.Then they turn overseas to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s latest Ukraine diplomacy, asking whether unconventional Trump loyalists might actually offer advantages as negotiators—and whether Vladimir Putin has any reason to compromise while Russia believes time is on its side.Finally, they look at the AfD’s major election victory in Germany, the Trump administration’s unusual support for the party, Germany’s attempts to police political extremism, and what the AfD’s rise says about voter dissatisfaction with establishment parties. The Politics Guys on Facebook | XListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys.The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
- 1 weeks ago57 min
Trump’s Midterm Gamble, Senate Showdowns, Missouri’s Map Mess
Mike and Michael mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 before turning to the GOP’s first midterm convention, Trump’s effort to mobilize lower-propensity voters, John Fetterman’s unusual Republican outreach, and the battle for control of the Senate. They also discuss the New Hampshire and Rhode Island primaries and debate Missouri’s redistricting fight, including whether changing congressional maps between a primary and general election creates serious constitutional and democratic problems.The Politics Guys on Facebook | XListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys.The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
- 1 weeks ago25 min
Minnesota v. Texas on Extradition, Druckenmiller's AI Op-Ed, and the Future of Writing
On this midweek supporters-exclusive episode of The Politics Guys, Trey Orndorff (Oklahoma Christian University) is joined by Justin Holmes (University of Northern Iowa) in an extra-long preview for non-supporters. Listen to an entire segment this week as Trey and Justin break down a high-stakes constitutional dispute over interstate extradition between Minnesota and Texas. Then, join as Trey and Justin debate the ethical boundaries between research or search tools, such as Gemini Notebook, and generative engines. What sparks the debate? Stanley Druckenmiller’s acknowledgement that his commentary piece was published using AI and the Wall Street Journal’s Paul Gigot defending the piece. What are the edges of ethical AI use? The Politics Guys on Facebook | XListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys.The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
- 2 weeks ago54 min
SCOTUS Clears the White House Ballroom, House Censures Rep. Chuck Edwards, Army Secretary Resigns, and Record High Corruption Perceptions
On this week’s episode of The Politics Guys, Trey Orndorff (Oklahoma Christian University) is joined by Justin Holmes (University of Northern Iowa), filling in while Ken Katkin takes a few weeks away from the show. The pair start by looking at breaking down the decision of SCOTUS to allow the White House Ballroom Construction to continue. Trey and Justin discuss the mechanics of standing and why both agree that on its merits the petitioners lack standing. They dig deeper to discuss why unsigned orders draw criticism, and how congressional inaction creates systemic blind spots in checking executive power.Next, they move to the 413-2 vote to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards. Trey and Justin evaluate the rare bipartisan consensus behind the vote, contrasting it with recent disciplinary battles involving former representatives Matt Gaetz, Eric Swalwell, and Tony Gonzales. Trey posits that the bipartisan anger, including the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, over Epstein might be a contributing factor in the unanimity.After that, they move to the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. With Driscoll’s exit following the previous departures of top civilian and military officials, Trey and Justin examine how the turnover affects the ongoing military operations in the Middle East. They also discuss the potential presidential aspirations of both VD Vance and Hegseth in the dealings behind the scenes.They close the show by looking at Gallup’s tracking poll on government corruption. Gallup’s question on widespread corruption hit a new high, with 89% of American adults indicating they view government corruption as widespread. This is up significantly from 79% in 2025 and 74% in 2024. Justin dives into survey question methodology and how the question has flaws, but still has merit. Both hosts analyze how declining social capital, negative media incentives for institutions, and institutional alienation impact democratic stability.The Politics Guys on Facebook | XListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys.The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
- 2 weeks ago1h 1m
America, China, and the Innovation Race
Is America really losing its technological edge to China? Mike talks with Mehran Gul, author of The New Geography of Innovation, about why U.S. tech dominance may be stronger than it looks—and why China has nevertheless become a genuine innovation powerhouse. They explore Silicon Valley’s surprising government roots, the critical role of venture capital, Europe’s struggle to compete in AI, South Korea’s giant conglomerates, Singapore’s unusually capable state, the demographic threat facing innovative economies, and why geography may matter more—not less—in an increasingly digital world.The Politics Guys on Facebook | XListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys.The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
- 2 weeks ago16 min
Mail-In Voting at the Supreme Court, Meta’s $17 Billion Deal & Voting Rights by Age
In this supporters’ exclusive midweek episode, Mike and Jay dig into three fights over elections, technology, and government power. First, the Supreme Court intervenes in the battle over President Trump’s new mail-ballot rules—raising questions about standing, last-minute election changes, presidential authority, and whether states can realistically comply before the midterms. Then they turn to Meta’s $17.1 billion settlement over alleged harms to children and teens, asking whether the enormous headline number will actually hurt Meta—or meaningfully improve kids’ mental health. Finally, they debate a federal appeals court ruling striking down South Carolina’s rule giving voters 65 and older easier access to mail voting, a decision that could put the meaning of the 26th Amendment before the Supreme Court.The Politics Guys on Facebook | XListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys.The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
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About The Politics Guys
The Politics Guys is an independent, ideologically diverse American politics and policy podcast hosted by experts: political scientists, law professors, and practicing attorneys with government experience. Our mission is to give listeners a much-needed break from conservative and liberal echo chambers through civil, rational, and evidence-based discussion of American politics and policy from multiple perspectives.
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