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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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday53 min
Can Open Primaries Break the Two-Party Cartel?
Open Primaries founder John Opdycke joins Mike to argue that America’s primary system gives political parties too much control while shutting out millions of independent voters. They discuss taxpayer-funded closed primaries, top-two elections, whether open systems actually reduce polarization, the threat of strategic “raiding,” and why third parties so rarely gain traction. Opdycke also explains the 2024 defeats of several election-reform measures, the risks of bundling open primaries with ranked-choice voting, opposition from both major parties, and why changing election rules matters only if reformers also build new political coalitions and persuade voters to participate.Open Primaries 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.
- 2 days ago19 min
Religion as a political ideology
On this midweek supporters-exclusive episode of The Politics Guys, Trey Orndorff (Oklahoma Christian University) and Justin Holmes (University of Northern Iowa) continue their deep dive into political ideologies by tackling a unique case: religion. Topics covered include: How religion shapes political behaviorJohn Rawls and exorcising faith, and can it be, from the public sphereAn overview of the substantive and functional definitions of religion Is religion just an add-on to other ideologies?What, if anything, makes the values of religion different from other values?Are there true values and how do we exist in a pluralist society if we accept that there are better and worse values?Become a new monthly supporter on Patreon and get your first month nearly free (90% off) with promo code 0943D, or become a new annual supporter and get an additional 10% off on top of the regular 10% annual supporter discount with promo code 9B50C. These offers are good until the end of July at patreon.com/politicsguysThe 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 ago1h 3m
The $37 Billion War, Britain’s Leadership Pivot, Forced-Labor Tariffs, and Arizona’s Primary
On this week’s episode, political scientist Trey Orndorff (Oklahoma Christian University) is joined by political scientist Justin Holmes (University of Northern Iowa) to break down a packed late-July news cycle spanning a massive war supplemental request on Capitol Hill, a rapid-fire prime ministerial transition across the Atlantic, executive tariff gymnastics, and an electoral shockwave in a premier battleground state.The pair begins by diving into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's combative appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Hegseth revealed that the U.S. military conflict with Iran has burned through $37.5 billion so far, defending a massive $87.6 billion emergency supplemental request. Trey breaks down the math discovering that the request represents a 9.2% increase over the baseline defense budget. Next, over in Great Britain, Andy Burnham officially became the UK's 59th Prime Minister. Trey and Justin discuss the mechanics of parliamentary leadership swaps, Burnham's swift shift to authorize U.S. air launches from British bases against Iran, and his appointment of prominent Trump critic Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary. They also look at polling showing that nearly two-thirds of the British public oppose offensive U.S. strikes and explore the domestic risks Burnham faces as he balances transatlantic relations with a skeptical electorate. After that the guys analyze the White House's latest trade moves following USTR Jamieson Greer's announcement of new Section 301 tariffs targeting 60 major trading partners under the official justification of combating foreign forced labor. Trey and Justin look past the human-rights framing to reveal the underlying legal timeline: the Section 301 action was timed to seamlessly replace temporary Section 122 tariffs that expired at midnight. They debate President Trump's mercantilist vision, "constitutional whack-a-mole," supply chain realities and why global companies are likely to wait out executive trade directives. To close the show, Trey and Justin head to Arizona, where primary voters handed a complete sweep to Donald Trump's endorsed slate: Congressman Andy Biggs for Governor, State Rep. Alexander Kolodin for Secretary of State, and State Senate President Warren Petersen for Attorney General. With all three nominees tied directly to post-2020 election challenges, Jan 6 objections, and the Maricopa County Cyber Ninjas audit, the guys debate how this hard-right ticket will fair in November against incumbent Democrats, the median voter theory, and why Democrats consistently struggle with tangible election security messaging.Become a new monthly supporter on Patreon and get your first month nearly free (90% off) with promo code 0943D, or become a new annual supporter and get an additional 10% off on top of the regular 10% annual supporter discount with promo code 9B50C. These offers are good until the end of July at patreon.com/politicsguysThe 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 ago59 min
Who Controls AI—and Who Pays When It Goes Wrong?
AI is advancing faster than Congress can regulate it—but leaving the industry to police itself carries enormous risks. Mike talks with former congressman and Pentagon official Brad Carson about mandatory safety testing, federal efforts to override state AI laws, liability when AI causes harm, Anthropic’s clash with the government, autonomous weapons, mass surveillance, and why artificial intelligence could upend higher education. They also confront the deeper question: will citizens have any meaningful say over a technology being built by a handful of extraordinarily powerful companies? Americans for Responsible InnovationFollow Brad Carson on X.The Politics Guys on Facebook | XBecome a new monthly supporter on Patreon and get your first month nearly free (90% off) with promo code 0943D, or become a new annual supporter and get an additional 10% off on top of the regular 10% annual supporter discount with promo code 9B50C. These offers are good until the end of July at patreon.com/politicsguysThe 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 ago17 min
Can Trump Settle With Himself? Rubio’s ICC War, Hegseth’s Purge, and the DSA Left
This supporters’ exclusive midweek episode begins with a remarkable question: can a president sue his own government, negotiate with his own Justice Department, and call the result a legitimate settlement? Mike and Michael Levy unpack the judge’s ruling in Trump v. IRS, then turn to Marco Rubio’s campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, Pete Hegseth’s removal of senior military leaders and push for testosterone screening, and the Democratic Socialists’ recent primary victories. Are Democrats facing their own Tea Party insurgency—or a movement whose appeal collapses outside deep-blue districts? Check out Michael Levy’s SubstackSt. Thomas, by Sonny RollinsBecome a new monthly supporter on Patreon and get your first month nearly free (90% off) with promo code 0943D, or become a new annual supporter and get an additional 10% off on top of the regular 10% annual supporter discount with promo code 9B50C. These offers are good until the end of July at patreon.com/politicsguysThe 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 ago55 min
Trump’s Election Fraud Claims, Iran War Redux, and Lindsey Graham’s Legacy
Donald Trump says America’s elections are dangerously vulnerable—but did his primetime speech offer evidence, or lay the groundwork to contest a Republican midterm defeat? Mike and Michael Levy dissect Trump’s election-security claims, the SAVE Act, and the gap between genuine cybersecurity risks and unsupported allegations of noncitizen voting. They also examine the renewed U.S.-Iran war, the collapse of the Strait of Hormuz agreement, and whether Trump’s pressure campaign has any plausible endgame. Then they debate Lindsey Graham’s legacy: pragmatic dealmaker preserving his influence, or cautionary tale of a senator who recognized Trump’s danger and enabled it anyway? Finally, they turn to Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination, Justice Department independence, Trump’s IRS settlement, and the Epstein files.Check out Michael Levy’s SubstackBecome a new monthly supporter on Patreon and get your first month nearly free (90% off) with promo code 0943D, or become a new annual supporter and get an additional 10% off on top of the regular 10% annual supporter discount with promo code 9B50C. These offers are good until the end of July at patreon.com/politicsguysThe 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 8m
Can Maine Kill the Super PAC? Larry Lessig’s Supreme Court Strategy
Could a voter-approved law in Maine bring down the legal foundation of Super PACs without overturning Citizens United? Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig joins Mike to explain why he believes the lower-court ruling in SpeechNow v. FEC—not Citizens United—created today’s unlimited-contribution system, and why Maine’s overwhelmingly approved Super PAC contribution limits could give the Supreme Court a chance to correct that mistake. They discuss corruption, originalism, campaign coordination, democracy vouchers, public financing, and whether meaningful campaign finance reform remains politically possible.Lawrence Lessig on XBecome a new monthly supporter on Patreon and get your first month nearly free (90% off) with promo code 0943D, or become a new annual supporter and get an additional 10% off on top of the regular 10% annual supporter discount with promo code 9B50C. These offers are good until the end of July at patreon.com/politicsguysThe 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 ago14 min
Extended Republics and Expired War Bonds: Dissecting Federalist Papers 14, 15, and 16
Political scientist Trey Orndorff and law professor Ken Katkin continue their ongoing Federalst Papers series. In this episode, Trey and Ken move past lofty philosophies of Federalist No. 10 to examine the raw mathematical, logistical, and financial realities that the Madison and Hamilton confronted as their argued for a more powerful national government. Topics covered include:Trey and Ken explore Madison at his most pragmatic. Facing fierce Anti-Federalist critiques that the American landmass was simply too large for a unified republic to function, Madison busts out the calculations to prove that no state representative is too far from the capital. The guys laugh at Madison's slightly (very) skewed size comparisons to Germany and a pre-partitioned Poland to make his point.Madison correctly predicting that future technological improvements will seamlessly shrink distances. Ken hooks this directly into modern constitutional law, analyzing how Justice Anthony Kennedy heavily channeled the spirit of Federalist 14 in his landmark concurring opinion in United States v. Lopez (1994) to explain the evolution of our integrated national economy.Hamilton argues that the U.S. has reached the final stage of "national humiliation," left with neither a unified treasury nor a standing military mechanism to enforce its own sovereignty. Trey and Ken trace Hamilton's fury back to his real-world experiences as an aide during the Revolutionary War and his deep financial roots as a founder of the Bank of New York, watching unpaid war bonds cripple the young nation’s global creditworthiness.And so much more!Don't forget that our July video campaign is in full swing! If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading your membership or extending your subscription, doing so this month gets you entered into a raffle for a free year of membership. Plus if 25 indiivudals subscribe or upgrade their support we launch video epsidoes of the show!90% Off Your First Monthly Month: Use code 0943DTXTAn Additional 10% Off Annual Support: Use code 9B50CThe 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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