Forward Thinking Politics

Patrick Pfingsten talks about Republican struggles with voters under 40 in last week's midterm elections. We're joined by former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator George Allen on the future of the GOP, Donald Trump, and our political divisiveness.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the controversy between the White House and CNN Reporter Jim Acosta. We're joined by Mississippi Clarion-Ledger Political Reporter Luke Ramseth on the Mississippi runoff election between Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mike Espy. Patrick also reflects on the results of the midterm election. 

Patrick Pfingsten discusses how a Democratic House and Republican Senate mean very little progress and how the majority of Americans in the middle can control the agenda. We discuss a likely recount in the Florida Senate race with Gatehouse Media State Capitol Bureau Chief John Kennedy. We're also joined by veteran Democratic strategist Bob Shrum on the midterm results and how Donald Trump approaches the next two years before facing re-election. 

Patrick Pfingsten talks about the effectiveness of negative ads and how young staffers have been killing themselves for a cause they believe in. We're also joined by McKay Coppins, Staff Writer for The Atlantic, on former House Speaker and Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.

Patrick Pfingsten talks about the down-ballot races that you may not be paying attention to that likely have more impact on your life than the races getting the most publicity. We're joined by political reporters from Missouri, Florida, West Virginia, Tennessee, and New Jersey to discuss big races in those states in the waning days of Campaign 2018.

Patrick Pfingsten talks about division in society and politics that has led to mass shootings and bombs being sent to political opponents. We're joined by U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, who is locked in a tough re-election race and get an analysis of the race from journalist and pundit Abdul Hakim-Shabazz. 

Patrick Pfingsten talks about bomb scares to former Presidents Obama and Clinton and ties to the decline in political rhetoric. We're joined by A.B. Stoddard from Real Clear Politics to discuss discourse and midterm elections. 

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the closing map for House Republicans as they try to hold on to control of the House of Representatives. We're joined by author Chris Whipple to talk about White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, his recent controversies, and what a Chief of Staff can do to keep President Trump in line.

Patrick Pfingsten talks about the infatuation with flashy celebrity politicians. Austin American-Statesman Chief Political Writer Jonathan Tilove joins us to talk about the U.S. Senate race in Texas. We're also joined by former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell on the Supreme Court, midterms, and his battle with Parkinson's Disease. 

Patrick Pfingsten is in Springfield, Illinois, talking about the sad condition of his home state. We're joined by Mark Maxwell of WCIA-TV to discuss the race for Illinois Governor and a hotly contested Congressional race. Amy Chozick of the New York Times discusses how the Trump reality show may give him a second term.

Patrick Pfingsten does live analysis during the opening of the Kavanaugh hearing on Capitol Hill. We're joined by former White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry on Kavanaugh, the future of the Supreme Court, and the job facing current Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Patrick Pfingsten talks about how the Kavanaugh nomination and scandal has reached a new low in American politics. We're joined by Todd Ruger of CQ/Roll Call to discuss the nomination fight and allegations, as well as the future of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. 

Patrick Pfingsten talks about the hyperbole of today's news cycle, as well as the confirmation battle of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. We're joined by Kyle Kondik, Managing Editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia to break down battleground races in the November election. 

Patrick Pfingsten discusses his concerns about the allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Commentary Magazine Associate Editor Noah Rothman joins us to discuss the Kavanaugh accusations and why they're being made in the wrong arena. 

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the obsession with media for all things Trump. We also discuss ethics with former Obama White House "ethics czar" and former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Norman Eisen.

Patrick Pfingsten tells the story of a 9/11 hero and how it impacts our politics today in a special edition of the podcast.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the anonymous New York Times Editorial written by an administration official criticizing the President. We're also joined by former John McCain staff lawyer and Federal Election Commission Chairman Trevor Potter on McCain's life and how messed up our campaign finance system is. 

Patrick Pfingsten talks about and listens live to, the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing of Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. He also discusses the most frustrating parts of Donald Trump's interview with Bloomberg. We're joined by Vanderbilt University Law Professor Suzanna Sherry to talk about Kavanaugh, the hearings, and the nomination process. 

Patrick Pfingsten and GOP strategist Mike O'Brien discuss life on the campaign trail and the impact of Donald Trump. Republican strategist and author Rick Wilson, author of Everything Trump Touches Dies, discusses John McCain, Trumpism, and the midterms. 

Patrick Pfingsten looks back on the life, legacy, controversies, and politics of U.S. Senator John McCain, who died this weekend at 81. We're joined by Amy Sullivan, co-host of the Impolite Company podcast, to discuss the Catholic Church scandal and evangelical embrace of Donald Trump.