The Horse Race

Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith
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Your weekly update on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.

  1. 9 APR

    Polling the void: Chatbots as human substitutes

    Do we need humans to gather public opinion anymore? This week, Steve and Jenn are joined by Rich Parr, VP of the MassINC Polling Group, to stare into the abyss of "silicon sampling" and what it means for polling. How is it done? How accurate is it? Should you have to disclose the fact that your public opinion research did not include... the public? https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/06/opinion/ai-polling.html https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/political-analysis/article/out-of-one-many-using-language-models-to-simulate-human-samples/035D7C8A55B237942FB6DBAD7CAA4E4

    35 min

  2. 2 APR

    Donald’s Enmity and Intrusion

    For the first time in history, a sitting president attended a supreme court hearing. Trump refused to pick up a 48-ounce bucket of iced coffee for Justice Kavanaugh, even though Dunkin' was "on the way." Steve and Jenn discuss the historic hearing and surprising polling trends on birthright citizenship. Then, Jenn debriefs from a joint committee hearing on the racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion. . 2018 Press release Seed MA Baby . Learn more about Benchmark Strategies . The MassINC Polling Group . thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com

    32 min

  3. 26 MAR

    Neigh Sayers

    Last week, a hangry joint committee heard from proponents of two proposed ballot measures aimed at lowering housing costs. This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve chat about a pattern of flabbergastedness from some legislators at the hearings as they try to reconcile the various approaches to reigning in housing costs. Somebody Uber Eats a Dunkin' "I Dough" box to Beacon Hill, quick! Previous episode with background on ballot measures: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-balloting-act/id1287252103?i=1000754830264

    33 min

  4. 19 MAR

    Gas-tly Numbers

    This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss polling on the war in Iran, gas prices, and Trump's economy. Then, a twist in the ballot question saga: the Mass. Senate evokes their constitutional right to "Phone a Friend" at the SJC. And finally, the final boss of beverages, the Ranch Dressing Milkshake.

    28 min

  5. 12 MAR

    A Balloting Act

    What happens when a proposed ballot measure receives legal challenges? This week on The Horse Race, Chris Lisinski puts down his Espresso Protein-i to join Jenn and Steve for an update on the ballot measure parade and the legal challenges they are facing.

    29 min

  6. 5 MAR

    "No Longer Invisible" with Dr. Watanabe [Archive Interview]

    In this archive episode, Jenn and Steve are joined by Paul Watanabe, professor of political science and director of the Institute for Asian American Studies at the UMass-Boston, to discuss a groundbreaking poll from Mass Inc. Polling Group entitled "No Longer Invisible." This poll focussed on issues facing Asian & Pacific Islander American residents of Massachusetts, the fastest growing group in the Commonwealth. Originally aired: 06/05/2025 as "Episode 352: Elections, and Polling, and Donuts! Oh My! (ft. Dr Watanabe)"

    23 min

  7. 26 FEB

    The Stats of the Union

    The annual State of the Union speech gives pollsters a chance to see how the president is doing. Lots of data comes out around this time telling us how Americans are feeling about the President, the country, and one another. This week on The Horse Race, Steve is joined by Rich Parr, VP of the MassINC Polling Group to nerd out about all the stats and trends that this remarkable State of the Union revealed.

    33 min

  8. 19 FEB

    McGovernmental Authority, with U.S. Rep Jim McGovern

    Can congress to do... anything? This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela is joined by Congressman Jim McGovern to discuss whats fundamentally wrong with congress and what can be done to fix it. Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group Guests: Congressman Jim McGovern Rich Parr, Vice President of the MassINC Polling Group Further Reading: House Rejects McGovern’s Bipartisan War Powers Resolution, Shamefully Surrendering More Power to the White HouseMcGovern Announces Statewide End Hunger Now Tour, Slams Trump’s Big Ugly Bill for Making Hunger WorseBoston Mayor Wu sending Seattle kids to expensive World Cup after Patriots’ Super Bowl lossFoxborough stalls FIFA World Cup entertainment license over $7.8M security bill

    31 min
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About

Your weekly update on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    409
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith
  • Show Website
    The Horse Race

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