The Leslie Marshall Show

lesliemarshall
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The Only True Democracy in Talk Radio

  1. 4d ago

    Election Crossroads: Charlie Cook on the U.S. Midterms and Hadar Susskind on Israel’s Vote

    The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  In this special election-focused edition of Deadline DC, Brad Bannon looks at two major political contests unfolding on opposite sides of the world. In the first half hour, veteran political analyst Charlie Cook joins Brad for a preview of the U.S. midterm elections. Cook explains why he sees the current environment less as a traditional “blue wave” and more as a “Trump undertow” affecting Republican enthusiasm and competitiveness. He breaks down the fight for control of the House and Senate, the importance of key races in states including Texas, Kansas and Michigan, and how inflation, energy prices, tariffs and the cost of living are shaping voter attitudes. Then, Hadar Susskind, President and CEO of New Jewish Narrative, joins Brad to preview Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election. Susskind explains how Israel’s coalition system works, the political blocs competing to govern, Benjamin Netanyahu’s position, and the potentially decisive role of Arab parties in forming the next government. The conversation also moves beyond electoral politics to the broader stakes for the Middle East, including violence in the West Bank, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, U.S.-Israel relations and Israel’s growing international isolation. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

  2. Oct 7

    The High Cost of Trump’s Agenda: Environmental Damage and Economic Pain

    http://www.NRDC.orgThe guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by Bob Deans, Director of Strategic Engagement at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), to examine the mounting environmental and economic costs of President Trump’s policies. Bob explains how the administration’s attacks on clean energy and environmental protections are affecting Americans’ wallets, pointing to rising electricity and gasoline costs, billions of dollars in lost clean-energy investment and canceled projects that could have powered millions of homes and businesses. Meanwhile, major oil companies continue to reap enormous profits. Brad and Bob also discuss the growing financial toll of climate-driven droughts, heat waves, wildfires, storms and floods; a major Supreme Court case involving efforts to hold fossil-fuel companies accountable for climate damages; and threats to America’s national parks and protected lands. Finally, they look ahead to what Congress can do to restore environmental safeguards, protect clean air and water, accelerate clean-energy development and provide greater accountability for an administration that Deans says has taken or proposed more than 560 actions undermining the environment and public health. Then, Brad is joined by Tara Devlin, host of the TARABUSTER podcast, for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of the U.S. economy, affordability and growing economic inequality. Brad and Tara examine the contrast between the Trump administration’s claims of a booming economy and economic indicators showing weak hiring, persistent inflation, high mortgage rates and financial pressure on working- and middle-class Americans. Tara explains how Trump’s self-described “golden age” looks very different for ordinary families than it does for billionaires and the wealthiest Americans. The conversation also turns to the rollback of clean-energy projects, the economic impact of those decisions, and the approaching midterm elections. Later, Brad and Tara discuss proposals to raise taxes on billionaires, the concentration of wealth and political influence, and whether asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute more could help address challenges facing programs such as Social Security. They close with a broader conversation about money and politics, accountability and the controversies surrounding Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The website for NRDC is www.NRDC.org and their handle on BlueSky is @NRDC.org. Tara Devlin is host of the progressive podcast 'TARABUSTER,' which can be found at www.tarabuster.com. Her handle on BlueSky is @tarabuster.bsky.social. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

  3. Oct 2

    Return to Repayment, Again: What the End of SAVE Means for Student Loan Borrowers

    The Student Debt Crisis Center takes over The Leslie Marshall Show for a special guest-hosted episode focused on what student loan borrowers need to know as the SAVE repayment plan comes to an end—and millions of Americans once again face major changes to their student loan payments. SDCC President and Founder Natalia Abrams, Executive Director Sabrina Cereceres, Lead Borrower Strategist Sabrina Calazans, and Policy and Communications Intern Ryan Coryea break down what the end of SAVE means, the rolling 90-day deadlines borrowers are receiving to choose a new repayment plan, and the steps borrowers can take now to protect themselves. The team also examines the growing confusion surrounding the return to repayment, including application backlogs, conflicting notices, incorrect payment amounts, servicing errors, and problems affecting Public Service Loan Forgiveness. They discuss an SDCC survey in which borrowers leaving SAVE reported expected monthly payment increases averaging more than $500—and why documenting every notice, phone call, application, payment and account change has become increasingly important. The conversation also explores the repayment options available to borrowers, what to do if a new payment appears incorrect, how to handle a pending repayment-plan application, and the differences borrowers should consider when evaluating plans such as IBR and RAP. Finally, the SDCC team explains its call for a national pause on federal student loan payments and interest while servicing and administrative problems are addressed, a campaign that has drawn support from more than 170,000 people. They also answer some of the most frequently asked questions they’re hearing directly from borrowers and share resources for navigating this rapidly changing system. Because student loan rules and guidance are changing quickly, this episode reflects the information available as of September 30, 2026. The Student Debt Crisis Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers and works with allies to influence public policy and end the student debt crisis. Learn more at StudentDebtCrisis.org, follow @DebtCrisisOrg on X, Instagram and Facebook, and find SDCC on Bluesky at @debtcrisisorg.bsky.social.

  4. Sep 29

    Why Americans Are Feeling the Squeeze — Economically and Politically

    The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  First, Brad speaks with world renowned Economist Dr. Robert Shapiro about the economic pressures facing American families, including rising gas, food, electricity and health-care costs, and why Rob believes many of those increases are tied to Trump administration policies on tariffs, health care and the war in Iran. They also discuss the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates, what higher borrowing costs mean for mortgages, credit cards and car loans, and why Rob is worried about slower growth as wages fail to keep pace with inflation. The conversation also turns to the political consequences of the economy heading into the midterms and what Democrats should prioritize if they regain control of Congress. Dr. Shapiro argues that Democrats should roll back tariffs, restore Affordable Care Act subsidies and press for an end to the war in Iran as ways to reduce price pressures and show voters they are focused on improving household finances. Then, John Kenneth White joins Brad to discuss his new book, "Democracy on the Edge: The Trump Elections and the Future of American Politics." John argues that America’s democratic crisis did not begin with Donald Trump, but has been made more severe by decades of growing presidential power, congressional weakness and structural problems in the Constitution. Brad and John discuss the Electoral College, the Senate, Supreme Court reform, Congress’s diminished role in war powers and the broader question of whether the country’s political institutions are still working as intended. The conversation also explores the country’s changing racial and generational makeup, the political backlash that followed Barack Obama’s election, the long-running stalemate between the two parties, and the economic divide between wealthy Americans and everyone else. John argues that younger voters are less attached to either party because they have not seen enough results, and he closes on a more hopeful note about the responsibility of ordinary citizens to protect democratic institutions and take ownership of the country’s future. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

  5. Sep 22

    WH Press Corps Unites Against Trump Ban; AI Risks, China, and Regulation

    The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by PoliticusUSA's Sarah Jones to discuss the Trump administration’s restrictions on White House press access, JD Vance’s defense of the policy, and Jones’s concerns about press freedom and democratic norms. They also examine the Iran war and rising costs, signs of tension within the Republican coalition, the latest midterm polling and battle for Congress, and Sen. John Fetterman’s political positioning in Pennsylvania. You can read Sarah's work at www.thedailypoliticususa.com. Follow her on BlueSky, where her handle is @politicussarah.bsky.social. The handle for PoliticusUSA is @politicususa.com. Then, Brad talks with Adam Conner, Vice President for Technology Policy at the Center for American Progress, about the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and the debate over how—or whether—to regulate it.  Adam explains what today’s AI systems can do, why some researchers are raising concerns about cybersecurity, weapons development and loss of human control, and why the accelerating U.S.-China competition over advanced AI raises both economic and national-security questions.  They also discuss the upcoming U.S.-China summit, whether policymakers should slow AI development to address safety concerns, the growth of AI data centers, potential job displacement, and what Congress may need to consider as AI becomes a larger political issue. You can read Adam's work at www.americanprogress.org. Follow him on BlueSky, where his handle is @americanprogress.bsky.social. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

  6. Sep 15

    Colonel Leighton Talks Iran War, North & South Korea, Ukraine-Russia, AI & the Military

    The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF-Ret.).  They discuss topics like the Iran war, North and South Korea, Ukraine-Russia, AI and the military, and why an AI treaty between the United States and China is so vitally important. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

  7. Aug 18

    Trump's Cuts to Medicare Part D; Dangerous Conditions for Sailors Aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln

    The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of 'Social Security Works.' The pair discusses the Trump administration's cut to Medicare Part D plans, status updates on the state of Social Security, and internal ideological struggles within the Democratic party. Then, Brad is joined by Tara Devlin, host of the 'TARABUSTER' podcast. She and Brad breakdown the departure of Karoline Leavitt as Trump's Press Secretary, the dangerous conditions for sailors aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln, mismanagement of the Iran war, and Trump's indifference to the economic suffering of the American people. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

  8. Aug 11

    How Iran & Ukraine Wars Are Connected; Trump Attacks on Progressive Nonprofits

    The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF-Ret.). The two discuss whether President Trump has already lost the Iran War. They also break down why the U.S. is running out of ammunition, and how the Iran and Ukraine-Russia wars are connected. Finally, they analyze Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's poor record during his time in charge of the U.S. military. Then, long time guest Edwith Theogene rejoins Brad on the show for the first time in a while. She is now Director of Policy and Advocacy at TSNE (Third Sector New England, Inc.), a capacity building organization that partners with nonprofit organizations to provide the services, programs, and resources they need to support their communities and ultimately, create a more equitable society. She and Brad discuss TSNE's work, as well as the Trump administration's attacks on progressive non-profits. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

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About

The Only True Democracy in Talk Radio

Information

  • Creator
    lesliemarshall
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Leslie Marshall Show