It's A Free Country: The Podcast

WNYC, New York Public Radio

Each week Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale and Todd Zwillich compete to play the most revealing soundbites they can find -- from the ones that help define major policy to the ones that made everyone say “Wait, what?!” It's also your chance to join the fun with games, tweets, surveys, and -- of course -- your vote on who you think brought the best clip. Every Thursday from now until election day.

Episodes

  1. 03/08/2012

    The Last Podcast (For Now)

    Episode #9: The push from the Iowa Caucuses through Super Tuesday is done, and Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale and Todd Zwillich are going to pack up the big tent until the Fall. Brian plays his lasting clip of Mitt Romney talking about firing people; Todd looks to the Fall for where women voters will land; and Anna talks about why no one seems to be connecting for the GOP. Thanks to all who've listened, we'll be back with more It's A Free Country: The Podcast in the runup to the conventions!

    21 min

  2. 03/02/2012

    College Snobs; Rust Belt Bounces Back; and Obama's Sweet Spot

    Episode #8: Brian Lehrer's back, and so is Mitt Romney? Brian, Todd Zwillich and Anna Sale discuss the Michigan and Arizona results; Rick Santorum's latest wild statement about "college snobs"; and how President Obama is going to use the auto bailout in his favor. Plus: do you believe the Rand Paul conspiracy theory?

    25 min

  3. 02/23/2012

    Congress Plays Nice?; Social Issues Take Center Stage; and Buzzfeed's Ben Smith

    Episode #7: Brian Lehrer is on vacation, so Buzzfeed's Ben Smith steps in to compete with Todd Zwillich and Anna Sale to play the week's most revealing clip. Todd isn't buying President Obama's enthusiasm about bipartisan progress in Washington; Ben can't believe everyone is talking about "transvaginal sonograms"; and Anna sees race and affirmative action on the 2012 horizon.

    23 min

  4. 02/16/2012

    Class Warfare GOP Style, the Tea Party Bind, and Megadeth?

    Episode #6: It may be the lull between Florida and Super Tuesday, but lots still going on in GOP race, including an interesting rural/urban divide as Rick Santorum gains momentum. Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale, and Todd Zwillich discuss what class warfare means for the GOP; if Romney can talk about the auto industry but not the bailout; and how the Tea Party continues to put Republican leadership in a bind. Oh, and yeah: Jeremy Lin.

    24 min

  5. 02/09/2012

    The Sweet Meteor of Death, Dirty Harry Unites, and Obama Turns on the Money Faucet

    Episode #5: Anna Sale is on vacation, so It's A Free Country blogger Karol Markowicz steps in alongside Todd Zwillich and Brian Lehrer to bring the week's most revealing clip. Karol is humored by Erick Erickson's "endorsement" in the GOP 2012 race; Todd bends the rules and puts a previous week's clip in a new context to talk about Obama and SuperPACs; and Brian sees Red America and Blue America united in Clint Eastwood's Super Bowl ad. Plus: a bonus, late-breaking clip from Todd on the Obama administration, contraceptives, and religious voters.

    30 min

  6. 02/01/2012

    The Gingrich Long-Tail, Romney "Not Concerned About Poor", and #EnoughWhat?

    Episode #4: After Romney's decisive victory in Florida, is it just a matter of going through the motions until he's the nominee? Not according to Newt Gingrich and Todd Zwillich. Todd, Anna Sale and Brian Lehrer play their most revealing clips of the week and discuss the disappearing issue of poverty; Gingrich's February strategy; and Rick Santorum's "third-way" approach. Plus, Brian impersonates Howard Dean.

    20 min

  7. 01/26/2012

    Obama Pulls PAC Punch, Cantor's Lament, and Todd's REM Cycles

    Episode #3: At the State of the Union, President Obama talked about the "corrosive influence of money in politics," but perhaps most revealing was what he didn't mention. Anna Sale, Brian Lehrer and Todd Zwillich bring their most revealing clips of the week and discuss Obama's SuperPAC strategy; Eric Cantor's admission that bipartisanship doesn't always work; and how Todd should nap as he works the morning shift.

    25 min

  8. 01/25/2012

    Story Pirates States of the Union (Exclusive Download)

    This is Politics Bites. Every once in a while we'll post short audio to It's A Free Country: The Podcast that deserves a little extra attention. The Story Pirates take stories written by kids and turn them into musical theater. For the State of the Union 2012, It's A Free Country asked our audience to answer the question: “What would you say if you were addressing the country?” The Story Pirates compiled the answers and some responses from their own workshops - with kids from ages 6 to 17 - and here are the results. Take a listen, download for free!

    8 min

  9. 01/18/2012

    Romney's Tax Rate, South Carolina, and Special Guest Ana Marie Cox

    Episode #2: Mitt Romney revealed this week that he pays an effective tax rate of 15% — Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale, and Todd Zwillich discuss Romney's inability to shake the "Richie Rich" image. Plus, what White voters in South Carolina are looking for, and how Newt Gingrich may be using his conservative "dog whistle" on them. And special guest Ana Marie Cox of the Guardian brings a clip to the competition.

    26 min

  10. 01/11/2012

    Brian, Anna and Todd Talk Mussolini, Moderates, and Beanbags

    It's the day after a Romney sweep of Iowa and New Hampshire - and all eyes shift to South Carolina. Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale, and Todd Zwillich play their most revealing clips and talk about comparisons of Obama to fascists; why moderates feel left out; and how to play "cornhole."

    22 min

  11. 12/30/2011

    Subscribe to It's A Free Country: The Podcast

    Brian Lehrer and Caitlin Thompson welcome you to the podcast -- launching on January 11th.

    2 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Each week Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale and Todd Zwillich compete to play the most revealing soundbites they can find -- from the ones that help define major policy to the ones that made everyone say “Wait, what?!” It's also your chance to join the fun with games, tweets, surveys, and -- of course -- your vote on who you think brought the best clip. Every Thursday from now until election day.

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