Oppo File

Joe Rodota
  • 4.9 (60)
  • HISTORY

The history and practice of opposition research, the "dark art" of American politics. oppofile.substack.com

  1. A Customer

    11/19/2020

    A Customer

    In the season finale of OPPO FILE, we solve a mystery: Who set in motion the oppo research into Geraldine Ferraro’s family finances? Host Joseph Rodota interviews John Roberts, former Reagan aide and author; Sheila Tate, former press secretary to Nancy Reagan; and author Kate Andersen Brower. Get full access to Oppo File at oppofile.substack.com/subscribe

    34 min
  2. A Tiger by the Tail

    10/19/2020

    A Tiger by the Tail

    On July 12, 1984, Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale made history when he named Representative Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. The next day, New York lawyer Roy Cohn arrived in the offices of the Reagan re-election campaign. First of two parts. Get full access to Oppo File at oppofile.substack.com/subscribe

    35 min
  3. Confessions

    10/08/2020

    Confessions

    Oppo research nearly ended Vice President Mike Pence’s political career before it began. Host Joseph Rodota interviews author and journalist Craig Ferhman and former congressional aide Billy Linville about Pence’s 1988 and 1990 congressional campaigns.  Get full access to Oppo File at oppofile.substack.com/subscribe

    24 min
  4. The Weirdness Factor

    09/30/2020

    The Weirdness Factor

    Opposition research isn’t just a tool for understanding your opponent. It’s also a tool for understanding yourself. Host Joseph Rodota interviews Chris Lyon, who wrote a “vulnerability study” on Rudy Giuliani in 1993. Nearly two decades later, Fred Smith solves a mystery. Get full access to Oppo File at oppofile.substack.com/subscribe

    23 min
  5. Cheap Shots

    09/22/2020

    Cheap Shots

    Why do some campaigns wait for just the right moment to unveil their opposition research, while others decide to dump it all at once? Host Joseph Rodota interviews Pat Dennis, Trump War Room Research Director at American Bridge 21st Century. Get full access to Oppo File at oppofile.substack.com/subscribe

    20 min
  6. Bonus Episode: Gary Maloney

    09/09/2020

    Bonus Episode: Gary Maloney

    Gary Maloney was the first GOP opposition researcher to dig into the record of a rising star in Illinois politics, a young man named Barack Obama. In this bonus episode, Gary shares insights from that assignment – and an oppo researcher’s view of a now-infamous meeting that took place in Trump Tower in 2016.  Get full access to Oppo File at oppofile.substack.com/subscribe

    11 min
  7. A Million Questions

    09/02/2020

    A Million Questions

    Heading into Labor Day weekend, host Joseph Rodota recaps the 2020 Democratic and Republican conventions. GOP oppo researcher Gary Maloney and press aide Jeff Nesbit describe the chaotic roll-out of George H.W. Bush’s vice presidential nominee, Sen. Dan Quayle. Democratic opposition researcher Shauna Daly leaps into action after Sen. John McCain selects a little-known governor as his running mate. Get full access to Oppo File at oppofile.substack.com/subscribe

    21 min
  8. Bonus Episode: Tom Rosenstiel

    08/27/2020

    Bonus Episode: Tom Rosenstiel

    In 1988, George H.W. Bush overcame a 17-point deficit in the polls and won the election. In this bonus episode, journalist and author Tom Rosenstiel looks back at Bush’s campaign manager Lee Atwater – and why Donald Trump survived an avalanche of oppo in 2016. Get full access to Oppo File at oppofile.substack.com/subscribe

    8 min
See All (14)

4.9
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

The history and practice of opposition research, the "dark art" of American politics. oppofile.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Rodota
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Joseph Rodota
  • Show Website
    Oppo File