14 episodes

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

oppofile.substack.com

Oppo File Joseph Rodota

    • History
    • 4.9 • 60 Ratings

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

oppofile.substack.com

    A Customer

    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.


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    • 34 min
    A Tiger by the Tail

    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.


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    • 34 min
    Confessions

    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. 


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    • 23 min
    The Weirdness Factor

    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.




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    • 23 min
    Cheap Shots

    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.


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    • 19 min
    Bonus Episode: Gary Maloney

    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. 


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    • 11 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
60 Ratings

60 Ratings

drtaxsacto ,

Want to Know the Real issues of politics - this is one place to find them

Rodota has been an Opposition researcher for a long time. HIs insights on how issues develop and then how campaigns develop are well worth your time.

Noah Painter ,

Podcast told by people who loved it

Joe and his team tell a great series of stories. For anyone in politics, this is the history of campaigns.

chris5shultz ,

Fun podcast for political types

Lots of fun behind the scenes on various oppo research greatest hits. Recommend.

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