The Politics Guys

Michael Baranowski

The Politics Guys is an independent, bipartisan, ideologically diverse American politics and policy podcast hosted by experts: political scientists, law professors, practicing attorneys, and former government officials. Our mission is to give listeners a much-needed break from conservative and liberal echo chambers through civil, rational, and evidence-based discussion of American politics and policy from multiple perspectives. In addition to our weekly news discussion, we feature regular interviews with leading figures from across the ideological spectrum. Past guests include Representatives Jim Jordan, Thomas Massie, and Rob Wittman; Jeffrey Sachs; Tyler Cowen; Bryan Caplan; Dan Carlin; Larry Sabato; and Lawrence Lessig. 

  1. 2天前

    Shutdown Showdown, Trump’s Asia Trip, the CFPB’s Slow Demise

    Mike, Tim, and Michael open with the fifth week of the government shutdown, now poised to become the longest ever. Tim argues that while the disruption is real, the economic impact will be minor and short-lived, suggesting resolution will come after the elections. Michael delivers a fiery critique, calling the shutdown political theater that hurts ordinary people and decrying Republican fiscal hypocrisy. Mike underscores the tangible harm to citizens, emphasizing that the ACA subsidy fight shows how deeply broken the system is. Next, the guys turn to President Trump’s Asia tour — a mix of spectacle and deal-making. Michael frames it as an ego-driven “performance arc” aimed at power consolidation rather than strategy. Tim sees the trip as a qualified success, strengthening ties with Japan and South Korea and signaling the need for supply-chain diversification away from China. Mike argues that Trump’s trade policy reflects crony capitalism more than economic strategy, with questionable legality. After that, they debate Trump’s foreign policy more broadly — from China to the Middle East and North Korea. Tim contends Trump deserves serious credit for hostage negotiations and for pursuing peace on the Korean Peninsula, even suggesting Nobel Peace Prize consideration. Michael and Mike counter that Trump’s erratic style and self-interest undermine any sustainable progress, calling him a great self-promoter but poor negotiator. The guys close with the administration’s effective shutdown of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Mike details how nearly all CFPB functions have been halted despite the agency’s legal mandate, and Michael condemns what he sees as rule-of-law erosion and dismantling of the federal government by decree. Tim responds that the CFPB is redundant and a waste of taxpayer dollars, arguing the country needs spending cuts and less bureaucracy, not more agencies. Mike and Michael push back, stressing that strong consumer protection remains vital in a system tilted toward corporate power. Check out Tim’s Substack  The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 小时 9 分钟
  2. 10月24日

    Shutdown Continued, The East Wing, The 9th Circuit on Portland, Arizona Sues Johnson, The Era of Group Chat

    Trey and Ken start by letting Ken weigh in on the government shutdown. Ken argues that the Democrats are winning and are doing the right thing. Trey disagrees and sees Democrats as eventually the party that will back down and let people get paid. Ken doubles down by saying the shutdown will last until December when Republicans will then back down. Next, the guys overview the demolition of the White House’s East Wing. Trey is concerned about the larger issue of buying favor with the government for those who help fund it. Ken, meanwhile, thinks strong language is needed and suggests that what Osama bin Laden failed to do, President Trump did: level part of the White House. After that, it is a look into the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal’s ruling on the National Guard in Portland. Ken convinces Trey that Trump won the battle, but that it is merely a technicality. The court will eventually change because it currently is not ruling on the full facts. Then they discuss the suit against Speaker Mike Johnson to seat the newly elected member from Arizona. Neither host thinks Speaker Johnson is wrong, but they both point out that when she is seated, it will mean the discharge petition on Epstein will move forward. The guys close with a discussion of what The Atlantic called the Group Chat Presidency. What is the future of politics in an era of the group chat? The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 分钟
  3. 10月21日

    Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Test & Trump’s DOJ Power PlaySupreme Court’s Voting Rights Test & Trump’s DOJ Power Play

    Mike and Joey open with the Supreme Court’s unusual re-argument in Louisiana v. Calais, a case that could reshape Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Joey outlines the tangled history of Louisiana’s redistricting and argues that race-based districts may themselves violate equal-protection principles. Mike predicts Justice Kavanaugh will be the key vote to end broad race-based redistricting, though he worries about dismantling long-standing anti-discrimination tools. Next, the guys turn to what Mike calls the “weaponization” of Trump’s Department of Justice. Mike sees politically motivated prosecutions of Trump critics like John Bolton and Letitia James as evidence that Trump’s promised deweaponization of DOJ has been just the opposite. Joey counters that the prosecutions reflect needed accountability for past abuses, not revenge, though he agrees that unchecked prosecutorial discretion is dangerous. After that, they debate whether the Attorney General should be independently elected and if the traditional wall between the White House and DOJ still makes sense. Mike argues separation preserves public trust; Joey insists a vigorous, unified executive better ensures accountability and national security. After answering several listener questions, the guys close with their revived “Rants & Recommendations” segment. Mike vents about mowing his Ohio lawn in October, while Joey rails against the avalanche of Amazon boxes modern “convenience” creates. Mike turns the gripe into a win by praising the joys of “processing cardboard” with his ever-growing pocket-knife collection. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 分钟
  4. 10月18日

    Shutdown Showdown, Middle East Peace, Portland Protests

    Mike and Joey open with the continuing government shutdown and whether blame is shifting. Mike criticizes Republicans for spreading false claims about Democrats’ immigration spending demands. Joey maintains that Democrats are increasingly seen as the problem, adding that media silence signals their growing liability. Next, the guys debate Trump’s firing of federal workers during the shutdown. Mike condemns the administration’s disregard for legal procedures, framing it as part of a broader “rule of law” problem. Joey defends the firings as legitimate executive discretion, comparing them to Clinton-era downsizing and insisting the Trump team operates within the law’s intent, if not always its letter. After that, Mike and Joey turn to Trump’s landmark Middle East peace deal. Mike doubts it will last but concedes that if it does, Trump would deserve a Nobel Peace Prize. Joey praises Trump’s unconventional diplomacy and credits his team for reshaping the region’s alliances, calling the deal potentially one of America’s greatest foreign policy achievements. The conversation then shifts to Portland, where Mike offers the left’s view of federal crackdowns on protesters as disproportionate and authoritarian. Joey responds that Trump is lawfully enforcing immigration policy and that claims of authoritarianism ignore left-wing obstruction and violence. Mike argues that Trump’s tactics lack prudence and escalate conflict; Joey counters that he’s confronting lawlessness that previous leaders tolerated. The guys close with a reflection on polarization and unity. Mike blames Trump’s divisiveness and thirst for vengeance; Joey blames what he calls “the hubris of the left” for refusing to compromise. Despite their disagreements, both end on a rare note of optimism that America’s democratic debate—and perhaps Trump’s Middle East peace—can still point toward a better future. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 小时 13 分钟

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The Politics Guys is an independent, bipartisan, ideologically diverse American politics and policy podcast hosted by experts: political scientists, law professors, practicing attorneys, and former government officials. Our mission is to give listeners a much-needed break from conservative and liberal echo chambers through civil, rational, and evidence-based discussion of American politics and policy from multiple perspectives. In addition to our weekly news discussion, we feature regular interviews with leading figures from across the ideological spectrum. Past guests include Representatives Jim Jordan, Thomas Massie, and Rob Wittman; Jeffrey Sachs; Tyler Cowen; Bryan Caplan; Dan Carlin; Larry Sabato; and Lawrence Lessig. 

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