15 episodes

In political parlance, the “odd year” is the year in which there is no national election; that is: any odd-numbered year. Odd can also refer to something that is unusual or unpredictable. Like an interview with a writer or actor or athlete that highlights a topic or trend that isn’t normally associated with traditional political discourse. The Odd Years is designed for everyone who is multidimensional. Yes, it’s going to focus on politics (because this is brought to you by the Cook Political braintrust and host, Amy Walter); but, ultimately, The Odd Years will expand the definition of a ‘political program.’ We think you can learn stuff — and have fun at the same time. Let’s do this, shall we? #OddPod

The Odd Years The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter

    • News
    • 4.9 • 57 Ratings

In political parlance, the “odd year” is the year in which there is no national election; that is: any odd-numbered year. Odd can also refer to something that is unusual or unpredictable. Like an interview with a writer or actor or athlete that highlights a topic or trend that isn’t normally associated with traditional political discourse. The Odd Years is designed for everyone who is multidimensional. Yes, it’s going to focus on politics (because this is brought to you by the Cook Political braintrust and host, Amy Walter); but, ultimately, The Odd Years will expand the definition of a ‘political program.’ We think you can learn stuff — and have fun at the same time. Let’s do this, shall we? #OddPod

    Episode 12: Science and (Political) Fiction with Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert of 'For All Mankind'

    Episode 12: Science and (Political) Fiction with Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert of 'For All Mankind'

    Host Amy Walter confesses her love of Apple TV's For All Mankind and the magic of its decade-spanning montages and storytelling to none other than the show's Executive Producers and writers, Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert. As season 4 of the show launches, the trio goes deep into the show's origin [03:28]; whether we should consider the show science or fiction [06:57]; taking a closer look at Gary Hart, Al Gore, and Ellen Wilson's journey in FAMK to the highest office in the land [21:19]; the creative process, electoral maps and fictional news reports featured in the montages [16:33; where the show will go as it catches up to our actual reality [24:22]; grieving the loss of beloved characters [37:04]; favorite political reads [39:53]; and much, much more.

    Catch up on #ForAllMankind, and its Season 2, 3 & 4 montage openers, on AppleTV+.

    • 52 min
    Episode 11: Diversity, Diaspora, Density and the Politics of the West, With Mark Z. Barabak

    Episode 11: Diversity, Diaspora, Density and the Politics of the West, With Mark Z. Barabak

    Amy Walter talks with Mark Z. Barabak, a political columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on California and the West. They discuss his new series, "The New West," which explores the forces and factors that led once-reliable Republican states like Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada to turn from red to purple and blue. Amy and Mark also delve into the state of the 'Reid Machine' in Nevada, the importance of Latinos to Democrats' success and how the post-COVID "work from anywhere" economy could play into future voting patterns.

    • 35 min
    Episode 10: What Voters Want Vs. What They Are Getting with The New York Times’ Astead Herndon

    Episode 10: What Voters Want Vs. What They Are Getting with The New York Times’ Astead Herndon

    Amy Walter chats with Astead Herndon, a national politics reporter for the New York Times and the host of the "The Run-Up" podcast. Amy and Astead grapple with the fact that while voters are overwhelmingly against a Trump-Biden rematch in 2024, it still appears to be the inevitable outcome. Astead notes that we are "careening towards a rematch very fast." The pair discuss the lack of enthusiasm around Biden. Astead makes the point that Vice President Kamala Harris will be the face of the Biden campaign on the road and will be under more scrutiny from the media.

    • 42 min
    Episode 9: Has Trump Locked Up The GOP Nomination? With The Focus Group Podcast Host Sarah Longwell

    Episode 9: Has Trump Locked Up The GOP Nomination? With The Focus Group Podcast Host Sarah Longwell

    Amy Walter catches up with Republican strategist Sarah Longwell, publisher of the Bulwark and founder of the Republican Accountability Project. Sarah also hosts The Focus Group podcast, which brings listeners into wide-ranging conversations with voters.

    Sarah and Amy discuss where Donald Trump is already showing his potential strength in a general election [6:16]. Sarah also reflects on what she’s heard in focus groups to explain where Ron DeSantis’ candidacy went wrong [10:04], why evangelical voters aren’t coalescing around Mike Pence, and what to expect from Tim Scott in the coming months [21:22]. Amy also asks Sarah whether a third-party candidate could hurt Biden with swing voters [31:20], and Sarah turns the tables on Amy to ask whether Trump actually could lose the Republican primary. [38:55]

    • 48 min
    Episode 8: Diving into Delegate Math with Josh Putnam

    Episode 8: Diving into Delegate Math with Josh Putnam

    Amy Walter talks with Josh Putnam, a political scientist and consultant known for his expertise on the presidential nominating process. You can read more about it in his blog, frontloadinghq.com.

    Amy and Josh discuss the implications of some states’ winner-take-all delegate rules in the Republican primary [6:00] and Democrats’ primary calendar shake-up [12:00], including how much of the changes made to the 2024 calendar stick in 2028 [24:00]. They also discuss why it may be too late for potential GOP candidates like Glenn Youngkin to join the presidential primary [27:00], how to detect early signs of a third-party candidate shaking up the general election [29:00], and how Ron DeSantis could still “win the delegate game.” [35:00]

    • 37 min
    Episode 7: Will AI Upend the 2024 Election with Kara Swisher

    Episode 7: Will AI Upend the 2024 Election with Kara Swisher

    Amy Walter talks to the one and only Kara Swisher, a highly respected and deeply sourced technology reporter. Kara is currently the host of the podcast On with Kara Swisher, the co-host of the Pivot podcast and an editor-at-large at New York Magazine. Amy and Kara discussed AI's role in the 2024 campaign season. Kara gives some much-needed perspective on the future of AI and whether Washington can or will be able to regulate it. She also explains why we should be more worried about the people that use AI rather than AI itself.

    This conversation took place on May 17, 2023

    Host:
    Amy Walter

    Producers:
    Kate Wecker
    Ally Flinn
    Kathryn Hamm

    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
57 Ratings

57 Ratings

LMM-0210 ,

Intelligent, wide-ranging, and mind opening: great!

I’ve heard Amy on some of the other podcasts I listen to but somehow didn’t realize she had her own podcast until I heard her on Sarah Longwell’s ‘The Focus Group’’.
Anything Sarah is involved with is a must listen for me — a lifelong, oft disappointed Dem who is always looking to listen in on intelligent conversation with others with whom I may have policy disagreements with but respect (still a Dem, but I’ve had my mind changed on some policy issues).
Now anything with Amy’s hand in it is on my list, too: thanks so much for probing, informed and thoughtful questions, and the valuable insights from you and your guests: we so need them!

loudes13 ,

Left wing bias shows

Hard to be unbiased when your podcast is left wing activism. Please start telling the truth instead of pretending to be unbiased.

ConsmrRpts ,

Amy Walter is a National Treasure — Excellent new Podcast!

Amy Walter is a National Treasure — Excellent new Podcast!

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