Against the Grain

Democratic strategist Scott Mulhauser, who served as Vice President Joe Biden's deputy chief of staff in 2012, discusses the upcoming debates and what's at stake for the frontrunner. Mulhauser also discusses the politics of impeachment for Speaker Pelosi, and offers his perspective on the staff shakeup at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Mulhauser, who served as chief of staff at the US Embassy in Beijing, details why Democrats may be following Trump's lead on China on the campaign trail.

Bestselling author Tim Alberta, out with the new book American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump, joins the podcast to talk about the evolution of the Republican party in the last decade. Alberta talks about the importance of culture in the party's disruption, and the continuing relevance of immigration to modern GOP politics. We also discuss the Game of Thrones-like scenario that awaits Republicans if Trump loses reelection.

Yahoo political columnist Matt Bai, author of the book All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid, joins this week's show to assess the ugliness of today's political discourse, lament the news media's focus on ratings over substance, and break down the state of the Democratic presidential primary.

Kimberly Atkins, political correspondent at Boston’s NPR affiliate WBUR, discusses the state of the 2020 race, the Democratic divisions on Capitol Hill and the controversy over the Trump administration’s Census intervention.

Kurt Bardella was once a star Republican staffer on Capitol Hill. But after Donald Trump won the presidency, he became disillusioned from his old party and now considers himself a proud liberal Democrat.  Kurt joins the show this week to talk about his political evolution and dish about the Republicans he used to work for. He also offers his analysis of the Democratic presidential debate and the latest Supreme Court rulings.

Steven Law, CEO of the Senate Leadership Fund and three other Republican super PACs, breaks down the competitive Senate races, assesses the president's role in 2020 congressional campaigns and offers his blunt take on the strongest Democrat Trump could face.  

Cook Political Report contributor and NPR political reporter Jessica Taylor explains why she's skeptical about Joe Biden, names the candidate who she thinks has the potential to challenge him, and assesses Trump's chances in 2020.

Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, reacts to the wave of anti-abortion legislation in conservative states, criticizes the DCCC's decision to punish consultants who work against members of Congress in primaries, and speaks candidly about her former boss, Al Franken, and the state of the #MeToo movement.

Former Republican congressman Tom Davis, one of Washington's leading political experts, looks into his crystal ball and makes predictions about the 2020 presidential campaign, the battle for the Senate and House, and the critical showdown for the Virginia state legislature.

Matt Mowers is only 29, but the top Trump adviser has a long record of experience in rough-and-tumble politics. The former top aide to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie talks about why he decided to join the Trump campaign, his behind-the-scenes work with Secretaries of State Rex Tillerson and Mike Pompeo, and his assessment of the president's re-election chances.

Democratic pollster Jim Gerstein explains why Robert Mueller's expected testimony before Congress could boost Democrats, assesses Joe Biden's strength in the crowded Democratic field, and cautions his Democratic colleagues not to underestimate President Trump.

Former DCCC Executive Director Dan Sena, one of the architects of the Democrats' new House majority, names the freshmen who he thinks will be national stars, explains why some Hispanic voters are surprisingly conservative, and identifies the GOP's key policy mistake leading up to the midterms.

Wes Anderson, the founding partner and pollster at OnMessage Inc., identifies President Trump's toughest Democratic challenger in 2020 (hint: it's not Joe Biden), talks about the evolution of campaign polling and offers a pessimistic note on the GOP's chances to win back the House.

Republican pollster Whit Ayres explains why he’s pessimistic that President Trump can win again, talks about the opportunity for Republicans to solidify support in Florida and explains why Lindsey Graham (his longtime client) has become a Trump loyalist. 

Matt Lewis, conservative columnist for The Daily Beast and CNN political commentator, explains why there's no presidential candidate he can support in 2020, reminisces on his work for Tucker Carlson and expresses his disenchantment with Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse.