The Odd Years

Greg Ip, The Wall Street Journal’s chief economics commentator known for clear macro analysis. They unpack the disconnect between market gains and public pessimism. They discuss how the Iran war and oil shocks ripple through prices. They debate AI’s real impact on jobs and why tech-driven anxiety shapes public mood.

Peter Hamby, political reporter at Puck who studies young voters and electoral trends. Annie Linskey, Wall Street Journal national politics reporter tracking administration decisions. They discuss Trump’s early-2026 moves, ICE raids in Minneapolis and resulting political fallout. They examine talk of nationalizing elections and whether stricter voter ID rules could actually suppress the GOP’s own turnout.

Josh Gerstein, a Politico reporter who covers law and politics, gives a front-row view of the Supreme Court's role in shaping presidential power. He walks through recent pro-presidential rulings, the rise of the shadow docket, and high-stakes cases on voting rights, redistricting, and campaign finance. Short, sharp takes on how court dynamics could reshape American politics.

Astead Herndon, a renowned political journalist known for his work with The New York Times and his upcoming role at Vox, dives into the evolving landscape of political journalism. He discusses the need to adapt traditional reporting methods to the rapid changes in media consumption. Astead critiques the rigidity of demographic categorization and emphasizes the importance of multimedia approaches to engage younger audiences. He stresses the need for authenticity in political messaging and urges Democrats to rethink their strategies ahead of the 2024 elections.

Mark Barabak, a seasoned columnist from the Los Angeles Times, joins Aaron Covey, a redistricting expert from the Cook Political Report. They dive into Nancy Pelosi's impactful retirement and its ripple effects on California politics. Barabak explores how Prop 50 shifts Democratic power and bolsters vulnerable incumbents, while Covey predicts seat changes and identifies crucial district battles. The duo also discusses the long-term implications of partisan redistricting and examines Governor Newsom's prospects as he eyes a 2028 presidential run.

Chaz Nuttycombe, founder of State Navigate, and Joey Fox, a reporter for the New Jersey Globe, dive into the upcoming elections in Virginia and New Jersey. They discuss how local issues and voter turnout will serve as indicators for future midterm elections. Chaz shares insights on shifting voter dynamics in Virginia, while Joey reveals why New Jersey races are more competitive than anticipated. The conversation highlights key demographics, polling trends, and what to watch for as voters head to the polls.

Lis Smith, a seasoned Democratic strategist and former adviser to Pete Buttigieg, dives into her party's current identity crisis. She argues that Democrats face significant messaging and branding challenges while comparing today's anti-establishment feelings to the Tea Party. Smith advocates for a big-tent approach to move beyond damaging litmus tests. She also critiques the lack of strong leadership and emphasizes the need for bold ideas as the party braces for upcoming elections. Her insights spark hope for fresh candidates by 2026.

Heather Long, Chief Economist at Navy Federal Credit Union and former Washington Post correspondent, discusses the current economic landscape under Trump's second term. She highlights a K-shaped recovery where the wealthy flourish, while middle-income families struggle. Long delves into the uncertain impact of tariffs and inflation on household budgets. She also shares insights on AI's disruption to the job market, emphasizing the risks for new graduates. The conversation underscores the fragility of economic growth relying on the top tier.

We took a late summer break, but we're back with a new slate of really great interviews! When we started this year, redistricting was not something we thought would be driving our politics this cycle. But, of course, that's no longer the case with Texas unleashing a domino effect of redistricting efforts across the country.Thankfully, we know someone really well who can help us understand what's happening: The Cook Political Report's very own David Wasserman.If you follow Dave on X, you know him as Redistrict.Redistricting itself is a topic Dave's been fascinated with for a very long time. He was pouring over maps and congressional data as a kid, which we talk about in this conversation. (It's pretty adorable.) Now as one of the most trusted sources in the country on congressional maps, we literally can't think of anyone better to help us navigate this complicated and unprecedented mid-cycle redrawing of districts.We recorded this conversation on Thursday, September 11th.Check out our CPR 2025-2026 Redistricting Tracker: https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/redistricting/2025-2026-redistricting-tracker-how-many-seats-could-flip-0You can watch part of the conversation our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thecookpoliticalreportSign up for our free weekly newsletter, In Brief: https://www.cookpolitical.com/in-brief-sign-upInterested in subscribing to CPR? Go to: www.cookpolitical.com/subscribe.Listeners can use the discount code"ODD10" to save 10% on any subscription. This offer is available only to new subscribers.

Back in 2023, Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini wrote a book that laid out a path for how the party could win future elections with a working class multiracial coalition.Later that year, Amy talked with Patrick on this very podcast where they discussed whether Trump could expand his base to include those voters of color. Well, as we saw, he did. In fact, in 2016, the coalition that elected Trump was 88% white. By 2024, it was down to just 78% white.So we wanted to have Patrick Ruffini back on for a conversation about how well that same coalition is holding up six months into Trump 2.0, whether these voters will show up for Republicans in 2026, and whether the next Republican nominee for president will have a similar appeal these voters.Patrick is a partner and pollster for Echelon Insights and writes a great Substack, The Intersection.Also, a quick programming note: we are taking a bit of a summer break in August, but never fear! We'll be back in September with new episodes of The Odd Years. You can watch part of the conversation our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thecookpoliticalreportSign up for our free weekly newsletter, In Brief: https://www.cookpolitical.com/in-brief-sign-upInterested in subscribing to CPR? Go to: www.cookpolitical.com/subscribe.Listeners can use the discount code"ODD10" to save 10% on any subscription. This offer is available only to new subscribers.