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POLITICO
The POLITICO Tech podcast is your download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. New episodes on Thursdays.
Episodes
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Oct 20, 2020 • 14min
Lindsey Graham's last stand
He's been in the Senate since 2003, but this year could be his last. POLITICO's Andrew Desiderio traces Lindsey Graham's transformation from a moderate Republican known for working across the aisle to a staunch defender of President Trump — and explains why that's put him at risk of losing his seat this November. Plus, the government's watchdog will probe whether Trump officials interference with the CDC and FDA's Covid response. And Trump attacks Biden for trusting scientists.Andrew Desiderio is a congressional reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Lindsey Graham runs for his life
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Oct 19, 2020 • 13min
Why Trump could still win
With Biden ahead in both the polls and fundraising and Trump's message all over the place, things aren't looking great for the President's reelection efforts. But that doesn't mean the campaign is over yet. POLITICO's Charlie Mahtesian breaks down the state of the race — and why Trump still has a path to keep the White House. Plus, McConnell schedules two votes on his narrow coronavirus relief proposal. And several European countries institute new Covid restrictions.Charlie Mahtesian is the senior politics editor for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: How Biden destroyed Trump’s TV ad ‘death star’Trump starts to articulate a painful reality: He could lose in 2020
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Oct 16, 2020 • 14min
Let's TikTalk about the Gen Z vote
Generation Z, which includes voters 18-23 years old, makes up one-tenth of the electorate. Gen Z turnout? That’s another story. POLITICO’s Rishika Dugyala breaks down the issues younger voters care about — and how the two campaigns are trying to win them over online. Plus, Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings come to a close. And Florida Republicans close in on a Democratic voter registration advantage.Rishika Dugyala is a digital strategy editor for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more from POLITICO's Gen Z Rising project: Anti-Trump, but not fully for Biden: Will Gen Z vote?
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Oct 15, 2020 • 14min
How reality TV beat Trump on Covid safety
The new season of "The Bachelorette" is here — and coronavirus safety is front and center with contestants tested several times in an isolated bubble. POLITICO’s Dan Diamond breaks down the show’s health protocols and how they stack up against the White House. Plus, Barrett’s confirmation hearings wrap up today. And new polling shows Biden with a significant lead in Georgia.Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more in the POLITICO Pulse newsletter, which Dan Diamond co-authors with Adam Cancryn.
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Oct 14, 2020 • 14min
The GOP’s big bet on Barrett
With President Trump’s reelection prospects looking slimmer by the day, Republican groups and lawmakers are hedging their bets on Amy Coney Barrett as the future of conservatism. POLITICO’s Gabby Orr breaks down what this week’s confirmation hearings have revealed about Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court — and how she became the GOP’s Plan B. Plus, a drug maker is pausing its coronavirus antibody trial over safety concerns. And the High Court rejects a challenge to Planned Parenthood funding.Gabby Orr is a White House reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Writing off Trump, GOP allies focus on one last big win
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Oct 13, 2020 • 14min
Why election night could be a nightmare for Trump
President Trump has demanded to know the results of the election on November 3, despite the fact that it could be days until we know the winner. But if there is a clear winner on election night, it’ll almost certainly be bad news for Trump. POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro breaks down the electoral math. Plus, Amy Coney Barrett answers questions from Senators today. And Facebook bans posts denying the Holocaust.Zach Montellaro is a campaign reporter for POLITICO and author of the Morning Score newsletter.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: How Biden could end 2020 on election night — and why Trump’s path is unlikely
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Oct 9, 2020 • 15min
No vaccine, no cure … no problem?
First it was hydroxychloroquine. Then it was a vaccine before the election. Now it’s a “miracle” antibody cocktail. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle breaks down the science behind President Trump’s latest coronavirus obsession — and why we shouldn’t get our hopes up. Plus, it’s unclear whether the next debate will happen. And Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue gets reprimanded for violating ethics laws.Sarah Owermohle covers drug policy for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Trump is promising free antibody treatments for everyone. It won’t be that simple.
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Oct 8, 2020 • 14min
A vice presidential showdown
Plexiglass barriers. 12 feet between the candidates. Fewer interruptions. Wednesday's debate between Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence looked and sounded pretty different from what went down between President Trump and Joe Biden last week, but the exchanges were still tense. POLITICO's Laura Barrón-López breaks down the biggest takeaways from the Vice Presidential showdown. Plus, Amy Coney Barrett talks with key Senate Democrats. And Trump teases a total withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.Laura Barrón-López is a national political reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Key moments from Harris and Pence’s primetime showdown
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Oct 7, 2020 • 15min
Susan Collins and the end of moderate Republicans
Is Susan Collins making her "last stand"? POLITICO's Burgess Everett breaks down why Senator Collins is on track to lose her seat representing Maine — and how the race marks the end of an era for moderates under the increasingly polarized politics of the Trump administration. Plus, Rick Bright, the ousted vaccine expert turned whistleblower, is stepping down from the federal government. And House Democrats propose an antitrust overhaul to rein in big tech.Burgess Everett is a congressional reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Susan Collins goes for the jugular with her career on the line
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Oct 6, 2020 • 14min
An alarming spike in the Midwest
At the start of the pandemic, states across the country shut down. When there was resurgence over the summer, several governors reinstituted those shutdowns. But now, as the Midwest sees another spike in cases, state leaders aren’t doing much. POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein explains why that’s a big problem. Plus, the CDC confirms the virus is airborne. And California sees its first million-acre megafire.Alice Miranda Ollstein is a health care reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Midwest keeps reopening as states reel from new virus cases
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