The Smerconish Podcast

Find Mark Halperin at 2WAY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Which statement do you agree with most? A) Israel compelled the US to act against Iran. B) The US compelled Israel to act against Iran. C) Iran's actions triggered US and Israeli responses." After nearly 40,000 votes yesterday on whether force against Iran should end, a new question emerges: who actually drove the decision to strike? Secretary Rubio suggested Israel was poised to act. Speaker Johnson echoed that framing. Prime Minister Netanyahu cited an urgent, existential threat. Then President Trump said he may have forced Israel’s hand. With fresh Axios reporting adding new timeline details, Michael walks through the conflicting narratives and asks the key question—who compelled whom, and why now? Listen here, then vote! And please rate, review, and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The conversation also explores the Clintons’ depositions, the timeline of what people knew (and when), and whether the public release of millions of documents is serving justice or fueling indiscriminate shaming. Where’s the line between legitimate accountability and reputational destruction? And what lessons — if any — have we learned from past eras of public overreach? Find Joe Nocera at The Free Press.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "When should the use of force against Iran end? a) Now; b) When Iran’s military and nukes are neutralized; c)When Iran’s regime changes; or d) Both B and C." As new polling shows most Americans oppose military action against Iran, the White House and its allies argue the strike was preemptive and defensive—designed to prevent greater casualties if Israel were attacked. Michael breaks down fresh data, examines the administration’s justification, and questions whether the U.S. faced a direct imminent threat or acted to shield Israel from one. Listen here and cast your vote to join the debate, and please rate, review, and share this podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The US attacked Iran - now on Day 3 of the deadly conflict, Michael turns to one of the nation’s most experienced military leaders for clarity. Retired 4-star Admiral James Stavridis — former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO — breaks down why the strike happened now, what the true objective may be (regime change? nuclear deterrence? weakening Iran’s proxies?), and whether Iran is stronger than we’ve been led to believe. They discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, the role of Russia and China, how NATO allies are reacting, and whether the Iranian people could ultimately determine the outcome. Then, callers weigh in — raising constitutional concerns about congressional authorization, debating President Trump’s leadership, and questioning whether America has a clear endgame. Is this the start of regime collapse — or another prolonged Middle East conflict? Original air date 2 March 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Agree or disagree: The Epstein fallout is now more about guilt by association than guilt by deeds." As millions of pages tied to Jeffrey Epstein become public, prominent figures are resigning, apologizing, and facing reputational ruin — often without charges or proven wrongdoing. Michael examines whether the national reaction has crossed from accountability into indiscriminate shaming. Are we abandoning the presumption of innocence in favor of public cancellation? With references to past DOJ norms, media scrutiny, and historical lessons from the McCarthy era, this episode asks whether knowing Epstein is being treated as equivalent to criminal conduct — and what that means for due process in America. Listen in, then vote at Smerconish.com! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hear Ben and Michael break down:  The GOP civil war between establishment and MAGA The brutal Cornyn ad targeting Paxton’s personal life Why Trump hasn’t endorsed (and whether he will) Democrats’ unexpected strategy to win back young men And whether “bro politics” and religious messaging can flip Texas Is this race headed for a runoff? Can moderation survive the primaries? And in 2026, does infidelity even matter to voters anymore? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Does the value of transparency from release of the Epstein files outweigh the risks of spreading unverified accusations?" As new revelations surface — including missing FBI interview summaries tied to allegations involving President Trump — the debate intensifies over what the public deserves to see. With Bill and Hillary Clinton testifying, selective document releases raising eyebrows, and legal scholars warning about the dangers of dumping raw investigative material, Michael examines the tension between transparency and reputational harm. Listen here, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did you see the "Trump Train" coming? Michael didn’t — and neither did Barack Obama’s inner circle. Drawing from newly released oral history interviews on the Obama presidency, Michael explores how top advisers like David Axelrod, Jen Psaki, and Jon Favreau underestimated Donald Trump’s political rise. From the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner roast to the escalator announcement in 2015, this episode revisits the moments many dismissed — and asks why so many got it wrong. Plus, SiriusXM’s Steve Scully joins the conversation with a behind-the-scenes account of that infamous Correspondents’ Dinner — including what was happening off-camera as Trump reacted in real time. Could it all....happen again? Listen in, then rate, review, and share this podcast! Original air date 26 February 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Should Democrats have stood in agreement at the State of the Union when President Trump said the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens?" Michael revisits the most buzzed-about moment of the State of the Union — when President Trump challenged lawmakers to stand if they agreed with that principle, and Democrats largely remained seated. Was it smart politics, calculated stagecraft, or an obvious trap? Michael examines whether Democrats made a political misstep — and whether the exchange will matter with independents heading into the midterms. Cast your vote at Smerconish.com, and rate, review and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.