The Latest

The sky is not falling! Joe explains how Democrats can end the noise, get to work - and beat Donald Trump this fall. Hint: when 53% of undecided voters think you're a threat to democracy, it's not going to end well... And why the winning contrast keeps getting clearer. What can Democrats do to really hammer it home? And what new issue data (not head to head polls) points to even more growth for Democrats this fall?

In this episode of “The Elephant in the Room,” Rick Wilson discusses the recent media portrayal of Joe Biden as frail and incapable, contrasting it with Biden’s strong performance at the NATO summit press conference. Rick emphasizes the divergence between media expectations and reality, highlighting Biden’s command over foreign and domestic policies. He also delves into the relentless efforts of the Lincoln Project to combat Donald Trump’s influence and potential return to power. The episode critiques the media’s role in shaping public perception and underscores the ongoing political battle against Trump

Andra Watkins boils it down: "Project 2025’s economic plan is 1. China evil; 2. oil, gas, and extraction good; 3. immigration bad; 4. incarcerated enslaved labor good; 5. taxing the rich bad; 6. tricking dumb nuts to vote for their own tax increases, no Social Security, no Medicare good."

Brian Daitzman writes: "By laundering unofficial acts through official channels, exploiting the presumption of immunity, using preemptive pardons, and retaliating against legal authorities, a president can evade prosecution and undermine democratic governance."

Stuart Stevens in his weekly members-only campaign memo: "I've worked for a lot of candidates. All have been flawed. Obama and Bill Clinton were once-in-a-generation talent, and they were hardly flawless. To be clear, I would support Rob Gronkowski if he were the Democratic nominee. I actually sort of like that idea."

Rick Wilson talks with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva about his latest novel, 'A Death in Cornwall,' which takes place against the backdrop of the British political scene. The book explores the use of fine art for money laundering and the global oligarchy of the super-rich. The conversation also touches on the rise of Putinism, the link between doctrinaire Christianity and hard-right authoritarian politics, and the historical context of his Gabriel Allon series.

Fox News spent a lot of time trashing Biden even including segments during the July 4th celebrations. The network also is starting to pivot to trashing Vice President Kamala Harris. She’s the mastermind of a vast conspiracy to cover up Biden’s declining mental state. Hunter Biden has the nuclear codes. Bernie Sanders and The Squad are going to rip the country in half. The Democrats will stack the Supreme Court! Trump definitely won’t abuse his power and a preview of what life might look like under Project 2025.

How did conservatism in America become the bizarre mess it is today? To help us explore this question, Rick welcomes Joe Conason, author of "The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism." Together, they explore the historical trajectory of the conservative movement in America, from the professional anti-communists of the 1950s and 60s to the rise of the Tea Party and the ultimate grift of Donald Trump. Conason delves into the intricate scams and deceitful tactics used by key figures and organizations, revealing how political manipulation and financial exploitation have shaped modern conservatism.

Rick Wilson interviews Congressman Ro Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley, on a range of critical topics. They discuss the tech industry’s support for Donald Trump, America’s and Congress’s readiness for artificial general intelligence (AGI), the necessity of antitrust regulation in Silicon Valley, the future of TikTok, and the impact of disinformation on politics.

The GOP convention next week will not be and cannot be treated as though it's a normal political convention. Mark Jacob explains.

When did journalist lose interest in calling out members of Congress for lying to their constituents?

Author and media expert Mark Jacob joined The Strategy Session to break down the media’s complicity in normalizing fascism. Democracy is falling off a cliff, and we need to demand the media call out the lies and the liars.

Robert McElvaine writes, "The American Experiment in self-government, freedom, equality, and the rule of law—is facing its greatest threat since the Enslavers’ Rebellion (aka Civil War) sixteen decades, or as Lincoln would put it, eight score years, ago." Can we avert disaster? McElvaine thinks that we can.

David Pepper: "When Trump denies that Project 2025 is his plan, don’t just laugh it off. Know his denial rests at the heart of the overall far-right game plan: seeking to impose on a polity an agenda that, at its core and stripped down to its basics, runs directly counter to the majority will of that polity."

The old Republican Party is dead. In this episode Rick Wilson welcomes special guest Governor Christie Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey, for a discussion on the current state and future of the Republican Party. They dive into the decline of the party’s principles, the rise of the Forward Party, and the impact of the Trump era on American democracy. The conversation touches on critical issues such as the erosion of the rule of law, the importance of civic education, and the repercussions of the Supreme Court’s decisions.

Rick Wilson speaks with Lauren Kunis, the Executive Director of VoteRiders, a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to voting rights. VoteRiders focuses on voter ID assistance, offering free direct help to eligible voters and running voter education programs across the country. With 38 states now enforcing voter ID laws, these regulations disproportionately impact underrepresented groups, including young people, Black and Hispanic voters, low-income individuals, and those with disabilities. VoteRiders aims to ensure that voter ID laws do not disenfranchise eligible voters and that everyone has access to the ballot box.

For those who don't speak Christian Nationalist, the deeper meaning and even more troubling agenda of Project 2025 is difficult to spot. Christian Nationalism-survivor Andra Watkins is fluent and reveals what every American must understand.

Joe and Alex discuss the fallout from last week's debate performance - and the fallout from one of the scariest Supreme Court rulings in recent memory. SCOTUS just sent a clear signal: this election matters even MORE now - so what does that mean for Democrats moving forward? Why Joe thinks that even though there are no easy answers - why Democrats can find optimism for the race in the fall and why yes, he'd still rather be us than them...

The front lines in the fight for our democracy is taking place at the state level with a battle for the integrity of a system on the brink. In this episode Rick welcomes Jena Griswold, the Secretary of State of Colorado, for an in-depth discussion about the current state of democracy in the United States. They explore the challenges and successes of election security, the rise of election denialism, and the impact of disinformation and deep fakes on the electoral process. Jena shares insights from her experience in overseeing Colorado's elections, highlighting the importance of maintaining a secure and accessible voting system. She also discusses the ongoing efforts to hold bad actors accountable and the resilience of the American people in defending democratic values.