Hacks on Tap with David Axelrod and Mike Murphy

Guest Hack John Heilemann of Showtime's The Circus is back this week to help Axe and Murphy recap the first night of the Republican National Convention. The GOP promised a week full of optimism and opportunity; after night one, did they deliver? The Hacks discuss whether the first night offered a glimpse of the Republican primary in 2024, if the RNC will ultimately succeed in expanding Trump's base, and what Biden's campaign must do to counter the messaging coming out of the RNC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With our new Hackaroo host Robert Gibbs at the helm, Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs recap the Democratic National Convention. After an eventful week which culminated in Joe Biden officially accepting the Democratic nomination for president, the guys discuss their biggest takeaways. Did the Democrats accomplish what they set out to do? How will the Republicans respond next week? Plus, will traditional, funny hat-clad conventions ever return? Tune in to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The day after the debut of the first-ever virtual convention, Axe and Murphy convene to discuss what worked and what didn’t. Joined by former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Hacks break down the messaging, strategy, and tactics used throughout the first night of the Democratic National Convention. They also take listener questions about how convention speakers are selected, what the future holds for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and how Trump might impact down-ballot races.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe and Murphy are reunited this week and joined by Paul Begala, former counselor to President Clinton and author of the new book, "You're Fired: The Perfect Guide to Beating Donald Trump." The Hacks convened before Biden announced his choice of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, but that doesn't mean we can't include one final round of veepstakes. We also discuss the Trump campaign's renewed line of attack on Biden and assess whether it's an effective strategy, the President's executive orders, the future of the Republican party, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The veepstakes are finally over and the pick is in: Joe Biden has chosen Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate! In this special addition of Hacks on Tap, Axe, Murphy, and guest Hack Robert Gibbs discuss what went into this decision and what it means for Biden’s chances in November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Murphy is out on assignment this week, but thankfully Alex Wagner and Robert Gibbs are here to fill the void. The Hacks discuss Trump’s unrelenting attacks on mail-in voting and his attempts to undermine institutions like the Post Office that are vital to the election; the strategy—or lack thereof—behind granting sit-down interviews with the President; the latest speculation about Biden’s VP pick; and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re joined by super Hack John Heilemann, co-host of The Circus on Showtime. It’s no secret that one of Trump’s biggest obstacles to reelection is his own handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. What, if anything, can he do to make up ground before November? And with time running out for Biden to announce his VP pick, will he make a head or a heart decision? Plus, the recent polls are good news for Biden, but are Democrats too complacent? The Hacks discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Democratic political strategist and former acting DNC Chair Donna Brazile. We talk about Trump’s new interview with Fox’s Chris Wallace, POTUS’s alternative reality strategy, and the Confederate-named military base controversy. We also assess the politics of the Democratic and Republican conventions, talk VP selection stakes, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe and Murphy are joined by guest hack Mark McKinnon, former presidential adviser and co-host of Showtime’s The Circus. This week we talk Trump’s continuous Covid catastrophe, presidential ad wars, Roger Stone on the loose, Veepstakes, and more. We also answer listener questions on Trump and race, presidential debates, and third-party advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hacks return for a special Senate deep-dive with The Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter. First, we talk Trump’s new ad offensive, the torqued up grievance war, and how it may play in the 2020 presidential race. We turn to the Senate and assess the most competitive races: vulnerable seats, Republicans in trouble, and the likeliest blue-to-red flips. When will it be time for down-ballot Republicans to distance themselves from Trump? And can they — or is Trump too hard to dump? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the Hacks welcome back John Heilemann of Showtime’s The Circus and The Recount. We cover Covid's resurgence in red states and how it could affect Trump’s reelection bid, mixed messaging from the White House, Trump’s reckoning with race relations, new swing state polling, how Trump-Biden debates could impact the election, and more. We also answer listener questions on competitive Senate races, what the conventions might look like, and what advice we might give to those who might want to jump in to politics and lend a hand to campaigns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. We talk Trump’s Tulsa tirade and what the smaller-than-anticipated crowd size could mean for the campaign, the administration’s ongoing bungled pandemic response, big obstacles for Biden, the Bolton book, and more. Plus, we answer listener questions on whether a national crisis changes the importance of the economy in the minds of voters, to what extent we can trust polls this year, and Susan Rice VP speculation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Alex Wagner of Showtime’s “The Circus” and CBS News. Trumpworld is in turmoil as civil rights protests churn nationwide, POTUS’s poll numbers plunge, and the Supreme Court hands down a landmark pro-LGBTQ decision penned by Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch. The Hacks talk through what this means for Trump’s electoral prospects and more. Plus, we discuss statewide polling and competitive Senate races, and answer listener mailbag questions on whether anything Trump does can turn his base against him, AG Barr and the potential for blanket pardons, and which media markets Team Biden should prioritize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Murphy at the helm this week is Phil Rosenthal, television writer, producer, and creator of Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil.” This week, we talk Trump’s plummeting approval rating amid nationwide protests, what Joe Biden needs to do to from now until November, what the latest polling could portend for the general election, and more. We also talk about the politics of food and how a meal can bring people together, especially on the campaign trail. Finally, Murphy answers listener questions on closed party primaries and which states might the likeliest bellwethers on election night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe and Murphy are joined this week by former Obama White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. We discuss the grief and outrage gripping the nation in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, the suppression of peaceful protestors at Trump’s behest, how the politics of the moment have shifted, Joe Biden’s attempt to take the wheel, and more. The Hacks also take listener’s questions about Trump’s relationship with Twitter, the youth vote, and what polls portend for Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe and Murphy are joined by guest hack John Heilemann of The Recount and Showtime’s The Circus. This week we unpack the latest polling, what the Hacks think might move persuadable voters, Biden’s most recent gaffe and how it might impact the veepstakes, convention apprehension, and more. Plus, we answer listener questions on campaign strategy, Arizona's potential to flip from red to blue, and the likelihood of Trump swapping out VP Pence for Nikki Haley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guest hack Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago mayor and Chief of Staff to President Obama, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Trump’s trip down hydroxychloroquine lane, the Democratic party’s messaging problem, ‘Obamagate,’ and more. Plus, Axe, Murphy, and Rahm answer listener questions on Trump’s teflon approval ratings, the effectiveness of negative campaign ads, and what young people can do to get involved in politics and public service.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Robert Gibbs, former White House press secretary. This week we talk Trump’s tantrum press briefing, Obama’s criticism of the federal government’s response to COVID-19, the state of various Senate races, and more. The Hacks also answer listener questions on the odds that Michelle Obama returns to the political arena and why betting markets often differ from the polls — and which to believe.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hacks are joined this week by Alex Wagner, host of Crooked Media’s new podcast “Six Feet Apart” and co-host of Showtime’s The Circus. We talk Trump’s pivot from running on the economy to running from the economy, and the wild comparison he made between himself and President Lincoln. The Hacks also discuss Axe & David Plouffe’s New York Times op-ed in which they give advice to Team Biden, developments in the Tara Reade sexual assault allegations, and the state of play in competitive Senate races. Axe, Murphy, and Wagner sift through the mail bag and answer listeners’ questions on the potential impact of Justin Amash’s third-party bid, a possible drawback in selecting a sitting governor as Biden’s VP, and what kind of role Trump might play in the Republican Party after his presidency comes to an end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe and Murphy reunite this week with special guest hack John Heilemann of MSNBC, The Recount, and Showtime’s The Circus. The Hacks talk Trump’s China blame game and the politics of the economy. Plus, they discuss what Biden can and should be doing to define himself in the campaign—so Trump doesn't do it for him. Finally, they take listeners’ questions on the Veepstakes, Mike Bloomberg’s war chest, and Democratic populism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices