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Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

Politicon 375 Episodes Aug 20, 2026

Master political strategist James Carville and revered journalist Al Hunt convene a war room each week to discuss the battle for the soul of the nation. They gather the sharpest minds from across the country to see who has the most compelling case for the American people on the issues that matter most.

Episodes

384: Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired with Brian Poindexter & John Vincent
384: Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired with Brian Poindexter & John Vincent Aug 20, 2026 4383 James and Al explore the recent primaries in Florida and Alaska, Trump’s waning influence, and the meaning of the results as they look ahead to the midterms.  Then, they welcome congressional candidate for OH-07, Brian Poindexter, to discuss workers' rights, what it would take to win over voters in his district, and the value of making tariffs actually work for the average person and of fixing he
383: The Cavalry Is Coming With Rebecca Cooke & Paul Rivera
383: The Cavalry Is Coming With Rebecca Cooke & Paul Rivera Aug 13, 2026 5440 James and Al cover yesterday’s primary results and weigh the influence of Trump and the DSA on their respective parties going into the midterm elections.  Then, they welcome congressional candidate for WI-03, Rebecca Cooke, to discuss the reasons she won her recent primary, her plans to unite the factions of the party into a big tent for the general election, and the effect of big tech on local e
382: An Empire Running on Empty with Sarah Trone Garriott & David Wessel
382: An Empire Running on Empty with Sarah Trone Garriott & David Wessel Aug 6, 2026 5551 James and Al give their take on the Michigan primary and push back against the DSA and their candidates while the future of the party is at stake.  Then, they welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Wessel to discuss the resilience of the US economy, the danger Trump has put us in, foreign currency interventions, and the need to address the national debt.  They also welcome IA-03 congress
381: Not a Time For A Vanity Vote with Denise Powell
381: Not a Time For A Vanity Vote with Denise Powell Jul 30, 2026 4150 James and Al fight back on Dr. Fauci’s behalf after Republican attacks on him and his legacy and discuss the influence of the Democratic Socialists on the party and the upcoming midterms before welcoming congressional candidate for NE-02, Denise Powell.  They dive into the state of her race for a winnable district in a notoriously red state, looking at the prominence of the agriculture industry,
380: Winning In The Swing States with Janelle Stelson
380: Winning In The Swing States with Janelle Stelson Jul 23, 2026 3739 James and Al raise awareness about the effect of misinformation and voter ID laws, call for strong leadership from the ground up, and weigh election predictions and candidate quality.  Then, they welcome Emmy-winning journalist turned congressional candidate for PA-10, Janelle Stelson, to discuss her campaign against Scott Perry.  They explore the challenges Democrats face in the district, her fo
379: Pound The Facts, Pound The Law, Pound the Table With Cait Conley
379: Pound The Facts, Pound The Law, Pound the Table With Cait Conley Jul 16, 2026 4291 James and Al analyze the Senate races in Michigan and Maine after the Platner debacle, reflect on Lindsey Graham’s career, and call for greater press freedoms.  Then, they welcome NY-17 congressional candidate Cait Conley to discuss her military background, the end of the war in Iran, and how she plans to win against Mike Lawler.  Together, they discuss her plans to address the cost of living cri
378: Populism & Swing Elections with Ron Brownstein & Rebecca Bennett
378: Populism & Swing Elections with Ron Brownstein & Rebecca Bennett Jul 9, 2026 3504 James and Al welcome journalist Ron Brownstein to discuss the accusations against Graham Platner and the future of Susan Collins’ Senate seat in Maine, Democrats' changing relationship with Israel, the rise of populism on the Left, and the challenges they face in the general election.  Then, they are joined by US Navy veteran and congressional candidate for NJ-7, Rebecca Bennett, to dive into her
377: America At 250 with Joseph Ellis & Rep. Josh Turek
377: America At 250 with Joseph Ellis & Rep. Josh Turek Jul 2, 2026 5236 As America turns 250, James and Al discuss the rise of the DSA and its popularity among younger voters, rising antisemitism, how the recent SCOTUS decisions will impact the country, and the effects of polarization on our future.  Then, they welcome historian Joseph Ellis to look back at the nation’s inception, the courage of the Founding Fathers, the long process of forging a more perfect union,
376: Schisms With Jim Gerstein
376: Schisms With Jim Gerstein Jun 25, 2026 3617 250 Year Competition:Vote for which of Trump’s insiders you think the Founding Fathers would send back to Englandhttps://forms.gle/XFwsfqkec7UEsKxbAJames and Al discuss the DSA's wins in New York’s primaries, the growing schism in the Democratic Party, the need to unite to win in the general, and the prevailing political narratives heading into the midterms, as well as the leaks weakening the Tru
375: Battles Abroad & Battles At Home with David Sanger & Devlin Barrett
375: Battles Abroad & Battles At Home with David Sanger & Devlin Barrett Jun 18, 2026 4693 250 Year Competition:Vote for which of Trump’s insiders you think the Founding Fathers would send back to Englandhttps://forms.gle/XFwsfqkec7UEsKxbAJames and Al review the political landscape, the changes in the electorate, and the candidates after getting a lay of the land during the primary season.  Then, they welcome the NYT’s David Sanger to discuss the end of the Iran war and its consequence
374: The Death Of The Justice Department with Judge Michael Luttig
374: The Death Of The Justice Department with Judge Michael Luttig Jun 11, 2026 5105 250 Year Competition:Vote for which of Trump’s insiders you think the Founding Fathers would send back to EnglandCLICK HERE TO VOTEJames and Al analyze Tuesday’s primaries, focusing on the enduring support for Graham Platner in Maine and the surprisingly weak showing for perennial incumbent Lindsey Graham in South Carolina. Then, they welcome Judge Luttig to give his verdict on Trump in a discuss
373: From D-Day To The Strait Of Hormuz with Max Boot & Nick Mueller
373: From D-Day To The Strait Of Hormuz with Max Boot & Nick Mueller Jun 4, 2026 4771 250 Year CompetitionVote for which of Trump’s insiders you think the Founding Fathers would send back to EnglandCLICK HERE TO VOTEJames and Al review the performance of Democrats in Tuesday’s elections, examining what it can tell us about the midterms, the quality of the candidates, and the importance of keeping voters engaged to drive turnout.  Then, they welcome the Council on Foreign Relations

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