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The Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has attracted national attention -- for its importance, vitriol and expense. And it could make history as well.

Dan Glickman, the former Democratic congressman from Kansas, fondly remembers Nancy Kassebaum, his state’s three-term senator and a Republican who passed away last week, reminding us what politics and bipartisanship used to look like. PLUS:  It’s been 50 years since the 1976 Democratic convention, when Walter Mondale was selected as Jimmy Carter’s running mate.  We go into the Political Junkie archives for an interview we conducted with Mondale, back in 2015, remembering not only being picked for VP but naming Geraldine Ferraro, eight years later, as HIS VP. AND:  Darline Graham, despite her blank slate, wins the GOP Senate primary runoff in South Carolina.  And Ed Markey, despite his age, wins the Democratic Senate primary in Massachusetts. Music in this Episode: Massachusetts by the Bee Gees Those Were the Days by Mary Hopkin Runnin’ Down a Dream by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers The post Episode #433: We’re Not In Kansas Anymore: Remembering Nancy Kassebaum appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Claremont McKenna College’s Jack Pitney assesses what the Republican Party faces as we get closer to the midterm elections. PLUS:  Karoline Leavitt prepares to leave her job … and Max Miller insists on running again. Music in this Episode: Somebody to Love by Jefferson Airplane Against All Odds by Phil Collins Freedom of Choice by Devo The post Episode #432: Has The GOP Maxed Out In Ohio? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Kentucky political journalist Al Cross takes on the rumors behind the disappearance (from public view) of Sen. Mitch McConnell and, with his long career coming to an end, assesses his legacy. And Meg Kinnard, a political reporter for the Associated Press based in South Carolina, sets up Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary to succeed the late Lindsey Graham, with all eyes on Darline Graham, who was surprisingly named to temporarily fill the seat and who now has decided to run for a full term. PLUS:  Todd Blanche gets closer to confirmation for attorney general.  And Trump throws Jeanine Pirro under the pool. Music In This Episode: Don’t Go Near the Water by The Beach Boys I’m Alive by The Hollies Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves by The Eurythmics (feat. Aretha Franklin) The post Episode #431: O Sister, Where Art Thou?; Bloodhounds For Mitch? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Donald Trump had an extraordinarily successful month of endorsing winning challengers to Republican incumbents in the primaries.  Laura Merrifield Wilson of the University of Indianapolis discusses the defeats of five Indiana state senators who opposed Trump’s redistricting plan.  Tyler Bridges of The Advocate/The Times-Picayune reports on how Sen. Bill Cassidy’s 2021 vote to convict Trump led to his defeat in 2026.  And Matthew Wilson of Southern Methodist University explains how four-term Sen. John Cornyn fell to Texas state attorney general Ken Paxton. Music in this episode:   The post Episode #430: Trump’s Magical Mystery Revenge & Retribution Tour appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

The meteoric rise — and dramatic fall — of Congressman Eric Swalwell is the subject of this episode.  Seema Mehta, a political reporter with the Los Angeles Times, recounts how he went from media darling to alleged sex offender, ending what had initially been an improbable bid to become governor of California.  And, for good measure, George Skelton, the veteran L.A. Times columnist, spells out how this sad episode exposed the weaknesses in California’s “top two” electoral system. ALSO:  Wondering the purpose of holding a White House Correspondents Dinner with a president that despises and denigrates the media.  And Republicans are, with a straight face, screaming “partisanship” at Virginia’s ballot initiative that may give the Commonwealth’s Democrats, four additional congressional seats. MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE: Bad Blood by Taylor Swift Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye It’s My Party by Lesley Gore       The post Episode #429: Swalwell That Ends Well appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Kathryn Pearson of the University of Minnesota explains the scandal that may have ended Gov. Tim Walz’s political career, and the expected decision by Sen. Amy Klobuchar that she would seek to succeed him this year. And Lou Cannon, the chief White House correspondent during the Ronald Reagan presidency and a superb Reagan biographer, died last month at the age of 92.  He was last on the Political Junkie back in 2015, talking about the 1980 Republican convention and how Reagan helped his cause by picking George Bush as his running mate — and not former President Gerald Ford, who was rumored to be angling for a spot on the GOP ticket. PLUS:  The Trump administration defends the murder of a woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent.  And Greenland?  Seriously? Music in this Episode: When the Music’s Over by the Doors Amie by Pure Prairie League Like to Get to Know You by Spanky & Our Gang The post Episode #428: Walz Came Tumbling Down appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Matthew Wilson, political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, sets up the fierce primaries, Democratic and Republican, for the Senate in Texas.  Incumbent Republican John Cornyn is facing a battle from his right from state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and firebrand liberal Rep. Jasmine Crockett is challenging James Talarico for the Democrats.  No Democrat has won a Texas Senate race since 1988. And Rob Christensen, a former political journalist with the Raleigh News & Observer, remembers Jim Hunt, the former four-term governor and a giant in North Carolina politics, who died last week. PLUS:  The Epstein Files are released (not), Elise Stefanik plans to stay and fight (not), and Trump gives his respects to Rob Reiner (not). Music in this Episode:  Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon U Can’t Touch This by M.C. Hammer A Well Respected Man by The Kinks   The post Episode #427: Jasmine Crockett, Arriving; Jim Hunt, Departed. appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Congressional analyst Jack Pitney assesses the meaning of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s upcoming resignation from Congress, and weighs whether the Georgia Republican still has a future in politics, given her seeming banishment by President Trump. And we remember Mark Mellman, the Democratic pollster who died last month, by replaying an interview we had with him in November of 2016, when Hillary Clinton and Trump were vying for the presidency. PLUS:  A selection of favorite Trump responses to reporters’ questions at press conferences. Music in this episode: Where Is The Love by Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway You and I by Rick James     The post Episode #426: Marjorie Tinker Taylor Q’Anon Traitor Patriot appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Maine Public Radio’s Steve Mistler focuses on what may be the Democrats’ best chance at a Senate pickup in 2026, the seat of five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins.  Establishment Democrats in Washington have come up with who they feel would be the strongest opponent, popular Gov. Janet Mills; earlier this year she made a name for herself by standing up to President Trump at a governors’ conference.  But she is 77 years old, and progressives back home are instead rallying behind Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and former Marine who has raised more than $4 million.  However, controversial old social media posts of Platner’s have been uncovered, threatening his chances. And there are two gubernatorial races taking place next week, in New Jersey and Virginia, states where both incumbents are term limited.  Bob Holsworth of Decide Smart says that Democrats in Virginia are likely to take back the governorship with Abigail Spanberger.  But media coverage is now focused on a series of ugly emails that came from the Dem candidate for attorney general, Jay Jones, whose own lead has evaporated.  And in New Jersey, NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson reports that Democrat Mikie Sherrill’s lead has narrowed and that the Republican, Jack Ciattarelli, making his third bid for the job, is within striking distance. Music in this Episode: Fix You by Coldplay Tattoo by Doreen She’s a Sensation by the Ramones Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen The post Episode #425: Day Of The Woman? Election 2025 appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

A new book talks about how Joe Biden's stubbornness -- and insistence that only he could defeat Donald Trump -- kept him in the race longer than he should have and allowed the Republicans to win back the White House. Plus: What to make of Godzilla vs. King Kong. The post Episode #424: The Tragedy Of Joe Biden appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Sen. Dick Durbin's retirement opens up a safe Democratic seat -- and a spot in the Senate leadership. PLUS: George Santos heads to prison, Donald Trump's hundred days, a farewell to Alan Simpson, and the Vietnam evacuation, 50 years later. The post Episode #423: Dick Durbin’s 44 Years Of Service appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell is retiring next year, ending a long career in which he united Republicans against Democratic presidents and whose relationship with Donald Trump, while never good, enabled the president to hold onto and extend his power. PLUS: Trump vs. Zelensky. The post Episode #422: How Mitch McConnell Enabled The Party Takeover By Donald appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Past presidents have been able to take tragic events and try to console distraught Americans. Not Donald Trump. Plus: An open Senate race in Michigan, and an Iowa senator up for re-election next year is pressured on a Cabinet confirmation vote. The post Episode #421: The Consoler In Chief appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Trump's election opened up two Senate seats, in Ohio and Florida, that have been since filled by Republican governors. And is our sadness about Jimmy Carter's passing possibly due to the thought of Trump returning to the presidency? The post Episode #420: Decency And Civility, Then And Now appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.