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PODCAST

Political Theater

Have you ever asked, “WTF?,” about politics? Or, “who are these people making decisions about my life?” Political Theater pulls back the curtain on the stunts, antics and motivations that drive Washington. Host Jason Dick and the Roll Call team spotlight the spectacle, the players and what’s going on behind the curtain in Washington’s long-running drama: Congress.

news politics

All Episodes

23:04

A short history of hoping people will change their minds

Political Theater ·

2025/06/25

Jason Dick and Jessica Wehrman talk about how unpopular the “One Big Beautiful Bill” in Congress is, why Republicans will likely pass it anyway and the short history of how, regardless of how hard politicians try, sometimes the public won’t go along with their public relations efforts.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

27:55

It’s déjà tea party all over again

Political Theater ·

2025/06/10

Jason Dick and Jim Saksa discuss how easy it was to be angry in 2010, tea-party infused town halls, astroturf versus paid protesters, the Koch Brothers and George Soros and the wisdom of politicians reminding constituents that we're all going to die anyway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

25:37

The 'predicament and necessity' of documentary movies

Political Theater ·

2025/06/04

Jason Dick talks to Sky Sitney, co-founder of DC/DOX, about this year's documentary festival, as well as how grants being canceled and studios pulling back on the genre are playing out as both challenge and opportunity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

31:24

The grand tour of Washington

Political Theater ·

2025/05/27

Jason Dick talks with former Roll Callers and current journalism professors Christina Bellantoni and Neda Semnani about the value of just talking to people, how the years change your perspective on Washington and why it's important to bear witness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

51:16

That's a lot of Supreme Court there

Political Theater ·

2025/05/20

Jason Dick and Todd Ruger discuss their (and some public officials') race times at the ACLI Capital Challenge, then delve into the Supreme Court's internal dynamics, how its workload has evolved, what big decisions are expected before the end of the term, a little about David Souter and then cap it off with an ultra-special word of the week segment.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

35:59

Call it the Most Not Invulnerable List

Political Theater ·

2025/05/13

Jason Dick and Nathan Gonzales discuss House and Senate races that could be competitive, but aren't quite yet. Basically, what would it take for someone like Brian Fitzpatrick or Raul Ruiz to be in tough races. They also riff on how “Andor” and "Return of the Jedi” fit into this world. Seriously. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

44:31

Still vulnerable, even while batting .400

Political Theater ·

2025/05/08

Jason Dick, Daniela Altimari and Mary Ellen McIntire discuss the first Roll Call Most Vulnerable Incumbents list of the 2026 cycle, why House freshman frequently have the blues and how even gobs and gobs of money can’t always buy you an election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

26:53

Six degrees of 100 days ...

Political Theater ·

2025/04/30

How does Kevin Bacon fit into the first 100 days analysis of the Trump presidency? Jason Dick and John Bennett discuss, as well as the art of Gretchen Whitmer's non-thank you thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

43:24

Golden State meets ‘Golden Age’

Political Theater ·

2025/04/11

Jason Dick and Christina Bellantoni discuss California political leaders' approach to President Donald Trump's second term, Gov. Gavin Newsom's podcast and hair and whether we'll see more retired Dodgers run for state-wide office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

32:26

Much ado about special elections

Political Theater ·

2025/04/03

Jason Dick, Mary Ellen McIntire and Andrew Menezes discuss the election results this week in Florida and Wisconsin, whether vermouth will be more expensive with the latest round of tariffs and whether it was wise to do a training run that involved the Tidal Basin this past week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

26:29

The Thai popcorn does not detract

Political Theater ·

2025/03/27

Sports is leading the way on diversity, equity and inclusion, but don't expect to hear those words at the game. Plus: Everyone get ready for National Operational Security Awareness Month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

25:27

At the Gridiron, laughter in the dark

Political Theater ·

2025/03/19

Dressing up as a donkey for a skit lampooning politicians at a white tie dinner in Washington is silly. But during difficult times, when the most powerful people in the world are challenging the boundaries of constitutional democracy, it is important to hang onto your sense of humor. The annual Gridiron dinner aims to “singe, not burn” with its humor. What does that mean when it feels like the world is on fire, though?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

21:10

Democrats at (in?) retreat

Political Theater ·

2025/03/12

House Democrats are gathering for their annual policy retreat this week, and face a series of questions as they navigate the 119th Congress, including why they are more unpopular than Republicans, what they can do as a minority party in a closely divided country, how do they recruit quality candidates to run for office and what level of coordination to pursue among themselves and their allies.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

20:02

Protest, retreat, hide? Congressional behavior,...

Political Theater ·

2025/03/06

In the early days of the second Trump administration, congressional Republicans and Democrats face decisions about how to react to White House-led actions. For Democrats, it can be boiled down to: Fight or retreat. Republicans are being advised to restrict contact with the public. We talk with Nathan Gonzales about what, at this point, makes the most sense politically. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

24:56

‘Yeah, I don’t love that,’ or how the House learned...

Political Theater ·

2025/02/27

In recent days, the Senate and House have both passed versions of their own budget resolution, one of the key steps in constructing a so-called reconciliation bill that will cut spending and taxes and enact GOP legislative priorities without having to deal with the usual Senate roadblocks. But there is a long way to go until something heads to the president’s desk, so we are going to talk about what’s been happening and what is going on with CQ Roll Call’s illustrious Budget Tracker, David

en

40:15

'If I can get you to feel' -- politics, wrestling and...

Political Theater ·

2025/02/19

For someone who has dominated politics for going on a decade, Donald Trump still controls the narrative in a way that leaves his opponents flat-footed. Trump's connection to professional wrestling offers lessons on how he is able to do this and how to connect in the political arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

30:26

‘Beauty never gets old’ -- Slava Leontyev in the...

Political Theater ·

2025/02/11

Is it possible to find beauty amid the horror of the Ukraine-Russia war? The Academy Award-nominated documentary "Porcelain War" argues that it is not only possible, it is essential. Co-director Slava Leontyev discusses how ordinary people keep their culture, art and themselves alive, and how even in a time of fear "it's hard to forbid people to live."Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

26:26

Having a plan beats not having a plan

Political Theater ·

2025/02/06

The early days of the 119th Congress and the second Trump administration have been a whirlwind, but here is one observation for those looking to make sense of things: Having a plan beats not having a plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

35:41

Instability as norm? Or test?

Political Theater ·

2025/01/30

The early days of the second Trump administration have brought us an intense debate over constitutional authority and the role of government, which has been folded into the unstable and chaotic political era we are in. Is this destabilization something that will endure, or is it one of many similar, rough times in our history, say the 1960s, when politics and the government were tested and evolved, but overall held?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

31:10

Pardon me? Tales of presidential pardons

Political Theater ·

2025/01/22

Presidential pardons are all over the place, thanks to outgoing President Joe Biden and newly sworn in President Donald Trump. Presidents’ power to pardon is pretty comprehensive, and has been used to pardon the likes of Confederates, Jimmy Hoffa, Richard Nixon, Defense secretaries, family members and dirty tricksters, and most recently the Jan. 6 crowd and even the founder of the black market drug marketplace Silk Road. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

en

77 results

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