The Playbook Podcast

24:38

Paxton's campaign control

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/10/05

In audio from a private meeting obtained by Playbook, Ken Paxton tells donorshe’snever felt less in control of a campaign, as he trails Democrat James Talarico in Texas.Plusin other news: Sam Altman sayshe’dlove to see less money in politics, even as AI money floods the midterms and Pete Buttigieg tests a message that sounds a lot like a preview of 2028.For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:politico.com/playbook

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57:35

Can this pastor flip a Senate seat in deep red...

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/10/04

In this special midterms edition of “The Conversation with Dasha Burns,” Adam Hamilton, the pastor and Democratic candidate challenging Sen. Roger Marshall, sits down with Dasha at a campaign office in Kansas to discuss why he thinks the race is competitive – and why he believes a moderate, bridge-building approach can win over voters in this deeply Republican state.Hamilton talks about the cost of fuel and tariffs, the war in Iran, his appeal to Republican voters and the role of faith in

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25:37

The heartland’s ‘woke’ Democrat

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/10/02

A Democratic pastor running for Senate in Kansas says Kamala Harris should stay inCalifornia,told Chuck Schumer he is a liability and is taking the "woke" label head on.Playbook hears from Adam Hamilton and what his campaign could tell us about the Democrats' appeal to the heartland. Then the other stories animatingWashington:Sen. Thom Tillis’ unfiltered texts to the President, Ken Paxton’s Trump problem andwhat a new bill fromRep.Alexandria Ocasio-CortezandSen.Chuck Schumersays about2028.For more

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22:23

Beshear’s red-state edge

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/10/01

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is making his case for 2028. Playbook speaks to the governor on why he thinks a red-state Democrat has a competitive edge and what sets him apart from potential Republican 2028-er, Vice President JD Vance. Then the other stories animating Washington: Sen. Eric Schmitt’s post hearing fallout continues, AI turns its back on President Donald Trump and mosquitoes make Trump’s hotlist.For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:politico.com/playbook

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24:11

Nevada’s 2028 high rollers

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/30

The race for governor in Nevadais an early proving ground for the DemocraticParty’s next generation as 2028 hopefuls descend on the state. Then the other stories animating Washington: A Republican senator’s attempted gotcha of Jack Smith goes spectacularly sideways, Sherrod Brown has a new attack ad in Ohio featuring some decidedly non-Midwestern language and Kristi Noem files for divorce after a tabloid scandal.For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook

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25:02

Congress had the Squad. Soon it will have the Bloc.

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/29

The 2018 midterms had the Squad. Now, a new generation of progressive insurgents is already organizing its successor: “the Bloc.” But what happens when they run headlong intoHouse Democratic LeaderHakeem Jeffries?Then the other stories animating Washington: PresidentDonald Trumpheads to red states to campaign ahead of the midterms,critics question who the MAHA Summitisreallyforand Gov.Sarah Huckabee Sandersfaces backlashover a new welfare ad.For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook

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24:13

‘Front Row Joes’ take a backseat

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/28

"Front Row Joes" were someof PresidentDonald Trump’s most ardent supporters, traveling across the country on his campaign trail. Now some are disillusioned with his presidency. We asked some of them why. Then the other storiesanimatingWashington this morning: New polls show Abdul El-Sayed running ahead of Mike Rogers, White Housedeputychief ofstaff Dan Scavino's X post that critics are calling tone deaf and why a group of AI enthusiasts are partying for data centers.For more news and analysis,

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47:28

Will Democrats finally win in Texas? (with Gina...

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/27

In this special midterms edition of “The Conversation with Dasha Burns,” Gina Hinojosa, the Democrat running for governor of Texas, sits down with Dasha at her campaign headquarters in Austin to talk about why she believes the race against Greg Abbott is newly competitive — and the lessons Democrats should take for 2028.In the interview, Hinojosa discusses her pitch to working Texans, her push for a $1,500 “corruption tax refund,” the fight over public schools, abortion access, immigration

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68:04

Is this the Democrat who could win back the South? |...

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/26

Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Mosca’s Restaurant for a wide-ranging conversation about President Trump, the future of the Democratic Party and whether he might run for president in 2028. Landrieu discusses why he believes Joe Biden should not have sought reelection, how Democrats lost working-class voters, the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America and what it would take to rebuild trust in American institutions. He also reflects on post-Katrina

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24:20

Are Dems Choosin’ Texas?

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/25

Could the Lone Star State’sSenate race be the tipping point for Democrats?Playbook'sAdam Wren and Megan Messerly take a deep dive into Texas politics. Then the other stories animating Washington: a new U.S. government-funded Trump TV ad is on the DC airwaves and Abdul El-Sayed signals afemalenominee for 2028.Plusa200 secondinterview with political communications consultant, Andrew Mamo. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:politico.com/playbook

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24:23

Republicans grab the fire extinguisher

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/24

Republicans brace themselves for a potential midterm blowout – while Democrats see a clearing in the smoke.Onethingforcertain,GOP candidates and their teams are forced to make some tough choices given the bleak road ahead.Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Megan Messerly unpackSen.Bernie Sanders’new AI ban, why Angela Paxton brokeher silence on the Texas Senate raceand how a viral story about a lesbian bar in Western Massachusetts made its way to Washington.For more news and analysis,

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23:41

Xi gets the red carpet

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/23

President Donald Trump will roll out the literal red carpet this eveningfor President Xi Jinping, kicking of the Chinese leader’s three-day Washington stint with an AI-star-studded dinner.Butwhat progress canthe two world leaders actuallymakeon AI?Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Megan Messerlyand Ali Bianco unpackSen. JonHusted’s recent remarks on the Iran war and this week’sround of 2028potentials, including Chris Christie.For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook

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39:54

The GOP senator breaking with Trump on vaccines and...

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/22

This episode was originally published on Sunday, September 20. We re-published due to a platform issue. There are no changes to the content.Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-endorsed challenger, joined Dasha to discuss the future of the Republican Party and reflect on how to make Congress more effective as he enters his final months in office. Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, also addresses his vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F

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19:37

Trump scraps the GOP script

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/22

Six weeks before Republicans ask voters to reject socialism and communism, President Trump is spending the week embracing socialist MayorZohran Mamdaniand preparing to welcome China’s communist leader, Xi Jinping. Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Will Steakin break down the Republican reaction.PlusPlaybook unpacks Mike Rogers recent ad denouncing the Iran war,what new polling says aboutKamala Harris’favorabilityandaMarco Rubioname dropby a covert rap group.For more news and analysis, subscribe to the

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19:20

Mike Waltz’s next moves

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/21

It’sU.N. GeneralAssemblyweekandMike Waltz is in the spotlight again.Is his role as U.S. ambassador a springboard to higher aspirations?POLITICO's senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi joins todiscuss.Plusasource in the intelligence community is calling one of Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s senior advisors a “walking counterintelligence red flag” afterawedding mishap, Trump preps for two headline-making meetings, and the president continues his battle against the media.For more news and

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40:21

The GOP senator breaking with Trump on vaccines and...

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/20

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-endorsed challenger, joined Dasha to discuss the future of the Republican Party and reflect on how to make Congress more effective as he enters his final months in office.Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, also addresses his vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the measles outbreak and vaccine policy, the influence of the MAHA movement, Social Security’s looming funding crisis and the need

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22:30

Democrats’ P(doom)

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/18

AI is quickly becoming a 2028 litmus test for Democrats. Playbookspoke withsome of the party’s potential presidential contendersgrappling with the latestwave ofAI doom.Then the other stories animating Washington: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sends a message to President Donald Trump and Sen. Bill Cassidy gets candid about RFK Jr. Plus Democratic strategist Rob Flaherty joins Playbook for a 200-second interview on the politics behind AI.For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook

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23:21

Decoding Decoded

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/17

The debate over AI safety took center stage at POLITICO’s Decoded Summit. Senior technology reporter Brendan Bordelon joins the podcast to unpack where top Trump AI adviser David Sacks draws the line on safety measures and how the tech industry is responding to Washington’s growing appetite for guardrails. Then a breakdown of the other stories animating Washington: Gov. Josh Shapiro sends some 2028 signals with a new slate of AIannouncements,LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman weighs in on a potential

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19:47

A turning point on AI

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/16

MostAmericans say there is a risk of AI destroying humanity –that'saccording to a new POLITICOPoll about publicperceptionofAI.What does the data say about AI as a driving force in 2028?ThenPlaybook’s Dasha Burns and Adam Wren digest the othernews animating Washington:President Trump’s Kennedy Center meltdown,whybestiality became a major focus of a Senate hearingwithFBI Director Kash Patel and a preview of the Federal Reserve’s interest rateannouncement.Plus,a first-in-Playbook look at a new campaign

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21:45

AI regulation’s strange bedfellows

The Playbook Podcast ·

2026/09/15

Some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names are changing their tune on AI regulation and an unlikely alliance is joining the chorus. Among these strange bedfellows are Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, who are both set to speak at a “pro-human” AI event today. POLITICO Congress tech reporter Owen Dahlkamp joins to unpack this surprising cohort of AI critics and what it could mean for 2028. Then Playbook co-authors Dasha Burns and Will Steakin break down two viral videos from potential 2028

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