When David Axelrod, Mike Murphy and Robert Gibbs get together to talk politics, it’s not academic. They speak from the perspective gained through hundreds of campaigns for offices from City Hall to the White House. So if you want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes, where strategic decisions are being made, pull up a stool for Hacks on Tap. Incisive, sometimes uproarious and always entertaining, these political warhorses and their guests will give you insights you’ll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties.
Tired, Sleepy & Gassy (with Paul Begala)
This week Murphy and Gibbs were joined by the great Paul Begala, CNN contributor and former counselor to President Bill Clinton. The Hacks discuss the White House Correspondents Dinner, Trump’s ongoing legal issues, CNN’s newest poll, unconventional media opportunities, shooting puppies(???), and so much more!
Bubbling Over (with Scott Jennings)
This week, Axe and Murphy were joined by Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist, conservative columnist, and CNN commentator. The Hacks discuss Johnson’s Speakership and the battle to pass aid packages, star GOP recruits, foreign wars, campus free speech, Biden’s messaging, and Trump’s trials.
Bad Options (with Whit Ayers and Jonathan Martin)
This week finds Gibbs flying solo as Axe and Murphy are, shall we say, on the run. Nevertheless, the show must go on, and Gibbs is joined by two esteemed guests: GOP pollster Whit Ayers and Jonathan Martin, renowned author of “This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden and the Battle for America’s Future". Together, they embark on a deep dive into the week's tumultuous news cycle, examining everything from the latest New York Times poll to Trump’s hush money jury selection, the challenges and opportunities for both parties on abortion and immigration messaging, foreign policy, campaign infrastructure, margins of error, the golden bachelor, and so much more!
Mixed Messages (with Sasha Issenberg)
This week, Axe and Murphy were joined by the distinguished Hack and renowned lie detective, Sasha Issenberg. Together, they delve into Trump's contradictory stance on abortion and his intriguing status as a Florida voter. The Hacks also dissect Biden's endeavors for student loan forgiveness, the evolving landscape of TikTok, the complexities of foreign policy, ongoing conflicts, the impact of social media, the rise of deep fakes, the lunar eclipse, and oh so much more!
Gas & Eggs (with John Heilemann)
This week Axe & Murphy were joined by a fan favorite Hackeroo, the great John Heilemann. The guys discussed Biden’s three presidents event, Trump’s holiday messaging, campaign financing, margins of error, debates, gag orders, hush money, porn stars, and so much more!
Bizarroland (with Bakari Sellers)
The week Axe and Murphy were joined by Bakari Sellers, a former South Carolina State Rep, current attorney, and political commentator—making his debut appearance on Hacks on Tap! The Hacks discussed the propitious time we find ourselves in (bet you can’t guess who chose that word), Trump as a Showman, recent polls and their contextual significance, one-party rule, running against the couch, as well as knives, forks, and geometry. And, of course, so much more!
Nostalgia for Normalcy (with Maggie Haberman)
This week Gibbs and Murphy were joined by the scoop-master Hackeroo extraordinaire Maggie Haberman, who is the Senior Political Correspondent for the New York Times and author of “Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America”. The Hacks discuss Trump’s colorful rally in Dayton, the Ohio Senate race, Biden’s messaging problems and opportunities, and so much more. Tune in for the brilliant analysis, listen all the way through for all of Murphy’s insider gossip.
Dingbats with Chainsaws (with Amy Walter)
This week, Axe and Murphy were joined by the immortal and excellent Amy Walter, publisher, and editor-in-chief of The Cook Report with Amy Walter. The Hacks discuss Biden’s State of the Union speech and Katie Britt’s rebuttal. The guys also delve into discuss the state of the race, new campaign ads, the Trump Lobotomy Academy, guys in suits yelling at each other, loyalty purges and fun house mirrors.
Sore Bruiser (with Jen Psaki and Scott Jennings)
This week, Murray and Gibbs took off on vacation, their absence becoming our gain, as Axe welcomed two powerhouse Hackeroos, along with familiar faces Jen Psaki and Scott Jennings. The Hacks delve into the aftermath of Super Tuesday, Haley's exit and its impact on the race, the art of acceptance speeches, effective messaging strategies, weird-ass campaigns, the ever-relevant sore loser rule, and the delicate dance of punching down. Plus, they peer into their crystal ball to speculate on what Biden's SOTU speech may focus on.
Politicianing (with Sarah Longwell)
This week, Axe and Gibbs had the pleasure of welcoming the illustrious Superstar Hackeroo and cherished friend of the pod, Sarah Longwell, who is the host of The Focus Group Podcast and publisher of The Bulwark. Together, the Hacks embark on a riveting exploration of the convoluted narratives surrounding the South Carolina primary, the tumultuous state of the GOP, the enigmatic campaign landscape in Michigan, Biden's political quagmires, Trumped-up allegations, and so much more!
Main Character Energy (with Steve Israel)
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by former congressman and savant Steve Israel. The Hacks dissect the adventures of the world's most 'useful idiot' on his escapade to Russia, explore the sneaker culture at Sneaker Con (pun intended), draw insights from the NY-03 race and the Suozzi blueprint, delve into the realm of kitchen table issues, speculate on potential State of the Union topics, savor some nerd food, marvel at Tim Scott's miraculous flexibility in flipping his moral stances faster than a pancake, and pay homage to the late hero, Alexei Navalny. Remember, democracy isn't merely bestowed upon us; it's a continual project in which we must all actively participate.
Riding the Dragon (with Kasie Hunt)
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by CNN Anchor and Chief National Affairs Analyst, the brilliant Kasie Hunt! The Hacks discuss Biden’s age, his tumultuous press conference last week, falling into the orchestra pit, the new Michigan, immigration bill negotiations, Trump’s geopolitical antics, and so much more!
Cynicism on Steroids (with Jonathan Martin)
This week, Gibbs and Murphy were graced with the presence of Jonathan Martin, the senior political columnist for Politico and a Sublime Hackeroo. The trio delves into Nevada (pronunciation to be disputed), Nikki, four-digit numbers, Biden’s surrogate campaign, robot campaigns, five-alarm fires, desk chairs on the Titanic, Schoolhouse Rock, calculating double crazy, everything primary, everything polling, everything everywhere, all at once, and also so much more.
Under His Skin
This week the Axe and Murphy were joined by Jonathan Karl, ABC News’s chief Washington correspondent and co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos. The Hacks delve into the intricacies of Nikki Haley's campaign, Trump's unpredictable nature, the unique dynamics of campaigning from courthouses, the importance of reasonableness, chess with irate chimpanzees, bone spurs, bingo bango bongo, and so much more.
It’s Not Over…?
This week, the Hacks gathered to delve into the results and implications of the New Hampshire primary, decoding their significance for the upcoming 2024 political landscape. In his usual fashion, Trump pivots his ire towards Nikki Haley. Biden’s campaign begins stepping up its game, preparing for another battle with Trump. And, most importantly, our beloved Mike Murphy has a special announcement!