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.
The Fight Within The Fight (with Jonathan Martin)
This messy week we have a lot to cover: McCarthy’s battle with Gaetz, the nearly averted shutdown, the great aftermath of the second GOP debate, California Senate — so much stuff we had to bring in the inimitable Jonathan Martin. You may know him from his writing in POLITICO or his classes at Harvard! Make sure to tune in to hear about skullduggery, vendettas, psychic nutritionist political advisors, and so much more!
Post Debate Hacknalysis
Late last night, despite all three Hacks feeling a little bit dumber, the guys convened to record a special post debate Hacks on Tap. The Hacks declare their debate winners and losers, and predict who will be on the next debate stage. They also break down Newsom’s new strides, picket line politics, flip floppery, and battery powered boats. Don’t Donald Duck up and skip this episode, it’s a good one!
The Dancing Bear Theory (with Sarah Longwell)
This week Axe and Gibbs were joined by Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and host of The Focus Group podcast. The Hacks discuss the upcoming GOP debate, the difficulties and nuances of interviewing Trump, DeSantis and Haley’s viability, aging presidents, nailing jello to walls, and clowns with flame throwers. Want to hear more from Sarah Longwell? Make sure to listen to The Focus Group podcast, new episodes will be coming out on Saturday!
Pony Faced Cowboys (with Bill Kristol)
This week Gibbs & Murphy were joined by the great Bill Kristol, who is editor-at-large of The Bulwark. The Hacks discuss Bidens overseas trip, the role of the media, Republicans opening up an impeachment inquiry, and presidential polling around impeachment past. Plus the guys look into their Kristol ball and preview the next GOP debate.
Talk A Little Louder (with Jeff Zeleny)
This week Axe and Gibbs were joined by Jeff Zeleny, who is the Chief National Affairs Correspondent for CNN. Jeff gives an update on what he has seen on the road in New Hampshire, the Hacks then break down Biden’s communication challenges, new poll numbers and the battle for the GOP nomination.
The MAGA Hymn Book (with Scott Jennings)
This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist, conservative columnist, and CNN commentator. The Hacks discuss Trump’s most recent presidential portrait, his upcoming trial, and how this could impact the nominating process. The guys also talk about pre/post-Trump GOP candidates, post GOP debate performances, identify politics, Biden’s campaign performance, and so much more!
Haley’s Comet
The bleary-eyed Hacks convened early this morning to discuss the first GOP debate of the 2024 election and the poll vaulting nature of politics. The guys bloviate about Trump’s absence, Nikki’s breakthrough performance, Ramaswamy’s rising poll numbers, and the candidate responses on abortion, supporting Trump, and January 6th.
May The Fourth Indictment Be With You
Did you miss us? Well, we missed you so much that we decided to convene all three Hacks this week. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy discuss Trump’s most recent indictment, the guys preview the upcoming GOP debate, set the scene for the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary, and discuss Hunter Biden’s legal woes. Plus, Murphy gives a dispatch from his hammock in New Hampshire.
Costa La Vista (with Robert Costa)
Robert Costa, the chief election and campaign correspondent for CBS news, joined Axe and Murphy to discuss the great pageantry of democracy. The Hacks discuss GOP polling and spending, knocking out frontrunners, unprecedented indictments, DeSantis DeSinking, escape valves, medals for democracy, and so much more!
Indict-Me-Not (with Dana Bash)
This bonkers news week Axe and Gibbs were joined by CNN’s chief political correspondent and anchor of “Inside Politics”. Dana walks us through the newest Trump indictment news, and the Hacks pick her brain on Trump’s messaging, what the indictments mean for 2024, and how the American people will serve as his jury. The Hacks also talk about Manchin campaigning in New Hampshire, Chris Christie qualifying for the GOP debate, Biden’s performance, Pence’s appeal, Faustian bargains, losers, cowards, chickens, and so much more!
Show Me Your Strategy (with Heidi Heitkamp)
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by former North Dakota Senator and current Director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, Heidi Heitkamp! The Hacks discuss DeSantis’s bet on Iowa and his courtship of Kim Reynolds, the flipping of abortion as a political issue, Super PAC ads, fundraising number, rural messaging, and the crickets from Biden’s presidential campaign. Plus Heidi gives some Fargo wisdom to her governor and Murphy sneaks in a Gina Raimondo plug!
Mailbag Spectacular K Mart Special
This week Murphy and Gibbs bumped a few former presidents to celebrate their favorite holiday by answering YOUR questions! The guys bloviate about Bidenomics, Enron accounting, chickens in tuxedos, Kevin’s caucus politics, Supreme Court rulings, and supremely delicious political food festivities! Tune in and happy forth to you all!
To Be Determined (with James Carville & Mark McKinnon)
This week Axe was joined by living political legend/greatest Hack of all time James Carville and hat model/co-host of The Circus/also an amazing Hack Mark McKinnon. The guys discuss Christie’s post Covid vendetta against Trump, GOP field elimination and late entries, Trump’s leaked audio, DeSantis’ charisma problem, post-Roe politics, No Labels, breaking glass, and so much more!
Golf Shirts, Pants, and Top Secret Documents (with Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Martin)
Gibbs chats this week with the incomparable and always informative Maggie Haberman of the New York Times and Jonathan Martin of Politico. The Hacks discuss Trump’s indictment, his political and legal strategy (spoiler alert they’re the same), his Fox News interview, and whether or not he will participate in the GOP debates. They also discuss the primary challenges facing his GOP opponents, Hunter Biden’s charges, third party challengers to Biden, and Joe Manchin’s boat.
The Typhoon from Trenton (with Doug Heye)
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by the Swiss Army Knife of political insight, Doug Heye. Doug taps into his experience as the former communications director for the RNC and deputy chief of staff to Eric Cantor to discuss the immediate term, long term, and short term repercussions of Trump’s second indictment, Chris Christie’s CNN Town Hall, DeSantis finding his lane, McCarthy’s negotiations/struggles with the freedom caucus, and so much more