Month: April 2025

Authenticity, AI, and Political Marketing

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Mike talks with Mike Nellis, former Senior Advisor to Kamala Harris and Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Authentic, a digital marketing agency that’s raised over a billion dollars for campaigns and had a 77% client win rate in 2024. 

Topics Mike & Mike discuss include:
– the evolution of political fundraising
– how AI is being used in political marketing
– White Dudes for Harris
– what went wrong for Democrats in 2024
– the authenticity of Donald Trump
– working class voters and the Diploma Divide
– The Rock for President
– Pete Buttegieg – the best Democratic communicator?

Mike Nellis on X

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Trump v China, Musk and DOGE, Ukraine Peace Deal

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Mike and Justin open with a discussion of yet another wild week for the world economy, largely due to instability caused by President Trump’s changing positions on trade and the economy. He hates the Fed Chair he appointed but won’t fire him (even though he claims he can), says the US is talking with China, which China denies, and is now dealing with multiple lawsuits challenging his authority to impose broad-based sanctions using emergency powers.

Next they turn to what appears to be Elon Musk’s coming departure from DOGE. They look at how DOGE’s work has affected Musk, how much DOGE has actually saved, and whether it was ever about efficiency, as opposed to control.

They close with a look at the latest Ukraine peace deal, which seems more like a demand that Ukraine surrender more than anything else.

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How Political Protests Happen

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Mike talks with Adam Swart, the founder of Crowds on Demand, the original paid protesting firm, and a leading expert on protests, political optics, and narrative strategy. A lifelong liberal, Adam now finds himself increasingly “not liberal enough” for many in the modern Left.

Topics Mike and Adam discuss include:
– the false dichotomy between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ protests
– why every significant protest is a paid protest
– the left’s protest advantage over the right
– throwing tantrums vs getting things done
– the importance of barking up the right tree
– making geeky issues exciting
– if short-sellers could have been behind the Tesla protests

Adam Swart on X

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Abrego Garcia, Trump v Harvard, Iran Nuclear Talks

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Mike and Trey open by considering the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. They consider how both the left and right see Abrego Garcia, the legal battles surrounding his illegal deportation and possible return (don’t hold your breath), and if we’re near a point at which the Trump administration openly defies the courts.

Next is a discussion of the Trump administration’s attempts to bring Harvard University to heel, and Harvard’s resistance. They consider both the legal questions raised as well as how all this might play out at a time when trust in higher education is at a historic low.

They close with a look at the Iran nuclear talks. Trey thinks this could end up being a win for Trump, and while Mike doesn’t necessarily disagree, he argues that the first Trump administration largely created the situation he’s now trying to fix.

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Modern Political Campaigns

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Travis talks with political scientist, Johns Hopkins professor, and CEO of Cohen Research Group, Dr. Michael Cohen about his new book, Modern Political Campaigns: How Professionalism, Technology, and Speed Have Revolutionized Elections, in which he provides insight into the practical nature of managing political campaigns and an insider’s advice on breaking into careers in the field of political consulting. 

Topics Travis and Michael cover include:

  • Why professionalism, technology, and speed are the hallmark features of modern political campaigns
  • The role of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigning and the ethical considerations campaign managers must make when using AI
  • What the permanent campaign is and its impact on American democracy and representation

Follow Dr. Michael Cohen on LinkedIn.
 

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Tariffs, Trump and Fossil Fuels

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Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the ever-changing tariff landscape. Mike argues that President Trump’s tariffs may not even be legal – on multiple grounds, and that even if they are upheld, trade policy by presidential fiat is a horrible idea. Jay agrees, though both he and Mike are at least somewhat sympathetic toward actions taken in response to China’s massive IP theft and significant non-tariff barriers to US goods.

Next is a discussion of four energy-related actions taken by President Trump, focusing mainly on coal. Jay feels that less regulation on a still important energy source is a good thing, whereas Mike argues that coal is both much dirtier and more expensive than alternatives like renewables and nuclear, which is what the administration should be promoting.

They close with Jay responding to a listener question concerning why Jay isn’t a big fan of Black History or Women’s History Month.

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American “Liberation” Day, Laura Loomer, Cory Booker, Special Elections

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Trey and Ken begin with a discussion of the so-called American Liberation Day. Trey attacks Trump’s tariffs from a libertarian view, but sees connections to authoritarianism in their implementation. Ken is more sympathetic to tariffs, but does not believe the current tariff policy would achieve his desired ends of protected key industries.

Next is a discussion of the firing of both NSC and NSA officials and its connection to Laura Loomer. Here there is a detailed discussion of Trump’s circle of influence. Neither Ken nor Trey sees positives in these moves, but it confuses Ken. Trey explains the differences between Trump populists and former Republican conservatives and neo-conservatives.

Then, it is a discussion of Cory Booker and his record-breaking Senate speech. Both Trey and Ken see this as the launching of Booker’s campaign, but Trey also sees it as an effective position-taking strategy, one that Democrats have sorely lacked in the wake of Trump’s election.

They close the show with a discussion of the Wisconsin and Florida special elections and what, if any, clues they have to President Trump’s support.

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The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

99% Perspiration: Adam Chandler on Americans and Work

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Mike talks with Adam Chandler, a former staff writer at The Atlantic whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and a bunch of other places. They discuss his recently released book, 99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life.

Topics Mike & Adam discuss include:
– the “American Abracadabra”
– Columbus, the Puritans, and Ben Franklin
– if the United States is still the “Land of Opportunity”
– the downside of hustle culture
– universal basic income
– how workplace culture has changed over time
– what we might learn from the French about work
– the economic costs of a more laid-back approach to work
– work and a New Patriotism

Adam Chandler on X

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Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys.

The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.