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Sidebar

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The Washington Post

The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann gather for a weekly in-depth conversation about politics and power. From presidential candidates to members of Congress to the judicial system, Sidebar dives deep on the topics and people at the forefront of the political conversation. The crew sits down each Thursday (with the occasional breaking news episode) to discuss what has happened that week, and what’s coming up the next week – with guest appearances from Washington Post reporters.

#354

Congress gets more Trumpy

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down Elon Musk's successful effort to torpedo a government spending bill – and what that means about how president-elect Donald Trump's White House will function. Plus, how are Democrats preparing for a Trump presidency in which they are the minority in both the House and Senate? Later, the crew looks at longtime members of the Senate who won't be back in the next Congress – and their final messages as they prepare to leave Washington. Finally, Trump's criminal racketeering case in Georgia may be on ice after prosecutor Fani T. Willis was disqualified by an appeals court. ... Read more

19 Dec 2024

39 MINS

39:50

19 Dec 2024

#353

Who's left for the Democrats?

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss what's left of the Democratic party after its 2024 election losses – from who's left in Congress and who will have positions of authority, to the fading presence of the party's biggest voices in recent decades. The crew breaks down who could step up as Democrats' ideological leader – and who definitely won't be in the picture. Then, what's the status of Trump's cabinet picks? Right now, it looks like the ones left standing will all make it to January confirmation hearings. ... Read more

12 Dec 2024

47 MINS

47:52

12 Dec 2024

#352

Unconfirmed

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss whether [Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for secretary of defense] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/04/pete-hegseth-drinking-defense-secretary-nomination/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) , can make it through the nomination process. Plus, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy [are on Capitol Hill] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/05/trump-administration-transition/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) touting their Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – but how much power will they really have? Then, President Biden [pardoned his son Hunter] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/02/hunter-biden-presidential-pardon-comparisons/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) last weekend. Does that represent a final departure from the norms Biden promised to uphold? And who's really president right now? President Biden is on a foreign trip, but Capitol Hill and [foreign leaders are all focused on Trump] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/03/trump-trudeau-canada-state/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) . ... Read more

05 Dec 2024

46 MINS

46:49

05 Dec 2024

#351

Gaetz withdraws as attorney general nominee

This week, the crew breaks down former rep. [Matt Gaetz's sudden withdrawal] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/21/trump-administration-transition/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) as Trump's intended nominee for attorney general. Then, Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger examine president-elect Donald Trump's promises: What does he say he will [do on his first day in office] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/21/trump-day-one-promises-president-election/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) ? And what priorities will come later? Plus, [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/11/15/rfk-jr-views-conspiracies-false-claims/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) is Trump's pick for Health and Human Services secretary – but will his proposed policy changes conflict with big business priorities? And can he actually take the flouride out of your water? ... Read more

21 Nov 2024

45 MINS

45:44

21 Nov 2024

#350

Trump assembles his team

This week, president-elect Donald Trump picks Matt Gaetz for attorney general, causing controversy on Capitol Hill. Plus, Trump's other cabinet picks so far, the race for Senate majority leader, and the fate of Trump's legal cases. ... Read more

14 Nov 2024

47 MINS

47:04

14 Nov 2024

#349

Trump wins - and so does Trumpism

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down president-elect Donald Trump's sweeping victory, and what's next for the Democratic Party after a decisive loss. Then, senior video journalist JM Rieger joins to discuss what will happen when Trump takes office in January – and who he intends to appoint in his administration. ... Read more

06 Nov 2024

38 MINS

38:25

06 Nov 2024

#348

Who's going to win on Election Day?

This week, with five days to go before Election Day, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down three reasons that each of former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris could win the presidency. Then, which parts of the country should you keep a close eye on as results come in? James highlights three areas in critical swing states that could decide the winner. ... Read more

31 Oct 2024

46 MINS

46:40

31 Oct 2024

#347

Elon Musk is at the door

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by senior video journalists JM Rieger and Jorge Ribas to discuss two [key states] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/24/trump-media-fox-news/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) – Michigan and Pennsylvania – and what voters and grassroots organizers are telling them in the final weeks of the election. Plus, tech billionaire Elon Musk is using his money and influence – as well as his app, X (formerly Twitter) – [in support of Trump] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/21/elon-musk-petition-1-million-giveaway-election-law/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) in the final weeks of the election. But how much do those efforts rely on distorting the truth or promising voters money [in a way that might be illegal] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/10/24/doj-elon-musk-1-million-giveaway-election-laws/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) ? And later, video journalist HyoJung Kim joins the show to share her reporting on how Trump and Harris voters say they will feel if their candidate loses the election – and what they plan to doabout it. ... Read more

24 Oct 2024

50 MINS

50:16

24 Oct 2024

#346

Is Trump slipping?

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with Post reporters watching key swing states: Amy Gardner joins the show to discuss [a judge's decisions in Georgia] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/16/georgia-election-board-trump-judge-rules/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) ; Yvonne Wingett Sanchez joins to discuss Arizona's senate race, the presidential election and [an onerous voting law] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/30/adrian-fontes-arizona-noncitizen-voters/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) ; and Michael Brice-Saddler joins to talk about his reporting on the Harris campaign's [effort to court Black male voters in Michigan] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/15/kamala-harris-black-men-pontiac-michigan/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) . Then, the crew breaks down Vice President Kamala Harris's [efforts to reach new voters] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/17/kamala-harris-fox-news-bret-baier/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) , and former president Donald Trump's [bizarre moments] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/14/trump-music-sways-town-hall/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) at campaign events. ... Read more

17 Oct 2024

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:07

17 Oct 2024

#345

The path to 270 electoral votes

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey and James Hohmann are joined by national political reporter Michael Scherer to discuss how [Vice President Kamala Harris] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/09/harris-campaign-1-billion-fundraising/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) and f [ormer president Donald Trump] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/05/harris-trump-campaign-spending/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) could each win the presidential election in November. The crew breaks down their potential paths to victory, and how each is presenting themselves to voters, with just over three weeks left until Election Day. Then, Washington Post data scientist Lenny Bronner joins the show to explain [The Post's polling average] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/interactive/2024/presidential-polling-averages/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) , and which states he's following closely in the final weeks of the campaign. ... Read more

10 Oct 2024

49 MINS

49:16

10 Oct 2024

#344

October surprise

This week, the crew breaks down how an "October surprise" can change the course of a presidential election in its final weeks – and some of the most consequential ones in American election history. And there are a few brand new ones – from special counsel J [ack Smith's filing] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/02/jack-smith-trump-2020-election-filing-takeaways/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) on former president Donald Trump's immunity in his Jan. 6 legal case, to [Hurricane Helene] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/10/03/flood-insurance-program-hurricane-helene/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) and the [escalating war] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/10/03/biden-israel-gaza-war-middle-east-crisis/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) in the Middle East. Later in the show, the crew breaks down the most interesting moments from [Tuesday's vice-presidential debate] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/01/how-voters-view-vance-walz-detail/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) – and which ones will stick in the public consciousness. Plus, the ongoing war on fact checking. ... Read more

03 Oct 2024

55 MINS

55:21

03 Oct 2024

#343

Preparing for the VP debate

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by senior video journalist JM Rieger to preview the Oct. 1 [vice-presidential debate] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/25/poll-jd-vance-tim-walz-vice-president/fac3a452-7af2-11ef-980d-341a84fdff8f_story.html?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) between Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The crew examines the two vice-presidential nominees' popularity with voters, key topics that might come up in the debate, and how vice-presidential debates actually impact elections. Later, the crew breaks down the gender dynamics in the 2024 race, from the abortion issue to comments by candidates including former president Donald Trump and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), and the possibility of the country electing its [first woman president] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/08/19/how-harris-has-largely-stayed-away-embracing-first-woman-rallying-cry/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) . ... Read more

26 Sep 2024

57 MINS

57:46

26 Sep 2024

#342

The Truth About Springfield, Ohio

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with Senior Video Journalist Jorge Ribas, who just got back from Springfield, Ohio – where the neighborhood pets are [decidedly not being eaten] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/15/vance-springfield-haitians/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) . The crew dives into why former president Donald Trump continues to lean into anti-immigrant rhetoric and how Springfield residents feel about the sudden wave of national attention on their city. Plus, a [new Washington Post poll] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/19/polling-harris-trump-pennsylvania-debate/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) shows Trump and Vice President Harris are essentially tied in Pennsylvania – the key swing state that could determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. And does the Teamsters' decision not to endorse a candidate matter? ... Read more

19 Sep 2024

54 MINS

54:48

19 Sep 2024

#341

Philadelphia Face-off

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by Senior Critic-at-Large Robin Givhan, as they discuss [how former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris performed] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/11/kamala-harris-debate-performance-polls/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) at the Sept. 10 presidential debate – and the [impressions each left voters with] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/interactive/2024/presidential-debate-voter-poll/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) . Plus, why is Pennsylvania [one of the key states in the 2024 presidential election] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/10/mail-voting-pennsylvania-trump-republicans/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) – and can either candidate win without it? And later, the crew dives into [Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/11/taylor-swift-president-endorsement-reactions-harris-walz/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=can-he-do-that) – and considers whether celebrity endorsements actually move the needle in elections. ... Read more

12 Sep 2024

57 MINS

57:10