Campaigns and Elections

A man checks in to vote at a polling location at the Los Angeles County Registrar during early voting in the state's primary election.

The Dems After Tuesday’s Primaries, plus Elmore Leonard’s Bad Guys The Dems After Tuesday’s Primaries, plus Elmore Leonard’s Bad Guys

John Nichols analyzes this week’s primary results in California and elsewhere, and, from the archives, Elmore Leonard talks about where his characters and plots came from.

Jun 3, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Winning State Legislatures and Winning Midterm Elections

Winning State Legislatures and Winning Midterm Elections Winning State Legislatures and Winning Midterm Elections

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Daniel Squadron argues that state governments provide the key check on Trump, and John Nichols reviews the political landscape.

May 20, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks at a press conference with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus on the Supreme Court decision in “Louisiana v. Callais,” at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2026.

Democrats After the Voting Rights Act—Plus, Jewish Anti-Zionism Democrats After the Voting Rights Act—Plus, Jewish Anti-Zionism

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson argues Democrats remain likely to win the House in November, and Adam Hochschild talks about the Bund in prewar Europe.

May 13, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Racism and Antisemitism in the 1940s and ’50s

Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Racism and Antisemitism in the 1940s and ’50s Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Racism and Antisemitism in the 1940s and ’50s

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Ian Bassin of Protect Democracy talks about preparations for voting in November, and historian Steven J. Ross discusses the far right post-W...

May 6, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

FDR, the OG Antifascist—With Eric Rauchway

FDR, the OG Antifascist—With Eric Rauchway FDR, the OG Antifascist—With Eric Rauchway

On Fighting Fascism: What lessons can we learn from FDR's successes in battling the threat of American fascism in the 1930s?

May 1, 2026 / Podcast / Matt DaSilva, Jonathan Smucker, and Aaron Regunberg

Dem Voters Triumph— Plus, That Springsteen Movie

Dem Voters Triumph— Plus, That Springsteen Movie Dem Voters Triumph— Plus, That Springsteen Movie

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols analyzes Tuesday’s elections, and Greil Marcus explains what’s missing in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.

Nov 5, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani (C) with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), left, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), right, during an election rally on October 26, 2025, in New York City.

Voters, Democrats, and Redistricting—Plus, Confederate Monuments in LA Voters, Democrats, and Redistricting—Plus, Confederate Monuments in LA

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson previews the elections next Tuesday, and Christopher Knight comments on the new art exhibit at MOCA.

Oct 29, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

JD Vance hosts a podcast episode of Charlie Kirk’s show at the White House on September 15, 2025.

Good News for Dems—Plus, Fascists and Teachers Good News for Dems—Plus, Fascists and Teachers

On this episode of Start Making Sense: John Nichols on recent special elections, and Randi Weingarten on Why Fascists Fear Teachers.

Sep 17, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

From left, New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer; Newark Mayor Ras Baraka; Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop; moderator NJ Spotlight News anchor Briana Vannozzi; moderator WNYC Morning Edition host Michael Hill; New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill; and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney attend the New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial primary debate Monday, May 12, 2025, in Newark, N.J.

Will New Jersey and Virginia Send Trump a Message? Will New Jersey and Virginia Send Trump a Message?

On this episode of The Nation Podcast, John Nichols talks about 2025's unusually important off-year elections.

Jun 9, 2025 / Podcast / D.D. Guttenplan and John Nichols

The New Tech Oligarchy

The New Tech Oligarchy The New Tech Oligarchy

On this episode of Tech Won't Save Us, Gaby Del Valle on the billionaires at the inauguration.

Jan 23, 2025 / Podcast / Paris Marx

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