Podcast
The Playbook Podcast
Hosted by POLITICO · EN
POLITICO’s Dasha Burns bring her fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the stories driving the day in the nation’s capital. She will be joined by her fellow co-authors and journalists from across POLITICO — available, as always, in audio and video formats each morning.
153episodes
Episodes
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How Michigan is shaping the Democratic Party
2w ago00:13:46Tap to summarizeEstablishment Democrats are wringing their hands as candidates of the insurgent left, like Abdul El-Sayed, take center stage in Michigan. Meanwhile, what we're taking away from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate vote yesterday. And Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is hanging on by a thread. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Transcribe →Pulte’s work isn’t done
2w ago00:13:23Tap to summarizeThe Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the next director of national intelligence last night, but current acting director Bill Pulte hopes to delay the hand-off. Either way, expect to see more of Pulte, who has become “bros” with President Trump. Meanwhile, after glowing reports on Trump’s meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington is watching for what comes next. And a familiar pandemic-era face returns to the nation's capital today. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Transcribe →Trump to meet with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy
2w ago00:14:15Tap to summarizePower players convene today in the nation’s capital to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Attendees include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who both will be meeting with Trump. Meanwhile, Laura Loomer is on a mission to dig up dirt on fellow conservative influencers, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman makes his way to the White House to discuss Trump’s June AI executive order. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Transcribe →Thune is in the hot seat
2w ago00:15:20Tap to summarizePresident Donald Trump is pushing for polarizing legislation to be folded into a budget resolution. But will Senate Majority Leader John Thune even bring the resolution to the floor? Meanwhile, there's a long list of other items on the Senate's agenda as it heads into crunch time before its August recess. And the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral is brining foreign leaders—including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—to Washington, teeing up high-stakes conversations on the wars in Iran and Ukraine. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Transcribe →The California AG trying to stop Hollywood’s biggest merger (with Rob Bonta) | The Conversation
2w ago00:42:35Tap to summarizeCalifornia Attorney General Rob Bonta joins Dasha to explain why he’s trying to block Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, and defends California’s antitrust agenda. He also weighs in on AI regulation, election security and why says his office will keep suing President Trump whenever it believes the law has been broken. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.
Transcribe →White House Correspondents’ Dinner 2.0
3w ago00:11:24Tap to summarizeThis weekend kicks off with take-two of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but this time around expect higher tensions and fewer attendees in the room. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is debating which states will vote first in the 2028 presidential primaries. And Maine Democrats prepare to nominate their Graham Platner replacement for a critical Senate race just months before the midterms. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Transcribe →Johnson stalls AOC momentum
3w ago00:14:27Tap to summarizeAs Congress races toward the August recess, one bipartisan bill is glaringly missing from the House agenda. The Defiance Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, passed the Senate unanimously, so what’s the hold up in the House? Meanwhile, President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs on Canada. Are they a key negotiating chip or a political liability headed towards the midterms? For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Transcribe →Trump's Iran trap
3w ago00:15:34Tap to summarizeAnxiety over the war in Iran ripples across Trump’s orbit as some GOP operatives warn that the White House is caught in an “escalation trap” ahead of the midterms. Meanwhile, MAGA Inc., the megadonor-funded super PAC, sits on a $400 million war chest. But when will Republican candidates get access to this bounty? And on Capitol Hill, Trump is seeing some victories as Congressional allies prioritize war funding and the SAVE America Act, but key hurdles lie ahead. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Transcribe →Trump has three priorities. Congress isn’t one.
3w ago00:13:48Tap to summarizeIt’s kitchen sink week on Capitol Hill as House Speaker Mike Johnson rushes to schedule votes on key issues like a CR and the NDAA before lawmakers leave for August recess. But with no recent legislative wins, how will Congress members stump in their districts ahead of the midterms? Meanwhile in the Grand Canyon state, Republicans are attempting to bridge the divide between hard-liner politicians and a more moderate voter base. And filings for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s replacement open today, with Darline Graham already in the mix. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Transcribe →The populist Democrat taking on his own party (with Abdul El-Sayed) | The Conversation
3w ago00:44:25Tap to summarizeAbdul El-Sayed – the progressive former public health official running for the Democratic nomination in Michigan's open Senate seat – joins Dasha to explain why he believes "both parties are lying" to working Americans, unleashes on the ‘hypocrisy’ of the Democratic establishment, and defends his record on “Defund the Police,” ICE, socialism and more. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.
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