NewsDaily NewsPoliticsGovernment

The Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

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.

Play

Open in

69 episodes
daily
Avg 28 min
English

Episodes 69

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Today · 24 min
Nevada’s 2028 high rollers
The race for governor in Nevada is an early proving ground for the Democratic Party’s next generation as 2028 hopefuls descend on the state. Then the other stories animating Washington: A Republican senator’s attempted gotcha of Jack Smith goes spectacularly sideways, Sherrod Brown has a new attack ad in Ohio featuring some decidedly non-Midwestern language and Kristi Noem files for divorce after a tabloid scandal. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Yesterday · 25 min
Congress had the Squad. Soon it will have the Bloc.
The 2018 midterms had the Squad. Now, a new generation of progressive insurgents is already organizing its successor: “the Bloc.” But what happens when they run headlong into House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries? Then the other stories animating Washington: President Donald Trump heads to red states to campaign ahead of the midterms, critics question who the MAHA Summit is really for and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders faces backlash over a new welfare ad. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Monday · 24 min
‘Front Row Joes’ take a backseat
"Front Row Joes" were some of President Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters, traveling across the country on his campaign trail. Now some are disillusioned with his presidency. We asked some of them why. Then the other stories animating Washington this morning: New polls show Abdul El-Sayed running ahead of Mike Rogers, White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino's X post that critics are calling tone deaf and why a group of AI enthusiasts are partying for data centers. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Sunday · 47 min
Will Democrats finally win in Texas? (with Gina Hinojosa) | The Conversation
In this special midterms edition of “The Conversation with Dasha Burns,” Gina Hinojosa, the Democrat running for governor of Texas, sits down with Dasha at her campaign headquarters in Austin to talk about why she believes the race against Greg Abbott is newly competitive — and the lessons Democrats should take for 2028. In the interview, Hinojosa discusses her pitch to working Texans, her push for a $1,500 “corruption tax refund,” the fight over public schools, abortion access, immigration enforcement, Latino voters, data centers and AI, and what she thinks national Democrats should learn from her campaign. Hinojosa argues Texas voters are entering a “post-partisan” moment, driven by frustration with both parties, corporate power and the cost of living. “Is this the billionaire’s world and we just live here?” she says. “That is the fight in America. It is the fight for Texas.” Have thoughts for The Conversation? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.
Saturday · 1 hr 8 min
Is this the Democrat who could win back the South? | On the Road
Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Mosca’s Restaurant for a wide-ranging conversation about President Trump, the future of the Democratic Party and whether he might run for president in 2028. Landrieu discusses why he believes Joe Biden should not have sought reelection, how Democrats lost working-class voters, the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America and what it would take to rebuild trust in American institutions. He also reflects on post-Katrina New Orleans and the lessons Louisiana politics offers the rest of the country. Landrieu previously served as the White House’s infrastructure coordinator after two terms as New Orleans mayor. Plus: Jonathan and Landrieu dig into Mosca’s chicken à la grande, oysters Mosca and other Italian-Creole specialties.
Friday · 24 min
Are Dems Choosin’ Texas?
Could the Lone Star State’s Senate race be the tipping point for Democrats? Playbook's Adam Wren and Megan Messerly take a deep dive into Texas politics. Then the other stories animating Washington: a new U.S. government-funded Trump TV ad is on the DC airwaves and Abdul El-Sayed signals a female nominee for 2028. Plus a 200 second interview with political communications consultant, Andrew Mamo. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
Thursday · 24 min
Republicans grab the fire extinguisher
Republicans brace themselves for a potential midterm blowout – while Democrats see a clearing in the smoke. One thing for certain, GOP candidates and their teams are forced to make some tough choices given the bleak road ahead. Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Megan Messerly unpack Sen. Bernie Sanders’ new AI ban, why Angela Paxton broke her silence on the Texas Senate race and how a viral story about a lesbian bar in Western Massachusetts made its way to Washington. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 23 · 23 min
Xi gets the red carpet
President Donald Trump will roll out the literal red carpet this evening for President Xi Jinping, kicking of the Chinese leader’s three-day Washington stint with an AI-star-studded dinner. But what progress can the two world leaders actually make on AI? Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Megan Messerly and Ali Bianco unpack Sen. Jon Husted’s recent remarks on the Iran war and this week’s round of 2028 potentials, including Chris Christie. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 22 · 39 min
The GOP senator breaking with Trump on vaccines and AI (with Sen. Bill Cassidy) | The Conversation
This episode was originally published on Sunday, September 20. We re-published due to a platform issue. There are no changes to the content. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-endorsed challenger, joined Dasha to discuss the future of the Republican Party and reflect on how to make Congress more effective as he enters his final months in office. Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, also addresses his vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the measles outbreak and vaccine policy, the influence of the MAHA movement, Social Security’s looming funding crisis and the need for congressional guardrails on artificial intelligence. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.
September 22 · 19 min
Trump scraps the GOP script
Six weeks before Republicans ask voters to reject socialism and communism, President Trump is spending the week embracing socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani and preparing to welcome China’s communist leader, Xi Jinping. Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Will Steakin break down the Republican reaction. Plus Playbook unpacks Mike Rogers recent ad denouncing the Iran war, what new polling says about Kamala Harris’ favorability and a Marco Rubio name drop by a covert rap group. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 21 · 19 min
Mike Waltz’s next moves
It’s U.N. General Assembly week and Mike Waltz is in the spotlight again. Is his role as U.S. ambassador a springboard to higher aspirations? POLITICO's senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi joins to discuss. Plus a source in the intelligence community is calling one of Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s senior advisors a “walking counterintelligence red flag” after a wedding mishap, Trump preps for two headline-making meetings, and the president continues his battle against the media. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 20 · 40 min
The GOP senator breaking with Trump on vaccines and AI (with Sen. Bill Cassidy) | The Conversation
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-endorsed challenger, joined Dasha to discuss the future of the Republican Party and reflect on how to make Congress more effective as he enters his final months in office. Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, also addresses his vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the measles outbreak and vaccine policy, the influence of the MAHA movement, Social Security’s looming funding crisis and the need for congressional guardrails on artificial intelligence. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.
September 18 · 22 min
Democrats’ P(doom)
AI is quickly becoming a 2028 litmus test for Democrats. Playbook spoke with some of the party’s potential presidential contenders grappling with the latest wave of AI doom. Then the other stories animating Washington: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sends a message to President Donald Trump and Sen. Bill Cassidy gets candid about RFK Jr. Plus Democratic strategist Rob Flaherty joins Playbook for a 200-second interview on the politics behind AI. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 17 · 23 min
Decoding Decoded
The debate over AI safety took center stage at POLITICO’s Decoded Summit. Senior technology reporter Brendan Bordelon joins the podcast to unpack where top Trump AI adviser David Sacks draws the line on safety measures and how the tech industry is responding to Washington’s growing appetite for guardrails. Then a breakdown of the other stories animating Washington: Gov. Josh Shapiro sends some 2028 signals with a new slate of AI announcements, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman weighs in on a potential Kamala Harris comeback and Hasan Piker gets airtime on a major cable network. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 16 · 19 min
A turning point on AI
Most Americans say there is a risk of AI destroying humanity – that's according to a new POLITICO Poll about public perception of AI. What does the data say about AI as a driving force in 2028? Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Adam Wren digest the other news animating Washington: President Trump’s Kennedy Center meltdown, why bestiality became a major focus of a Senate hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel and a preview of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate announcement. Plus, a first-in-Playbook look at a new campaign ad in New Hampshire from Senate Majority PAC. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 15 · 21 min
AI regulation’s strange bedfellows
Some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names are changing their tune on AI regulation and an unlikely alliance is joining the chorus. Among these strange bedfellows are Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, who are both set to speak at a “pro-human” AI event today. POLITICO Congress tech reporter Owen Dahlkamp joins to unpack this surprising cohort of AI critics and what it could mean for 2028. Then Playbook co-authors Dasha Burns and Will Steakin break down two viral videos from potential 2028 contenders: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President JD Vance. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 14 · 24 min
AI alarm bells are ringing. How will Washington respond?
Alarming warnings from the biggest players in artificial intelligence are sending Washington scrambling for answers. Can they catch up to the moment before AI moves to the next? Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Ali Bianco dive into the other stories animating Washington: a packed legislative agenda as Congress returns, Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s celebration of a controversial R&B artist and response to vandalism on the new Charlie Kirk statue. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook
September 13 · 49 min
‘I'd rather they be American killer robots’ (with Sen. Ted Cruz) | The Conversation
Dasha sits down with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at the Republican midterms convention in Dallas to discuss President Trump’s tariffs, the economy and the GOP’s prospects in November. Cruz explains why Trump “changed” his views on trade, responds to the president’s proposed $5,000 dividend for American adults, and weighs in on Tucker Carlson and concerns over AI’s threat to humanity — including why he says he’d prefer “American killer robots” to Chinese ones. Plus, Cruz warns that Republicans face a defining debate over the party’s future and begins to make his 2028 case ahead of a possible presidential bid. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.
September 12 · 56 min
Spencer Cox on why Trump is the result — not the cause — of America’s crisis
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Salt Lake City’s Red Iguana for a wide-ranging conversation about his new book, “Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt,” and the forces driving America’s political divide. The Republican governor discusses political violence, social media’s role in fueling polarization, his relationship with President Trump and why he says he is not running for president. He also weighs in on the Republican Party’s future, immigration reform and what it will take to rebuild trust and community in American life.
September 11 · 28 min
Trump divides on dividends
President Donald Trump’s proposed dividend is splitting his own party and setting up an early test for Republicans eyeing 2028. So what’s the response to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ latest play? Then Playbook co-authors Dasha Burns and Adam Wren speak with former POLITICO Magazine editor Garrett M. Graff on how September 11th transformed the U.S. government. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

Showing 1–20 of 69 episodes