Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report comes on the podcast to talk about Biden's challenges as a first term president, the pandemic influencing voter priorities and the outlook on midterm elections. 

Against the Grain

Against the Grain Episode 136: The Main Thing

Former Virginia congressman Tom Davis, a moderate Republican, breaks down the Virginia governors' race, its role in national politics, and how education has become the hottest topic in the race.

Against the Grain Episode 135: Virginia State of Mind

Democratic pollster Mark Mellman comes on the podcast to discuss Biden's sinking approval numbers, growing anti-Israel sentiments in the Democratic party, and the challenges Democrats face to pass the president's agenda.  

Against the Grain Episode 134: Missing the Mark

Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who is out with a new bestselling book, “Uncontrolled Spread: Why Covid-19 Crushed Us and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic," discusses when the pandemic will end, explains why Biden's vaccine mandate for private employers could backfire, and pinpoints the government's biggest mistakes throughout the COVID crisis.

Against the Grain Episode 133: Diagnosing the Pandemic

Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins the show to discuss the problems Democrats face by positioning themselves too far to the left on cultural issues. He also critiques how Democrats have handled the infrastructure and social spending legislation now before Congress.

Against the Grain Episode 132: Democrats Divided

Washington Examiner Senior Political Correspondent David Drucker joins the podcast to discuss his upcoming book, the retirement of Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, and the Virginia governor’s race.

Against the Grain: Episode 131: David Vs. Goliath

Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan joined the podcast to talk about his new book GOP 2.0 on why he believes the GOP needs to move on from former President Trump. He also discusses the state's Senate race and the 2024 presidential election.

Episode 130: Republican Reboot

Republican strategist Scott Jennings joins the podcast to talk about the bipartisan infrastructure bill, mask and vaccine mandates, and the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Episode 129: Not-so-Lazy Days of Summer

Democratic strategists Daniel Barash and Doug Thornell of SKDK join the podcast to reflect on their work on Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Shontel Brown's campaign against former Our Revolution President Nina Turner in the special election primary to replace HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.

Episode 128: Behind Shontel Brown’s Victory

Republican strategist Jordan Shaw talks about pandemic politics as mask mandates return. Shaw also discusses 2022 Republican primaries in swing states like North Carolina and Pennsylvania, where he's representing Pat McCrory and Sean Parnell in those respective Senate races.

Episode 127: Staying on Message

Jonathan Martin, national political correspondent for the New York Times and a Hotline alum, joins the podcast to discuss covering the Trump era, races to watch, and the evolution of political journalism.

Episode 126: Running in Place

Policy adviser Lanhee Chen talks about his campaign for state controller of California and the challenges of running as a Republican statewide. Chen also discusses the gubernatorial recall effort and the state government's approach to crime.

Episode 125: Golden State of Mind

Dan Sena, founding partner of Sena Kozar Strategies and former executive director of the DCCC, joins the podcast to discuss the 2020 election, Hispanic voters, and the Democratic coalition. 

Episode 124: Dan's Plan

Sean Trende, the senior elections analyst at RealClearPolitics, joins the podcast to discuss the 2022 outlook, Republican and Democratic rhetoric on crime, and the Biden administration's political success six months in.

Against the Grain Episode 123: The Narrow Path

Former Rep. Barbara Comstock joins the podcast to discuss the state of the Republican party, rising GOP leaders, and the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial election.

Episode 122: Comstock Takes Stock

National Journal Politics Editor Josh Kraushaar hosts the sharpest minds in Washington for no-BS conversations about what’s really happening inside the Beltway and on the campaign trail.