25 years ago George W. Bush did what was unlikely, if not impossible — he snatched control of Texas’ governorship from a popular Democratic incumbent. And the rest, literally, is history. Ross Ramsey, executive editor of The Texas Tribune, leads a discussion looking back on that campaign and Bush’s years in Texas. He’s joined by four former aids to George W. Bush:• Dan Bartlettt, a counselor to President George W. Bush, working on strategic communications• Mark McKinnon, a media advisor for numerous companies and candidates, including George W. Bush• Karl Rove, political strategist for numerous candidates, including President Bush in his 1994 gubernatorial campaign• Margaret Spellings, a senior adviser to President Bush during his tenure as governor of TexasThis conversation was recorded before a live audience during the Texas Tribune Festival on September 28, 2018, in Austin, Texas. Like what you hear? Tell your friends to subscribe to the podcast.

Texas Tribune Conversations

Take The W

These are challenging times for politically engaged members of the clergy. Ana Marie Cox, host of the "With Friends Like These" podcast, leads a discussion with three civically engaged spiritual leaders in Texas: • Andrew Doyle, Episcopal Bishop of Texas • Mara Nathan, Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth-El in San Antonio• Bruce Nieli, St. Austin Church in Austin.Their conversation was recorded live on September 28, 2018, during the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Texas.

Faith in the System

With popular apps and platforms under fire for their role in the hot mess presidential election cycle of 2016, we ask the hot question on everyone’s lips: “Is social media good for democracy?” Gene Park of the Washington Post moderates a discussion with Jim Brady (Spirited Media), Roger McNamee (Elevation Partners), Vivian Schiller (Civil Media Foundation) and Siva Vaidhyanathan (University of Virginia). This discussion was recorded before a live audience on September 28, 2018, during the 2018 Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Texas.

Is Social Media Good for Democracy?

In this symposium on rural policy and affairs in Texas, five lawmakers discuss whether and how rural interests will play in the next legislative session. Evan Smith, co-founder and CEO of The Texas Tribune, moderates the discussion with state representatives Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin; Drew Darby, R-San Angelo; Mary González, D-Clint; Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass; and Four Price, R-Amarillo. This conversation was recorded before a live audience on the Texas A&M campus on November 12,2018. | Presented by Texas A&M Agrilife

The 86th Legislative Agenda

The state’s commissioners of public and higher education and a former U.S. education secretary on the innovations necessary to serve the next generation of students. Evan Smith moderates a discussion with John King, former U.S. Secretary of Education; Mike Morath, Texas Education Commissioner; and Raymund Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education.This panel is presented by Raise Your Hand Texas and supported by the Texas Association of Community Colleges.

A Test for the New Texas

Even though more than half the population of Texas is female, women haven’t come close to achieving parity in the upper ranks of politics, the law, advocacy and academia — yet. Texas Tribune reporter Alexza Ura moderates a discussion with Wendy Davis, former State Senator, D-Fort Worth; Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme Court Justice; Linda Livingstone, President of Baylor University; and Senfronia Thompson, State Representative, D-Houston.This discussion was recorded before a live audience at the Capital Factory in Austin, Texas, on September 28, 2018, during the 2018 Texas Tribune Festival.

Gender, Power and Leadership

They’re survivors of four infamous mass-casualty shootings — and they’re victims. Here are their stories. Pamela Colloff, senior writer at ProPublica, moderates a discussion with Chris Grady, survivor of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting; Nicole Hockley, founder of Sandy Hook Promise; Suzanna Gratia Hupp, former state representative, R-Lampasas; and Frank Pomeroy, pastor of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. This event was recorded before a live audience during the 2018 Texas Tribune Festival.

The Consequences of Gun Violence

The most monumental political year of the modern era feels closer than half a century ago. Hendrik Hertzberg moderates a discussion with Chris Matthews, Lawrence O’Donnell, Dan Rather, and Luci Baines Johnson. This event was recorded before a live audience at Central Presbyterian Church in Austin on Saturday, September 29 during the 2018 Texas Tribune Festival.

1968 – The most monumental political year of the modern era

The long walk from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump — a timely and important discussion about party, partisanship and ideology. Recording live during the 2018 Texas Tribune Festival at the Paramount Theater in Austin. Susan Glasser (The New Yorker) moderates a discussion with Matt K. Lewis (The Daily Beast and contributor for CNN), Bill Kristol (The Weekly Standard), Amanda Carpenter (author and contributor for CNN), and Ben Domenech (The Federalist).

Making Mr. Right: Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan and the fate of conservatism

The three-term El Paso congressman speaks to Evan Smith about his headline-making race against Ted Cruz for the U.S. Senate.

One on One with Beto O'Rourke

Top conversations from The Texas Tribune's annual festival on all things politics and policy, along with additional interviews from past Texas Tribune events. Episodes feature conversations with CEO Evan Smith and newsmakers.