Hacks on Tap with David Axelrod and Mike Murphy

The Hacks are back in the run-up to Thursday’s debate. And the stage in Houston will be packed with TEN candidates—so what does each need to do in order to stand out? In order to keep the cash flowing? In order to maintain top-tier status? In order to avoid getting swallowed-up? Murph and Axe belly-up to the bar and sort through what each campaign’s hacks must be thinking right about now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Biden flubs the details, but will it ever cross the line with voters? Axe and Murphy also take stock of the rest of the field ahead of the next Democratic debate, what's next for the candidates who didn't make the stage, and Trump's half-hearted hurricane watch. Guest hack Mark McKinnon joins the show to talk about Warren's worries with white working-class and black voters, his affinity for Mayor Pete, and redemption for Beto in Texas. Plus, the hacks hand out a bit of political travel advice for political junkies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe is back from his stint in the cornfields of Iowa armed with new intel to break down with Murphy. But first – the hacks talk Trump’s erratic behavior at the G7 summit, size up Trump’s new primary challenge from former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, pose a theory as to why the governors in the Democratic race have yet to break through, and unpack Axe’s Iowa interviews with the leading presidential candidates. The hacks later dive into the mailbag and answer listener questions on Democratic strategy, to what extent early national polls really matter, and which brews the hacks themselves take on tap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Axe has returned from his secret mission and is reunited with Murphy as they hash through Trump’s latest poll numbers and his frustration with Fox News. The first Biden TV ad has dropped in Iowa, but does he have what it takes to go the distance? And Anthony Scaramucci joins the Hacks—he’s back in the President’s crosshairs after voicing his opposition to him, and fills us in on his plan to “beat the bully.” He even makes a bit of news on his next steps. Finally the hacks field questions from the mailbag on Iowa’s status as “first in the nation,” and the search for some new and novel ways to campaign against Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Democratic strategist and guest host Paul Begala joins Murphy on the mic to take stock of this week’s news. The hacks talk Jeffrey Epstein’s sudden death and the rise of conspiracy theories in politics, how Biden could benefit from leaning into his gaffes, and assess the Democratic candidates’ standings in the race. Guest hack and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri joins the show to share who she thinks has broken through in the Democratic field and her biggest fear for the Democratic Party in 2020. Lastly, the hacks dive into the mailbag and answer listeners’ questions on whether or not Barack Obama could beat Trump, Joaquin Castro taking heat for tweeting names of Trump donors, and the best lane for Mayor Pete in the Democratic race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the country was jolted yet again by mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, the hacks huddle up to talk about the how the President responded, what we should expect from a "Consoler in Chief," and how some Democratic candidates may set themselves apart as they respond to the tragedies. Former Congressman Steve Israel joins the show to talk about the realities of gun politics, why he hopes this time will be different, as well as his views on the state of the race. Lastly, David and Mike take some questions about "The Loudest Voice," a possible conservative third party, and the politics of health care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode, the Hacks huddle in Detroit in the wake of the second round of Democratic debates. Axe and Murphy share their takes on the Biden-Harris rematch, discuss the progressive-moderate party divide, highlight Warren and Booker's strong performances, and gauge the impact this round will have on the candidates moving forward. The Hacks also break down the memorable moments: Gabbard takes aim at Harris, Bernie brings the fight, Biden bites back, and a handful of one percenters – Delaney, Bullock, Bennet, and Inslee – make themselves heard.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Axe and Murphy question whether Bob Mueller’s testimony will have any bearing on the race. Then, we’ll preview the Hunger Games, also known as the second round of Democratic debates. It's do or die for candidates stuck at 1%. And, we'll talk to one of those 1 percenters -- Colorado Senator Michael Bennet -- about how he plans to break through and keep the party from "going off a cliff." Plus, we dive into the mailbag to answer questions about the electoral college and whether the Democrats should be doing more to push back against Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Axe and Murphy talk Trump’s strategy behind attacking the progressive freshmen House members, how the latest poll numbers spell potential for Kamala Harris, and whether Pete Buttigieg's coolheaded approach will help or hurt him in the race. Howard Wolfson, former deputy mayor of New York City, joins the show to talk about Michael Bloomberg's decision not to run and what role a third party candidate might play in a general election. Axe and Murphy dive to the mailbag to answer questions about Andrew Yang, Biden's staff, and the art of the post-primary pivot. During "Last Call," both hacks name the candidate they think should drop out of the race sooner rather than later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the hacks make sense of the newly announced fundraising numbers, talk Biden’s attempt to relaunch, discuss the political impact of Trump’s flip on the census question, and share their thoughts on Mitch McConnell’s new Senate challenger. Guest hack Jon Favreau of Pod Save America joins the show to talk about billionaire Tom Steyer throwing his hat into the race, the Democratic landscape in a post-debate world, and the rise of left-wing media. Axe and Murphy dive into the mailbag and answer submitted listener questions about what Mayor Pete should do with his impressive fundraising haul and whether or not Trump will participate in the general election debates.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the hacks throw on their strategists’ caps and discuss how they would manage the leading campaigns in the wake of the first debates. Axe and Murphy also break down the slew of post-debate polling, talk Trump’s trip to North Korea, and discuss whether there’s a lane for a more moderate candidate should Biden’s support continues to slip. Guest hack Julián Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Democratic presidential candidate, joins the show to talk about his standout debate performance, his immigration plan, and what’s next for the campaign. Lastly, the hacks reach into the mailbag and answer listener questions about a Murphy's post-debate advice for Warren, Axe’s take on former Obama staffers working the race, and what Amy Klobuchar needs to do to break through. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first round of debates is in the books. Who helped themselves the most and who's spending their weekend doing damage control? In this bonus episode of Hacks on Tap, Axe and Murphy parse through the winners and losers of the first round of Democratic primary debates. The hacks break down the most memorable moments: Kamala Harris' exchange with Joe Biden, Buttigieg's answer on the South Bend police shooting, Warren's performance as the solo frontrunner onstage night one, Booker's response on gun control, and Castro's potential breakout moment.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hacks talk Biden and Buttigieg’s tough week with race relations [2:52], escalating tensions with Iran [14:48], and preview this week’s Democratic debates [20:14]. Guest hack Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, joins to talk about how each campaign will hope to win the spin game [31:53]. David and Mike also dig into the mail bag , taking listeners’ questions on the electoral college, the relative advantages of the Democratic primary system, and which 2020 Democratic campaign they’d least like to helm [45:17]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the hacks talk about President Trump's interview on ABC [1:11], Trump's latest polling prospects [6:20], who was helped and who was hurt by the Democratic debate lottery [14:40], and guest hack David Plouffe joins the show to talk about why Democrats aren't paying more attention to digital advertising while Trump goes all in [18:58]. Finally the hacks open up the mailbag to take a few questions from listeners about bullying, Never-Trumpers, and the importance of the early primary states [33:49]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the inaugural episode of Hacks on Tap, the hacks discuss the latest Democratic poll out of Iowa [1:30], the perils of being frontrunner [6:48], Biden's flip on the Hyde Amendment [10:30], the challenges facing female candidates with guest hack Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan [20:48], Elizabeth Warren's rise [33:02], and Trumps tariff turmoil [35:29].  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Throughout the 2020 presidential campaign, battle-tested operatives will be sitting on bar stools along the trail, sharing war stories and unique, sometimes uproarious cuts on the latest developments. Hacks on Tap is your invitation to join two of the best. Campaign veterans Axelrod and Murphy will take listeners deep inside the top level of American politics. These seasoned pros have seen it all: the peaks and valleys, the pressure-cooker moments, the huge breaks and the horrible calamities no one saw coming. Who better to narrate this momentous race? So pull up a stool and join us every Tuesday afternoon starting on June 11th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices