Episodes

Mick Dumke tells you everything you need to know about Michigan, the state that may determine who wins in November. Including…the politics, the divisions, the parts that are like Chicago and the parts that are like Wyoming, the legacy of Romney (George, not Mitt), Big Gretch and the significance of the mitten. Mick knows a thing or two about Michigan because it’s his home state. He is an editor for Block Club.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain hates to say I told you so—but she did warn Democrats about Tulsi Gabbard, who recently enlisted in the Trump cult. Also, a few words about challenges left over after the convention. And some love for Michelle Obama. Also, a geography lesson for Ben. And an Eddie Vedder lesson for Rummana. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Using Mark Robinson as an example--and, oh, what an example--David Faris explains his reverse coattails theory. Or, how Robinson's presence as MAGA's gubernatorial candidate may swing North Carolina from Trump to Harris. Somehow voters in NC can put up with Trump but not Robinson. Also, hard ball from Nebraska's MAGA crew and nice ball from Maine's Dems. David explains that, too. When will Dems ever learn? And the strategy behind MAGA's hate. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The federal corruption trial tangentially related to former House Speaker Michael Madigan ends in a mistrial. Ben riffs. And Pat Whalen joins him. Imagine a world in which Illinois Democrats behaved like MAGA. In which Dems stood by their Nan like MAGA stands by Trump. A few words about pundits. And then it’s back to Chicago for city council analysis. Pat is a comic, actor and podcaster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cook County Republicans blame the Radical Left for stirring up hate. Ben riffs. Monroe offers his alternative view of the first assassination attempt. A raging debate ensues. Also, Monroe explains why Vance and Trump are stirring up hate against Hatians and why Harris hesitated to meet with the press. Can’t argue with that. Billie Eilish joins Taylor Swiff in endorsing Kamala. Finally, the Bears—can they get worse? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A federal judge rules jurors won’t hear Michael Madigan say insiders are “making out like bandits”. Ben riffs. Guess who’s not making out like bandits? Property taxpayers. Right on time former Governor Pat Quinn urges voters to pass the Property Tax Relief Amendment. AKA—Fair Tax II. Only Ben and Pat can make property tax talk exciting. Also, Pat riffs on MAGA efforts to kick abortion rights referendums off the ballot. Just like Mayor Rahm tried to do to Pat’s term-limits initiative. And a few words about proposed handouts to Sox and Bears.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Chicago’s mainstream media biased against Mayor Johnson? Ben riffs. Then Ray Hanania riffs. Soon they’re riffing about absolutely everything, including…Trump, swing voters, Palestinian -Americans, Michael Madigan, Ed Burke, Danny Solis, Gaza, why Ray may vote Green, why he may vote for Kamala and TIFs. Ray Hanania is a columnist, suburban government spokesman, and a stand-up comedian.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the weekend, Mayors Johnson and Rahm fell in love, metaphorically speaking. Ben riffs. Kennedy Bartley, newly appointed executive director of United Working Families, talks about the future of lefty politics in Chicago. What’s on the agenda for the next few years? Who and what are the obstacles? And a word or two about capitalistic gravediggers. This interview was recorded August, 2023. Long before Kennedy hit the headlines,See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

just when you think MAGA couldn’t get any more filled with hate, along comes Laura Loomer. Rummana Hussain riffs on all things Loomer. Including Loomer’s’ hatred for Indian Americans. Is this where America is at? Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Several days after the debate, Joanna Klonsky has had time to figure out what each candidate was trying to accomplish. The fact that Trump thought peddling hate and lunacy could win him the election says a lot about where our country is right now. And Kamala’s answers reveal what she thinks she has to do to beat him. And it’s definitely not moving to the left. Also, a few words about the vice president’s finest moment. Joanna is a political strategist in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just before we start recording, the story breaks that Mayor Johnson asked Alderman Burnett to serve as zoning committee chair. Ben was all set to talk national but he can’t help himself. He riffs. Then Kina riffs. Soon they’re in the middle of a conversation about Mayor Johnson and Chicago politics. Then it’s back to national politics. Including Kina’s prediction about the Florida vote. Kina Collins is an activist and former congressional candidate from the 7th district. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After the high of watching Kamala mop the floor with Trump, reality sets in. Ben riffs. Marc Sims tried to comfort Ben. Their talk turns to Trump’s defense of Ashli Babbitt and his attacks on police. Why does MAGA applaud some people who attack police and despise others who criticize the police? A few words about Mark Zuckerberg, Acquired and the adulation of rich people and the desire to be rich. Marc hosts the podcast Just a Few Questions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

just before last night’s debate began, Ben came down with an a cute case of Baby Boomeritis—having flashbacks to June Biden Trump debate. Ben riffs. Monroe and Ben then break down what went down last night, which boils down to this: Kamala mopped the floor with Trump. Especially on the abortion issue, and the eating pets in Ohio issue. And pretty much every issue. Also, will Trump cash in on his Trump stock even if his MAGAIEST MAGA cultists lose money as a result? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maya returns and tonight’s the debate. Ben can’t decide which is more exciting so he riffs about both. Then the Maya in question talks about her latest investigation on slum housing in Chicago. How the law seems to protect bad landlords and punish poor tenants. How city officials seem clueless and indifferent. And more. Shoutout to Alejandra Cancino who coauthored the series which ran in Injustice Watch. Maya Dukmasova is an investigative reporter for Injustice Watch and, of course, Ben’s First Tuesdays co-host. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erica Sagrans explains why the time has come to re-think our attitude toward immigrants and the border. Now that we have a bit of a break from last year’s madness. Erica is the founder of Chicago Says Welcome, an immigrants advocacy group. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Palestinian-American Democrats want to speak at the convention. Ben riffs. Heidi Henry, a Heartland Mama, explains how Dems can win in her MAGA country legislative district. Thanks in part to 8,000 new voters. One more time—8,000 new voters! Most of whom are not MAGA. Are you listening, Democrats? Heidi lays out how she can flip a MAGA district. Also, a few words about Tim Walz’s speech. Heidi is running for state representative in Illinois’ 75th district. She’s also a horse trainer and co-host of the Heartland Mamas podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris explains his latest theory—“the Trump cycle”. It couldn’t happen without the complicity of the mainstream media. Like the New York Times. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speaking of MAGA Mark Robinson’s alleged penchant for porn, Ben goes back in time for a history lesson about stripper Fanne Foxx and Congressman Wilbur Mills. Charles Henderson offers his own thoughts. The discussion turns to Afghanistan, US wars, what Biden could have done better in leaving Afghanistan, the parade for Vietnam vets in Chicago and another reason why Harold Washington is Chicago’s greatest mayor. And more. Charles is a vet and activist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breaking news! Mark Robinson, the MAGA candidate for Governor in North Carolina, watched a lot of porn, according to media reports. Ben riffs. Then Monroe riffs. From there the discussions covers Clarence Thomas, Moms for Liberty, why so many white woman love Trump, abortion rights, left wing conspiracy theories, and more. Including a riff or two about Coach Prime, of all people.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miles Kampf-Lassin covers the convention from top to bottom. Including the failure of the mainstreams to give Mayor Johnson credit for anything. Also, the many mixed messages of the Dems. And a word or two about Tesla, China and the contradictions of contemporary capitalism. Miles is an editor/writer for In These Times.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the baseball season heads into its final month, Miles and Saul have all the news you need to know about the Sox and Cubs. First the bad—really bad—news about the Sox, who are poised to set a record for most losses in the season. Then the sorta good news about the Cubs. Mediocre as they’ve been, they’re heating up and have a chance of making the playoffs. Also, a few words about the rise and fall of Javy Baez. Miles and Saul co-host the At Bat podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anti-abortion zealot says she may not vote for Trump. An exceedingly skeptical Ben riffs. Terry Cosgrove gives his state of the election. Will swing voters but Trump’s repositioning of himself as an abortion rights supporter? The pros and cons of ballot initiatives. And more. Terry is the former executive director of Personal PAC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The founder of Telegram gets busted in Paris, Elon Musk calls for free speech. Ben riffs. Anan Abu-Taleb and Richard Goldwasser plead for a ceasefire in Gaza. Anan is Palestinian-American and Richard is Jewish-American. They organized the lakefront runs for ceasefire during the DNC. The time to take the first step toward ending the madness is now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scaredy-cat Dems are coming up with innovative explanations for why they will lose in November. Ben riffs. Monroe boldly predicts victory. Then sorta defends clueless Dems in Maryland who don’t realize a vote for Larry Hogan is a vote for Trump. Also, a few words about Baby Bobby voters and conspiracy theories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.