Keepin' It 1600

The GOP candidates just had their third debate, but the larger debate may be why any of this even matters for the presidential race. Tara Palmeri and Julie Mason search for an answer to that question and more in their recap of Thursday’s debate, and give out the night’s gold, silver, and bronze medals in the process. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Julie Mason Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara is joined by former spokesperson for the 2020 Biden campaign, Michael LaRosa, to share their reactions and analysis of a recent New York Times national poll that shows Donald Trump currently leading Joe Biden in six key swing states. They then discuss the Democrats’ growing anxiety over this data, the effect of Trump’s indictments on GOP voters, and whether the divided messaging within the DNC on the Israel-Gaza conflict will be problematic for Biden’s re-election chances. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter "The Best & The Brightest" at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Michael LaRosa Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara Palmeri sits down with former Vice President Mike Pence’s chief strategist, Marc Short, to talk about his time on the campaign trail, any regrets, and the state of the presidential race. Plus: Will Pence continue challenging Donald Trump from the sidelines? For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter "The Best & The Brightest" at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Marc Short Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Sound Design: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara begins the pod with an update on the Democratic primary race and Mike Johnson’s first days as the new House Speaker. She’s then joined by Shelby Talcott from Semafor to discuss President Biden’s age issue, how it’s perpetuating his dwindling polling numbers, and what the Democratic party and his campaign team are doing to change the subject. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Shelby Talcott Producers: Devon Manze and Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a few chaotic weeks, House Republicans finally elected a House speaker on Wednesday ... and it's someone you'd never expect. Tara sits down with fellow Puck correspondent Tina Nguyen to break down how exactly Mike Johnson wound up with the speaker position and what it means for the MAGA movement, potential aid to Ukraine, and a possible government shutdown. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Tina Nguyen Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara begins the show with an update on the as-yet-unresolved turmoil within the GOP as they continue their search for a new House Speaker. She’s then joined by Adrian Carrasquillo from The Messenger to discuss the Democrats' flawed messaging to Hispanic voters in southwest swing states, the effect of Trump’s hardline immigration rhetoric on this demographic, and whether the Latino vote will ultimately be the linchpin in the next presidential election. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Adrian Carrasquillo Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara joins U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong (North Dakota) on Capitol Hill to pull back the curtain on a chaotic and deeply divided House Speaker race. They discuss the likelihood of a Jim Jordan victory, search for bipartisan possibilities, and speculate on how the GOP will be able to climb out of its internal turmoil. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Kelly Armstrong Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara starts the pod by delivering an update on the race for House speaker. She's then joined by Sarah Matthews, who served as deputy press secretary for Donald Trump. They dive into Sarah’s experiences working within the chaos and examine the adjustments that the current Trump campaign team has made to limit the flow of information going in and out of the organization and to maintain its edge over its political rivals. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Sarah Matthews Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, House Republicans chose Steve Scalise to be the next House speaker via a secret vote, but will he pass a floor vote? Tara is joined by fellow Puck writer Abby Livingston to break down what led to Scalise’s nomination and examine the splintering his selection caused within the party. For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Abby Livingston Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara and Jake discuss the ongoing saga surrounding the speaker vacancy in Congress. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan appear to be the front-runners, but don’t count out a surprise contender—and we’re not talking about Kevin McCarthy. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter "The Best & The Brightest" at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20 Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Jake Sherman Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the historic ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Tara sits down with fellow Puck writer Abby Livingston to examine the chain reaction that led to this monumental decision in the House, theorize what could have kept McCarthy in office, and discuss what exactly happens next. Plus, Tara and producer Conor discuss a recent poll showing Nikki Haley pulling well ahead of Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20 Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Abby Livingston Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara is joined by NBC News correspondent Jon Allen to discuss the obstacles and fears facing aspiring Democrats who may want to challenge Joe Biden and the DNC establishment in the upcoming primaries. They touch on the growing resentment within the party regarding Biden’s age and leadership, and ponder whether abortion issues and anti-Trump resentment will be enough to get him back into office. To sign up for Tara’s newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest,' go to puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the code TARA20 for 20 percent off a subscription. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Jon Allen Producers: Chris Sutton and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara reports live from Simi Valley following the weirdest GOP debate yet! After debriefing in the spin room, Tara recruits Axios political correspondent Alex Thompson to give out awards and discuss the night’s winners and losers. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Alex Thompson Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the other GOP challengers trailing far behind Donald Trump in the polls, are this week’s debates even worth paying attention to? Mark McKinnon—former chief strategist to John McCain and George W. Bush, advisor, and host of 'The Circus'—says yes. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20 Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Mark McKinnon Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Polls show that voters are begging for more choices among their candidates, but a third-party contender might not be the right answer when it comes to shutting down Trump. On today’s episode, Tara chats with political strategist and Lincoln Project cofounder Reed Galen to figure out whether this is the moment for a third-party breakthrough. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best & the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Reed Galen Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara speaks with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich about the Republican strategy behind pursuing an impeachment inquiry. Then, she asks Puck congressional reporter Abby Livingston whether the GOP’s game of brinksmanship will backfire. To sign up for Tara’s Puck newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' visit puck.news/tarapalmeri Host: Tara Palmeri Guests: Newt Gingrich and Abby Livingston Producers: Mike Wargon and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even prior to this week’s impeachment inquiry, Joe Biden has been dogged by attacks from Donald Trump and his allies … but so far, he hasn’t hit back. On today’s episode, Tara chats with First Lady Jill Biden's former press secretary, Michael LaRosa, about whether the president should be punching back. He also talks about what it's like to work with the Bidens, and how Joe likely sees his own polls. For more of Tara's reporting, please sign up for her newsletter 'The Best & The Brightest' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20 Host: Tara Palmer Guest: Michael LaRosa Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Congress is back in session, just in time to decide if it will continue to fund the federal government. Tara talks to Puck News reporter Abby Livingston about the looming funding deadline and House Speaker McCarthy’s eternal standoff with his own party’s far-right faction. Plus, how Hakeem Jeffries and New York Democrats are handling the migrant crisis in their state. To sign up for Tara’s Puck newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' visit puck.news/tarapalmeri Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Abby Livingston Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Poll after poll shows Joe Biden and Donald Trump neck-and-neck in a potential rematch, but President Obama’s re-election guru Jim Messina says to disregard the polls: Biden is stronger than you think. On today’s episode, Tara debates Messina on whether the warning signs are legitimate.  To sign up for Tara’s Puck newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' visit puck.news/tarapalmeri Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Jim Messina Producers: Devon Manze and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republican Super PACs are betting big money on finding a candidate who can unseat Trump. On today’s episode, Tara speaks with her Puck colleague Teddy Schleifer on why these “Donor Daddies” keep making the same mistakes. Host: Tara Palmeri Guest: Teddy Schleifer Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices