Powerhouse Politics

Headliner interviews and in-depth looks at the people and events shaping U.S. politics. Hosted by ABC News' Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl and Political Director Rick Klein.

News
Politics
326
Breakdown of a Meltdown
In this week's episode, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl, ABC News Political Director Rick Klein and ABC News Congressional correspondent Mary Bruce break down the meltdown in the Republican Party over Donald Trump's latest series of scandals. From attacking the parents of a fallen U.S. soldier and disrespecting the Purple Heart medal, to refusing to endorse Paul Ryan and calling the election 'rigged', to kicking out a crying baby from his rally and saying that women who get harassed at work should just find other work, Trump is causing serious buyer's remorse. Some GOP leaders are considering rescinding their endorsements and others have already said "you're fired!" to the Republican presidential nominee. Check out more podcasts at www.abcnewspodcasts.com
30 min
327
Hillary Hits Philadelphia
In this week's episode, we take the show on the road to Philadelphia as Hillary Clinton accepts her historic nomination for President at the Democratic National Convention. We speak to Massachusetts Congressman Joseph Kennedy III about introducing his former law school professor Sen. Elizabeth Warren in primetime (9:40). Former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm previews the general election and talks about what Clinton's nomination means for women everywhere (25:00). And, ABC's Liz Kreutz has been on the road with Clinton for well over a year - she takes a pit stop to tell us about about her journey (32:00). Check out more ABC News podcasts at www.abcnewspodcasts.com
37 min
328
Bonus: Sam Nunberg
Sam Nunberg was one of Donald Trump's earliest political advisors until he was fired over racially-charged Facebook posts. Now, he's being sued by Trump for millions of dollars. However, Nunberg says Trump still has his vote come November. ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl caught up with Nunberg at the RNC in Cleveland last week. Check out more ABC News podcasts at www.abcnewspodcasts.com
18 min
329
RNC in Review
In this week's episode, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein review an eventful Republican National Convention. We hear from a fired up Texas delegation, following a speech from Ted Cruz that angered many Republicans. Plus we chat with ABC's John Santucci who's covered the Trump campaign since day one. Check our more ABC News podcasts at www.ABCNewsPodcasts.com
30 min
330
Sen. Scott's Emotional Plea, "Never Trump" Move...
In this week's episode, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein discuss a number of new polls that show a tightening race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Republican Senator Tim Scott joins the show after making a passionate speech to President Obama on race relations in America (3:30). And, delegates on both sides of the "Never Trump" debate discuss the possibility of someone else grabbing the GOP nomination ahead of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland (22:30). Check our more ABC News podcasts at www.ABCNewsPodcasts.com
36 min
331
Closing The Book on Hillary's E-Mails
In this week's episode, ABC's Brad Mielke and Shushannah Walshe break down the FBI's now-completed investigation into Hillary Clinton's e-mails and how it might affect her campaign (1:51). Donald Trump finds himself in hot water after a controversial "Star of David" tweet, and New York Observer writer Dana Schwartz joins the show to talk about the open letter she wrote to her boss and Donald Trumps' son-in-law Jared Kushner in response to the tweet (10:41). Plus, Harry Enten from our partners at FiveThirtyEight stops by the studio to talk about the numbers behind their new general election model, which does not look good for Donald Trump (20:30). Check out more podcasts at www.abcnewspodcasts.com
33 min
332
Trump Going Conventional?
In this week’s episode, ABC’s Rick Klein and Shushannah Walshe discuss another eventful week for Donald Trump (1:17) and the controversial meeting between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton. Elizabeth Warren spends some time on the trail with Hillary Clinton – are we seeing the Democratic ticket come together? (7:00) Former Chris Christie campaign manager Ken McKay joins the show to talk about his efforts with pro-Trump Super PAC “Rebuilding American Now.” (10:20) And, Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein joins the show to talk about her campaign and to explain why she says “Clinton is as bad as Trump.” (24:31) Check out more podcasts at www.abcnewspodcasts.com
46 min
333
Trouble Signs for Trump?
In this week's episode, ABC’s Rick Klein and Shushannah Walshe discuss a tumultuous week for Donald Trump (2:00). House Democrats stage a dramatic sit-in on Capitol Hill as they push for stricter gun control legislation (4:51). Veteran Republican strategist and novelist Stuart Stevens joins the show to talk about efforts to block Trump and his new book, "The Innocent Have Nothing to Fear" (8:22). And, Mark Leibovich from the New York Times Magazine stops by to discuss what role RNC chairman Reince Preibus will play at the upcoming convention in Cleveland (21:00). Check out more ABC News podcasts at www.abcnewspodcasts.com
38 min
334
Gunning for Action
In this week’s episode, the gun control debate is reignited on Capitol Hill after the tragedy in Orlando. ABC’s Mary Bruce tracks down senators on both sides of the aisle to break down the legislative prospects of gun-control measures (22:28). We also discuss how the gun and terrorism debates fit within the larger picture of the general election, and look back at Donald Trump’s campaign one year after kicking off his run for the White House (1:51). Plus, Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson joins the show to explain why he says Americans have a “moral obligation” to march on the Republican National Convention in Cleveland (9:04). Check out more ABC News podcasts at www.abcnewspodcasts.com
31 min
335
Blocking Trump
Hillary Clinton makes history as she becomes the presumptive Democratic nominee, while Bernie Sanders continues his fight. For Republicans, Donald Trump wraps up a dominant primary campaign with a shaky week. Even as he turns to the general election, some prominent conservatives continue to plot ways to stop him. ABC’s Jonathan Karl and Rick Klein are joined by Bill Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard, to talk about whether Trump can be stopped (12:07). Former Marco Rubio spokesman Alex Conant also joins the show to discuss lessons he learned on the campaign trail, as we ask: Should Republicans have seen Trump coming? (28:09) Check out more ABC News podcasts at ABCNewsPodcasts.com
39 min
336
End of the Road?
Tuesday will mark the end of the Democratic primary season, at least according to Joel Benenson, Hillary Clinton’s senior strategist. But Bernie Sanders’ campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, tells ABC’s Jonathan Karl, Rick Klein, and Matthew Dowd that the Sanders campaign will continue regardless of what happens in voting in California. Plus, political trivia! #PowerhousePolitics
43 min
337
Democratic Divisions
Suddenly it’s the Democrats dealing with dissension in their ranks. ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein speak with Dr. James Zogby, who will represent Bernie Sanders on the platform committee at the Democratic National Convention, about what Sanders needs to achieve unity in the party. Then they speak with Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), who will represent Hillary Clinton on the same committee, for his take on what Sanders is owed. Finally, they catch up with the filmmakers behind the new documentary “Weiner,” a behind-the-scenes look at Anthony Weiner’s failed mayoral bid in the midst of scandal and how it relates to this year’s presidential race.
41 min
338
Renegade Republicans
ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and Political Director Rick Klein speak with one of Donald Trump's most notorious and loyal allies, Roger Stone. Surprisingly, Stone tells us why he may not back Trump, but instead support the Libertarian ticket of former Republican Governors Gary Johnson and Bill Weld. Then the third-party Vice Presidential Candidate himself, Bill Weld, joins us. Finally, we catch up with Breaking Bad and LBJ star Bryan Cranston. Cranston channels LBJ to discuss Donald Trump, and the actor makes his own political leanings known. #PowerhousePolitics
44 min
339
House Divided
Donald Trump hit Capitol Hill in search of an endorsement he didn’t get from House Speaker Paul Ryan. Will the Republican Party close ranks behind Trump or will it turn on itself? ABC News Chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl and Political Director Rick Klein ask Rep. Darrell Issa, a Trump supporter, about how long Ryan can hold out and whether Trump is now the leader of the GOP. Plus veteran republican strategist Rick Wilson outlines efforts to recruit a conservative to run as a third-party challenger to Trump and Hillary Clinton. #PowerhousePolitics
33 min
340
Voice of the GOP?
Donald Trump will be the nominee for the GOP, but is he the new voice of the Republican Party? ABC News Chief White House correspondent Jon Karl and Political Director Rick Klein pose that question to RNC Chief Strategist & Communications Director Sean Spicer. As Bernie Sanders continues to contest Hillary Clinton for the Democratic ticket, we speak with Clinton Press Secretary Brian Fallon and Sanders Senior Advisor Tad Devine. Plus, we take your questions! #PowerhousePolitics
46 min
341
Koch Part 2, Carly and Cruz
ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein discuss why Ted Cruz chose to name Carly Fiorina as his running mate and if it will make a difference in the presidential race. Then, part two of Jon’s fascinating interview with one of the most powerful and controversial people in politics, billionaire Charles Koch. Finally, Ken Cuccinelli supervises the Cruz campaigns delegate operation. He takes us inside their strategy to acquire delegates.
48 min
342
Charles Koch Part 1
In this bonus episode, ABC News Chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl sits down for a rare and wide ranging conversation with one of the richest people in America and controversial figures in American politics, Charles Koch, the CEO of Koch industries, the largest privately held company in the United States. Koch had some surprising things to say about the state of American politics and explained why he isn’t spending a dime, at least not yet, on any of the presidential candidates.
30 min
343
Bound
This week we speak with Republican National Committee member Henry Barbour, a delegate from Mississippi. His first ballot vote at the convention will be bound. On a 2nd ballot, when the choice is his, how will he vote? He says that at times Donald Trump is incoherent. Joining us next is ABC’s Candace Smith who is on the campaign trail with Donald Trump. Is she seeing a new side of the candidate? Matt Dowd suggests a Trump Veep, and we pay homage to music icon Prince.
36 min
344
Rigged
In a one-on-one interview, Donald Trump tells ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl the election process is rigged. Then ABC News Political Analyst Matthew Dowd and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein explain why he’s right – with exceptions. Trump senior advisor Ed Brookover talks about Trump’s “pivot” to the general election. Plus, former Gov. George Pataki talks New York politics and explains why he favors an open convention.
53 min
345
Wooing
Is a contested Republican convention a foregone conclusion? Not so fast says Ted Cruz campaign manager Jeff Roe. He tells us why Cruz, not Donald Trump, might be the one to wrap up the nomination before Cleveland. Then Bernie Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver joins us to explain why it’s the Democrats who may be the ones hosting a contested convention. Finally, we speak with a Republican delegate and ask him what the campaigns are doing to woo him.
49 min
346
Turning Point?
As the campaign trail rolls through Wisconsin, is now the time Republicans take back their party from Donald Trump? Republican political consultant Mike Murphy, who ran Jeb Bush's political action committee and talk show host Charlie Sykes, one of the most influential conservative voices in Wisconsin, explain why the race is about to shift. Plus former presidential candidate turned Trump surrogate Ben Carson tells us why he thinks Trump is not your typical conservative and who he thinks would make good running mates for the Donald. The names might surprise you.
50 min
347
The Anti-Trump Effort
This week Jonathan Karl and Rick Klein examine the campaign to stop Donald Trump. Former Marco Rubio campaign manager Terry Sullivan and writer Sasha Issenberg, perhaps the only man on Earth who understands the delegate process, tell us how the GOP can take the nomination away from the Donald – House of Cards style. But the Trump campaign won’t be blindsided. Their strategist Barry Bennett tells us how his team is gearing for a convention fight.
38 min
348
#4: Outraged
Presidential hopeful John Kasich sounds as animated as you’ve ever heard him. He tells Jonathan Karl in a one-on-one interview that Donald Trump needs to watch his mouth: "He’s not running for presidency of the WWE, he’s running for President of the United States. This kind of language is an outrage." Plus we check in with our reporters who’ve been embedded with the Trump and Bernie Sanders campaigns for the better part of a year. They have the inside scoop on what the candidates are NOT saying.
28 min
349
#3: GOP Ready to Support Donald Trump?
Will the Republican Party come together to support Donald Trump? Jonathan Karl has intel from party-insiders. Is Marco Rubio’s political career over? One of the most powerful men in the GOP tells us why that may be the case. And was Bernie Sanders' surprising win in Michigan a fluke? Our friends at FiveThirtyEight join us to explain how they got it wrong. --- Follow: Jonathan Karl, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent (@jonkarl) Rick Klein, ABC News Political Director (@rickklein) Matthew Dowd, ABC News Chief Political Analyst (@matthewjdowd) ABC News Politics (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/) Twitter: @ABCPolitics ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/) Twitter: @ABC
33 min
350
#2: The End of the GOP?
Are we watching the end of the Republican Party as we know it? Our ABC News team examines that question. We hear from GOP lawmakers who are proudly positioning themselves on both sides of the Trump debate. Plus, we speak with a graduate of Trump University – what’s it like on the inside? Finally, never a day off… we hear what life is like on the campaign trail from our reporter embedded with the Hillary Clinton campaign. --- Follow Us: Jonathan Karl, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent (@jonkarl) Rick Klein, ABC News Political Director (@rickklein) Matthew Dowd, ABC News Chief Political Analyst (@matthewjdowd) ABC News Politics (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/) Twitter: @ABCPolitics ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/) Twitter: @ABC
39 min