Jeff Greenfield remembers how Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush consoled the nation during crisis and trauma, and compares their actions to those of Donald Trump, whose response to a deadly plane crash was one of blame and nastiness.
Rick Pluta of Michigan Public Radio discusses the retirement of Sen. Gary Peters (D) and the battle in 2026 to succeed him &#8212; a battle that could include Pete Buttigieg.
And Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch talks of the pressures back home that may have forced Sen. Joni Ernst, a rape victim during college, to vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, despite the sexual assault allegations against him.
PLUS:  A look at the first two weeks of Trump.
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqc-tDSBSbE">It&#8217;s My Party by Lesley Gore</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMarHac3VpQ">Mean Mr Mustard by The Beatles</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo2ZsAOlvEM">America by Simon &amp; Garfunkel</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I">Under Pressure by Queen</a>
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-421-the-consoler-in-chief/">Episode #421: The Consoler In Chief</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Past presidents have been able to take tragic events and try to console distraught Americans. Not Donald Trump. Plus: An open Senate race in Michigan, and an Iowa senator up for re-election next year is pressured on a Cabinet confirmation vote.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-421-the-consoler-in-chief/"&gt;Episode #421: The Consoler In Chief&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com"&gt;Ken Rudin's Political Junkie&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Past presidents have been able to take tragic events and try to console distraught Americans.  Not Donald Trump.  Plus: An open Senate race in Michigan, and an Iowa senator up for re-election next year is pressured on a Cabinet confirmation vote.

Jeff Greenfield remembers how Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush consoled the nation during crisis and trauma, and compares their actions to those of Donald Trump, whose response to a deadly plane crash was one of blame and nastiness. 
Rick Pluta of Michigan Public Radio discusses the retirement of Sen. Gary Peters (D) and the battle in 2026 to succeed him &#8212; a battle that could include Pete Buttigieg. 
And Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch talks of the pressures back home that may have forced Sen. Joni Ernst, a rape victim during college, to vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, despite the sexual assault allegations against him. 
PLUS:  A look at the first two weeks of Trump. 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqc-tDSBSbE">It&#8217;s My Party by Lesley Gore</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMarHac3VpQ">Mean Mr Mustard by The Beatles</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo2ZsAOlvEM">America by Simon &amp; Garfunkel</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I">Under Pressure by Queen</a>

Episode #421:  The Consoler In Chief

Donald Trump&#8217;s election opened up two Senate seats &#8212; in Ohio, where JD Vance was elected vice president, and in Florida, where Marco Rubio joined the Trump Cabinet as Secretary of State.  Jeremy Pelzer, a political reporter with Cleveland.com and the Cleveland Plain Dealer, talks about new Sen. Jon Husted, who had been Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine&#8217;s lieutenant governor.  And Susan MacManus, a leading Florida political analyst, tells us everything we need to know about Ashley Moody, the state&#8217;s former attorney general who now succeeds Rubio.
And the recent death of former President Jimmy Carter has Carter biographer Jonathan Alter wondering if the overwhelming sadness about the 39th president&#8217;s passing might be tied to the widespread revulsion of the new occupant of the White House.
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbtjc73rLjY">Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcXET4Xk93w">Susan by Aimee Mann</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as xVOJla2vYx8">Turn! Turn! Turn! by the Byrds</a>
&nbsp;
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-420-decency-and-civility-then-and-now/">Episode #420: Decency And Civility, Then And Now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Trump's election opened up two Senate seats, in Ohio and Florida, that have been since filled by Republican governors. And is our sadness about Jimmy Carter's passing possibly due to the thought of Trump returning to the presidency?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-420-decency-and-civility-then-and-now/"&gt;Episode #420: Decency And Civility, Then And Now&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com"&gt;Ken Rudin's Political Junkie&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Trump's election opened up two Senate seats, in Ohio and Florida, that have been since filled by Republican governors.  And is our sadness about Jimmy Carter's passing possibly due to the thought of Trump returning to the presidency?

Donald Trump&#8217;s election opened up two Senate seats &#8212; in Ohio, where JD Vance was elected vice president, and in Florida, where Marco Rubio joined the Trump Cabinet as Secretary of State.  Jeremy Pelzer, a political reporter with Cleveland.com and the Cleveland Plain Dealer, talks about new Sen. Jon Husted, who had been Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine&#8217;s lieutenant governor.  And Susan MacManus, a leading Florida political analyst, tells us everything we need to know about Ashley Moody, the state&#8217;s former attorney general who now succeeds Rubio. 
And the recent death of former President Jimmy Carter has Carter biographer Jonathan Alter wondering if the overwhelming sadness about the 39th president&#8217;s passing might be tied to the widespread revulsion of the new occupant of the White House. 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbtjc73rLjY">Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcXET4Xk93w">Susan by Aimee Mann</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as xVOJla2vYx8">Turn! Turn! Turn! by the Byrds</a> 
&nbsp;

Episode #420:  Decency And Civility, Then And Now

Republican strategist Terry Holt explains what happened on November 5th and dissects some of Donald Trump&#8217;s more controversial Cabinet picks.
Aubrey Jewett of the University of Central Florida handicaps who will succeed Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio in the Senate.
Former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson (D-IN) has a new book filled with essays from Democrats and Republicans alike making the case that bipartisanship really works &#8230; and must work.
And former Oklahoma TV anchor Scott Thompson talks of his experiences with former Sen. Fred Harris, who sought the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination on a platform of fairness and equality.  Harris died last month at the age of 94.
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e13YjTPb_0">They&#8217;re Coming to Take Me Away by Napolean XIV</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dYWe1c3OyU">I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pkZDoRyNLY">Pick Me by Alec Benjamin</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9vUCdfwlgw">Long, Long, Long by the Beatles</a>
&nbsp;
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-419-trump-won-and-his-cabinet-choices-proves-it/">Episode #419: Trump Won, And His Cabinet Choices Prove It</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;The election is over, Trump won, and now the Senate has to confirm (or not) some extraordinary Cabinet choices. Also: Who will succeed Marco Rubio in the Senate? Is bipartisanship possible? And we remember Fred Harris.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-419-trump-won-and-his-cabinet-choices-proves-it/"&gt;Episode #419: Trump Won, And His Cabinet Choices Prove It&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com"&gt;Ken Rudin's Political Junkie&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The election is over, Trump won, and now the Senate has to confirm (or not) some extraordinary Cabinet choices.  Also: Who will succeed Marco Rubio in the Senate?  Is bipartisanship possible?  And we remember Fred Harris.

Republican strategist Terry Holt explains what happened on November 5th and dissects some of Donald Trump&#8217;s more controversial Cabinet picks. 
Aubrey Jewett of the University of Central Florida handicaps who will succeed Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio in the Senate. 
Former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson (D-IN) has a new book filled with essays from Democrats and Republicans alike making the case that bipartisanship really works &#8230; and must work. 
And former Oklahoma TV anchor Scott Thompson talks of his experiences with former Sen. Fred Harris, who sought the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination on a platform of fairness and equality.  Harris died last month at the age of 94. 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e13YjTPb_0">They&#8217;re Coming to Take Me Away by Napolean XIV</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dYWe1c3OyU">I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pkZDoRyNLY">Pick Me by Alec Benjamin</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9vUCdfwlgw">Long, Long, Long by the Beatles</a> 
&nbsp;

Episode #419:  Trump Won, And His Cabinet Choices Prove It

Holly Michels of the Montana State News Bureau for Lee Newspapers reports on the tough re-election battle facing Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat seeking a fourth term in an overwhelmingly Republican state &#8230; and this time, with the very popular Donald Trump on the ballot.
And Rob Schofield of NC Newsline is covering the race for governor in North Carolina, where we have learned that the Republican nominee, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson &#8212; heartily endorsed by Trump &#8212; has in the past posted racist and misogynistic writings that may have all but ended his prospects for victory.
PLUS:  Jack Smith still has Trump in his sites &#8230; a quick look at the VP debate &#8230; and Happy 100th for Jimmy Carter.
Music in this Episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKwNA4Ncc8I">Smelly Cat by Phoebe and Chrissie Hynde</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xze7S8DWX1g">Birthday by The Beatles</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VGUxSgvD2A">High Hopes by Frank Sinatra</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFGQdvYIJ0M">Your Racist Friend by They Might Be Giants</a>
&nbsp;
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-418-butte-and-the-beast/">Episode #418: Butte And The Beast</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;A look at two races on the ballot next month that have national implications: Montana Senate and North Carolina governor. Plus, two vice presidential hopefuls meet in New York City.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-418-butte-and-the-beast/"&gt;Episode #418: Butte And The Beast&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com"&gt;Ken Rudin's Political Junkie&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

A look at two races on the ballot next month that have national implications:  Montana Senate and North Carolina governor.  Plus, two vice presidential hopefuls meet in New York City.

Holly Michels of the Montana State News Bureau for Lee Newspapers reports on the tough re-election battle facing Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat seeking a fourth term in an overwhelmingly Republican state &#8230; and this time, with the very popular Donald Trump on the ballot. 
And Rob Schofield of NC Newsline is covering the race for governor in North Carolina, where we have learned that the Republican nominee, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson &#8212; heartily endorsed by Trump &#8212; has in the past posted racist and misogynistic writings that may have all but ended his prospects for victory. 
PLUS:  Jack Smith still has Trump in his sites &#8230; a quick look at the VP debate &#8230; and Happy 100th for Jimmy Carter. 
Music in this Episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKwNA4Ncc8I">Smelly Cat by Phoebe and Chrissie Hynde</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xze7S8DWX1g">Birthday by The Beatles</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VGUxSgvD2A">High Hopes by Frank Sinatra</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFGQdvYIJ0M">Your Racist Friend by They Might Be Giants</a> 
&nbsp;

Episode #418:  Butte And The Beast

Dan Morain, a journalist who spent decades at the Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee, and who is the author of &#8220;Kamala&#8217;s Way,&#8221; the first biography of Vice President Kamala Harris, talks about her rise in California politics that has led her to the doorsteps of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
PLUS:  A look back at the Harris-Trump debate, the intrusion of Taylor Swift into the political battle, and how the inclusion of Laura Loomer into Trump&#8217;s inner circle has shaken up the Republican Party.
Music heard in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ2cEc_TCH8">Cool for Cats by Squeeze</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FWF9375hUA">Freedom by Beyonce</a>
&nbsp;
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-417-the-unfathomable-rise-of-kamala-harris/">Episode #417: The Unfathomable Rise Of Kamala Harris</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;How Kamala Harris went from the battles of California politics to the possibility of becoming the 47th President of the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-417-the-unfathomable-rise-of-kamala-harris/"&gt;Episode #417: The Unfathomable Rise Of Kamala Harris&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com"&gt;Ken Rudin's Political Junkie&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How Kamala Harris went from the battles of California politics to the possibility of becoming the 47th President of the United States.

Dan Morain, a journalist who spent decades at the Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee, and who is the author of &#8220;Kamala&#8217;s Way,&#8221; the first biography of Vice President Kamala Harris, talks about her rise in California politics that has led her to the doorsteps of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. 
PLUS:  A look back at the Harris-Trump debate, the intrusion of Taylor Swift into the political battle, and how the inclusion of Laura Loomer into Trump&#8217;s inner circle has shaken up the Republican Party. 
Music heard in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ2cEc_TCH8">Cool for Cats by Squeeze</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FWF9375hUA">Freedom by Beyonce</a> 
&nbsp;

Episode #417:  The Unfathomable Rise Of Kamala Harris

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