Anti-Trump Republican strategist Mike Murphy tries to sum up a surreal month of politics, starting with Joe Biden&#8217;s debate from hell and ending with the president&#8217;s withdrawal and the likely anointment of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.  On her VP selection, Murphy offers a prediction &#8230; and a preference.
And Matt Arco, a political reporter for the Star Ledger and NJ.com, reports on the conviction and upcoming resignation of New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, and how it affects this year&#8217;s Senate race.
PLUS:  Memories of Lyndon Johnson&#8217;s withdrawal in 1968.
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RbKStEFNT8">Kamala! by Randy Rainbow</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKnnh8VDULs">Running on Empty by Jackson Browne</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk6bnmVRbhw">I&#8217;m Not the Man I Used To Be by Fine Young Cannibals</a>
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The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-416-id-walk-a-mile-for-a-kamala/">Episode #416: I&#8217;d Walk A Mile For A Kamala</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;How a bad debate performance by President Biden helped lead to Kamala Harris becoming the (likely) Democratic nominee for president. And a farewell to the long political career of New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-416-id-walk-a-mile-for-a-kamala/"&gt;Episode #416: I’d Walk A Mile For A Kamala&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 a bad debate performance by President Biden helped lead to Kamala Harris becoming the (likely) Democratic nominee for president.  And a farewell to the long political career of New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez.

Anti-Trump Republican strategist Mike Murphy tries to sum up a surreal month of politics, starting with Joe Biden&#8217;s debate from hell and ending with the president&#8217;s withdrawal and the likely anointment of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.  On her VP selection, Murphy offers a prediction &#8230; and a preference. 
And Matt Arco, a political reporter for the Star Ledger and NJ.com, reports on the conviction and upcoming resignation of New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, and how it affects this year&#8217;s Senate race. 
PLUS:  Memories of Lyndon Johnson&#8217;s withdrawal in 1968. 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RbKStEFNT8">Kamala! by Randy Rainbow</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKnnh8VDULs">Running on Empty by Jackson Browne</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk6bnmVRbhw">I&#8217;m Not the Man I Used To Be by Fine Young Cannibals</a> 
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&nbsp;

Episode #416:  I’d Walk A Mile For A Kamala

Alan Schroeder, author of the definitive book on presidential debates, takes us on a tour of memorable debates over the years and tries to assess how next week&#8217;s &#8220;bash&#8221; (CNN pun intended) between President Biden and former President Trump may affect the November vote &#8212; if at all.
NPR&#8217;s Ron Elving adds up the pros and cons of Trump&#8217;s many potential running mates and, when pressed, announces his prediction.  Ken Rudin agrees with him.
And Republican strategist Frank Donatelli recounts his career of working for GOP presidential candidates going back to Ronald Reagan and lists the VP picks that were successful &#8230; and less so.
Photo by Reuters.
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuuX_t3c_2A">Don&#8217;t Stand So Close To Me by The Police</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9KKBvWTdMQ">Another Star by Stevie Wonder</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DQepQaporY">Those Were the Days by Mary Hopkin</a>
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The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-415-the-debate-cui-bono/">Episode #415: The Debate &#8212; Cui Bono?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Setting up next week's CNN debate between Biden and Trump. Predicting Trump's running mate. And a look at some GOP VP picks that sometimes -- but not always -- worked.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-415-the-debate-cui-bono/"&gt;Episode #415: The Debate — Cui Bono?&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>

Setting up next week's CNN debate between Biden and Trump.  Predicting Trump's running mate.  And a look at some GOP VP picks that sometimes -- but not always -- worked.

Alan Schroeder, author of the definitive book on presidential debates, takes us on a tour of memorable debates over the years and tries to assess how next week&#8217;s &#8220;bash&#8221; (CNN pun intended) between President Biden and former President Trump may affect the November vote &#8212; if at all. 
NPR&#8217;s Ron Elving adds up the pros and cons of Trump&#8217;s many potential running mates and, when pressed, announces his prediction.  Ken Rudin agrees with him. 
And Republican strategist Frank Donatelli recounts his career of working for GOP presidential candidates going back to Ronald Reagan and lists the VP picks that were successful &#8230; and less so. 
Photo by Reuters. 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuuX_t3c_2A">Don&#8217;t Stand So Close To Me by The Police</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9KKBvWTdMQ">Another Star by Stevie Wonder</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DQepQaporY">Those Were the Days by Mary Hopkin</a> 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Episode #415:  The Debate — Cui Bono?

Republican and Never-Trump strategist Mike Murphy joins us to discuss the state of politics in the aftermath of Donald Trump&#8217;s conviction on 34 felony counts, the first time a former president was ever convicted of a crime.  He also talks about the Joe Biden campaign and what he must do if he is to win re-election.
PLUS:  The RNC disses Larry Hogan, Bob Good may have a bad primary, and the Libertarians boo Trump&#8217;s ballsy bid for its endorsement.
Trump courtroom sketch by Jane Rosenberg.
Music in this Episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPudE8nDog0">Don&#8217;t You Want Me by The Human League</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUQiUFZ5RDw">Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival</a>
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The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-414-trump-law-meet-murphys-law/">Episode #414: Trump Law, Meet Murphy&#8217;s Law</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Republican strategist Mike Murphy, a leading anti-Trump voice in the party, discusses the state of politics and a new look at the presidential race in the aftermath of the guilty verdict.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-414-trump-law-meet-murphys-law/"&gt;Episode #414: Trump Law, Meet Murphy’s Law&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>

Republican strategist Mike Murphy, a leading anti-Trump voice in the party, discusses the state of politics and a new look at the presidential race in the aftermath of the guilty verdict.

Republican and Never-Trump strategist Mike Murphy joins us to discuss the state of politics in the aftermath of Donald Trump&#8217;s conviction on 34 felony counts, the first time a former president was ever convicted of a crime.  He also talks about the Joe Biden campaign and what he must do if he is to win re-election. 
PLUS:  The RNC disses Larry Hogan, Bob Good may have a bad primary, and the Libertarians boo Trump&#8217;s ballsy bid for its endorsement. 
Trump courtroom sketch by Jane Rosenberg. 
Music in this Episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPudE8nDog0">Don&#8217;t You Want Me by The Human League</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUQiUFZ5RDw">Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival</a> 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Episode #414:  Trump Law, Meet Murphy’s Law

Pamela Wood of the Baltimore Banner sets up Tuesday&#8217;s Democratic primary in Maryland to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin.  David Trone and Angela Alsobrooks are engaged in an increasingly heated contest for a seat Republicans haven&#8217;t won in 44 years.  But the presence of popular former Gov. Larry Hogan on the November ballot has given the GOP unexpected hope.
PLUS:  Kristi Noem&#8217;s self-sabotaged bid to become Donald Trump&#8217;s running mate.  And a farewell to Pete McCloskey, the maverick Republican congressman from California whose opposition to the war in Vietnam spurred him to challenge President Nixon in the 1972 primaries.
Photo by The Baltimore Banner
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQxfBSf6ugI">Vice President Fruitley by the Eels</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m20Glis_wWE">Saigon Bride by Joan Baez</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSmLubla4S4">It&#8217;s a Maryland Thing by Jimmy Charles</a>
&nbsp;
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-413-maryland-has-a-thriller-farewell-to-pete-and-a-ruff-ending-for-kristi/">Episode #413: Maryland Has A Thriller, Farewell To Pete, And A Ruff Ending For Kristi</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Democrats are experiencing an increasingly bitter battle for a Maryland Senate seat that suddenly seems competitive. Plus, Kristi Noem destroys her own VP hopes. And a farewell to Pete McCloskey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-413-maryland-has-a-thriller-farewell-to-pete-and-a-ruff-ending-for-kristi/"&gt;Episode #413: Maryland Has A Thriller, Farewell To Pete, And A Ruff Ending For Kristi&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>

Democrats are experiencing an increasingly bitter battle for a Maryland Senate seat that suddenly seems competitive.  Plus, Kristi Noem destroys her own VP hopes.  And a farewell to Pete McCloskey.

Pamela Wood of the Baltimore Banner sets up Tuesday&#8217;s Democratic primary in Maryland to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin.  David Trone and Angela Alsobrooks are engaged in an increasingly heated contest for a seat Republicans haven&#8217;t won in 44 years.  But the presence of popular former Gov. Larry Hogan on the November ballot has given the GOP unexpected hope. 
PLUS:  Kristi Noem&#8217;s self-sabotaged bid to become Donald Trump&#8217;s running mate.  And a farewell to Pete McCloskey, the maverick Republican congressman from California whose opposition to the war in Vietnam spurred him to challenge President Nixon in the 1972 primaries. 
Photo by The Baltimore Banner 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQxfBSf6ugI">Vice President Fruitley by the Eels</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m20Glis_wWE">Saigon Bride by Joan Baez</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSmLubla4S4">It&#8217;s a Maryland Thing by Jimmy Charles</a> 
&nbsp;

Episode #413:  Maryland Has A Thriller, Farewell To Pete, And A Ruff Ending For Kristi

NPR&#8217;s David Folkenflik sorts out the brouhaha NBC News found itself in when it hired Ronna McDaniel as a paid commentator &#8212; a hire that lasted all of four days.  An all-staff mutiny followed her new employment, given her role as a Trump enabler in his effort to overturn the 2020 election.  David also weighs the advantages, if any, in hiring partisan voices in news organizations &#8212; a practice that goes back decades.
And we rerun an interview we had with Joe Lieberman back in August of 2017, where the Connecticut senator and 2000 VP candidate talks about his career, Al Gore&#8217;s decision to name him to the ticket, how he saw the Bill Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, and his almost appearance as John McCain&#8217;s running mate in 2008.  Lieberman died last month at 82.
PLUS:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his running mate, and the different ways Donald Trump has assessed his candidacy.  And the establishment choice for the U.S. Senate pulls out of the New Jersey Democratic primary.
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRXhDQXhdXE">Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwgJgTL5JmE">Dirty Laundry by Don Henley</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXKPtFzwPmg">Isn&#8217;t Life Strange by The Moody Blues</a>
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-412-old-mcdaniel-told-a-lie/">Episode #412: Old McDaniel Told A Lie</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;How the Ronna McDaniel hiring turned NBC News into knots and revived the question about the advisability of hiring partisan voices on network news. And we rerun a wonderful 2017 interview with Joe Lieberman, who died last week.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-412-old-mcdaniel-told-a-lie/"&gt;Episode #412: Old McDaniel Told A Lie&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 the Ronna McDaniel hiring turned NBC News into knots and revived the question about the advisability of hiring partisan voices on network news.  And we rerun a wonderful 2017 interview with Joe Lieberman, who died last week.

NPR&#8217;s David Folkenflik sorts out the brouhaha NBC News found itself in when it hired Ronna McDaniel as a paid commentator &#8212; a hire that lasted all of four days.  An all-staff mutiny followed her new employment, given her role as a Trump enabler in his effort to overturn the 2020 election.  David also weighs the advantages, if any, in hiring partisan voices in news organizations &#8212; a practice that goes back decades. 
And we rerun an interview we had with Joe Lieberman back in August of 2017, where the Connecticut senator and 2000 VP candidate talks about his career, Al Gore&#8217;s decision to name him to the ticket, how he saw the Bill Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, and his almost appearance as John McCain&#8217;s running mate in 2008.  Lieberman died last month at 82. 
PLUS:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his running mate, and the different ways Donald Trump has assessed his candidacy.  And the establishment choice for the U.S. Senate pulls out of the New Jersey Democratic primary. 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRXhDQXhdXE">Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwgJgTL5JmE">Dirty Laundry by Don Henley</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXKPtFzwPmg">Isn&#8217;t Life Strange by The Moody Blues</a>

Episode #412:  Old McDaniel Told A Lie

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