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

The announcement by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat-turned-independent, that she would not seek a second term was hardly a surprise.  But it shook up a key Senate race in a body where Republicans are closing in on a majority.  Ron Hansen of the Arizona Republic lays out what&#8217;s ahead between likely nominees Ruben Gallego (D) and Kari Lake (R).
And Jacob Rubashkin, the deputy editor of Inside Elections, sums up the major results from Super Tuesday and looks ahead to next week&#8217;s Ohio Republican Senate primary, the winner to take on three-term Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Plus:  A highly combative Joe Biden and a highly caffeinated Katie Britt highlight the State of the Union.
Music in this Episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCs6Tpd5sFQ">Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash &amp; Young</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4B1GgpGekA">You Lost by Austin Archer</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJrFxnvcWhc">Tuesday&#8217;s Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd</a>
&nbsp;
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-411-a-sense-of-yuma-after-sinemas-departure/">Episode #411: A Sense Of Yuma After Sinema&#8217;s Departure</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;A review of the Arizona Senate race following the departure of incumbent Kyrsten Sinema. And a look at the key results from Super Tuesday. Plus, a review of a most unusual State of the Union address.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-411-a-sense-of-yuma-after-sinemas-departure/"&gt;Episode #411: A Sense Of Yuma After Sinema’s Departure&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 review of the Arizona Senate race following the departure of incumbent Kyrsten Sinema.  And a look at the key results from Super Tuesday.  Plus, a review of a most unusual State of the Union address.

The announcement by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat-turned-independent, that she would not seek a second term was hardly a surprise.  But it shook up a key Senate race in a body where Republicans are closing in on a majority.  Ron Hansen of the Arizona Republic lays out what&#8217;s ahead between likely nominees Ruben Gallego (D) and Kari Lake (R). 
And Jacob Rubashkin, the deputy editor of Inside Elections, sums up the major results from Super Tuesday and looks ahead to next week&#8217;s Ohio Republican Senate primary, the winner to take on three-term Democrat Sherrod Brown. 
Plus:  A highly combative Joe Biden and a highly caffeinated Katie Britt highlight the State of the Union. 
Music in this Episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCs6Tpd5sFQ">Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash &amp; Young</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4B1GgpGekA">You Lost by Austin Archer</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJrFxnvcWhc">Tuesday&#8217;s Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd</a> 
&nbsp;

Episode #411:  A Sense Of Yuma After Sinema’s Departure

Mark Z. Barabak of the Los Angeles Times sets up Tuesday&#8217;s California Senate primary for the seat once held by Dianne Feinstein.  A race long dominated by three Democratic House members &#8212; Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee &#8212; the campaign suffered a jolt when a Republican, former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, got in the race.  Now there are accusations that Schiff, the acknowledged frontrunner, is trying to make sure his opponent in November is Garvey, considered the easiest to beat, rather than one of his Democratic House colleagues.
PLUS:  The age issue and Joe Biden.  And the sanity issue and Donald Trump.  In addition, Mitch McConnell announces he will be leaving the leadership position he&#8217;s held longer than any other senator in history.
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfuXblWUGOs">I Can&#8217;t Explain by the Who</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpNw7jYkbVc">I Hate Myself for Loving You by Joan Jett &amp; the Blackhearts</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR2lvcdKSdU">California Girls by the Beach Boys</a>
&nbsp;
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-410-california-girls-and-guys/">Episode #410: California Girls (And Guys)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;A look ahead towards Tuesday's primary to fill the Senate seat long held by the late Dianne Feinstein. Plus: Age and Biden, Sanity and Trump, and a Farewell by McConnell&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-410-california-girls-and-guys/"&gt;Episode #410: California Girls (And Guys)&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 ahead towards Tuesday's primary to fill the Senate seat long held by the late Dianne Feinstein.  Plus:  Age and Biden, Sanity and Trump, and a Farewell by McConnell

Mark Z. Barabak of the Los Angeles Times sets up Tuesday&#8217;s California Senate primary for the seat once held by Dianne Feinstein.  A race long dominated by three Democratic House members &#8212; Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee &#8212; the campaign suffered a jolt when a Republican, former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, got in the race.  Now there are accusations that Schiff, the acknowledged frontrunner, is trying to make sure his opponent in November is Garvey, considered the easiest to beat, rather than one of his Democratic House colleagues. 
PLUS:  The age issue and Joe Biden.  And the sanity issue and Donald Trump.  In addition, Mitch McConnell announces he will be leaving the leadership position he&#8217;s held longer than any other senator in history. 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfuXblWUGOs">I Can&#8217;t Explain by the Who</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpNw7jYkbVc">I Hate Myself for Loving You by Joan Jett &amp; the Blackhearts</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR2lvcdKSdU">California Girls by the Beach Boys</a> 
&nbsp;

Episode #410:  California Girls (And Guys)

Yale Prof. Kathryn Lofton explores the whole Taylor Swift rumor mill lunacy and explains the pitfalls celebrities encounter as they decide whether to use their fame for political ends.
And Spectrum News New York political director Bob Hardt dissects the upcoming race to succeed George Santos in New York&#8217;s Third Congressional District.
PLUS:  The House GOP effort to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas blows up in Speaker Mike Jobnson&#8217;s face.  And a federal appeals court unanimously rejects Donald Trump&#8217;s argument that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took as president.
Taylor Swift button designed by SmithDigital.
Music in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHRJCcCYAF4">409 by the Beach Boys</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Uq34nx5Dw">The Winner Takes It All by November Ultra</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHRTCVwSKMs">High Hopes by Frank Sinatra</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq2rnv7xPWs">Harding, You&#8217;re the Man by Al Jolson</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1kbLwvqugk">Anti Hero by Taylor Swift</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Y85ci-8jY">A Life of Illusion by Joe Walsh</a>
&nbsp;
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-409-swift-paranoia-taylor-made-for-maga/">Episode #409: Swift Paranoia Taylor-Made For MAGA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Rumors that Taylor Swift might endorse Joe Biden has led conservatives to lose their minds. And a look at Tuesday's congressional race on New York's Long Island to replace the irreplaceable George Santos.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-409-swift-paranoia-taylor-made-for-maga/"&gt;Episode #409: Swift Paranoia Taylor-Made For MAGA&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>

Rumors that Taylor Swift might endorse Joe Biden has led conservatives to lose their minds.  And a look at Tuesday's congressional race on New York's Long Island to replace the irreplaceable George Santos.

Yale Prof. Kathryn Lofton explores the whole Taylor Swift rumor mill lunacy and explains the pitfalls celebrities encounter as they decide whether to use their fame for political ends. 
And Spectrum News New York political director Bob Hardt dissects the upcoming race to succeed George Santos in New York&#8217;s Third Congressional District. 
PLUS:  The House GOP effort to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas blows up in Speaker Mike Jobnson&#8217;s face.  And a federal appeals court unanimously rejects Donald Trump&#8217;s argument that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took as president. 
Taylor Swift button designed by SmithDigital. 
Music in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHRJCcCYAF4">409 by the Beach Boys</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Uq34nx5Dw">The Winner Takes It All by November Ultra</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHRTCVwSKMs">High Hopes by Frank Sinatra</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq2rnv7xPWs">Harding, You&#8217;re the Man by Al Jolson</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1kbLwvqugk">Anti Hero by Taylor Swift</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Y85ci-8jY">A Life of Illusion by Joe Walsh</a> 
&nbsp;

Episode #409:  Swift Paranoia Taylor-Made For MAGA

We speak to two veterans of New Hampshire politics, former Republican state chair Fergus Cullen and longtime Democratic state lawmaker Lou D&#8217;Allesandro.  Cullen maintains that despite sizable dissatisfaction among Republicans with Donald Trump, Nikki Haley does not look like she is in a position to pose a threat to the former president.  And D&#8217;Allesandro acknowledges unhappiness with President Biden&#8217;s decision to remove N.H. from its perch as the &#8220;first in the nation&#8221; primary state.  But it shouldn&#8217;t be enough to threaten him in Tuesday&#8217;s contest.
Music heard in this episode:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyyFHmNtwIU">Sitting On Top of the World by Cream</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=561fy1vqIo8">Last Dance by Donna Summer</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKCiC-H2Xbg">Old Man by Neil Young</a>
The post <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-408-new-hampshire-where-trump-came-saw-and-concord/">Episode #408: New Hampshire, Where Trump Came, Saw and Concord?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com">Ken Rudin&#039;s Political Junkie</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;The latest in the Republican and Democratic contests in New Hampshire.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://www.krpoliticaljunkie.com/episode-408-new-hampshire-where-trump-came-saw-and-concord/"&gt;Episode #408: New Hampshire, Where Trump Came, Saw and Concord?&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 latest in the Republican and Democratic contests in New Hampshire.

We speak to two veterans of New Hampshire politics, former Republican state chair Fergus Cullen and longtime Democratic state lawmaker Lou D&#8217;Allesandro.  Cullen maintains that despite sizable dissatisfaction among Republicans with Donald Trump, Nikki Haley does not look like she is in a position to pose a threat to the former president.  And D&#8217;Allesandro acknowledges unhappiness with President Biden&#8217;s decision to remove N.H. from its perch as the &#8220;first in the nation&#8221; primary state.  But it shouldn&#8217;t be enough to threaten him in Tuesday&#8217;s contest. 
Music heard in this episode: 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyyFHmNtwIU">Sitting On Top of the World by Cream</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=561fy1vqIo8">Last Dance by Donna Summer</a> 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKCiC-H2Xbg">Old Man by Neil Young</a>

Episode #408:  New Hampshire, Where Trump Came, Saw and Concord?

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