Vivek Ramaswamy’s Scummy Ad, JD Vance’s Defense Of It, and The Potential Backlash

On this week’s podcast, Chris Cillizza and I discuss: — The possibility of a 2006/1994/2010-style disaster for Republicans, with Democrats potentially gaining 5–9 Senate seats. — Polling reality check: Races remain stubbornly close (mostly 1–4 points) despite the expanding Senate map. — Fake polls and market manipulation: The Wedgewood Polling scandal, its claimed impact on Mallory McMorrow’s Michigan Senate primary exit, inclusion in aggregators, and how single polls can move prediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket, etc.). — Speaker Mike Johnson is confidently declaring the polls to be wrong “wrong,” and why Trump’s dominance makes a leadership challenge unlikely. — Vivek Ramaswamy’s scummy ad, JD Vance’s defense of it, and potential backlash in Ohio. — Will fresh faces (Jon Ossoff, James Talarico, Rob Sand, AOC) run in 2028 and remake the Democratic brand? Timing is everything! — And MUCH more! Check out my latest piece, “Mike Johnson Really Needs to Stop Insisting the Polls Are Wrong": https://www.washingtonsun.com/perspectives/mike-johnson-really-needs-to-stop-insisting-the-polls-are-wrong Sign up here to get Matt's Washington Sun☀️ columns sent directly to your inbox! https://www.washingtonsun.com/matt-k-lewis-newsletter-sign-up Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A – Who is Matt Lewis? – Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians. Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937 Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC