The Smerconish Podcast

Michael talks to G. Elliot Morris, 538/ABC News Editorial Director for Data Analytics, about new 2024 race polling.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking, following the South Dakota Governor's revelation in her book that she shot and killed a dog, Did Kristi Noem just help or hurt herself with Donald Trump? Listen here, then vote!

Is the U.S. in the midst of a decline akin to that of Rome, Habsburg Spain, the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires and the Soviet Union? That's the Daily Poll Question Michael is asking you today at Smerconish.com. He has dived into a new report out from RAND, listen here for the details, then vote!

Excerpts from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's forthcoming book have her in a bit of controversy. In the book, he tells the story of her killing a dog after it attacked some chickens. Michael wonders, why would this protentional running mate pick for Donald Trump even tell the story? Original air date 29 April 2024.

Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Who will Trump select as his VP? Choices: Katie Britt, Doug Burgum, Ben Carson, Ron DeSantis, Byron Donalds, Nikki Haley, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Kristi Noem, Mike Pompeo, Vivek Ramaswamy, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, Elise Stefanik, JD Vance, None of the above. Listen to Michael's thoughts here, then vote!

Michael talks to Jeff Nussbaum, a former speechwriter to President Biden and author of "Undelivered." This weekend is the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner, and Nussbaum previewed it in Politico Magazine in his piece "Trump's Jokes Killed DC's Sense of Humor." Original air date 26 April 2024.

As week 2 of former President Trump's criminal trial wraps up, there is one face we have not yet seen in the courtroom, or by his side in his daily pre-court appearances. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will Melania Trump ever step foot in the hush money court room? Listen to his commentary here, then vote on the website. And please rate and review this podcast.

Michael talks to BallotPA Chair David Thornburgh about the problem with primaries in Pennsylvania and other states: they are closed, and independents like Michael can not vote in them! Find out more about the Committee of Seventy's BallotPA project at ballotpa.org. Original air date 25 April 2024

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking, following his not being able to vote in his own state on Tuesday: Should registered Independents be permitted to vote in party primaries? Listen here, then vote!

There is no court session today for President Trump's criminal trial in New York City. Michael talks to NBC/MSNBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos about what transpired in the court yesterday, including the spotlight on Trump's relationship with the National Enquirer, as its former publisher David Pecker testified. Original air date 24 April 2024.

There is a proposal in California to ban Clear, a high-end, bypass-the-TSA-line concierge travel service. This has Michael asking you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Should airports offer non-TSA security lines for those willing to pay a fee and undergo a background check, creating a 'fast-pass' system for the wealthier? Listen to his explanation, then hit the site and vote!

There is a lot to learn here - might the long-standard 6% real estate commission that agents get be a thing of the past, due to a recently announced settlement with the National Association of Realtors? Michael learns everything we need to know here with attorney Mitch Kider, Chairman and Managing Partner of Weiner Brodsky Kider PC. Original air date 23 April 2024.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to ban the social media platform TikTok. It now heads to the Senate. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Should the U.S. government ban TikTok? Listen here, then vote!

Sister Mary Scullion, an advocate for the homeless in Philadelphia, joins Michael to talk about a case the Supreme Court is hearing today out of Oregon, on whether homeless people can be punished for sleeping outside when there is no place else for them to go. Original air date 22 April 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Is it cruel and unusual to criminally cite the homeless for public encampment if they have no access to shelter? Listen, then vote!

Michael talks to Northwestern University Professor Dr. Elisa Jacome, she is one of the co-authors of a study uncovering the most extensive evidence to date that immigrants are less likely to be imprisoned than U.S.-born individuals. Original air date 19 April 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Do you agree with those news organizations that have requested Biden and Trump publicly commit to participating in debates? Listen here, then vote!

Michael talks to former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, David Frum, who writes in The Atlantic, "The networks want their show, but to give the challenger equal status on a TV stage would be a dire normalization of his attempted coup." Listen to his take on why Biden should not debate Trump ahead of Election Day. Original air date 18 April 2024.

The University of Southern California denied its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, to give a speech at the 2024 commencement for her vocal support for Palestinians. Today, Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should a student’s prior political speech be considered when determining whether they can speak at college graduation? Listen here, then vote, and please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform.

Seven Manhattan residents, including a diverse mix of professions and backgrounds, were selected as jurors for Donald Trump's high-profile criminal trial, amid stringent selection processes. Listen to Michael and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig talk through the chosen ones so far, sharing their thoughts. Original air date 17 April 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Could you be a fair juror in the current Trump trial? Listen, then vote!

Michael talks to University of Haifa Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience Roy Salomon about the connection of psychedelics and trauma, after it was found that attendees of the concert in the Israeli desert, who were using psychedelics, were able to get through the trauma of being attacked by Hamas, when they otherwise may not have been able to do so. Original air date 16 April 2024.

The former President's criminal trial began in New York City yesterday. Michael asks you today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: How will the Trump trial end? Conviction, Acquittal, Hung Jury, Mistrial, or Guilty Plea? Listen here, then vote!

Michael talks to Ankush Khardori at Politico Magazine about his piece "The Surprising Strategy Trump Could Use to Win His Manhattan Trial." Original air date 15 April 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Should Israel de-escalate, or retaliate, against Iran? Listen, then vote!

O.J. Simpson, charged with, and acquitted of, killing his ex-wife in 1994, died of cancer on 11 April 2024. Michael dusted off this conversation from his archives to share with you, speaking with Denise Simpson in November 2005, 11 years after her sister was murdered.

"Arkansas led the nation sending letters home from school about obesity. Did it help?" This NPR-titled story is the basis of Michael's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today. Listen here as he explains the question: Should schools send parents letters alerting them to obesity concerns in their children? Then, vote!

A new look at undecided voters. Michael talks to Lynne Kelleher, one of the subjects of The Atlantic piece penned by Elaine Godfrey, "The RFK-Curious Women Of Bucks County." Original air date 10 April 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Will Biden and Trump debate in 2024? Listen, then vote!

Michael has noticed something in the last few days: a change in the course of the 2024 election. Listen in. Original air date 10 April 2024.

President Biden has unveiled a new student loan debt relief plan. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question today at Smerconish.com: Should President Biden cancel up to $20,000 in unpaid student interest for borrowers who owe more than their initial loan amount? Listen here, then cast your vote!

Michael has a look at the newly-released questionnaire for potential jurors for former President Trump's upcoming hush-money trial in New York, and gets some expertise and thoughts on the jury selection process from veteran criminal defense attorney William J. Brennan. Original air date 9 April 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains his thoughts here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Does it help or hurt Trump politically to say that he favors immigration from “nice” countries like Denmark and Switzerland? Listen, then vote - and please rate and review this podcast!

Michael recaps his sold-out speeches over the weekend in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, where he offered his new presentation known as "The Mingle Project." He is on a mission to restore civility and compromise to our public discourse. For three decades he’s had a front row seat to the increase in polarization that has gripped the nation. He sees the current climate as part of a much larger disconnect in society fueled by technology and self-sorting, having a serious impact on the mental health of our youth. The Mingle Project is both his diagnosis and prescription for the problem, presented through anecdote, social science …….and a few laughs! Original air date 8 April 2024

One of the major issues in this election cycle headlines today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com. Michael asks you: Do you support a national ban on abortion after 15 weeks? Listen to him lay it out here, then vote! And please leave a rating and review of this podcast on your favorite podcast player. Thank you!

Wrestlemania is hugely popular - Michael had no idea this is such a big deal! Alas, WWE's signature annual event, "Wrestlemania" is taking over Philadelphia this weekend - we get expertise on it from SiriusXM Vice President of Programming Operations Doug Mortman. A wrestling superfan, he co-created "Busted Open" which airs on SiriusXM's Fight Nation Channel 156. Original air date 5 April 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains his thoughts here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Which is a bigger hurdle to electing a third-party president - candidate, or demand? Listen here, vote there!

A new Associated Press-NORC poll finds that a majority of Americans share many core beliefs, despite the apparent deep divisions our country is currently facing. Michael is very happy about this news - listen here! Original air date 4 April 2024.

A lawmaker in California is sponsoring legislation that would, if made into law, allow employees to ignore after-hours communications from their employers. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Should states give workers the right to ignore after-hours calls, emails and texts from their employers? Listen to this podcast, leave a review, and then vote!

Michael talks to Mark Halperin at The Wide World of News (subscribe at walkingduck.com/mark) about the latest WSJ poll on the 2024 race between Biden and Trump. Original air date 3 April 2024.

Each day, Michael poses a new Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com, and lays out his thoughts in this podcast. Today's question: Do you agree with RFK Jr. that “we shouldn’t make pariahs” of those who believe the 2020 election was stolen? Listen here, and please rate and review this podcast before you vote!

Michael has been watching CBS 60 Minutes' investigation into 'Havana Syndrome' where government and military personnel report pain, ringing in ears and other symptoms, that seem ot be caused by actions of foreign entities. Attorney Mark Zaid represents clients who have suffered symptoms - Michael welcomes him for a conversation to learn more about these "anomalous health incidents." Original air date 2 April 2024.

President Biden has been criticized by former President Trump and others for his recognizing the Transgender Day of Visibility this past weekend. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Should President Biden have issued a proclamation in support of Transgender Day of Visibility which coincided with Easter? Listen to his thoughts in this podcast, then vote!

Michael's "Mingle Project" is underway - where he is pushing to get us all out of our bubbles to get together and...mingle, to make the world a better place. This Monday, he runs through a few headlines that fit the bill. Original air date 1 April 2024.

Starting today, the minimum wage for food workers in California is $20/hour, while other industry minimum wages are $15.50/hour. Michael asks you today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should other states follow California raising its minimum wage for food workers to $20 per hour? Listen here, then vote!

A story at NBC News caught Michael's eye, "Experts war-gamed what might happen if deepfakes disrupt the 2024 election. Things went sideways fast." Issue One Founder & CEO Nick Penniman joins Michael to talk about these deepfakes and the need for a never center to combat them. Original air date 28 March 2024.

As we wrap up another week that saw some wild headlines, including former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel getting hired and then fired by NBC News, Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which side benefits politically from the Ronna McDaniel/NBC flap? Democrats, Republicans, or Neither? Listen to his thoughts here, then vote!

Lars Mapstead is a tech entrepreneur, road racing enthusiast, and 2024 Libertarian Candidate for President. He joins Michael to discuss his candidacy for president and the role of third party candidates in the 2024 election cycle. Original air date 28 March 2024.

Recently, former President Trump's Truth Social hit the stock market and has been soaring as a "meme" stock. This has Michael asking you this daily poll question at Smerconish.com today: Would politics factor into your personal investment decisions?

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named his pick for Vice President last night as Nicole Shanahan. Michael takes calls and discusses the place Kennedy and other third party candidates have in the 2024 race. Original air date 27 March 2024.

Michael lays out today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Do third-party candidates a) enhance democracy by providing more choices, b) harm democracy by splitting votes, or c) have a neutral impact? Listen here, then vote! Original air date 27 March 2024.

FiveThirtyEight/ABC News Senior Elections Analyst Geoffrey Skelley joins Michael with his analysis of how, and if at all, third party presidential candidates can get on ballots this fall - enough to have any chance of getting votes to be players in the election. Original air date 26 March 2024.

NBC News made a controversial hire in bringing on former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel on board as a paid contributor. Backlash from within the organization ensued, due to her negative treatment of NBC while she was RNC Chair. This has Michael asking you this daily poll question at Smerconish.com today: Do media outlets have an obligation to ensure a MAGA perspective is represented?

Should you have the right to be homeless, have the right to live on the street, instead of having to take antipsychotic medication? Michael talks to Ellen Barry at The New York Times, on her piece "The Man in Room 117." Original air date 1 February 2024.

Michael talks about today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com, he asks do you agree or disagree: Social media use does not just correlate with mental illness, it causes it. Listen here, then vote!

Gallup is out with its annual "World Happiness Report. The report assesses the current state of happiness worldwide and is a resource for satisfying the growing global interest in prioritizing happiness - or wellbeing - in government policymaking. Michael dives in with Ilana Ron-Levey, Gallup Managing Director, Public Sector on the World Happiness Report. Original air date 22 March 2024.

President Trump may soon have his assets seized by the Attorney General of New York if he fails to pay his near-half a billion dollar bond. Michael asks you at Smerconish.com today, this daily poll question: If Letitia James seizes Donald Trump’s property, will it help or hurt him politically? Listen, then vote!

President Trump owes a bond payment of nearly a half a billion dollars for the judgement in his civil fraud case in New York. Suddenly, the value of his social media platform Truth Social has jumped up. What's going on? Michael gets expertise from our "intern" and "CEO" "Erik X", an expert in these matters. Listen in for this great explanation. Original air date 21 March 2024.

With the passage of Texas' new immigration law, Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Should states be able to arrest, detain and deport migrants at the nation’s border? Listen to his explainer, then vote!

With all this talk of third party candidates in the 2024 presidential race, there's one big hurdle they have to overcome: Getting on ballots in enough states (like...all 50), to be able to get enough votes to be competitive. How does that process work, exactly? Michael gets expertise from Richard Winger, a long-time advocate for easy and open ballot access for minority parties and candidates. He is publisher of Ballot Access News. Original air date 12 February 2024.

Michael was really impressed by Oprah Winfrey's TV special earlier this week on obesity and weight loss - he continues the conversation with today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Do you agree with Oprah that obesity is a disease, not a character flaw? Listen, then vote.

Danny Cevallos is a regular guest host when Michael is off-air, an attorney, legal analyst at MSNBC and NBC News, and, like Michael, a huge fan of SiriusXM's Howard Stern Show. It's clear here where his loyalties lie...take a listen. Original air date 11 March 2024.

Michael had a recent conversation with American University Professor Allan Lichtman, who, for every presidential election since 1984 has predicted the outcome correctly, using his "Keys To The White House", which is the title of his book. There is one asterisk moment which he explains - 2000, Bush v. Gore. Today, they start talking about 2024, Biden v. Trump. What's his prediction going to be? Original air date 26 February 2024.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, gave a blunt assessment of what is happening in Israel and Gaza in a speech on the Senate floor, directly criticizing the Prime Minister of Israel and calling for an election for new leadership in that country. Listen here as Michael talks about it and asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Do you agree with Senator Schumer that Prime Minister Netanyahu “has lost his way”? After listening, please leave a rating and review of the podcast, and then vote on the question at Smerconish.com!

A look at the latest 2024 presidential race polling data with G. Elliot Morris, editorial director of data analytics at ABC News and 538. Original air date 18 March 2024.

Biden and Trump are neck and neck in the polls as the final two candidates in the 2024 presidential race are now set...but, one element that keeps coming up is Vice President Kamala Harris and her low popularity. This has Michael asking you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Would a different running mate improve President Biden’s re-election chances? Listen here, then vote at the website, and rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast app.

A new Gallup study shows that the percentage of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer adults in the U.S. continues to increase. Michael dives into the data, he's fascinated today by the question: How many of us are gay? Original air date 15 March 2024.

So much going on in the country and the world. So many MAJOR issues. Some matter to some people, some don't. Michael today takes a bird's eye view at what he believes are the eight biggest issues at present, and asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which of the following worries you most? AI, Border, Climate, Democracy, Economy, Gaza, Social Media, or Ukraine? Listen here and then please vote at Smerconish.com, and rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast player.

Michael talks to Flash Shelton, a handyman in California who is the subject of a fascinating story in the L.A. Times - he will help you get squatters out of your property, by...going and squatting with them, essentially annoying them until they leave. Original air date 14 March 2024.

On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed a bill that could lead to the social media video-sharing platform TikTok being banned in the US. The bill now heads to the Senate. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. government ban TikTok? Listen here, then vote. And please share, rate and review this podcast.

Michael talks to Anthony Coley, who formerly headed up public affairs at the Department of Justice and served as Attorney General Merrick Garland's spokesperson. He shares his opinions on special counsel Robert Hur's testimony on the investigation into President Biden's handling of classified documents. Coley believes the testimony got a bit too political. Original air date 13 March 2024.

Special counsel Robert Hur testified before the House Judiciary Committee yesterday on his report into President Biden's handling of classified documents. Questions about the President's mental acuity remain - so Michael asks this Daily Poll Question of you at Smerconish.com Today: Should all recordings of special counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Biden be released? Listen, then vote!

A very sad story out of Texas - Michael talks to Valerie Bauerline who is co-author of an in-depth piece at The Wall Street Journal about the death of a global shipping company executive: Angela Chao was stuck in her Tesla in water and drowned. Listen here for the full story. Original air date 12 March 2024.

Controversy in the UK that has spread around the world: A photo of Princess Kate and her family, released by Buckingham Palace to show she was doing okay after not being in the public eye for months following surgery, was doctored. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question today at Smerconish.com: Should the media have withdrawn publication of a touched-up Princess Kate photograph? Original air date 12 March 2024.

Michael offers thoughts on South Carolina Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace's appearance on ABC's "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos. From the get-go, they went at it over her support of President Trump, given rape allegations and civil court rulings against him. Mace herself is a survivor of rape. Original air date 11 March 2024.

Following up on the State of the Union Address, Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Was it appropriate for President Biden to use the word “illegal” to describe the alleged killer of Laken Riley? Listen to him lay it out, then vote. And, please rate and leave a review of this podcast!

Michael offers a commentary on President Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress. Original air date 8 March 2024.

Michael's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com - listen here for his thoughts, then vote: Agree or Disagree: If ever there were a need for a third- party presidential ticket it is now.

Political Strategist Doug Sosnik goes through his latest memo looking at the 2024 race with Michael. Sosnik is a former advisor to President Clinton and multiple Senators, Governors, and fortune 100 corporations. Original air date 7 March 2024.

President Biden delivers his State of the Union tonight. Ahead of it, your chance to vote on today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com. Listen here as Michael asks: Will President Biden’s SOTU address help, hurt or have no impact on his re-election?

If you don’t believe the 2024 presidential campaign can get any more bizarre or anxiety-inducing, just wait. So says Douglas MacKinnon, a political and communications consultant. He joins Michael to talk about his opinion piece in The Hill, "What if no candidate wins 270 electoral votes?" Mr. MacKinnon was a writer for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and former special assistant for policy and communications at the Pentagon. Original air date 6 March 2024.

The day after Super Tuesday, Michael asks this Daily Poll Question to you at Smerconish.com: Will a strategy of "let Biden be Biden" improve the President's re-election chances? Listen here, then vote!

Michael talks about a compelling op-ed in the Washington Post by Fredrick Kunkle, titled "I’m glad I had a gun. I’m even happier I didn’t use it on an intruder." Original air date 5 March 2024.

On this Super Tuesday, Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Agree or Disagree, Joe Biden remains the Democrats’ best shot? Listen, then vote!

The Supreme Court made a Jan. 6 Trump trial harder — but not impossible. Michael talks to POLITICO Magazine Senior Writer Ankush Khardori, a former federal prosecutor, about his latest analysis piece "The Enormous Pressures About to Land on Judge Tanya Chutkan." Original air date 4 March 2024.

Companies around the world have tried various work models since the COVID-19 pandemic, including remote work, hybrid work, and 4-day work weeks instead of 5, to name a few. (And yes, many have successfully had non-traditional scheduling models even before 2020). So this has Michael asking you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Does a 4-day workweek work? Listen to this podcast, then leave a review and rating, and then vote at Smerconish.com!

Nearly 40,000 migrants have arrived in Denver, Colorado over the past year from the US-Mexico Border. For a city with a population of just over 700,000, that's quite a number. Michael gets the full story from Denver's 9News Anchor Kyle Clark, host of "Next with Kyle Clark" on what's happening in the mile high city. Original air date 1 March 2024.

Decision time is here. With Super Tuesday just days away, Michael asks you today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should No Labels field a third-party ticket? Listen here, vote there.

If he wins a second term, perhaps we’ll finally dispense with the myth that “this is not who we are.” The words of The Atlantic's Mark Leibovich in the January/February issue - listen to his conversation with Michael about the piece "Trump Voters Are America Too." Original air date 13 December 2023.

Talking immigration and border security today. Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which is a more effective way of addressing the border crisis: limiting asylum claims or mass deportation? Listen, then vote!

Wide World of News Founder Mark Halperin checks in the day after the Michigan Primary Election with a 2024 race status check, including thoughts on questions that are not being asked about the health - of both leading candidates - Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Original air date 28 February 2024.

It is one of the main topics at the center of the 2024 presidential race. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Does airing concerns about President Biden's age help or harm the Democrats' chances of holding the White House? Listen to him explain here, then vote.

Don't blame the dogs, blame the people: Michael reflects on an op-ed piece in The Washington Post, authored by former NY Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson, "Don’t blame Biden’s dogs for the blood on the White House floors." Original air date 27 February 2024.

The relationship between the government and social media headlined arguments at the Supreme Court yesterday, which prompts Michael to ask you this Daily Poll Question today at Smerconish.com: Should the law view social media platforms more like newspapers, or telephone companies? Listen here, leave a rating and review on this podcast, then vote!

Brandon Rottingaus is Professor of Political Science and the holder of the Pauline Yelderman Endowed Chair at the University of Houston. Michael talks to him about his new survey of scholars ranking the American Presidents - where Abraham Lincoln remains in the top spot. What about President Biden and Former President Trump? Listen here. Original air date 20 February 2024.

Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Would a criminal conviction ends Donald Trump’s chances of being elected president? Listen to him offer his thoughts, then vote!

After getting up to speed on what's happening at the border, Michael focuses on the other big issue now holding focus in the 2024 election cycle: The Alabama Supreme Court ruling that an embryo is a "extrauterine child." We get expertise from the nation's leading bioethicist, Dr. Art Caplan, and NYU's Langone Medical School. Original air date 23 February 2024.

It is currently the hot-button political issue: border security. This has Michael asking you Today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should there be mass deportations of migrants who entered the U.S. illegally? Listen here, then cast your ballot. And, please rate and review this podcast.

Michael talks to Joe Klein about the New York civil fraud case ruling against former President Trump, which resulted in a $355 million judgement. He wants to see Trump in an orange jump suit, just not for that case. Listen here to why, also written in his Substack piece "The Trials of Trump." Original air date 22 February 2024.