Battleground with Amanda Litman and Faiz Shakir

By The Recount & iHeartRadio

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Subscribers: 450
Reviews: 3


 Dec 10, 2020


 Sep 17, 2020


 Sep 15, 2020

Description

Battleground is a podcast for people who want answers to questions about politics they didn't even realize they should be asking. Faiz Shakir ran Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, and Amanda Litman founded Run for Something, an organization that recruits and trains young progressives to run for state and local offices. But even after spending their entire professional careers working in politics, the hosts of Battleground still have questions about the ways our political system complicates itself — like, “who decides what the cable news narrative will be on a given topic?”, or “if everyone hates political consultants, why do they always run campaigns?” Listen every Thursday, as Amanda and Faiz try to answer questions like these by speaking to (or debating with) some of the most knowledgeable people in politics.

Episode Date
"How F*cked Are We Regarding Voting Rights?" with Ari Berman
2587
Georgia recently passed one of the most restrictive voting laws in the country, and many Republican-led state legislatures hope to pass similar bills. Amanda and Faiz speak with Ari Berman, a senior reporter for Mother Jones and the author of "Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America," to ask him, "how f*cked are we?" They discuss new Georgia law, its implications for our democracy, and the racist reasoning behind the GOP's historical rationale for limiting the franchise. Then they look forward and examine the Democrats' options for expanding voting rights and their chances of persuading a couple fellow Democrats who are currently standing in the way. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Apr 15, 2021
"Don't Be Afraid" with Amazon Union Organizers Jennifer Bates and Joshua Brewer
2398
As workers in Alabama wait for their votes to be counted in the most consequential union election in recent years, Amanda and Faiz connect with two key organizers to answer the question, "How do you beat the most powerful company in the world?" Jennifer Bates has worked at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, AL since early 2020 and has been a lead organizer in the union drive since September of the same year. She was born and raised in Marion, a small city in Perry County, AL. Some of her interests include singing, reading and motivational speaking. Joshua Brewer, is the director of organizing, for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Mid-South Council. He has been organizing labor in the South since early 2016. Joshua is a husband, a father of three, and a former youth pastor.  Jennifer and Joshua, along with fellow workers and organizers, have been working around the clock in a fight against one of the richest and most powerful companies in human history. In this episode of Battleground, they discuss their strategy, their motivation, and their hopes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Apr 08, 2021
"The Hand Off" with new hosts Amanda Litman and Faiz Shakir
2126
David presides over his final episode as host of "Battleground" and hands over the reigns to our new hosts: Amanda Litman and Faiz Shakir. Amanda is the co-founder of and executive director of Run For Something, which recruits and supports young progressives who want to run for local office. In the past four years, they've helped approximately 500 of them win elections. She's also a seasoned Democratic campaign operative who worked on President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign, Charlie Crist's 2014 gubernatorial campaign, and Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. Faiz Shakir is one of the most experienced progressive strategists in the country. He was a senior advisor to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the political director for the ACLU, and the campaign manager for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. David chats with Amanda and David to find out why they got into politics, what bits of conventional wisdom in progressive politics they'd like to dispel, and how they envision the new version of "Battleground." Their first episode as the hosts of this podcast will premiere on Thursday, April 8th. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Mar 22, 2021
"Politically Savage" with Yamiche Alcindor
2177
Yamiche Alcindor is the White House correspondent for the PBS NewsHour and a frequent contributor on NBC and MSNBC. In 2020, she won the National Association of Black Journalists "Journalist of the Year Award" and the White House Correspondents’ Association's "Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage." Prior to joining PBS, Yamiche was a political reporter for The New York Times, a breaking news reporter for USA Today, and reporter for Newsday in Long Island NY. Yamiche joins David on "Battleground" to discuss the role of white supremacy in American politics, the Covid relief bill, journalism in 2021, and Governor Cuomo's future. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Mar 15, 2021
"Hamilton Saw Mitch McConnell Coming" with Adam Jentleson
2496
Adam Jentleson is the Executive Director of the progressive organization Battle Born Collective, a former deputy chief of staff to Senator Harry Reid, and the author of "Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy." In it, he argues that the filibuster not only runs contrary to the Framers' designs, but that it has created a perverse incentive structure that rewards obstruction by the minority party and significantly lessens the chances of bipartisanship. Adam and David discuss the filibusters origins in white supremacy, its evolution, and why Mitch McConnell will jettison it as soon as he thinks it's convenient. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Mar 01, 2021
"Not a Winsome Argument" with Eugene Scott
2104
Eugene Scott covers identity politics for The Fix at The Washington Post. Even those who use the term derogatorily have to admit that American politics, on both the left and right, is defined by identity. So, we thought who better to talk to than the reporter who's been covering the identity politics beat for years. Before coming to The Washington Post, Scott was a breaking news reporter at CNN. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and Harvard University and was recently a fellow at the Georgetown University Institute of Politics. Eugene is also the host of “The Next Four Years” podcast which is available exclusively on Amazon Music. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Feb 15, 2021
"They Made Up An Entire County" with Marc Elias
2274
Marc Elias is both the founder of Democracy Docket, a platform for information about voting rights, elections, and redistricting, and the Democratic Party’s super-lawyer. During the 2020 election cycle, Marc’s voting rights practice brought over 150 cases in 30 states, totaling over 120 victories in courtrooms around the country. After Election Day, Marc led the charge against Trump’s baseless claims of voter fraud and won 64 times. Steve and David talk to Marc about those cases, the Republican push to pass restrictive voting laws in battleground states around the country, and the role corporations can play in pushing back against the GOP’s march towards autocracy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Feb 08, 2021
"No One Should Have That Much Money" with Rev. James Martin, SJ
2315
Although he is far too humble to admit it, the Rev. James Martin, SJ, is a beacon of moral clarity. He is the editor-at-large of "America" magazine, where he recently published the article "How Catholic Leaders Helped Give Rise to Violence at the U.S. Capitol," a consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, and a best-selling author. His latest book, published this month, is "Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone." Father Martin is also known for delivering the closing benediction at the Democratic National Convention last year and for maintaining a strong and unflinching presence on Twitter. David and Steve talk to Father Martin about the role religion played in the insurrection at the Capitol, the spell Donald Trump seems to have cast over some religious leaders, how to think about forgiveness in context of the insurrection, and the current state of American capitalism. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Feb 01, 2021
"It Is About Race" with Abby Phillip
2244
Abby Phillip is CNN's senior political correspondent, the new anchor of "Inside Politics Sunday," and one of the most astute political reporters on television. She joined CNN after working as a national political reporter for The Washington Post and as a White House reporter for Politico. David and Steve talk with Abby about how the January 6th insurrection should be framed, the role of racism in the Republicans' attempts to overturn the election, and how to report on politics in this age of disinformation. Then, they wrap up the conversation with a short discussion of "Dream Deferred," Abby's upcoming book about Jesse Jackson's presidential campaigns in 1988 and 1984. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Jan 25, 2021
"QAnon: Totally Detached From Reality" with Travis View
2235
Travis View is a writer and researcher who has been reporting on the QAnon conspiracy community for over two years. He is one of the hosts of "QAnon Anonymous" a podcast that has assiduously (and hilariously) chronicled the rise of what is now America's most notorious political conspiracy theory. View has travelled across the country to go to QAnon events, tangled with adherents online, and kept close tabs on them for over 200 episodes. David and Travis talk about the conspiracy, how it affects American politics, why it has such a firm grip on its followers, and what it all means for the future of the country. QAnon Anonymous: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/qanon-anonymous/id1428209307 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Jan 18, 2021
"Bottom of the Moral Scale" with Michael Beschloss
2937
Two days after a violent mob of domestic terrorists incited by Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, disrupted Constitutional proceedings, and murdered a police officer, Steve and David spoke with historian Michael Beschloss. He is a bestselling author, a scholar of leadership, and the perfect guest to help make sense of a profoundly sad day for American democracy – and its aftermath. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Jan 11, 2021
"It's Not Politics, It's Identity" with Jordan Klepper
2347
Jordan Klepper is one of the most compelling political comedians in America and, undoubtedly, one of the comedians who's been to the most Trump rallies. He is best-known for his work as a special correspondent on "The Daily Show." He is also the creator and host of the docu-series, "Klepper," the talk show "The Opposition with Jordan Klepper" and the special, "Jordan Klepper Solves Guns," all on Comedy Central. David and Steve chat with Jordan about Trump's appeal, where his followers go now that his presidency is over, and what it all means for American democracy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Jan 04, 2021
"Ground Zero for Misinformation" with Greg Bluestein
2433
Greg Bluestein is one of the savviest political analysts in the Peach State. He covers the governor's office and state politics for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, co-hosts their podcast "Politically Georgia," and recently moderated the debate between Senator Kelly Loeffler and Raphael Warnock. This week David and Steve call Greg to talk about the unprecedented internecine warfare among Republicans in Georgia, how the political chaos could hurt the state’s economy, and how claims of election fraud are confusing the voters Republicans need to keep the Senate. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dec 21, 2020
"What the Hell Have We Been Through?!" with Carl Bernstein
2248
Carl Bernstein needs no introduction. He, along with his colleague Bod Woodward, broke the Watergate story that eventually led to President Nixon's resignation. He has also written five best-selling books, including "All the President's Men," as well as seminal magazine essays for publications like Rolling Stone and The New Republic. Carl joins Steve and David to chat about America's first "subversive president," share a historical perspective on the threat posed by President Trump, and try to diagnose what ails our democracy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dec 14, 2020
"Democrats Ride the Data Train Into Absurdity" with Dr. Rachel Bitecofer
2514
David and Steve chat with Rachel Bitecofer, a nationally recognized election forecaster and the founder and editor of The Cycle. Rachel rose to prominence after forecasting the "blue wave" that swept the House in the 2018 midterms. The three of them break down the Democrats' disappointing down-ballot performances, parse messaging strategies for the party going forward, and dissect the power of propaganda. Plus, Rachel announces her super PAC, Strike PAC, that she’s co-founding alongside Laurie Spivak. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dec 07, 2020
The Month American Democracy was Poisoned: Listener Q&A
2172
David and Steve take listener questions and tackle topics like: What would Steve do if he was the United States Attorney General? Is it okay to be scared that Trump is attempting a coup? Will outside groups hurt Democrats' chances in Georgia? And more!  As always, David and Steve puts this political moments' stakes into crystal clear relief, and they even manage to discuss their love of scrapple. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Nov 30, 2020
"The Other Side is Feeding Them Jim Crow" with Majority Whip James Clyburn
2333
David and Steve are joined by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn – the South Carolina Congressman whose endorsement of Biden, back in February, revived his campaign and signaled to the Democratic Party that it was time to stop playing the field and settle down with a dependable nominee. David and Steve ask Congressman Clyburn about divisions in Congress, how Biden should use the executive order, and the post-election autopsy gripping the Democratic Party. They also discuss Rudy Giuliani’s failing coup crusade, question why the G.O.P. still won’t take a stand for democracy, and conduct a lightning round quiz to see how far they think Trump and his cronies are willing to subvert America's democracy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Nov 23, 2020
"This is Crazy and Should Stop!" with Mike DuHaime
2254
While Trump continues to tweet unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, and top Republican officials lie on his behalf, there are still a few Republicans left who aren't willing to play along. One of those is Mike DuHaime, a former Political Director of the Republican National Committee who also served in senior positions for George W. Bush, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Chris Christie. Maybe it's because he's from New Jersey (and New Jerseyans don't let themselves get pushed around) but he's calling out the Republican refusal to accept the election results for what it is: wrong. Steve, David and Mike get into: why so many citizens believe Trump's ridiculous claims, what Republican officials are so afraid of, the psychology behind the politician-for-life mentality, and much, much more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Nov 16, 2020
Post-Election Recap
1979
In the first episode of "Battleground" since President-elect Biden was projected to win 270 electoral college votes, David and Steve take a moment to reflect on how the election unfolded and what may lie ahead. They discuss the infamous Four Seasons Total Landscaping press conference, the purgatorial interregnum we face until Inauguration Day, the ongoing pandemic, the stakes of the Georgia Senate races, and more. And, in a few weeks, "Battleground" is dedicating an entire episode to answering your questions. So, if there’s something you’ve been dying to ask Steve or David, tweet your question to @TheRecount and use the hashtag #Battleground! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Nov 09, 2020
The Recount's Election Bonus Episode
4363
For the first time ever, all four of The Recount podcast hosts team up for a bonus episode. Jennifer Palmieri, host of "Just Something About Her," David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt, hosts of "Battleground," and John Heilemann, Executive Editor of The Recount and host of "Hell & High Water," discuss the collision of expectations and reality, poll trouble, what may have held Democrats back from bigger wins, and what's next for the country. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Nov 07, 2020
Matthew Dowd, Joel Benenson, and the Election Aftermath
2204
In the final episode of Battleground before Election Day, David and Steve discuss the banality of evil and its most recent mascot, the previously anonymous Miles Taylor. Then, they’re joined by two all-star pollsters: Joel Benenson, CEO of the Benenson Strategy Group and the lead pollster for the Obama '08 and '12 campaigns and Matthew Dowd, Chief Political Analyst for ABC News and formerly the chief strategist for George W. Bush. They dive into voter enthusiasm, the wasted potential of incumbency, Trump’s “ant trail” path to victory, why 2020 is not 2016, and the aftermath of the election in America's splintered media ecosystem. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Nov 02, 2020
Stuart Stevens and James Carville
2369
This week on Battleground, David and Steve are joined by former Republican strategist and media wizard Stuart Stevens and the Ragin’ Cajun himself, James Carville. They take a bird's-eye view of the election which includes but is not limited to: trying to fix the Democrats' attitude problem, evaluating Trump’s electorate woes, and sussing out Southern senate races. Finally, what do you get when two Democrats and two ex-Republicans try to figure out the future of the Republican Party? Listen to find out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Oct 26, 2020
Pennsylvania, Texas and the Suburban Backlash
2311
In 2016, Pennsylvania was considered part of Hillary Clinton’s “blue wall.” The thought was that, together, the Keystone State, Wisconsin and Michigan would vote Democrat and prevent Trump from winning the White House. Four years later, David and Steve talk to Democratic strategist Bill Hyers about why Pennsylvania crumbled and how 45’s chances look this time around. Hyers was named “Campaign Manager of the Year” by the American Association of Political Consultants after he engineered Bill de Blasio's come from behind victory in 2013. He ran Michael Nutter’s successful 2007 campaign for Mayor of Philadelphia, was the Pennsylvania State Director for Obama’s 2012 campaign, and worked on Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman’s very first campaign in 2018-19. Today, as a partner at The WIN Company, he’s working on campaigns across the country, including state races in Pennsylvania and Texas. In this episode of Battleground, he breaks down the Dems' chances in Pennsylvania and Texas, and explains why he's so bullish on Biden. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Oct 19, 2020
Dave Wasserman
2372
Two months before the 2016 election, House Editor of the Cook Political Report and self-described “numbers junkie,” Dave Wasserman penned a prophetic piece for The New York Times titled “How Trump Could Win the White House While Losing the Popular Vote.” Four years later, he’s putting the battleground in Battleground by taking David Plouffe & Steve Schmidt on an in-depth tour of the states, and even counties, that could decide the 2020 election. But first, our hosts talk about the plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer, President Trump’s determination to mishandle the Covid crisis in his own White House and across the nation, and whether it’s too late for Senate Republicans to get off the Trump train before it derails.  Dave Wasserman’s 2016 National Popular Vote Tracker: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/133Eb4qQmOxNvtesw2hdVns073R68EZx4SfCnP4IGQf8/htmlview Dave Wasserman’s Swingometer: https://cookpolitical.com/swingometer?politicalwire Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Oct 12, 2020
Arizona: The Replacement State
2505
David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt break down Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis and the first presidential debate. Then, they're joined by Representative Raquel Terán, who was elected in 2018 to the Arizona State House to represent the people of Central West Phoenix and Downtown Glendale in Maricopa County. Before winning elective office, Rep. Terán was Political Director for Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Director of Mi Familia Vota, a nonprofit devoted to building Latino political power, and Campaign Director for I Stand with Planned Parenthood. She joins David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt to discuss Covid-19, the Latino vote, and how the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett could affect the race in the Grand Canyon State. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Oct 05, 2020
SCOTUS Fight & Debate Fright
2396
David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt are joined by Nicolle Wallace, NBC News political analyst and host of MSNBC’s “Deadline: White House,” and Stephanie Cutter, Program Executive of the Democratic National Convention and previously the Deputy Campaign Manager for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, to discuss the first 2020 presidential debate and upcoming Supreme Court nomination. The Battleground team analyzes Biden versus Trump in temperament and tactical skill ahead of this week’s debate, peaceful transitions of power and what it would take to stop a Supreme Court confirmation before Election Day. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Sep 28, 2020
Florida: The Checkmate State
2416
David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt are joined by Rick Wilson and Steve Schale, two of the top political strategists in the Sunshine State, and they discuss the ultimate electoral battleground – Florida. The quartet dissects the Trump and Biden strategies in Florida, puzzles over the Trump campaign's shocking ability to squander money and ponders the horrors that await the nation in a post-Trump world where disaffected, MAGA conspiracy theorists refuse to accept the legitimacy of the election. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Sep 21, 2020
The Existential Election
1634
In the first episode of Battleground, David Plouffe and Steve Schmidt dissect the upcoming presidential contest – the most important election America has faced since 1864. The two former foes turned friends discuss Biden's chances in Florida and Pennsylvania, Trump's attempts to turn Minnesota and Nevada into battlegrounds, Biden's appeal to blue collar voters and Trump's ability to expand the electorate. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Sep 14, 2020
Introducing: Battleground with David Plouffe & Steve Schmidt
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Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Sep 01, 2020