How to Win 2024

After Tuesday’s Vice-presidential debate, viewers were left feeling some nostalgia from debates past: heavy on policy, politeness, and comity. This week, Claire McCaskill is joined once again by her friend and former Senate colleague Heidi Heitkamp. They tick through the particulars from a relatively genial debate, and while it won’t likely move the needle much, it exposed the two distinct faces of JD Vance. Then, former Obama chief strategist David Axelrod stops in to shed some light on what the Harris-Walz team should be laser-focused on in the final month of the campaign. And lastly, Heidi and Claire sift through three important stories emerging that could influence November, and how to navigate the impact of the stuff you can’t control in any campaign.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz made the cases for their respective running mates in a vice-presidential debate hosted by CBS Tuesday night. Listen to the full debate here, along with analysis by Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace, Joy Reid, Ari Melber, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O’Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, and Jen Psaki, plus Alex Wagner’s live coverage from the spin room. And visit msnbc.com for more coverage in the lead up to the election.

With 40 days to go and voters paying attention, Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are vying for the upper hand when it comes to their plans for the economy and border security. Former Senator Claire McCaskill distills who has the winning arguments with her co-host this week, former chair of the RNC and co-host of MSNBC’s The Weekend, Michael Steele. The duo then get some insights into the integrity of our election process and why we should all feel good about the safety and security of the vote, with Benjamin Hovland, Chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. And before wrapping up, Claire and Michael explain why late September is the season for opposition research dumps, with some notable examples in North Carolina, Maryland and Ohio.  Further reading: As Claire mentioned, here is a Harris-Walz campaign fact sheet on their economic plan.  Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle sat down with Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh Wednesday night for an exclusive interview. It’s the VP’s first solo network interview since she became the Democratic nominee for president and comes just six weeks before election day. Listen to the full interview here and visit msnbc.com for more coverage in the lead up to the election.

After Sunday’s second apparent assassination attempt, former Senator Claire McCaskill and former Harris senior advisor Symone Sanders Townsend reflect on the volatility of the moment, and the importance of taking down the temperature, while not shying away from calling out incendiary comments intended to stoke the flames. Then, the co-founder of Men4Choice, Oren Jacobson, joins the dynamic duo to break down his mission to reframe reproductive choice from being a ‘women's issue’ to one that men fiercely advocate for as well. And lastly, as November inches closer and polls are dropping daily, a natural anxiety is ramping up among both campaigns. Claire and Symone dispense some wisdom on how to think about these snapshots that represent a moment in time.

On the fourth and final episode of our “The Threat of Project 2025” series, Chris Hayes speaks with Grist climate reporter Zoya Teirstein for her take on Project 2025’s impact on climate and the environment, especially in communities already suffering from climate-related catastrophes. Then, Dr. Vernon Morris, a professor of chemistry and atmospheric sciences at Arizona State University, shares his experience working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the important work at stake should NOAA be dismantled by this conservative agenda. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

On the third episode of “The Threat of Project 2025,” Jen Psaki speaks with the ACLU’s Deputy Director for Transgender Justice, Chase Strangio, to discuss Project 2025’s specific language against LGBTQ+ people and how its policies aim to criminalize trans existence. Then, a look at the real-life consequences for trans people and their families who have been displaced due to restrictive bans on gender-affirming care as Jen speaks to Debi Jackson, a mom who’s been fighting for the safety of her child.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

67.1 million people tuned in Tuesday night to see how Vice President Kamala Harris’ vision for America would contrast with former President Donald Trump’s. And, by all accounts, she met the moment. This week, former Senator Claire McCaskill is joined by MSNBC political analyst Elise Jordan to talk about what the Cheney's and Taylor Swift have in common, and Harris’ need to get specific on her economic message to sway those still undecided voters. Then: Harris campaign senior advisor and spokesperson Adrienne Elrod shares the inside scoop on how the campaign team viewed the vice president’s debate performance and what they are focused on in this final sprint to November. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

We’re thrilled to share a mashup of our MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024 event that we recently held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The whole day was a celebration of you, our viewers and listeners. It was the first of its kind in-person, interactive experience. We so enjoyed meeting so many of you. But if you couldn’t join us in person, you’re in luck – we’re sharing key conversations in this episode. For more, be sure to check out our TV special airing Saturday, September 14th at 9 p.m. ET. For your reference, here are timecodes for the sessions included here:Claire McCaskill, Jen Psaki, and Andrea Mitchell 0:01:30-0:31:23Chris Hayes & Kate Shaw 0:31:36-0:51:20Andrew Weissmann & Ari Melber 0:51:25-1:12:53Rachel Maddow & Lawrence O’Donnell 1:13:13-1:45:45

It’s been a mere three months since President Joe Biden went up against former President Donald Trump in what would be his last presidential debate. Now, Vice President Kamala Harris faces off in a heated debate against the former president as each make their case to voters ahead of the 2024 election. The debate was hosted by ABC and held in Philadelphia. Listen to the full debate here, along with post-game coverage by Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O’Donnell, and Nicolle Wallace.Plus, Governor Tim Walz calls in to reflect on Harris’ performance, and he reacts to the Taylor Swift endorsement that came on the heels of the debate. Visit msnbc.com for more coverage in the lead up to the election.

On this second episode of “The Threat of Project 2025,” Joy Reid speaks with theGrio’s Michael Harriot on how the history of segregation in education has echoes today, and how Project 2025 is part of that legacy. Then, a look at how educators, like Dr. Marvin Dunn at Florida International University, are making sure students are properly educated in the face of restrictive policies. And Texas Representative Hugh D. Shine fights against members of his own party in the debate on vouchers and funding for public schools. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

Under a second Donald Trump presidency, The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 would provide a blueprint for carrying out extreme policies. But in many parts of the country, these restrictive policies are already in effect and Project 2025 would simply expand these threats to multiple facets of American life. In this first episode of How to Win’s series, “The Threat of Project 2025,” Ali Velshi unpacks the alarming agenda for reproductive rights, including the criminalization of mailing abortion pills and eliminating the Department of Health and Human Services. Ali speaks with Amanda Zurawski, who nearly lost her life when she was denied an emergency abortion in Texas, and Georgetown law professor Dr. Michele Goodwin highlights the history of policing women’s reproductive rights, underscoring the broader threat to American democracy. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.

Note: due to a tech error, there was a mixup in the feed. If you're hearing an older 2 hour + episode, please remove the download and refresh your podcast feed.The Harris-Walz team is firing on all cylinders heading into a final campaign blitz with two months to go. This week, MSNBC host and Vice President Harris’ former senior advisor Symone Sanders Townsend joins former Senator Claire McCaskill for an insiders’ take on the vice president’s tireless campaign strategy, in contrast with the meandering, sometimes incoherent rally speeches Donald Trump has been delivering this cycle. Then, California Senator Laphonza Butler stops in to talk about the evolving labor movement and a working-class economy being central to Harris’ pitch. Lastly, Symone and Claire preview next Tuesday’s high-stakes debate, from two women who have been in the room, prepping for debates past.And check back with us on Monday, September 9th for the first two episodes of our new mini-series “The Threat of Project 2025”. We’ll dive into abortion rights and education with Ali Velshi and Joy Reid. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows. 

Claire McCaskill welcomes former Pennsylvania Congressman Charlie Dent as her co-host this week. Together, they lay out a framework for how to reach the battleground state of Pennsylvania. Then, Trymaine Lee, MSNBC correspondent and host of the podcast Into America joins to discuss how Black male voters are feeling about the candidates this election; and how, if it all, their voices are represented within the major parties. Then, a look ahead at tonight’s CNN interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, her first as the Democratic nominee. And we’ll wrap up with a conversation on the future of the Republican Party. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.And be sure to grab your tickets for MSNBC Live Democracy 2024 on Sept 7th! Join fellow fans and viewers for an event connecting you with MSNBC's most trusted hosts and experts. Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Lawrence O’Donnell, and many more. 

The energy and enthusiasm of this week was infectious, but with the fanfare of the Democratic National Convention in the rearview, the campaign is gearing up for the battle to come. The Bulwark’s Tim Miller joins former Senator Claire McCaskill to reflect on their favorite moments of the week, as they talk through strategies the vice president should consider as she moves forward with momentum well earned. Then, Harris-Walz campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond stops by for some perspective from inside the campaign.   Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows. 

Democrats are looking ahead as they close out the 2024 Democratic National Convention and gear up for the presidential election. The final night, titled“For Our Future,” focused on gun violence and promises for change. And all eyes were on the Vice President as she made history. The first Black woman and first Asian American person to accept a major party’s nomination for president, she delivered a momentous speech, introducing herself and promising to campaign for all American people. Listen to key moments of MSNBC’s special coverage led by Ari Melber, Joy Reid and Alex Wagner live from Chicago plus analysis from Rachel Maddow and the rest of the MSNBC team. Visit msnbc.com for more coverage in the lead up to the election.

The Obamas came out swinging Tuesday night, and the momentum continued on night three of the Democratic National Convention, aptly themed “A Fight for Our Freedoms.” The evening was also a chance for voters to get acquainted with vice presidential nominee, “Coach” Tim Walz, a relative unknown to many Americans. Speakers for the night included Oprah Winfrey, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Former President Bill Clinton, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and capped by the vice presidential nominee himself. Listen to key moments of MSNBC’s special coverage led by Ari Melber, Joy Reid and Alex Wagner live from Chicago plus analysis from Rachel Maddow and the rest of the MSNBC team. Visit msnbc.com for more coverage in the lead up to the election.

The Democratic National Convention continued in Chicago as delegates held a ceremonial roll call vote to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Night two focused on “A Bold Vision for America’s Future," with speeches from former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Listen to key moments of MSNBC’s special coverage led by Ari Melber, Joy Reid and Alex Wagner live from Chicago plus analysis from Rachel Maddow and the rest of the MSNBC team. Visit msnbc.com for more coverage in the lead up to the election.

The Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago Monday after delegates united behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee in a formal virtual roll call earlier this month. Night one of the convention focused on President Biden’s “leadership and legacy" and featured remarks from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, first lady Jill Biden, and culminated with a speech from the president himself. Listen to key moments of MSNBC’s special coverage led by Ari Melber, Joy Reid and Alex Wagner live from Chicago followed by analysis from Rachel Maddow and the rest of the MSNBC team. Visit msnbc.com for more coverage in the lead up to the election.

Despite a party-wide effort urging Trump to pivot to policy, he just can’t seem to muster the discipline to talk about any issues. And for two former Senators who know the focus it takes to win a competitive race, it’s wild to watch. This week, former Senator Claire McCaskill’s Senate colleague Heidi Heitkamp joins her as guest-host. After weighing the latest musings from JD Vance’s audio vault, the two ‘post-menopausal grandmas' remind him that older women are still able to vote. Claire also asks Heidi to give some perspective on the unique opportunity the Harris-Walz team has to reach rural voters. Then, Cook Political Report’s Dave Wasserman stops by for a deep dive into the latest Harris-Trump polling, how to understand the margin-of-error in a given sample, and how the down-ballot races are shaping up after the shift to the vice president's candidacy. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. As a subscriber you’ll also be able to get occasional bonus content from this and other shows.