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The Axe Files with David Axelrod
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The Axe Files with David Axelrod

Author: The Institute of Politics & CNN

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David Axelrod, the founder and director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and CNN bring you The Axe Files, a series of revealing interviews with key figures in the political world. Go beyond the soundbites and get to know some of the most interesting players in politics.

640 Episodes
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Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has made waves—and won elections—by questioning who gets to be an expert on the needs of everyday Americans. She grew up in Texas and attended Reed College before settling in rural Washington and opening an auto repair shop with her husband. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez joined David to talk about her upbringing as the homeschooled daughter of conservative Evangelical parents, her disdain for “staffer bros” with limited lived experience, the value of being immersed in her community, and what Democrats can learn about the importance of respect in winning—and keeping—voters.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This Thanksgiving, we’re revisiting a conversation with historian and writer Jon Meacham on his book, “And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle.” The book dives deep into Lincoln and the why behind the actions of America’s 16th president, from personal to political. Jon joined David to talk about Lincoln’s anti-slavery roots, what Lincoln can teach us about the current political moment, the moral decisions we face as a country, and what qualities make a great American president. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ep. 602 — Chris LaCivita

Ep. 602 — Chris LaCivita

2024-11-2101:02:321

Chris LaCivita, GOP campaign pro and mastermind behind some of the party’s most ruthless yet effective political ads, says he focuses on a simple mandate—getting his boss elected. In the weeks following his successful stint as co-manager of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, the former Marine joined David to talk about his upbringing in the Pittsburgh area; how his military experience informs his campaign work; what made Trump’s 2024 campaign different from 2016 and 2020; and his take on the impact of trans rights, abortion, and Joe Biden on the 2024 presidential race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Democratic pollster John Anzalone wants voters to know that pollsters are not prognosticators. Instead, they use their findings to help craft strategy and messaging, and John has some advice for the Democratic Party after the 2024 election. He joined David to talk about the over saturation of lower quality polling, the need for Democrats to retool their economic message and focus on the American Dream, what hurt Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, and what Democrats can learn from their deep bench of future leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, The Axe Files reaches a milestone: 600 episodes. For this anniversary show, CNN’s Anderson Cooper sat down with David to talk about the origins of The Axe Files, some of the most memorable moments from the podcast, what David has learned about people and politics through the show, and what David will be watching for on election night.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Charlamagne tha God—born Lenard McKelvey—got his start in radio by chance, but once he started, he was hooked. He now co-hosts The Breakfast Club, a nationally syndicated morning show reaching millions of listeners each month. He talked to David about growing up in a small town in South Carolina, addressing his mental health and how it changed his relationship to his father, working his way up in radio to his current role and what makes The Breakfast Club work, and his thinking on the 2024 presidential election and his frustration with the narrative around Black voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ep. 598 — John King

Ep. 598 — John King

2024-10-1701:02:221

CNN’s John King loves being an anchor, but looking back on the past few presidential elections, he felt he was missing something from inside his Washington, D.C. bubble. So, he decided to get back on the road, traveling from state to state and talking to people on the ground in the lead up to the 2024 election with his All Over the Map project. John joined David to talk about how Donald Trump is using immigration to try to build support in the suburbs, if abortion on the ballot will lead to ticket splitting, Washington’s disconnect from the rest of the country, and where the 2024 election stands today. (For more from All Over the Map, click here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ep. 597 — Ilana Dayan

Ep. 597 — Ilana Dayan

2024-10-1001:00:29

Ilana Dayan, a prominent Israeli journalist, spoke with David last fall, just days after the October 7 massacre in Israel perpetrated by Hamas. One year later, David checked in with Ilana to talk about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s staying power, reporting on Gaza, recognizing the US’s political calculations in its dealings with Israel, the need for both war and diplomacy in the Middle East, and what happens next between Israel and Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has been thinking about the economy since she was a young girl in the working-class neighborhood of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, keenly attuned to how broader economic trends impacted the employment of her neighbors. Once she took her first economics class in college, she was hooked. She has since spent her career moving between academic and government roles, including many years at the Federal Reserve. Secretary Yellen joined David to talk about the barriers women face in finance, the economic implications of immigration, China and tariffs, and why government intervention in the financial system is necessary.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ep. 595 — Kasie Hunt

Ep. 595 — Kasie Hunt

2024-09-2657:11

As a child, journalist Kasie Hunt eagerly awaited the arrival of “Time” magazine each week. She loved current events, which eventually piqued her interest in national security and journalism. She joined David to talk about growing up in a post-war period and watching 9/11 puncture that feeling of safety, covering Jan. 6 as a Capitol Hill reporter, what advice she would give a young campaign journalist, starting a new job at CNN while learning she had a brain tumor, and what she learned from that life-altering experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
At 11 years old, Roger Carstens, already an avid news consumer, was struck by stories of genocide in Cambodia. He resolved that when he grew up, he would work to alleviate human suffering. That mission took him to the Army and jobs in the non-profit sector and government, including his current role as the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. In this job, Amb. Carstens works tirelessly to bring home Americans wrongfully detained across the globe. He talked with David about what keeps him up at night, the importance of entering negotiations with humility, his journey with spirituality, and his focus on the families of the hostages he works to free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ep. 593 — DeMar DeRozan

Ep. 593 — DeMar DeRozan

2024-09-1201:01:24

DeMar DeRozan is a six-time NBA All Star and an Olympic gold medalist. But perhaps the defining legacy of his career will be his decision to speak out about his struggles with depression and mental health. He joined David to talk about growing up in Compton, California, surrounded by both gang violence and a strong, loving family; basketball as an escape; his drive to excel; the importance of speaking out about mental health; and his new book, “Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kamala Harris has “Freedom.” Donald Trump has “God Bless the USA” (and a lot of cease-and-desist letters). What makes for a good campaign song? And why do we respond so viscerally to the ones that work? Audie talks with DJ Cassidy, who DJ'd the DNC Roll Call. And Dana Gorzelany-Mostak, who studies the use of music in political campaigns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has joined David on The Axe Files many times to talk about her life, policy, and politics. With the recent release of her book, “The Art of Power,” the two again met to talk at the University Club of Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. Although they spoke before an audience, it sounded more like a conversation between Pelosi and a roomful of friends as she reflected on the high points of her career, Joe Biden exiting the presidential race, and the importance of protecting the Constitution on Election Day.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to take the stage for the final night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention as the Democratic presidential nominee, we are re-airing a conversation David had with Harris back in 2017. At the time, she was the new senator from California. They sat down to talk about the prospects for criminal justice reform legislation in Congress, why she believes Supreme Court nominees must be approved with 60 votes, her stance on immigration, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ep. 591 — Ezra Klein

Ep. 591 — Ezra Klein

2024-08-1501:05:421

Journalist Ezra Klein has been covering politics for two decades, first as a blogger from his undergrad dorm room and now as an Opinion columnist for The New York Times. He joined David to talk about the current political moment, the role of policy in elections, how Vice President Kamala Harris has stolen the spotlight from former President Donald Trump, why the normal political metaphors don’t fit the 2024 presidential race, and why he thinks Gov. Tim Walz was the bold pick to join Harris on the Democratic ticket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ep. 590 — Don Rose

Ep. 590 — Don Rose

2024-08-0852:571

Much has been said about perceived parallels between this year’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the 1968 convention, hallmarked by a violent response to anti-Vietnam War protestors and an incumbent who announced he would not seek reelection. Few are as qualified to speak on those comparison as Don Rose, a Chicago journalist, political strategist, and activist who was a leader in organizing the ’68 protests. He joined David to talk about 1968 and today, how protests against the war in Gaza could affect the DNC, how focusing on abortion issues may have helped Vice President Kamala Harris’ rise, and his surprise—and delight—at her selection of Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ep. 589 — Audie Cornish

Ep. 589 — Audie Cornish

2024-08-0101:02:22

As a longtime reporter and observer of American politics and culture, Audie Cornish spends her days chronicling and analyzing history as it’s happening. This week, Audie joined David to talk about her own history: growing up in the “messy follow-up of integration” in Boston schools, being raised by immigrant parents, and unexpectedly finding herself on the path to journalism. Audie and David also discussed the state of American politics, how Vice President Kamala Harris is meeting the moment as a presidential candidate, and Audie's CNN podcast, “The Assignment.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After reading about the Navy SEALs in middle school, Rep. Dan Crenshaw was determined to one day join their ranks. After 10 years as a Navy SEAL—including sustaining injuries in an IED explosion that left him with one eye—he was medically retired and turned his attention to serving the country as a legislator. As a Texas Republican, Crenshaw remains staunchly conservative, although he’s not shy about calling out the more fringe elements of his party. Rep. Crenshaw joined David to talk about losing his mother at a young age, the need for tougher immigration laws, the importance of aiding Ukraine, his disdain for Tucker Carlson, and the importance of voting in primaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ohio Sen. JD Vance made news this week when GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump selected Sen. Vance as his running mate. But Sen. Vance didn’t start out a Trump fan. Once a harsh Trump critic, he slowly transitioned to all-out supporter. Sen. Vance spoke with David in 2017 about his life and bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy,” what it was that attracted working class voters to President Trump, and his political opinions on the social and economic difficulties facing everyday Americans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Comments (27)

Kim

yes, I'm surprised that Axelrod had him on. what a cutthroat dude. He believes life begins at conception but what about a woman's life, a trans kids life, an immigrant fleeing drug cartels and violence? Give me a break!

Nov 21st
Reply

Darcie Harris

This man is nearly as disgusting as Trump & his gaggle of degenerates. Notice how he laughs as he describes his most viscious actions. I'm shocked you would waste your time giving him a voice & a platform.

Nov 21st
Reply (1)

C B

Thank you wholeheartedly for sharing your interview of my hero, Dr. Fauci! What a FINE human being!!! The eminent Dr., who dedicated his life to public service, is the LAST person who should have been treated so rudely during the pandemic!

Jun 27th
Reply

Wright Joel

"The Audit" boys absolutely torched you for your dumb master class with the war criminal Karl Rove. You're just another talking pinhead in it for the cash.

Apr 28th
Reply

Jennifer MacKinnon

what a liar and a phony! unbelievable. yeah, sure Trump said walking the corridors of the White House was "humbling" This man is a robot...so mind-numbing boring and dishonest.

Dec 12th
Reply

Teddy

Enjoyed the interview. I have never been able to agree with Ms Cheney politics, but I do enjoy listening to her interviews. I know one thing, don't count her out.

Nov 1st
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Michael Brodie

An outstanding conversation

Sep 22nd
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Mae Arant

Never forgiven rabid Dems for not giving Franken the ethics investigation he deserved. There GOP hated Franken because he didn't play games and called them out directly every time - the Dems played right into their hands and we lost a great Senator.

Aug 25th
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Jennifer MacKinnon

what a rat he was, no matter how he tries to tell it. a criminal.

Jul 17th
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Chip Brady

Why would you want the waste your time and your listeners time with an interview of someone who is the embodiment of "alternative facts".

Jun 30th
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Roland Riopelle

Loved it! Two smart guys talking through the world's intractable problems!

Feb 7th
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Karluigi Marie

Fantastic episode! I really enjoyed listening to Fiona Hills knowledge and experience.

Nov 11th
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Sherry Chase

0

Oct 25th
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Sherry Chase

0

Oct 25th
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gary fowler

Great interview. I'm always impressed when a white American can be honest about white apathy/disinterest regarding equity in the US. it has always been obvious we who live outside of the US. Nothing will change until campaign finance, Citizens United and gerrymandering are corrected.

Jun 26th
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Nellie Fly

The ragin Cajun. I could listen to him read the phone book.

May 8th
Reply (1)

Paul Sorensen

This interview with Andrew Gillum is so uplifting and eye opening. I hope he gets a chance to become part of the 46th president's Whitehouse. His kind of innovative thinking is really needed. Thanks David Axelrod.

Mar 12th
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Diane Grillo

Terrific episode! My head feels like a closet that needs organizing. Now you can enjoy a lighter moment trying to figure out what it is I'm trying to say! I firmly believe that Russia created the whole Vegas movement with Bernie just as they began the Trump movement. I don't know how they knew Americans were dumb enough to completely empty their refrigerators. Who in their right mind would want to implement a country changing system after 4 years of a madman deconstructing 200 years of American accomplishments? Why hasn't even one candidate spoken of the immediate need to rebuild our relationships around the world? Joe Biden is the man for that job. He is also the one with 40 years of fruendly DC relationships. We need to properly staff the WH, replace Ambassadors around the world, find and fix all the deregulations before we can't drink the water and we're all getting cancer from waste dumping again! And Bernie's concern is Medicare for all in a country of over 300 million that he com

Feb 24th
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Andy Weir

still a sore loser lol

Feb 16th
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Fraser Scantlebury

An excellent interview - heard more about Yang's programs here then on any other podcast/news report. Thanks to David and the crew for making this interview available for free.

Dec 7th
Reply