Forward Thinking Politics

Patrick Pfingsten talks about former Assistant FBI Director Andrew McCabe's book tour and accusations against President Trump. Shane Harris from the Washington Post joins us to discuss Trump's unhappiness with Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. We also speak to former Arizona Congressman and radio host J.D. Hayworth on McCabe, the border battle, and his fights with late Sen. John McCain.

Patrick Pfingsten calls out politicians for their hypocrisy on executive actions by President Obama in 2014 and President Trump last week. We're joined by former Obama administration lawyer Sam Berger on Trump's emergency declaration and the status of Obamacare. We're also joined by Patrick Condon from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on Senator Amy Klobuchar's campaign for President.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the "black face" incidents in Virginia politics. We're also joined by former Congressman Heath Shuler of North Carolina to discuss hyperpartisanship, the extreme movement of each party, and race relations.

Patrick Pfingsten breaks down President Trump's second State of the Union speech. We get perspective from both side with RNC National Press Secretary Cassie Smedley and former Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak from Michigan.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the foreshadowing of Howard Schultz's potential 2020 campaign for president as an independent. We're also joined by co-host and executive producer of The Circus on Showtime, Mark McKinnon, to discuss the indictment of Roger Stone and another potential government shutdown in two weeks.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the indictment of Trump associate Roger Stone.  We're also joined by longtime Republican strategist and Stanford University professor Lanhee Chen on the end of the government shutdown, Stone, and the race for 2020.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses how out of touch politicians are to the real impact of the government shutdown. We're joined by former Acting Director of Immigration & Customs Enforcement, John Sandweg, to talk about border security and the steps to solving the crisis.

Patrick Pfingsten talks about the political battle and human impact of the government shutdown. Axios Political Reporter Shannon Vavra reports on the stalemate on Capitol Hill. We're also joined by former Press Secretary to Vice President Pence and Special Assistant to President Trump, Marc Lotter, on the government shutdown and the President's penchant for lying.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the confirmation hearing of Bill Barr to be Attorney General and is joined by former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade to debate some of Barr's positions. We're also joined by Jon Sopel of the BBC on the British parliament's failure to strike a deal on Brexit and what happens next for Prime Minister Theresa May.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the enormity of the FBI counterintelligence investigation into Donald Trump's Russia ties. We're joined by longtime CIA operative and Russian expert John Sipher to discuss Trump's Russia ties and the threats the Putin regime presents to the world.

Patrick Pfingsten is joined in studio by Democratic political operative Peter Hanscom. They discuss our polarized politics and the federal government shutdown. We also talk about Nancy Pelosi's ascension back to the House Speaker's office with San Francisco Chronicle reporter Tal Kopan and former Pelosi Chief of Staff Nadeam Elshami.

Patrick Pfingsten talks about the personal and political stupidity of the partial federal government shutdown. We're joined by Democratic strategist Doug Thornell on the shutdown, the progressive stars of the new Congress, and the growing field in the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. 

Patrick Pfingsten discusses Donald Trump's flaky foreign policy decisions and the resignation of former Defense Secretary James Mattis. We talk to Gabby Orr of POLITICO from the White House on the way the administration is handling the shutdown. We're also joined by David Hoppe, former Chief of Staff to outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan on Ryan's legacy, and Nancy Pelosi's tough job taking control of the House. 

Patrick Pfingsten laments on Donald Trump's strange handling of major public policy issues, including withdrawing troops from Syria and funding for the border wall, all with a little Christmas spirit thrown in. We're also joined by former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh who has turned from Tea Party rabble-rouser to anti-Trump activist. 

The federal government draws closer and closer to a shutdown. Who's to blame? We ask Politico Capitol Hill reporter John Bresnahan. We're also joined by Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporter Molly Beck on Wisconsin Republican efforts to strip the incoming Democrat governor of some of his powers.

Patrick Pfingsten talks about what we know and don't know regarding the Mueller investigation into the President. We break down recent court filings against Michael Cohen, Paul Manafort, and a potential Russian spy with national security lawyer Brad Moss. And a look at potential voter fraud in a North Carolina Congressional district with Ely Portillo of thr Charlotte Observer.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses his memories of George H.W. Bush and how the next generation of leaders can take his lessons to improve our politics. We're also joined by former Bush speechwriter and author of "Character to the Core", Curt Smith, on some of Bush's victories and controversies as President.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the potential shutdown of the federal government over Donald Trump's proposed border wall. In the wake of Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith's runoff victory, we talk about Mississippi politics and politics in the south with former State Senator Merle Flowers, who ran a Super PAC in support of Hyde-Smith. 

Patrick Pfingsten discusses why Donald Trump is considering replacing Mike Pence on the GOP ticket in 2020. We're also joined by former Hillary Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis-Doyle on Clinton's struggles with the electorate, 2020 contenders, and why Democrats in the House should make working with the Trump administration a priority.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses an effort inside the Democratic party aiming to stop Nancy Pelosi at getting another term as Speaker of the House. Orange County Register Reporter Jordan Graham joins us to talk about Democrat gains in the former Republican stronghold. And, we're joined by conservative commentator Matt Lewis on the midterms, Donald Trump, and our political discourse.