PODCAST · news
Practically Political
by Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, Kurt Bardella
Pragmatism is Patriotism. The goal of Practically Political is to engage and motivate citizens who are fact- and issue-oriented, invite conversation, respect differences of opinion, believe in compromise and put sound policy before partisanship. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or Independent, if your bottom line is to get our government working again to serve the best interests of all Americans, then please join us in making our voices heard. This is not the time to give into hopelessness, anger or despair; it’s a critical opportunity to redefine what democracy really means.
Episodes
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Could Trump Cost Republicans the Senate? JD Vance's 2028 Future
With less than two weeks until the midterm elections, Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis and Kurt Bardella debate the Senate races that could determine control of Congress, the future of the Republican Party and President Trump's influence on the election. The discussion begins with the heated exchange...
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Trump’s Russia Oil Deal, the Midterm Senate Races and the White House Shakeup
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis and Kurt Bardella debate the final three weeks before the midterm elections, with Senate races in Texas, Michigan, Maine and other states drawing attention. They debate whether candidate debates can still sway voters, the clash between Kristi Noem and country music star...
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The Midterm Fight, the GOP’s 2028 Field and Jim Jordan
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis and Kurt Bardella discuss the three-year anniversary of October 7, changing attitudes toward Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. They also discuss concerns about antisemitism and national security. The conversation then turns to the midterms, including the Texas...
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Trump, the Midterm Fight and China
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis and Kurt Bardella debate the remaining weeks ahead of the midterms, whether Republicans can still make a difference in Congress and why some candidates are distancing themselves from President Trump. They also discuss Trump’s role on the campaign trail and whether his...
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Trump’s Global Strategy, AI’s Kill Switch and the Midterm Economy
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis and Kurt Bardella debate America’s role in the world as wars continue in Iran and Ukraine and U.S. allies look to other countries, including China. They discuss NATO and whether the United States is giving up its international influence. The conversation then turns to…
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Trump’s $5,000 Promise, Fetterman and the Iran War
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis and Kurt Bardella break down the biggest moments from the last week, including the Republican midterm convention, which included President Trump’s promise of a $5,000 dividend and whether Americans will ever actually see the money. The conversation turns to Sen. John...
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Trump’s Venezuela Oil Deal and the Republican Midterm Warning Signs
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella take another look at President Trump’s Venezuela oil deal and the questions surrounding who will pay to rebuild the country’s oil infrastructure, whether U.S. oil companies will be willing to invest again and how long it could take Americans to see…
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Could Texas Turn Blue? The Midterm Battlegrounds and Trump
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella are joined by Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha to break down the races shaping the midterms, including whether Texas is becoming more competitive and what James Talarico’s momentum could mean for Ken Paxton. They also look at the upcoming Republican...
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Trump’s Iran Sanctions, Natalie Harp and the Midterm Warning Signs
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella debate whether President Trump’s new sanctions on Iran can work and whether he is willing to put pressure on China and Russia to truly isolate the Iranian regime. They also weigh Trump’s latest fight with Canada and what it means for America’s...
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Trump’s Foreign Policy, Karoline Leavitt’s Replacement and the Problem with Polling
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella break down President Trump’s approach to South Korea, North Korea and America’s alliances, including what an increasingly unpredictable U.S. foreign policy could mean for the country’s role around the world. They also debate the war in Iran, rising…
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Trump's Republican Critics, Iran and Judge Jeanine Pirro
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella discuss Republican senators Bill Cassidy, Thom Tillis, and John Cornyn, whether they have sacrificed ethics for political survival, and why pushing back against President Trump remains so difficult within the Republican Party. The conversation then...
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Michigan's Primary, Anthony Fauci, and Trump's Truth Social Controversy
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella break down Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, including Abdul El-Sayed's rise, what it could mean for the future of the Democratic Party, and whether the race offers an early preview of the 2026 midterm elections. The conversation then turns to Dr....
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Trump's White House Correspondents' Dinner, the Midterms, and the Democratic Party
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella break down President Trump's appearance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, debate whether the event has outlived its purpose, and discuss Trump's relationship with the media. The conversation then turns to the 2026 midterm elections, including...
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Trump's Election Speech, Lindsey Graham's Legacy, and the 2026 Senate Races
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella break down President Trump's latest speech revisiting the 2020 election, debate whether Republicans benefit from continuing to focus on election claims, and discuss what it could mean heading into the 2026 midterm elections. The conversation then…
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Voter ID, Trump's $2.2 Billion, and the Future of Bipartisanship with Ryan Clancy
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella break down this week's political headlines, including the SAVE Act, voter ID, President Trump's reported $2.2 billion fortune, cryptocurrency, and the ongoing debate over Trump and Biden family finances and corruption claims. Later, the hosts are…
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Supreme Court Decisions, Political Change, and the Fourth of July
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella break down the Supreme Court's latest decisions, including birthright citizenship, campaign finance, and presidential appointments. The conversation then turns to this week's primary races, where the trio discusses anti-establishment candidates,...
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Will Trump Leave Office Early? Biden's Return and the Iran Debate
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella debate the latest details surrounding Trump’s Iran negotiations, including the proposed deal, the Strait of Hormuz, the $300 billion incentive package, and whether Iran is emerging from the conflict in a stronger position than before it began. The...
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Gavin Newsom, Trump's Iran Deal, and the Big Beautiful Bill
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella break down the latest controversy involving Gavin Newsom, debate whether Democrats have a clear frontrunner for 2028 and discuss the growing attention around potential candidates including Jon Ossoff and Mark Cuban. The conversation then turns to...
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California Primaries, FISA Reauthorization, and Media Bias
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella break down the latest California primary results, the ongoing debate over election counting, and what the results mean for Steve Hilton, Spencer Pratt, and the upcoming runoff races. The conversation then turns to FISA reauthorization, the debate...
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Iran Negotiations, Ken Paxton, and California Politics
The conversation then turns to America 250, including the plans for the UFC event at the White House, artists backing out of scheduled performances, and the political controversy surrounding the festivities. The group also discusses Ken Paxton’s decisive victory over John Cornyn in the Texas…
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Latino Voters, Texas and California Politics, and America’s Political Realignment
Dave Spencer and Kurt Bardella are joined by political strategist Mike Madrid for a special episode breaking down Latino voter shifts, the growing volatility in Texas and California politics, and why both parties are struggling to connect with frustrated voters heading into the midterms. In this...
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Trump’s $1.776 Billion Slush Fund, Ken Paxton, and the DNC Autopsy
Dave Spencer and Kurt Bardella are joined by special co-host Carrie Sheffield to break down the growing backlash to Trump’s proposed $1.776 billion fund, the political fallout surrounding Ken Paxton’s rise inside the Republican Party, and the debate over what Democrats still are not learning from...
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Gas Prices, Redistricting Battles, and the Democratic Fight for Working-Class Voters
Dave Spencer and co-hosts Kurt Bardella and Ashley Davis are joined by Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha to break down the latest redistricting battles, rising gas prices, shifting voter trends, and the growing frustration voters are feeling heading into the midterms. In this episode, the group...
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Gas Prices, Kash Patel, and the Growing 2028 Republican Fight
Dave Spencer and co-hosts Kurt Bardella and Ashley Davis break down the latest battles over redistricting, rising gas prices, growing questions around Kash Patel’s future at the FBI, and the early conversations shaping the 2028 presidential race. In this episode, the trio debates the fallout from...
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White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting, Gun Policy, and Political Fallout
Dave Spencer and co-hosts Kurt Bardella and Ashley Davis break down the fallout from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and what it says about security, the political response, and whether anything in Washington will actually change. You’ll hear firsthand from Ashley, who was at the...
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Scandal, Power, and a Week of Political Fallout
Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis break down a week of major political fallout, from Eric Swalwell’s exit to broader questions about misconduct, power, and accountability in Washington. In this episode, the trio discusses how the Swalwell controversy is playing out, whether Congress...
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Trump, Iran, and Escalating Rhetoric: What’s Next?
Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis break down the latest political headlines, including the Eric Swalwell controversy, the crowded California governor’s race, and growing tensions around Trump’s Iran strategy and U.S. foreign policy. In this episode, the trio discusses whether…
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Trump Administration Shake-Ups: Bondi's Exit, Iran Strategy, and Cabinet Survival Predictions
Hosts Kurt Bardella, Ashley Davis, and Dave Spencer dissect the latest upheaval in the Trump administration and deliver bold predictions about who's next on the chopping block. You'll discover why Attorney General Pam Bondi's sudden departure may have less to do with her performance and…
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Congressional Dysfunction, Iran Conflict, and the 2026 Midterm Landscape
What happens when government funding deadlines collide with international conflict and looming midterm elections? In this wide-ranging episode of Practically Political, hosts Ashley Davis and Dave Spencer are joined by political strategist Kurt Bardella for a no-holds-barred conversation that…
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DHS Shutdown, Iran War & Texas Senate Race w/ Chuck Rocha
Can a progressive Democrat win statewide in deep-red Texas? And what happens when bipartisan political strategists debate everything from the DHS shutdown to gas prices during an active war? This episode delivers both. You'll discover the inside story of James Tallarico's surprisingly energetic...
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The SAVE Act Showdown & Iran War Debate with Guest Carrie Sheffield
Get ready for a no-holds-barred political showdown that tackles two of the most explosive issues dominating Washington right now. This episode of Practically Political delivers exactly what the show promises: unfiltered debate between sharp political minds who aren't afraid to challenge each...
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Kristi Noem's Downfall, Iran Strike & Trump's Foreign Policy Gamble
In this episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis dive deep into the latest political upheaval in Washington and the escalating tensions in the Middle East. You'll discover the real reasons behind Kristi Noem's dramatic departure from the Department of...
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State of the Union Analysis: Political Theater & Missed Opportunities
In this special check-in episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave, Kurt, and Ashley deliver an immediate post-State of the Union analysis that goes beyond the talking points. If you're looking for honest, bipartisan political commentary that cuts through the noise, this episode delivers…
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Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs: Political Chaos & State of the Union Preview
In this explosive episode, you'll get breaking analysis of the Supreme Court's landmark 6-3 decision declaring Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, and what it means for the economy, Congress, and the upcoming State of the Union address. Key topics you'll explore in this episode: • The Supreme…
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Trump's Election Nationalization Push & Melania's Documentary Success
In this episode of Practically Political, hosts Ashley Davis and Dave Spencer tackle two major conversations dominating the political and cultural landscape: Donald Trump's controversial push to nationalize elections and the surprising success of Melania Trump's documentary. You'll discover an...
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Minnesota Crisis, Shutdown Showdown & 2028 Hopefuls
Hosts Kurt Bardella, Dave Spencer, and Ashley Davis dive deep into the most pressing political issues facing America today—from the fallout of the Minnesota shooting crisis to the high-stakes government shutdown negotiations unfolding in real-time. Why Listen: You'll discover how the political...
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Trump's Greenland Strategy - NATO, National Security & Global Trade
Dave Spencer leads a spirited roundtable discussion on one of the most controversial foreign policy moves of early 2026: President Trump's aggressive push regarding Greenland and its implications for NATO, national security, and America's standing in the world. You'll discover diverse…
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ICE Operations, Insurrection Act & 2028 Election Predictions
Hosts Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella tackle some of the most contentious issues dominating today's headlines. You'll get an unfiltered, cross-partisan discussion about federal law enforcement operations, the potential invocation of historic presidential powers, and what the…
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The Don-Roe Doctrine: Venezuela, Greenland, and the New World (Dis)Order
Welcome to chaos theory with your hosts Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis. This week, the Practically Political crew tackles the biggest question nobody saw coming: What happens when the president decides military operations are the new foreign policy? From the stunning extraction of...
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Polls, Pocketbooks & Putin: A Holiday Reality Check
This week on Practically Political, the gang reunites with a familiar voice—Carrie Sheffield returns for a lively holiday debate that doesn't pull any punches. With Trump's approval numbers hitting historic lows and 75% of Americans feeling the economy is on the wrong track, Dave, Kurt, Ashley…
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When the Defense Secretary Becomes the Liability
Pete Hegseth's disastrous tenure as Defense Secretary takes center stage as Dave, Ashley, and Kurt dissect the growing cracks in his support—even among Republicans. From the Venezuela bombing debacle to throwing an Admiral under the bus, the hosts explore whether Trump's loyalty to his embattled...
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Cracks in the Crown: Is MAGA Fracturing Under Its Own Weight?
Ten months into Trump's second term, the unthinkable is happening—MAGA is showing cracks. Dave, Ashley, and Kurt dive into whether Trump has become a lame duck faster than any president in modern history. From the Epstein files vote defying his wishes to his approval ratings hitting January 6th...
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When Trump's Not on the Ballot: The 2025 Election Wake-Up Call
Day 38 of the government shutdown, and Republicans just got a reality check. Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis break down why the GOP's 2025 election losses prove what everyone suspected: Trump's magic doesn't transfer. From Mikie Sherrill's 13-point blowout in New Jersey to Abigail...
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Shutdown Stalemate: Trump's Overseas Escape While Washington Burns
Day 30 of the government shutdown, and President Trump is halfway around the world. Dave, Kurt, and Ashley dissect the unprecedented absence of a president during a federal shutdown, analyze tight gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, debate whether the Supreme Court will finally check...
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Shutdown Theater: When Government Gridlock Meets Military Pageantry
Dave, Kurt, and Ashley dissect the 22nd government shutdown in 50 years, questioning whether Democrats have a winning strategy or are just setting themselves up for another loss. The hosts debate messaging failures, the Republican advantage in the media ecosystem, and why fighting over future...
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Political Reactions and the Call for Unity
In this episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis discuss the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and its implications for political discourse in America. They explore the reactions from political leaders, the role of social media in radicalization…
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90% Worst Case Scenario: How Trump's Foreign Policy Failures Are Reshaping Global Alliances
Dave Spencer delivers a sobering assessment of the Trump administration's first eight months, rating it at "90% worst case scenario." The hosts break down the spectacular failure of the Alaska summit with Putin, the deteriorating situation in Gaza, and how Trump's tariff wars are driving...
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Texas Exodus, Trump's Numbers Game, and Putin Comes to Alaska
Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis dissect the Texas Democrats' dramatic flight to Illinois over gerrymandering, Trump's alarming purge of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the federal takeover of DC policing. Plus, they preview the high-stakes Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and what…
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The Epstein Files Panic, Fed Chair Showdown & Remembering Hulk Hogan
Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis dive into Trump's desperate attempts to block Epstein document releases, despite years of promoting conspiracy theories about the case. The hosts examine the political fallout, the discharge petition threat in Congress, and what Trump might be hiding....
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Tillis Taps Out: The GOP's Moderate Dilemma & NYC's Socialist Surprise
Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis reunite in person for a spirited discussion on the shifting dynamics of American politics. The trio analyzes Senator Tom Tillis's retirement announcement and what it means for moderate Republicans in Trump's GOP, while exploring whether there's any...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Pragmatism is Patriotism. The goal of Practically Political is to engage and motivate citizens who are fact- and issue-oriented, invite conversation, respect differences of opinion, believe in compromise and put sound policy before partisanship. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or Independent, if your bottom line is to get our government working again to serve the best interests of all Americans, then please join us in making our voices heard. This is not the time to give into hopelessness, anger or despair; it’s a critical opportunity to redefine what democracy really means.
HOSTED BY
Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, Kurt Bardella
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Practically Political have?
Practically Political currently has 147 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Practically Political about?
Pragmatism is Patriotism. The goal of Practically Political is to engage and motivate citizens who are fact- and issue-oriented, invite conversation, respect differences of opinion, believe in compromise and put sound policy before partisanship. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or Independent,...
How often does Practically Political release new episodes?
Practically Political publishes regularly with 147 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Practically Political?
You can listen to Practically Political on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Practically Political?
Practically Political is created and hosted by Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, Kurt Bardella.
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