Trial Balloon - Free Version

Corruption in the “Greatest City in the World.” And who are these "undecided" voters? Links we discussed: Eric Adams IndictedThe Undecided Voters Who Could Decide the ElectionKamala Harris Casts Herself as Pro-Business PragmatistSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's NewsletterTrial Balloon Live

Trump threatens to prosecute his political rivals... Why even a felony conviction won't upend this race... And does the bully pulpit still exist?Links we discussed:Trump Says He Has ‘Every Right’ to Prosecute His RivalsEven a Felony Conviction Likely Won’t Upend This RaceTrump’s Vows Put Rule of Law on the BallotHow Much More Warning Do Voters Need?Democrats Must Make Trump’s Guilty Verdict KnownSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

The Trump trial and the split screen campaign. And Mike Johnson's power is backed by Democrats. Links we discussed:The Split Screen for the Next 6 WeeksTrump Is Already TestifyingTrump Is a Pretty Weak StrongmanBeing Stuck in a Courtroom Is Just What Trump Needed Chaos and OppressionSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Arizona's abortion ruling is a disaster for Trump and Republicans. Stubborn inflation is a problem for Biden and Democrats. Can red states knock Biden off the ballot?Links we discussedTrump Flails on AbortionFed May Not Cut Interest Rates This YearRed States Threaten to Keep Biden Off the BallotSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Does watching Fox News make you less informed? Could the House flip to Democratic control? Does RFK Jr. hurt Biden or Trump more?Links we discussedThose Who Don’t Watch Fox Less Likely to Vote for TrumpDemocrats Need to Be Ready If GOP Loses ControlBiden Holds Small Lead NationallyRFK Jr. the SpoilerSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Which set of candidates were worse — 2016 or 2024? What do the polls really say eight months before the election? Does RFK Jr. matter?Links we discussedThere’s Plenty of Time for Biden to Catch UpDemocracy Dies In Trumpian BoredomWhy RFK Jr. Should Hurt Trump More Than BidenDemocrats Go to War Against Third Party CandidatesSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

The Trumpification of the Republican Party is now complete.Links we discussedMitch McConnell’s Legacy Is Donald TrumpMitch McConnell Surrenders to TrumpMcConnell to Step Down as GOP LeaderTrump Pushes Steve Daines to Run for Senate GOP LeaderJohn Thune Soft Launches Bid for Senate GOP LeaderCornyn Talked to Trump About Running for Senate LeaderSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

No one is replacing Biden on the ticket. Trump takes over the RNC. Democrats get a big win on Long Island. Links we discussedOne in Five Believe Taylor Swift ConspiracyReplacing BidenWhy Trump Needs to Take Over the RNC So QuicklyJon Stewart ReturnsBiden Campaign Joins TikTokSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Trial Balloon celebrates its first year with Taylor Swift. And then we unpack how Joe Biden was handed a gift by Republicans on immigration. Links we discussedTaylor Swift (The GOP’s Version)Lankford’s Make-or-Break Moment on the BorderQuote of the DayBiden Campaign Builds Big Fundraising LeadWhy Trump Needs Nikki Haley Out NowSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Is Donald Trump rolling to the White House or is he in trouble? Democracy and immigration are the toughest issues.Links we discussedCan Anyone Stop Trump’s March to the Nomination?Trump Could Wrap Up Nomination By End of FebruaryEven the Battle for Second Turned Out Well for TrumpTrump Holds Solid Lead Over Biden in GeorgiaSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Should Democrats try to disqualify Trump from the ballot? Or will it backfire?Links we discussed:Trump Set to Appeal 14th Amendment CasesSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Trump's eligibility in question. Rudy's moral bankruptcy leads to his financial bankruptcy. It's too early to worry about the horse race polls. Links we discussed:The Immediate Impact of the Colorado RulingWhat Do Biden’s Poor Numbers Really Mean?Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

The House GOP's majority shrinks further. Donald Trump knew exactly what he was saying. Nikki Haley is number two. Links we discussed:The Inflation DisconnectScared of Chris ChristieSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

We discuss Biden's chances, Trump's retribution, flipping congressmen, ranked choice voting, and our friend in Copenhagen.Some links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

What the 2023 off-year elections mean for 2024. And what Joe Manchin not running for re-election means for Joe Biden.Links we discussed:The Polls Weren’t That BadThe Road to 2024An Off-Year Blue WaveWho Knew Taking Away Rights Was So Unpopular?Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Republicans finally settle on a House Speaker but he wasn't really vetted. Meanwhile, Trump's co-defendants are flipping.Links we discussed:The House Considers Mike JohnsonMike Johnson Is Trump’s Perfect SpeakerThe Speaker Candidates to WatchSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

The political realities of the terrorist attack on Israel and it's not your father's Republican party anymore.Links we discussed:Father Strips Down at School Board MeetingThe Politics of Israel’s ResponseSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Republicans running for president have a debate train wreck while Republicans in the House are about to shut down the government.Links we discussed:Republican MathReaction to the Second Republican DebateSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political Wire -- Get 20% off an Annual MembershipChris Riback's Newsletter

Kevin McCarthy struggles to hang onto his job, while Mitt Romney quits his. Links we discussed:Romney Lets Loose in Exit InterviewImpeachment Probe Changes McCarthy’s MathMcCarthy Dares Conservatives to Oust HimSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

Mitch McConnell’s second freeze means age may be an even bigger factor in next year’s election.Links we discussed:Mark Thompson Helped Steady 2 News Outlets. Can He Do the Same at CNN?Capitol Physician Clears McConnell to Do JobFeinstein Silent in Her Sad and Messy Final ChapterBiden’s Age vs. Trump’s CrimesSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter

We answer some of your questions.  Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter 

How the latest Trump indictment changes the presidential race.A few links we discussed:Donald Trump Indicted AgainWe’re Headed for a One Issue ElectionMy Takeaways from Today’s Indictment Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter 

As the indictments pile up for Trump, we discuss the possible alternatives for the Republican presidential nomination.A few links we discussed:Trump Blots Out the Sun AgainTim Scott Ramps Up Fundraising Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter 

Are the Hunter Biden allegations like the Steele Dossier? What are the contingency plans if Biden (or Trump) is incapacitated before the convention? And remembering Lowell Weicker, the original maverick politician from Connecticut.A few links we discussed:Remembering Lowell Weicker Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

Abortion is now a huge liability for Republicans but a third party presidential candidate could be a huge liability for Democrats.A few links we discussed:Abortion Remains a Potent Issue for Pro-Choice VotersMost Say Repeal of Abortion Rights Bad for CountryMajor Anti-Abortion Group Pushes National BanMislabeledJill Stein Managing Cornel West’s Campaign Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

Kevin McCarthy is losing power quickly. And why so many Republicans are running for president.A few links we discussed:Pence Tries to Thread a NeedleAn Extremely Weak Speaker Some more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign launch on Twitter Spaces had all the appeal of a glitchy conference call. And the debt ceiling looms.Some links:DeSantis Blows Up on the Launch PadThe Headlines Are BrutalDeSantis Flip-Flops on How to Pronounce His Own NameConservatives Rebel Against Emerging DealWho Would Be Blamed for a Debt Default?Debt Ceiling Deal Takes ShapeSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

Donald Trump's town hall and how abortion rights and immigration will play in the suburbs. Some links:Why Team Biden Was ‘Positively Giddy’ Last NightCNN Tried to Make News, Not Cover ItSome Thoughts on Trump’s Town Hall EventSome more links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

We take questions on the debt ceiling showdown, the possibility of a John Roberts power move at the Supreme Court and whether there is a modern day Rosa Parks out there.Some links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

Donald Trump, the Republican Party and Fox News have one thing in common: They're all boxed in. Some links we discuss:How to Make Trump Go AwayTrump Desperately Tries to Run Out the ClockBoxed InOther links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

Before Political Wire and before Chris Riback's Newsletter -- in the very early days of the internet -- there was Political Insider. Meanwhile, an economic civil war has broken out in the states.Links we discussed:Screenshot of Political Insider just after the 2000 presidential election.Other links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter 

We evaluate the odds that a third party "Unity Ticket” might finally break through in 2024. And we look at the Chicago mayoral primary results and what they say about the politics of crime in America. Links for items we discussed:When Sen. Howell Heflin (D-AL) saw this photo of Sen. Ted Kennedy in a boat, he quipped: "Well Teddy, I see you've changed your position on offshore drilling."And a Harvard study: "Democratic mayors have no effect on crime, but do reduce the Black share of arrests for petty crimes."Other links: Taegan Goddard's Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter 

President Biden makes a surprise visit to Ukraine, a grand juror talks too much and Fox News hosts text too much. Other links: Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

We review President Biden's challenge to Republicans at the State of the Union address, the GOP's focus on schools and the power to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy.Links: Political WireChris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra