WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch
- Episodes
- 600
- Released
- daily
- Latest episode
- Nov 14, 2026
About the podcast
From the award-winning opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal, Paul Gigot, Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Kyle Peterson discuss the latest from Washington. Get critical perspective and the analysis you need on developments from the nation’s capital. Join them every weekday. Send your feedback to [email protected]
Episodes 600
Democrats Prepare for Leadership Battles in the House and Senate
Chris Van Hollen announces he will challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate Majority Leader, while Hakeem Jeffries eyes an uncertain path to Speaker of the House. Plus, can Jim Jordan provide optimism for Republicans …
Show notes
Chris Van Hollen announces he will challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate Majority Leader, while Hakeem Jeffries eyes an uncertain path to Speaker of the House. Plus, can Jim Jordan provide optimism for Republicans as House Minority Leader?
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The Fall of Jensen Huang
Jensen Huang resigns as CEO of Nvidia after stories of his affairs with an employee and an alleged Chinese spy. What's the fallout from this episode for the company, American tech, the U.S. competition with …
Show notes
Jensen Huang resigns as CEO of Nvidia after stories of his affairs with an employee and an alleged Chinese spy. What's the fallout from this episode for the company, American tech, the U.S. competition with China, and the Trump Administration?
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Pete Hegseth, 1; House Democrats, 0
House Republicans hang together to table an attempt to impeach the defense secretary, after 11 Democrats miss a crucial vote. Plus, what does Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair mean for the U.S. relationship with …
Show notes
House Republicans hang together to table an attempt to impeach the defense secretary, after 11 Democrats miss a crucial vote. Plus, what does Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair mean for the U.S. relationship with China?
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Jim Jordan Is the House GOP’s Next Leader / California’s Wealth Tax Fails, for Now
After Speaker Mike Johnson bows out, Republicans pick a new leader, skipping Steve Scalise. Plus, California's Prop. 40 wealth tax loses, Elon Musk's spending shows money can’t buy elections, and the Supreme …
Show notes
After Speaker Mike Johnson bows out, Republicans pick a new leader, skipping Steve Scalise. Plus, California's Prop. 40 wealth tax loses, Elon Musk's spending shows money can’t buy elections, and the Supreme Court considers administrative judges.
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What Can Congress Get Done in Its Lame-Duck Session?
Republicans reconvene after the election for a last hurrah for their majority. Can they pass permitting reform and a reconciliation budget bill for defense? Anything else? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz …
Show notes
Republicans reconvene after the election for a last hurrah for their majority. Can they pass permitting reform and a reconciliation budget bill for defense? Anything else?
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Trump Fires Susie Wiles, Schumer Vows No ‘Right-winger’ Justices, and More Midterm Fallout
After the GOP's grim election, Trump names a new chief of staff: Stephen Miller, who designed the policies that voters just repudiated. Plus, as Chuck Schumer draws a line on Supreme Court nominees, are …
Show notes
After the GOP's grim election, Trump names a new chief of staff: Stephen Miller, who designed the policies that voters just repudiated. Plus, as Chuck Schumer draws a line on Supreme Court nominees, are Justices Alito and Thomas in for a long haul?
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It’s the War, Stupid? / Trump’s Next Steps in Iran
Vice President JD Vance blames the big GOP shellacking on the unpopular war with Iran. Is he right? And will the President now try to strike a deal with the Iranian regime, keep up the blockade or start a new …
Show notes
Vice President JD Vance blames the big GOP shellacking on the unpopular war with Iran. Is he right? And will the President now try to strike a deal with the Iranian regime, keep up the blockade or start a new round of military strikes?
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A Generational Win for Democrats Sends the GOP Reeling
Democrats win one of the biggest midterm election victories in decades, sweeping Republicans out of the House and securing the Senate majority. What's behind this epic Republican loss and how does Donald Trump …
Show notes
Democrats win one of the biggest midterm election victories in decades, sweeping Republicans out of the House and securing the Senate majority. What's behind this epic Republican loss and how does Donald Trump respond?
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Republicans Brace for a Blue Wave / The Supreme Court’s Case on Religious Schools, Again
After President Trump's closing argument talks up his D.C. renovations, what message might voters send? Plus, the Justices debate whether Colorado can deny money to Catholic preschools unless they enroll …
Show notes
After President Trump's closing argument talks up his D.C. renovations, what message might voters send? Plus, the Justices debate whether Colorado can deny money to Catholic preschools unless they enroll families who oppose them on sex and gender.
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Haley Stevens’s Surprise Senate Endorsement in Michigan
Democrat Haley Stevens shocks her party by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers instead of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. What does her reversal say about a rift among Democrats, and should both parties be concerned …
Show notes
Democrat Haley Stevens shocks her party by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers instead of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. What does her reversal say about a rift among Democrats, and should both parties be concerned about a rise in antisemitism?
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The Ballot Measures: Taxes, Voter ID and Abortion, Plus Plenty of Odds and Ends
Voters will consider nearly 150, including: Will California or Colorado raise taxes, while getting voter ID? Will Virginia and Missouri have abortion in their constitutions? Will Arizona ban traffic cameras? …
Show notes
Voters will consider nearly 150, including: Will California or Colorado raise taxes, while getting voter ID? Will Virginia and Missouri have abortion in their constitutions? Will Arizona ban traffic cameras? And how about Idaho's official state gun?
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The Key Senate Races to Watch on Election Night
Control of the Senate rests on a handful of races, mostly in GOP-leaning states such as Alaska, Texas, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio. Can Republicans survive the undertow of Donald Trump's unpopularity to hold a …
Show notes
Control of the Senate rests on a handful of races, mostly in GOP-leaning states such as Alaska, Texas, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio. Can Republicans survive the undertow of Donald Trump's unpopularity to hold a majority?
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Bibi Survives / A Delectable Cheesecake Factory Fight
Benjamin Netanyahu overperforms the polls in this week's election, though it isn't clear he can form a government. Plus, an ugly antisemitic ad in Michigan and Barack Obama's swipe at American cheesecake …
Show notes
Benjamin Netanyahu overperforms the polls in this week's election, though it isn't clear he can form a government. Plus, an ugly antisemitic ad in Michigan and Barack Obama's swipe at American cheesecake.
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Israel Votes, Weighing the Leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu
The country's first election since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre is a referendum on the prime minister, but challenger Gadi Eisenkot says he's equally as tough. Plus, Brazil's Lula da Silva wins again, and Maria …
Show notes
The country's first election since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre is a referendum on the prime minister, but challenger Gadi Eisenkot says he's equally as tough. Plus, Brazil's Lula da Silva wins again, and Maria Corina Machado returns to Venezuela.
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Will the Midterms Show Shifting Coalitions for Democrats and Republicans?
Paul Gigot speaks with political scientist Ruy Teixeira about what could happen to moderate voices in the Democratic party if progressives succeed in the midterms, and what the potential results could mean for …
Show notes
Paul Gigot speaks with political scientist Ruy Teixeira about what could happen to moderate voices in the Democratic party if progressives succeed in the midterms, and what the potential results could mean for the Trump coalition in 2028.
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Justice Elena Kagan’s Gerrymandering Fix Is to Put Judges in Charge
Two weeks before the midterms, Justice Kagan accuses the Supreme Court of undermining democracy. But how much will gerrymandering help the GOP, and can't voters solve it? Plus, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall favors …
Show notes
Two weeks before the midterms, Justice Kagan accuses the Supreme Court of undermining democracy. But how much will gerrymandering help the GOP, and can't voters solve it? Plus, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall favors a giant Social Security tax increase.
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Races in Minnesota and Michigan May Decide Senate Control
Abdul El-Sayed will test whether a Bernie Sanders Democrat can win in a swing state, while Republicans hope Michele Tafoya can pull off an upset in liberal Minnesota. Plus, the controversy over Vivek …
Show notes
Abdul El-Sayed will test whether a Bernie Sanders Democrat can win in a swing state, while Republicans hope Michele Tafoya can pull off an upset in liberal Minnesota. Plus, the controversy over Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring opponent Amy Acton's mother.
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Closing Arguments in the Texas Senate Race
The Journal’s Jack Butler joins the show to debrief a reporting trip to Texas and how James Talarico is wooing Republican voters who aren’t warm to Ken Paxton. Plus, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby endorses a …
Show notes
The Journal’s Jack Butler joins the show to debrief a reporting trip to Texas and how James Talarico is wooing Republican voters who aren’t warm to Ken Paxton. Plus, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby endorses a wealth tax grab and new death taxes.
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A Trump, Xi and Putin Summit?
President Trump doesn't rule out meeting with China and Russia as he ratchets up the pressure on Ukraine. Global View columnist Walter Russell Mead joins the show to unpack the larger thinking behind Trump's …
Show notes
President Trump doesn't rule out meeting with China and Russia as he ratchets up the pressure on Ukraine. Global View columnist Walter Russell Mead joins the show to unpack the larger thinking behind Trump's latest flurry of diplomacy.
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Donald Trump Moves Closer to an Alliance With Russia
The U.S. President escalates his strategy to end the Russia-Ukraine war by putting pressure only on Ukraine. Plus, what's behind the riots in France? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See …
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The U.S. President escalates his strategy to end the Russia-Ukraine war by putting pressure only on Ukraine. Plus, what's behind the riots in France?
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California’s Prop. 40 Wealth Tax and the Economic Stakes
It's pitched as a one-time 5% retroactive tax on billionaire wealth, but money is already fleeing California in response, which is why Gov. Gavin Newsom backs Prop. 42 to nullify it. Plus, the latest inflation …
Show notes
It's pitched as a one-time 5% retroactive tax on billionaire wealth, but money is already fleeing California in response, which is why Gov. Gavin Newsom backs Prop. 42 to nullify it. Plus, the latest inflation report shows prices up 3.7% in a year.
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Can Alaska Save the Senate Majority for Republicans?
Sen. Dan Sullivan says the road to a Republican majority in the Senate goes through Alaska, but can he overcome a challenge from not just Mary Peltola, but also the confusion caused by ranked choice voting and …
Show notes
Sen. Dan Sullivan says the road to a Republican majority in the Senate goes through Alaska, but can he overcome a challenge from not just Mary Peltola, but also the confusion caused by ranked choice voting and “Decoy Dan” Sullivan?
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A Starlink Slowdown in Ukraine?
Ukraine says its satellite data is being throttled and hamstringing the country’s ability to defend against Vladimir Putin. Plus, NATO’s top military commander unveils a plan to defend the alliance in the event …
Show notes
Ukraine says its satellite data is being throttled and hamstringing the country’s ability to defend against Vladimir Putin. Plus, NATO’s top military commander unveils a plan to defend the alliance in the event Putin widens his war.
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Could Texas Turn Blue, and South Carolina, Too?
Sen. Darline Graham avoids another serious debate misstep, but recent polls show her only a point ahead of Democrat Annie Andrews. Plus, the GOP spends millions to try to save Ken Paxton in Texas, as the press …
Show notes
Sen. Darline Graham avoids another serious debate misstep, but recent polls show her only a point ahead of Democrat Annie Andrews. Plus, the GOP spends millions to try to save Ken Paxton in Texas, as the press publishes more damaging leaked recordings.
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Donald Trump’s ‘Diesel Deal’ and ‘Energy Ceasefire’
Donald Trump looks to end the Russia-Ukraine war by making a fuel deal with Vladimir Putin, and calls for an energy ceasefire. Plus, Donald Trump says he may resume a military campaign against the Houthis after …
Show notes
Donald Trump looks to end the Russia-Ukraine war by making a fuel deal with Vladimir Putin, and calls for an energy ceasefire. Plus, Donald Trump says he may resume a military campaign against the Houthis after the Riyadh airport bombing.
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Senate Candidates Debate: Medicare for All, Tariffs, Iran and Social Security
What did voters learn from TV showdowns in Michigan, Maine and Iowa? Republicans are on defense about tariffs, while Democrats struggle to explain abolishing health insurance. Meantime, Abdul El-Sayed won't say …
Show notes
What did voters learn from TV showdowns in Michigan, Maine and Iowa? Republicans are on defense about tariffs, while Democrats struggle to explain abolishing health insurance. Meantime, Abdul El-Sayed won't say Iran is a bigger threat than Israel.
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Marco Rubio Hails the Accomplishments of Western Civilization
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a speech in Greece defending the achievements of Western civilization. Plus, riots break out across France over school conditions, and the country’s gloomy economic …
Show notes
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a speech in Greece defending the achievements of Western civilization. Plus, riots break out across France over school conditions, and the country’s gloomy economic outlook looms large over the protests.
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Can Anduril Help Fix American Shipbuilding?
The defense technology company is betting it can speed up production of U.S. Navy attack submarines. Christian Brose of Anduril joins Kate B. Odell to unpack the new venture announced this week with the Trump …
Show notes
The defense technology company is betting it can speed up production of U.S. Navy attack submarines. Christian Brose of Anduril joins Kate B. Odell to unpack the new venture announced this week with the Trump Administration.
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Justice Samuel Alito on Originalism, ‘Speechifying’ Colleagues, and Media Caricatures
In a wide-ranging interview, Justice Alito talks about his legal approach; his decision to sit out the Suncor v. Boulder County climate case; the "very unfair" media portrayals; and threats to the Court that he …
Show notes
In a wide-ranging interview, Justice Alito talks about his legal approach; his decision to sit out the Suncor v. Boulder County climate case; the "very unfair" media portrayals; and threats to the Court that he sees as historically unprecedented.
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Sen. Thom Tillis on Losing Friends, Antagonizing Trump, and the GOP’s Future
As he eyes retirement, the North Carolinian reflects on his biggest regret, tussles with President Trump, worries for Republicans in the midterms, views on JD Vance vs. Marco Rubio, and his new book, “How to …
Show notes
As he eyes retirement, the North Carolinian reflects on his biggest regret, tussles with President Trump, worries for Republicans in the midterms, views on JD Vance vs. Marco Rubio, and his new book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents.”
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These are the latest 40 of 600 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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