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Checks and Balance from The Economist
Checks and Balance: Pennsylvania mania
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The second part of our occasional series on the race for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat. For now the campaign is largely happening online, with Democrat John Fetterman staying off the trail due to a health scare, and Republican Dr Oz failing to take advantage of the open lane. But away from the memes and internet stunts, what do voters actually want?
Local journalist John Micek gives an update on the horse race. We go back to a sea-change moment in Pennsylvania’s electoral landscape. And The Economist’s Stevie Hertz heads into the Philadelphia suburbs to find out how voters are feeling with less than 100 days to go until the midterms. What can one state tell us about the national picture?
John Prideaux hosts with Idrees Kahloon and Jon Fasman.
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Checks and Balance: Stormy weather
49:10A jury has been selected in Donald Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan. The case has been criticised as flawed and partisan, but of the four indictments against Mr Trump, it may be the only one to produce a verdict before the election. Now the trial is underway, what should one make of it? And what difference could a guilty verdict make?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. Jed Shugerman of Boston University and The Economist’s James Bennet and Kennett Werner also contribute.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Checks and Balance: Six months in
51:43Six months after the October 7th attacks, the once solid alliance between America and Israel is beginning to fray. Joe Biden has called Binyamin Netanyahu’s approach in Gaza “a mistake”. But what does the Biden administration want right now? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by Aaron David Miller of The Carnegie Endowment and The Economist’s Anshel Pfeffer.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Checks and Balance: Capitol gains
48:34While America’s focus has been on the presidential election, the race for Congress is even more volatile. With razor-thin majorities in the House and the Senate, both chambers might flip in November. What does that mean for governing? And how will the outcomes of these elections shape the next presidency?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Aryn Braun and Jessica Taylor from The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Checks and Balance: Questions and answers
42:03This week: something a little different. The team answers a selection of questions sent in by our listeners, on topics ranging from climate policy to the Supreme Court and their dream jobs in the federal government. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Checks and Balance picks: The case of Stormy Daniels echoes past scandals
07:10An article from The Economist read aloud. This week, our Lexington columnist argues that all involved in the drama should check their righteousness.
Checks and Balance: The swing of things
46:30In the run-up to November we’ll be checking in on the voters who will decide the presidential election. Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing of America’s ethnic minorities which, given most vote Democratic, should help Joe Biden. But Donald Trump is gaining ground. Could Latino voters hand Trump the presidency?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Daniella Raz, Arturo Vargas from NALEO and Republican political consultant Mike Madrid. Thank you to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for the use of some of the audio in this episode.
Checks and Balance: Growth states
47:48It’s not long since America was widely thought to be on the brink of recession. Instead the economy expanded by 3% in 2023, and continues to defy expectations. But why aren’t voters happier with Joe Biden’s economy? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Simon Rabinovitch and Neale Mahoney, professor of economics at Stanford University. Thank you to the William J. Clinton Library and the UVA Miller Center for some of the audio used in this episode. Sign up for a free trial of Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Checks and Balance picks: Time is called on Oregon’s decriminalisation experiment
04:28An article from The Economist read aloud. In 2020 Oregon voted to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of hard drugs. The state legislature has just passed a measure reversing that law.
Checks and Balance: Third past the post
49:09In polls, two-thirds of Americans say they are “tired of seeing the same candidates in presidential elections,” and only a quarter are satisfied with the two-party system. Some politicians are trying to take advantage, both with and without a party’s support. They’re not going to win the election–so what’s the attraction? And could they play spoiler for the main parties?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s James Astill, Adam O’Neal and Daniella Raz.