The Mick Clifford Podcast

This week’s podcast comes from Pennsylvania, where Mick has gone to take the temperature and see what makes MAGA tick. We have contributions from some of those who attended a major Trump rally last Saturday in the crucial state and we also have an interview with Ray Wrabley, Professor and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, that gives a fascinating insight into what has changed in US politics in recent decades to an extent that a huge opening has been created for Donald Trump.

Catherine Cleary had spent her working life in journalism when in 2020 she gave it all up to grow trees. With a friend she set up a company called pocket forests, a social enterprise which caters for planting native trees and shrubs in small urban areas. She and her family also began looking for land in the west of Ireland where it might be possible to grow a forest. Her journey over the last four years has now been documented in a film, The Forest Midwife. Catherine is this week’s guest on the podcast.

In this week’s podcast focusing on the US election we look at whether having other candidates or issues on the ballot paper can impact on the vote for those running for president. Senate and House of Representative seats are up for grabs in this election and the party that emerges with the majority in each house will be in the driving seat for the next term. Also the issue of abortion is on the ballot paper in some states. Will this help Kamala Harris of Donald Trump? Joining us to read the runes is Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute.

Irish peacekeeping troops in south Lebanon are coming under pressure from Israeli defence forces as Israel moves into its neighbouring country, ostensibly to protect itself but actually killing indiscriminately as it goes. But what are the Irish soldiers doing there, what connection do they have to the local area and people and should they remain in situ. Irish Examiner journalist Colin Sheridan previously served in the country as part of the UN peacekeeping forces. He has been writing vividly about the area, the country and his experience and knowledge of its people. He is this week’s guest on the podcast.

The phenomenon of Donald Trump is often associated with the rust belt states and among those who have been economically left behind in the USA. Not so, according to the experience of the Irish Examiner’s Michael Moynihan who recently went in search of MAGA (Make America Great Again) on the east coast of the USA and found them in the unlikeliest of places. Michael Moynihan is this week’s guest on the podcast’s US Presidential Election special editions.

A recent report that the Russian agents have recruited a source in the Oireachtas has led to concerns about the state’s security apparatus and the interest of foreign actors. Are we a target for spies? Are we capable of repelling any such threats. This week’s guest Cathal Berry is an Independent TD and formerly a long standing member of the defence forces. He retains a major interest in the security services and he also reveals whether or not he is the Oireachtas spy in question.

The first our US presidential election podcasts hears from Bob Schmuhl. Bob, a professor emeritus of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame is a keen student of the history of American presidents and he has never seen anything like this campaign. He believes that the election will be the most consequential in US history whomever wins.

The budget was delivered this week and the general consensus was that it was a precursor to a general election, possibly to be announced in the weeks to come. So who are the winners on paper and who might be the real winner. Irish Examiner Political Correspondent Elaine Loughlin provides a global view of the big event and the fall-out.