Fed Up

Roy, Eleanor, and Mark discuss the hardening of Trump's political support in Congress and among Republican primary voters, dramatized by the defeat of South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford by a hard-core Trump supporter in this week's primary. Tennessee Senator Bob Corker challenges the unwillingness of his Republican colleagues to oppose Trump on the tariff issue. Will the "Pink Wave" catapult a record number of women into Congress and state offices?

Roy opens the show with an introduction to Ed Weidenfeld, the distinguished Washington lawyer who served Republican presidents and numerous democracy initiatives, and his wife Sheila, former assistant to First Lady Betty Ford and assistant to President Gerald Ford. Ed recounts his remarkable efforts to develop an medicinal marijuana operation in Washington. Stricken with Parkinson's he found the drug to be a near miracle in helping him cope with the disease, and has undertaken and ambitious business to bring high-quality cannabis into the marketplace.

Roy opens the show and introduces Robert Bennett, the legendary Washington defense lawyer who represented Bill Clinton during the impeachment proceedings, and various other prominent clients, including John McCain, Judith Miller, and others. Bennett discusses the legal problems of the current president, the odds for impeachment, and the many challenges facing the Trump family and political associates. Will Trump pardon everyone? Can he pardon himself? Bennett speaks up!

Roy welcomes call-in guest Jack Abramoff, the notorious Washington lobbyist who took millions from clients, set up bogus non-profits and funneled money for luxury golf trips and gifts to Republican congressmen and staffers. Many went to prison. And Roy explains the dance between members of Congress and the DC lobbying world. 

Roy opens the show with Trump’s most recent policy snafu, and the group pays tribute to legendary writer for presidents and candidates, Richard Goodwin.  Our call-in guest discusses why Ohio voters are fed up with the media, and how their trust can be regained.

Roy opens the show with his regular s Eleanor Clift and Mark Plotkin and introduces special guest Charlie Cook. Cook, called by the NYT “one of the best handicappers in the nation”, makes a compelling case for Democratic takeover of the House, and handicaps the 2020 Presidential race.

Roy opens the show with more garbage from the Michael Cohen scandal, and the group discusses “gentleman” Oliver North’s new job with the NRA. George Will’s brutal assessment of the Trump administration gets full treatment, and the “Where are They Now?” segment finds former congressional “Hammer” Tom Delay still bashing all critics. The Cocktail Wizard calls in with a new recipe, and Eleanor gets a shoutout from an email admirer.

After the news of Rudy Giuliani’s admission of Trump’s laundered hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, Roy, Eleanor, and Mark hash out the absurd concealment of the payment. Constitutional scholar and U. S. Congressman Jamie Raskin joins the discussion in the studio and discuss the legal implications of Trump’s admission, the prospects for impeachment, and the ongoing Presidential political scandal.Former Republican Congressman Vin Weber joins the conversation to gamely attempt to explain the unwillingness of the GOP to rebuke Trump and his administration for its most grievous misbehavior.The hosts and their Congressional guests then deal with the upcoming mid-term congressional elections and the prediction of large Democratic gains. Gun control, specifically the ability to buy assault weapons in some states with virtually no background check, comes into focus along with GOP allegiance to the NRA lobby.

Roy, Eleanor, and Mark turn to the theme of Greed and Hubris, focusing in particular on the downfall of Washington super-lobbyist Tony Podesta. Wall Street Journal reporter Brody Mullins joins the conversation to discuss his lengthy profile of Podesta’s collapse in the wake of Hillary Clinton’s loss in 2016. The hosts lay into various ethical issues.

Roy, Eleanor, and Mark discuss the ongoing Trump-Michael Cohen-Stormy Daniels scandal, the involvement of Fox television star and leading Trump apologist Sean Hannity. The potential role of the youth vote, reporters attacking their owners, and the growing list of presidential wannabes get the hosts’ treatment.Famed movie and television critic Arch Campbell joins the podcast to talk about his favorite political films.

In their debut show, Roy Neel and Mark Plotkin talk about the state of today's political climate on both the left and the right, as they try to bring some sanity to political conversation!