In the West, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is always seen as one of two things: KGB spy or judo master. But to anyone who’s ever lived in the Soviet Union, Putin is something else entirely: a street kid. Join journalist Julia Ioffe as she explores how Putin’s childhood taught him lessons that shape his thinking and actions to this day. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David unpacks the 2022 midterm election cycle and discusses what it means for the parties, the 2024 presidential election and democracy as a whole. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David is joined by Anna Staver of the USA Today Network's Ohio Bureau to talk about the key races and what the voting results that come in early evening on election night will tell us about how the night is going to go  Then, Dave Chase, campaign manager for Tim Ryan for Ohio, on why Ohio voters are aligned with his candidate's views - and the importance of getting as many Republican and Independent voters to cross-over, even in areas Ryan might not win. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Evan Smith of The Texas Tribune discusses what it would take to turn Texas blue, and why the demographics of the state suggest the Dobbs decision may not be as much of a driving factor for Democratic votes as it is in other states. Then Nick Rathod, campaign manager for Beto O’Rourke, discusses the state of the Governor’s race, what they are seeing on the ground and how they are tackling the need for big Democratic turnout. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David is joined by Will Doran who covers North Carolina politics for the News & Observer. Will provides a look at some important races including the crucial State Supreme Court races, which could have ramifications for years to come Then, Travis Brimm, campaign manager for Cheri Beasley discusses the challenges of getting to 50% and the importance of voter turnout in an important Senate race that hasn’t caught the national attention but could be pivotal. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wisconsin, as always, is a pivotal state.David is joined by Patrick Marley who writes about voting issues in the Upper Midwest for The Washington Post and looks not only at the governor’s and U.S. senate campaigns, but some of the other races and what the aftermath of this election could mean for 2024. Then, Sam Roecker, senior advisor and spokesperson for Governor Tony Evers discusses their campaign’s strategy to keep the governor’s office - and the particulars of an 1849 law that is preventing any abortions from being performed in the state. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jonathan Oosting is the Michigan Politics Reporter for Bridge Michigan. Jonathen takes us on a tour of all the key races and how the abortion issue is playing in the state.  Then, Preston Elliott, campaign manager for Gretchen Whitmer, takes us inside the Governor’s race, including how an incumbent Governor is navigating the perceived economic political headwinds.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yvonne Wingett Sanchez is the Democracy Reporter in Arizona for the Washington Post. Yvonne takes a look at how some Republican voters are taking a long hard look at the Democratic candidates, how the abortion topic could motivate voters, and whether or not we could see contested elections. Then, Emma Brown, campaign manager for Mark Kelly joins David and discusses keeping her eye on the prize and not assuming the other side's candidates are unelectable when history shows otherwise. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Ralston, expert on all things Nevada, takes us on tour of the many key Nevada races , discusses how Nevada has changed electorally and some of the nuances in Nevada elections. Then David is joined by Sam Barrett, campaign manager for Governor Steve Sisolak . Sam talks about running against a law and order candidate when crime is up and the opponent is the sheriff, and the importance the Dobbs decision on abortion has had in Nevada. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg Bluestein is a political reporter and author who covers Georgia politics for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is a MSNBC analyst. Greg joins David for an overview of key Georgia races including those of Stacey Abrams and Raphael Warnock. Then, David is joined by Quentin Fulks, campaign manager for Reverend Raphael Warnock for U.S. Senate. He gives us the ground level view of their campaign against an unconventional candidate in Herschel Walker. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices