Pollsters Brent Buchanan and John Rogers are back with Cygnal's June national survey — and while the horse race hasn't moved much, the mood has. Voters are feeling the economic squeeze, Dems have clawed back the inflation advantage, while the GOP still wins on security. Plus: what America's 250th reveals about the left-right divide on patriotism and where the real Republican opportunities are heading into November.
Jun 17
30 min
Special Mini Episode | Live from Pubkey DCFour years in. Hundreds of honorees.One conversation to tell the story behind it. ARRO founder Chris Lane joins Brent Buchanan and Chris Kratzer live at Pubkey DC (right before the 2026 ARRO 30 Under Thirty Award Reception) to talk about how this initiative started, how it's grown, and where it's headed. Plus, personal advice for the next generation of political operatives.
Jun 10
22 min
The fundamentals are flashing red for Republicans — but it's not a blue wave yet. In this month's National Voter Trends poll of 1,500 likely midterm voters, Pollsters Brent Buchanan and Mitch Brown break down why GOP losses are drifting to "undecided" rather than across the aisle, what voters are really saying about cost of living (and why "the economy is strong" falls flat), and how a single ballot tweak on criminal illegal immigrants produces a jaw-dropping 25-point swing. Plus, early 2028 signals from Vance and Rubio reveal two very different paths for the post-Trump coalition.
May 20
32 min
This month's National Voter Trends poll of 1,500 likely midterm voters is flashing warning signs that the political media isn't talking about. Brent Buchanan and Nick Weinstein break down why voters blame both government and corporations for high prices — and what that means for Republican economic messaging. They dig into a stunning finding on immigration: nearly half of Democrats actually support deporting criminal illegal immigrants, putting Democratic leaders wildly out of step with their own base. Then there's the working-class brand problem Republicans don't want to admit — moderates still trust Democrats more by 31 points. Add in Iran's growing economic blowback, a Boomer shift that should alarm the GOP, and collapsing trust in Big Tech, and you've got a data-packed episode that reframes almost every major story of the 2026 cycle. Plus: Winners & Losers.
Apr 14
37 min
In this episode of Pulse Pod, Cygnal pollsters Brent Buchanan and Alex Tarascio break down what the data is really telling us about the 2026 political environment. New polling reveals a collapse in trust toward corporate America across every demographic—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike—reshaping how voters think about power, accountability, and the economy. At the same time, a surprising countertrend emerges: optimism about the American Dream is rebounding, driven largely by a major shift among Hispanic voters. The conversation also dives into the midterm landscape, showing where Republicans hold strong issue advantages—and why they’re still losing the communication war despite winning the arguments. The takeaway is clear: trust, messaging, and media strategy will define who wins in 2026.
Mar 16
32 min
Pulse Pod 86 breaks down the latest National Voter Trends (NVT) data and why Republicans are entering the midterm cycle with a clear advantage. Brent Buchanan and John Rogers unpack MAHA’s surge to 77% support and its stunning 10-point impact on the generic congressional ballot, the GOP’s trust edge across every major issue, and the growing bipartisan consensus behind conservative policies like voter ID, domestic energy production, and welfare work requirements. The episode also explores the collapse in trust in mainstream media, rising parental concerns around social media, and mounting voter anxiety over AI and data centers—closing with a winners and losers roundup that highlights where Republicans have permission to go on offense if they execute with authenticity.
Feb 16
27 min
In this fast-paced January Pulse Pod, Brent and Mitch break down the biggest shifts in Cygnal’s latest National Voter Trends poll. From Trump’s +6 image rebound and a more optimistic national mood (+9) to voter reactions on Venezuela, immigration, and the “Karens on ICE” divide, this episode covers the data driving early 2026 momentum. The team also digs into capitalism vs. socialism perceptions, changing economic priorities, and why financial stress remains high even as macro indicators improve. Packed with quick hits, sharp insights, and surprising voter shifts, this is your one-stop snapshot of where America stands heading into this midterm year.
Jan 22
39 min
Domestic > Foreign: Where Voters Want Trump Focused - Pulse Pod 84 delivers a rapid-fire breakdown of December’s biggest voter shifts: a modest uptick in national mood, Trump’s image rebounding, and Democrats in Congress sliding. Pollsters Brent and Nick hit the core issue dominating everything—affordability—from rising bills to the housing squeeze and the surge of “aspirational homeowners.” They connect immigration, news habits, domestic vs. foreign focus, and fentanyl concerns into one clear theme: voters want leaders zeroed in on cost of living and problems at home. The episode wraps with how emotional fatigue—especially among younger Democrats—is shaping political engagement.Follow our pollsters for more:Brent Buchanan - @brentbucNick Weinstein - @nickweinstein
Dec 17, 2025
29 min
🔥 Pulse Pod special just dropped on Brent Buchanan's NEW book! CEO Brent Buchanan, alongside VP Chris Kratzer, unpacks the insights behind his #1 Amazon bestseller in Elections America’s Emotional Divide: Navigating the Powerful Decision-Making Forces Impacting Politics, Policies & Personal Choices. Tune in for:➡️ What inspired Brent to write this and why now?➡️ The emotional forces shaping politics and personal choices➡️ A deeper look into the diploma divide➡️ Why authenticity and truth matter more than ever➡️ What leaders can do to unite a fractured nation and point others to an optimisitc futureDon’t wait—grab your copy before Christmas and start driving real change as we head into 2026! Follow Brent for more updates: X/Twitter: @brentbuc
Dec 10, 2025
32 min
Cygnal Pollsters Brent Buchanan and Alex Tarascio break down Cygnal’s November NVT poll, highlighting how GOP strengths on law, order, and border security stand out with voters. They discuss why the “socialist” label isn’t gaining traction, and how Republicans can win back economic voters by focusing on affordability and tax relief or risk losses in 2026. The episode covers immigration, tax burdens, and voter mistrust of AI—ending with a look at how the GOP can reset the narrative and build momentum heading into the midterms.Follow our experts on X:Buchanan: @brentbucTarascio: @alextarascio
Nov 20, 2025
46 min
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