Y'all-itics
Y'all-itics
WFAA
Y’all-itics is the unofficial political podcast of Texas. Each week we’ll crack open an ice-cold Texas brew and explore a single hot topic affecting Texans. But this isn’t politics as usual. Y’all-itics doesn’t come from a fancy studio. We’re taking our podcast on the road to get past the soundbites and dive deeper into the issues that matter to y’all. Leave your labels at the door, this is a political podcast for all Texans… even the recent transplants!
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Nathan Johnson, Barry Wernick, Andy Sommerman, and the Races that are Heating Up Weeks Before the Midterms
In the October 11 episode, Democratic nominee for Attorney General Nathan Johnson explains why he thinks undecided voters will swing the race in his direction and why he’s targeting his opponent in a major, statewide ad blitz. And the two candidates running for Dallas County Commissioner District 2 – Republican Barry Wernick and Democrat Andy Sommerman – discuss their campaigns with a focus on the proposed property tax increase that promises to be top of mind for voters.
Oct 11
21 min
The Decorated Former FBI Agent and His New High-Stakes Mission
It’s a lengthy resume. U.S. Army infantry officer. Section Chief for Counterterrorism. FBI Special Agent in Charge of the D.C. and Dallas Field Offices. Now retired from the FBI, Matthew DeSarno could have picked his job in the private sector. But he chose instead to become a… columnist. DeSarno argues that the rule of law is slowly eroding in our country and it could cause permanent damage, so writing is his new high-stakes mission. As the Jasons learned over a cold one with DeSarno at Union Bear Brewing Company in Plano, his new gig began with a letter to his daughters. We also wanted to know what’s the one thing he believed in while working for the FBI that he no longer trusts. GUEST Matthew DeSarno, DMN Contributing Columnist
Oct 11
43 min
“10 Ways To Lose An Election”
Republican political consultant Vinny Minchillo, who’s worked on countless campaigns, says there are a million ways to win an election, but losing candidates do ten things. And he’s laid it all out in a new book, essential reading for first time candidates, or voters wanting a peak behind the political curtain. Negative ads. Debates. Endorsements. Fundraising. Polling. In this episode of Y’all-itics, Minchillo discusses how each can impact an election while having a cold one with the Jasons at Peticolas Brewing Company. The veteran politico will even explain why he hates those darn yard signs so much, and how they can be a drag on a campaign. GUEST Vinny Minchillo, Author/GOP Political Consultant
Oct 4
35 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Donald Trump, John Wiley Price, Clay Lewis Jenkins, and the President Campaigning for Paxton in Texas
In the October 4 episode, find out what President Donald Trump has to say about Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton one month before the election, and we ask the President whether he regrets endorsing Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn. And in Dallas County, Commissioners are asking residents to raise taxes to fund homelessness efforts. Commissioner John Wiley Price explains his opposition while families are struggling, while County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins will tell you why he thinks the permanent tax will help the county grow.
Oct 2
21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Jodey Arrington, Nate Sheets, Paula Blackmon, and the $40 Trillion National Debt
In the September 27 episode, Republican U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington tells us why he’s calling for a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget and why he chose Dallas for a field hearing to discuss the $40 trillion national debt. Republican nominee for Ag Commissioner Nate Sheets explains why he’s not calling for a data center moratorium and how he’d help Texas farmers and ranchers stay in business. And Dallas Council Member Paula Blackmon on the coalition now calling for Dallas voters to decide the fate of City Hall.
Sep 28
21 min
A Huge Election and Close Races. So, Where are the Debates?
Democrat James Talarico is asking Republican Ken Paxton if he’ll commit to a debate in their Senate race if it’s in what Talarico calls Paxton’s “safe space” on FOX News. If that doesn’t happen, for the first time in a quarter century, the U.S. Senate candidates in Texas will not go before Texas voters to explain their policies and defend their positions in a debate. Talarico has repeatedly said yes. Paxton? Not so much. In this episode of Y’all-itics, you’ll learn why debates are going the way of the dodo. And a longtime Republican consultant tells us why he thinks Paxton is dodging a debate and why he would still advise his clients to accept one. GUESTS Brian Mayes, GOP Political Consultant Brandon Rottinghaus, UH Political Science Professor
Sep 25
46 min
The $533 Million Texas Factory That "Made Nothing"
The headline is stunning enough: “Fiasco in the Factory: Taxpayers Funded a $533 Million Artillery Plant That Made Nothing”. But the details in the story that follow are even more extraordinary: crashing robotic machines, equipment catching fire, and an artillery shell that was supposed to be smooth coming out shaped like a soft serve ice cream swirl. The Jasons are joined by the ProPublica reporter who broke the blockbuster story on a Mesquite, Texas plant where he says taxpayers got nothing for the big bucks they spent. And more reports are coming. Note: Y’all-itics reached out to General Dynamics to give them a chance to respond to the details of the ProPublica report and/or to join the podcast discussion and they declined comment and passed on an interview. We tried reaching out to Repkon with the same offers for their response and didn’t hear back. Guest: Jesse Coburn, Reporter at ProPublica The full Pro Publica Report: https://www.propublica.org/article/general-dynamics-artillery-factory-failed
Sep 20
28 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Chip Roy, Clayton Tucker, and How AI and Data Centers Are Shaping the Midterms
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Chip Roy, Clayton Tucker, and How AI and Data Centers Are Shaping the Midterms In the September 20 episode, Republican U.S. Representative Chip Roy explains why he thinks government must take a “human first” approach to regulating AI, and why he disagrees with President Trump calling AI safety fears a “hoax.” And Democrat Clayton Tucker tells us why he’s so focused on data centers in his race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, and why one of the first things he’d do in office is conduct an agriculture impact study.
Sep 18
21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: James Talarico, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and what comes after the RNC’s midterm convention in Dallas.
In the September 13 episode, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate James Talarico touts the Republicans supporting his campaign and why he thinks he’s still an underdog despite recent polls. Plus, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the RNC midterm convention was so successful, that both parties will probably replicate it. But will the big GOP gathering move any voters?
Sep 14
21 min
Are you ready for what comes after the GOP convention?
The sprint starts now. Republicans have packed up and left Dallas. Insiders say prepare now for the adpocalypse. Big money is flowing into the U.S. Senate race from outside groups for negative ads. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons examine whether the RNC midterm convention moves any voters, the state of the race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton and why Texans will soon find out what it’s like living inside an advertising tornado. Guest: Matt Angle, Democratic Strategist/Lone Star Project Founder Vinny Minchillo, Republican Consultant/Glass House Strategies Founder
Sep 11
32 min
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