Jonathan Alter on Jimmy Carter, and what he’d say about 2020
For some, Jimmy Carter was a failure in the White House, and for others, they know him instead only for his humanitarian work. But renowned political analyst and MSNBC contributor Jonathan Alter says there was much that the 39th President didn’t get enough credit for. He joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about his new book, “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life,” now on sale.
Trump, Biden enter final stretch as early voting number surge
President Trump is entering an unprecedented weekend where he’ll host more than 15 campaign rallies, while Joe Biden is visiting states that Hillary Clinton lost in 2016 in the hopes of flipping them blue. Nate Hochman from Young Voices joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about what could happen during the waning days of a campaign unlike any other.
'Pivot Counties,' and how 2016 Trump voters have guided the national dialogue
More than 200 counties across the country fall into the category of so-called “pivot counties:” ones that voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, but flipped red to send then-candidate Donald Trump to the White House. J.D. Durkin, congressional reporter for Cheddar, created and hosted the Cheddar TV series “Pivot Counties,” visiting many of these places and talking with voters. He joined Jim on The Final 5 to discuss the issues that guided their vote in 2016, and what could change (or stay the same) heading into 2020. (For more: cheddar.com)
Confronting foreign interference ahead of Election Day
Last week, eyebrows were raised when top U.S. officials warned of a concerted effort by Iran and Russia to interfere in the 2020 presidential election already underway. How has Washington confronted the very real threat? 2016 presidential candidate Evan McMullin, executive director of Stand Up America, joined Jim on The Final 5 to assess how the U.S. is handling it all so far, and what could happen between now and Election Day.
Why Republicans believe ACB confirmation will boost chances next Tuesday
Republicans have successfully spurred voters to action with the confirmation of three conservative-leaning Supreme Court justices during President Trump’s first term. Now that Amy Coney Barrett is on the high court, what does that mean for voter enthusiasm? Republican analyst and author Sandra Mae Lee joined Jim on The Final 5 to give her take.
Dems react to ACB confirmation, count down to Election Day
The confirmation of now-Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is rekindling Democratic outrage over a process they believe was rushed. How does her confirmation change the calculus of the Presidential race, as well as Senate races across the country? Democratic strategist Dave Brown joined Jim on The Final 5 to break it down.
Final presidential debate includes heated exchange on race
When President Trump and Democratic nominee former vice president Joe Biden met during last night second and final presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, the evening included a heated exchange on the topic of race relations. Former Michigan state representative Brian Banks and Republican congressional candidate Joe Collins joined Jim on a special late night edition of "The Final 5" to break down to the bait and what it means for the African-American community.
Keeping tabs on the 2020 campaign, 15 days out
With the election two weeks out, there are both parallels and stark differences from where we were in the 2016 election. What issues will guide people to the polls? Republicans have pushed corruption allegations against Joe Biden and his son Hunter, and Democrats are trying to avoid fatal campaign errors from 2016. Siraj Hashmi from the Washington Examiner joined Jim to break down what could change the race, if anything, and why things may not actually be over until way after Election Day.
What is Section 230, and why are there calls for it to change?
Social media companies like Twitter and Facebook came under heavy scrutiny this week for suppressing sharing of a New York Post story critical of Hunter Biden’s dealings with a Ukrainian energy company. The platforms said they violated policies on disseminating hacked materials, but it renewed calls by Senate Republicans for the F.C.C. to rework the legal framework known as Section 230, which provides them legal cover. Satya Marar from Young Voices explains what Section 230 is about, and the politics of it all on The Final 5.
Why organizers say this weekend’s Women’s March is vital
Thousands are expected in the District this weekend, as well as at satellite marches, for another iteration of the Women’s March. Between the Presidential race, and the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett, organizers say it’s about progressive women making their voices heard. Executive Director Rachel O’Leary Carmona joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about why it’s important to do it now, and what she has to say to conservative groups planning their own rival march this weekend at the Supreme Court.
Newspaper endorsements in a hyper political age
Editorial pages across the country are embarking on the time honored tradition of endorsing presidential candidates, but in an age of increased accusations of media bias, are they still relevant? The Boston Globe decided to take a different tack in their endorsement efforts this year. Editorial page editor Bina Venkataraman joined Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to talk about the process of endorsements, what readers should know about the difference between what’s news and opinion, and how to keep the process fresh.
Pro-Barrett group plans its own women’s march in DC
As opponents of President Trump and Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett plan another iteration of the Women’s March this weekend in Washington, D.C., another march aims to show support for Barrett and conservative policies. The “March for All Women” will start at the Supreme Court on Saturday. Patrice Onwuka of the Independent Women’s Forum joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain why it’s important to hold the march, why Judge Barrett’s nomination should not be delayed, and how she believes a constituency that overwhelmingly opposed President Trump in 2016 may evolve in 2020.
COMMENTARY: Our leaders are failing us
Democrats and Republicans are prioritizing everything but what matters most to Americans. As both parties bicker over the finer points of a potential COVID-19 stimulus package, millions of Americans are caught up in the crossfire. Jim Lokay offered his thoughts on The Final 5.
Facing off after Veep debate
The first and only vice president of the bed is in the books. Unlike the contentious face-off between President Trump and former VP Joe Biden, the exchange between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris was far more substantive, even if a bit contentious at times. Jim broke it down with Democratic commentator Ameshia Cross and Texas GOP party chairman Allen West.
Previewing the VP Debate with Kelly & Tracy
As Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic VP nominee Sen. Kamala Harris prepare for their first and only faceoff on Wednesday in Utah, there are plenty of questions as to what’s at stake. Political strategists Kelly Gibson and Tracy Dietz joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about the potential dynamic between the two candidates, how coronavirus will figure into the debate, and how it could shape up to be a more substantive matchup than last week’s Presidential debate.
A renowned political expert at just 18
It is hard enough to get a new generation of voters registered to vote, let alone engaged in the process. Niles Francis took his interest in politics to an entirely different level, and now at 18, he’s become a respected political commentator, and creating widely circulated electoral maps for DecisionDeskHQ.com. He joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain where his fascination with politics came from, and how he feels about his home state in Georgia becoming an epicenter for the 2020 race.
Former RNC Chair Steele on 2020, and potential run for MD Gov.: 'Toes like water'
He was the first African-American elected statewide in Maryland, and the Republican National committee chairman — so why is Michael Steele now working to defeat President Trump? He joined Jim on The Final 5 to look at the race, how to campaign in the face of the President’s COVID-19 diagnosis, and whether he might be considering a run for Maryland Governor in 2022.
Will changes to debate format help voters?
With the second presidential debate set for October 15, much of the attention has been directed towards the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the proclamation today that it will make changes to the format to ensure there won’t be a repeat of Tuesday night’s circus atmosphere. Dan Eberhart and Alex Tureman joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about what went right, and what should change for the next time the two candidates meet.
Debate #1: What Was That? Part I
“A hot mess.” That’s how DC Democrat Troy Prestwood describe the first general election debate. After the showdown between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, what did voters take away, if anything? Prestwood and California Republican congressional candidate Joe Collins joined Jim live on the Final 5 to break it down
What does it take to make a debate?
Two candidates, two podiums, and a moderator – but putting together a Presidential debate takes a lot more than that. On the eve of the first Presidential election of the 2020 cycle, Jim Lokay talks with Betsy Fischer Martin about what goes into making sure they go out without a hitch. Martin, the executive director of the American University Women and Politics Institute, is also the former executive producer of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and she shares her experience preparing for a 2008 debate with moderator Tom Brokaw.