Shows
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaWhat the hell is happening with Iran and Donald âNo Warsâ Trump? This week Rachel and Aaron break down the confusion, and the rift itâs causing in MAGAâs alt-reality. Plus, Rachel has an important lesson for the news media about the difference between rioting and protesting. How decaying democracy has opened the door to political violence and⊠who told âWhisky Peteâ Hegseth to âbe a manâ during a hearing on Capitol Hill?LINKS:* New York Times: Shifting Views and Misdirection: How Trump Decided to Strike Iran* Tucker Carlson: Tucker Confronts Ted Cruz on His Suppor...2025-06-2430 min
The Cycle- On SubstackLiving HistoryFolks, Today weâre living history with Joe Walshâ-Tea Party congressman to Never Trump activist, to an card carrying Democrat!! Iâm excited to announce that last week Joe decided to put a ring on it and officially become a Democrat.And here is one thing that makes him a fairly unique Democrat, the very kind we desperately need: heâs a fighter. I hope youâll agree with me, these the days for heroes and I for one and ecstatic to add Joe and his arsenal of rhetorical weapons to the par...2025-06-1530 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week we bring you into the strategy driving Trumpâs decision to send the National Guard and the marines into LA. Rachel compares the fiery I.C.E. protests with how the Nazis rose to power in 1930s Germany, plus how does Elonâs and Donâs Big Beautiful Breakup threaten the Presidentâs tax cuts for billionaires? We also unpack the DOJâs fishy case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia. LINKS:* Newsom to Defense Secretary Hegseth: Rescind National Guard Order* LA Protesters Angry w/ Mayor Karen Bass & Governor Gavin Newsom* Justice De...2025-06-1031 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Cycle Presents Living HistoryFolks!Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Living History pod. Iâm excited to bring you this unique conversation with Don Lemon, former anchor at CNN but current anchor of his new independent media project The Don Lemon Show on YouTube. And Don is covering all his new media bases, offering his content via youtube, X, Bluesky, Insta, and Subtack. The premise of the show is that weâre living through extraordinary times, a time period future historians will write books about. Thus, it behooves us all to keep records of w...2025-06-0628 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week Rachel and Aaron follow Elon âBlack Eyeâ Musk out the door as he whines about the American political system he destroyed. Plus: cracks in the ice when it comes to criticizing Donald Trump and the Big Ugly Bill, a weird reminder of death from a U.S. Senator (and a weirder âapologyâ). What happens when you call a fascist⊠a fascist? And we take a hard look at the Great Replacement Theory through the lens of Tucker Carlson.LINKS:* New York Times: On the Campaign Trail, Elon Musk Juggled Drugs and Family Drama* Ass...2025-06-0332 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week Rachel and Aaron translate Trumpâs Marie Antoinette âLet Them Eat Tariffs" moment. Plus, an alarming shakeup in the national intelligence community with echoes from history. In Trumpâs DOJ if you canât charge âem, shame âem.LINKS:* Trump post: Wal-Mart should âEAT THE TARIFFSâ* Associated Press: Gabbard fires 2 top intelligence officials and will shift office that preps Trumpâs daily brief* NBCâs Meet the Press: Interview with Mike Pence (May 18, 2025)* Fox: Sunday Morning Futures: Interview with Kash Patel & Dan Bongino (May 18, 2025)* USDA Secretary Brooke Rol...2025-05-2026 min
The Cycle- On SubstackHe Wanted to Kill Woke, Not The Free MarketMy conversation with Richard Hanania, author of The Origins of Woke and contributor on Project 2025 is one of the most important conversations Iâve had on this show. Important for you and important for his audience too. If you want to know why I say that, youâll have to give it a listen because Iâm way too smart to lay it out here for you! Youâll learn from the conversation Hananiaâs break with the Trump Cult over the insanity of DOGE and Trumpâs tariffs has produced a predictable backlash fro...2025-05-1951 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaTrump pushes socialist price controls for pharmaceuticals, refugee status for white people and free flights out for everyone else. Rachel and Aaron also dive into the effort to suspend the U.S. Constitution, and compare how Trumpâs chaotic presidency parallels the rise of Vladimir Putin. PlusâŠDa Pope offers inspiring words for the world.LINKS:* Trump wants drug price controls (* Trump bashes price controls on Truth Social (August 2024)* White House: TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS: BOOK YOUR FREE FLIGHT NOW* Cardinal Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) tweet re: JD Vance (Feb...2025-05-1322 min
The Cycle- On SubstackLiving History with Mr. BeatHistory is certainly echoing now!Folks, Iâm returning to my conversational pods with interesting people talking about interesting s**t. Iâm kicking things off by living by example and doing a crossover show with THE Mr. Beat, who hosts a very popular You Tube channel. Thereâs a whole world out there that doesnât engage with or see any of the political content that are the staples of our lives. AND that world is much, much bigger than our world. This is why weâre seeing a concerted effort by...2025-05-0831 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week Rachel and Aaron investigate the three words that hit hardest from Donald Trumpâs recent interview on Meet the Press, and the one word missing from the New York Timesâs editorial criticizing his first 100 days. Plus the Lord of the Shadows, Stephen Miller, wants you to know MAGA has BIG plans for your children and grandchildren. Donât miss an eye-opening comparison between Trumpâs âLord of Shadowsâ and the Nazi Partyâs youth indoctrination programs. LINKS:* NBCâs Meet the Press: Full interview with Donald Trump* NBC News: Fact-checking Donald Trumpâs M...2025-05-0632 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaAs another texting scandal jolts the Pentagon into âfull-blown meltdown,â Rachel earns national attention for her internet sleuthing skills and gets vindicated in the aftermath of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Plus, she and Aaron take a close look at the first rule in fighting tyranny⊠and share a masterclass from a European internet troll.LINKS:* Politico Opinion: Former Top Pentagon Spokesperson Details âMonth From Hellâ Inside the Agency* The Daily Beast: Rachel catches bad White House photoshop job* George Carlin: Methods of Execution* SplitTicket.org tweet: The story of Wiscons...2025-04-2226 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week Rachel and Aaron change up the format to take a deep dive into the arrest and deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, imprisoned in El Salvador without due process despite a U.S. Supreme Court order to âfacilitateâ his return. The case has chilling parallels to what happened in Germany between 1933 and 1945. This is a warning from history worth understanding.In Nazi Germany the Gestapo didn't even have to watch everyone: your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even family members had the power to destroy you. Much of the terror came from not knowing, you know...2025-04-1522 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaTrumpâs planned destruction of Americaâs economy is a pivotal political moment. This week Rachel and Aaron offer advice for ânormiesâ who are just now waking up to the mess. Plus, a reading of the tea leaves after the recent special elections, how to send us your best signs for this monthâs next nationwide protests, and why was this weekâs show a little late? Weâve got an exciting reason!LINKS:* The 50501 Movement (April 19th protests)* Sen. Rand Paulâs resolution to âReassert Congressional Authority Over Tax Policyâ* Project 2025 Tracker...2025-04-0922 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaIt's Election Day! Will it be a difficult one for MAGA in Wisconsin and Florida? Plus, Rachel and Aaron get into the nitty gritty over Third Term Gate⊠and Signal Gate. The Trump Tax, er âLiberation Day,â prompts Aaron to move up his car shopping timeline. Musk gives away millions. And what's the one issue voters associate most with the Democratic Party? The answer may surprise you...LINKS:* NBC News: Trump wonât rule out seeking a third term in the White House* The Intercept: In Trumpâs America, You Can Be Disappeared for Writin...2025-04-0126 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week Rachel and Aaron chase the firetrucks to the dumpster fire of the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress whoâre trying to defend it. How do you explain an unprecedented security breach involving secret war plans accidentally shared with a news editor? Where do voters draw a line in the sand? Plus, a closer look at why Elon Musk is trying to break the Overton Window. And are spring breakers really this⊠dumb?LINKS:* The Atlantic: The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans* New York Times: Musk Is Positioned to P...2025-03-2525 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week Rachel and Aaron explore the good, the bad and the ugly. Why is Schumerâs vote to keep the government open an important political move? What prompted a pissed-off federal judge to issue an order from the bench? And what do the latest poll numbers mean for Trump 2.0? Plus: adios, habeas corpus. And we drop into a fiery town hall meeting in North Carolinaâs bright red 11th Congressional District.LINKS:* Rachel on The Cycle: Never Interrupt Your Enemy When They Are Making a Mistake* MSNBC: âA sham: Federal judge blasts Trump...2025-03-1824 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaAs the Trump administration tanks the stock market and sends prices soaring even higher, Rachel and Aaron examine the stupid in âitâs the economy, stupid.â Europe reconsiders a new world leader while here at home, Republican politicians become snowflakes. Plus, a chilling observation from the New York Timesâ chief White House correspondent, and how would Rachel have responded to Trumpâs boring Joint Address to Congress?Do you appreciate my fusion of political science, history, data, and current events? I canât make this content without YOUR support. Support Indie media by subscribing to The Cycle- On2025-03-1125 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week Rachel and Aaron cut through the noise as Elon's "Chainsaw for Democracy" cuts thousands of federal jobs, and as Steve "Prison Toady" Bannon massacres the Constitution--surprising even a fellow neo-Nazi. Trump's honeymoon is over though, according to public polling (surprise! Americans don't seem to care about DEI). And members of Congress face the music at public town halls, even in deep red districts. LINKS:* NPR: DOGE released data about federal contract savings. It doesn't add up* Washington Post poll: Many of Trumpâs early actions are unpopular* CNN Poll: Am...2025-02-2525 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week Rachel and Aaron go behind the Resolute Desk with Elon, Donald and "X Ă A-XII." They untangle a "very weird 20 minutes" from failed comedian JD Vance in Munich, start the clock on Marco Rubio's tenuous tenure as Secretary of State, and shine light on the plain-sight quid-pro-quo between Trump's Justice Department and NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Oh... and how does Trump's controversial "Napoleon Dynamite" tweet compare to Hitler's rise in Fascist Germany?Do you appreciate my fusion of political science, history, data, and current events? I canât make this content without YOUR support. Support Ind...2025-02-1828 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaThis week, Rachel and Aaron keep up with Trump 2.0's strategy of flooding the zone, resulting in a chaotic political and media environment that can only be described as "everything, everywhere, all at once." They explore the parallels of what's happening now to the rise of Nazi Germany, particularly the "golden age of culture"--which MAGA America desperately wants to control. Rachel and Aaron also discuss the threat of democracy falling apart when the Executive Branch refuses to listen to the Judicial Branch... at the encouragement of Vice President Vance. Buckle up!...2025-02-1128 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaChecked In for the Checked OutThis week Rachel and Aaron take a tumble through the spin cycle of Donald Trump's second full week in office, which included chaos and confusion, a stock market nose-dive, another off-the-rails news conference, pissed off allies, economic uncertainty and threats of a new consumer tax. They also take the temperature on batshit crazy Senate confirmation hearings and share some thoughts about the incoming leader of the DNC.Links: Letter to senators from Caroline Kennedy re: her cousin Bobby Our Book: Hit 'Em Where It Hurts...2025-02-0427 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is America Episode 2This week Rachel and Aaron dive into the deliberately exhausting 'shock and awe' strategy by Trump 2.0, drawing comparisons to the "Working Toward the Fuhrer" strategy of 1930s Germany. They also discuss a powerful warning from the New York Times, coffee, inflation, shrinkflation, what you need to know about ongoing confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate, and some tough love from... The Daily Show.The Cycle- On Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thanks for reading...2025-01-2825 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThis is AmericaHistory does not replicate like DNA, but it echoes. It's echoing now. Welcome to This is America Episode 1: Oh s**t, there goes the neighborhood Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2025-01-2125 min
The Cycle- On SubstackWelcome to the Crusades 2.0If youâve been following the transition of the Republican Party from the party of Reagan into whatever the hell it is now youâll know that the once âuseful idiotsâ of the Republican Party, the Christian Right, now rule the party and they have big plans for Trump 2.0.As Dr. Taylor points out in our interview about his book The Violent Take it by Force: The Christian Movement that is Threatening our Democracy, for all the attention January 6th received, a key part of that story has been largely ignored. Along with bear spray, confeder...2024-12-1034 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Ministry of Truth:Todayâs pod is with Rachel Maddow producer and editor of Maddow Blog Steve Benen and his important new book Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicanââ War on the Recent Reality. Benenâs important book documents how Republicans managed how to rewrite the history of recent events like January 6th and COVID to make millions of people believe in a false reality for something they saw with their very own eyes. Despite the deserved attention on Republicans efforts to white wash American history, very little scholarship has explored how Republicans use their propaganda system a...2024-10-2832 min
The Bob Cesca ShowRachel Bitecofer Is SmilingRachel "The Doc" Bitecofer returns to the show with her first appearance since May, and so much has changed. We discussed the infectious joy and optimism of the newly minted Harris-Walz campaign, how it all came together, and where it's headed. We also talked about the new tough-talking Democratic Party, unafraid to stand up to the MAGA bullies. Don't forget to order her book âHit 'Em Where It Hurtsâ and subscribe to her blog called The Cycle. Meantime, make sure to support this podcast by subscribing at patreon.com/bobcescashow. Music by Kyiv, Ukraine's Pasha Black.See Priv...2024-08-0755 min
The Cycle- On SubstackShadowboxing the ApocalypseIts Holocaust Remembrance Day. Not only did Hitler and his Nazis murder 6 million Jews in the Holocaust, its HOW they murdered them you should know more about.After first being dispossessed of their businesses and homes, then being "ghettoized," the Jews began to be "deported East." Deported East meant being packed like sardines into a cattle car sometimes for a week or more with NO WATER, let alone food. People died standing up and the trains were full of excrement. Once they arrived they walked into a carefully laid trap. They didn't know...2024-05-0723 min
The Cycle- On SubstackRepublican Death Panels https://arkansasadvocate.com/2022/10/05/study-more-republicans-than-democrats-likely-died-of-covid/Researcher Max Taves closes his analysis in David Cay Johnstonâs DC Report by asking a very important question: âRepublican politicians can talk all they want about how pro-life they are, but these data defy and belie their rhetoric. Facts are stubborn things.So what does it say about a political party which incessantly promotes its respect for life and yet whose statesâ policies overwhelmingly and repeatedly produce the highest rates of death from cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, Alzheimerâs, influenza, diabetes, traffic accidents, guns, workplace accident...2024-02-2626 min
The Perfectly Imperfect JourneyHit âEm Where It Hurts with Rachel BitecoferPlease note that thereâs some pretty salty language in this episode.
Â
Our conversation with political scientist Rachel Bitecofer was originally released on 8/31/22. Rachel has been a strong voice on saving our democracy and her new book, âHit âEm Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game," was released in Feb 2023. Given how important her message is, we decided to re-release her episode.Â
Â
This was a milestone episode for us. Sherry has admired Rachel Bitecoferâs work from behind her Twitter screen for years. When she used tha...2024-02-0749 min
The Cycle- On SubstackDemocracy Awakening:As soon as Heather Cox Richardsonâs new book Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America came across my algorithm I reached out and invited Americaâs favorite academic back onto the show. HRCâs newest book lays out how a small group of wealthy men financed and developed a right wing propaganda machine that 54+ years later, stands to topple Americaâs nearly 250 year old democracy. But perhaps even more importantly, Cox-Richardson lays out how marginalized Americans of the past have risen up to meet their own historical moments and saved the American experiment in the p...2024-01-2940 min
The Cycle- On SubstackMr. International: How Joe Biden Saved the Entire International Order by Defeating Donald TrumpLike all good lefties, I cut my teeth in progressive politics learning all about the horrors of Americaâs massive military industrial complex. In one of my very first college classes ever at the local community college, a passionate instructor who spent his spare time organizing peace marches against the Iraq War made sure each of his students left his class well-versed in Americaâs overinvestment in defense spending and underinvestment in well, everything else.20 years ago I had zero appreciation for the reasons why America had amassed such tremendous military might. Like everyone else, I fo...2024-01-1630 min
The Cycle- On SubstackBuT i ThOuGhT tHe LeFt CaN't MeMe?!Throughout 2024 I plan on highlighting core grassroots organizations working on the frontlines of the Democratic Partyâs messaging revolution. Now, maybe you think the word ârevolutionâ is too strong, but trust me, moving a party away from approaching voters with wonky policy appeals and achievements to focusing on making sure regular Americans know what the modern GOP has planned for them is no small reform. It requires a revolution of thought based on the cold, hard, realities of the American electorate i lay out in the book. In my forthcoming book Hit Emâ Where it Hurts: H...2023-11-2823 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Tyranny of the MinorityThe first time I posted about the harsh reality of Americaâs collapsing democracy, it seemed like many folks were genuinely surprised to see that America is not actually the Greatest Democracy on Earth. According to the democracy index compiled by the EIU and published annually by The Economist, America is actually a âflawedâ democracy. The United States was downgraded from âfullâ to âflawedâ democracy after half of America handed the keys to the White House to a wannabe dictator-con man who immediately began to roll back civil liberties and ignore the rule of law. The Cy...2023-10-2331 min
The Cycle- On SubstackAmerica doesnât have a âboth sidesâ problem, it has a Republican Party problem.What if I was to tell you the Republican Partyâs villain-in-chief, the main protagonist in the Republican Partyâs âDemocrats are socialistsâ Big Lie, Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is an ideological moderate serving in a likewise still moderate Democratic Party? Understandably, you wouldnât believe me, so I would have to present some pretty compelling evidence to change your mind. Enter that evidence: VoteView. What is VoteView? VoteView is a data analysis tool built by a group of now famous political scientists that measures the ideological behavior of members of Congress, from itâs...2023-09-2529 min
The Cycle- On SubstackFear & Loathing in the 2022 Midterm ElectionsI first learned about Way to Win when they published an analysis after the 2020 cycle empirically demonstrating the weakness of the Democratic Partyâs messaging strategy against the GOPâs in the 2020 cycle. While Republicanâs focused on branding Democrats as dangerous socialists intent on destroying America, Democrats were branding Republicans as good friends they just couldnât wait to work with it! The poll-tested value of telling swing voters how great the other party is and how much you canât wait to work with them is pretty high, but the electoral viability of such a str...2023-07-1132 min
The Cycle- On SubstackIt's a Cult!If you want to get someone out of a cult, Dr. Steven Hassan is your man. Inspired to a career focused on cults by his own personal experience being tricked into joining one, Dr. Hassan has spent decades researching, writing, and talking about cults and is skilled at getting folks out of them. In fact, he literally wrote the manual on understanding and breaking cult allegiance, Combating Cult Mind Control (4th edition), which I strongly urge you to check out, ESPECIALLY if like me, youâve lost friends and relatives into the Cult of Trump....2023-04-2536 min
The Cycle- On SubstackShadowboxing the Apocalypse: Episode 1Two years or so again I began an extensive research project into the totalitarian movements of the 1920s and 1930, with a heavy emphasis on Germany and Italy whose totalitarians regimes hailed from the political right. When I started this research project I knew very little about the process by which the National Socialists actually rose to power, this despite holding both a college degree and a PhD in political science. My general knowledge was limited to the major battles of WWII and what was by far the Naziâs worse crime: the systemic slaughter of 6 million Jews in...2023-03-2232 min
The Cycle- On SubstackGirl, You ARE Politics!Leigh McGowen, of IamPoliticsGirl and The Politics Girl pod fame, intrinsically gets the purpose, the proper forms, and the distribution realties of modern messaging. Thatâs why I was jazzed to bring my fellow messaging (and messy bun) aficionado onto The Cycle to talk about her rise as one of the Democratic Partyâs brightest and best messaging stars. Leigh has launched Politics Girl on YouTube so PLEASE SUBSCRIBE NOW. Youâll find links to all of her great messaging content in one convenient space! So, what happens when you bring two fiery suburb...2023-02-1330 min
The Cycle- On SubstackWhY aRe ThE pOlLs AlwAys WrOnG!If you find polling interesting or frustrating (or both!) this is the episode for you! U-Mass Amherst pollster and Associate Professor Alex Theodoridis is on the pod to talk about challenges facing modern polling and how to properly conduct and present survey results given the impacts on mass behavior of hyperpartisanship, which you should think of as partisanship, but on steroids. In addition to the above conversation I want to make damn sure you see Alexâs data drop from their latest poll, which quite clearly illustrates the effect propaganda is having on rank and fi...2023-01-1731 min
The Cycle- On Substack"He's Perfect."When you have to google the spelling of âcuckold",â you know youâre about to drop a hot pod! The Liberty Way reads like some kind of modern Footloose, forcing students to adhere to a moral code so strict, you expect the punishments to include stoning. Thatâs why the revelation that when âAmericaâs largest Christian universityâsâ President Jerry Falwell Jr. and his wife Becki Falwell have a âcuckoldâ itch, they sneak off to South Beach to scratch, its a REALLY BIG DEAL. And because Falwell Jr. had the good sense to be exposed as the...2022-12-2630 min
The Cycle- On SubstackMeet the Proud Boys: America's First Sturmabteilung (SA).Did you know that in order to advance in âdegreesâ in the Proud Boys you have to vow to stop jacking off so you can unleash your pent-up violence on your innocent victims?! Thatâs why you NEED a copy of Andy Campbellâs new book: We Are Proud Boys: How A Rightwing Street Gang Ushered In A New Era Of American Extremism. I havenât had a chance yet to present the sum of my research into the collapse of democracies and the rise of totalitarians, but rest assured, I intend to spend the next year...2022-12-1931 min
The Cycle- On SubstackDude, Where's My Red Wave?!In this short, but spirited conversation, Tom Bonier of Target Smart and Simon Rosenberg of NDN and host of the With Democrats, Things Get Better series, joins me on the pod to laugh at the Republican Partyâs red tinkle. Target Smart, it is the Democratâs premier voter targeting firm and creator of the incredible Target Early tool, which allows users to easily and quickly access critical information such as registration and voter turnout. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2022-12-1229 min
The Cycle- On SubstackFrancesca Tripodi's The Propagandist Playbook Reveals How Republicans Dominate Social MediaIâm excited to bring you this conversation with Francesca Tripodi, Assistant Professor at the School of Library Info and Library Science & senior researcher at the Center for Info, Tech, and Public Life at the venerable UNC-Chapel Hill. We discuss her new book, The Propagandistsâ Playbook: How Conservative Elites Manipulate Search and Threaten Democracy, which is a deep dive into how the Right dominates social media. This book and pod is a must read/listen for anyone involved in social media, from big time influencers to regular digital activists looking to maximize their online reach. Iâll...2022-09-0833 minThe Perfectly Imperfect JourneyHaving Way Too Much Fun with Rachel BitecoferPlease note that thereâs some pretty salty language in this episode.
This is a milestone episode for us. Sherry has admired Rachel Bitecoferâs work from behind her Twitter screen for years. When she used that same screen to ask Rachel to join us on the podcast, we were both thrilled she said yes. Â
We are even more thrilled with the conversation we got to have with Rachel. Like most of us, sheâs had a bumpy road to get to where she is today: a well respected political scientist, polling expert, and commentator who has a...2022-08-3148 min
The Cycle- On Substack"Hate Will Only Win If People Like Me Stand By And Let It Happen."Michigan state senator Mallory McMorrow opened her now famous speech on the floor of the Michigan senate by calling out the reason her Republican senate colleague chose to target her in a fundraising email that is part of a party-wide effort to brand Democrats as child groomers (proof positive of QANONâs continued influence in the modern Republican Party).McMorrow knew why she was personally targeted, saying it is âbecause I am the biggest threat to your hollow, hateful scheme because you canât claim youâre targeting marginalized kids in the name of quote âparental rightsâ if another p...2022-07-1731 min
The Cycle- On SubstackAn American TaleIf âguilt by associationâ also works for âcoolness by associationâ I have officially arrived! Its not every day that I get someone who has interviewed the President of the United States to come onto the pod (though I should probably note Iâve had at least 3 on here) but STILL! Sheâs an academic so it counts for more! When THE HCR (as some of her fans refer to her) agreed to come onto The Cycle I wasâŠ. I was especially keen to talk to Heather about Americaâs current democratic crisis which has...2022-05-1633 min
The Cycle- On SubstackDemocrats Are From Venus, Republicans Are From MarsWelcome to Political Behavior 454! Today I am going to expose you to one of several research books that have come out in the past few years that help explain modern political behavior, which is distinct from political behavior of previous decades in several measurable and important ways. Dr. Jonathan Weiler, Director of Undergraduate Global Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill and co-author of Pick Up or Prius: How the Answers to Four Simple Questions Explain Americanâs Great Political Divide is on the show today to help you understand just how profound the âdivideâ between the Left and the Right...2022-05-0232 min
The Cycle- On SubstackLaboratories of AutocracyIâve had a lot of fascinating conversations with my Cycle guests, but this pod with David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party and author of what Politico Mag calls âthe thriller that predicted the Russia Scandal,â is one for the record books. His new book, Laboratories of Democracy: A Wake Up Call From Behind The Lines takes you into the complex world of state politics- a strange new world with new life, and new civilizations that pass legislation via simple majorities. When you agree with the legislative agenda of the party controlling your s...2022-04-2544 min
The Cycle- On SubstackLock, Stock, & BarrelBelieve it or not, when George W. Bush ran for the Republican Partyâs nomination in 2000, he was able to at least tacitly support reauthorizing the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, which was set to expire in 2004. Yep, you read that right. As radical as they might have seemed to you back then, as of 2000 most of the Republican Party was still quite sane, and intent on being a governing party. Their insanity didnât really start until the mid-2000s, after Karl Rove demonstrated the power of base politics and everything went to s**t. Im...2022-04-1530 min
The Cycle- On SubstackAnd the Wind Cries Mary:Mary Trump has been very busy since she first emerged on the national stage after sacrificing much to share thousands of personal records documenting Trump family corruption with investigators from the New York Times.She doubled down on her gift to America by next releasing audio of Trumpâs federal judge sister admitting his entire schtick is an immoral long con. In other words, Mary Trump is one bad ass motherf*cker. Two books later, and a podcast you should be sure to check out, Mary is making her 2nd appearance here on The Cycle to...2022-04-0430 min
The Cycle- On SubstackOur Own Worst EnemyWhen I first spotted the title of my friend Tom Nicholsâ new book I knew it needed to serve as the opening pod cast for season 2. Why? Because Tomâs excellent thesis, that 80 years of peace, prosperity, improving life conditions, and tech have led us to what I call a âdecadence" issue. Put simply, Americans are so comfortable, and so far removed from past tribulations, they have done what comfortable people do: turned their angst both inward, and towards the respectively trivial. In short, weâre fat, happy, comfortable and charging head first into a self-imposed chaos mostly o...2022-03-1534 min
The Cycle- On SubstackDOOM!Political scientists of the future will no doubt burn a lot of digital ink trying to identify where things went off the rails in 21st century America. Like the first shot of the Civil War, the near-collapse of our democracy in 2020 and 2021 stand out as pinnacle moments in what is, at least for now, a âcoldâ Civil War. With the rule of law under severe strain from the full-frontal assault against it by President Trump and his Republican Party peers, the GOP is increasingly using control of government at the state level to codify their anti...2021-09-0757 min
The Cycle- On SubstackHow the GOP's "Evil Geniuses" Destroyed AmericaFriends, Iâm sorry about the hiatus for the pod so many of you have graciously endured while I launched Strike Pac, prepped my house for my exodus back out West, and dealt with my appendix trying to murder me. That so many of you suffered in silence was not lost on me, and is massively appreciated. Yâall are some really good humans! Also, before I get into the summary of the pod, I am now at a place where I can start to incorporate some of Strike Pacâs work into the paid subscr...2021-08-0147 min
The Cycle- On SubstackLions, Tigers, & Turnout, Oh My!When UC-San Diego political science Associate Professor Seth Hill and his co-authors dropped their latest article in the journal Science Advances, the title immediately caught my eye. That title was âNot by turnout alone: Measuring the sources of electoral change, 2012 to 2016.â Now, having spent the better part of 2 years arguing with people about the role of turnout on electoral outcomes, my immediate thought was, âwhy are they burying the lead here?â Thatâs because from my perspective, the novel finding is turnout does, in fact impact election outcomes. That a small portion of Independen...2021-05-2739 min
The Cycle- On SubstackYes Virginia, All Politics is NATIONALIn his very first podcast, Professor Emeritus at University of California, San Diego and prolific political scientist Gary Jacobson previews the 2020 updates to his longitudinal research on key voting behaviors of the American electorate. If youâre wondering what it means to say Americaâs politics have ânationalizedâ Jacobsonâs research has you covered. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2021-05-1653 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThrough the Looking GlassGreetings cool cats & kittens,Today Iâm releasing my fascinating conversation with Chris Bail, who runs The Polarization Lab at Duke University. Chris has a new book out: Breaking the Social Media Prism: How to Make Our Platforms Less Polarizing which presents analysis from a major study he and his colleagues in the lab conducted on polarization and social media. The study attempts to answer some of the most important questions we have about the role of social media as one of many mechanisms contributing to our polarization and hyperpartisanship. Using what we political scientists ca...2021-05-041h 08
The Cycle- On SubstackAre We Too Dumb For Democracy?!Friends,I hope youâll listen to my conversation with fellow political scientist and political behavior expert David Moscrop. In addition to his impressive scholarly research, Dr. Moscrop has also written a very accessible book that explains why humans are poorly-suited for democracy.Titled Too Dumb For Democracy? Why we make bad political decisions and how we can better ones documents the limits of human decision-making, noting in particular how decision-making deficiencies are particularly pronounced in the political context which us political scientists understand as perpetual contests for power and resources.Now, because Davi...2021-04-2149 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Luck of the Irish:Friends,What happens when a political scientist with specific expertise in presidential nominations and general elections joins up with two of Washingtonâs best sourced âstumpâ reporters to talk about their tell-all âWhat Happenedâ book on the 2020 cycle? Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2021-04-051h 06
The Cycle- On SubstackA Special Episode With "The Senate Whisperer" Lawrence O'DonnellLike many of you, the realization that Democrats would have majority control of the Senate after the improbable victories of Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in Georgiaâs runoff elections on January 5th was electrifying! I imagine that for one of my personal heroes, Stacey Abrams, it also came with a deeply satisfying âsee! we told you this electoral strategy would work!â as we saw how modernized electioneering can pay dividends even in some of the harshest electoral environments. My joy was tempered only by the fact that Democrats would have a 50 seat majority-where Vice President Harris...2021-02-051h 09
The Open Mind, Hosted by Alexander HeffnerPost-Sedition Politics and Pandemic PoliciesPolitical scientist Rachel âThe Docâ Bitecofer discusses nationalizing the argument for democracy and economic relief. 2021-02-0228 min
The Cycle- On SubstackToo Much & Never Enough: Counting Down the Last Days of the Presidency of the World's Most Dangerous Man with Mary TrumpIf there is one other person out there more bullish than I am regarding Donald Trumpâs capabilities for Mussolini-like behaviors, itâs his niece Mary Trump. Mary made a splash when her tell-all book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created The Worldâs Most Dangerous Man released. The book was unique because it combined an autobiographical account of Maryâs family history as a Trump and her various interactions with the man she simply refers to as âDonald,âwith detached psychoanalysis of the various Trump relatives covered in the book via her education and training...2021-01-1242 min
The Cycle- On SubstackDying For Trump? White Resentment Politics Drives Some to "Die for Whiteness," But Will They Die for Trump?Wednesday the 6th will be Trump-driven shitshow in D.C. when Republicans in Congress will turn a mere formality with the Electoral College certification process into a clown show. Thanks to an initial âtoe-in-the-waterâ by senator and 2024 hopeful Josh Hawley, support for the circus in the senate, the chamber supposedly for grown-ups, quickly ballooned to a dozen (now 13) Republican senators. The effort already had robust enthusiasm in the House. Nearly 70% of that chamberâs Republican caucus, including their rudderless âleader,â Kevin McCarthy will vote against certification.Trumpâs effort to steal the election, which has unfolded almost entirely in...2021-01-0552 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: Lethal Mass PartisanshipIn the premiere episode of The Election Whisperer on The Cycle- On Substack the showâs first in audio-only format, Rachel recaps (as quickly as possible!) the months that have passed since the show went on hiatus. The post election period has been marked by the whole of the Republican Party enabling Trumpâs democracy-destroying multiple coup attempts. Senator Josh Hawley has gone so far as to commit to âobjectingâ to Bidenâs win on January 6th when the Senate meets to approve the Electoral College- a process that is a mere formality for the Senate, but will likel...2020-12-301h 08
The Cycle- On SubstackElection Day Rewind: Election Whisperer LIVE (9-10 pm)The live episode aired at 9 pm ET on The Cycle on November 3rd. Rachel Bitecofer is joined by Jessica Post and Flip Pidot for a live look at the wild election results pouring in as polls finally closed across most of the country. For more, check out https://thecycle.news. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2020-11-0441 minThe Bob Cesca ShowDr. Rachel Bitecofer Returns[Explicit Language] The Election Whisperer, the great Dr. Rachel Bitecofer, called in today to discuss her forecast for Election Day, but we ended up spending most of the time gaming out how Trump will try to disrupt the vote counting with lawsuits and other shenanigans. Plus, the possibility of Texas, long lines and voter suppression, The Doc updates us on her battle with a kidney infection, and more! You can support Dr. Bitecofer's work at TheCycle.news and you can follow her on Twitter here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...2020-10-2849 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: TurnoutVideo version at electionwhisperer.com. In the electoral home stretch, one question looms large for every party and candidate on the ballot: how do we get our voters to vote? Turnout is always critical, but in this highly peculiar cycle, it stands to play an even larger role than usual. Rachel Bitecofer has assembled a panel to reveal what progressives are doing in 2020 to convert supporters into voters. Guests: - Alex Morgan, executive director of Progressive Turnout Project - Diana Patiño, lead strategist of Sisters United Alliance - Jaime Mercado, consulta...2020-10-2125 min
The Cycle- On SubstackElection Whisperer LIVE at The CycleRachel Bitecofer answers your Election 2020 questions LIVE at http://TheCycle.news. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2020-10-1859 min
The Cycle- On SubstackElection Whisperer's Texas Spectacular (Part 4: Congressional Candidates)Video version at electionwhisperer.com. In the final installment, Rachel Bitecofer is reunited with two-time co-host Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) along with Wendy Davis (candidate in the 21st District), Mike Siegel (10th) and Julie Oliver (25th).The incumbents in these three red districts all won by single digits in 2018, so this episode may be jam packed with soon-to-be representatives-elect! Subscribe to the show and submit your questions for Rachel at ElectionWhisperer.com. For the podcast version, check out ElectionWhisperer.com/pod. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by host...2020-10-0842 min
The Cycle- On SubstackElection Whisperer's Texas Spectacular (Part 3: The GSD Club)Video version at electionwhisperer.com. In this installment, Rachel Bitecofer is joined by 3 of Texas' grassroots political leaders - the get s*** done club! Guests: - Carrie Collier-Brown, founder of Blue Action Dems. - Sherrie Matula, founderof Sisters United Alliance. - Diana Patiño, lead strategist of Sisters United Alliance. Subscribe to the show and submit your questions for Rachel at ElectionWhisperer.com. For the podcast version, check out ElectionWhisperer.com/pod. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should no...2020-09-2926 min
The Cycle- On SubstackElection Whisperer's Texas Spectacular (Part 2: Flipping Texas)Video version at electionwhisperer.com. Rachel Bitecofer's Texas Spectacular rolls on, with a dazzling dozen guests vying for seats in the state house this fall.Cari Marshall from "Flip the Texas House" serves as assistant emcee, as Rachel chats with Sharon Hirsch, Lorenzo Sanchez, Lydia Bean, Alisa Simmons, Akilah Bacy, Celina Montoya, Brandy Chambers, Ann Johnson, Angela Brewer, Jennifer Skidonenko and Elizabeth Beck.PLUS: A crash course on the Texas gerrymander with the Lizard Man!Subscribe to the show and submit your questions for Rachel at ElectionWhisperer.com. All c...2020-09-241h 08
The Cycle- On SubstackElection Whisperer's Texas Spectacular (Part 1: Beto O'Rourke)Video version at electionwhisperer.com. Rachel Bitecofer's Texas Spectacular kicks off with Beto O'Rourke, revealing his plan to turn the state blue in a key redistricting year through his organization Powered By People, and how that would "forever reorder the political landscape of America."All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2020-09-1446 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: Go Ahead... Make My DataVideo version at electionwhisperer.com. It's the first installment of The Election Whisperer's "Go Ahead... Make My Data." These are shorter-form, number-heavy episodes where Rachel Bitecofer takes you inside the data behind the politics. Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com. For the podcast version, check out ElectionWhisperer.com/pod. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice. Get full access to Th...2020-08-2418 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: DNC Special Part 3 (Guy Cecil)Video version at electionwhisperer.com. The thrilling conclusion to Rachel Bitecofer's DNC special is an interview with Guy Cecil, chair of Priorities USA, the largest Democratic super PAC. Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com. For the podcast version, check out ElectionWhisperer.com/pod. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com...2020-08-1931 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: DNC Special Part 2 (Shannon Watts, Ezra Levin)Video version at electionwhisperer.com. Part 2 of Rachel Bitecofer's DNC special features a conversation with Ezra Levin (Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Indivisible) and Shannon Watts (Founder of Moms Demand Action), plus a furry cameo. Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com. For the podcast version, check out ElectionWhisperer.com/pod. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice. Get full access to The...2020-08-1931 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: DNC Special Part 1 (Jessica Post)Video version at electionwhisperer.com. Rachel Bitecofer's DNC special kicks off with an interview with Jessica Post, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com. For the podcast version, check out ElectionWhisperer.com/pod. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2020-08-1937 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: DNC SpecialVideo version at electionwhisperer.com. Rachel Bitecofer hosts an all-star lineup of campaign strategists, operatives and activists for a truly gargantuan episode as the 2020 Democratic National Convention gets underway.- First up: Jessica Post (President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee)- At 37:45: Ezra Levin (Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Indivisible) and Shannon Watts (Founder of Moms Demand Action)- At 1:08:35: Guy Cecil (Chair of Priorities USA) - At 1:39:50: Rachel's concluding remarks and a preview of what's next.Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own a...2020-08-171h 49The Bob Cesca ShowRachel Bitecofer Returns[Explicit Language] Today I spoke with "The Doc" about the Lincoln Project, Kamala Harris, Trump's Postal Service sabotage, Kanye West, and a lot more. Dr. Rachel Bitecofer's forecast for the 2018 election nailed the outcome of that contest, and sheâs continuing her work with the Niskanen Center and now the Lincoln Project. She also launched a brand new YouTube show called The Election Whisperer, link in the description at BobCesca.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.2020-08-1248 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: Zerlina MaxwellVideo version at electionwhisperer.com. Rachel Bitecofer welcomes Zerlina Maxwell, author of "The End of White Politics" for a discussion on 2020 messaging, identity politics, and the right way to pick a running mate. Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com. For the podcast version, check out oldbull.tv/pod. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice. Get full access to The Cycle- On S...2020-08-1243 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer with Rachel Bitecofer (and special co-host Joaquin Castro)Video version at electionwhisperer.com. Rachel gets an assist with the hosting duties from Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) for a conversation on Latinx voters with Chuck Rocha from Solidarity Strategies and Stephanie Valencia, co-founder of Equis Labs. Plus, Rachel reveals the winner of the Question Of the Week swag challenge (yes, somebody won this week)! Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com. For the podcast version, check out electionwhisperer.com/pod. Get full acce...2020-07-221h 13
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer: The Doc Is In (July 12, 2020)Video version here. Welcome to the first-ever Election Whisperer mailbag special. Nothing but Rachel Bitecofer answering your questions.  Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe2020-07-1343 min
Old BullThe Election Whisperer: The Doc Is In (July 12, 2020)Video version here.Â
Welcome to the first-ever Election Whisperer mailbag special.Â
Nothing but Rachel Bitecofer answering your questions.Â
Â
Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com.Â
All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or other advice.
2020-07-1343 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer with Rachel Bitecofer ("How the Midwest Was Won" with Ben Wikler)Video version here. Rachel Bitecofer welcomes Wisconsin Democratic state chair Ben Wikler, for an (uninterrupted!) discussion of the state's pivotal role in the 2020 presidential election and the stunning upset they pulled off this spring. Plus, Rachel answers your questions and reveals who (if anyone) won the inaugural Question Of the Week swag challenge. Subscribe to the show and submit a question of your own at ElectionWhisperer.com. All content and opinions presented herein, whether by hosts and guests, are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or oth...2020-07-081h 07
Swear To God PodcastCampaign Like Four LokoDemocrats are playing pickleball marketing while the GOP is lobbing bombs down the field and now "Obamagate" is a thing. Let's take the advice of Rachel "The Doc" Bitecofer and step up the damn game. 2020 requires a campaign like Four Loko.2020-07-0200 min
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer with Rachel Bitecofer ("The Lean Mean GOP Campaign Machine" with Rick Wilson)Video version here. This week, Rachel's joined by the Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson to examine how the Republican Party has consistently out-campaigned Democrats, notching win after win even states where they're heavily outnumbered (looking at you, Florida). Can Rick and his elite crew of former GOP heavyweights use the party's devastatingly effective playbook against it in their 2020 messaging? And which party is best positioned to win the vote-by-mail war? Plus, Rachel briefs you on a key rating change in her Electoral College map and answers a whole bunch of viewer questions! All...2020-07-011h 10
The Cycle- On SubstackThe Election Whisperer with Rachel Bitecofer ("Veepstakes" with Kyle Kondik)Video version here. It's the premiere of Rachel Bitecofer's "election nerd Disneyland."The Election Whisperer is a weekly exploration of Dr. Bitecofer's political analysis and election forecasts, packed with data-driven deep dives, in-depth interviews with the best and brightest election modelers and campaign strategists, and answers to viewer-submitted questions.This week, Rachel sits down with Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the UVA Center for Politics to talk veepstakes.If you're watching during the premiere at 6 pm ET on June 24, stick around after the show for an exclusive Q...2020-06-2558 min
The Prediction TradeRachel Bitecofer: The Hottest Hand in Handicapping (#16)In this special episode, we walk Rachel "the Doc" Bitecofer, the hottest hand in election handicapping, into the political trading pit for her very first time. She earned her cred by nailing the 2018 midterms, and her 2020 election model is the talk of the Beltway. So we put her to work, talking through more than a dozen prediction markets and sharing her most promising forecasts. Part 1: Profiting From Political Partisanship (2:47) Part 2: The Election Whisperer Rings the TPT Trading Bell (19:52) TRADES The Electoral College Bets, Trump & the Popular Vote, Key Senate Races & the Veepstakes Take our first-ever listener survey here: https://www...2020-06-0454 minThe Bob Cesca ShowEncore Interview: Rachel "The Doc" Bitecofer[Explicit Language] For todayâs encore interview, weâre rewinding to April when I spoke with political scientist Rachel "The Mad Genius" Bitecofer about her electoral model for 2020, and the concept of ânegative partisanship.â In 2018, her election forecast nailed the outcome of the midterms. You might be familiar with her work for the Naskanen Center or you mightâve seen Rachel on a recent episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, as well as The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. Donât forget to support this show by subscribing to our bonus content at bobcescashow.com. See Privacy Poli...2020-06-031h 00