How to Win 2024

2024 is almost here and so is primary season. Before things kick into full gear with the Iowa caucuses in January, Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri are answering your political (and your not-so-political) questions – about how to combat waning interest in President Biden, who might make the ticket as former President Trump’s running mate, and how Travis Kelce scored a date with Taylor Swift.

In this special breaking news episode, Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord, hosts of the Prosecuting Donald Trump podcast, react to the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify the former president from the state’s 2024 presidential ballot. They explain the court’s reasoning, and what the potential fallout might be.

Earlier this week, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against a pregnant woman in Dallas seeking an abortion following a fatal fetal diagnosis. The ruling prompted outcries from abortion-rights activists across the country. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri are joined by Christina Reynolds of EMILYs List to break down what happened in Texas and look ahead to how the push for abortion access will influence political races in 2024. Plus, they shine a spotlight on voters’ climate change concerns following this week’s COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai.

In recent weeks, Donald Trump has made his plans for a second term clear: he wants to use the military on domestic soil, repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and increase deportation efforts – to name a few. Former Senior Advisor to President Obama, Dan Pfeiffer, joins former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri to take a closer look at Trump’s second term threats. Plus, they shine a spotlight on the rising concerns at the US southern border.

With the Iowa caucuses fast approaching, Republican presidential candidates went toe to toe in their fourth debate on Wednesday, December 6th. The debate was hosted by NewsNation in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Chris Christie all making it to the stage. Like in earlier debates, the party frontrunner, former President Trump, was not present. After things wrapped, MSNBC’s Jen Psaki hosted a live YouTube special to analyze the night. She was joined by co-hosts of MSNBC's new show "The Weekend": Alicia Menendez, Symone Sanders-Townsend and Michael Steele. Listen to the coverage here as a bonus podcast episode.

Younger voters have steadily backed the Democratic Party for years, but support for the Biden Administration has faltered. What are young people looking for in 2024? Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri are joined by North Carolina Democratic Party Chair, Anderson Clayton, to find out how Biden can win over voters in this key group. Plus, they shine a spotlight on The Affordable Care Act and new reporting by ABC News that reveals Senator Chuck Grassley almost replaced then Vice President Mike Pence in the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021. Grassley claims to have only learned of the scheme when they were "publicly reported many months later."

Democrats are becoming increasingly concerned by the growing number of third-party candidates who could run in 2024. Jennifer Palmieri and former Sen. Claire McCaskill take a deep dive into the potential spoilers. Plus, Third Way’s Matt Bennett warns Jen and Claire about something they had no idea about!

While Republicans were busy fighting each other in the House and inside Senate hearings this week, Democrats worked together to avert a government shutdown. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri explain what they see as the GOP's culture of violence and what Democrats need to do to keep control of the Senate in 2024. Plus, President Biden’s Deputy Campaign Manager, Rob Flaherty, joins to talk about the president’s digital campaign strategy.

Donald Trump's rivals took aim at each other in the third GOP debate while the ex-president mocked them from afar. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri explain why they think the debate “means squat.” Plus, VA Sen. Tim Kaine joins us to discuss Democrats’ big wins on election night and what the party needs to do to win in 2024. 

Rachel Maddow, Jen Psaki, and the rest of the MSNBC team broke down the third Republican presidential debate live on TV. They discussed the best and worst moments from the night – including whether any candidate emerged as a viable challenger against former President Trump. Listen to the audio of the post-debate analysis here. 

On Wednesday, five candidates faced off in the third GOP Presidential Debate, hosted by NBC News in Miami. They focused on issues of foreign policy, abortion, and the economy. Meanwhile, the front-runner, former president Donald Trump, counter-programmed with a rally nearby. Listen to the full audio of the debate here. 

In a special episode, Jennifer Palmieri and the West Wing’s Bradley Whitford break down this week’s 2024 winners and losers, including what Mike Pence’s exit from the race means for the GOP and why MN Rep. Dean Phillips’ long-shot primary challenge against President Biden could backfire. Plus, MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissmann joins us to dig into Donald Trump’s hellish legal week and what his growing legal woes could mean for 2024.

How can Democrats do a better job of messaging to voters? Which party is hurt more by Independent candidates? And are poll numbers as helpful as pundits claim? In this episode, Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri answer your listener questions.

President Biden makes his second trip to an active war zone -- his most dangerous trip yet. Jennifer Palmieri and Claire McCaskill talk to MSNBC’s Jen Psaki about the reasons behind Biden’s decision to visit Israel and how he navigates this tricky situation ahead of 2024. Plus, Donald Trump seems to be trapped in a real-life episode of “Law & Order,” spending more and more time in a courtroom. But why don’t his supporters care? We’ll get into it.

The Israel-Hamas war is already shaking up the 2024 race, with President Biden projecting a strong image on the world stage while Donald Trump faces major backlash for praising Hezbollah. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri warn about possible parallels with the Iraq War and dig into how that could change the election. Plus, Steve Kornacki is back to tell us which party should be more worried about RFK Jr.’s third-party run.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) joins Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri to break down the ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and what it means for the Republican party and 2024. Plus, this week’s spotlight on two women from across the ideological spectrum: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA).

Debate guru Ron Klain joins Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri to discuss the winners and losers of the 2nd GOP debate and what it could mean for President Biden’s re-election campaign. Plus, what he thinks about House Republicans’ impeachment effort that polls show voters want nothing to do with.

Republican presidential candidates gathered at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Wednesday night for their second debate of the season. MSNBC provided post-game analysis – highlights and lowlights, the best questions of the night, and what’s to come in the following weeks. In case you missed it on TV, listen here as Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, Stephanie Ruhle, Joy Reid, Ari Melber, Jen Psaki, and several guests along the way, share their take-aways. And check out msnbc.com for more coverage. 

Jennifer Palmieri and Claire McCaskill break down this week’s winners and losers on the campaign trail, including how Rep. Lauren Boebert’s public groping session could doom her party in 2024. Plus, how Donald Trump’s abortion comments may have provided an opening for his GOP rivals in Iowa and at the second Republican primary debate.

How do you win an unprecedented election that could see a criminally indicted ex-president take on the current Commander in Chief? How do you win crucial down-ballot races that will ultimately shape the power dynamics for whoever wins the White House? And how do you win over voters – of ANY party -- when mistrust in leadership is at an all-time high? Our hosts, Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri, are two of the most well-respected voices in American politics today and have some ideas. 

On the first episode of “How to Win 2024” they talk to Steve Kornacki about President Biden’s tough poll numbers and analyze how his team can still push forward to victory. Plus, why Claire says she’d rather be at Rikers Island than be House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for the next 30 days.