The Smerconish Podcast

Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.) joins Michael to talk about former President Trump's recently saying he'd "encourage" Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" to NATO-aligned countries that don't meet their financial obligations to the alliance.

President Biden's reelection campaign is now on TikTok. The social media platform is banned by the US Federal Government on all government-issued devices, but, not on personal/political accounts like that of an election campaign. That has Michael asking today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the Biden campaign be on TikTok despite the app being banned on government devices? Listen to his commentary here, then vote, and please leave a rating and review on this podcast!

Michael talks about new 2024 race polling data, and the latest concerns surrounding the two top candidates, President Biden & Former President Trump, and expands on his reaction to criticism he received on social media over the weekend, in response to his coverage of Biden and Trump on CNN. Original air date 12 February 2024.

Feeling a little tired after the big game yesterday? Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Should President’s Day be celebrated as a holiday the day after the Super Bowl every year? Listen here, vote there.

While he was not charged, the Department of Justice Report on President Biden's handling of classified documents does not paint a good picture of him, Michael has read the full Special Counsel's report, and offers his thoughts, plus, gets expert analysis from CNN Senior Legal Correspondent Elie Honig. Original air date 9 February 2024.

Tucker Carlson had a lengthy conversation with the President of Russia. Michael asks you this daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Was it appropriate for Tucker Carlson to interview Vladimir Putin? Listen to his thoughts here, then vote!

Here is everything you need to know on a federal appeals court ruling that Donald Trump is not immune from prosecution of alleged crimes he committed during his presidency. Michael gets incredible expertise from Tobias Barrington Wolff, professor at UPenn Carey Law. He writes and teaches in the fields of civil procedure and complex litigation, the conflict of laws, constitutional law, and LGBT rights. Original air date 7 February 2024.

The Supreme Court takes center stage today in the 2024 race, hearing former President Trump's appeal of being banned from the ballot in Colorado. Michael asks you today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will the Supreme Court remove Donald Trump from the Colorado ballot? Listen here, vote there, and leave a rating and review on this podcast!

Michael may not totally agree, but he is very interested in New York Times Contributing Opinion Writer Megan K. Stack's take on the involuntary manslaughter guilty verdict of Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of a school shooter who killed four classmates in Michigan in November 2021. Listen to this thought-provoking conversation on her essay, "What Is This Mother Really Guilty Of?" Original air date 7 February 2024.

Republicans in the U.S. House have attempted to impeach the Secretary of Homeland Security for his failure to secure the southern border, but have come up just short of the votes needed to do it. Michael asks you today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Does Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas deserve to be impeached? Listen here, vote there! And, please rate and review this podcast.

An insightful conversation with Matt Viser at The Washington Post on his piece "When Joe Biden lost his purpose: Between his son’s death and his presidential run, Biden cast about for meaning." Original air date 6 February 2024.

The 2024 race continues and new polling data has come out - Michael takes a look and asks you the Daily Poll Question today at Smerconish.com: Do you believe the polls showing that at this moment, Joe Biden trails Donald Trump? Listen here, then vote!

Michael talks to Matt Welch, editor at large at Reason, the libertarian magazine of "free minds and free markets." They discuss his latest piece on the increasing number of third party candidates that will appear on the ballot this fall.

Michael opens a new week asking this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which issue is more politically potent in 2024. Abortion or The Border? Listen to him lay it out here, then vote.

Michael gets the full story on what's happening in Kansas City, Missouri, where three men where found dead outside a home after watching a playoff football game together. FOX 4 Kansas City's Malik Jackson paints a fuller picture on what is now known, yet, so much of what's on the canvas still remains a mystery. Original air date 2 February 2024

Michael asks this daily poll question today at Smerconish.com: Is there a Constitutional right to vagrancy? Listen to him explain it here, then cast your vote.

Fulton County, GA District Attorney Fani Willis is being called on to recuse herself from the Georgia election subversion case against Donald Trump, over an alleged affair with her lead prosecutor on the case. It it time for her to step down? Michael has an in-depth and smart conversation with Clark Cunningham, Law Professor at Georgia State University. He is an expert in legal ethics and penned an Op-Ed in the New York Times, "Why Fani Willis Should Step Aside in the Trump Case in Georgia" on 24 January. Original air date 1 February 2024.

With rumors swirling again about a possible new candidate entering the race, Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: What are the odds Michelle Obama runs for president 2024? Listen here, then vote!

Michael hosts a conversation on what has suddenly become the biggest political issue: Taylor Swift's impact on the 2024 presidential race, and MAGA making moves to shut her down, fearing she may publicly endorse President Biden for reelection. Original air date 31 January 2024.

Michael focuses on the turmoil in the Middle East in today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. exert pressure on Israel to accept a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages? Listen here, then vote!