Dave Spencer and Carrie Sheffield discuss the latest debates around border security and immigration policy, including Republican calls to impeach Secretary Mayorkas and bipartisan negotiations around a border security bill. They also cover disagreements over aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Additionally, they debate a proposal to financially require fathers to support a child even before birth. Subscribe to Practically Political on YouTube 

Welcome to another riveting episode of "Practically Political" with your hosts Dave Spencer and Carrie Sheffield. In this episode, we dive deep into the dynamic world of American politics, dissecting the latest developments and speculating on the future landscape.Join us as we unravel the intriguing journey of Nikki Haley and explore the twists and turns of her path to the Republican nomination. From her political roots to the challenges she faces, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the rising star within the GOP.But the political landscape is ever-changing, and in this episode, we also shine a spotlight on Ron DeSantis, examining the factors contributing to his potential demise. From policy decisions to public perception, we dissect the elements that may impact the future of this prominent political figure.And of course, the burning question on everyone's mind – who should Trump pick as his running mate? Dave and Carrie engage in a thoughtful discussion, offering insights and considerations on potential candidates that could shape the upcoming political narrative.Tune in to "Practically Political" for a thought-provoking exploration of the political arena, where analysis meets speculation, and every episode brings you closer to understanding the intricacies of the ever-evolving political landscape.

Carrie and Dave wrap up 2023 with all the news headlines they were watching this year and look ahead to 2024 that will surely be a year for the record books.

In this conversation, Dave Spencer and Carrie Sheffield discuss various political topics. They start by discussing the refusal of Hunter Biden to testify publicly and the motives behind the Republican party's focus on him. They then move on to the debate between Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis, comparing the policies and performance of California and Florida. The conversation also touches on funding for Ukraine and Israel, as well as the border security issue. They discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of Benjamin Netanyahu. Finally, they talk about Kevin McCarthy's retirement and the state of the Republican party.TakeawaysThe Republican party's focus on Hunter Biden is driven by a strategy to make Joe Biden look bad and protect Donald Trump.California and Florida have different policies and performance in areas such as unemployment, business formation, personal income, taxes, and spending.Funding for Ukraine and Israel should be considered separately, and conditions can be attached to the funding.The Israel-Palestine conflict is complex, with both sides having their own responsibilities and failures.Kevin McCarthy's retirement reflects the state of the Republican party and the challenges it faces.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Hunter Biden Testimony07:14 Newsom vs. DeSantis Debate14:51 Funding for Ukraine, Israel, and the Border21:57 Israel-Palestine Conflict and Netanyahu22:11 Kevin McCarthy's Retirement

Hosts Carrie Sheffield and Dave Spencer are joined by author Lexi Hudson to discuss her new book "The Soul of Civility" and how we can promote respect and human dignity even amidst political and cultural divides. They cover topics like social segregation, mutual harm from incivility, reclaiming civic responsibility, the timeless challenge of "othering", and more. Lexi offers insights from historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Socrates as well as anecdotes from her own efforts to build community across differences.

In this week's episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer and Carrie Sheffield discuss the latest developments in American politics. Topics include Mike Pence's potential testimony related to the January 6th hearings, the exit of presidential candidates like Larry Elder and Mike Pence, and the rise of Nikki Haley as a potential alternative to Trump in the 2024 GOP primary. They also analyze the selection of Rep. Mike Johnson as the new House Speaker, including whether he was a good choice and his goals like addressing the national debt. Dave and Carrie have an engaging debate around Johnson's proposal to tie IRS funding to aid for Israel. Overall, they provide thoughtful analysis and differing perspectives on critical issues facing American politics today. 

In this somber episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer and Carrie Sheffield are joined by Masada Siegel to discuss the recent horrific terrorist attacks in Israel. Masada reflects on the massacre at the desert rave, calling it a planned attack on Western values and innocent civilians. The hosts condemn the muted response from universities like Harvard and Columbia, saying donors are finally withdrawing funds over the schools' failure to address rising antisemitism. Looking ahead, they discuss possible responses for Israel, with Masada arguing Arab nations should provide refuge for Palestinians if they truly care about their plight. The episode provides an in-depth exploration of the turmoil in Israel and its impact on Jews worldwide.

In this episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer and Carrie Sheffield converse with Bill Hoagland, a senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center, about the critical issue of Social Security reform and its impact on the federal budget. They delve into the repercussions of ignoring this issue, the potential for higher interest rates on national debt, and the inevitable 'cliffs' in the Social Security system if proactive reforms aren't implemented. The discussion emphasizes the urgency of addressing entitlements to resolve the budget crisis, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of the nation's economy.

According to the podcast transcript, the hosts delve into President Biden's decision to impose additional drilling restrictions in Alaska. They argue that this move is counterproductive and ultimately benefits OPEC, Russia, and other foreign adversaries. The hosts assert that these countries will further enrich themselves through increased oil production, while simultaneously constraining American oil resources and negatively impacting American families. They believe that this decision hampers the goal of funding the war against Russia. Furthermore, the hosts highlight the inconsistency in the Biden administration's stance on drilling, noting their initial opposition, subsequent support, and now the imposition of restrictions. They emphasize the need for a consistent energy policy and suggest that fostering better relations with Saudi Arabia could be advantageous in terms of boosting oil production.In the episode, the issue of student loans and Joe Biden's forgiveness plan is discussed. The speaker argues that Biden's plan fails to address the underlying problem of inflation caused by universities. They contend that universities bear responsibility for the exorbitant cost of education and essentially hold students hostage, with the federal government paying the ransom through student loans. The speaker questions why Joe Biden does not hold universities accountable for their role in the student loan crisis and suggests that it may be due to universities being liberal donors with entrenched liberal ideology. Additionally, the speaker proposes that universities should be held liable for neglecting to inform students about the value of their degrees and for establishing lending policies based on the degree's worth. Both the speaker and the podcast host agree that universities have become bloated with excessive administration and staff, and that the funds from student loans are not being utilized effectively to benefit students. They highlight the example of Yale University, which employs over 200 individuals in diversity-related roles, raising doubts about the necessity of such a large staff. Overall, the discussion underscores the belief that Biden's forgiveness plan fails to address the root cause of the student loan problem, namely the high cost of education and inflation driven by universities.According to the episode, the Democrats are portrayed as being more transparent about their willingness to spend money compared to Republicans. The host acknowledges that "all politicians love to spend money," but suggests that Democrats are more forthright in admitting it. This implies that Democrats openly express their desire to allocate funds for various initiatives and programs.Furthermore, the host references a statement made by Senator Bob Casey from Pennsylvania, who reportedly expressed his desire for all children to be automatically enrolled in Medicaid from birth. This statement serves as an example of the Democrats' inclination to expand government spending and further supports the notion that they are more candid about their willingness to spend money.Overall, the episode suggests that Democrats are more forthcoming about their intention to allocate funds for various purposes, while also acknowledging that spending money is a common trait among politicians in general.

The special guest for this episode is Michael Singleton, a prominent conservative commentator and expert on African-American issues and the Republican Party's outreach to minority communities. Host Kerry Sheffield expresses her admiration for Singleton, noting that he has thoughtful insights to share. Sheffield also mentions that Singleton has worked in the Trump administration under Secretary Ben Carson, whom she personally admires. Given Singleton's expertise and conservative perspective, he is a fitting guest for the podcast episode.Key Moments[00:01:22] 14th Amendment discussion.[00:04:39] The timing is off.[00:09:41] Trump vs. Biden dynamics.[00:10:29] Inflation and Bidenomics.[00:14:38] Black and Latino voters.[00:19:25] Turning out voters strategically.[00:22:28] President Biden's age and perception.[00:24:48] Always great to have you.OverviewDuring the episode, the participants engage in a discussion about the potential risks and impact on democracy if Donald Trump were to be reelected. One participant expresses concern, stating that they believe there is a 5% chance of Trump being reelected, which they consider too great a risk for the country's democracy. They argue that Trump's intentions are clear and there is no ambiguity about what he plans to do if he were to win another term.The participant also highlights Trump's erratic behavior during his previous term, suggesting that it ultimately led to his defeat and was a referendum on his character. They contrast this with the possibility of the 2024 election becoming a referendum on President Biden, which is more typical for an incumbent. They suggest that if the election becomes a referendum on Biden, it could pose a significant challenge for his campaign.Furthermore, the discussion touches upon the impact of voter apathy on the election. The participant expresses concern about lower voter turnout and suggests that Biden's greatest challenge may be voter apathy. They argue that it is crucial for the GOP to focus on engaging new voters rather than solely trying to win over those who voted against Trump in the previous election. They believe that voter turnout will play a pivotal role in determining the election's outcome.Overall, the discussion highlights the potential risks and consequences of Trump's reelection, particularly in terms of its impact on democracy. The participants express concerns about Trump's behavior and emphasize the need for the election to focus on policy rather than personalities. They also discuss the importance of voter turnout and the potential challenges faced by the Biden campaign.According to the podcast transcript, the effectiveness of the GOP in associating a vote for Biden as a vote for Kamala Harris is seen as a key factor in the election. The transcript notes that the turnout and enthusiasm for Democrats is not high, as many Democrats are not excited about the vice president and hold negative perceptions of her. Therefore, the GOP's ability to successfully link Biden with Harris and highlight any negative perceptions of her could potentially sway voters away from supporting Biden. The transcript also suggests that the RNC chairwoman should advise candidates who do not have a viable path to drop out and consolidate support around a candidate who can effectively challenge Biden. This implies that the GOP needs to strategically rally around a candidate who can effectively challenge Biden and Harris in order to increase their chances of winning the election.

Alexander Heffner, a journalist who writes for The Wall Street Journal,The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Philadelphia Inquirer, USA Today, and Newsday joins Carrie and Dave to discuss media in politics, government spending, and his recently released show "Breaking Bread" on Bloomberg TV.

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Chief Strategist from No Labels, Ryan Clancy, joins the show to discuss the strategy No Labels is taking making the initial steps to gain ballot access for the 2024 election and potentially run a third party candidate. This has generated a lot of buzz from both political parties worried a 3rd candidate will take votes from their base and help the other party. Ryan, is here to discuss exactly what No labels is trying to do and the circumstances that would need to occur for them to hand over the infrastructure they are laying down to a 3rd party campaign.

Bill Kristol, former Chief of Staff to the Vice President of the United States, joins Dave and Carrie to discuss the 2024 election. They discuss the impacts of the Dobbs decision as well as the potential for a third party candidate being offered up by No Labels.

In this episode of Practically Political, Dave and Carrie are joined by Masada Siegel to discuss whether there is a need for guardrails in AI, the Trump indictment in his classified documents case, and the importance traveling is for leaders in our country.

In this riveting episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer and Carrie Sheffield are joined by Rachel Snyderman, Director of Economic Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. They take a deep dive into the intricacies of the debt ceiling, the broken budget process, and the need for a reimagined annual appropriations process. Rachel provides her expert analysis on the Bipartisan Policy Center's projections and the resultant Fiscal Responsibility Act. They also discuss the impact of the presidential cycle on these programs and the urgency of modernizing them to ensure their solvency for future generations. The conversation takes a critical look at the state of Social Security, Medicare, and the changing labor market. Tune in for a comprehensive understanding of the current economic policy landscape and potential solutions for a more secure future.

Does Biden Care About Domestic Energy? Can the Republicans Move Beyond Trump? Should Silicon Valley Bank Been Bailed Out? What is the Republicans' Foreign Policy?

In this episode, Dave Spencer and Carrie Sheffield discuss: Should TikTok be banned in the US? Republicans supporting Trump if they aren't the nominee. Are Big Cities Getting Safer? Does Fox News have any credibility left?

The Chinese ‘Weather Balloon”?The State of the Union - VotingPlaying Chicken with the Debt LimitResponse to State of The Union

End Game for Putin in Ukraine?Where is the Line on Classified Documents?Should Father’s Pay Child Support for Unborn Children?Will Congress Vote to Raise the Debt Ceiling?

In this episode, Carrie and Dave dig into: What’s the Agenda for the New Congress? - Who Should Run Twitter? - Apples and Oranges - Biden & Trump - Associated Press Limiting Abortion Language

Dave and Carrie dig into 2022 and look forward to 2023 and the big issues approaching.

Topics covered in this episode:1. Advice for GOP after Midterms2. Is the Hunter Biden Scandal Impeachable for Joe Biden?3. How Does the GOP Move on from Trump?4. The GOP and Unions

In this episode, Dave and Carrie get into:1. Abortion Pills Brought through Mexico2. After the Midterms, Move on from Trump?3. Is ‘ESG’ a Fraud?4. What’s the Strategy for the GOP Controlled House?

In this episode Dave and Carrie discuss:1. Overview of 2022 Midterms2. Will Herschel Walker Win in Georgia?3. No Rewards for Mediocre Performance4. Economic Policies to Combat Inflation

In this episode Dave and Carrie get into Oz/Fetterman and Walker/Warnock, raising the debt limit ceiling, total gridlock if Dems lose House but keep the White House, and what policies are GOP candidates pushing, if any?

Pennsylvania Senate Race: Fetterman vs Oz • Upcoming Supreme Court Rulings • OPEC Cutting Oil Production • Where is Rock Bottom for Trump?Watch us on YouTube

In this episode, Carrie and Dave dig in on several topics in the news these days: Border security and the Fentanyl Crisis, Biden's handling of the Ukraine, making sense of nonexistent Republican policies, and is it finally time for Republicans to move on from Trump?

In this episode, Carrie and Dave discuss Biden passing legislation despite a low approval rating, the GOP attacking the FBI despite standing for “Law & Order”, finding better political candidates, and the backlash to the IRS funding.Follow Practically Political on social media to watch the video of all episodes:TwitterFacebookInstagram

In this episode, Carrie and Dave discuss ESG - Environmental, Social, & Governance, share their midterm predictions, tackle media bias and the technical definition of a recession, and ponder whether President Biden should proceed with reelection in 2024.Follow Practically Political on social media to watch the video of all episodes:TwitterFacebookInstagram

In this episode, Dave and Carrie discuss, corporate welfare through subsidies, rumors of Donald Trump announcing his presidential candidacy 2024, a solution to cancel culture, and if we're at a point where people will break from party and not endorse bad candidates.

In this episode, Carrie and Dave discuss some hot issues: They examine California's stimulus to help with inflation, the fallout from the January 6th Commission in the midterm elections, the legacy of Joe Biden's presidency, and exceptions for abortions.

Why is the left proliferating the narrative that the USA is a racist country? Should Trump be criminally charged for January 6th? Never admitting mistakes continues the demise of the GOP Is a recession not inevitable?

In this episode Carrie and Dave touch on: Whether the Dems should swap out Biden, should Roe v. Wade be overturned, is the current inflation transitory, and whether or not personality disorders should impact one's ability to run for office.

Questions/Topics in this episode of Practically Political: Washington Post outs owner of ‘Libs of TikTok’ account. Why are Republicans choosing power over party? Why does the Media cover for Liberals? At what point is a candidate so bad that they lose party support?

1. Are we still in a pandemic? Should our policies reflect that answer? 2. Should the Trump and the GOP be held accountable for loyalty to Putin? 3. Janice Rogers Brown and Joe Biden 4. Is Herschel Walker over the line as a candidate?

1. Will the Democrats ever agree to compromising policies when it comes to fossil fuels? 2. Why is the right fawning over Putin and going against President Zelenksy? 3. Should a Supreme Court nominee support Critical Race Theory? 4. What’s your advice to Republicans looking to move beyond 2020?

1. Why don’t progressives care about the negative effects of government spending on inflation? 2. Should the GOP get rid of Obamacare and what is the GOP plan? 3. $13 billion for the Ukraine but cuts for our own border patrol? 4. How should the tax system change to be more fair for the bottom and the top?

1. Should the US pull back from the United Nations? 2. Why is the conservative media seemingly siding with Putin? 3. Does the trucker protest movement have potential to be bigger politically? 4. What’s a good balance for the January 6th Commission in order to stay bipartisan?

1. Is there anything that can stop Cuomo from taking power again? 2. Does Biden deserve credit for his handling of Russia? 3. Is this inflation trend actually transitory? 4. What would Trump have to do to lose your support?

1. Biden & transparency? 2. What should Republicans do if they retake Congress? 3. Why are so many concerned if Biden is fit for office? 4. Ultimately was Trump trying overturn the 2020 election?

Topics in this episode: 1. Why are liberals less tolerant of conservatives? 3. If Trump doesn’t run again, who would you support in 2024? 4. Why is Biden not doing more to help the Ukraine? 5. Why are pragmatic conservatives hesitant to criticize the GOP?

Topics in this episode: 1. Can bipartisanship be toxic? 2. What does a balanced view of COVID look like? 3. A constitutional convention for a balanced budget and term limits? 4. Is the GOP REALLY ‘pro-life’?

In this episode, Dave and Carrie tackle 5 questions: - Are Dems helping the Middle Class? - What things do you like in Build Back Better? - IRS and Corporate Taxes - Should Build Back Better pass? - How can the GOP govern through their hypocrisy?

Carrie and Dave dive into questions on China, January 6th and the GOP, and discuss where the legislative process has gone in the country..

In this episode of Practically Political, Carrie and Dave discuss several issues impacting the midterm elections. 1. Are Democrats Tone-Deaf? 2. Is the “Big Lie” a Litmus Test for Republicans? 3. Independents Souring on Biden 4. Midterm Election Predictions

Carrie and Dave discuss the true price of the infrastructure Bill, Republicans moving to the left over censorship of social networks, and the reaction to the California Recall Election.

In this episode, Carrie and Dave dive into 3 topics. First they discuss the final pull out of Afghanistan and what is next for the U.S. and Biden in the region. Then they look at new inflation data and if we're in for economic trouble as more spending gets approved in Washington. And finally, the debate whether Trump would be doing a better job as President right now and consider other candidates who could be doing things better.

Dave and Carrie ask whether social media companies are presenting a biased view of America in their curation algorithm. Then they discuss the Federal Reserve's outlook on Inflation and if they need to do more to curb the downside of a deluge of spending. Liberals are unhappy about SCOTUS's ruling on the AZ voting law which was passed. They ask, "why are they so mad about this?" And finally, they discuss Cuba and if the current administration is doing enough to fight communism there and promote freedom.

Carrie and Dave discuss the end of unemployment payments, Democrats 'punishing' pideshare companies, the possible end to the US Two-Party System, and Governor DeSantis' ideological curriculum.

Carrie and Dave dig into 4 new topics on this episode of Practically Political. Do you think Sen. Joe Manchin might switch over to GOP if Dems keep attacking him? Vice President Kamala Harris visited Guatemala this week and said “don’t come.” Do you think this is too little too late? Do you think it’s wise for Biden to meet with Putin, given that Putin doesn’t respect America? Google recently announced its Google Docs, the popular free word-processing software, would soon be nudging people away from what it deems as potentially sexist language. Where do our hosts fall on this decision.

Carrie Sheffield asks Dave his weekly questions touching on budget reconciliation, higher food prices, China's one child policy, and policies that favor certain groups.

Practically Political with Executive Producer Paul Gilbert by Dave Spencer

As part of a new feature where pragmatists talk politics, Dave Spencer sits down with Practically Political Executive Producer, Paul Gilbert. Their conversation focuses on the government shutdown and an analysis of the expanding field of Democratic presidential candidates.

Michael Steele is a former Republican National Committee Chairman, Maryland Lt. Governor and is now a political analyst on MSNBC. Doug Thornell is the managing director of SKD Knickerbocker. a public affairs agency in Washington, D.C. and a frequent political analyst on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News Channel.

Interview With Scott Mulhauser 2018 11 28 by Dave Spencer

Representative John Delaney is a Democratic Congressman from Maryland and a member of The New Democrat Coalition. He is the first Democrat to declare his presidential candidacy for 2020.

Interview With Bill Galston 2018 09 20 by Dave Spencer

Lorraine Woellert is the White House reporter for Politico, where she focuses on federal policy.  Before joining POLITICO, she was a reporter at Bloomberg News and a correspondent at Business Week.

Gloria Borger is the chief political analyst at CNN. She has also been a contributing editor and columnist at U.S. News & World Report and a national political correspondent for CBS News.