Politics & Elections — research notes and discussionshttps://podcompanions.com/topics/politics-elections/feed.xml2026-10-23T00:00:00ZPodCompanionsurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-up-first-2026-10-20-russia-midterms-voting-discussion-sanctions-and-licencesThe hosts and correspondent report changes in US pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine, then discuss responses from officials and lawmakers.The hosts and correspondent report changes in US pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine, then discuss responses from officials and lawmakers.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-up-first-2026-10-20-russia-midterms-voting-discussion-registration-and-criminal-proofThe hosts and correspondent distinguish a voter-roll lawsuit from criminal charges, emphasise unresolved allegations and discuss election officials’ preparations.The hosts and correspondent distinguish a voter-roll lawsuit from criminal charges, emphasise unresolved allegations and discuss election officials’ preparations.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-up-first-2026-10-20-russia-midterms-voting-discussion-moment-1The hosts and correspondent discuss campaign travel, spending decisions and early-voting patterns as the midterm elections approach.The hosts and correspondent discuss campaign travel, spending decisions and early-voting patterns as the midterm elections approach.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-voting-and-one-party-ruleAsked whether he has voted for Republicans, Talarico distinguishes nonpartisan races and criticises prolonged one-party control.Asked whether he has voted for Republicans, Talarico distinguishes nonpartisan races and criticises prolonged one-party control.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-voter-appeal-and-costsTalarico explains his appeal through a top-versus-bottom view of politics and argues that living costs are driving demand for change.Talarico explains his appeal through a top-versus-bottom view of politics and argues that living costs are driving demand for change.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-texas-redistrictingTalarico recounts winning a competitive district, being affected by redistricting and running nearby, while criticizing politicians drawing their own boundaries.Talarico recounts winning a competitive district, being affected by redistricting and running nearby, while criticizing politicians drawing their own boundaries.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-teaching-and-candidacyTalarico links his decision to run for office to his experience teaching in a crowded classroom after school-funding cuts.Talarico links his decision to run for office to his experience teaching in a crowded classroom after school-funding cuts.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-reforms-and-war-powersTalarico outlines political reforms, proposes suspending fuel taxes and argues for Congress to reassert its war powers.Talarico outlines political reforms, proposes suspending fuel taxes and argues for Congress to reassert its war powers.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-mandate-and-impeachmentTalarico says his priorities would be corruption and living costs, recounts a state impeachment vote and declines to prejudge a future Senate trial.Talarico says his priorities would be corruption and living costs, recounts a state impeachment vote and declines to prejudge a future Senate trial.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-legislation-and-constituentsTalarico responds to questions about his positions on social issues by describing state legislation and his duty to constituents.Talarico responds to questions about his positions on social issues by describing state legislation and his duty to constituents.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-language-and-regretPressed about earlier remarks, Talarico says he regrets unclear phrasing while maintaining that he was defending constituents.Pressed about earlier remarks, Talarico says he regrets unclear phrasing while maintaining that he was defending constituents.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-if-campaign-losesAsked what defeat would mean, Talarico describes the campaign as part of longer political work and says that work would continue.Asked what defeat would mean, Talarico describes the campaign as part of longer political work and says that work would continue.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-france-news-updateThe closing news update reports curfews and political responses to unrest in France, describing protests over schools and living costs.The closing news update reports curfews and political responses to unrest in France, describing protests over schools and living costs.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-filibuster-rulesTalarico argues for ending the Senate filibuster, while the interviewer asks about majority rule and the consequences for either party.Talarico argues for ending the Senate filibuster, while the interviewer asks about majority rule and the consequences for either party.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-faith-and-politicsTalarico distinguishes bringing faith into politics from establishing religion through government and connects policy with moral values.Talarico distinguishes bringing faith into politics from establishing religion through government and connects policy with moral values.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-the-daily-james-talarico-rage-economy-discussion-campaign-conditionsBarbaro introduces the Senate race; Talarico describes his campaign as an underdog effort and discusses spending against him.Barbaro introduces the Senate race; Talarico describes his campaign as an underdog effort and discusses spending against him.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-unity-and-exclusionThe hosts urge unity between Black and white Americans while making exclusionary claims about migrants and discussing humour, identity and national belonging.The hosts urge unity between Black and white Americans while making exclusionary claims about migrants and discussing humour, identity and national belonging.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-ukraine-energy-allegationsThe hosts discuss reports of Ukrainian strikes affecting American-owned oil, criticise Zelenskyy and speculate about the consequences for United States support.The hosts discuss reports of Ukrainian strikes affecting American-owned oil, criticise Zelenskyy and speculate about the consequences for United States support.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-treaties-and-ukraineFrisella offers his explanation of Russia’s invasion, invoking NATO and alleged biolabs while expressing uncertainty about Ukraine’s future.Frisella offers his explanation of Russia’s invasion, invoking NATO and alleged biolabs while expressing uncertainty about Ukraine’s future.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-support-and-escalationFrisella predicts that reduced American backing could endanger Zelenskyy, while the hosts discuss military power and their interpretation of Russia’s restraint.Frisella predicts that reduced American backing could endanger Zelenskyy, while the hosts discuss military power and their interpretation of Russia’s restraint.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-shop-reaction-and-migrationThe hosts criticise a shop owner’s response to damage and blame immigration for unrest, portraying it as a threat to cultural heritage.The hosts criticise a shop owner’s response to damage and blame immigration for unrest, portraying it as a threat to cultural heritage.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-leadership-and-resistanceThe hosts connect unrest to what they see as declining civic resolve, criticise political leadership and praise footage of resistance in Italy.The hosts connect unrest to what they see as declining civic resolve, criticise political leadership and praise footage of resistance in Italy.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-harassment-and-funding-allegationsThe hosts discuss a shop owner’s warning about harassment, then allege outside funding and coordination behind unrest.The hosts discuss a shop owner’s warning about harassment, then allege outside funding and coordination behind unrest.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-france-headline-and-clipsThe hosts discuss a report about unrest in France, criticise Macron and react to clips they describe as showing everyday life amid protests.The hosts discuss a report about unrest in France, criticise Macron and react to clips they describe as showing everyday life amid protests.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-confrontation-and-participationThe hosts praise physical confrontation, urge political participation and connect their response to unrest with personal fitness and self-reliance.The hosts praise physical confrontation, urge political participation and connect their response to unrest with personal fitness and self-reliance.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-concluding-migration-appealThe hosts conclude their appeal for unity between Black and white Americans, portraying confrontation with migrants as desirable.The hosts conclude their appeal for unity between Black and white Americans, portraying confrontation with migrants as desirable.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-real-af-1070-france-ukraine-january-6-discussion-civic-duty-and-leadershipThe hosts criticise political leadership and argue that business leaders and ordinary citizens should become more involved in their communities.The hosts criticise political leadership and argue that business leaders and ordinary citizens should become more involved in their communities.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-jre-2568-ross-edgley-discussion-piracy-explanationRogan offers an account linking Somali piracy to damaged fishing grounds; an on-screen lookup prompts questions about that explanation.Rogan offers an account linking Somali piracy to damaged fishing grounds; an on-screen lookup prompts questions about that explanation.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zurn:podcompanions:discussion:m-jre-2568-ross-edgley-discussion-dumping-allegations-and-evidenceOn-screen responses qualify Rogan’s account, distinguishing toxic-waste allegations from evidence that kidnapped crews had themselves dumped waste.On-screen responses qualify Rogan’s account, distinguishing toxic-waste allegations from evidence that kidnapped crews had themselves dumped waste.2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/up-first/2026-10-20-russia-midterms-voting/#t-sanctions-and-licencesResearch note: A sanctions licence has a defined scopeA sanctions licence has a defined scope2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/up-first/2026-10-20-russia-midterms-voting/#t-registration-and-criminal-proofResearch note: Separate the voter-roll lawsuit from criminal chargesSeparate the voter-roll lawsuit from criminal charges2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/up-first/2026-10-20-russia-midterms-voting/#t-moment-1Research note: Campaign spending records need careful comparisonsCampaign spending records need careful comparisons2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/the-daily/james-talarico-rage-economy/#t-texas-redistrictingResearch note: Who draws Texas election districts?Who draws Texas election districts?2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/the-daily/james-talarico-rage-economy/#t-moment-1Research note: Which emotions travel onlineWhich emotions travel online2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/the-daily/james-talarico-rage-economy/#t-filibuster-rulesResearch note: The filibuster is a Senate procedureThe filibuster is a Senate procedure2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/shawn-ryan-show/the-leah-files/#t-nonprofit-financial-recordsResearch note: A public filing is not an independent auditA public filing is not an independent audit2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/real-af/1070-france-ukraine-january-6/#t-treaties-and-ukraineResearch note: Treaty rules and the invasion of UkraineTreaty rules and the invasion of Ukraine2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Zhttps://podcompanions.com/real-af/1070-france-ukraine-january-6/#t-charges-and-proofResearch note: A charge is not a verdictA charge is not a verdict2026-10-20T00:00:00Z2026-10-21T00:00:00Z