Answering your questions on the midterms & more

Answering your questions on the midterms & more

Author: NPR September 1, 2026 Duration: 19:56
You had questions about the upcoming midterm elections, and other political topics. In this podcast, we try our best to answer some of them.

This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.


See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

If your day feels incomplete without a deep dive into the latest from Capitol Hill or the campaign trail, you’ve found your daily briefing. The NPR Politics Podcast brings together NPR's seasoned political journalists each weekday afternoon, offering clarity on the headlines that shape our nation. This isn't just a rapid-fire news update; it's a conversation that digs into the substance behind the soundbites. The team provides essential context, helping to untangle complex legislative maneuvers and electoral strategies so you understand not only what's occurring, but the real-world implications of every decision and debate. By focusing on the "why" behind the news, this podcast transforms daily political coverage into something genuinely substantive. For those who want to go even deeper, the subscription option offers a way to support the work directly and listen without interruptions. Tune in for reliable, thoughtful analysis that cuts through the noise, making sense of a rapidly changing political landscape.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The NPR Politics Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The races we’re watching in Arizona’s primary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:47
Tuesday is Primary Day in Arizona. We discuss the Republicans hoping to unseat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November and the competitive primaries for an open Phoenix-area House seat.This episode: senior political corr…
New NPR Series: "We Keep Us Safe" from the Embedded podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:13
In the summer of 2020, sixteen-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. traveled a thousand miles to join the racial justice movement of his generation in the wake of George Floyd's killing. Antonio arrived in Seattle during the Capito…
Trump pushes unsubstantiated claims of election fraud — again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:47
In a national address Thursday night, President Trump said he has new evidence of fraud in the American election system. We discuss whether facts back up Trump's claims and what to make of Trump devoting a primetime addr…
These swing voters shrug at Trump earning billions last year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:06
NPR reporters observed focus groups of 12 Pennsylvania voters who backed former President Biden in 2020 and President Trump in 2024. We discuss their cynicism about politicians and the Iran war, and what they think about…
Trump warns that communism is coming for America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:49
President Trump has been pushing a new warning lately: communism is coming. He’s referring to candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America who have won Democratic primaries in deep blue House districts in…
2028 fantasy draft: Democrats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:00
The next presidential election is more than two years away, but it’s not too early to start discussing likely contenders. We do an NFL-style draft of the candidates who may lead the Democratic field in 2028.This episode:…
With Graham's death, the Senate loses a key Trump whisperer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:56
Longtime South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died suddenly over the weekend at age 71. We discuss how Graham helped President Trump reshape the federal judiciary and achieve priorities such as the One Big Beaut…
Where is Mitch McConnell? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:21
It was another busy week in politics. We discuss Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell’s extended absence from the Senate and the latest news in the Michigan Senate primary. Plus, when does a sex scandal cross a line and m…
What’s next after Democrat Platner exits Maine Senate race? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:08
Democrat Graham Platner has announced that he is dropping out of the race to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate, following new allegations — which Platner denies — that he raped a woman he once dated. We discuss how the…