Kudzu Vine

Lakshya does modeling and data pieces for Split Ticket and handles their presidential ratings. He is a machine learning engineer who analyzes political data in his free time. He went to UC Berkeley (class of 2019 – BA, 2020 – MS), majoring in computer science, and now work in the tech industry. His writing has also appeared in Sabato’s Crystal Ball and The Bulwark.

Dante Chinni is a data and political journalist and director of the American Communities Project, which is based at the MSU J-School. He is a winner of the Knight-Batten Award for Innovation in Journalism and co-author of the book Our Patchwork Nation. Chinni is a contributor to and writer for the Wall Street Journal and to NBC News's Meet the Press, for which he produces the weekly Data Download segment. Starting in November of 2022, the American Communities Project is embarking on a three-year study of American Fragmentation, funded by a $2.4 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. That study will combine survey research, data analysis and on-the-ground reporting in an effort to better understand what is dividing the country and what might help stitch it back together. A graduate of Michigan State, when Dante is not in East Lansing he can usually be found living in Washington with his wife Christina Ianzito and their dog Skeeter.

Milan will join to discuss data and research regarding the 2024 elections.

Bitecofer graduated from the University of Oregon where she earned a bachelor's degree in political science and earned her Ph.D. in political science and international affairs from the University of Georgia. In 2015 she became a lecturer at Christopher Newport University and assistant director of the Wason Center for Public Policy where she conducted polling. In 2019 she applied to convert her position to tenure track, which would lighten her teaching responsibilities, but was denied by the university. As a result, she resigned her position and went to work for the Niskanen Center, a centrist think tank in Washington, D.C. Bitecofer's analysis has appeared on multiple media platforms including MSNBC and The New York Times. She wrote the 2017 book The Unprecedented 2016 Presidential Election on the election of Donald Trump and runs a podcast titled The Election Whisperer hosted by Substack. Today she runs Strike Pac, a liberal super PAC.

Dr. Justin Vaughn will join us to discuss the Presidential Greatness Project: http://www.brandonrottinghaus.com/uploads/1/0/8/7/108798321/presidential_greatness_white_paper_2024.pdf

Steve Singiser has been a contributing editor at Daily Kos since 2009. Though most of his work can be found at Daily Kos Elections, he also can be read from time to time at Daily Kos Labor. Steve has been a teacher and coach in the Los Angeles area since 1997, and he makes his home there with his wife Kristina and their children Cody and Makenzie. After losing nearly 100 pounds, he developed a love for distance running, and will break into the sub-21 minute bracket in the 5K, or collapse heading in that direction.

Bitecofer graduated from the University of Oregon where she earned a bachelor's degree in political science and earned her Ph.D. in political science and international affairs from the University of Georgia. In 2015 she became a lecturer at Christopher Newport University and assistant director of the Wason Center for Public Policy where she conducted polling. In 2019 she applied to convert her position to tenure track, which would lighten her teaching responsibilities, but was denied by the university. As a result, she resigned her position and went to work for the Niskanen Center, a centrist think tank in Washington, D.C. Bitecofer's analysis has appeared on multiple media platforms including MSNBC and The New York Times. She wrote the 2017 book The Unprecedented 2016 Presidential Election on the election of Donald Trump and runs a podcast titled The Election Whisperer hosted by Substack. Today she runs Strike Pac, a liberal super PAC.

Bill Schneider will join us to discuss his new Substack and the upcoming 2024 elections. Bill Schneider is a former political analyst for CNN, Los Angeles Times, National Journal, The Hill and The Messenger; professor emeritus at George Mason University; taught at Brandeis University, Boston College and UCLA.

Kevin Olasanoye, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Georgia will join us to discuss his vision for Georgia politics. Kevin will also take questions regarding the New Jersey Senate race.

Benjamin Herold is a technology reporter at Education Week, where he has profiled teen hackers, led an award-winning investigation into the nation’s online charter schools and detailed Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s multi-billion dollar foray into publication education. Prior to joining Education Week in 2013, Herold covered the Philadelphia school district for WHYY public radio and the Philadelphia Public School Notebook, winning first-place awards from the Education Writers Association as the nation’s top education beat reporter (2012) and for his feature reporting on Philadelphia’s mass school closings (2013). Before becoming a journalist, Herold worked as a policy researcher, an independent documentary filmmaker and a training specialist for rape-crisis and domestic-violence-prevention organizations. Benjamin has a master’s degree in urban education from Temple University in Philadelphia, where he currently lives with his family. With a Spencer Fellowship, Herold plans to take an in-depth look at the changing face of opportunity in America’s suburban public schools, chronicling how school districts and families alike are responding to sweeping demographic and economic shifts and exploring what such choices mean for the long-term future of traditional public education.

Tim, Catherine and David will preview the 2024 GOP Iowa Caucus

Alex Diaz joins us to discuss Nevada and Mexican politics

Doug Kaplan of Kaplan Strat. Will join us

Dr. Michael Bitzer will join us to discuss North Carolina politics

Dr. Isabel Skinner will join us to discuss issues surrounding immigration and the US/Mexico border.

Dr. Wade will join us to discuss crime data and findings in American cities and elsewere.

David Nir will join us to preview the 2023 general elections and more

Labor Economist Ron Hetrick will join us to discuss how immigration restrictions are impacting the labor market in Florida and elsewhere. He recently wrote an article on the topic that recieved national attention: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article280203014.html

Craig Pittman will join us to discuss Vox's The United States of Florida project, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis calling Florida the "Utah of the Southeast" and more.

Joe Lindsley will join us to discussion the war in the Ukraine. Also, Tim, Catherine and David will discuss the ongoing vacancy in the Speaker's office and more.