Left, Right & Center

The last week has been dominated by dire warnings about the threat AI could pose to humanity. A growing number of voices in government are calling for action. Even leaders in the industry say things need to slow down. But some like President Trump say there’s great risk in regulating – we could fall behind and let countries like China lead the way. We’ll talk about if and how to regulate an industry growing at an unimaginable pace.We’ll also discuss the trust in our elections. The president is casting doubts, though his effort to restrict mail in voting was knocked down by the Supreme Court. But if his party loses and he questions the results, what’s next? Plus we take questions from our live audience at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests:  Mike Dubke, veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor. He was the White House Comms Director under Donald Trump in 2017 - @MikeDubke Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee

This week’s Republican Party convention was a bit odd to have in a midterm election year. But President Trump spoke there for nearly two hours and said he wants voters to imagine that he is on the ballot. If that’s his strategy to help his party, will it work or backfire? Democratic Senator John Fetterman made a surprise video cameo at the convention, and it was his first big appearance since the Wall Street Journal reported that he’s not really interested in doing his job anymore. What does Fetterman’s presence at the GOP rally tell us about the relationship with his own party, and the Democrats’ outreach to working class voters? Also, is an AI president really something we should be contemplating? What if AI proves better at, say, preparing for natural disasters or keeping us out of wars? And we mark 25 years since the September 11th attacks. Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests:  Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

Americans are mad about data centers being built near them. President Trump, however, argues building more of them on home soil helps the country’s economy and is critical to our national security. How can lawmakers on both sides of the aisle balance those benefits alongside the anger of the public?Plus, ICE switched up its enforcement strategy to attract fewer headlines and increase arrests. But it hasn’t changed the public’s sentiment that the agency’s earlier crackdown was far too harsh. We talk about the state of immigration enforcement and how it could be an issue that tips the scales in the midterms.And we take your questions on how to fix the country’s massive deficit. Producer: Leo DuranHost: Susan Davis Guests:  Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/kcrw“Economic D-Day” – that’s how President Trump described his latest strategy in the Iran War. He’s promising to starve the country’s economy. A lot may rely on whether other countries play ball, especially China.Trump isn’t just going after Iran. He’s pushed us into a new tariff war with Canada, and our polite neighbor to the north is in no mood to cave. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of economic warfare, how to know if policies like this will help or hurt Americans, and whether this will sway voters’ choices this fall.Also, Flock cameras are a sleeper issue in these upcoming midterms. They’re AI-powered and used by police to tackle crime, but some communities hate their surveillance power. And we remember the late Dolly Parton, a talented musician with unique appeal to audiences all over the political spectrum.  Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests:  Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass - @oren_cass Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/kcrwThe political lives of some Republicans literally depend on their carefully crafted messaging around an unpopular war and unpopular president. Many know they can’t abandon Trump, and getting on his bad side doesn’t generally end well for Republicans, either. We talk about dire conditions reported on the USS Abraham Lincoln where its extended Middle East deployment has pushed some sailors to the brink. It’s put a spotlight on the morale of our troops, as well as what our military strength looks like to other countries.Plus we take listener questions, including from one who thinks a progressive swing left is a losing strategy for Democrats who’ll need the South to win the next presidency. Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests:  Mike Dubke, veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor. He was the White House Comms Director under Donald Trump in 2017 - @MikeDubke Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee