On this Happy Hour, the gang tackle what has become a resounding talking point on the Right: Did Trump really win by an overwhelming mandate? And what does this mean for all those swing states that voted for him but then voted for Democratic Senators like Ruben Gallego or Elissa Slotkin. And later in the episode, we talk about combating homelessness and the divisive return of trans-rights in the actually Capitol Building following the election of Congresswoman Sarah McBride.
And boy does it feel like our country has just undergone one of those! On this happy hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss some of the new playlist "graduates" now looking at shiny new Cabinet roles, as well as who of our young leaders might fill those new House leadership vacancies and who the Dems aught to have as their "dream team" council as Anna puts it. It's an episode that hits the reset as we dive into the upcoming administration.
Feelings? We have a few. Thoughts? We have even more. On this morning after episode, the gang unpacks this wild rollercoaster election ride we've been on as a nation and what we think it all means, and where we think we head to next.
Whether your thrilled or still wanting more, we close out this election season with one final happy hour before the polls close, this time to highlight a few key congressional races in New York, Florida, and Washington. We've got Lawler v Jones, Luna v Fox, and Glusenkamp-Perez v Kent. Every single one of these defenders and challengers is under 45 and we solute them in their political pursuits.
FORE! Let this be a warning...a warning that Anna left the boys to their own juvenile devices and oh did they indulge themselves in the latest presidential platforming of Arnold Palmer's purported legendary "status". But there's a larger point we're trying to make here and that's what this measuring contest signifies for where our politics is, in 2024.
Okay, let's all admit it...we're stress eating (and drinking) and frankly, ready for this election to be over. Except we still have 21 more days, and our Young Leaders are still working their butts off for the American People...well, some of them. On this episode, we cover the latest in the Middle East, we talk economic plans, FEMA and mental health.
Not only is there a second life threatening storm approaching our southern states, but it does seem as the election nears that our politics have become darker and, well, stormier, too. On this Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the latest on the ground in Florida before tackling the latest bogus mis-information regarding FEMA relief. Then, they talk about a group of states suing TikTok, Rep Jasmine Crockett's VOGUE debut, and an unlikely pairing between Sen. Katie Britt and Rep. Lauren Underwood on a new maternity health bill.
Well, gang, there sure was a whole lotta agreement at Tuesday's VP Debate and we're here to say...WE AGREE WITH IT! Michael, Anna, and Anthony fill up their glasses, and marvel at this seeming--and perhaps short-lived--return to normalcy in the political debate realm. But don't be fooled, because behind those kind salutations was a lot of unsaid policy agenda and sales pitch that needs discussion.
On this episode of the Happy Hour, the gang discuss the latest military escalations in the middle east, the crazy political manueverings going on in Nebraska, the importance of youth sports, but first--we welcome two new Under 45ers to the Playlist, both from none other than New Jersey.
On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the latest pager attacks in Lebanon before covering a wide range of congressional issues like manufacturing, election certification and a very interesting race shaping up in central California.
That is the question of the hour, Swifties... and it appears it's looking like a cruel summer for Donny T post debate as the biggest pop star in the world just threw her support behind Kamala. But the real question is, did this debate, and will this endorsement, change a gosh darn thing in this race? Your guess is as good as ours, although we do follow this stuff closely, so pour a glass and hit play to hear our thoughts post presidential debate, as well as what young Congressional leaders are saying about the issues covered (and not covered) in the debate.
This week Anna and Anthony sit down with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers of the Pantsuit Politics podcast! Sarah and Beth brand their conversations as a different approach to the news and have garnered a wide audience of people craving their casual and informative conversations. We have just that with them as we get some of the hot goss from the DNC, discuss the shifting conservative movement and dig into why the 'kitchen table' issues they're known for tackling on their show resonate so much with listeners and voters. These Kentucky ladies are just the best and we may or may not have veered into an all-out therapy session with them...
That's a wrap on Anna's wedding as well as the DNC, and the gang is here to hash it all out this happy hour. Most striking, besides Anna's shoes, where the amount of young leaders on our platform who spoke at the DNC. But of course, our favorite speaker was Anna's dad Tony, who MC'd night one. How cool is that?!?!
On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael and Anthony welcome William He, the founder of Dream For America, a progressive organization dedicated towards activating young Gen Z voters in order to combat MAGA extremism. William joins us again, this time from the DNC where his officially the youngest accredited DNC goer at the age of 17. So naturally this happy hour we're drinking sodas.
As Anna prepares to say "I Do," Michael and Anthony prepare to say "I'll have another" as the latest political hits keep coming. This week, Kamala takes the lead in three key swing states as Donald has a streaming failure to launch with Elon which turns into a 2 hour ramble-fest, and Congress is getting punchy as it nears November.
This week, Anna and Anthony are making due without the smoothest-talking member of the Political Playlist trio, but nonetheless they've got a lot to discuss. From Trump's problematic remarks about Kamala Harris's race to the release of US prisoners from Russian jail, the news is all over the place. And you bet your bottom dollar we've got some HOT TAKES of our own and some from the youngest members of Congress who always have a thing or two to say about what's going on in this wild, wild world of ours. Tune in, take a sip, and join the conversation.
Let's face it folks, when things are in disarray, sometimes you just need Mom--err Momala, that is. Yes, we're talking about our VP Kamala Harris aka Momala, who has now stepped in to replace Joe Biden atop the democratic ticket and WOW has she galvanized a party that was desperate for new energy and in turn, has shown that the country writ large is also desperate for that new energy.
The Republican National Convention is on, and Michael, Anna and Anthony are here to break down who of our young Congress is speaking at this grand old party. But first, the gang discuss the horrific assassination attempt on former president Trump that tragically claimed the live of an everyday hero protecting his family. Sadly, no one thinks any of these political "unity" pledges will last.
On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael and Anna welcome Anthony back from Europe and gingerly remind him that we still have two very old people running for president, despite many reasons for both to exit stage right. The gang unpack the latest controversies surround the 2024 election through the lens of what our young leaders in Congress are saying about it. Then they segue to Trump's frontrunner VP of JD Vance... VP JV has a certainly ring to it I guess. Then we couldn't NOT cover the controversy surround Refrigerator Freedom--yep, you heard that right. Can't make this stuff up kids...
This is a question Michael and Anna ask many times on this episode, are we there yet? Are we done with the election yet? Are we over the unnecessary vitriol and chaos and disfunction of Washington and our politics yet? Indeed these may be unanswerable questions, but what we can tell you is what our young members like Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez and Eric Swalwell are saying about the Democratic Presidential ticket and the recent Presidential immunity ruling by the Supreme Court.