The Smerconish Podcast

Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds. The Michael Smerconish Program airs live on SiriusXM's POTUS Channel 9AM-12PM ET and replays 9PM-12AM East, Monday-Friday.

Bathroom Wars In Congress

Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) has publicly gone after Congresswoman-Elect Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first transgendered woman elected to Congress, saying McBride should not be allowed to use women's restrooms anywhere in the US Capitol. This has ignited a major nationwide conversation. Michael welcomes Washington Post columnist Monica Hesse to talk about the piece she's written on the topic, "Does Nancy Mace Know How Women's Bathrooms Work?" Original air date 22 November 2024.

11-22
34:18

Daily Poll: The Trump-Musk relationship is good for America, Agree or Disagree?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: The Trump-Musk relationship is good for America, agree or disagree? Listen, vote.

11-22
10:41

Not As Many Gen Z and Millenial Voters Cast Ballots for Kamala Harris As Expected: Here's Why

John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, is one of the world's leading authorities on opinions of Gen Z's and Millenials. He offers an analysis titled "The New Rules of the Youth Vote" (written on his Substack), and he's not surprised that not as many youth voters voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 as were expected to. He lays out the data with Michael here. Original air date 20 November 2024.

11-21
23:42

Daily Poll: It's time to drop all the criminal cases against Donald Trump. Agree or Disagree?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: It's time to drop all the criminal cases against Donald Trump - Agree or Disagree? Listen here, vote there!

11-21
11:57

Trump showing public friendship with people, like Elon Musk, is a good sign, says Mark Halperin

2Way Editor in Chief and Wide World of News publisher/analyst Mark Halperin joins Michael to talk about the success of his new 2WAY platform which is now offering live in-person shows, plus they go in depth on the political headlines of the day including the Musk-Trump bromance, Joe and Mika visiting Mar-A-Lago, Trump's cabinet nominees and more. Original air date 20 November 2024.

11-20
39:01

Daily Poll: Should Joe and Mika have visited Mar-a-Lago?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Should Joe and Mika have visited Mar-a-Lago? Listen, then vote!

11-20
12:35

1 in 5 Americans are getting news from 'Social Influencers': Is this expanding influence good news?

Pew Research studied over 2000 news influencers (someone discussing news and current events on social media, who has over 100,000 followers on any one platform) and looked at 500 of them in detail, to find out how Americans are consuming news today. Michael welcomes Galen Stocking, Senior Computational Social Scientist at Pew Research Center, to explain the data.

11-19
28:20

Daily Poll: Should the U.S. military be used for the mass deportation of undocumented migrants?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Should the U.S. military be used for the mass deportation of undocumented migrants? Listen here, then vote....and please rate and review this podcast.

11-19
11:15

Montgomery County, PA Board of Elections Chair Neil Makhija responds to criticisms over counting disputed ballots

The Associated Press has declared the Pennsylvania Senate Race for Dave McCormick over Bob Casey, while Senator Casey still has not conceded. There is controversy over how ballots in some counties are being counted. The Washington Post wrote an editorial about this, "Democrats thumb their nose at the rule of law in Pennsylvania." Michael welcomes Neil Makhija, Montgomery County, PA Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Elections, to offer his side of the story. Original air date 18 November 2024.

11-18
16:33

Remembering US Olympic Coach Bela Karolyi: Michael's conversation with him in 2008

Bela Karolyi, the Romanian-born US Olympic Gymnastics coach, has died at the age of 82. Listen to his conversation with Michael from January 2008, he was in studio ahead of the US Summer Olympic Trials coming to Philadelphia that year. Original air date 31 January 2008.

11-18
20:06

Daily Poll: Do you agree with President Biden authorizing the use of U.S. supplied missiles by Ukraine for strikes inside Russia?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Do you agree with President Biden’s authorization of the use of U.S. supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine for strikes inside Russia? Listen here, then vote.

11-18
11:55

"Luck of the Draw": A piece by Rich Cohen

Michael shares a powerful piece featured in The Wall Street Journal "Luck of the Draw: Why I’m Glad I Didn’t Choose My Freshman Roommate" written by Rich Cohen. Michael invites his listeners to share their experiences with their first college roommates. Original air date 15 November 2024.

11-15
32:50

Daily Poll: Will Matt Gaetz serve as Attorney General?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Will Matt Gaetz serve as Attorney General? Listen here, then vote! And leave a rating and review for this podcast.

11-15
14:12

Former US Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau talks Mass Deportation, Trump's Immigration plans

Christopher Landau served as the United States Ambassador to Mexico from 2019-2021 during President Trump's first term. As talks of mass deportation and targeted arrests of undocumented immigrants have swirled in recent days, Michael asks for Landau's perspective on the situation. Original air date 14 November 2024.

11-14
18:21

Daily Poll: When will the Trump-Musk 'Bromance' end?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: When will the Trump-Musk 'Bromance' end? a) by Inauguration Day, b) by the end of the first 100 days, c) by the midterms, d) it will last the full Trump term. Listen, rate/review the podcast, and vote!

11-14
10:20

Mark Halperin on Pete Hegseth: "The 'confirmation gods' always pick one person to topple"

Wide World of News and 2WAY political analyst Mark Halperin makes his weekly visit, running through all of President-Elect Trump's cabinet picks so far, including Pete Hegseth, Mike Huckabee, Kristi Noem, and more, including noting the increasing changes that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could be nominated as HHS Secretary. Original air date 13 November 2024.

11-13
30:28

Daily Poll: Should Trump’s response to illegal immigration be one of targeted arrests, or, mass deportation?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Should Trump’s response to illegal immigration be one of targeted arrests, or, mass deportation? Listen in, then vote! And please rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

11-13
12:12

Thomas Frank had a moment when he realized Trump might win

Thomas Frank, author of the bestselling book "What's The Matter With Kansas?", joins Michael to talk about his latest NY Times op-ed, "The Elites Had It Coming." His essay begins, "Everyone has a moment when he first realized that Donald Trump might well return, and here is mine." Did you also have a lightbulb moment? Listen to their conversation now. Original air date 12 November 2024.

11-12
25:31

Daily Poll: Should President Biden pardon Hunter and Donald Trump right now?

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today, Michael asks you: Should President Biden pardon Hunter and Donald Trump right now? Listen, then vote! And please rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast app!

11-12
10:44

'Horizon' is a movie that deserves to be seen: A conversation with Kevin Costner

Michael sits down with actor Kevin Costner in front of a studio audience at SiriusXM in New York City, the morning after the premiere of the newest season of Paramount Network's "Yellowstone." Costner left the show after five years, and is now focusing on his passion project, "Horizon: An American Saga." Michael calls 'Horizon' "a Movie that deserves to be seen." But before that, right at the open, Michael asks him about last night's Yellowstone episode...did Costner even watch it? Listen to find out. Original air date 11 November 2024.

11-11
50:09

Pam N

The poll questions were all devised by financial organizations or researchers. What if the studies were more comprehensive and looked at the happiness increases associated with friends or creativity or family or meaning or health? Would 30% more friends make people happier? Would 20% more exercise? 10% more creative pursuits? A larger family? What about time?

12-29 Reply

John Walsh

Ramaswamy? What a Nazi, he wants to disenfrancise millions of voters?? Between Trump and this guy, it is disturbing that CNN is giving the oxygen of publicity to fascist extremists.

05-12 Reply

Alex De Marco

Until this interview I considered Smerconish knowledgeable of history. Liberation of what? Man this was disappointing.

08-11 Reply

R P

6 headlines crammed between 60 commercials in under 25 minutes. Thanks, but no thanks.

06-01 Reply

ID17535494

Hi.. my opinion is that the government should issue at the age of adulthood to every citizen.. 1 rifle 1 shotgun 1 pistol any other firearms are may not be used or sold.. getting rid of current stock beguns now

05-27 Reply

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