38.5K
Downloads
530
Episodes
The Only True Democracy in Talk Radio
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.
Brad is first joined by Charlie Cook, Founder of the 'Cook Political Report,' to talk March #Midterms Madness. He reviews the latest polling with Brad, and then shares how he thinks the balance of power will look in the House and Senate following the upcoming November elections.
Then, Brad is joined by Christine Wood, Co-Director for 'Declaration for American Democracy.' Their coalition includes groups from the labor, racial justice, faith, women’s rights, environmental, good government, and many other important communities.
She first recaps this past Saturday's 'No Kings' protests, which attracted more than eight million participants.
Next, she breaks down the false talking points the Republican party is spreading about their voter suppression bill, which is ironically called, the 'SAVE Act.'
The website for 'Declaration for American Democracy' is www.dfadcoalition.org.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.
Brad is first joined by Charlie Cook, Founder of the 'Cook Political Report,' to talk March #Midterms Madness. He reviews the latest polling with Brad, and then shares how he thinks the balance of power will look in the House and Senate following the upcoming November elections.
Then, Brad is joined by Christine Wood, Co-Director for 'Declaration for American Democracy.' Their coalition includes groups from the labor, racial justice, faith, women’s rights, environmental, good government, and many other important communities.
She first recaps this past Saturday's 'No Kings' protests, which attracted more than eight million participants.
Next, she breaks down the false talking points the Republican party is spreading about their voter suppression bill, which is ironically called, the 'SAVE Act.'
The website for 'Declaration for American Democracy' is www.dfadcoalition.org.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Monday Mar 23, 2026
The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.
Brad is first joined by Tim Karr, Senior Director of Strategy and Communications at 'Free Press,' a nonpartisan organization fighting for your rights to connect and communicate.
The two discuss the Ellison family, who are billionaire Trump donors, taking over CNN and TikTok as part of their acquisition and merger deal of Warner Bros. They analyze how the Ellisons have turned CBS into a Trump-friendly right-wing news network, and the risks of the same happening to CNN and TikTok.
Finally, they talk about the problems that all of these large media consolidations are causing by creating a monopoly that also reports what the government in power wants them to, just like the autocracies in Russia and Hungary.
Then, Kim Scott, Publisher of 'DemList,' joins Brad to preview the third 'No Kings' protest, which will be taking place this Saturday, March 28th. The protest aims to counter the Trump administration and his Dictator-like actions and messaging. The first 'No Kings' protest attracted five million people across the nation, with the second including seven million participants. The organizers are aiming to make this the largest protest in American history.
They're also expecting 'No Kings Day' protests in as many as 30 other countries on Saturday, opposing the Trump administration's actions.
The website to find out if there's a protest near you, and how to get involved, is www.NoKings.org.
The website for Free Press is www.FreePress.net and their handle on BlueSky is @freepress.bsky.social. Tim Karr's handle is @timkarr.bsky.social.
Kim Scott's 'Demlist' is a free national daily political column, calendar and resource site for Democrats and allies - a unique, central source that connects people to the who, what and where of Democratic events, issues and activism. You can find out more about them at www.DemList.com and follow them on BlueSky at the handle @demlist.bsky.social.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social
Brad is first joined by Tim Karr, Senior Director of Strategy and Communications at 'Free Press,' a nonpartisan organization fighting for your rights to connect and communicate.
The two discuss the Ellison family, who are billionaire Trump donors, taking over CNN and TikTok as part of their acquisition and merger deal of Warner Bros. They analyze how the Ellisons have turned CBS into a Trump-friendly right-wing news network, and the risks of the same happening to CNN and TikTok.
Finally, they talk about the problems that all of these large media consolidations are causing by creating a monopoly that also reports what the government in power wants them to, just like the autocracies in Russia and Hungary.
Then, Kim Scott, Publisher of 'DemList,' joins Brad to preview the third 'No Kings' protest, which will be taking place this Saturday, March 28th. The protest aims to counter the Trump administration and his Dictator-like actions and messaging. The first 'No Kings' protest attracted five million people across the nation, with the second including seven million participants. The organizers are aiming to make this the largest protest in American history.
They're also expecting 'No Kings Day' protests in as many as 30 other countries on Saturday, opposing the Trump administration's actions.
The website to find out if there's a protest near you, and how to get involved, is www.NoKings.org.
The website for Free Press is www.FreePress.net and their handle on BlueSky is @freepress.bsky.social. Tim Karr's handle is @timkarr.bsky.social.
Kim Scott's 'Demlist' is a free national daily political column, calendar and resource site for Democrats and allies - a unique, central source that connects people to the who, what and where of Democratic events, issues and activism. You can find out more about them at www.DemList.com and follow them on BlueSky at the handle @demlist.bsky.social.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Leslie is joined by Colonel Cedric Leighton (Ret.), CNN Military Analyst, to examine growing concerns over President Trump’s foreign policy decisions. From a top counterterrorism official resigning over what he says was a war with Iran lacking any imminent threat, to Trump openly talking about “taking” Cuba, the conversation raises urgent questions about judgment, intelligence, and accountability.
Colonel Leighton breaks down whether these moves reflect strategy—or dangerous escalation—and what they could mean for global stability, U.S. credibility, and the risk of wider conflict.
The Colonel's handle on Blue Sky is @cedricleighton.bsky.social and on X it's @CedricLeighton. His website is CedricLeighton.com.
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Leslie takes a closer look at New York City’s proposed Delivery Protection Act and the growing scrutiny around Amazon’s last-mile delivery system. The conversation explores the hidden costs behind rapid delivery and who ultimately bears the burden.
Leslie is joined by Christian Trimboli, a member of Teamsters Local 804 and an Amazon Delivery Service Provider (DSP) driver in New York City, who offers a firsthand account of the realities on the job. He describes the intense pressure drivers face—from demanding delivery quotas and constant surveillance to physically exhausting work with little job security or benefits. Christian explains how these conditions pushed him and his coworkers to organize with the Teamsters in pursuit of safer workplaces and fair treatment.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit teamster.org for more information. Follow them on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at facebook.com/teamsters.
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.
Brad is first joined by Mica Soellner, Senior White House Reporter for Bloomberg Government.
The two analyze the divisions that are developing within the GOP over the U.S. war with Iran. Also, they discuss how new Republican voting restrictions, that occurred during the recent Texas primary elections, reveal the party's nationwide strategy for the midterm elections. They also discuss the latest on the DHS shutdown and a new push by Trump and Vance to convince voters that they now care about the 'affordability' issue.
Then, Alex Lawson, Executive Director of 'Social Security Works,' is our special guest for the second half of the show.
He and Brad detail the 'Billionaire's tax' proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna. They also talk about 'millionaire's day,' which is when people making a million dollars a year stop paying into Social Security.
Brad is first joined by Mica Soellner, Senior White House Reporter for Bloomberg Government.
The two analyze the divisions that are developing within the GOP over the U.S. war with Iran. Also, they discuss how new Republican voting restrictions, that occurred during the recent Texas primary elections, reveal the party's nationwide strategy for the midterm elections. They also discuss the latest on the DHS shutdown and a new push by Trump and Vance to convince voters that they now care about the 'affordability' issue.
Then, Alex Lawson, Executive Director of 'Social Security Works,' is our special guest for the second half of the show.
He and Brad detail the 'Billionaire's tax' proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna. They also talk about 'millionaire's day,' which is when people making a million dollars a year stop paying into Social Security.
Mica's handle on X is @MicaSoellnerDC. The website for Bloomberg Government is www.bgov.com.
Alex Lawson's handle on Blue Sky is @alaw202.bsky.social. The website for Social Security Works is www.socialsecurityworks.org.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Leslie speaks with Naveed Shah, Political Director at Common Defense and a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, about the constitutional and human consequences of the Trump administration’s new military action against Iran. Shah discusses the lack of congressional authorization, the risks of entering another prolonged Middle East conflict, and the impact such decisions have on troops and their families. The conversation also examines Trump’s past promises to end “forever wars,” his comments about potential U.S. casualties, and concerns about cuts to veterans’ benefits while committing the nation to a new war.
Their website is CommonDefense.us and their handle on Blue Sky is @commondefense.bsky.social. Naveed's handle there is @armyofnaveed.bsky.social.
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Leslie speaks with Alex Rias, Director of Civil, Women’s, and Human Rights at the AFL-CIO, about growing threats to civil rights protections and what they mean for working people. From the weakening of labor enforcement agencies and voting rights challenges to the criminalization of protest and attacks on workplace protections, Rias explains how civil rights and labor rights have always been interconnected. He also discusses how unions are responding—organizing more workers, defending workplace rights in the courts, and building diverse worker power to protect democracy and economic opportunity.
The website for the AFL-CIO is AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO.org. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO.
The website for the AFL-CIO is AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO.org. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO.
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.
Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF-Ret.).
The two discuss the military and foreign policy aspects of the Trump administration's airstrikes against Iran, the decision to kill their leader, whether the President had the authority to start this war despite being unprovoked, and more.
Then, Sarah Jones, Editor-in-Chief of PoliticusUSA, is our special guest for the second half of the show.
She and Brad cover the domestic repercussions of the new U.S. war with Iran, including rising gas prices, which experts say could surge to $4 dollars per gallon.
Sarah also breaks down the Paramount purchase of Warner Bros., which includes CNN, and the dangers of media consolidation.
This is the same group that recently blocked Stephen Colbert's interview with Democratic politician James Talarico. Paramount was in position to do this because they recently acquired CBS News, the network that airs Colbert's show, in a recent merger deal.
Col. Cedric Leighton is the Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations. He founded the company in 2010, after serving in the US Air Force for 27 years as an Intelligence Officer and attaining the rank of Colonel. His website is www.CedricLeighton.com and his handle on BlueSky is @CedricLeighton.bsky.social.
Sarah Jones' handle on BlueSky is @politicussarah.bsky.social and the website for PoliticusUSA is www.PoliticusUSA.com.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.
Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF-Ret.).
The two discuss the military and foreign policy aspects of the Trump administration's airstrikes against Iran, the decision to kill their leader, whether the President had the authority to start this war despite being unprovoked, and more.
Then, Sarah Jones, Editor-in-Chief of PoliticusUSA, is our special guest for the second half of the show.
She and Brad cover the domestic repercussions of the new U.S. war with Iran, including rising gas prices, which experts say could surge to $4 dollars per gallon.
Sarah also breaks down the Paramount purchase of Warner Bros., which includes CNN, and the dangers of media consolidation.
This is the same group that recently blocked Stephen Colbert's interview with Democratic politician James Talarico. Paramount was in position to do this because they recently acquired CBS News, the network that airs Colbert's show, in a recent merger deal.
Col. Cedric Leighton is the Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations. He founded the company in 2010, after serving in the US Air Force for 27 years as an Intelligence Officer and attaining the rank of Colonel. His website is www.CedricLeighton.com and his handle on BlueSky is @CedricLeighton.bsky.social.
Sarah Jones' handle on BlueSky is @politicussarah.bsky.social and the website for PoliticusUSA is www.PoliticusUSA.com.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.
Brad is first joined by White House Correspondent for the Washington Examiner, Mabinty Quarshie, who previews tomorrow's 'State Of The Union' address.
Mabinty says she expects Trump to say that he doesn't need authority from the Supreme Court or from Congress in order to levy tariffs, and that he'll cherry pick any positive economic stats his staff can find.
She and Brad also discuss why voters have soured on Trump's approach to immigration, and how electricity prices have doubled under his watch.
On the subject of tariffs, Congress will have to authorize Trump's 15% tariffs across the board after 150 days, which doesn't look like it'll have the votes in the House or Senate.
Mabinty also highlights how Trump's go to economic policy was tariffs, (and he was using it as a weapons for any world leader that angered him), but now those are likely to be gone soon.
Then, leading progressive strategist and Outreach Director of the Battleground Alliance, Heather Booth, discusses November's upcoming midterm elections in the House and Senate.
Heather highlights the damage that President Trump and congressional Republicans have done by taking away health insurance for millions of Americans, failing to address increases in the cost of living, and killing Americans like Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Next, despite acknowledging positive polling for Democrats heading into the midterm elections, she says that the results will all depend on Democrats organizing and turning out voters beginning now.
Brad and Heather then discuss how the Battleground Alliance brings together Unions, environmental groups and civic groups and are supporting local organizations that are doing the work on the ground to win the midterms for Democratic candidates in over 40 congressional races.
Heather also speaks about her organizing work with the late Rev. Jessie Jackson, and how his work lives on.
She and Brad recap redistricting thus far for the upcoming election cycle, how Democrats have fought back against the Republican efforts to rig the upcoming midterms, the threat the Supreme Court still presents to the Voting Rights Act, and how Americans can fight back if it's struck down.
Finally, Heather highlights how we can turn our anger into action and the 'hurt and hate into hope and heart.'
The website for the Battleground Alliance is www.BattlegroundAlliance.org.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.
Brad is first joined by White House Correspondent for the Washington Examiner, Mabinty Quarshie, who previews tomorrow's 'State Of The Union' address.
Mabinty says she expects Trump to say that he doesn't need authority from the Supreme Court or from Congress in order to levy tariffs, and that he'll cherry pick any positive economic stats his staff can find.
She and Brad also discuss why voters have soured on Trump's approach to immigration, and how electricity prices have doubled under his watch.
On the subject of tariffs, Congress will have to authorize Trump's 15% tariffs across the board after 150 days, which doesn't look like it'll have the votes in the House or Senate.
Mabinty also highlights how Trump's go to economic policy was tariffs, (and he was using it as a weapons for any world leader that angered him), but now those are likely to be gone soon.
Then, leading progressive strategist and Outreach Director of the Battleground Alliance, Heather Booth, discusses November's upcoming midterm elections in the House and Senate.
Heather highlights the damage that President Trump and congressional Republicans have done by taking away health insurance for millions of Americans, failing to address increases in the cost of living, and killing Americans like Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Next, despite acknowledging positive polling for Democrats heading into the midterm elections, she says that the results will all depend on Democrats organizing and turning out voters beginning now.
Brad and Heather then discuss how the Battleground Alliance brings together Unions, environmental groups and civic groups and are supporting local organizations that are doing the work on the ground to win the midterms for Democratic candidates in over 40 congressional races.
Heather also speaks about her organizing work with the late Rev. Jessie Jackson, and how his work lives on.
She and Brad recap redistricting thus far for the upcoming election cycle, how Democrats have fought back against the Republican efforts to rig the upcoming midterms, the threat the Supreme Court still presents to the Voting Rights Act, and how Americans can fight back if it's struck down.
Finally, Heather highlights how we can turn our anger into action and the 'hurt and hate into hope and heart.'
The website for the Battleground Alliance is www.BattlegroundAlliance.org.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.
Brad is first joined by John Bennett, White House Correspondent for CQ Roll Call.
The pair discusses President Trump's reaction to the Bad Bunny Superbowl halftime show, the Department of Homeland Security facing a Friday shutdown unless Republicans agree to ICE reforms demanded by Democrats, Trump's racist video post of the Obamas, and ICE's disastrous polling amongst Americans.
Then, Brad is joined by Dr. Robert Shapiro, Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm, and a Senior Fellow of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.
The pair examines Rob's recent blog titled, "Affordability: What It Means and How Trump Has Made It Worse."
(Link: https://www.sonecon.com/affordability-what-it-means-and-how-trump-has-made-it-worse/)
John Bennett's handle on X is @BennettJohnT and the website for CQ Roll Call is www.CQRollCall.com.
Dr. Shapiro's website is www.Sonecon.com and his handle on X is @RobShapiro.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.
Brad is first joined by John Bennett, White House Correspondent for CQ Roll Call.
The pair discusses President Trump's reaction to the Bad Bunny Superbowl halftime show, the Department of Homeland Security facing a Friday shutdown unless Republicans agree to ICE reforms demanded by Democrats, Trump's racist video post of the Obamas, and ICE's disastrous polling amongst Americans.
Then, Brad is joined by Dr. Robert Shapiro, Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm, and a Senior Fellow of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.
The pair examines Rob's recent blog titled, "Affordability: What It Means and How Trump Has Made It Worse."
(Link: https://www.sonecon.com/affordability-what-it-means-and-how-trump-has-made-it-worse/)
John Bennett's handle on X is @BennettJohnT and the website for CQ Roll Call is www.CQRollCall.com.
Dr. Shapiro's website is www.Sonecon.com and his handle on X is @RobShapiro.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'
You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.
His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.