Guest Host - 'Deadline D.C. With Brad Bannon': Debate Analysis with Charlie Cook and Mike Fraioli

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 new show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Today, Brad is joined by two guests to unpack the recent Democratic debates from Miami, Florida.

In the first half hour, he speaks with Charlie Cook, Publisher and Editor of 'the Cook Political Report.' Dubbed by Brad himself as one of the most important political strategists in the United States, Charlie offers Brad his qualified and unique perspective to the debate analysis.

While the consensus opinion was that Senator Kamala Harris had a stand out night, Charlie Cook doesn't rule out the seriousness of an-on-the-defensive Joe Biden.

Cook also makes note of Mayor Pete Buttigieg's incredible fundraising effort in quarter two. 'Mayor Pete' has raised over $25 million dollars in the past three months, and typically the campaigns with the fattest purses tend to survive the longest.

Watch for several campaign stops in the very early primary states. Cook says a majority of the lesser known candidates will focus mainly on Iowa and New Hampshire. Indeed, almost every Democratic nominee for President hasn't taken the nomination without a victory in one of the first two states on the ballot next winter.

In the second half hour, Brad's joined by Mike Fraioli , a top adviser to Congressman Tim Ryan's campaign for President.

Mike argues that Rep. Ryan is the best candidate to take on President Trump because he's running on the core issues that affect working American families the most.

Simply put, Congressman Ryan's focus is on "kitchen table" issues: better paying jobs for everyday people, alongside affordable health care options for working families.

It is through this focused lens, Fraioli argues, that will allow for Tim Ryan to succeed in the Democratic Primary race.

Brad Bannon writes a column every Sunday on the 2020 Presidential race for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago.
His website is BannonCR.com and his Twitter handle is @BradBannon.