Episodes

Monday Jan 11, 2021
Monday Jan 11, 2021
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.
Brad is first joined by Dr. Robert Shapiro is the Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm and a Senior Fellow of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.
The two discuss:- Current state of the economy. 140K lost jobs last week, highest since April.
- What should President-Elect Biden do to fix the economy?
- What can he do given political limitations?
- Who's who on the Biden economic team? (Janet Yellen, Cecilia Rouse, etc. )
Dr. Shapiro is an internationally-known economist who has advised, among others, President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Jr., British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and then U.S. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He was Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs in the Clinton Administration.
His website is Sonecon.com and his Twitter handle is @RobShapiro.
During the second half of the show, Brad leads a political round-table with Kim Scott and Mark Grimaldi. The panel discusses the pro-Trump Capitol riots, the subsequent impeachment proceedings, President-Elect Biden's inauguration, and more.
Kim Scott is the Founder and Publisher of DemList, LLC, 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 DemList.com and follow them on Twitter @TheDemList.
Mark Grimaldi has been a progressive political activist for the past 12 years. He volunteered for the campaigns of President Obama (2008 and 2012), Senator Bernie Sanders (2016), Secretary Hillary Clinton (2016), and President-Elect Joe Biden (2020). Mark is also involved in campaign finance reform efforts around the country, and philanthropic efforts for Cancer research. His Twitter handle is @MarkJGrimaldi.
Brad writes a political column every Sunday 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 and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His Twitter handle is @BradBannon.

Wednesday Jan 06, 2021
Trump Incites Supporters to Storm U.S. Capitol; Georgia Turns Senate Blue
Wednesday Jan 06, 2021
Wednesday Jan 06, 2021
The guest hosts for today's show are Mark Grimaldi and Brad Bannon.
They discuss President Trump inciting his supporters, who then violently stormed the Capitol. Mark and Brad also analyze the significance of Democrats flipping the Senate thanks to Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff winning their runoff elections in Georgia.
Brad is the host of 'Deadline D.C.,' which airs each Monday from 3-4pm ET. He also 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 Twitter handle is @BradBannon.
Mark Grimaldi has been a progressive political activist for the past 12 years. He volunteered for the campaigns of President Obama (2008 and 2012), Senator Bernie Sanders (2016), Secretary Hillary Clinton (2016), and President-Elect Joe Biden (2020). Mark is also involved in campaign finance reform efforts around the country, and philanthropic efforts for Cancer research. His Twitter handle is @MarkJGrimaldi.

Monday Jan 04, 2021
Monday Jan 04, 2021
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.
Brad is first joined by Shawn Zeller, Editor of CQ Magazine, and host of the 'CQ on Congress' podcast. Shawn's Twitter handle is @ShawnZeller.
Brad and Shawn discuss how some congressional Republicans are planning to baselessly challenge the electoral college certification of President-Elect Biden. They also preview the two Senate runoff elections happening tomorrow in Georgia.
During the second half of the show, Brad leads a political round-table with Nick Guthman and Mark Grimaldi. The panel details President Trump's phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, during which the President threatened Raffensperger if he didn't find 11,780 presidential votes for Trump. The panel also touches on the Georgia Senate runoffs, and then evaluates what young people and progressives are hoping that President-Elect Biden will achieve during his time in the oval office.
Nick Guthman is Co-Founder of 'Blue Future,' a national organizing program run out of the Youth Progressive Action Catalyst, a youth-led political action committee (PAC), focused on organizing young people around progressive electoral campaigns. His Twitter handle is @NickGuthman. The website for 'Blue Future' is www.OurBlueFuture.us.
Mark Grimaldi has been a progressive political activist for the past 12 years. He volunteered for the campaigns of President Obama (2008 and 2012), Senator Bernie Sanders (2016), Secretary Hillary Clinton (2016), and President-Elect Joe Biden (2020). Mark is also involved in campaign finance reform efforts around the country, and philanthropic efforts for Cancer research. His Twitter handle is @MarkJGrimaldi.
Brad writes a political column every Sunday 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 and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His Twitter handle is @BradBannon.
Watch a video broadcast of the show here: https://www.pscp.tv/w/1dRKZNkLpdbKB

Monday Dec 21, 2020
The Assault on American Democracy; Evaluating Pandemic Relief Deal
Monday Dec 21, 2020
Monday Dec 21, 2020
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.
Brad is first joined by John Nichols, the National Political Correspondent for 'The Nation,' and Author of the new book, "The Fight for the Soul of the Democratic Party." (Available for purchase here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48624170-the-fight-for-the-soul-of-the-democratic-party)
John's Twitter handle is @NicholsUprising.
Brad and John detail the inadequacy of the new pandemic relief package. They also analyze the current assault on American democracy, including on both a national scale, and in Georgia.
During the second half of the show, Brad leads a political round-table with Bina Venkataraman and Mark Grimaldi. The roundtable discusses:
- What does the battle over the new pared down pandemic stimulus package tell us about what Biden's presidency may be like?
- President-Elect Biden's cabinet in general, and his environmental choices in particular
- Prospects for progress next year. How can Biden govern and fix America with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the way?
Bina Venkataraman is the Editorial Page editor for 'the Boston Globe.' She is an MIT lecturer, a fellow at New America and the director of Global Policy Initiatives at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. Bina previously was a journalist for The New York Times and The Boston Globe, and served as senior adviser for climate change innovation in the Obama White House. She is the author of "The Optimist's Telescope: Thinking Ahead in a Reckless Age."
Her Twitter handle is @binajv.
Mark Grimaldi has been a progressive political activist for the past 12 years. He volunteered for the campaigns of President Obama (2008 and 2012), Senator Bernie Sanders (2016), Secretary Hillary Clinton (2016), and President-Elect Joe Biden (2020). Mark is also involved in campaign finance reform efforts around the country, and philanthropic efforts for Cancer research. His Twitter handle is @MarkJGrimaldi.
Brad writes a political column every Sunday 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 and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His Twitter handle is @BradBannon.
You can also watch this episode here on Periscope: https://www.pscp.tv/w/1RDGlPMNQqkGL
Or here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/659965870764678/videos/732202074084302

Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
AAM's "Build Back Better Blueprint"
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.
The two discuss AAM's 10-part blog series called "The Build Back Better Blueprint." They focus in on the following entries from the series:
1. Joe Biden’s China Challenge
2. Stop Currency Manipulation, Start Creating Jobs
3. It’s Time for a U.S.-China Reset
4. Will the U.S. Get Its Money’s Worth on Currency Policy?
5. Companies Are Discovering the Real Costs of Doing Business With China
WEBSITEs: 1. AAM - www.AmericanManufacturing.org 2. 2020 #MadeinAmerica Gift Guide - TinyURL.com/MadeInUSAGifts
TWITTER: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA 2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM
INSTAGRAM: @AmericanManufacturing
FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/AmericanManufacturing

Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
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.
Brad is first joined by Sarah Jones, Editor-in-Chief of PoliticusUSA. The two discuss the multiple crises that President-Elect Biden will be facing once he's inaugurated on Jan. 20th. They also outline what executive orders that Biden could take upon entering office, and what types of obstacles that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may try to place in Biden's way.
Sarah is a 2 time Telly Award winner, and now hosts Politicus News and co-hosts Politicus Radio. The website for PoliticusUSA is www.PoliticusUSA.com and their Twitter handle is @PoliticusUSA. Sarah's handle is @PoliticusSarah.
During the second half of the show, Brad leads a political round-table with Will Jawando and Mark Grimaldi. The roundtable discusses America's desperate need for COVD-19 pandemic relief, and what President-Elect Biden might be able to do in the way of a stimulus package once he takes office. Also, as a former member of the Obama administration, Will shares his personal expertise on the Cabinet nominations of President-Elect Biden.
Will Jawando is Councilmember At-Large for Montgomery County, Maryland. Described as “the progressive leader we need” by revered civil rights activist and Congressman, John Lewis, Will has worked with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Sherrod Brown, and then-Senator Barack Obama.
During the 8-year Obama Administration, Will had the honor of serving as Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, followed by a position as an advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in the U.S. Department of Education.
Will's handle on both Twitter and Instagram is @WillJawando.
Mark Grimaldi has been a progressive political activist for the past 12 years. He volunteered for the campaigns of President Obama (2008 and 2012), Senator Bernie Sanders (2016), Secretary Hillary Clinton (2016), and President-Elect Joe Biden (2020). Mark is also involved in campaign finance reform efforts around the country, and philanthropic efforts for Cancer research. His Twitter handle is @MarkJGrimaldi.
Brad writes a political column every Sunday 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 and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His Twitter handle is @BradBannon.
Watch a video broadcast of the show here: https://www.pscp.tv/w/1ZkJzegyyoXGv

Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Today the awesome Moe Vela guest hosts my show! Moe served in President Obama’s administration as the Director of Administration and Senior Advisor in the Office of Vice President Joe Biden. The stint was the second White House appointment for Moe, who served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Advisor on Hispanic Affairs for Vice President Al Gore. Moe holds the distinction of being the first Hispanic American and gay American to serve twice in a senior executive role in the White House.
He's first joined by Jean Card, Co-Host of 'BiPodisan,' to talk bridging the gap between the political left and right.
Then Basil Seggos, the Commissioner of the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, talks a huge priority for President-Elect Biden, climate change. The two also discuss the damage that President Trump has done to the EPA, and the opportunity to repair and strengthen the organization.
Here are the Twitter handles for everyone who appeared on today's show:
Moe Vela - @MoeVela
Jean Card - @JeanCard
Basil Seggos - @BasilSeggos

Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Leslie is first joined by Catherine Gray, Co-Founder of the 'She Angels Foundation,' which works to generate funds in order to support female founded non profits that are helping women.
They discuss how America has a female VP on her way to the White House, but still has a 98 percent gap in funding of women-led startups— a glaring indicator of gender inequity and unmet potential economic growth in the United States. Catherine also details the work that she and her organization are doing to address this inequity.
The website for her foundation is SheAngelsFoundation.org, and the Twitter handle for her film series is @SheAngelsSeries.
During the second half of the show, Leslie is joined by Col. Cedric Leighton, Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations.
They evaluate President-Elect Biden's nominee for Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin.
Leslie and Colonel Leighton also discuss the debate around choosing someone to fill the position who recently finished their active duty military service.
Colonel Leighton's Twitter handle is @CedricLeighton, and his website is CedricLeighton.com.

Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
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.
Brad is first joined by Charlie Cook, Editor and Publisher of the 'Cook Political Report.' His Twitter handle is @CharlieCookDC.
The two preview the Georgia Senate runoff elections. They also discuss what they believe a Biden administration will look like, and what it might be able to accomplish depending on whether the Senate will be controlled by Republicans or Democrats.
During the second half of the show, Brad leads a political round-table with Tara Devlin and Mark Grimaldi. The roundtable details the dire need for a COVID-19 stimulus package. Unless Congress swiftly passes a stimulus bill:
- Nearly 7 million Americans are at risk of being evicted and without homes as the CDC’s temporary moratorium on evictions is set to expire Dec. 31;
- Millions more will slip into poverty and become food insecure;
- On Dec. 26, 12 million more unemployed people will lose their federal and state unemployment benefits as the remaining $300 weekly bonus as the CARES Act dries up
- The pause on federal student loans is set to end on Jan. 31, meaning loan officers will soon be able to start charging interest again
Brad, Tara and Mark also discuss whether they believe Trump will be the Republican nominee for President in 2024.
Tara Devlin is a New York City based comedian, writer, and the founder of RepublicanDirtyTricks.com, also known as RDT Daily.
Tara’s unapologetically-liberal podcast, "TARABUSTER,” is 100% listener supported, free from corporate influence, and 5-star viewer-reviewed.
Join the resistance by becoming a Patron of Tarabuster and RDT Daily at Patreon.com/TaraDevlin.
You can follow Tara on Twitter at @REALTaraDevlin and on Instagram at @Taradackty.
Mark Grimaldi has been a progressive political activist for the past 12 years. He volunteered for the campaigns of President Obama (2008 and 2012), Senator Bernie Sanders (2016), Secretary Hillary Clinton (2016), and President-Elect Joe Biden (2020). Mark is also involved in campaign finance reform efforts around the country, and philanthropic efforts for Cancer research. His Twitter handle is @MarkJGrimaldi.
Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon and watch his previous 'Deadline D.C.' broadcasts at www.Periscope.TV/BradBannon. His Twitter handle is @BradBannon.
Watch a video broadcast of this episode here on Twitter/Periscope: https://www.periscope.tv/w/1RDGlPDVLljGL
Or here on Facebook Live: http://www.tinyurl.com/BradFacebook12720

Friday Dec 04, 2020
Relief Is Running Out
Friday Dec 04, 2020
Friday Dec 04, 2020
During this episode, Leslie is joined by United Steelworkers President Tom Conway(USW), North America’s largest industrial union.
They’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. They proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.
Leslie and Tom discuss how time is quickly running out for Congress – and specifically the Senate – to pass COVID-19 relief as tens of millions of Americans continue to struggle to make rent payments and put food on the table.
Unless Congress swiftly passes a stimulus bill:
- Nearly 7 million Americans are at risk of being evicted and without homes as the CDC’s temporary moratorium on evictions is set to expire Dec. 31;
- Millions more will slip into poverty and become food insecure;
- The pause on federal student loans is set to end Dec. 31, meaning loan officers will soon be able to start charging interest again;
- On Dec. 26, 12 million more unemployed people will lose their federal and state unemployment benefits as the remaining $300 weekly bonus as the CARES Act dries up.
There’s a bill ready:
- The House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act back in May – a $3 trillion relief package that would stimulate the economy and help American people stay afloat.
- And last month a record breaking 80 million Americans voted for Joe Biden, in no small part because they know the country needs more help from elected leaders.
- But the Senate refused to touch the stimulus bill, preferring instead to ram through Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation.
The House updated the HEROES Act this fall. It would provide crucial assistance to Americans fighting to pay their bills by:
- Funneling aid toward local, state and tribal governments to keep necessary public services up and running;
- Expanding paid sick days, family and medical leave, and unemployment compensation;
- Protecting essential workers by establishing a fund for employers to provide premium pandemic pay;
- Providing COBRA subsidies for laid-off workers;
- Protecting essential workers and helping stop the spread of the virus by establishing requirements for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing
- Extending and expanding the moratorium on certain evictions and foreclosures, which is set to expire Dec. 31 and leave thousands at risk of homelessness
- It’d be especially important for workers because it would require OSHA to establish an infectious disease standard – keeping employers accountable for COVID regulations, thereby increasing workplace safety.
A relief bill like the HEROES Act is not only necessary to repair the economy – it is needed to help our health care workers and stop the spread of the virus.
It would give health care workers the resources they need to conduct COVID-19 testing, track community spread, and fight the infection rate, while researchers and manufacturers work furiously to produce and distribute a vaccine.
There have also been a number of smaller solutions proposed that would at least serve as a beginning point for recovery, but Mitch McConnell continues to stand in the way of comprehensive help.
- Some states are scraping together funds to soften the blow of federal inaction.
- This week Democratic senators pushed to bring back enhanced unemployment benefits.
- And a bipartisan group of Senators put forward a much smaller stimulus bill that Mitch McConnell called, "a waste of time."
If you'd like to call Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Senate office and urge him to pass the HEROES Act, or the smaller bipartisan relief package, his Senate phone number is (202) 224-2541.
The website for the USW is USW.org. Their handle on both Twitter and Instagram is @steelworkers.