Shows / The Smerconish Podcast
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.
Episodes
- The Smerconish Podcast
Nerding Out About Jack Smith's SCOTUS Petition
CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig joins Michael to go in depth on Special Counsel Jack Smith's petition to the Supreme Court to expedite former President…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Is it appropriate for Jack Smith to take the election calendar into account in his prosecution of Trump?
With Special Counsel Jack Smith going directly to the Supreme Court to resolve whether former President Trump has immunity from prosecution, in an attempt to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
2024 Race: New Polling Data
New polling data shows Donald Trump with a significant lead in many of the swing states. Michael discusses why the polls are favoring the former president and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should Liz Magill have been forced out at Penn?
Liz Magill, the president of University of Pennsylvania, voluntarily stepped down from the helm of the Ivy League school following a barrage of criticism over…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Hunter Biden is in a heap of trouble, his chance at a great deal is gone
Danny Cevallos, NBC News/MSNBC Legal Analyst, explains the latest indictment of Hunter Biden on nine new tax-related charges. President Biden's son once had a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Is AI more likely to elevate humanity or destroy it?
Michael has been very interested in a multi-part series on artificial intelligence running in The New York Times. It is the basis for what he's asking in…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The line between free speech and breaking the law on college campuses
Ilya Shapiro, Director of Constitutional Studies at The Manhattan Institute joins Michael to discuss what's happening on college campuses in reaction to the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Who should have been TIME's 2023 Person of the Year?
TIME named Taylor Swift as the "2023 Person of the Year." Was that the right choice? Today, Michael's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Which of the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
TIME's 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift? Really?
Michael takes issue with TIME choosing musician and pop star Taylor Swift as its 2023 Person of the Year. Does she meet the magazine's criteria of being "the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should Liz Cheney run for president?
Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney is out with a new book. The outspoken critic of former President Trump is weighing a third party presidential bid as…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Sackler Family, OxyContin, Bankruptcy, and the Supreme Court: "Pharma" author Gerald Posner explains it all
Michael talks to author and journalist Gerald Posner about the Supreme Court hearing the case of the Sackler family, founders of Purdue Pharma, and whether…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Do advances in the weaponry of war make us more or less safe?
Michael has been part of a book club with friends for over 20 years. Their latest book that they got together to discuss, eat, and drink over this week is…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Thinking Outside The Box: Using Betting Markets To Predict Terrorism
Could a terrorist attack be predicted by a futures or betting market? Michael revisits an outside the box idea from two decades ago, which is now top-of-mind…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Can money buy happiness?
Can money buy happiness? It is a (not so) simple question that Michael is asking as today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com. He offers up research and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Last Night's Debate
Michael discusses the most recent debate between Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis. Michael continues the discussion by speaking with a diverse group of callers…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Does the U.S. global footprint make its citizens more or less safe?
With the pentagon continuing to pursue military actions in both the middle east and many other parts of the world, Michael asks today's Daily Poll Question at…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Gaza cease-fire is a major victory for Hamas: Admiral James Stavridis
Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Admiral (Ret.) James Stavridis gives Michael his perspective on the Israel-Hamas cease-fire agreement, and offers…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Which debate will have more viewers? DeSantis/Newsom or next week's RNC Debate?
With a debate happening tonight, and one next Wednednesday, Michael asks today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which debate will have more viewers?…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Michael Reads The Newspaper
Michael is incredibly proud of the Daily Newsletter he sends out each morning - 20 different links to a wide variety of news stories to start your day. But, he…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Is there any benign interpretation of the phrase: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”?
A specific phrase has become a battle cry for pro-Palestinians activists, and has angered Jews who see it as a call for Israel to be wiped off the map. Michael…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The American Dream
A new Wall Street Journal/NORC poll shows that voters see the 'American Dream' slipping out of reach. Michael gets the data and details from WSJ…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Are social media & perceptions, or real economic conditions, fueling voter angst?
"Even Most Biden Voters Don’t See a Thriving Economy" is a front page headline on today's New York Times. This article has Michael asking today's Daily Poll…
- The Smerconish Podcast
How Is The Economy Doing?
Michael discusses Biden's low poll numbers and its correlation with the current state of the economy. Michael continues the discussion by speaking with a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: How to consider Israel military activities in Gaza proportionate?
Gaza civilians under Israeli barrage are being killed at a historic pace. Israel has cast the deaths of civilians in the Gaza Strip as a regrettable and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Let's Debate
The Fall 2024 presidential debate schedule has been announced. Michael offers up some memorable debate moments from years past, and then welcomes Frank…
- The Smerconish Podcast
60th Anniversary of JFK Assassination: Special archive audio with Senator Arlen Specter on the single bullet "conclusion"
Michael looks back at November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was killed. Listen to conversations from the archives with Senator Arlen Specter and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Will the Fall 2024 presidential debates significantly influence the outcome of the election?
The non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced the 2024 debate schedule for next fall, with three presidential and one vice presidential debate…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Has Israel's response been disproportionate? A conversation with Admiral James Stavridis
Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Admiral (Ret.) James Stavridis gives his insights on Israel's "proportionality" of response to attacks from Hamas…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Can Trump's First Amendment rights be balanced with protecting the safety of possible witnesses?
Today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Is it possible to draft a court order which balances Donald Trump's First Amendment rights with the need to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
'QAnon Shaman' stormed the Capitol, did his time, and now is running for Congress
Michael recaps a fascinating conversation he had on CNN over the weekend with Jacob Chansley, known as "QAnon Shaman" when he stormed the US Capitol on January…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Is Biden's age, or Trump's legal peril, more likely to determine the 2024 outcome?
With President Biden celebrating his 81st birthday today, and former President Trump facing numerous lawsuits and indictments, Michael asks this Daily Poll…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Jim Harbaugh's Three-Game Suspension: The Rest Of The Story
Michael welcomes Ann Arbor News and MLive's Michigan Football Beat Reporter Aaron McCann to give the back story and details - and more that you likely don't…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should social media outlets publish or censor Bin Laden's 2002 "Letter to America"?
In 2002, Al Qaeda terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden wrote a letter laying out his justification for the September 11th attacks on the U.S. The letter was…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A conversation with the former Director of U.S. Hostage Rescue & Recovery
What is going on with the Israeli hostages in Gaza? What to efforts to rescue them look like? Michael talks to Soufan Group Senior VP Christopher O'Leary. He…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should everyone on social media be verified by their name?
Attention keyboard warriors....Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Do you agree with Nikki Haley: “Every person on social media…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Amuse-Bouche: Jesse Ventura
With the talk of third party candidates becoming more popular these days, Michael recalls a conversation he had with former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should Israeli forces have entered Al-Shifa Hospital?
After Israeli forces raided Gaza's largest hospital believing that Hamas militants were inside, Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Libertarian Party Chair Angela McCardle Says RFK Jr. May Still Run On 2024 Party Ticket
Michael welcomes Angela McArdle, Chair of the Libertarian Party, for a conversation to learn about their platform and plans for the 2024 presidential race…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Are you open to the idea of voting for a Libertarian candidate?
As more people look at the possibility of voting for a third party candidate in 2024 over the traditional two party candidates, Michael asks today's Daily Poll…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Bill Burr's Wife Gives Trump The Double Middle Finger
Michael is a big fan of comedian Bill Burr. He offers thoughts on Burr's wife gesture toward former President Trump at an event at Madison Square Garden over…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Who benefits if Trump's trial is televised, the prosecutors or Trump?
Michael speaks on today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which side benefits if the Trump federal subversion trial is televised? Prosecutors, or Trump…
- The Smerconish Podcast
All of Trump's legal peril has been to his benefit, and now, even more so
Former President Trump's numerous court battles are benefitting him in the 2024 race. Michael talks to Alex Isenstadt at Politico, on his piece "An anti-Trump…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Will Joe Manchin run for president?
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has announced he is not running for reelection. That brings Michael to today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will Joe…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Nikki Haley did well; but Donald Trump won the third GOP debate
Analysis of the third Republican Presidential Primary Debate, which was hosted by NBC News. Original air date 9 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Are Tuesday's election results, or recent polling, more predictive for 2024?
Now two days removed from the 2023 off-year election day, Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which is more predictive for 2024? Recent…
- The Smerconish Podcast
This school board election mattered more than the Kentucky Governor's Race
It's the day after a big off-year election with notable outcomes in states like Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky .... but - there's something even bigger today that…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Would Republicans abandon Trump if he were convicted & sentenced?
With the former President appearing in court this week, Michael explains today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Would Republicans abandon Donald Trump…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Biden is on the losing end of a rematch with Trump. Pollster John Della Volpe Explains.
"Joe Biden Is In Trouble." That's the headline of John Della Volpe's latest op-ed in the New York Times. He is the director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Could you vote for a candidate who live-streamed sexual acts with their spouse for money?
One of the most watched races in the country on Election Day today is a local one, in Virginia's 57th House district, Republican David Owen versus Democrat…
- The Smerconish Podcast
How Rich Donors are Transforming College Sports
Michael welcomes New York Times Investigative Reporter David Fahrenthold to discuss how rich donors has upended the economics of college football and other…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: A new poll shows Trump over Biden in 5 of 6 battleground states - do you accept that as accurate?
A new New York Times/Siena College poll of 3,662 registered voters in six swing states shows Donald Trump leading Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential race (From…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Sexcapades on the ballot in Virginia on Election Day
Tuesday is Election Day and all eyes are on the 57th district of Virginia, where Susanna Gibson, a Democrat, is running against Republican David Owen for the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should Israel agree to U.S. requests for "humanitarian pauses"?
President Biden this week said "we need a pause." Michael puts that into today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should Israel agree to U.S. requests…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Israel, Biden, Haley, Trump, Kennedy Jr.: A 2024 Race Headline Roundup
Michael runs through several new headlines in the 2024 Presidential race. Original air date 2 November 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Is Israel justified in striking Hamas leaders located in refugee camps?
It is a difficult question for a difficult action - Michael's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Is Israel justified in striking Hamas leaders when…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Gallup's Mohamed Younis on Palestinians not supporting Biden nor a Two-State Solution
Gallup Editor in Chief Mohamed Younis joins Michael to discuss the results of polling Gallup did among Palestinians before the war in Israel broke out on…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: If every GOP candidate challenging Trump, except Nikki Haley, dropped out, would the outcome change?
Michael lays out today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Would it change the final outcome if every GOP candidate challenging Trump, except Nikki Haley…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Former State Department official on why he resigned over Biden's stance on Israeli arms transfers
Michael talks to Josh Paul, Former Director, State Department Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Mr. Paul recently resigned over his disagreement with the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Are calls for a cease-fire calls for Israel to surrender?
Michael takes this quote from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech yesterday, "Calls for a cease-fire are calls for Israel to surrender to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Dean Phillips is running for the 2024 Democratic nomination, says it is time for a change
Michael talks to Congressman Dean Phillips (D-MN), who is now challenging President Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. They discuss his…