The Playbook Podcast

"Front Row Joes" were some of President Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters, traveling across the country on his campaign trail. Now some are disillusioned with his presidency. We asked some of them why. Then the other stories animating Washington this morning: New polls show Abdul El-Sayed running ahead of Mike Rogers, White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino's X post that critics are calling tone deaf and why a group of AI enthusiasts are partying for data centers.

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In this special midterms edition of “The Conversation with Dasha Burns,” Gina Hinojosa, the Democrat running for governor of Texas, sits down with Dasha at her campaign headquarters in Austin to talk about why she believes the race against Greg Abbott is newly competitive — and the lessons Democrats should take for 2028.

In the interview, Hinojosa discusses her pitch to working Texans, her push for a $1,500 “corruption tax refund,” the fight over public schools, abortion access, immigration enforcement, Latino voters, data centers and AI, and what she thinks national Democrats should learn from her campaign.

Hinojosa argues Texas voters are entering a “post-partisan” moment, driven by frustration with both parties, corporate power and the cost of living. “Is this the billionaire’s world and we just live here?” she says. “That is the fight in America. It is the fight for Texas.”

Have thoughts for The Conversation? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Mosca’s Restaurant for a wide-ranging conversation about President Trump, the future of the Democratic Party and whether he might run for president in 2028. Landrieu discusses why he believes Joe Biden should not have sought reelection, how Democrats lost working-class voters, the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America and what it would take to rebuild trust in American institutions.



He also reflects on post-Katrina New Orleans and the lessons Louisiana politics offers the rest of the country. Landrieu previously served as the White House’s infrastructure coordinator after two terms as New Orleans mayor.



Plus: Jonathan and Landrieu dig into Mosca’s chicken à la grande, oysters Mosca and other Italian-Creole specialties.

Could the Lone Star State’s Senate race be the tipping point for Democrats? Playbook's Adam Wren and Megan Messerly take a deep dive into Texas politics. Then the other stories animating Washington: a new U.S. government-funded Trump TV ad is on the DC airwaves and Abdul El-Sayed signals a female nominee for 2028. Plus a 200 second interview with political communications consultant, Andrew Mamo.

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Republicans brace themselves for a potential midterm blowout – while Democrats see a clearing in the smoke. One thing for certain, GOP candidates and their teams are forced to make some tough choices given the bleak road ahead. Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Megan Messerly unpack Sen. Bernie Sanders’ new AI ban, why Angela Paxton broke her silence on the Texas Senate race and how a viral story about a lesbian bar in Western Massachusetts made its way to Washington.

For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook