The Playbook Podcast

This episode was originally published on Sunday, September 20. We re-published due to a platform issue. There are no changes to the content.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-endorsed challenger, joined Dasha to discuss the future of the Republican Party and reflect on how to make Congress more effective as he enters his final months in office.

Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, also addresses his vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the measles outbreak and vaccine policy, the influence of the MAHA movement, Social Security’s looming funding crisis and the need for congressional guardrails on artificial intelligence.

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

Six weeks before Republicans ask voters to reject socialism and communism, President Trump is spending the week embracing socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani and preparing to welcome China’s communist leader, Xi Jinping. Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Will Steakin break down the Republican reaction. Plus Playbook unpacks Mike Rogers recent ad denouncing the Iran war, what new polling says about Kamala Harris’ favorability and a Marco Rubio name drop by a covert rap group.

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

It’s U.N. General Assembly week and Mike Waltz is in the spotlight again. Is his role as U.S. ambassador a springboard to higher aspirations? POLITICO's senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi joins to discuss. Plus a source in the intelligence community is calling one of Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s senior advisors a “walking counterintelligence red flag” after a wedding mishap, Trump preps for two headline-making meetings, and the president continues his battle against the media.

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

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-endorsed challenger, joined Dasha to discuss the future of the Republican Party and reflect on how to make Congress more effective as he enters his final months in office.

Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, also addresses his vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the measles outbreak and vaccine policy, the influence of the MAHA movement, Social Security’s looming funding crisis and the need for congressional guardrails on artificial intelligence.

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

AI is quickly becoming a 2028 litmus test for Democrats. Playbook spoke with some of the party’s potential presidential contenders grappling with the latest wave of AI doom. Then the other stories animating Washington: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sends a message to President Donald Trump and Sen. Bill Cassidy gets candid about RFK Jr. Plus Democratic strategist Rob Flaherty joins Playbook for a 200-second interview on the politics behind AI.

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