The Smerconish Podcast

The US attacked Iran - now on Day 3 of the deadly conflict, Michael turns to one of the nation’s most experienced military leaders for clarity. Retired 4-star Admiral James Stavridis — former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO — breaks down why the strike happened now, what the true objective may be (regime change? nuclear deterrence? weakening Iran’s proxies?), and whether Iran is stronger than we’ve been led to believe. They discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, the role of Russia and China, how NATO allies are reacting, and whether the Iranian people could ultimately determine the outcome. Then, callers weigh in — raising constitutional concerns about congressional authorization, debating President Trump’s leadership, and questioning whether America has a clear endgame.
Is this the start of regime collapse — or another prolonged Middle East conflict? Original air date 2 March 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Agree or disagree: The Epstein fallout is now more about guilt by association than guilt by deeds."
As millions of pages tied to Jeffrey Epstein become public, prominent figures are resigning, apologizing, and facing reputational ruin — often without charges or proven wrongdoing. Michael examines whether the national reaction has crossed from accountability into indiscriminate shaming. Are we abandoning the presumption of innocence in favor of public cancellation? With references to past DOJ norms, media scrutiny, and historical lessons from the McCarthy era, this episode asks whether knowing Epstein is being treated as equivalent to criminal conduct — and what that means for due process in America. Listen in, then vote at Smerconish.com! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Hear Ben and Michael break down: 

The GOP civil war between establishment and MAGA

The brutal Cornyn ad targeting Paxton’s personal life

Why Trump hasn’t endorsed (and whether he will)

Democrats’ unexpected strategy to win back young men

And whether “bro politics” and religious messaging can flip Texas

Is this race headed for a runoff? Can moderation survive the primaries? And in 2026, does infidelity even matter to voters anymore?

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Does the value of transparency from release of the Epstein files outweigh the risks of spreading unverified accusations?" As new revelations surface — including missing FBI interview summaries tied to allegations involving President Trump — the debate intensifies over what the public deserves to see. With Bill and Hillary Clinton testifying, selective document releases raising eyebrows, and legal scholars warning about the dangers of dumping raw investigative material, Michael examines the tension between transparency and reputational harm. Listen here, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Did you see the "Trump Train" coming? Michael didn’t — and neither did Barack Obama’s inner circle. Drawing from newly released oral history interviews on the Obama presidency, Michael explores how top advisers like David Axelrod, Jen Psaki, and Jon Favreau underestimated Donald Trump’s political rise. From the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner roast to the escalator announcement in 2015, this episode revisits the moments many dismissed — and asks why so many got it wrong. Plus, SiriusXM’s Steve Scully joins the conversation with a behind-the-scenes account of that infamous Correspondents’ Dinner — including what was happening off-camera as Trump reacted in real time. Could it all....happen again? Listen in, then rate, review, and share this podcast! Original air date 26 February 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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