The Smerconish Podcast

Michael turns the Democratic Party’s 2028 primary calendar into a political strategy game: Which state should vote first, and could that decision determine the eventual presidential nominee? He weighs diversity, geography, affordability, voter access and general-election competitiveness before making the case for Nevada. Then listeners join the debate, offering alternatives including Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina and Kentucky—and raising one major problem with Nevada that could change the calculation. Original air date 23 July 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: New Jersey mistakenly registered 6,600 non-citizens to vote, and about 400 did so — is that an aberration, or the norm?
Michael examines the collision between two stories: President Trump’s sweeping claims about noncitizen voting and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s acknowledgment that a software error added thousands of ineligible residents to the voter rolls, with roughly 400 reportedly casting ballots. Does one documented failure overturn the broader evidence that noncitizen voting is rare—or expose a vulnerability officials have underestimated? Michael breaks down the numbers, the political fallout, and why New Jersey may become a defining election-integrity argument heading into the midterms. Listen here, vote at Smerconish.com, and please rate, review and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Did New Jersey just give President Trump a powerful new argument on election integrity? Michael Smerconish and Mark Halperin debate the facts, the politics and the future of the SAVE Act before turning to the increasingly unpredictable 2026 midterms. Plus: the political danger of the Iran war, JD Vance’s comments about Israel, Susan Collins’ fight for survival, and the clues suggesting Mark Kelly may be positioning himself for a 2028 presidential campaign. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which is worse, continuing the war with Iran or cutting off the funding for it?
Michael Smerconish examines one of the most difficult questions facing the United States: is the greater danger continuing the war with Iran, or ending congressional funding while American forces are already committed? He explores constitutional questions over presidential war powers, the lack of a clearly defined endgame, the risks of regional escalation, and the consequences of withdrawing support mid-conflict. Along the way, he also discusses new intelligence on Iran's nuclear program, the Trump administration's civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, and why both developments raise profound strategic questions for America's future in the Middle East. Listen here, and be sure to rate, review, AND share this podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Ethics and Public Policy Center Senior Fellow and Washington Post columnist Henry Olsen joins Michael to break down the rapidly shifting political landscape heading into the 2026 midterms. They discuss whether Republicans can hold the Senate, the Democratic Party's growing progressive divide, JD Vance's political future, Marco Rubio's prospects, Trump's grip on the GOP, and why the battle for 2028 may already be underway. Michael then takes listener calls on Iran, congressional war powers, and the latest twists in the Senate races. Original air date 21 July 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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