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Political Theater

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrive for the inauguration of Donald Trump for his second term as president inside the Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025.

Podcasts

Contempt for the Clintons?

Political Theater, Episode 395

By Jason Dick and Todd Ruger
Posted January 22, 2026 at 7:13pm

The decision by Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola, pictured here shortly after being sworn in to her first full term as a member of the House in February 2023, puts into play a Senate seat in a state where Democrats aren’t typically competitive.

Podcasts

‘All the pieces matter’ in politics — just not equally

By Jason Dick and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted January 16, 2026 at 12:14pm
President Donald Trump's approval rating is underwater, as are people's satisfaction with the direction of the country, according to polling averages per the last year. The Political Theater podcast explores which numbers are key to understanding the emerging 2026 campaign's dynamics.

Podcasts

The good, the bad and the meh: What 2026 economic and polling numbers we follow

By Jason Dick and Nathan L. Gonzales
Posted January 8, 2026 at 12:20pm
The movies can be political, even when the topic isn’t politics.

Podcasts

Political Theater’s conversations with filmmakers and other people who dig movies

By Jason Dick
Posted December 29, 2025 at 9:35am
Caution tape is seen on the East Front lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 18. In 2025, Congress faced questions about its role in government as the executive and judicial branches tugged at its responsibilities.

A most consequential year for Congress

By Jason Dick
Posted December 18, 2025 at 1:59pm, Updated December 19, 2025 at 9:19am
Protesters march down Pennsylvania Avenue NW for the second "No Kings" protest in Washington on Oct. 18, 2025. The current political instability has some parallels to the 1930s portrayed in Thomas Pynchon's novel "Shadow Ticket."

Buy the ‘Shadow Ticket,’ take the ride

By Jason Dick
Posted December 10, 2025 at 1:26pm
Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, here heading to a House Republican Conference meeting on Tuesday, is among several lawmakers who have sought bipartisan solutions for problems Congress is facing.

Can Congress save itself?

By Jason Dick and Justin Papp
Posted December 4, 2025 at 1:53pm
The Capitol dome is illuminated as the House of Representatives returned to Washington to vote to reopen the government Nov. 12. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

The re-re-redistricting chronicles

By Jason Dick and Nathan L. Gonzales
Posted November 20, 2025 at 6:30pm
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., right, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., lead narrow majorities in their respective chambers as the 2026 midterm elections loom.

There is no such things as an off-year in politics

By Jason Dick, Daniela Altimari and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted November 6, 2025 at 1:25pm
The movie “One Battle After Another” expands on issues from the novel it is based on, Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland.” Jason Dick discusses the book with Pynchon scholar Sean Carswell on the latest Political Theater podcast. (Jason Dick/CQ Roll Call)

Taking the ‘Vineland’ express to ‘One Battle After Another’

By Jason Dick
Posted October 31, 2025 at 10:08am