Podcasts · News

Hacks On Tap

Vox Media

300 episodes · Explicit

When David Axelrod, Mike Murphy, and John Heilemann get together to talk politics, it’s not academic. They speak from the perspective gained through hundreds of campaigns for offices from City Hall to the White House. So if you want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes, where strategic decisions are being made, pull up a stool for Hacks on Tap. Incisive, sometimes uproarious and always entertaining, these political warhorses and their guests will give you insights you’ll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties.

More about the show

From the Vox Media Podcast Network

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. When Negative Goes Negative (with Sarah Longwell)

    · 1 h 01 min · Explicit

    The Hacks are back — and so soon! Axe, Murphy, and Heilemann are joined by legendary Republican strategist, focus group whisperer, Bulwark publisher, and author of How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time, Sarah…

  2. The Juice the Base Play (With Addisu Demissie)

    · 1 h 06 min · Explicit

    This week, all three Hackeroos are joined by Democratic strategist, campaign trail veteran, and a man who knows his way around an electoral map, Addisu Demissie! The Hacks take stock of the key races across the country…

  3. Split Happens (with Robert Gibbs and Karl Rove)

    · 1 h 14 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by not one, but two frequent-flyer Hackeroos: Mr. Texas himself, Karl Rove, and former Hackateer extraordinaire, Robert Gibbs! The guys dive headfirst into the political circus,…

  4. Wave Watch (with Doug Sosnik and Ron Brownstein)

    · 1 h 06 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by excellent Hackeroos Doug Sosnik, veteran strategist and professional campaign war-room survivor, and Ron Brownstein, dean of political journalism and longtime electoral-map…

  5. For Whom the Poll Tolls (with John Anzalone and David Plouffe)

    · 1 h 04 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by not one, but two all-star Hackeroos: veteran Democratic pollster John Anzalone and former Obama campaign manager and White House senior adviser David Plouffe. The crack team…

  6. Pressing His Luck (with Whit Ayers)

    · 1 h 05 min · Explicit

    This week, Murphy and Heilemann are joined by Whit Ayres, president of North Star Opinion Research and veteran Republican polling Hack. The Hacks dive into the nation’s many wars: Trump’s war with the press over access…

  7. Above the Fold (with Julie Pace)

    · 1 h 02 min · Explicit

    This week, the Hacks are joined by recently inducted Hackeroo Julie Pace, senior vice president and executive editor of The Associated Press! The Hacks dive into the battle for control of Congress and the midterm…

  8. The Final Sprint

    · 1 h 05 min · Explicit

    The Hacks are back! This week, all three Hackeroos convened to dive into the post-Labor Day sprint to the midterms. The guys discuss Trump’s potential war chest and the role of money in politics, renaming wars, and…

  9. The Hacks Present: Stay Tuned with Preet

    · 1 h 30 min

    Neuroscientist, philosopher, and Making Sense podcast host Sam Harris joins Preet Bharara to examine why good-faith debate has become so difficult—and what that breakdown has done to American politics. They discuss…

  10. Oh Canada! (With Jonathan Martin)

    · 1 h 11 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy were joined by loyal Hackeroo, food savant, and incredibly talented journalist Jonathan Martin! The Hacks head north to unpack the latest battle with our neighbor, eh, before tapping JMart’s…

  11. Running on Empty (with Ron Brownstein)

    · 1 h 07 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy were joined by Bloomberg Opinion columnist, CNN senior political analyst, and certified Hackeroo Ron Brownstein. The Hacks dive into this week in the political circus — from military…

  12. Goat Rodeo (with Addisu Demissie)

    · 1 h 03 min · Explicit

    Late last night, three bleary-eyed Hacks convened to discuss the results—or what we had of them—from yesterday’s Midwestern primaries. Axe and Heilemann were joined by legendary Democratic Hackeroo Addisu Demissie to…

  13. The Midwest Strikes Back

    · 1 h 02 min · Explicit

    This week the Hacks are reunited! All three Hackeroos are back together to break down the Michigan primary results and what they could mean for the midterms. They also dive into the latest from Virginia and Wisconsin,…

  14. The Cannibal King (with Jonathan Martin)

    · 1 h 14 min · Explicit

    This week Murphy and Heilemann welcome back Hack frequent flier and POLITICO's Jonathan Martin. The Hacks break down the White House Correspondents' Dinner, the latest on the war with Iran, the state of the midterms,…

  15. Iran Out of Patience (with Maggie Haberman)

    · 1 h 06 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy were joined by Maggie Haberman, one of the sharpest and most deeply sourced reporters covering Trump and the White House. The Hacks dive into her new book, Regime Change: Inside the Imperial…

  16. Lust but Verify (with Jonathan Freedland)

    · 1 h 07 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by a Hack from across the pond and all-around political savant, Jonathan Freedland. Jonathan is a Guardian columnist, host of Politics Weekly America, and co-host of Unholy, the…

  17. PAC to the Future (with Elie Honig)

    · 1 h 04 min · Explicit

    The Hacks are back, and this week Axe and Murphy are joined by CNN’s senior legal analyst, former federal prosecutor, and resident translator of legalese into English, Elie Honig. The Hacks dive into the fallout from…

  18. 250 and Counting (with Jonathan Martin)

    · 1 h 04 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy were joined by Hacks frequent flier and POLITICO’s own JMart. The Hacks break down negotiations between the White House and the Hill, take stock of the midterm landscape, and reflect on the…

  19. From the Garden to the Polls (with Lis Smith)

    · 1 h 06 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy were joined by veteran Democratic strategist, political advisor, and proud Knicks fan Lis Smith. The Hacks break down the races in today’s New York primary, along with several other key races…

  20. West Wing, Right Hook (with Jen Psaki)

    · 54 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Heilemann were joined by political heavyweight and MS NOW’s Jen Psaki. The Hacks step into the octagon to break down Trump's 80th birthday UFC spectacle at the White House and the controversy that…

  21. Too Big To Deny (with Adam Kinzinger)

    · 58 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy were joined by Air National Guard veteran, former Illinois Congressman, and January 6th Committee member Adam Kinzinger. The Hacks dive into Trump’s claims of election meddling in the Los…

  22. The Golden State of Play (with Ron Brownstein)

    · 1 h 09 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy were joined by the great Ron Brownstein—veteran journalist, Bloomberg Opinion columnist, and CNN senior political analyst. The Hacks dive into Trump's preparations for America250, the…

  23. Fool’s Cubic Zirconia (with Sarah Longwell)

    · 1 h 16 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Heilemann were joined by were joined by focus group guru and Bulwark legend, Sarah Longwell. The Hacks dive into the Texas primary results, California’s governors and LA’s mayoral race, the release of…

  24. Strait to the Point (with Jonathan Martin)

    · 1 h 14 min · Explicit

    This week Murphy and Heilemann are joined by Hacks regular and budding food influencer Jonathan Martin to dig into Trump’s latest polling, the un-bullsh!table issues actually shaping the race, and preview key upcoming…

  25. Race to the Bottom (with Addisu Demissie)

    · 1 h 06 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy were joined by ace political wizard and veteran Democratic campaign manager Addisu Demissie. The Hacks dive into Trump’s new inflation numbers, Rubio and Vance vying for the chance to run in…

  26. The Cost of Not Listening (with Dave Wasserman)

    · 1 h 10 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy are joined by the man who has seen it all—and has seen enough—Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. The Hacks dive into Donald Trump’s frustrations with voters, the latest polls and…

  27. Tired of Being Tired (with John King)

    · 1 h 09 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Murphy were joined by one of the all-time greats, John King of CNN. The Hacks dive into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and the broader conversation around political rhetoric and…

  28. The Liquor Cabinet (with Jonathan Martin)

    · 1 h 11 min · Explicit

    This week, Murphy and Heilemann were joined by frequent Hacks flyer and host of On the Road, Politico’s Jonathan Martin! The Hacks dive into U.S./Iran negotiations, Vance’s foreign policy woes, chaos and turnover in…

  29. It’s the Theology, Stupid (with Doug Sosnik)

    · 1 h 01 min · Explicit

    This week, Murphy and Heilemann welcome policy Hackeroo and Clintonworld veteran Doug Sosnik. The Hacks dive into Trump’s Twitter feud with Chicago’s Pope, high-stakes negotiations to end the war with Iran, the JD…

  30. Gravity of the Situation (with Rahm Emanuel)

    · 1 h 05 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Murphy are joined live and in person by Hack regular, former U.S. Ambassador, and former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Hacks break down the escalating war with Iran and Trump’s increasingly heated…

  31. TACO Tuesday (with Morris Katz)

    · 1 h 07 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Heilemann dive into Trump’s Oval Office presser on the state of the war with Iran—and, of course, his ballroom. The Hacks also break down kitchen table issues, potential watershed moments, Republican…

  32. Mad King Politics (with David Plouffe)

    · 1 h 05 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy are joined by Campaign Manager Hackeroo David Plouffe — who ran Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, later served as a senior White House advisor.The Hacks dive into another week of war with Iran,…

  33. The Luck of the Midterms (with Amy Walter)

    · 1 h 08 min · Explicit

    Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Hackeroos! This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by one of the greatest Hacks in all the land, Amy Walter—publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. The Hacks…

  34. On the Road (with Jonathan Martin)

    · 1 h 01 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by frequent flier in the Hackeroo Lounge, Jonathan Martin. JMart gives the Hacks a preview of his new Politico show, On the Road with Jonathan Martin, including his conversation…

  35. Midterm Crossfire (with Mark McKinnon and Billy Begala)

    · 1 h 05 min · Explicit

    This tumultuous week in the news, the Hacks are joined by not one but two expert Hackeroos. First up, Mark McKinnon — former adviser to George W. Bush and co-creator and co-host of The Circus — jumps in with Axe and…

  36. SOTU Special

    · 49 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Murphy burned the midnight oil to break down Trump’s State of the Union with Hackeroo extraordinaire Jonathan Martin. No spoilers here — the Hacks have kept you waiting long enough. Hit play and find…

  37. Map-a-Lago (with Dave Wasserman)

    · 1 h 13 min · Explicit

    This week Murphy and Heilemann were joined by the one and only Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. The Hacks dive into Trump’s polling, the standoff over ICE funding, and the attention economy — then put…

  38. A Bigger Bowl (with Lis Smith)

    · 1 h 07 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Heilemann were joined by Lis Smith, veteran Democratic strategist and political advisor. The Hacks dive into the Super Bowl and Bad Bunny’s halftime show, the battle for views, the Trump economy,…

  39. Reading the Map (with Jonathan Martin)

    · 1 h 06 min · Explicit

    Happy Tuesday, Hackeroos! This week Axe and Murphy are joined by repeat guest and all-around savant Jonathan Martin of Politico. The Hacks dive into the latest news, including the FBI raid of a Georgia election center,…

  40. Intentional Mayhem (with John Avlon)

    · 1 h 03 min · Explicit

    This week Axe and Heilemann are joined by former Chief Beast, current journalist, and author John Avlon. The Hacks dig into the aftermath of a tumultuous weekend in Minnesota — and across the Trump administration —…

  41. The Ugliest American

    · 1 h 02 min · Explicit

    This week all three Hackeroos (or Quackeroos) convened to take on a full fire hose of breaking news. The Hacks dive into Trump’s Nobel Piece Prize acquisition, his Davos trip, ICE’s provocative tactics, pardon-palooza,…

  42. Flood the Zone, Lose the Plot (with Mark McKinnon)

    · 1 h 03 min · Explicit

    It’s only the second week of the year, and the news cycle is already moving fast. Luckily, Axe and Heilemann are joined by legendary political strategist — and The Circus alum — Mark McKinnon to help make sense of it…

  43. Iraqozuela (with Ron Brownstein)

    · 1 h 03 min · Explicit

    Happy New Year, Hackeroos — did we miss anything over the break? Luckily, Axe and Murphy reconvened bright and early with veteran journalist, columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, and senior political analyst for CNN, Ron…

  44. New Year's Special: On with Kara Swisher

    · 1 h 07 min

    Happy New Year, Hackeroos! While the guys are taking a well-earned break with family, we’re bringing you a great conversation from our friend Kara Swisher’s podcast, On with Kara Swisher. Kara is joined by Beth Macy,…

  45. End of Year Show

    · 1 h 07 min · Explicit

    The Hacks convene to sum up a year of very normal politics. The guys dive into Indiana Republicans’ rebuke of Trump’s redistricting plan, the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, rising health-care…

  46. The Canary in the Keystone Mine (with Bob Shrum)

    · 1 h 06 min · Explicit

    This week Murphy and Heilemann were joined by a true political legend — a man who’s been Hacking up and down the ballot for more than sixty years — the inimitable Bob Shrum! The Hacks dig into Trump’s ambitions for his…

  47. Wag the Dog

    · 1 h 00 min · Explicit

    The Hacks are back! All three Hackeroos convened this week to discuss the Tennessee Special election, retiring members of congress and upcoming filing deadlines, Hegseth's latest, the tragic national guard shooting,…

  48. Irrational exuberance (with Steve Israel)

    · 1 h 07 min · Explicit

    In our final episode of the month, Axe and Heilemann were joined by frequent Hack, former congressman, and author Steve Israel. The Hacks dig into the vote to release the Epstein files, MTG’s latest pivot and what’s…

  49. Trumplated Age (with Astead Herndon)

    · 1 h 09 min · Explicit

    This week, Axe and Murphy were joined by their new Vox Media colleague and veteran political reporter Astead Herndon. The Hacks dive into the potential end of the government shutdown, the future of Democratic…

  50. Post-Election Hack-a-Thon (with Jonathan Martin)

    · 54 min · Explicit

    The results are in! Last night Axe and Murphy were joined by the indefatigable chronicler of American politics, Jonathan Martin of Politico. The bleary-eyed Hacks stayed up to unpack the election results, the story the…

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