Podcast
Playing Politics
Listening to the "Playing Politics" podcast from the Star Tribune and WCCO Radio is like taking a seat at the Editorial Board table and hearing an informed and opinionated weekly discussion of all things political in Minnesota and the nation. "Playing Politics" features WCCO’s Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune’s John Rash in addition to editorial writer Patricia Lopez and columnists Lori Sturdevant and D.J. Tice – award-winning journalists who bring varied perspectives to the issues of the day.
EPISODE 202
Listen: The COVID campaign
President Donald Trump's coronavirus diagnosis keeps the pandemic central to the election. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Patricia Lopez and John Rash.
EPISODE 201
Listen: Court fight convulses Congress, campaign
The debate over approving a Supreme Court justice impacts the 2020 election. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 200
Listen: Trump's night with undecided voters
The president took questions in prime time as the national election looms. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Jordana Green and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's D.J. Tice and John Rash.
EPISODE 199
Listen: Woodward book's bombshells
How will the the revelations about the president's handling of the pandemic play out in the campaign? Listen to the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Patricia Lopez and John Rash.
EPISODE 198
Listen: The Republican National Convention
The virtual gathering is energizing the GOP base. But can it expand it? Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 197
Listen: The real consequences of a virtual conventions
Online-only nominating gatherings will still impact the presidential election. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's D.J. Tice and John Rash.
EPISODE 196
Listen: The Harris effect
How will the selection of Joe Biden's running mate impact the race? Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 195
Listen: Walz, Frey spar over National Guard deployment
Differing accounts reveal a fissure between the Minnesota governor and Minneapolis mayor. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Patricia Lopez and John Rash.
EPISODE 194
Listen: Hearings, but is anyone listening?
The appearance of Attorney General William Barr before Congress seemed to create more heat than light. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's D.J. Tice and John Rash.
EPISODE 193
Listen: Minnesota's mask mandate
Gov. Tim Walz's move comes after several states and multiple Minnesota cities had acted to require masks. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Jason DeRusha and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 192
Listen: Schools loom as next big decision
The pandemic's impact on K-12 education is the just the latest issue facing state and local leaders. Hear the "Playing Politics" podcast analysis from WCCO Radio's Jason DeRusha and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Patricia Lopez and John Rash.
EPISODE 191
Listen: Pandemic, police and politics
In Washington and St. Paul, response to the crises split along intensifying partisan lines. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's D.J. Tice and John Rash.
EPISODE 190
Listen: Bolton bombshells emerge
The highly anticipated book by the former adviser to President Donald Trump is set to soon be released. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 189
Listen: Protests roil locally, and nationally
Response to the killing of George Floyd impacts politics in Minneapolis and the U.S. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Patricia Lopez and John Rash.
EPISODE 188
Listen: Ellison ups charges in George Floyd case
Minnesota's attorney general announced the move as nationwide protests continue. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Patricia Lopez and John Rash.
EPISODE 187
Listen: Frey, his city and nation call for justice
The Minneapolis mayor calls for the arrest of the officer involved in the killing of George Floyd. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 186
Listen: As Walz turns the dial, critics turn up the heat
A gradual adjustment of rules on restaurants and other entities by Minnesota's governor comes amid a growing debate on the pace of pandemic-rules easing. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's D.J. Tice and John Rash.
EPISODE 185
Listen: Walz faces most consequential call yet
Minnesota's governor weighs whether, and how much, to "turn the dial" on the state's pandemic response. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Patricia Lopez and John Rash.
EPISODE 184
Listen: Rising deficit, COVID-19 deaths shake state
Minnesota faces extraordinary challenges from the coronavirus pandemic. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 183
Listen: Mike Pence, unmasked at Mayo
The vice president's visit to the Mayo Clinic stirred controversy. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's D.J. Tice and John Rash.
EPISODE 182
Listen: Pandemic protest and process
Demonstrations against stay-at-home orders come amid Gov. Tim Walz's announcement of dramatically expanded testing. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and D.J. Tice.
EPISODE 181
Listen: Growing partisan divisions on pandemic response
Republican pushback in Minnesota and throughout the country reflects a widening divide on mitigation strategy. Hear the "Playing Politics" podcast with WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 180
Listen: Bernie Sanders leaves the race — and a legacy
The Vermont senator didn't get the Democratic presidential nomination, but helped frame the debate. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and Patricia Lopez.
EPISODE 179
Listen: The press, the president, and the pandemic
How should the news media cover the COVID-19 briefings at the White House? Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and D.J. Tice.
EPISODE 178
Listen: Mixed signals on pandemic
Federal and state responses vary widely as governors and President Donald Trump approach COVID-19 differently. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
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