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 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.
EPISODE 177
Listen: Pandemic response
The coronavirus crisis affects governance in Washington, St. Paul and beyond. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and Jill Burcum.
EPISODE 168
Listen: Iran crisis cools – for now
A relatively restrained response from Tehran signaled that escalation wasn't immediate. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 165
Listen: Impeachment polarization
The House Judiciary Committee heard from constitutional scholars on Wednesday. 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 164
Listen: The Sondland and the fury
Impeachment inquiry testimony from the U.S. ambassador to the European Union implicated key administration figures, including President Donald Trump. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 163
Listen: Lights, camera, impeachment
Public testimony in the House impeachment inquiry begins. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and Patricia Lopez.
EPISODE 162
Listen: Impeachment hearings set: What will Americans listen for?
The public phase of the inquiry begins next week. 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 161
Listen: Attacks on impeachment process — and witnesses
Some supporters of President Donald Trump attempt to delegitimize diplomats and military officers. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and Patricia Lopez.
EPISODE 160
Listen: Taylor's damning testimony
The U.S. envoy to Ukraine's account may accelerate the impeachment inquiry. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 159
Listen: Trump talk from Minneapolis to the Mideast
The president's dispute with Mayor Jacob Frey, his Syrian policy, and the U.S. House impeachment inquiry are at the center of controversy. 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 158
Listen: Impeachment issue intensifies
President Donald Trump lashes out at the U.S. House impeachment inquiry. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and Patricia Lopez.
EPISODE 157
Listen: Impeachment turmoil
The U.S. House Ukraine inquiry shakes up Washington and the nation. Hear the "Playing Politics" podcast with WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and Patricia Lopez.
EPISODE 156
Listen: Trump focuses on the Mideast — and Rep. Omar
The president again targeted Fifth District U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar while contending with an international crisis. Hear the "Playing Politics" podcast with WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and D.J. Tice.
EPISODE 155
Listen: Dissent disinvited
What the firing of John Bolton and "Sharpiegate" reveal about the White House. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 154
Listen: After new round of shootings, will anything change?
They prompted renewed calls for Washington – and St. Paul – to act. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Adam Carter and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and Patricia Lopez.
EPISODE 153
Listen: The Democrats debate
Sharp contrasts marked the first of two key contests. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and Patricia Lopez.
EPISODE 152
Listen: How much will Mueller matter?
Congressional testimony by the special counsel may only serve to further solidify partisan perspectives on the Russia investigation. 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 151
Listen: The politics of the Jeffrey Epstein case
Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta is under fire for his role in the financier's sex-crimes case. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune's John Rash and Patricia Lopez.
EPISODE 150
Listen: Border crisis resonates
The treatment of migrant detainees at the southern border – and a searing photograph of a father and daughter who didn't make it – has become a major political issue. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's Scott Gillespie and John Rash.
EPISODE 149
Listen: Trump kicks off 2020 (or is it 2016?) campaign
The president reprised several themes – and targets – as he began his reelection push. Hear the "Playing Politics" analysis from WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman and the Star Tribune Editorial Board's John Rash and D.J. Tice.
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