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The NPR Politics Podcast Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics
The NPR Politics Podcast

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The NPR Politics Podcast

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Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics

Most Recent Episodes

Politics Roundup: Obamas endorse Harris; GOP women warn against bigoted tropes.

Vice President Kamala Harris reacts as President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama shake hands on stage after Obama called Biden "Vice President" during an event about the Affordable Care Act, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Carolyn Kaste/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaste/AP

Politics Roundup: Obamas endorse Harris; GOP women warn against bigoted tropes.

Vice President Harris continues to pull in fistfuls of money and has secured another key endorsement from Barack and Michelle Obama.

Politics Roundup: Obamas endorse Harris; GOP women warn against bigoted tropes.

Listen · 15:46
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Will Vice President Harris stakeout a different position on Israel's war in Gaza?

U.S. and Israeli flags fly as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. Jacquelyn Martin /AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin /AP

Will Vice President Harris stakeout a different position on Israel's war in Gaza?

The vice president has been more vocal on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza strip than President Biden, but she has maintained the administration's united front on policy. Will her position change as the campaign goes on?

Will Vice President Harris stakeout a different position on Israel's war in Gaza?

Listen · 13:55
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President Biden addresses the nation, with an eye on his legacy

President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, about his decision to drop his Democratic presidential reelection bid. Evan Vucci, Pool/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci, Pool/AP

President Biden addresses the nation, with an eye on his legacy

The president was emphatic about the threat that Donald Trump poses to American democracy. He said that after a lifetime of service, it was time to pass the torch.

President Biden addresses the nation, with an eye on his legacy

Listen · 11:48
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The presidential race is, once again, a dead heat after Harris boosts Dems' odds

Campaign staff put up signs at Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Del., Monday, July 22, 2024. Erin Schaff/AP hide caption

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Erin Schaff/AP

The presidential race is, once again, a dead heat after Harris boosts Dems' odds

In a speech at her campaign headquarters, Vice President Harris highlighted her background as a prosecutor and will work to unite the party and earn the nomination.

The presidential race is, once again, a dead heat after Harris boosts Dems' odds

Listen · 17:24
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Vice President Harris quickly racks up endorsements from Dems and would-be opponents

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 22, 2024, during an event with NCAA college athletes. This is her first public appearance since President Joe Biden endorsed her to be the next presidential nominee of the Democratic Party. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Vice President Harris quickly racks up endorsements from Dems and would-be opponents

Vice President Harris faces no major opposition for the Democratic nomination. The fundraising platform ActBlue has reported more than $50 million in donations since she was endorsed by President Biden last night. Now, attention is turning to who she may select for her running mate.

Vice President Harris quickly racks up endorsements from Dems and would-be opponents

Listen · 16:25
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President Biden ends his reelection campaign. Now what?

President Joe Biden exits the stage after speaking at the 115th NAACP National Convention on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. David Becker/AP hide caption

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David Becker/AP

President Biden ends his reelection campaign. Now what?

Biden strenuously resisted pressure to step down from the campaign for weeks after a debate in which he struggled to speak clearly and coherently. But, ultimately, the pressure from his fellow Democratic and donors became too much to ignore. We discuss what comes next.

President Biden ends his reelection campaign. Now what?

Listen · 10:30
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Trump's Republican convention speech painted a familiar vision for his next term

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

Trump's Republican convention speech painted a familiar vision for his next term

In a lengthy speech formally accepting the Republican nomination for president, Donald Trump made his case for serving a second term focused on mass deportations and border security, isolationist "America First" foreign policy and deep tax cuts.

Trump's Republican convention speech painted a familiar vision for his next term

Listen · 13:32
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Who is J.D. Vance? Hear from Republican delegates — and the candidate himself.

Ohio Sen. JD Vance accepts the Republican vice presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisc., on Wed., July 17, 2024. Nickolai Hammar/NPR hide caption

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Nickolai Hammar/NPR

Who is J.D. Vance? Hear from Republican delegates — and the candidate himself.

J.D. Vance is 39 years-old and has been in office as Ohio's junior U.S. senator for less than two years. He said in an interview that this is his first time attending the Republican National Convention. Wednesday night, he gave his debut speech as the GOP vice presidential nominee. Here's what delegates, and the candidate himself, had to say about Vance.

Who is J.D. Vance? Hear from Republican delegates — and the candidate himself.

Listen · 15:57
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Nikki Haley, Trump's most prominent primary critic, endorses him in RNC speech

Former Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during the Republican National Convention Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption

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Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Nikki Haley, Trump's most prominent primary critic, endorses him in RNC speech

Night two of the Republican National Convention was full of speeches by former Trump rivals offering their full endorsement of the nominee. That includes former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who had previously warned that a Trump presidency would be "four years of chaos, vendettas and drama."

Nikki Haley, Trump's most prominent primary critic, endorses him in RNC speech

Listen · 16:36
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J.D. Vance is Trump's vice presidential nominee, and more from day one of the RNC

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, appear during the Republican National Convention Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption

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Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

J.D. Vance is Trump's vice presidential nominee, and more from day one of the RNC

We're reporting from Milwaukee, Wisc., where the Republican National Convention kicked off by officially nominating Donald Trump and J.D. Vance as their 2024 ticket. Also: Trump is free, for now, of another set of criminal charges. And Biden came out swinging in an interview with NBC News.

J.D. Vance is Trump's vice presidential nominee, and more from day one of the RNC

Listen · 17:05
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