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- WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch
50 episodes
WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch
by Paul Gigot, The Wall Street Journal · English
From the award-winning opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal, Paul Gigot, Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Kyle Peterson discuss the latest from Washington. Get critical perspective and the analysis you need on developments from the nation’s capital. Join them every weekday. Send your feedback to [email protected]
Latest episodes
All episodes
Democrats Prepare for Leadership Battles in the House and Senate
The episode discusses Senate and House leadership battles after Democrats’ election gains, focusing on how Democrats will govern and whether they’ll pursue transformative legislation or more…
13 Nov 2026 · 28m · 8 chaptersThe Fall of Jensen Huang
NVIDIA founder/CEO Jensen Huang resigns after reports of affairs with an employee and alleged ties between an executive (Alice Wong) and Chinese espionage.
12 Nov 2026 · 26m · 6 chaptersPete Hegseth, 1; House Democrats, 0
The episode covers (1) a House vote blocking an impeachment effort against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and what it signals for Iran-war policy and executive war powers, and (2) the Jensen…
11 Nov 2026 · 32m · 8 chaptersJim Jordan Is the House GOP’s Next Leader / California’s Wealth Tax Fails, for Now
The episode of Potomac Watch discusses two main topics: House GOP leadership and a California wealth tax ballot measure, plus a Supreme Court case about administrative judges.
10 Nov 2026 · 28m · 7 chaptersWhat Can Congress Get Done in Its Lame-Duck Session?
What Congress can realistically pass in the lame-duck session after Democrats’ election win, focusing on immigration, permitting reform, defense funding, and whether Democrats should impeach Defense…
9 Nov 2026 · 26m · 8 chaptersTrump Fires Susie Wiles, Schumer Vows No ‘Right-winger’ Justices, and More Midterm Fallout
The episode analyzes midterm fallout: Democrats’ House/Senate gains, Trump’s immediate staffing shift, Supreme Court confirmation prospects, and economic/policy uncertainty.
6 Nov 2026 · 23m · 11 chaptersIt’s the War, Stupid? / Trump’s Next Steps in Iran
Potomac Watch analyzes whether the unpopular U.S.-Iran war drove Republicans’ midterm losses, what voters actually cited, and Donald Trump’s next steps in Iran/negotiations.
5 Nov 2026 · 32m · 9 chaptersA Generational Win for Democrats Sends the GOP Reeling
Democrats’ major midterm sweep (best since 1974) reshapes federal and state power; analysis of why Republicans lost (economy, tariffs, immigration enforcement, coalition breakdown, Iran war) and how…
4 Nov 2026 · 31m · 6 chaptersRepublicans Brace for a Blue Wave / The Supreme Court’s Case on Religious Schools, Again
Early 2026 midterm election polling and turnout, with debate over how reliable polling is in red states; plus Supreme Court arguments in St. Mary Catholic Parish v.
3 Nov 2026 · 25m · 7 chaptersHaley Stevens’s Surprise Senate Endorsement in Michigan
The episode discusses Michigan’s U.S. Senate race after Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers instead of Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
2 Nov 2026 · 29m · 16 chaptersThe Ballot Measures: Taxes, Voter ID and Abortion, Plus Plenty of Odds and Ends
A Wall Street Journal “Potomac Watch” preview of nearly 150 state ballot measures (plus some local items) on taxes, voter ID/citizenship, abortion, and other odd proposals.
30 Oct 2026 · 23m · 9 chaptersThe Key Senate Races to Watch on Election Night
Closing-day analysis of Senate races that could decide control of the U.S. Senate, with a state-by-state focus on Maine, Alaska, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, and Iowa.
29 Oct 2026 · 28m · 9 chaptersBibi Survives / A Delectable Cheesecake Factory Fight
Israeli election aftermath and implications for U.S.-Israel relations; a Michigan Senate race ad accused of anti-Semitic tropes; Barack Obama’s “Cheesecake Factory” joke about campaign-style excess.
28 Oct 2026 · 29m · 9 chaptersIsrael Votes, Weighing the Leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu
The episode of Potomac Watch discusses Israel’s election and leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, plus elections and political developments in Brazil and Venezuela.
27 Oct 2026 · 25m · 9 chaptersWill the Midterms Show Shifting Coalitions for Democrats and Republicans?
With 8 days to go before Election Day 2026, the episode argues that midterm results will reveal whether Democrats and Republicans have shifted coalitions since 2024, when Donald Trump built a…
26 Oct 2026 · 35m · 15 chaptersJustice Elena Kagan’s Gerrymandering Fix Is to Put Judges in Charge
Potomac Watch discusses Justice Elena Kagan’s critique of Supreme Court gerrymandering rulings, the impact of 2026 redistricting on House control, and a Kansas Senate race debate over Social Security…
23 Oct 2026 · 26m · 7 chaptersRaces in Minnesota and Michigan May Decide Senate Control
Potomac Watch discusses how close Senate-control races could decide the final two years of Trump’s presidency, focusing on Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio.
22 Oct 2026 · 30m · 7 chaptersClosing Arguments in the Texas Senate Race
Potomac Watch discusses (1) closing arguments in a Texas Senate race between Democrat James Tallarico and Republican Ken Paxton, and (2) United CEO Scott Kirby’s comments supporting a national wealth…
21 Oct 2026 · 27m · 6 chaptersA Trump, Xi and Putin Summit?
The episode debates whether President Trump is pursuing a “grand bargain” involving Trump, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin to shape Ukraine’s fate, amid fast-moving diplomacy (Trump negotiators…
20 Oct 2026 · 31m · 9 chaptersDonald Trump Moves Closer to an Alliance With Russia
Potomac Watch discusses (1) President Trump’s moves that ease sanctions and reduce support tied to Ukraine’s defense, potentially shifting toward a Russia-friendly posture, and (2) why France’s…
19 Oct 2026 · 27m · 5 chaptersCalifornia’s Prop. 40 Wealth Tax and the Economic Stakes
WSJ Potomac Watch discusses California’s Proposition 40 (a proposed “one-time” 5% wealth tax on residents with over $1B in assets) and the economic stakes, plus the latest inflation report ahead of…
16 Oct 2026 · 24m · 8 chaptersCan Alaska Save the Senate Majority for Republicans?
A competitive update on the U.S. Senate races, centered on Alaska’s contest between incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola, plus discussion of ranked-choice voting repeal and the…
15 Oct 2026 · 27m · 9 chaptersA Starlink Slowdown in Ukraine?
Ukraine reports Starlink satellite connectivity slowing, allegedly hurting high-speed weapons and air defense; hosts debate whether the Trump administration is using this and a “diesel deal” to…
14 Oct 2026 · 29m · 10 chaptersCould Texas Turn Blue, and South Carolina, Too?
The episode discusses whether Democrats can win Senate seats in red states: South Carolina and Texas.
13 Oct 2026 · 24m · 7 chaptersWe use cookies.They keep VO running smoothly and help us improve it. Privacy policy