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Artwork for Hacks On Tap

Hacks On Tap

Vox Media
Donald Trump
Kamala Harris
Republican Party
Joe Biden
Democratic Party
Trump
Trump Administration
2024 Presidential Election
Nikki Haley
Economy
Ukraine
Midterm Elections
Inflation
Political Strategy
Elon Musk
Tariffs
Michigan
Economic Policies
Biden Administration
Biden

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes396Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Hacks On Tap

Latest Episodes

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 obsessive. The Hacks dive into the fi... more

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 dives into the numbers from Anzalone... more

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 to the White House, the ad war ... more

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 messaging wars, from culture-war dist... more

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Recent Guests

Ron Brownstein
Longtime observer of American politics, Bloomberg and CNN contributor
Brownstein's platform; Bloomberg/CNN
Episode: Wave Watch (with Doug Sosnik and Ron Brownstein)
Doug Sosnik
Former political director in the Clinton White House
Substack; political consultancy
Episode: Wave Watch (with Doug Sosnik and Ron Brownstein)
Whit Ayres
Former president of the American Association of Political Consultants, legendary Republican pollster
North Star Opinion Research
Episode: Pressing His Luck (with Whit Ayers)
Julie Pace
Editor of The Associated Press, covering campaign and political reporting
Associated Press
Episode: Above the Fold (with Julie Pace)
Sam Harris
Neuroscientist, philosopher, author of Making Sense podcast
Self/Making Sense podcast
Episode: The Hacks Present: Stay Tuned with Preet
Addisu Demissie
Former campaign director; political strategist from California
Left Coast political circles
Episode: Goat Rodeo (with Addisu Demissie)
Abdul El-Sayed
Former Michigan gubernatorial candidate
Political candidate / Michigan politics
Episode: The Midwest Strikes Back
Maggie Haberman
Author of Regime Change, Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump
Author, Journalist
Episode: Iran Out of Patience (with Maggie Haberman)
Elie Honig
Chief legal analyst, CNN; author; former prosecutor
CNN
Episode: PAC to the Future (with Elie Honig)

Hosts

David Axelrod
Host with deep campaign and political strategy background; affiliated with Vox Media / Hacks On Tap.
Mike Murphy
Seasoned political consultant and strategist; frequent co-host.
John Heilemann
Co-host and journalist; brings investigative and media analysis.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 10k ratings
  • Spot on

    You guys are the coolest. I love how you use intelligence and humor to make your points.

    Long time listener from Michigan and a former republican

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Willowethan
    United States4 days ago
  • Came back after a while

    Nothing special here, low enthusiasm and too many ads. Ok if none of your other pol podcasts have released anything new

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    TV Food and Drink
    United States19 days ago
  • Get rid of John H.

    Heilemann repeats himself so much that he is not listenable. He sounds insipid. His verbal habits come across as attempts to fill time.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    GenX Business Owner
    United States19 days ago
  • Come on guys

    Appreciate your insight as always, but am disappointed to hear you throw out that Hasan Piker is saying antisemitic things. Actually look at what he says, dudes. If you listen to him for like 2 minutes or actually read these quotes, it’s easy to understand that he is being willfully misinterpreted. You don’t need to play into that. His whole point is that conflating Jews with the state of Israel is antisemitic, which is not controversial.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Baguettebarb
    United Statesa month ago
  • No, thanks, Preet

    A fan of the show and moderate - but providing moral and ethical reasons that other moderates can't hold their well founded beliefs is poisonous for moderation.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Krampus -
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners perceive tone as energetic or confrontational at times, with strong personalities on display.
Guests consistently bring high-level expertise and insider perspective.
Content is deeply informed by campaign experience and political campaigning realities.
Conversation mixes sharp analysis with humor and storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#26
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#66
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#45
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#51
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#125
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#143
Canada/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Above the Fold (with Julie Pace)
Q: What did Julie Pace say about the AP's role in calling races and communicating the process?
She explained that the AP calls races to provide accurate results and transparent explanations, highlighting the decentralized nature of U.S. elections, the evolving methods with mail-in voting, and ongoing efforts to clarify how results are determined.
The Hacks Present: Stay Tuned with Preet
Q: If you had to pick one quality that causes more polarization and bad outcomes than any other, what would it be?
The core issue seems to be two intertwined forces: tribalism and dogmatism, where in-group loyalty and a craving for certainty trump careful, evidenced reasoning, leading to a toxic cycle of misinformation and vilification.
Goat Rodeo (with Addisu Demissie)
Q: What lessons should Democrats take from Michigan and Wisconsin primaries about polling and messaging?
First, polling may be off due to undercounting certain voter groups, so campaigns should not rely solely on top-line numbers. Second, messaging should be consistent and focused on core economic issues to build broad appeal, while also allowing room for coalition-building across factions.
PAC to the Future (with Elie Honig)
Q: With the birthright citizenship ruling, what are the practical implications for how campaigns message around immigration and citizenship?
The consensus is that while the ruling confirms the constitutional framework, campaigns will not be able to legally redefine birthright through legislation alone; instead, policy and messaging will focus on enforcement and legal immigration processes, with political actors seeking to navigate public opinion and DOJ enforcement nuances.
250 and Counting (with Jonathan Martin)
Q: What's the quick take on polling fatigue and turnout potential this cycle?
The hosts suggest that most voters have already made up their minds, with turnout dynamics being crucial; Trump fatigue is real, but the more decisive factor will be who actually turns out to vote and how anti-establishment sentiment influences those numbers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hacks On Tap

What is Hacks On Tap about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show offers sharp, insider-style political analysis from veterans who have run campaigns and covered national politics. Episodes typically feature roundtable discussions among the hosts, interspersed with long-form conversations with prominent guests—from former politicians and strategists to top journalists—covering U.S. elections, governance, campaign strategy, messaging, and the evolving media landscape. Across episodes, listeners see a blend of practical campaigning insights, data-driven takes, and candid commentary on how the political world actually operates behind the headlines. Notable traits include a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom, a focus on coalition-building and primary dynamics, and a flair for storytelling ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Hacks On Tap?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hacks On Tap:

1. Impolitic with John Heilemann
2. The Bulwark Daily
3. The Focus Group Podcast
4. The Next Level
5. Conversations with Bill Kristol

How many episodes of Hacks On Tap are there?

Hacks On Tap launched 7 years ago and published 396 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Hacks On Tap?

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What guests have appeared on Hacks On Tap?

Recent guests on Hacks On Tap include:

1. Ron Brownstein
2. Doug Sosnik
3. Whit Ayres
4. Julie Pace
5. Sam Harris
6. Addisu Demissie
7. Abdul El-Sayed
8. Maggie Haberman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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