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Hacks On Tap

Vox Media
Donald Trump
Kamala Harris
Republican Party
Joe Biden
Democratic Party
Trump Administration
2024 Presidential Election
Nikki Haley
Trump
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes390Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Hacks On Tap

Latest Episodes

This week Axe and Murphy were joined by loyal Hackeroo, food savant, and incredibly talented journalist Jonathan Martin! The Hacks head north to unpack the latest battle with our neighbor, eh, before tapping JMart’s insights on the key races shaping ... more

This week Axe and Murphy were joined by Bloomberg Opinion columnist, CNN senior political analyst, and certified Hackeroo Ron Brownstein. The Hacks dive into this week in the political circus — from military misadventures and ballroom loyalty tests t... more

Late last night, three bleary-eyed Hacks convened to discuss the results—or what we had of them—from yesterday’s Midwestern primaries. Axe and Heilemann were joined by legendary Democratic Hackeroo Addisu Demissie to break down the lessons from last ... more

This week the Hacks are reunited! All three Hackeroos are back together to break down the Michigan primary results and what they could mean for the midterms. They also dive into the latest from Virginia and Wisconsin, Murphy's EV road trip, and so mu... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Jonathan Freedland
Columnist and author, Guardian; British commentator with wide international coverage
The Guardian
Episode: Lust but Verify (with Jonathan Freedland)
Elie Honig
Chief legal analyst, CNN; author; former prosecutor
CNN
Episode: PAC to the Future (with Elie Honig)
Jen Psaki
Former White House Press Secretary, political commentator
Former White House/White House staff
Episode: West Wing, Right Hook (with Jen Psaki)
Adam Kinzinger
Former congressman; retired lieutenant colonel; senior CNN commentator
CNN
Episode: Too Big To Deny (with Adam Kinzinger)
Ron Brownstein
Political journalist and analyst
The Atlantic
Episode: The Golden State of Play (with Ron Brownstein)
Sarah Longwell
Maestro of the Bulwark Focus Group; former Republican operative
Bulwark
Episode: Fool’s Cubic Zirconia (with Sarah Longwell)
Addisu Demissie
Ace Political Wizard, political strategist
Consultant and strategist
Episode: Race to the Bottom (with Addisu Demissie)

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
  • Great for political junkies

    Love this, but wish they didn’t have so many commercial breaks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fpdd9
    United States24 days ago
  • Long hanger

    Weird energy on the show right after Vox purchase - but now getting back to fun hang 🤙

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    541red
    United Statesa month ago
  • Paul Simon

    I listen every week and truly enjoy the podcast. I was glad that Senator Paul Simon was mentioned a few times on the 8/5/2026 episode. In early 1988 when Simon was running for president, I met him one weekend evening at Como Inn in Chicago and he treated me like a dear friend (he introduced me to actor Margo Kidder, aka Lois Lane, and I assume David Axelrod- I’m sure Axe remembers 😁).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Uncle Kunkle
    United Statesa month ago
  • Good. Uneven.

    I like this show, but it often swerves into self-indulgence. The hosts are certainly well-informed, but the color commentary is a reminiscent of Monday Night Football in the 1970s. Both brilliant and annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bodenhamers
    United Statesa month ago
  • Must listen for the politically aware.

    Weekly must listen! Informative and intelligently funny.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trekker1962
    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
#78
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#222
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#87
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#134
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#234
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#87
Australia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Golden State of Play (with Ron Brownstein)
Q: What's your take on the Maine race and Platner?
Brownstein and the hosts agree that Platner's challenge hinges on democratic-leaning voters' concerns about Trump-era corruption and whether the electorate will reward Platner's alignment with anti-establishment sentiment without alienating older white women who have shown loyalty to Collins.
Fool’s Cubic Zirconia (with Sarah Longwell)
Q: Does it matter who leads the Democratic autopsy process after Ken Martin?
The hosts suggest that while leadership questions matter, the bigger issue is whether the process and its presentation can produce credible, actionable insights rather than a spectacle; the episode leans toward wanting more robust, clearly communicated outcomes.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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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How many listeners does Hacks On Tap get?

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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 Next Level
4. The Focus Group Podcast
5. Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt

How many episodes of Hacks On Tap are there?

Hacks On Tap launched 7 years ago and published 390 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. Abdul El-Sayed
2. Maggie Haberman
3. Jonathan Freedland
4. Elie Honig
5. Jen Psaki
6. Adam Kinzinger
7. Ron Brownstein
8. Sarah Longwell

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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