This week, the mental gymnastics rational Republicans undertake in defending President Trump's conduct with Ukraine. Plus, why recent polling in swing states shows Trump is in a better position for reelection than a lot of people think.

Axis of Reason

Polls and Impeachment - How and why the GOP defends Trump

Two decades after the Bill Clinton impeachment, Trump-supporting Republicans are defending against the same arguments they made in favor of impeaching Bill Clinton.

Impeachment Nonsense

This week, we break down the impeachment madness and what's going on with Ukraine.

Trump, Biden And Ukraine

Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Combatting Terrorism Juan Zarate joins us to discuss the implications for U.S. national security if Iran is responsible for the recent drone attack on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure. Juan is currently chairman and co-founder of the Financial Integrity Network, a consultancy advising clients on sanctions and anti-money-laundering compliance.

Iran, Saudi Arabia and America's National Security Challenge in the Middle East (w Juan Zarate)

It's not only the Democrats that are vying to run against President Trump. At least two Republicans have thrown their hat into the ring to challenge him. But, do they have a chance?

Primarying Trump

The U.S. economy is entering the longest expansion in U.S. history. But, it could be getting long in the tooth. The economic turmoil and relentless uncertainty of Trump’s mercurial trade policies are making businesses more reluctant to expand. The New York Times' Neil Irwin joins us to talk about whether this all adds up to a recession on the horizon. How the Recession of 2020 Could Happen https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/17/upshot/how-the-recession-of-2020-could-happen.html Neils new book, How to Win, is available here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J4RSKYZ?pf_rd_p=183f5289-9dc0-416f-942e-e8f213ef368b&pf_rd_r=F1QFSJVXFZV0AE9W0P7D

Is a Recession Coming? (with Neil Irwin)

Jeffrey Epstein has long been a political hot potato. His relationships with powerful political figures, including Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, has long fed partisan conspiracy theories. Both sides are certain the other was mixed up in his crimes. Epstein's death this weekend had the fringes of the right convinced that the Clinton's were behind it. To a lesser extent the left made the same sort of accusations about Trump. How the toxicity of Jeffrey Epstein's and his connections with politicians made his death a fertile battlefield for partisan nonsense. Plus, the Trump Administration announced a partial delay in the next round of China tariffs for some consumer products. We break down what it really means and why American consumers are likely to feel more pain from this next round of tariffs than they did the last.

The Politics Of Epstein Conspiracy Theories

In this week’s Axis of Reason, what the shootings in El Paso and Dayton say about our current political moment. Trump readies new tariffs on China and labels Beijing a currency manipulator. We discuss what it means and where this all is headed. (Episode 40)

Trump's Trade War with China Heats Up

As Congress strikes yet another deal to raise the debt ceiling (and spending), it's worth asking what is debt ceiling good for if all it does is give politicians an excuse to hold America's credit hostage for more spending? Journalist Kevin Carmichael, who has just written an excellent new column on the subject to discuss. Kevin Carmichael New budget deal doesn't fix the debt ceiling — the world's most inane attempt at fiscal restraint https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/new-budget-deal-doesn-t-fix-debt-ceiling-world-s-ncna1032581

The Debt Ceiling Is Useless (with Kevin Carmichael)

This week, we talk with best-selling author James Rickards about his new book, Aftermath: Seven Secrets of Wealth Preservation in the Coming Chaos. Jim explains why he thinks the extraordinary steps central banks took to tame the great recession, an explosion in the national debt fueled by spending-addicted politicians, and general political dysfunction have put the global economy on a collision course with calamity. Aftermath will be released on July 23rd, but is available now for pre-order from Amazon and other booksellers. GET THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735216959?tag=randohouseinc7986-20&author-follow=B0058M3XL8&

How Washington Is Sowing the Seeds of Economic Calamity (with James Rickards)

Jeffrey Epstein collected big name friends, among them, a former President and the current one. What links did Bill Clinton and Donald Trump have to the globetrotting money manager indicted on charges of sex trafficking? Plus, we discuss reporter Michael Isakoff's fascinating investigation into the Russian origins of the Seth Rich conspiracy theory and an unexpected twist in DoJ inspector general Michael Horowitz's investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation.

Clinton, Trump and Jeffrey Epstein

Democratic Strategist Adrienne Elrod joins us to discuss the state of the Democratic field after last week's debates.

The Dems After The Debate (with Adrienne Elrod)

President Trump is unique among Presidents. His brash, unconventional governing style thrills his fans as much as it frustrates long-time Washington insiders. Nowhere is this more evident than in Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran deal. Now, as tensions with Iran rise with a better deal nowhere in sight, the consequences of Trump's governing by gut instinct are coming into sharper focus. This week, we ask: what are the long-term implications for the reality show playing out at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? New York Times - Trump Imposes New Sanctions on Iran, Adding to Tensions https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/24/us/politics/iran-sanctions.html AEI/The Bulwark - How to lose friends and alienate allies https://www.aei.org/publication/lose-friends-alienate-allies/

Trump's Chaotic World...Iran Edition

A tide of economic populism is sweeping over the left and the right. While populism sounds good in theory, in practice it could have unintended adverse consequences for the nation's economy.

Rise of the Populists

President Trump dines with the Queen and ratchets up threats of a trade war with Mexico.

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