Episodes

  • Inside Political Science #020 – Trump’s Approach to the World

    Inside Political Science #020 – Trump’s Approach to the World
    Jan 27 2025
    Who do you love and who do you hate? In terms of foreign policy, that's a complicated question. Kirby and Todd are back with their first episode of 2025. They bring in foreign policy expert Dr. John Schuessler to discuss how newly returned President Donald Trump might handle foreign relations. As his second term begins, how will Trump take on a world that has changed so much in the past four years? Does his experience mean he is better prepared to transition back into office? And what kind of negotiation tactics will he use? While he may seem to use "hard power," John argues he uses "soft power" more than people realize. How will he balance structure versus agency? Will he rethink our relationships with our allies? Plus, have other nations figured out Trump's tell? The group discusses whether his tendency to compromise for 'little wins' is worthwhile. Finally, Kirby and Todd analyze some of Trump’s strengths and weaknesses as the president gets to work. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
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    47 mins
  • Inside Political Science #019 – Do The First 100 Days Still Matter?

    Inside Political Science #019 – Do The First 100 Days Still Matter?
    Dec 9 2024
    Do presidents need better, simpler, narrower agendas? In this episode, Kirby and Todd argue yes - presidential approval ratings are dropping. Why? That’s what Kirby and Todd answer as they discuss presidential honeymoons, what presidents should focus on and traditional politics. How will political parties continue to adapt to voters? Plus, $587,000 a year!? Why Gen Z thinks that’s the number needed for comfort. Speaking of comfort, why does Trump seem so comfy during chaos? And Kirby and Todd discuss the Hunter Biden pardon: the broadness of the pardon, why we won’t remember this in ten years, what it might mean for term limits, and if Biden should pardon Trump. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
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    50 mins
  • Inside Political Science #018 – The “Now What” Phase: Presidential Transitions

    Inside Political Science #018 – The “Now What” Phase: Presidential Transitions
    Nov 21 2024
    What really happens during a presidential transition? Historically, the transition period was a time for vacation. Campaigning is tough and exhausting! But to keep the country safe and secure every day, a thorough, decisive and professional transition is needed. Kirby and Todd are joined by presidential transition expert Heath Brown, who has extensively researched this relatively secret part of governing. He shares his thoughts on the history of presidential transitions - including how the Cold War and later 9/11 impacted transitions - plus why it’s so important to have a full team ready to go on day one, why vetting is important, and how this transition could compare to the 2020 transition. And did you know each president has to appoint more than 4,000 people to federal jobs? Then, Kirby and Todd think ahead to 2028 and continue to analyze what went wrong for Democrats. Did they go too far left? Or did they get too close to the center? And finally, why governance can be compared to fighting over the thermostat. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
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    48 mins
  • Inside Political Science #017 – The Best Political Comeback Ever? A Poll-Defying Victory

    Inside Political Science #017 – The Best Political Comeback Ever? A Poll-Defying Victory
    Nov 6 2024
    We have a new president, and it happened quicker and more decisively than anyone expected. Kirby and Todd react to Donald Trump’s victory, calling it one of the best political comebacks in history. They give kudos to his campaign for choosing strategies that seemed odd on the surface but paid off in a big way. They discuss what the Harris campaign may be second-guessing and if the results would have been different if Biden dropped out earlier. Plus, can anyone be the Democrat version of Trump in the 2028 cycle, are podcasts and social media replacing the political value of a “60 Minutes” appearance, why were the polls so off and why are so many incumbent parties around the world losing this year? And why did the Democrats lose when they had more money? Finally, Kirby and Todd look ahead, discussing why governing is harder than campaigning and how Trump might handle ‘revenge,’ foreign affairs, and the economy. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
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    42 mins
  • Not the Nastiest Election – Inside Political Science Election Day Mini-Cast 16.1

    Not the Nastiest Election – Inside Political Science Election Day Mini-Cast 16.1
    Nov 5 2024
    Guess what? This presidential election isn’t the nastiest in history, even if it feels like it at the moment. As Election Day dawns, Kirby and Todd provide their final insights before the nation decides on new elected officials. They discuss why this election won’t be the end of the world. Which party represents the working class? It may not be who it used to be. Plus, Congressional control is up in the air and more people than ever are turning out to vote. It’s Election Day! For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience. Episodes will continue after the election, as our hosts break down what’s next for the winner and loser and prepare for the Texas legislature to convene in 2025.
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    6 mins
  • Inside Political Science #016 – Politics in the Digital Age: Social Media, Ads and More

    Inside Political Science #016 – Politics in the Digital Age: Social Media, Ads and More
    Oct 29 2024
    Kamala on Fox News, Arnold Palmer and McDonald’s french fries: media coverage of politics isn’t simple anymore. Candidates are exploring digital content creation more than ever before and it’s making it hard to keep up. For the last time before the election, Kirby and Todd give their perspectives on the presidential campaigns. Guest Katie Searles joins from South Carolina to discuss how the media is grappling with two different personalities - Trump because he’s tough to predict and Harris because some say she’s too scripted. The crew discusses the digital age and why content strategy is now a part of politics. Plus, why this election will be written about in textbooks for years, why Democrats are experimenting with data and how microtargeting plays a role in digital political marketing. Finally, Kirby and Todd wrap up with a few things to watch just a few days before decision day. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
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    45 mins
  • Inside Political Science #015 – What Matters to College Students? Inside Political Science Student Special

    Inside Political Science #015 – What Matters to College Students? Inside Political Science Student Special
    Oct 24 2024
    Young people are America’s future. So what matters most to them? Kirby and Todd take “Inside Political Science” out of the podcast studio and into a classroom to ask Texas A&M freshmen students that question. Students in Todd’s Introduction to Civics and Democracy class pose their questions about national debt, inflation, transgender rights, foreign spending, political accountability and more. Plus, Todd asks his students how they get their news and Kirby asks them if they trust what they see on social media. Just a couple of weeks before Election Day, find out what matters most to the next generation in this special episode. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
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    42 mins
  • Inside Political Science #014 – Yes, Your Vote Will Count: Why Elections Are Legal and Safe

    Inside Political Science #014 – Yes, Your Vote Will Count: Why Elections Are Legal and Safe
    Oct 11 2024
    Who’s the problem when it comes to properly counting votes? Kirby, Todd and guest Soren Jordan say it’s us (cue Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero”). Why? Because we want counting to be done carefully but quickly - and we can’t have it both ways. Plus, is voting for “American Idol” easier than voting for president? In this episode, the trio begins by talking hurricane politics and how an administration’s response to natural disasters can affect campaign success. Did the VP debate actually matter? Plus, media appearances, debt policies and ‘polarized incompetence.’ Then, the trio settles in for a robust discussion about election administration and why our elections are so unique. They discuss why elections are so different from state to state. Soren explains that your local election administrator is a highly qualified public servant who intensely cares about legal and secure elections. Todd asks if training poll watchers is a good idea. And when will we know the winner? Find out in this episode of “Inside Political Science.” For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
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    52 mins