Lis Smith: A Very Vengeful President

Host Tim Miller and Democratic strategist Lis Smith discuss a recent White House tweet accusing Miller of violating FARA after he commented on an Iranian news agency report. They contrast this accusation with Donald Trump's financial ties to foreign nations and discuss the broader implications of being targeted by a vengeful administration.

Tim Miller and Lis Smith discuss the political and economic fallout of Donald Trump's military posturing against Iran, noting how the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up gas prices and undermined his campaign promises. They also criticize the Trump administration's reported use of the Department of Justice to target E. Jean Carroll with a perjury investigation following her successful civil lawsuit against him.

Lis Smith and Tim Miller discuss the potential for Democratic oversight of Donald Trump's administration, drawing parallels to the 2006 midterm elections. They reflect on past Republican oversight tactics and share personal anecdotes from their early political careers.

Tim Miller and Lis Smith discuss how Democrats can leverage issues of corruption, highlighting Donald Trump's stock trades and the coverup of the Jeffrey Epstein files. They debate which Democratic figures can effectively champion this message to voters who are often disconnected from mainstream political news.

Tim Miller and Lis Smith discuss the necessity of Democrats adopting a "go everywhere" media strategy to combat administration corruption. They evaluate the performance of various Democrats on hostile platforms like Fox News, emphasizing the importance of persuasion over performative conflict.

Tim Miller and Lis Smith discuss the shifting media landscape, emphasizing that Democrats should engage with non-traditional platforms like Joe Rogan's podcast rather than relying solely on Fox News. They also analyze Democratic campaigns, including James Talarico's race in Texas and Pete Buttigieg's past presidential run, debating how to handle progressive culture war issues.

Tim Miller and Lis Smith discuss the political landscape for Democrats heading into 2028, warning against the temptation to move too far left. They analyze the strategies of Texas politician James Talarico, comparing his moderate positioning and handling of past controversies to Zohran Mamdani. Finally, they critique Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, highlighting his corruption scandals and lack of public debates as key vulnerabilities.

Tim Miller and Lis Smith discuss the diverse strategies Democrats are employing in red and soft-red districts, focusing on unconventional candidates like Graham Platner in Maine. They compare the ineffective Republican opposition attacks on Platner's Reddit history to the failed strategies used against Donald Trump in 2016.

Lis Smith and Tim Miller discuss the political appeal of Graham Platner in Maine, contrasting his authentic, apologetic approach with Donald Trump. They also critique the Democratic establishment's strategic decisions, including pushing establishment candidates and debating the effectiveness of populist economics versus other campaign models.

Lis Smith and Tim Miller discuss the political viability of populist left candidates and the challenges of connecting with voters' economic anxieties. They also touch upon the emerging political focus on regulating AI and holding tech billionaires accountable.

Lis Smith and Tim Miller discuss various political figures in California and New York, criticizing Tom Steyer's massive campaign spending while praising local candidates like Daniel Lurie. Smith also explains her past support for Zohran Mamdani and her public break from former employer Andrew Cuomo.

Lis Smith and Tim Miller discuss the leadership of New York City's mayor and the positive direction of the city. They also mock Donald Trump's upcoming Great American State Fair after several musical acts, including Milli Vanilli, dropped out of the lineup. Finally, they share stories about parenting in a segment inspired by Bill Simmons.

Tim Miller shares a story about helping his daughter stand up to boys at her Nike basketball camp by playing a physical game of two-on-two. The hosts then wrap up the episode, looking ahead to the 2026 elections and teasing an upcoming episode with Bill Kristol.