Local Podcast Hosts Dr. Kirby Goidel & Dr. Todd Kent
What do you know about politics? What should you know? Forget views, beliefs and opinions – politics is really a science. In this audio and video podcast, Dr. Kirby Goidel and Dr. Todd Kent from the Texas A&M Department of Political Science use their years of teaching, research and campaign experience to show you what’s actually happening in politics. No partisan politics here, just a navigation of political data, media, money, behavior and more so you can be more informed the next time you vote.
Want to watch a video version instead? Visit KAMU’s YouTube Channel.
Want to ask the political experts a question? Email insidepolisci@tamu.edu.
Episodes
Inside Political Science #018 – The “Now What” Phase: Presidential Transitions November 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.
Inside Political Science #017 – The Best Political Comeback Ever? A Poll-Defying Victory November 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.
Not the Nastiest Election – Inside Political Science Election Day Mini-Cast 16.1 November 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.
Inside Political Science #016 – Politics in the Digital Age: Social Media, Ads and More October 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.
Inside Political Science #015 – What Matters to College Students? Inside Political Science Student Special October 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.
Inside Political Science #014 – Yes, Your Vote Will Count: Why Elections Are Legal and Safe October 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.
Inside Political Science #013 – Does Your Vote Really Matter? Voter Mobilization and More September 27, 2024 We can land a rover on Mars but we can’t count votes. That’s what Kirby and Todd say this week on “Inside Political Science” as they discuss voting rules, turnout and mobilization. At this point in the election cycle, will any voters change their minds? Do “hate ads” work, and are social media influencers… influencing? Will undecided voters… decide? Will Springfield, Ohio’s dogs and cats… be eaten? (Hopefully not, and yes they do talk about it.) Plus, political violence, problematic politics, mobilizing young men vs. young women, why the world is so tough to predict and the (productive?) use of misinformation. They also discuss the reality of having 50 separate elections and why that may affect how long it takes to get final results. And, overall, at the end of the day, does your vote really matter? For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #012 – Pivoting Like a Point Guard & Meme Wars: Debate Recap September 13, 2024 Who looked more presidential during the debate? Who pivoted like a point guard? Did we learn anything? Who squirmed more? And who lost the meme war? Kirby and Todd analyze every aspect of the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris like only political scientists can. They discuss if either candidate really answered the questions they were asked and who got distracted. Find out who they think “won” the debate - or if anyone should even be crowned the winner. Plus, is it surprising how many people watched and how long they watched? Do the moderators deserve criticism? And do recent endorsements from Taylor Swift, Robert Kennedy and Walz family members matter? Finally, did the debate change anyone’s mind? With less than two months until election day, we’re here to provide important analysis you won’t hear on the news. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #011 – Economic Whac-a-Mole August 30, 2024 Defense isn’t America’s number one expense anymore - paying for the national debt is taking over the top spot. Economics professor Jonathan Meer joins Kirby and Todd to diagnose the national debt and grade economic proposals from the Trump and Harris campaigns (find out why he’s giving F’s to both). Plus, Dr. Meer explains that purchasing power is up, even if it’s hard to believe, analyzes why stores do actually care what you think about their prices and dives into why some issues feel like “future America’s problem.” For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #010 – The Race to Define Kamala Harris August 16, 2024 She’s been America’s VP for three years - but how much do we really know about her? And who wins the race to define her first - Republicans or Democrats? In this episode, Todd welcomes guest host Dr. Justin Vaughn, a political science professor at Coastal Carolina University. They discuss positive and negative messages about Harris, overall campaign messaging, polling, the idea of “vibe voting,” the Twitterati, why no one pays attention in the summer, and bread-and-butter policy issues. Plus, why the Trump campaign is pivoting and why the Harris campaign is running a race that Biden couldn’t. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #9.1 Mini-Cast: Why Tim Walz? August 7, 2024 Tim Walz as VP candidate is like Cole Hocker’s win in the Olympic 1500m: a surprise. In this Inside Political Science mini-cast, Kirby and Todd discuss how Walz is viewed by the public and by those in Washington. They explain why this choice shows the whole presidential race is really about the Midwest, how Walz appeals to Middle America and why this doesn’t necessarily help on an electoral college map. And if Walz is considered a progressive and a small-town guy at the same time, who will come along to push him off the fence? For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #009 – “Most People Know Nothing About Israel” August 2, 2024 Everyone talks about Israel. But do you know the differences between American Jews and Israeli Jews? Author Guy Golan joins Kirby to discuss his new book about Jewish voting behavior and foreign relations between the U.S. and Israel. They also hit on evangelical support for Israel, antisemitism, and pro-Palestinian college campus protests. But first, if you’re a political candidate, be careful what you say! Todd and Kirby discuss the variables Kamala Harris is considering as she makes her vice presidential pick. Should she pick someone with a great economic record, someone who’s tough on crime, or someone who has differing views on immigration? And the most important question - does it really matter? For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #8.1 Mini-Cast: Biden Out, Harris In – Now What? July 24, 2024 Enthusiasm among Democrats is high… but will it last? In this Inside Political Science mini-cast, Kirby shares the three things he’s watching after President Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential campaign. He discusses why he is surprised at the enthusiasm for presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, why you shouldn’t look at polls anytime soon and why you’ll see a lot more attention paid to the vice presidential nominee than maybe you should. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #008 – Assassination Attempt & Globalism July 16, 2024 How does an assassination attempt affect the election, and where do we go from here? Todd welcomes Dr. Thomas Flaherty to help him dissect the attempted assassination of former President Trump, including the White House response, messaging from both campaigns, the Republican National Convention and how these events could affect the election. Plus, they dive into globalism: why it’s controversial, why it’s more relevant than ever and how Biden and Trump approach the topic. Disclaimer: this episode was recorded on Monday, July 15 at 3 p.m. Information about the attempted assassination of former President Trump and the Republican National Convention may not be up to date when you're listening. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #007 – Do Voters Care About the Supreme Court? July 6, 2024 Does the Supreme Court alignment affect votes? The data says yes - but only for conservative-leaners. Will that change for liberal-leaners this year? Todd is back from his time in Europe and he welcomes constitutional law professor Dr. James Rogers to talk about recent Supreme Court decisions and how they affect campaign strategy. The pair discuss abortion, federal agency oversight, whether the Supreme Court will get involved in the 2024 election and why Europeans are so confused by our government structure. “Inside Political Science” dives deep into topics like this every other week to make you more informed the next time you vote. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #006 – “We Need Papaw to Retire” June 22, 2024 An age-old question (literally): do our representatives actually represent us? While Todd is still away with his group of Aggies abroad, Kirby is joined by Keith Gåddie, a political science professor at Texas Christian University. The two discuss the Hunter Biden conviction, Trump’s VP race and electoral age limits. For the main deep dive, Keith and Kirby break down congressional elections and their lack of competition. Learn how southern politics has evolved over the last eight years and hear what solutions the experts propose to make U.S. House and Senate seats more competitive. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #005 – The World Has Changed and So Has Our Economy June 8, 2024 The economy is confusing, can we agree? But if it makes you feel any better, our political science experts are back to discuss why they are JUST AS CONFUSED! While Todd is away with his group of Aggies studying abroad, Kirby invites a special guest into the studio: Bill Clark, a Texas A&M professor specializing in political economic theory. Kirby and Bill begin their discussion with this week’s political hot topic - former president Donald Trump’s felony conviction. After a few quick takes, the two hosts take a deep dive into the role of the Federal Reserve, the current state of the U.S. economy and how much influence either presidential candidate will actually have on the future of it. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #004 – “I Trust My Media, I Don’t Trust Your Media” May 24, 2024 Would Walter Cronkite be trusted in 2024? Thanks to the 24/7 news cycle and the never-ending push for breaking news, media has changed since Cronkite’s days. In this episode, hosts Kirby Goidel and Todd Kent discuss how the media covers politics and how people respond to what the news has to say. They talk about why it’s so easy to choose which media to consume, why perceived trust in the media continues to decline, why local news is now so national and what citizens should really be doing to stay informed. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #003 – Guest: Lynn Vavreck from UCLA – Two Different Worlds May 9, 2024 This week, Texas A&M political science professors Kirby Goidel and Todd Kent are joined by a special guest: Lynn Vavreck from UCLA. The acclaimed political scientist and author gives her takes on the 2024 campaign, the purpose of campaign ads, why voters are married to political parties, mobilization vs. persuasion and more. For more on this show, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #002 – Persuasion is Hard April 29, 2024 Political science professors Dr. Kirby Goidel and Dr. Todd Kent are back with another episode of “Inside Political Science” and today they explore campaign strategy. Find out why persuading voters is so difficult. Learn why campaigns don’t want everyone to vote. And explore why there are so many negative campaign ads. For more on this show, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science #001 – Polls Should Be Like Chicken Soup April 15, 2024 Political science professors Dr. Kirby Goidel and Dr. Todd Kent kick off “Inside Political Science” with a deep dive into political polling. Find out why a good poll is like a good scoop of chicken soup. Learn how to identify an accurate poll. Plus, what the experts are looking at 210 days from the election. For more on this show, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.
Inside Political Science Promo April 12, 2024
