FiveThirtyEight Politics

I’m enjoying this podcast much more with new host and guests. I though previous group were better writers than podcasters ie Claire Malone. I felt like she failed to contribute analytical commentary, just dished out facts. Stats are being presented in a much less dry academic way and used to reinforce guests’ arguments/opinions. Overall massive improvement.

Things have settled since the big shake-up, but have left the show with noticeable room to improve, especially compared to the days of Claire, Perry, Micah, and even Nate. I’m not saying they should all come back, but the current show feels more gossipy and less informative. Maybe that’s rose-colored glasses, a reflection of current reality or something else; regardless, the show is constantly reminding me of when it seemed better.

I usually enjoy this pod, but the most recent guest (Jeanna from the NYT) might as well be a Trump campaign spokesperson. “Trump is just messaging on tariffs, he probably won’t do them.” Uhh, hello? He did enact tariffs on China during his presidency, which ruined American farmers. Please, vet your guests better.

Someone messed with the intro / outro theme music and it doesn’t hit the same as it did before. Usually when I listen to it at 2x it comes off as a snazzy jazzy upbeat tune. Now when I listen at 2x it sounds as it would have at 1x. Please address this issue immediately. As for the show, it’s phenomenal, I haven’t missed an episode since well before the management change(s).