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Power & Politics

Power & Politics

Written by: WRGB CBS6 Power And Politics Tom Eschen
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A Murrow Award winning podcast that brings you inside the issues impacting our communities. Every week, Tom Eschen sits down with local leaders and power brokers for a frank, sometimes blunt, conversation about the current political environment and how their decisions and stances shape and alter all of our lives. Whether it’s your tax bill, public safety, schools, immigration, or healthcare – politics affects every day and every aspect of your life. From the corridors of power to the heart of the debate, this podcast aims to ask the tough questions you want answered – to hold leaders accountable, to cut through the rhetoric and the canned responses. It’s a conversation that really matters.Sinclair Broadcast Group Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Jay Jacobs, New York State Democratic Committee Chair, July 3rd, 2026

    Jay Jacobs, New York State Democratic Committee Chair, July 3rd, 2026
    Jul 3 2026
    New York State Democratic Committee Chair Jay Jacobs joined Power & Politics this week, providing his reaction to the 2026 Primary Election. Zohran Mamdani-endorsed candidates won three Congressional races in New York City, creating a stir throughout the State and Country. Statewide, incumbent Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D) soundly defeated his first primary challengers in nearly two decades in office, which stuck out to Jacobs. Primary Results & DiNapoli’s Win [0:00:00 – 0:02:01]Intro, Jay Jacobs’ role, what voters signaled, and Tom DiNapoli’s primary and validation. Israel–Palestine, AIPAC & Voter Priorities [0:02:01 – 0:05:28]Israel–Palestine as a factor in NYC races, losses of incumbents, AIPAC’s role, and why most voters still focus on pocketbook issues. Republican Messaging & Democratic Response [0:05:28 – 0:09:30]GOP “socialist city” rhetoric, Jacobs’ rebuttal, DSA’s growth, MAGA parallels, and the need for bold Democratic ideas. Working-Class Identity & Big Reforms [0:09:30 – 0:13:00]Are Democrats still the working-class party, party legacy (wages, Social Security, etc.), and crisis politics driving the need for large-scale reforms. Fighting Trump & Using Power [0:13:00 – 0:19:19]Frustration with “strongly worded letters,” Schumer/Jeffries/Hochul’s role, why impeachment without conviction votes is a mistake, and what Democrats would do with majorities. DSA, NY-21 & Redistricting [0:19:19 – 0:22:26]Zohran Mamdani and the big-tent argument, NY-21 and Blake Gendebien vs. “DSA” labeling, and closing thoughts on redistricting and public education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • Peter Guidarelli, GOP political strategist and Jason Palmer, former Democratic Presidential candidate, on primary election results, June 26th, 2026

    Peter Guidarelli, GOP political strategist and Jason Palmer, former Democratic Presidential candidate, on primary election results, June 26th, 2026
    Jun 26 2026
    Peter Guidarelli, a GOP political strategist and former Schenectady County Legislative Chairman along with Jason Palmer, Founder of Together! and former Democratic Presidential candidate, join Tom Eschen to discuss Tuesday's primary election results 0:00 – Introduction and overviewNew York primary results; NY-21 setup and guest introductions 0:56 – Peter Guidarelli on Constantino vs. SmullenTrump endorsement, money, and outsider vs. insider framing 4:00 – Organization, county committees, and turnoutHow money plus Trump shaped the primary 7:03 – Positioning for the general in NY-21Constantino’s message, independents, DSA label on Democrats, partisan lean of the district 9:48 – Solar farms and upstate backlashClimate policy, farmland preservation, and risks for Democrats in the North Country 12:10 – “Man of the district” questionsConstantino’s business background, energy prices, and tying costs to Democratic climate policy 15:22 – Constantino’s demeanor and “reset”Tone in the primary, rap videos, why NY-21 may become a national race 17:41 – General election money dynamicsGOP strategy, Constantino’s spending, and Democratic identity crisis after DSA gains 23:54 – Younger voters and socialismAppeal of democratic socialism, GOP opportunity on environment, generational shifts in both parties 24:10 – Governor’s race: Hochul vs. BlakemanAffordability, climate policies, Trump alignment, and the Vote Affordable line 28:31 – Transition to Jason PalmerNational lens on NY primaries and DSA’s surge 28:44 – A “political earthquake” on the leftDSA wins, Mondami’s influence, party tensions among Democrats 30:31 – Person vs. label and DSA’s growthComparisons to Tea Party/MAGA and what Democrats should learn 32:22 – NY-21 from the Democratic sideModerates vs. “socialist” caricatures and messaging challenges 34:27 – Future of the Democratic PartyBig-tent vs. left insurgency and reclaiming working-class voters 35:37 – Together’s strategyYounger, centrist candidates in purple districts and a shrinking political center 36:36 – The Trump factorPrimary strength, general-election liability, and how endorsements shape both parties 39:13 – AI and politicsRegulation, backlash to data centers, and why Congress needs AI-literate members 40:23 – AI on the issue agenda & closeWhere AI ranks among voter concerns, and podcast subscribe CTA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Blair Horner, NYPIRG Senior Policy Advisor, talks late budget, Hochul, lobbyists, and more, June 22nd, 2026

    Blair Horner, NYPIRG Senior Policy Advisor, talks late budget, Hochul, lobbyists, and more, June 22nd, 2026
    Jun 22 2026
    Blair Horner provides his perspective on this year's legislative session, discussing Governor Hochul's approach to the budget process, the legislature's power, the bills that passed (redistricting), the ones that didn't (lobbying), and Zohran Mamdani 00:00 – Cold open and introduction to Blair Horner, NYPIRG00:29 – Hochul’s budget “hostage” strategy and compressed legislative calendar01:33 – Primaries, pay pressure, and why lawmakers left Albany02:04 – Governor’s constitutional budget power and late-budget leverage04:05 – Pros and cons of strong executive power and secretive budget add-ons05:34 – Lobbying muscle in Albany: Uber, auto insurance, and rising spending06:19 – What needs to change: extenders, reforms, and an independent budget office07:17 – Legislative leadership, lack of political will, and fear of courts09:19 – Missed transparency bills and why “no-brainer” reforms stalled11:21 – Packaging bill, floor debate time, and organized industry opposition12:03 – Redistricting fight, partisan gerrymandering, and the 2014 reforms rollback15:28 – How “independent” is the IRC and what’s really at stake15:57 – Governor–NYC mayor alliance, city influence, and Democratic unity17:18 – Urban aid, tradeoffs, and looming budget crunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
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