Candidate Confessional - Defeated Politicians Tell All

This Democrat Says The Party Needs To Reinvent Itself In The Era Of Trump

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 09:00:00 GMT

Virginia Democrat Tom Perriello lost his congressional seat in the Tea Party wave of 2010. In 2017, he jumped back in the ring with a run for Governor, and his primary race against Ralph Northam was viewed as another skirmish in the broader Democratic party battle between the Bernie wing and the party establishment. Perriello rejects that narrative, but he has some strong opinions about how the party will have the evolve if it wants to compete in the Trump era.

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What It’s Like To Be At The Center Of One Of The Biggest Political Sex Scandals In American History

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 09:00:00 GMT

In 2006, John Edwards hired Rielle Hunter to produce a series of videos that would help lay the groundwork for his planned presidential run. That she did, but the two also carried on a affair that resulted in a child -- all of which Edwards tried desperately to keep secret. Early in his journalistic career, Candidate Confessional host Sam Stein was among the first reporters to publicly speculate about the possibility of an affair. Now, a decade later, Sam and Rielle look back at their respective roles in that story. Hunter reflects on what it was like to have her private life pried open by the tabloids, and why she has a bit of sympathy for our current president.

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These Two Senators Voted Against The Iraq War. They Thought They Were Ending Their Careers

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 04:00:00 GMT

When Senators Kent Conrad and Dick Durbin cast their votes against the Iraq War Resolution in 2002, they knew it was unlikely they’d be able to stop the invasion. They also knew that their votes might well be the end of their senate careers. Today, that “no” vote looks like an obvious choice. But in the moment, it was a leap of faith for them to trust their instincts and oppose the war. They also remind us that the political realities that fueled the rush to war are still present today, that there is almost nothing standing between the president and a new war -- if he wants it.

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The Only Person Ever To Lose An Election To Mitt Romney

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 09:00:00 GMT

In 2002, Massachusetts State Treasurer Shannon O’Brien decided to throw her hat in the ring in the race for governor. Her opponent would be one Willard “Mitt” Romney, known for his failed senate run in 1994 and as president of the 2002 Winter Olympics. She went after him, after Barack Obama would do in 2012, over his time at Bain Capital. Mitt went after Shannon over her husband’s ties to Enron. Sparks flew, and O’Brien became the only person ever to go down to Mitt Romney at the polls.

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The South Florida Dem Who Got Hacked By The Russians

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 09:00:00 GMT

In early 2016, the race for the 26th congressional district looked like it was shaping up to be a pretty standard Florida election, as Democrat Annette Taddeo took on incumbent Republican Carlos Curbelo. To her surprise, Taddeo attracted an unexpected opponent in the primary, a former Democratic congressman named Joe Garcia. That was bad enough. But things got even worse when a bunch of documents relating to her campaign got leaked by Russian hackers.

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Revisiting The Last Disaster In The Gulf

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:00:00 GMT

In the Spring of 2010, one of the worst environmental disasters in history occurred when the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Over the next few months, over 200 million gallons of oil spilled into the ocean. Today, as a new disaster -- Hurricane Harvey -- confronts the gulf coast, what lessons are there to be learned from the response to the BP spill? Ben LaBolt, assistant White House press secretary during the spill, talks to us about how he helped craft the Obama administration’s response.

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What It Was Like To Be An Openly Gay Politician In 1996

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 02:10:00 GMT

In 1996, two of congress’s only 3 openly gay members were set to retire; only Barney Frank would be left standing. To fill the void, two new gay candidates stepped up. One of them was Rick Zbur in Southern California, and during that campaign he became an unwitting test case for how to deal with running for office while out.

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The Day The Global Economy Stood Still

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:00:00 GMT

In the fall of 2008, President George W. Bush warned top political leaders that without a massive infusion of cash into the market, "this sucker" -- that is, the economy -- "could go down." Days later, the House of Representatives balked at Bush. The first failed vote for the Troubled Asset Relief Program cost the Dow 777 points. It was, perhaps, the most dramatic legislative failure of the 21st Century. And this week’s guests were in the middle of it all.

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The Real History Of The Infamous Compromise Behind Don't Ask Don't Tell

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 09:00:00 GMT

In 1994, Bill Clinton signed a directive allowing gays to serve in the military, provided they concealed their sexual identity. That policy -- Don't Ask Don't Tell -- had many critics and few proponents. And Clinton's legacy took a hit because of it. Fifteen years later, Don't Ask Don't Tell was finally repealed. Former Congressman Barney Frank talks with us about the institution and repeal of the policy -- and why he thinks Clinton gets a bad rap.

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The Senate Candidate Who Put Together An AR-15 Blindfolded

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:00:00 GMT

Jason Kander ran what was widely considered one of the best Senate campaigns of the 2016 cycle. He combined an impressive resume with youthful vigor and a clear comfort with being on the trail. Oh, he also had the best campaign ad of the cycle. But it wasn't enough to unseat Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). And on this episode, he discusses what it might take for a progressive to win in a red state.

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How A Tea Party Darling Was Undone By Hubris, Drugs, and Washington D.C. (But Mainly Drugs)

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 09:00:00 GMT

Trey Radel had a promising congressional career ahead of him -- before it all came crashing down one night after he attempted to purchase cocaine from an undercover agent. In that moment, he became a cautionary tale and a pariah within his party. Now removed from office, he reflects on the missteps made and has some pointed pieces of advice for future "rising stars."

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How A Conservative Writer Became A Target For The Alt-Right

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:00:00 GMT

David French never thought he'd run for office, let alone the White House. But in the spring of 2016, as the Never Trump movement was growing desperate for a candidate, his name was floated by conservative stalwart Bill Kristol. French, a writer for the National Review, took the idea seriously. But he soon discovered all the horribles that come when you're thrust into the ring.

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What It’s Like to Campaign Against Donald Trump And Vladimir Putin At The Same Time

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 09:00:00 GMT

When Donald Trump won the Republican presidential primary, most Democrats cheered their good fortune. Not the Clinton campaign. They worried about an unconventional opponent who had already humiliated one establishment favorite (Jeb Bush). Little did they know just how insane the campaign would be.

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How One Senator Found His Calling In The Wake Of Tragedy

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 09:00:00 GMT

Chris Murphy never thought much about gun control when he was serving in the House. In fact, he often parroted the NRA's talking points out of political expediency. But shortly after he won election to the senate in 2012, 20 first graders were shot dead at Sandy Hook Elementary school. The tragedy took place in Murphy's old district and it fundamentally transformed him and his career. But it didn't change gun laws.

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The Incredible Inside Story Of How Bernie Sanders Raised $218 Million Online

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 09:00:00 GMT

When Bernie Sanders launched his presidential campaign, he needed someone to do his online fundraising. He chose the team at Revolution Messaging (or rather, they chose him), and together, they turned a candidacy that no one expected to go all that far into the biggest grassroots money machine in U.S. political history. On this first episode of Season Two of Candidate Confessional, the folks at Revolution Messaging speak out for the first time about how it all happened. We talk to Tim Tagaris, Robin Curran, and Michael Whitney about their road to online fundraising superstardom.

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Coming Soon: Candidate Confessional Season 2

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 09:00:00 GMT

Sam Stein and Jason Cherkis will go back to look at some of the biggest stories from campaigns past - the scandals, the policy battles, the failures and everything in-between. Each week, Stein and Cherkis sit down with some of the biggest names in politics. Highlights from this season will include Hillary Clinton's Communications Director Jen Palmieri, National Review Writer and near-presidential candidate David French, former Congressman Barney Frank, and Rielle Hunter, the videographer who had an affair with John Edwards during his presidential campaign. This is a one-of-a-kind podcast about tough defeats and the unvarnished, often-emotional and human side of our nation’s rough and tumble political system. Last season, “Candidate Confessional” was a finalist for both the 2017 Webby Awards and Digiday Publishing Awards and reached the top five political podcasts on iTunes. This season, Sam and Jason are upping the ante with new storylines. There will be episodes dedicated not just to campaigns but to major legislative pushes that ultimately failed and to famous figures who found themselves at the epicenter of scandal. You’ll hear from the Senators who tried to stop the march to war in Iraq and the key congressional aides behind the first failed 2008 bailout vote; the Senator who made gun control a cause after national tragedy and the videographer who found herself on the cover of the National Enquirer.

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BONUS: The Rise And Fall Of James Comey

Thu, 11 May 2017 21:58:22 GMT

Candidate Confessional season 2 approaches! In the meantime, host Sam Stein sits down with Huffpost's senior justice reporter Ryan Reilly and former Department of Justice spokesperson Matthew Miller to discuss recently-fired FBI director James Comey: his career, and how it came to this. Enjoy.

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BONUS: Huffpost's All-Star Trumpcare Panel

Fri, 05 May 2017 20:52:07 GMT

Candidate Confessional Season 2 is on the way! But in the meantime, we assembled a panel of Huffpost healthcare reporters to chew on yesterday's legislative bombshell: the House's passage of an Obamacare repeal/replace bill. Sam is joined by Huffpost reporters Jeff Young, Jonathan Cohn, and Matt Fuller to talk about what all this means.

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The Man Who Tried To Help Al Gore Win The White House

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 00:39:56 GMT

The 2000 presidential election was 16 years ago. But for Ron Klain, a lawyer for Vice President Al Gore, the loss still hurts. Klain sits down with Huffington Post's Sam Stein and Jason Cherkis to explain the intricate process of the Florida ballot recount.

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Gary Johnson On His Run For President

Sun, 29 May 2016 20:14:52 GMT

Gary Johnson was the governor of New Mexico before he decided to embark on a presidential run in 2012. Johnson talks to Huffington Post's Sam Stein and Jason Cherkis about his presidential bid as a libertarian, and why he separated himself from his republican counterparts.

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An Obama-Backing Democrat On The Craziness Of Those First Two Years

Mon, 23 May 2016 00:49:13 GMT

Tom Perriello eked out one of the closest wins in the 2008 cycle. But rather than tack to the ideological middle once in office, he chose instead to back virtually all of Obama's big priorities and then defend them vigorously back home. What he discovered is that conviction politics works. But it can still be overwhelmed by obstructionism from the other side.

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Jesse Jackson On His Two White House Runs

Mon, 16 May 2016 00:50:36 GMT

In 1984, Jesse Jackson grew convinced that for black Americans to advance their political causes, they needed a black candidate for president. The problem was, no one wanted to do it. So he took on the task, running a historic campaign for the White House and doing it again four years later. Jackson faced death threats, pushback, and doubt from fellow activists. But he also inspired a generation of politicians, including a guy named Sanders and one named Obama.

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Sandra Fluke On Her Run For State Senate

Sun, 08 May 2016 21:07:57 GMT

When Sandra Fluke was called a "slut" by Rush Limbaugh, simply for advocating for insurance coverage of contraception, she faced a choice: step back from the spotlight or fight back. She chose the latter, in the process launching a political career that saw her speak before the Democratic Party's convention in 2012. But when she tried to run for office herself two years later, she discovered that it was trickier than taking on a bombastic radio host.

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Jeb Bush's Communications Director On His Run For The White House

Sun, 01 May 2016 23:41:22 GMT

Jeb Bush's campaign for the White House ended far more disastrously than many people predicted. In the latest episode, Bush's communications director, Tim Miller, offers several reasons why. He also offers unique insights and reflections on Jeb's time on the trail: from the early gaffes to the debate showdowns with Donald Trump, to the missed opportunities.

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Clay Aiken On His 2014 Congressional Campaign

Mon, 25 Apr 2016 00:57:21 GMT

When Clay Aiken ran for Congress in 2014, most people assumed it was a vanity project: a former American Idol star trying to hack it in politics. But the campaign became defined by incredibly sensitive issues, from being a gay man in the south to an unexpected death on the trail. Aiken relives his run on this week's episode.

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Jon Huntsman On His 2012 Presidential Campaign

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 00:48:59 GMT

Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign never took off in 2012, despite being the candidate that President Obama feared most. Looking back, the former Utah Governor has several theories why, foremost among them that his Republican Party had grown too angry for a politician like him.

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The Pain Of Losing By Four Votes

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:32:26 GMT

When Karl Kassel was recruited to run for a state Senate seat in Alaska, he had no idea just how historic his race would be. Out of 10,000 votes cast, Kassel ended up losing by just four -- one of the closest losses in American electoral history. In the latest Candidate Confessional, he explained all the drama, emotion and, ultimately, heartache that comes with falling just short.

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Martin O'Malley Opens Up About His Presidential Campaign

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 00:56:44 GMT

Martin O'Malley brought an impressive resume to his 2016 White House run: a young, former governor with progressive results. But it never seemed to stick. He was overwhelmed by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and overshadowed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). In his first major interview on the race, O'Malley dissects what went wrong and dishes out a bit of blame.

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Anthony Weiner Relives His Run For Mayor Of New York City

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:51:29 GMT

When Anthony Weiner resigned from Congress in 2011, his career in politics appeared over, crushed by a scandal in which he sent lurid tweets and texts. But less than two years later, Weiner surprised many by launching a run for mayor of New York City. It was a tumultuous ride. Weiner briefly led the polls before scandal struck yet again. In the latest Candidate Confessional, he relives the race, and all its emotional highs and lows.

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Richard Carmona On His 2012 Senate Campaign

Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:08:40 GMT

For years Richard Carmona resisted pleas from both parties to run for office. He was a former U.S. Surgeon General under George W. Bush, a one-time police officer and public health administrator. His reputation was sterling and he didn't want to muck it up. When he finally decided to run -- for the U.S. Senate in Arizona as a Democrat in 2012 -- he quickly realized why he had declined all those prior overtures. Simply put: he hated his campaign.

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How The Hell Do You Lose To Rob Ford?

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 00:46:47 GMT

Rob Ford, the former mayor of Toronto, is known for many things: an outlandish personality, offensive language, and, of course, the times he was caught smoking crack. He is also a formidable politician who has managed to be elected to office despite these foibles. In the latest podcast, we talk to one of the candidates Ford defeated about just how hard it is to take down the infamous mayor.

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Newt Gingrich's Odd And Wonderful 2012 Campaign

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:48:14 GMT

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) is one of the most dramatic and divisive political figures in modern U.S. history. And when he ran for president in 2012, he didn't disappoint. In the latest Candidate Confessional, Gingrich recounts all the stumbles and triumphs that he endured on the trail. And he shared some sage advice for this year's White House aspirants.

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A Republican Dishes On The Dangers Of Being Bipartisan

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 01:50:42 GMT

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) got along well with the opposition throughout his career. He had good relations with Democrats and appeared on shows like Bill Maher and The Colbert Report. But when he ran for the Senate in 2014, he quickly realized that being mild-mannered -- and even remotely interested in bipartisanship -- was a serious liability.

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Relive One Of The Worst Booings In Political History

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 01:31:48 GMT

During his campaign for mayor of Toledo in 2009, Ben Konop delivered a speech that became Internet lore. Appearing on the street where his mom grew up, he was booed, mercilessly, by a man sitting on a nearby porch. The video went viral, viewed 850,000 times on YouTube and lampooned by South Park. In the latest episode, Konop details that excruciating moment and how he moved beyond it.

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Former RNC Chair Michael Steele On His 2006 Senate Campaign

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 01:41:30 GMT

Before he became an MSNBC personality; before he became chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele ran for the U.S. Senate in Maryland. One of the best known African-American Republicans in the country, he nearly won. But he was done in by a terrible cycle for his party (thanks, George W. Bush) and, he argues, some subtle and not-so-subtle racism on the trail.

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Tim Pawlenty On His Presidential Run

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 01:34:28 GMT

Tim Pawlenty had everything a Republican presidential candidate should have. He was a governor with a blue-collar conservative brand and the best operatives in the business. But his campaign for the White House in 2012 is remembered now for a poor showing in a straw poll, a major debate flub, and a swift exit. In this episode, he explains why everything went so wrong, so quickly.

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Wendy Davis On Her Run For Governor

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 02:01:31 GMT

Wendy Davis became an icon in 2013 when she stood on the floor of the Texas Senate for nearly 13 hours to beat back anti-abortion legislation. Although the legislation ultimately passed, the moment catapulted her to national stardom and paved the way for a run for governor. It didn't go as planned. Her campaign proved to be a brutal reality check for those who hoped to turn a deep red state, purple. She tells that story in vivid detail.

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Mitt Romney's Top Aide On The White House Run

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 01:40:22 GMT

Mitt Romney's run for the White House in 2012 featured incredible highs (a boffo debate performance against Barack Obama) and excruciating lows (a widely-panned trip abroad). Behind it all was Stu Stevens, his senior strategist. In this episode, Stevens details those and other episodes as well as the pain Romney's high-profile defeat caused him.

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Michele Bachmann On Her Run For The White House

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 01:49:24 GMT

Former Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) was one of most provocative conservative in Congress. She parlayed that reputation into a brief stint as a frontrunner for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. It didn't last long. In this episode, she recounts how her campaign fell apart as well as some of the more unsavory moments of life on the trail.

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Howard Dean on His Presidential Campaign

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 02:00:32 GMT

In the 2004 campaign, Howard Dean went from being a little known governor of Vermont to a leading Democratic presidential candidate, surging on his opposition to the Iraq war. And then, it all came crashing down, culminating in his infamous scream speech in Iowa. Twelve years later, Dean recounts in detail his rise and what precipitated his fall.

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Welcome To Candidate Confessional

Mon, 11 Jan 2016 22:07:56 GMT

Everyone loses. But some losses sting worse than others. This is a podcast about tough defeats. Hosts Sam Stein and Jason Cherkis talk to candidates who came up short in their bid for president, governor, senator and other elected office; those defined by YouTube moments and others who fell by painfully close margins. Looking back, these candidates give the listener an unvarnished, often-emotional picture of what life is really like on the campaign trail.

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