Stuart Stevens: Republicans Are Desperate
Summary
Stuart Stevens joins Tim Miller to discuss a ProPublica report on Senator Susan Collins and the collapse of GOP polling. They analyze the 2026 midterm strategy, arguing Democrats should run a simple "wrong track" referendum rather than testing positive ads. The conversation also covers the unpopular Iran war, the economic impact of heating oil prices, and the extent of Russian influence on the Republican Party.
Topics discussed
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Introduction of guest Stuart Stevens
Ole Miss football loss and podcast banter
ProPublica report on Susan Collins and Navatech
Criticism of Cleia Mitchell and Georgia election interference
Outlook for Susan Collins and heating oil costs in Maine
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Strategy for TV ads and simple messaging in 2026
Trump polling, paid media, and voter sentiment
Corruption, war costs, and Democratic messaging failures
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Ashley Hinson's pivot and Republican spending patterns
War unpopularity and debate tactics against incumbents
The psychology of political advertising
Scott Column's Senate race in Mississippi
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Mormon Republicans and the shift to pro-Putin stance
Pursuing criminality in the Trump administration
Ukraine war observations and military preparedness
Concerns about the upcoming winter in Ukraine
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Trump's China summit and Taiwan implications
Democratic identity and military strength
Michael Watley, Vivek Vance, and closing remarks
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