The Smerconish Podcast

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today Michael asks you, good news or bad news: Sometime soon, the global fertility rate will drop below the point needed to keep population constant. Listen, then vote!

Michael talks to University of Maryland Professor Dr. Melissa Kearney, who discusses new research showing a decline in global birthrates. It is a trend that many are alarmed by. Original air date 20 May 2024

Less than six months until election day, and one candidate is in a criminal trial in court, and the other is on the campaign trail, but not doing well in the polls. Michael asks you this daily poll question today at Smerconish.com: Why is Biden losing? 1) Polls are wrong 2) It’s the media’s fault 3) Bad time to be incumbent 4) Rising prices and high interest rates 5) He’s too liberal 6) He’s too old. Listen to Michael lay it out in this episode, then vote, after you rate and review this podcast.

Michael gets expert analysis from CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig about the cross-examination of Michael Cohen in the Trump Hush Money trial. Original air date 17 May 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today Michael asks you, Do you agree with Mitt Romney that Joe Biden should have pardoned Donald Trump? Listen, then vote.

Is it debatable? Michael offers his thoughts on the surprise of the Biden and Trump campaigns agreeing to two debates with TV network. Original air date 16 May 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today Michael asks you, Would a guilty verdict in the NY case damage Trump politically, or are views about him already baked in? Listen, then vote! And please rate and review this podcast.

Michael has an incredible lineup of great legal minds on a day when former President Trump's criminal trial is in recess, following Michael Cohen's testimony. He is joined first by veteran attorneys William J. Brennan and Michael van der Veen, who represented Trump in his impeachment trial. Then, analysis from CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig, and NBC/MSNBC Legal Analysy Danny Cevallos. Original air date 15 May 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today Michael asks you, Will RFK Jr. obtain the necessary ballot access and polling averages to make it to the debate stage? Listen here, then vote! And, please RATE and REVIEW this podcast.

Former President Trump name-checks Michael when talking to the media after court, and Michael offers thoughts on former personal fixer and personal attorney Michael Cohen's first day of testimony.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today Michael asks you, Do you agree or disagree with CNN host Fareed Zakaria saying the NY indictment would not have been brought against a defendant not named Donald Trump? Listen, then vote!

Michael talks to former Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-NY) the morning of former Trump attorney Michael Cohen beginning his testimony in former President Trump's criminal trial. Original air date 13 May 2024.

Former President Donald Trump's ex-private attorney and 'personal fixer', Michael Cohen, takes the stand as the prosecution's star witness in the hush money trial in New York City today. Prosecutors are expected to rest their case this week. This has Michael asking you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Will Michael Cohen's testimony be a net plus or minus for the prosecution? Listen to Michael lay it out here, then please vote, and rate and review this podcast.

Michael and NBC / MSNBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos discuss the latest in former President Trump's Hush Money Trial, where Stormy Daniels testified this past week, and Michael Cohen is expected to testify next week. Original air date 10 May 2024.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot. Today Michael asks you, after President Biden made a new plan this week, Should aid to Israel be conditioned? Listen, then vote!

This weeks marks 10 years since the publication of "TALK: A Novel", Michael's first and only work of fiction that he has written. He reminisces with TC and Dan about this story of a talk radio host, with some salacious encounters, who makes it big, but comes to a crossroads. Original air date 9 May 2024.

There are several big issues in the news right now that have election and other implications, but, a recent survey caught Michael's attention which shows that there are certain of these major issues that people just do not care about, even if others think they do. This has Michael asking you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Which issue is the most important to you? The conflict in the Middle East, Education funding and access, Climate change, Healthcare Reform, Immigration Policies, National Security/Terrorism, Gun Control/Safety, Racial Justice and Civil Rights, Economic Fairness and Opportunity, or are none of these issues important to you? Listen here, then vote!

Michael welcomes Mark Halperin at the Wide World of News back with another one of his "Fake Ron Klain Memos" that offers unsolicited advice to "JRB" from a "fake" version of the former White House Chief of Staff, titled "The Way To Win." Listen as they go through Mark's thoughts in the memo.

Michael and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig parse through Stormy Daniels' (real name: Stephanie Clifford) salacious testimony at former President Trump's hush money trial. Original air date 8 May 2024.

Lots of reaction to Stephanie Clifford's, professionally known as Stormy Daniels, testimony at former President Trump's criminal trial yesterday, about their alleged one-night stand in 2006, that lead to the alleged hush money payment to her that Trump is accused of. Michael asks you this daily poll question at Smerconish.com today: Did the admission of Stormy Daniels’ salacious testimony at Trump’s trial make this more a case about sex than documents?