How to Win 2024

Six months out from the election, and a few issues are converging. Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri drill down on what’s working and what President Biden needs to focus on around a few key issues like immigration, the war in Gaza and reproductive rights. And after Senator Tim Scott tied himself in knots to avoid saying he’d accept the 2024 election results, it's a good time to check in with elections lawyer Marc Elias about coming legal shenanigans. Claire and Marc highlight lawsuits brought by the RNC that aim to sow doubt in election integrity ahead of the fall, and how to stand up to right wing vigilantism at the ballot box.

What do the newest generation of voters want? What engages them and motivates them? This is a question that's central to 2024, as protests over Gaza continue on college campuses nationwide. Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri check in with Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, Executive Director of NextGen America, to get at the heart of how to reach this important constituency. And a review of Trump’s Time magazine profile, in which he’s telling voters exactly who he is. Then, the campaign pros zoom in on Arizona as a case study of the converging issues that will be central in November.

This year's White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner features NBC News Senior White House Correspondent and President of the White House Correspondents' Association, Kelly O'Donnell. With remarks from President Joe Biden and Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update host Colin Jost. Listen to the event here.

An extraordinary phase of the 2024 race unfolding this week as Donald Trump finds himself stuck in a Manhattan courtroom and the focus of historic Supreme Court arguments, while President Biden sprints across a major battleground state. Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri zero in on that stunning split screen and what it could mean for the presidential race. Plus, Claire and Jen talk to constitutional law professor Michele Goodwin about the chipping away of reproductive freedom and how that could also shape the election. Further reading: Here is the map Jen mentioned, showing where reproductive rights stand, state by state.

"We have our jury,” announced Judge Juan Merchan late Thursday as the historic trial against the former president continues. Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri explore the heart of the case and underscore the finer points of jury selection (voir dire) with former US attorney and law professor Joyce Vance. Plus, a look at Biden’s three-day stop in Pennsylvania and Speaker Johnson’s big bet on bringing foreign aid votes to the floor this weekend.

This week, as Biden announced a new student debt relief plan, Trump waffled on his reproductive rights position. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri drill down on the implications of both for 2024. Then, MSNBC’s All In host Chris Hayes stops by to talk shop about a new recurring series on his Why Is This Happening? podcast. Claire, Jen and Chris highlight the unique moment we’re in: for the first time in over a century, we have two candidates that have presidential records to compare and contrast.

As a bonus for listeners, we’re sharing the first episode of a special series from “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast,” called “WITHpod 2024: The Stakes.” For the first time since 1892, we have an election in which both candidates have presidential records. It’s a unique chance to take a hard look at what both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have actually done as president. Chris Hayes talks to experts about both candidates’ records on specific policy areas. This week, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, joins to unpack immigration policies under Trump vs. Biden, the state of the asylum system, and more. Follow and listen to the whole series: https://link.chtbl.com/withpod_tsfd

Tensions are elevated as protests continue in Israel and Trump is scrambling for cash. This week, former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri offer Team Biden the strategy of walking and chewing gum at the same time. Then, Daria Dawson, Executive Director of America Votes, joins to highlight how the organization is working to mobilize voters this fall. Lastly, Claire and Jen break down the ripple effects both Florida Supreme Court decisions will have on abortion access, now and in the longer term. The stakes are incredibly high for reproductive rights. Content warning: In this episode, there is discussion about the rape and incest exceptions in the Florida six-week abortion ban that might be triggering for some listeners, so please listen with care. For further reading: Here is a mapInside the Terrifyingly Competent Trump 2024 Campaign.

As we get closer to Trump's first criminal trial, Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri sit down for a conversation with NBC News presidential historian Michael Beschloss on how former president Trump has changed long held presidential traditions, and how history will judge this time. The focus then shifts to compare and contrast how former presidents have worked with (or against) the American legal system when they have been accused of crimes or impeached in Congress. Note: This conversation was recorded on Friday, May 22.

Five more states held primaries this week, and former Vice President Pence joined the growing list of Trump’s former cabinet members that just can’t back him in 2024. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri analyze the trends and the importance of Biden’s effort to court Latino voters. Then, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes stops in to share what his team is doing to expose the use of generative A.I. to spread misinformation in our elections. Plus: why we need to pay attention to RFK Jr’s candidacy.

President Biden and Vice President Harris are hitting the road. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri weigh in on the post-State of the Union tour, including the Veep’s stop at an abortion clinic in Minnesota. And they get into Majority Leader Schumer’s direct call for new elections in Israel. Then, NBC’s Director of Elections, John Lapinski stops in to pull apart how to think about polling in 2024. And Claire and Jen shine a light on former Trump voters who are looking elsewhere.

President Joe Biden delivered his third State of the Union address Thursday night. Listen here for the full speech followed by expert analysis from MSNBC’s political team, led by Rachel Maddow. For more political coverage, visit msnbc.com.

Though 2024’s Super Tuesday issued few surprises, there were nuanced insights for Democrats and troubling signs for Trump. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri look at lessons learned from the 15 state contests. Then, Third Way’s Matt Bennett joins to detail No Labels' well publicized gathering that is not opened to the public, to decide if they’ll enter a third-party candidate into the race. Finally, Claire and Jen shine a light on Project 2025- a Christian nationalist agenda laying the groundwork behind the scenes in preparation for a Trump 2nd term. Note: We reached out to No Labels for comment. As of the time of publication they have not responded.

Voters in 16 states cast their ballots in presidential primaries across the country this Super Tuesday. As expected, Joe Biden and Donald Trump won the majority of their respective party’s delegates while Nikki Haley struggled to pick up wins. Listen here to a portion of the coverage as Rachel Maddow and MSNBC’s political team analyze the results in real time as polls close. This portion of the conversation was pulled from the 9:00-11:00pm ET hours. For more results, check out msnbc.com.

On a special “How To Win 2024’ edition, live from the 92nd Street Y, MSNBC’s Katy Tur hosts former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jen Palmieri to talk about Biden’s record, Trump’s base of support and what's at stake in the coming presidential election. Among the issues they touch on: the war in Gaza, the Alabama IVF ruling, the immigration stalemate, and the Supreme Court decision to hear Trump’s immunity claim. Plus: questions from the audience bring some somber moments and lots of laughter.

With Michigan and South Carolina in the rear view, former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Comms Director Jen Palmieri digest the results from their unique perspective, diverging from much of the media coverage. And onward to Super Tuesday with former Lt. Governor and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele. They talk about Nikki Haley’s odds, the departure of Ronna McDaniel and Mitch McConnell from GOP party leadership, and how to think about the tumult among Republicans in the House. EVENT ALERT: Join us Tonight! February 29 at 8pm for a special live edition of the “How to Win: 2024” podcast at the 92NY. We will join Katy Tur, host of MSNBC’s Katy Tur Reports, to breakdown what to expect on Super Tuesday and make sense of the earlier-than-expected start to the general election. You can get your tickets or join us online for this special event at 92NY.org/events.

The results of South Carolina’s Republican primary are in, with NBC’s Decision Desk calling the race for former President Donald Trump within moments of polls closing. Though she lost in her home state, Nikki Haley vowed to continue to Super Tuesday in her concession speech. Listen here as MSNBC’s political team, led by Rachel Maddow, analyzes the results in real time.

After a week that saw the Alabama Supreme Court decide that frozen embryos are children and Joe Manchin decide against a third-party run, Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Comms Director Jen Palmieri dig into the week's ups and downs through their unique strategy lens. They also welcome Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to detail a healing community in the wake of gun violence in his city, and how to approach common sense gun reform solutions. Plus: a spotlight on Russia’s continued efforts to put their thumb on the scale of the 2024 election, as pro-democracy advocates mourn the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Getting into their campaign mode three-point stance, Senator Claire McCaskill and White House Comms Director Jen Palmieri shift gears to look at the biggest news of the week from their unique comms and strategy lens. And after last week’s report from Special Counsel Hur that's put a spotlight on Biden, veteran prosecutor Andrew Weissmann talks about the politics of what should not have been a political report. Then, Claire and Jen rip off the band aid to speak directly about Biden’s age and candidacy, and what to say when people ask if Dems should be looking to another candidate for President. Subscribe to the How to Win newsletter! With the 2024 election season off to a dramatic start, now is the perfect time to get expert analysis on key races sent straight to your inbox, including insights from the network’s top talent, like How to Win host Jennifer Palmieri. Click here to sign up.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments today in the unprecedented ballot disqualification case that could see former President Donald Trump removed from the primary ballot in Colorado. Listen here as MSNBC’s political team, led by Rachel Maddow, offers their expert analysis.