Swamp Stories: Recent Episodes
Issue One
"Swamp Stories," a podcast brought to you by Issue One, dives into political reform with a bipartisan lens. It follows host Weston Wamp — millennial Republican and former candidate for Congress — as he shines a light on the swampiest practices in Washington that repulse Republicans and Democrats alike: slush funds in Congress, dark money in elections, gerrymandered districts, foreign interference in our elections, dialing for dollars, and more. Elected leaders, activists, and experts from across the political spectrum discuss how to fix America's broken political system and build a better democracy. "Swamp Stories" is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
Her vibrant son was driven to suicide by a relentless barrage of social media bullying. Carson Bride was like millions of American kids in the age of social apps: vulnerable to the algorithms that drive profitable engagement regardless of the psychological devastation they may cause.
In this episode, Fernando speaks with Carson’s mom, Kristin Bride. She is on a mission to hold the mighty social media platforms accountable for the harms posed to young people. A member of the Council for Responsible Social Media, Bride is an activist, moral voice, and leader working to protect children from this menace.
The United States’ success as a country, the consolidation of democracy, its ability to conquer a continent and then project massive power across the world, is due in part to its relationship with Latin America.
As the polymath author of the seminal book Guns, Germs and Steel Jared Diamond explained, geography is destiny. And the United States’ southern border, unlike those of France or Germany, for example, that have gone to war time and again, has created an unprecedented multi-century history of relative peace.
In this episode, Fernando explores this unique legacy with Benjamin Gedan. Gedan is director of the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program. He’s also an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University. Benjamin is a former South America director on the National Security Council at the White House, and he also served at the State and Treasury Departments focused on Latin American issues.
Gedan is a former Fulbright scholar in Uruguay and earned a Ph.D. in foreign affairs from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Why do most Americans strongly disapprove of Congress? It’s complicated. Addiction to power, fame, and money has always been part of Congress’ ick factor and the brutal politics of our era create all sorts of perverse incentives for members to cosplay TV stars. But is there something deeper going on? Is Congress broken forever?
Fernando hunts for an answer with Dr. Kevin Kosar, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute studying the US Congress. He previously worked at the Congressional Research Service focusing on public administration issues. Kosar has taught public policy at New York University and lectured on public administration at Metropolitan College of New York. He has authored several books, including "Congress Overwhelmed: The Decline in Congressional Capacity and Prospects for Reform."
The 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville was a coming out party for the extreme-right movement. From that ugly debut, white nationalist groups are now literally marching across the country. Most recently in East Cobb, Georgia, Jewish worshippers were terrorized at a synagogue by swastika brandishing thugs. With a jump in attacks against ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities, the FBI’s far-right domestic terrorism warning sadly came true. White nationalism is now a clear and present danger to American democracy.
Fernando goes deep into this threat with Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, the nation’s preeminent anti-hate group. Greenblatt previously served in the White House as Special Assistant to President Obama and Director of the Office of Social Innovation. He has also been a successful entrepreneur and corporate executive. Greenblatt is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Latino voter participation jumped dramatically in the last two elections — yet the Washington DC political class seems pretty clueless about these voters. And if the surprising midterm results are a real trend, the Latino vote is in play for both parties. How effectively Democrats and Republicans persuade — or repel — Latinos could very well determine the winner of the presidency in 2024.
To help dispel the big mystery about these voters, Fernando gets into it with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Héctor Tobar. He is a Professor of English and Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California, Irvine. Tobar is a former bureau chief and columnist for the Los Angeles Times, opinion contributor to The New York Times, and author of several novels and works of non-fiction. In his latest book, Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino,” Tobar explores being Latino in modern America — the contradictions, angst, hope, and dreams.
The Ukraine war took an unexpected turn — into Russia. The spectacular march on Moscow by Vladimir Putin’s rebellious henchman exposed the strongman’s surprising weakness. During these dramatic events, the Russian nuclear superpower teetered on the edge of chaos. And as America ramps up support for Ukraine, an unstable Russia is now an even bigger threat to the global democratic order.
Fernando is joined by Admiral Mike Rogers who unravels the web of Ukraine war politics, shedding light on the almost Russian coup. Drawing upon his extensive experience as the former director of the National Security Agency (NSA), commander of the United States Cyber Command, and chief of the Central Security Service, Admiral Rogers shares unique, fresh insights into what’s really happening in a Russia destabilized by Putin’s war. Rogers is a member of Issue One’s National Council on Election Integrity and Council for Responsible Social Media.
A majority of Americans increasingly question the Supreme Court’s authority. Deeply controversial decisions have sparked public outrage, raising concerns about the Court’s legitimacy and its outsized impact on American democracy.
Fernando digs into the Court’s growing unpopularity with Michael Waldman, president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. Waldman is a constitutional lawyer and expert on the presidency and American democracy. His latest book is The Supermajority: How the Supreme Court Divided America. Waldman served on the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States in 2021.
There’s no doubt that the latest indictment of Donald Trump has shaken the American political system. The twice impeached, twice arrested former president is the dominant force in today’s Republican Party. In this bizarre situation with no historical precedent, American democracy hangs in the balance.
On this week’s episode, Fernando digs into the indictment’s profound consequences for 2024 and the Republic with award winning political journalist A.B. Stoddard. Stoddard is associate editor and columnist at RealClearPolitics, guest host of SiriusXM’s POTUS Channel 124, and a contributor to The Bulwark. Stoddard is a frequent analyst on Fox News and MSNBC.
As the 2024 election comes into focus, Democrats are gnashing their teeth with worry. Will President Joe Biden have the momentum to win a second term as America’s democracy is threatened? On the Republican aisle, the MAGA and GOP Classic wings of the party fight in Congress while worrying about the viability of both former President Donald Trump and the party’s would-be rescuer, Governor Ron DeSantis. It’s high anxiety time in DC.
On this week’s episode, Fernando chats with political strategist Simon Rosenberg about the Democrats’ challenges in reelecting President Biden. Simon is the founder and CEO of the New Democrat Network, a centrist democratic think tank in Washington, DC. He is a frequent political analyst on Fox News, MSNBC, and ABC News. Famously, Simon predicted that the “Red Wave” of 2022 would sputter. Simon is also the author of the popular political newsletter Hoppium Chronicles.
With the resolution of the debt ceiling crisis in sight, we’re asking the key question – just what did Americans get for all the fire-breathing threats to drive the country into a catastrophic default?
Fernando speaks with freshman Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-RI) to find out how this madness looks from inside the tent, through the eyes of someone who only recently joined the circus on Capitol Hill.
And on our special X-Ray Vision segment, an exploration of the real person behind the title, Fernando speaks with Zamaan Qureshi. He’s the Policy Advisor at The Real Facebook Oversight Board, a global organization driving real accountability from Facebook and its fearsome power over our democracy. He’s also a member of the Council for Responsible Social Media, a project of Issue One.
The drip-drip of revelations surrounding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is sabotaging the legitimacy of the nation’s highest court. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in luxury gifts have gone undisclosed. It’s a troubling pattern of shady behavior at an institution that is considered a cornerstone of American democracy.
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a longtime critic of the Supreme Court’s approach to policing itself, joins Fernando for an eye-opening conversation about the escalating ethics scandal at the Supreme Court.
Senator Whitehouse is the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a member of the Judiciary Committee. He was previously elected Rhode Island’s Attorney General after serving as a U.S. Attorney.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! For more information, check out thexray.org.
Two drones explode over the Kremlin. Giant fuel depots blow up in occupied Crimea. Mysterious detonations hit several cities deep in Russia. Are these the first attacks in Ukraine’s much anticipated spring counteroffensive? Will this campaign finally start liberating Ukraine from Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion? And why should Americans care about yet another war in a faraway nation?
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta joins Fernando for a reality check – is Ukraine and its allies on the brink of victory or facing a long, costly war with no obvious end in sight?
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! For more information, check out thexray.org.
Here we go again. Congress is facing a June 1 deadline to avoid a totally preventable “debt ceiling” crisis. If no one flinches in this dangerous game of chicken, the U.S. economy will be dragged into a cataclysm, destroying America’s global reputation and unleashing unfathomable pain for every American family.
An artifact from World War I, the debt ceiling comes back every few years to provide existential drama — the battlefield of partisan politics. It all sounds a bit insane, but it’s only the latest crisis to be spawned by our increasingly dysfunctional political system.
On this week’s episode, Fernando is joined by Washington uber-insider Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, to discuss her mounting fear that a “default is possible” and what we can do about it.
Also, Fernando chats with Nellie Gorbea, former Rhode Island Secretary of State, for the latest installment of the X-Ray Vision interview. In this quirky conversation, Nellie shares her dream superpower, transformative leadership vision, and why Puerto Rican rum is superior to scotch.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! For more information, check out thexray.org.
Andrew Yang is at it again. Starting with his debut on the national stage in the 2020 presidential election, the entrepreneur without government experience jumped into the political arena with a fresh message and camera-ready charisma. And though he lost his quest for the presidency, he gained a national following and reputation for deep thoughts.
Now, Yang is taking another big leap — creating a new political party that wants to inject more democracy and accountability into our sometimes shambolic political system. It’s a big, ambitious vision.
Yet, Yang has been criticized for setting in motion a third party vote-splitting process that may — inadvertently — hand the White House back to Donald Trump in 2024.
So, which is it? In an intense and surprising conversation, Fernando and Yang explore whether his latest Big Idea is a solution for political dysfunction — or a threat to American democracy.
The wait is over – President Joe Biden has announced his reelection campaign. Dispelling any lingering doubts that he would step back from the arena, Biden is again on a collision course with former President Donald Trump. Is this a rematch of 2020 or are we going to see a new dynamic framed by the spiraling culture war, the other war in Ukraine, and Trump’s escalating legal problems? And what happens now to Ron DeSantis and the other GOP hopefuls that aspire to move into the White House? Former Chairman of the Republican Party and MSNBC political analyst Michael Steele (R-MD) joins Fernando for a deep dive into the emerging 2024 election, the challenges for both Biden and Trump – and explore the queasy feeling many voters have about replaying the acrimony of the 2020 presidential election.
Like a party guest that won’t leave, Donald Trump is the rare losing presidential candidate that is making another run at the White House. Twice impeached and now indicted, Trump is nevertheless the favorite candidate to win the Republican nomination, according to recent polls. But what does his candidacy mean for the overall political system? And what’s the impact on a Republican Party divided between Trump loyalists and people hoping to move on? Former Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI) joins Fernando for a conversation about the future of the Republican Party, the moral challenges of a Trump candidacy, and the emerging 2024 election.
And on The X-Ray Vision, our offbeat interview seeking to discover the real person behind the political title, Fernando chats with former Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) about who’s his hero, what his Sunday morning passion is, and why “scotch or bourbon?” is totally the wrong question.
Since Donald Trump entered the presidential race in 2015, his MAGA movement has grown exponentially, attracting millions of fervent followers and directly influencing political leaders across the country. In this episode of The X-Ray, Fernando and Greg Sargent, an opinion columnist at The Washington Post who covers national politics, have a wide-ranging conversation about Trump’s movement, analyzing what Greg calls "the Fortress MAGA phenomenon." They also dig deep into recent political developments, repercussions from the Ukraine war, and the 2024 elections.
When Donald Trump is arrested and formally charged this Tuesday for alleged crimes in New York, it will be a historic spectacle. As we all know, no U.S. president or former president has ever been charged with a crime. This unprecedented event puts the nation in uncharted, and some say, dangerous territory. To understand what this all really means, and what we can expect after Donald Trump’s historic day in court, Fernando speaks with Norm Eisen, one of Washington’s most respected legal experts.
Now an analyst with CNN, Eisen was the Special Counsel for Ethics and Government Reform in the Obama White House. He also served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic and was later appointed special counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee where he drafted the first articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. He is now a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.
No one has done more to expose social media‘s threat to democracy than Frances Haugen, globally famous as the Facebook Whistleblower. Frances exposed how Facebook’s secret algorithms generated engagement by stoking hate, division, conspiracy theories and sometimes even violence. Fernando and Frances discuss the risks social media poses to our democracy, the unique power of algorithms that shape human perception, and the ongoing risk these platforms present to a successful, democratic 2024 election.
Is the rise of authoritarianism in America real? Is democracy at risk? Just a few years ago, this would have been ridiculous. But after the rise of Donald Trump and the January 6 insurrection, fascism is no longer an old idea from history, some experts say it is a clear and present danger. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of the bestseller “Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present,” joins Fernando for a fascinating exploration of authoritarianism in the U.S. – its rising menace and what we can do about it.
Fernando also chats with Former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and political pundit Michael Steele. In the first installment of the “X-Ray Vision” interview, Steele answers an unusual battery of questions – revealing the real person behind the political title. And whether he’s a Scotch or Bourbon man.
In a deep dive into the beginning stages of the 2024 election, Fernando talks with Sarah Longwell about the candidates and their prospects, and what voters are thinking. They discuss the increasingly aggressive battle between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, and the lack of voter excitement for other candidates. They also examine Democratic prospects, identifying some big challenges ahead for the president’s re-election campaign. Join us for a fun, wide-ranging conversation about the emerging contours of next year’s pivotal election.
Sarah Longwell is the publisher of The Bulwark, founding director of Defending Democracy Together, and the host of hit The Focus Group Podcast.
Introducing The X-Ray with Fernando Espuelas — a new podcast with a fresh take on political power: Who wants it? Who wields it? And why?
Through compelling conversations with newsmakers, power players, and experts, The X-Ray answers these questions, providing listeners with insightful analysis of the biggest issues facing our democracy at home and abroad.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
After two years and nearly 50 episodes, Swamp Stories host Weston Wamp started a new chapter in his life. So we’re launching an awesome new show — The X-Ray, which will feature fresh conversations with some of the biggest newsmakers about challenges facing democracy — at home and abroad.
We hope you'll join us every week on The X-Ray. Look for our first episodes dropping soon!
As season two of "Swamp Stories" comes to a close, so does Weston's time as host of the show.
After nearly 50 episodes that cover a wide range of national democracy reform topics, Weston has turned his sights back home to Tennessee. He was recently sworn in as the mayor of Hamilton County, the state's fourth largest county.
For Weston's final episode, he sat down with Issue One's Chief of Strategy and Program Ethan Rome to reflect on what led him to the political reform space, what it's been like being a Republican who works on these issues, and the moment we're living through as a country.
The search is currently underway for a new “Swamp Stories” host.
During the 2022 midterm elections, in many of the most competitive, high-profile races, Americans rejected election denialism. But it’s also still true that many people have lost trust in our elections. That is because former President Trump and his allies have spent more than two years spreading lies that the 2020 election was “stolen.” Upon its release in May 2022, a film entitled “2000 Mules” became a dangerous new catalyst for spreading lies about that election.
In the latest “Swamp Stories,” Weston analyzes the film — which has been highly effective at spreading election conspiracy theories — and shows why the film is misleading, false, and holds no merit.
Guests:
- Neal Kelley: Faces of Democracy participant; Former Registrar of Elections in Orange County, CA
- Amber McReynolds: Member of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service
This year, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has spent millions of dollars boosting election denier candidates in GOP primaries across the country in the gamble that they will be easier for Democrats to beat this November.
Many have denounced this tactic as dangerous, including some Democratic Party members, former elected officials who are bucking their party and condemning the practice.
On episode 44 of “Swamp Stories,” Weston chats with two co-chairs of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus, former Amb. Tim Roemer (D-IN), who recently spoke out with an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, and former Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) about their thoughts on the tactic.
Further Reading:
- “Political Leaders Denounce Democrats Who Elevate Election Deniers in Republican Primaries”
- “Democrats, Stop Helping Pro-Trump Republicans” - opinion piece by Amb. Tim Roemer in theWall Street Journal
In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, it became clear that the Electoral Count Act of 1887, the legislation that provides the framework governing the casting and counting of electoral votes, needed updating because of its arcane language and ambiguities that could be exploited by bad actors willing to overturn the will of the people
In stepped a bipartisan group of senators, and, after months of negotiating, a deal was struck. Last month, the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act was introduced by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) along with eight other Republican cosponsors and seven Democratic cosponsors, to update the antiquated Electoral Count Act of 1887.
On this special episode of Swamp Stories, Weston spoke with former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) about the bipartisan group of senators that helped drive the effort, the implications for public confidence in our system, and why the bill needs to pass this year.
Want to learn even more about the Electoral Count Act of 1887 and why it needs to be updated? Listen to episode 31, “Regularly Given.”
Election officials and poll workers are our friends, family, and neighbors. They are dedicated workers who manage a vital part of our democratic infrastructure.
But because of a massive election disinformation campaign led by former President Trump and his allies, they have become the target of threats, intimidation, and harassment — adding to their already challenging job.
“Swamp Stories” host Weston Wamp sat down with a few of the election workers — local election officials and a poll worker from both parties — participating in our Faces of Democracy campaign to discuss building trust in our election processes, protecting elections workers from threats and harassment, and much more.
Issue One launched Faces of Democracy to amplify the voices of election workers. The campaign aims to educate the public about how our elections work, as well as advocate for the necessary improvements to our elections — like regular and sufficient funding from Congress for state and local election administration, and increased protections for election workers and their families from violent threats.
Learn more about our Faces of Democracy campaign.
The 2020 election season, while carried out successfully by dedicated election officials and poll workers, exposed one glaring problem with the U.S. system of elections: it is chronically underfunded.
Though Congress allocated $400 million for election assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was far short of what experts and election administrators said was needed to pull off an election in a pandemic. Private philanthropy, from folks like Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, stepped in to help fill the gap. These investments didn’t come without scrutiny.
In episode 41, Weston speaks with members of the nonprofits that distributed grants to election departments around the country in both red and blue states to set the record straight about the role private philanthropy played in the 2020 election, and the need for increased federal investment in our nation’s election infrastructure.
Guests:
- Tiana Epps-Johnson, CEO of the Center for Tech and Civic Life
- Sam Oliker-Friedland, Executive Director of the Institute for Responsive Government
The episode also features interviews Issue One conducted with Republican election officials, including:
- Bill Gates, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Maricopa County, AZ
- Neal Kelley, Former Registrar of Voters for Orange County, CA
- Carly Koppes, Clerk and Recorder for Weld County, CO
- Shane Schoeller, Clerk for Greene County, MO
Over the next few weeks, the bipartisan House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is holding a series of historic hearings to shed light on the events leading up to and on January 6, 2021.
During the hearings, we are hosting a special series of “Swamp Stories” to bring listeners in-depth analysis by some of the country’s leading political experts on what we are learning and how the country is reacting.
In the third episode of the series, host Weston Wamp talks with former Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt, who testified before the January 6th Committee during its third hearing.
Over the next few weeks, the bipartisan House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is holding a series of historic hearings to shed light on the events leading up to and on January 6, 2021.
During the hearings, we are hosting a special series of “Swamp Stories” to bring listeners in-depth analysis by some of the country’s leading political experts on what we are learning and how the country is reacting.
In the second episode of the series, host Weston Wamp talks with Reid Ribble, former Republican congressman from Wisconsin, and member of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus and the National Council on Election Integrity.
Over the next few weeks, the bipartisan House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is holding a series of historic hearings to shed light on the events leading up to and on January 6, 2021.
During the hearings, we are hosting a special series of “Swamp Stories” to bring listeners in-depth analysis by some of the country’s leading political experts on what we are learning and how the country is reacting.
In the first episode of the series, host Weston Wamp speaks with Dick Gephardt, former House Majority Leader from Missouri, and member of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus and the National Council on Election Integrity.
In episode 40 of our “Swamp Stories”podcast, Weston talks with former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) — who currently sits on the board of directors of Issue One and is a member of Issue One’s National Council on Election Integrity and ReFormers Caucus — about how he became involved in politics, pushing back against lies that the 2020 election was stolen, and why standing up for the rule of law, our elections, and democratic institutions matters.
This is the seventh episode in our periodic series of longform conversations between host Weston Wamp and elected leaders, activists, and experts from across the political spectrum on how to fix America’s broken political system.
To learn more about Village SquareCast, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://www.democracygroup.org/shows/village-squarecast
Social media has become a part of our daily lives, as we scroll endlessly through curated feeds. But it’s clear that these platforms are having a negative impact on our lives and our society in ways we never imagined.
Platforms that were once a way to connect people have become a place where disinformation flows freely, controversy and division turns a profit, and people are pushed into echo chambers where everyone believes the same things and get fed disinformation that amps up their views.
In episode 39, Weston unpacks social media’s psychological and cultural ramifications, but also its impact on our democracy and politics — looking at where we can go from here and discussing the need for increased transparency and accountability.
Guests:
- Nora Benavidez, Senior Counsel and Digital Justice and Civil Rights Director at Free Press
- Camille Carlton, Communications Manager at the Center for Humane Technology
- David Jay, Chief Mobilization Officer at the Center for Humane Technology
Elections across the country are run by dedicated full-time elected officials and by a huge and diverse group of citizens who serve as poll workers — people who might very well be your neighbors, your teacher, or your child’s baseball coach.
These folks are the backbone of our elections system, and are the reason that the 2020 election went so smoothly and was called the “most secure election in American history” with the highest turnout in over a century. But since Election Day in 2020 — and because of a systematic campaign of disinformation designed to undermine trust in our elections — the people who make our democracy work have been the target of repeated attacks on their character and integrity, and have even been threatened with violence.
In episode 38, Weston chats with current and former election officials about the threats they and other election workers have received since the 2020 election, and the problematic trend of election administration being politicized across the country.
Guests:
- Natalie Adona, Assistant Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters for Nevada County, CA
- Brian Corley, Supervisor of Elections in Pasco County, FL
- Al Schmidt, Former City Commissioner of Philadelphia
- Elise Wirkus, Legislative Director at Issue One
In episode 37 of “Swamp Stories,” Weston talks with Mark Bowden — author of “Black Hawk Down” — and Matthew Teague about their new book, “The Steal,” that offers a week-by-week, state-by-state account of the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. In addition to what they reveal about what happened behind the scenes, they discuss how to prevent what happened in 2020 from happening again and who the heroes and heroines were that helped stop the efforts to overturn the will of the people.
This is the sixth episode in our periodic series of longform conversations between host Weston Wamp and elected leaders, activists, and experts from across the political spectrum on how to fix America’s broken political system.
Imagine a world in which a member of Congress could take money from a corporation and put it in a special bank account that’s supposed to be used to provide political support for their allies in Congress, but instead uses the money to eat at opulent restaurants, buy airline tickets, or pay for lodging at luxury hotels.
Well, it doesn’t take too much to imagine all of this, because Washington has become so swampy that this is actually how things work.
In episode 36, Weston takes another look at leadership PACs, exploring how these campaign accounts have strayed from their original intent and been used by some lawmakers as a ticket to a more lavish lifestyle.
Guests:
- Brendan Fischer, Director of Federal Reform at Campaign Legal Center
- Former Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT)
In episode 35 of our “Swamp Stories”podcast, Weston chats with Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) about a range of issues, including legislating instead of “throwing bombs”; fighting pessimism in Congress; election disinformation; using government to solve problems; and the future of conservatism.
This is the fifth episode in our periodic series of longform conversations between host Weston Wamp and elected leaders, activists, and experts from across the political spectrum on how to fix America’s broken political system.
In 2012, President Barack Obama signed into law the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, otherwise known as the STOCK Act. The intent was to ban insider trading from members of Congress — a subject that gained national media attention on both sides of the aisle in the months and years after the financial crisis.
But the law did not do what it was supposed to.
In episode 34, Weston unpacks the STOCK Act and where it falls short and talks with one of the members of Congress who’s leading a bipartisan effort to fix the law and put an end to insider trading by members of Congress.
Guests:
- Kedric Payne, Senior Director of Ethics and the General Counsel of the Campaign Legal Center
- Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX)
Every 10 years, after the U.S. Census has been completed, congressional and state legislative districts are redrawn across the country in a process known as redistricting. However, districts are often “gerrymandered” by politicians, creating oddly-shaped districts that frequently don’t make any sense, all in an effort to keep their party in power.
As redistricting began a few months ago, the process in Texas received a lot of attention — with two new congressional districts due to population increases and a narrow Democratic majority in Congress, every seat counts.
“Swamp Stories” partnered with the Texas-based Sumners Foundation to dive into the competing perspectives about how redistricting could be more fairly and thoughtfully carried out. Although Texas’ map was drawn and signed into law since we recorded this episode, it’s chock full of great insights into the process — in Texas and across the country.
This episode was done in partnership with the Texas-based Sumners Foundation, which is focused on self-government and promoting the fundamental principles of democracy.
Much of the time when we talk and think about Congress, we don’t consider all the work that happens behind the scenes. Without the congressional staffers who constitute 97% of the legislative branch, legislating would be impossible. But, their ability to do this job is often hobbled by extremely low pay, leading to poor staff retention, low diversity, and ultimately, preventing Congress from fulfilling its oversight role.
In episode 32, Weston explores the money allocated to members of Congress to run their offices and analyzes how this limited budget is used — or sometimes not used — and what can be done about it.
Guests:
- Dr. LaShonda Brenson, Senior Fellow of Diversity and Inclusion at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
- Marci Harris, Co-founder and CEO at POPVOX
- Meredith McGehee, Former Executive Director at Issue One
How did the attack on the U.S. Capitol happen on January 6th? There are lots of reasons, and many congressional committees and federal agencies are investigating. But there is one contributing factor that’s easy to fix — update the Electoral Count Act (ECA), a law passed in 1887 that spells out Congress’ role in counting the Electoral College votes every four years.
But, despite having clear legislative intent at the time, the ECA is ambiguous, out of date, and contributed to the electoral chaos that we saw this year.
In episode 31, Weston talks with two experts on the Electoral Count Act about how this arcane legislation came to be, how it gave rise to confusion and misinterpretation about Congress’ role in the 2020 presidential election, and why Congress must update it now.
Guests:
- Genevieve Nadeau, Counsel at Protect Democracy
- Matthew Seligman, Special Counsel at Campaign Legal Center
To learn more about Democracy Matters, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://www.democracygroup.org/shows/democracy-matters
There is an emerging trend in the world of political fundraising — grifters preying on the elderly and others with fake campaigns.
The worst part? There are barely any laws on the books to stop them.
In episode 30, Weston chats with Daily Beast reporter Roger Sollenberger about “scam PACs” and how they have been used to con unsuspecting Americans into contributing to fake causes and campaigns.
Guest:
- Roger Sollenberger, Reporter at The Daily Beast
To learn more about Democracy Paradox, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://www.democracygroup.org/shows/democracy-paradox
There’s no denying it: big money plays a massive role in American politics. In fact, since Citizens United, just 12 megadonors contributed a combined $3.4 billion to federal candidates and political groups — accounting for about $1 of every $13 in federal elections.
In episode 29, Weston is joined by an expert in the campaign finance research field to discuss the role of megadonors in today’s elections and what these wealthy elites’ influence could mean for our political system and democracy going forward.
Guest:
- Sheila Krumholz, Executive Director at OpenSecrets.org
To learn more about Democracy Works, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://www.democracygroup.org/shows/democracy-works
In episode 28 of Swamp Stories, Weston chats with former Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) about what it was like being a member of Congress, how she would fix our broken political system, and the RV trip that she took across America alone after the 2016 election to better understand the rise of Donald Trump.
This is the fourth episode in our periodic series of longform conversations between host Weston Wamp and leaders in the political reform movement.
Guest:
- Former Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)
To learn more about How Do We Fix It?, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://www.democracygroup.org/shows/how-do-we-fix-it
The Federal Election Commision (FEC) has long been plagued by gridlock and dysfunction — known for its inaction and ideological and partisan divides. In episode 27, Weston chats with the current chair and two former FEC commissioners to explore how the agency got to this place, and what can be done to help make the nation’s campaign finance watchdog more functional and effective.
Guests:
- Shana M. Broussard, Current Commissioner and Chair of the Federal Election Commission
- Ann Ravel, Former Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission
- Michael Toner, Former Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission
To learn more about Let's Find Common Ground, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://www.democracygroup.org/shows/lets-find-common-ground
This is the third episode in a periodic series of conversations between Swamp Stories host Weston Wamp and leaders in the political reform movement.
In this episode, former Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI) joins Weston to chat about the need for political reform, the problems Ribble sees with his own party’s narrative on elections, and the prospects for bipartisan compromise in the current Congress.
Guest:
- Former Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI)
To learn more about Our Body Politic, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1533069868
We're following up on the last episode of Swamp Stories by taking a deeper dive into the world of "dark money" and examining a once rare strategy that's used to funnel this unaccountable cash through 501(c)(4)s and into the hands of super PACs — all while keeping the identities of the original donors in the shadows.
With the help of his guests, Weston shines a light on how this strategy works and explores legislative steps that Congress could take to make dark money less secretive.
Guests:
- Former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA)
- Danielle Caputo, Legislative Affairs and Programs Counsel at Issue One
- Anna Massoglia, Investigative Researcher at OpenSecrets
To learn more about Politics in Question, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://www.politicsinquestion.com/
More than $1 billion worth of unaccountable "dark money" flowed into the 2020 election at the federal level. This secretive spending by groups with anonymous donors has a corrosive influence on American politics and leaves voters and candidates in the dark about who is attempting to influence their votes and the outcome of an election.
As Congress considers campaign finance and other political reforms, Weston chats with two experts about how this undisclosed cash is thriving and why both political parties should join together to promote greater transparency in campaign spending.
Guests:
- Michael Beckel, Research Director at Issue One
- Anna Massoglia, Investigative Researcher at OpenSecrets
To learn more about Democracy in Danger, another show in the Democracy Group podcast network, visit: https://medialab.virginia.edu/democracyindanger
The 2020 election was called "the most secure election in American history" by the federal government's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Against the backdrop of a worldwide pandemic, running the election was no small task. Across the country, state and local election officials worked tirelessly to administer safe, free, and fair elections.
In episode 23, Weston chats with three of these officials about how they helped make the 2020 election successful despite the numerous challenges they faced.
Guests:
- Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State
- Adrian Fontes, Former Maricopa County Recorder
- Shane Schoeller, Missouri’s Greene County Clerk
President Trump and his supporters ran a months-long campaign to attack the 2020 presidential election and undermine the democratic process. One of the most notable attacks was launched on the results in Pennsylvania by the man once known as "America's mayor" — Rudy Giuliani. Dispatched by the Trump campaign, Giuliani led the charge with baseless claims of voter fraud and attacks on mail-in voting.
In episode 22, Weston unpacks what occurred in Pennsylvania to shine a light on how disinformation was used to raise doubts about the integrity of the state's election.
Guest:
- Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge (R)
In 2020 politics, Georgia was ground zero. It came to be a swing state in the defeat of the incumbent president, and it flipped the Senate with the defeat of two Republican senators.
And lots happened in between Election Day in November and the Senate runoffs in January that shook Georgia and the U.S. Senate.
In episode 21, Weston tells the inside story of how Georgia exposed the lie about election fraud, and reveals how Republicans lost those two Senate seats in Georgia — in part because they couldn't stop attacking our elections.
COVID-19 has changed many aspects of everyday life, including the way many Americans are voting. Because of this, people have increasingly begun to wonder about delayed election results, or contested outcomes, or even the possibility that a candidate may not concede. But in the middle of all this, a group of well-respected Americans has come together to defend the integrity of our elections, ensure that every American's vote is counted this November, and instill confidence that we can hold a safe, secure, and successful election this year — just like we did through both world wars and another pandemic. Listen to Weston speak with two of them in this episode.
Guests:
- Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Member of the National Council on Election Integrity
- Former Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), Member of the National Council on Election Integrity
This year, many Americans are worried that the 2020 elections will be contested, chaotic, and drawn out, leading to comparisons with the infamous 2000 Bush vs. Gore election that was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court.
Weston sat down with Leonard Downie Jr., Executive Editor of the Washington Post during the 2000 election,to unpack what happened in 2000, what if any parallels there are to this year's election, and how politics and journalism has changed since 2000.
This is the second episode in a periodic series of conversations between Swamp Stories host Weston Wamp and leaders in the political reform movement.
This week, AND Campaign’s Co-founder Justin Giboney joins Weston to discuss the intersection of faith and politics, separating identity from political party, and how people of faith can put their faith in action in this election and beyond.
Running an election amidst a pandemic presents historic challenges — a problem made even more difficult by a new and unprecedented controversy about absentee voting, a well-established method of casting a ballot which is expected to double this election. Voters on both sides of the aisle are left wondering what the facts are, and whether or not we'll be able to trust the outcome because of it.
Host Weston Wamp sets the record straight by talking with two election experts about absentee voting, fraud, and the Post Office’s ability to handle the increase in mail-in ballots.
Guests:
- Amber McReynolds; National Vote at Home Institute, CEO
- Tammy Patrick; Democracy Fund, Senior Advisor to the Elections Program
Issue One hosted a roundtable with faith leaders to explore how people of faith and church communities can engage civically to promote shared values and integrity in a volatile election year. The “People of Faith: Engage 2020” summit featured Christian musician Michael W. Smith, longtime Southern Baptist leader Dr. Richard Land, President Obama’s evangelical outreach leader Michael Wear, & Campaign Co-Founder Justin Giboney, and young author and theologian, Kaitlyn Schiess. The conversation was moderated by Issue One's ReFormers Caucus Co-chair and former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp and Weston Wamp, Issue One’s Senior Political Strategist.
A unique bipartisan group of over 200 former members of Congress, governors, and Cabinet officials has come together to build off their experiences while in office and advocate for solutions to fix our broken political system. Weston chats with a few of these ReFormers about their time in Washington, their personal swamp stories, and what they’re doing to help increase transparency, improve civic participation, and make our political leaders more accountable to the American people.
Guests:
- Former Amb. Connie Morella (R-MD), Issue One ReFormers Caucus Co-chair
- Former Amb. Tim Roemer (D-IN), Issue One ReFormers Caucus Co-chair
- Former Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), Issue One ReFormers Caucus Member
Host Weston Wamp examines the history of conservatives opposing political reform over the years, and looks at how a new wave of Republican reformers is turning the tide when it comes to fixing the political system. Listen to this episode to hear Weston speak with some of these reformers, including a member of Congress, to build the conservative case for reform.
Guests:
- Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI)
- Luke Knittig, Senior Director of Communications at the McCain Institute
- John Pudner, Executive Director of Take Back our Republic
- Nilmini Rubin, Co-Founder of Fix the System
At the end of its 2020 term, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on what might seem like an obscure question in Constitutional law, but could have huge ramifications in elections this November and beyond. Democracy Works, Swamp Stories' partner in the Democracy Group podcast network, dives into the ruling on “faithless electors” in this episode featuring Issue One’s Executive Director Meredith McGehee.
We’re introducing the first episode in a periodic series of conversations between Swamp Stories host Weston Wamp and leaders in the political reform movement. This episode's guest: Nick Penniman, Founder and CEO of Issue One
The CARES Act, which was signed into law in March, was intended to help with the crippling economic effects America was experiencing due to COVID-19. But it also opened the floodgates to a lobbying frenzy by big businesses attempting to influence where funds should go. In episode 13, Weston looks at those efforts to shape the CARES Act, and the critical importance of ensuring that these kind of programs are transparent and that taxpayers can see where their money is going.
Guests:
- Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)
- Danielle Brian, Project on Government Oversight Executive Director
The influence industry looms large in policymaking in Washington, DC, and the big players are lobbyists. Because of legal loopholes, more people than ever who make a living lobbying Congress are skirting the rules with impunity to avoid registering as a lobbyist and wearing the scarlet "L." On episode 12, Weston wades into the world of “shadow lobbying” to give listeners an inside look into what lobbying actually means, how influencers are able to easily get around the rules, and introduces us to a Republican and a Democrat who are working to close loopholes to ensure that the way decisions are made is transparent for Americans.
Guests:
- Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA)
- Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN)
Congressional approval ratings have been at an all-time low in recent years. But a small group of members in Congress — and dedicated political reform groups — are trying to turn that around and make Congress more functional and responsive to the American people. This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes for an up-close look at one of the few bright spots in Washington — the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.
This episode has been updated with additional information.
Guest List:
- Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Chairman of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
- Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
- Rep. William Timmons (R-SC), Member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
- Betsy Wright Hawkings, Managing Partner, Article One Advisors, LCC
- Erin Hustings, Legislative Counsel, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)
- J.B. Lyon, Co-founder of the Rebuild Congress Initiative; Managing Director of Mt. Independent Investments
- Bruce Patton, Co-founder of the Rebuild Congress Initiative; Co-founder of the Harvard Negotiation Project and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School
We joined some of our fellow Democracy Group members for a special bonus episode about COVID-19's impact on politics at the local, state, national, and international levels.
On this episode:
- Jenna Spinelle: Host of Democracy Works
- Luke Knittig: Host of In the Arena
- Jeremi Suri: Host of This is Democracy
- Rachel Tausenfreund: Host of Out of Order
- Weston Wamp: Host of Swamp Stories
One of the biggest challenges COVID-19 poses to our democracy? Holding safe, secure, and fair elections this year. Our democracy is at risk if states don’t adequately prepare for the various threats that this viral outbreak presents to the smooth running of our elections. In this episode, we talk with leading voices at the state and national level about how coronavirus affects voting, the task ahead for states and election administrators, and how our elections can be held safely this year.
Guests:
- Michael Steele, Former Republican National Committee Chair
- Denise Merrill, Connecticut Secretary of the State
Additional Resources:
- Op-ed: “How Congress must aid states to ensure safe and secure elections” (April 2020)
- Washington Post: We need to pay for our democracy (March 2020)
- Issue One applauds downpayment on voting assistance in stimulus bill, calls on Congress to provide more resources in future measures (March 2020)
- Letter from Michael Steele and the U.S. Vote Foundation to the Senate Rules Committee urging funding for state (March 2020)
- Bipartisan Policy Center: The November Presidential Election Needs Emergency Federal Funding (March 2020)
- National Conference of State Legislatures: State Laws Governing Early Voting
Recent news reports have exposed that some members of Congress dumped stock after receiving classified congressional briefings on COVID-19. We're going to talk about how lawmakers are able to use their positions of power for personal financial gain through insider trading — and what Congress can do to stop it.
Episode Guests:
- Former Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN), Issue One ReFormers Caucus Co-chair
- Meredith McGehee, Issue One Executive Director
Resources:
- Issue One Report: The Ethics Blind Spot (February 2018)
- How Congress can prevent conflicts of interest (April 2020)
- Insider Trading by Members of Congress Must Be Stopped (April 2020)
In 2016 and 2018, foreign actors including Russia, China, and Iran interfered in our elections and tried to disrupt our political system. Here’s how we can stop them from succeeding in 2020.
Guests:
- Sen. James Lankford (R-OK)
- Amb. Tim Roemer (D-IN), Issue One ReFormers Caucus Co-Chair
- Nick Penniman, Issue One Founder and CEO
- Liz Howard, Counsel, Brennan Center’s Democracy Program
Learn more about Issue One's "Don't Mess With US" project and solutions to help prevent foreign interference in our political system at https://www.dontmesswithus.org.
You can find all episodes of Swamp Stories at https://www.swampstories.org.
Conventional wisdom says the candidate who has the most money wins on election night. But that’s not always true, and we’ll talk about how David has beaten Goliath in recent years as candidates turn to small-dollar fundraising, digital-first campaigns, and grassroots armies to beat the system.
This is a guest episode from the "Democracy Works" podcast. Swamp Stories will return on March 16 with a new episode. Full notes at www.swampstories.org.
Follow Issue One on Twitter.
In 2010, the Supreme Court opened the floodgates to record amounts of secret cash flowing into our elections. Here’s how it works - and why we have to stop it.
Guests:
- Former Rep. J.C. Watts (R-OK)
- Anna Massoglia, Center for Responsive Politics, Researcher
More show notes at www.swampstories.org. Follow Issue One on Twitter. Follow Weston Wamp on Twitter.
“Politicians should not choose their voters.” That simple statement is at the heart of why no reform issue has gained more crosspartisan momentum in recent years than getting rid of so-called gerrymandering. But both parties have years of work and millions of dollars invested in drawing districts that benefit one team more than the other.
Guests:
- Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and former presidential candidate
- Katie Fahey, The People, Executive Director
- Josh Silver, Represent.Us, Executive Director
More show notes at www.swampstories.org. Follow Issue One on Twitter. Follow Weston Wamp on Twitter.
Billionaires, political consultants, and the super PACs have more control in our political system than ever. And both parties are playing the game to win. Here’s how to begin fixing it.
Guests
- Mark McKinnon, former George W. Bush & John McCain political advisor, Host of SHOWTIME's "The Circus"
- Trevor Potter, former Federal Election Commission Chair & Campaign Legal Center Founder and President
More show notes at www.swampstories.org. Follow Issue One on Twitter. Follow Weston Wamp on Twitter.
Little-known slush funds let elected leaders vacation at five-star resorts, spend tens of thousands of dollars at steakhouses steps from the Capitol, and upgrade their wardrobe one pair of shoes at a time — all under the guise of “fundraising.” But learn about why living lavishly leads to one member of Congress being thrown in jail, and others treating it as business as usual.
Guests
- Former Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)
- Issue One Legislative Director Tyler Cole
More show notes at www.swampstories.org. Follow Issue One on Twitter. Follow Weston Wamp on Twitter.
During their orientation on Capitol Hill, new members of Congress learn about a decades-old tradition often referred to as dialing for dollars, or dues. Political leaders effectively turn newly elected lawmakers into telemarketers — exchanging seats on committees for contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and sometimes millions, to the political parties.
Guests:
- Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL)
- Former Rep. Vic Fazio (D-CA) & Former DCCC Chair
- Issue One Research Director Michael Beckel
More show notes at www.swampstories.org. Follow Issue One on Twitter. Follow Weston Wamp on Twitter.
In 2003, PhRMA and other special interests in Washington overcame conservative opposition in Congress — including then-Reps. Mike Pence (R-IN), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and others — to pass the largest social welfare program in a generation, Medicare Part D (the prescription drug program). But what nobody knew at the time was one member of Congress in particular was cashing in and preparing to walk through the revolving door to work for the pharmaceutical industry.
Guests:
- Former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) & former Heritage Foundation President
- Former Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) & Issue One ReFormers Caucus Co-chair
- Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee
More show notes at www.swampstories.org. Follow Issue One on Twitter. Follow Weston Wamp on Twitter.
Issue One is the leading crosspartisan political reform group in Washington, uniting Republicans, Democrats, and independents to fix our broken system. More info at IssueOne.org.