WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

2,355
News #142

From the award-winning opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal, Paul Gigot, Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Kyle Peterson discuss the latest from Washington. Get critical perspective and the analysis you need on developments from the nation’s capital. Join them every weekday. Send your feedback to pwpodcast@wsj.com

Recent Episodes
  • The Federal Antitrust Plan to Hamstring Google Search
    Nov 22, 2024 – 25:37
  • Matt Gaetz Pulls His Nomination as Trump's Attorney General
    Nov 21, 2024 – 26:21
  • With GOP Senators Missing, Another Biden Judge Gets Confirmed
    Nov 20, 2024 – 23:44
  • All Things with Kim Strassel: Project 2025 and Conservatism During Trump’s Second Term
    Nov 19, 2024 – 29:32
  • Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Won't Concede to Dave McCormick
    Nov 19, 2024 – 24:26
  • Joe Biden Finally Allows Ukraine to Hit Certain Targets Inside Russia
    Nov 18, 2024 – 26:23
  • Can RFK Jr. Get Confirmed as Trump's Health Secretary?
    Nov 15, 2024 – 24:50
  • Why Did Trump Pick Gaetz and Gabbard?
    Nov 14, 2024 – 26:20
  • Trump, Biden and Ukraine / Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon
    Nov 13, 2024 – 23:11
  • All Things with Kim Strassel: Trump’s Cabinet and the Race to Replace Mitch McConnell
    Nov 12, 2024 – 25:50
  • Trump's Cabinet Considerations: Rubio, Waltz, Noem and Zeldin?
    Nov 12, 2024 – 27:07
  • The Second Trump Administration Begins to Take Shape
    Nov 11, 2024 – 24:09
  • The Ballot-Measure Results: Crime, Voting, Abortion and More
    Nov 8, 2024 – 26:53
  • Donald Trump’s Victory Triggers the Blame Game by Democrats
    Nov 7, 2024 – 24:05
  • Donald Trump’s Historic Comeback Ends with a Decisive Victory
    Nov 6, 2024 – 25:33
  • A Trump-Harris Coin Flip, as Voters Go to the Polls
    Nov 5, 2024 – 27:16
  • All Things with Kim Strassel: Election Day is Finally Here
    Nov 5, 2024 – 30:29
  • The Lessons of 2024 on Election Day Eve
    Nov 4, 2024 – 26:12
  • The 22 House Races That Could Decide Control of Congress
    Nov 1, 2024 – 26:09
  • The Critical Senate Races That Could Define the Next Presidency
    Oct 31, 2024 – 26:05
Recent Reviews
  • pinging pigeon
    Matt Gaetz
    considering the Gaetz track record for possible sex trafficking, and his role in unseating Kevin McCarthy, how can President Trump nominate Gaetz for Attorney General (with a straight face)?
  • CHGuy33
    Trump Supporters
    I think WSJ, even if they lean center-right, is like all other legacy media. And like the rest, fail or refuse to understand the traditional Trump supporters. His supporters are pro-free markets but anti-globalism; pro-strong military but anti-war; pro-legal immigration and vehemently anti-immigration. You can go on and on. And Trump gets that and that’s why he was voted into power, not the media. His mandate is to satisfy his constituents and not the media. The media could keep making fun of him and only provide opinions or do what they are expected to do at the first place, which is analyze and report news objectively as it happened.
  • Tigerjoboo
    Alysia get a microphone
    If you are going to participate in the podcast. Come out of the bathroom and go to a studio with a descent microphone.
  • Profspoon
    Informative
    They lean right no question.
  • GiveMeRealNewz
    Kyle’s World
    Kyle Peterson has more speaking time than the guests. Why don’t we rename the show as Kyle’s World. Podcast is not about you Kyle ! Let the guests speak. As usual, Kyle speaks more than his guests & takes up half the show running his mouth.
  • AustinBuff27
    Gone Downhill
    It was always a little biased and leaned right, but now it’s so blatantly neo-con warmongering that I can’t even get through an episode. Unfollowed.
  • 11Marigold
    All Things 👎🏻 Potomac 👍🏻
    All Things Considered is terrible. It’s not a podcast, just people coming on to repeat GOP talking points with absolutely no push-back whatsoever, no delving into the issues, minimal review of why they’re saying what they are. Sadly the hostess has become just a mouthpiece for the Trump Team within the GOP (including on Potomac Watch/etc), despite previously (within a few years ago) giving her own independent opinions. Gone is any nuance or independent thought or analysis. Potomac Watch approaches issues from a conservative lens with generally independent analysis and assessment (except for one hostess who sadly now just repeats whatever Trump says; see above).
  • Rjva
    Sometimes it’s interesting
    The audio quality can be really bad, which is weird because the regular WSJ news podcast has great audio. Sometimes I can’t even listen the audio is so bad. It’s really, really right wing sometimes. It’s nice to get another perspective and I know this is an opinion podcast, but there needs to be other opinions. I’m just listening to an opinion on the debate and the guest is from the Trump campaign! No opinion from the Democratic side. I listen to the Economist all the time which is left biased, but even they bring Republicans on their Checks and Balance. The WSJ regular news podcasts are good and informative. But the opinion podcasts are sometimes just trash.
  • Informed1952
    Glimmer of hope
    Kim Strassel’s interview with Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom Coalition (August 27) gave a big boost to my hope for a Trump/Vance victory. This group has the money, vision, plan and leadership to inform their group and mobilize them to vote in November. Thank you Kim! I am sharing this hopeful message with my friends.
  • This Ken
    Kim All Things Considered
    Why allow democrats to blatantly lie and promote their antisemitic nonsense with no corrections offered.
  • WoodMorger
    Molly Ball? Really?
    Please comment on the ideology behind the WSJ hiring practice? Trying to get a balanced view of politics? Assuming Emma knew Molly back in the day at the Times, maybe not. But Molly’s article in the Times a few years ago explaining how a cabal took out Trump was arrogant and scary. Why is she writing for WSJ? And, by the way, the shift to the Left on the reporting pages (not Editorial thank God) has been more than a little obvious.
  • 333710
    8/16 Kamala’s opportunity economy
    Great show as usual Kamala’s plan is a great recipe for more inflation, more foreclosures and higher taxes to immediately fund and ultimately bail out the ultimate failure of her plan. But she will get the votes from the immediate beneficiaries of the government handouts She’ll be the short term winner (president Kamala) - that’s the goal of those who put the economic opportunity plan together. She’s the useful idiot who will smile, giggle and laugh when presenting it.
  • misty3303
    Yes, but….
    Kim has great knowledge, insight and perspectives but to maintain credibility, pronouncing Kamala properly is critical! This seems to be a problem for many of the guests on this show. I’m not a Kamala supporter but can’t understand why her name is constantly mispronounced and why the hosts don’t coach on this.
  • Sapdoug
    Great Show - 8/8 Really Slick!
    Without a single word of criticism, only admiration, they accuse Minnesota Democrats of ballot harvesting - isn’t that illegal?
  • Burtb07
    Strass- oh yasss
    I have loved Kim’s warmth and intellect for a long time. Happy to have her interview subjects and I got a smile when I heard her try to subdue a chuckle in response to a quip from the guest.
  • someguysomewhere123
    Great content
    Love it
  • qrfggy
    Slow down!
    I don’t know what the time pressure was, but speaking at this unnatural rate of speed interferes with the ability of your audience to understand and process the information you are trying to get across to them. Surely the Wall Street Journal should be able to buy a bit more time. so SLOW DOWN and if you are all snorting cocaine before broadcasting please stop before you lose your audience or get admitted to a hospital!
  • Cathark
    All Things
    I enjoyed Kim’s first show and am looking forward to more!
  • zxz12321zxz
    Unbalanced, though could be great
    Paul does a nice job presenting a balanced view of issues but some, especially Kate, present a very unbalanced view of issues. I want to hear opinions but wise ones. It’s disappointing because she has some good points but she seemingly refuses to look at other reasonable perspectives allow them to balance out her views. If Paul (and some others who have more maturely developed views on the show) were on each day I would listen to the podcast every day. But I turn it off when Kate (and a couple others don’t seem to have the wisdom and balance that Paul does ) come on If I want a narrow view I can listen to newsmax or msnbc, but I want a more moderate conservative view like the WSJ can present
  • Hamster Calhoon
    One of the best Washington politics podcasts
    The Potomac podcast from The Wall Street Journal Opinion is one of two podcasts on Washington political analysis that I never miss. Excellent discussion from the center-right point of view. Very professionally conducted, and always an interesting and valued listen.
  • Baesgi
    Interesting and well researched analysis of current affairs
    I would probably fall more in the moderate Democratic spectrum, but I agree with many opinions that are presented here. It is important to hear both sides of the isle and form your own opinion. This podcast helps me to better understand the conservative position and see topics from new viewpoints by presenting it in clear and professional manner. Keep up the good work!
  • evjd
    Reason Reigns
    Always listen to Paul, Bill, and Kim who each have their own rational and sometimes different take on daily issues. Analysis by each is valued.
  • TXLandman1
    So Frustrating
    Acting like “Bipartisan Border Security Bill” does anything but legalize >1million illegal immigrants per year makes the most recent episode a complete whitewash of truth.
  • user in italy
    Great discussion
    Love the show.
  • 4your9sense
    Ukrainian support as discussed 2/16/24
    I found today’s show interesting about the status of the Ukrainian war, but lacking in a balanced perspective. if the Ukrainian support is so critical to both that nation and the United States, Mr Gigot, why not ask the question shouldn’t Biden be giving in on the southern border if that’s what it’s going to take for Congress to support the bill in front of it? In my view and a lot of people I know say if Biden wants the funding all he hast to do is to implement remain in Mexico and Congress will support the funding measure. America’s security against the invasion of young military age men from China, and other countries must come before Ukrainian security. This is not on Congress. It is on the White House.
  • Larsn44
    Kim is a treasure
    I love the podcast. I wish Alysia would lose the monotone and separate her words. She is difficult to understand.
  • Shoulderleen
    Best pod, WORST audio
    My favorite podcast of all time. Kim is a legend. However, the audio quality is SO BAD that I can only give two stars. I love the content but the conference call quality hurts my ears. Alysia Finley has boring/bad takes. Not on the same playing field as Kim Paul and Bill. WSJ - get these people some professional microphones for Heaven’s sake!! Especially Alysia if you keep her on!
  • KPMridge
    A must listen
    Informative and thought-provoking
  • RealCheeseFlavr
    Is one of the hosts drunk?
    My God, one of the women always sounds like she just polished off a fifth. I can’t listen to episodes she contributes to. She has a voice for writing columns. Edit: I don’t know when I wrote this review. PLEASE get her off. It’s unlistenable.
  • LJRAL
    Why more commercial breaks????
    Good content but too many add breaks.
  • Tracy6968
    Daily Listener
    Kimberley Strassel is one of the most intelligent columnists that I have ever read or heard. I’ve followed her for years. I tolerate this pod casts dislike of Trump to listen to her speak. Don’t forget that many of us that became professional people come from working class families of all races. A group that has been ignored and walked on by almost every president since Reagan except for Trump.
  • Spandata
    Great perspectives and no polemic rancor.
    Wow! I really appreciate your civility, broad-minded perspectives and respect for real dialogue that seems to seek the Middle Path.
  • tioleo8
    was much better at 1x week now diluted and repetitive
    echo chamber problem; kim straussel is a titan but the rest of the cast barely adds any value. when they went every day it dropped in quality but kept same if not longer runtime. turned into reading headlines and repeating Kims opinions. very little value in learning different opinions on major topics and very little inside baseball as it used to do when 1x a week.
  • Not bad otherwise
    Half-sided debates
    I don’t know why I expected this podcast to be fair and balanced anyway.
  • jbs1526
    Stick to what you know
    I usually agree with the views on Potomac Watch. But The podcast’s (allysia?) attempt to explain CBAMs, carbon vs carbon equivalents, and what constitutes “air pollution” makes it sound like they just read something on a message board. Regardless if your position on the topic, at least be able to explain it correctly…e.g. understand that air pollutants like nox and Sox are included in “carbon equivalent”.
  • Joe-in--San-Diego
    Audio Issues Continue
    Paul! What are we doing with your audio quality?? Are you broadcasting on AM radio and uploading it to a podcast?? Leadership is fixing problems. You’re failing.
  • Den 64
    President Trump
    Your podcast displays a dislike of President Trump that sticks out like a sore thumb. With all the crap thrown his way, he still got important things done. Too many to list here. I’d take a look in the mirror, because you’re not as smart as you like to think you are.
  • Turner Luce II
    Dr Sowell
    A national treasure and tragically under appreciated.
  • Ronnie Bobbie
    Great discussion
    Alesia is super bright but her monotone voice and run-on sentences loose me. She needs to shorten her discourse or change her voice inflection. She can’t keep up with the talent that surrounds her.
  • Cold-in-the-north:
    Inevitable Evolution
    Even this pod has evolved. Sadly it’s Fox redux.
  • Podcast Listener 2132022
    Foolish Ramblings of Bill and Kim
    Among the two, Bill has been more nonsensical lately
  • tha music mann
    Trash
    If I didn’t know the news source, I would’ve guessed Fox
  • rptrsn
    Trump sycophants
    Even as a conservative and WSJ subscriber the mindless ramblings of Kim Strassel are hard to listen to.
  • Chris Agh
    Potomac Watch
    WSJ,last bastion of journalism. C.Jensen
  • saginatio
    The best
    The best podcast out there.
  • cymjbk
    My go to podcast
    Always interesting and thoughtful. It’d be nice if they were longer and more frequent
  • browngangbc
    Charitable Funds
    I had a charitable giving fund that turned down a bequest I requested to a Christian group. “Impact Assets” claimed that my requested bequest posed some unnamed ethical violation. That’s all Impact Assets would say. I guarantee that the Christian group was a mainstream organization.
  • Gettawaygal
    My #1 Pick for News Analysis
    So refreshing to enjoy an in-depth discussion of newsworthy events, presented from different perspectives (all “center-right” but unflinchingly, honest, and based on the facts). Really appreciate this resource.
  • Bbrown718
    Meh
    As a dedicated centrist, this is just way too one sided for me. Maybe that’s the point of an opinion page, but really they skew so far to the right that it’s a bit ridiculous. I would feel the same for any serious news organization that put out radical left leaning opinions. I was hoping for rational discussions. This is just republican dogma propaganda.
  • EricNMa
    My everyday coffee in politics
    Always very insightful, meaningful, and aspirational.
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