Political Podcast Party
I got an email from a friend in New York last week, asking me for suggestions on good political podcasts to download onto his iPod. I had turned him onto Slate's Political Gabfest during his trip to Austin a few months ago, and he wanted more.
If YOU want or need more politics to tune into during your drive to work, or on your jog around Lady Bird Lake, here are some of my faves. I hope you will share your favorites, too.
Slate's Weekly Gabfest
The three regulars on the Gabfest are Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz. They pick three topics and talk about each, then wrap it all up with "cocktail chatter" - one piece of information from each that you can take to a cocktail party. I used to find Bazelon's voice kind of grating, but now I just appreciate her always-thoughtful points. They're snarky, irreverent and smart.
KCRW's Left, Right and Center
This is structured like the Gabfest, in which the moderator picks about two or three topics for the panelists to discuss. The difference with Left, Right and Center is you have one person representing each point of view, where the Gabfest's allegiances are murkier. It includes Ariana Huffington from The Huffington Post, Tony Blankley from The Washington Times, Matt Miller from the Center for American Progress and Robert Scheer from the San Francisco Chronicle.
The New Yorker's Campaign Trail
This is a far less snarky, far more measured discussion about the latest in the presidential race. The observations run from conventional wisdom to unconventionally provocative. This podcast sounds the most like NPR. They stay on track much better than the Gabfest, which can wander every once in a while.
Each of these podcast updates once a week and runs no longer than thirty minutes. Now, it's your turn. Share your favorite political podcasts with me.
Comments
NPR's "It's All Politics" is also very funny and insightful.
Posted by: Larkin | February 1, 2008 12:59 PM