It's A Free Country: The Podcast

The Last Podcast (For Now)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:13:31 -0500

Episode #9: The push from the Iowa Caucuses through Super Tuesday is done, and Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale and Todd Zwillich are going to pack up the big tent until the Fall. Brian plays his lasting clip of Mitt Romney talking about firing people; Todd looks to the Fall for where women voters will land; and Anna talks about why no one seems to be connecting for the GOP. Thanks to all who've listened, we'll be back with more It's A Free Country: The Podcast in the runup to the conventions!

College Snobs; Rust Belt Bounces Back; and Obama's Sweet Spot

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:27:48 -0500

Episode #8: Brian Lehrer's back, and so is Mitt Romney? Brian, Todd Zwillich and Anna Sale discuss the Michigan and Arizona results; Rick Santorum's latest wild statement about "college snobs"; and how President Obama is going to use the auto bailout in his favor. Plus: do you believe the Rand Paul conspiracy theory?

Congress Plays Nice?; Social Issues Take Center Stage; and Buzzfeed's Ben Smith

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:40:54 -0500

Episode #7: Brian Lehrer is on vacation, so Buzzfeed's Ben Smith steps in to compete with Todd Zwillich and Anna Sale to play the week's most revealing clip. Todd isn't buying President Obama's enthusiasm about bipartisan progress in Washington; Ben can't believe everyone is talking about "transvaginal sonograms"; and Anna sees race and affirmative action on the 2012 horizon.

Class Warfare GOP Style, the Tea Party Bind, and Megadeth?

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:50:15 -0500

Episode #6: It may be the lull between Florida and Super Tuesday, but lots still going on in GOP race, including an interesting rural/urban divide as Rick Santorum gains momentum. Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale, and Todd Zwillich discuss what class warfare means for the GOP; if Romney can talk about the auto industry but not the bailout; and how the Tea Party continues to put Republican leadership in a bind. Oh, and yeah: Jeremy Lin.

The Sweet Meteor of Death, Dirty Harry Unites, and Obama Turns on the Money Faucet

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:35:28 -0500

Episode #5: Anna Sale is on vacation, so It's A Free Country blogger Karol Markowicz steps in alongside Todd Zwillich and Brian Lehrer to bring the week's most revealing clip. Karol is humored by Erick Erickson's "endorsement" in the GOP 2012 race; Todd bends the rules and puts a previous week's clip in a new context to talk about Obama and SuperPACs; and Brian sees Red America and Blue America united in Clint Eastwood's Super Bowl ad. Plus: a bonus, late-breaking clip from Todd on the Obama administration, contraceptives, and religious voters.

Don't forget this week's twitter challenge: Answer the question #WhatMatters? What really matters in our politics, and in Election 2012? Tweet #WhatMatters (See what others are saying)

The Gingrich Long-Tail, Romney "Not Concerned About Poor", and #EnoughWhat?

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:38:08 -0500

Episode #4: After Romney's decisive victory in Florida, is it just a matter of going through the motions until he's the nominee? Not according to Newt Gingrich and Todd Zwillich. Todd, Anna Sale and Brian Lehrer play their most revealing clips of the week and discuss the disappearing issue of poverty; Gingrich's February strategy; and Rick Santorum's "third-way" approach. Plus, Brian impersonates Howard Dean.

Don't forget this week's twitter challenge: Answer the question #EnoughWhat? What have you had enough of in the first month of Election 2012? Tweet #enoughwhat (See what others are saying)

Obama Pulls PAC Punch, Cantor's Lament, and Todd's REM Cycles

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500

Episode #3: At the State of the Union, President Obama talked about the "corrosive influence of money in politics," but perhaps most revealing was what he didn't mention. Anna Sale, Brian Lehrer and Todd Zwillich bring their most revealing clips of the week and discuss Obama's SuperPAC strategy; Eric Cantor's admission that bipartisanship doesn't always work; and how Todd should nap as he works the morning shift.

Story Pirates States of the Union (Exclusive Download)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:06:00 -0500

This is Politics Bites. Every once in a while we'll post short audio to It's A Free Country: The Podcast that deserves a little extra attention.

The Story Pirates take stories written by kids and turn them into musical theater. For the State of the Union 2012, It's A Free Country asked our audience to answer the question: “What would you say if you were addressing the country?”

The Story Pirates compiled the answers and some responses from their own workshops - with kids from ages 6 to 17 - and here are the results. Take a listen, download for free!

Stories in this piece include work from:

The Bronx Charter School for the Arts, Ann Ledo Director of Arts
Members of the A.C.T.I.O.N. (Activist Coming To Inform Our Neighborhoods) program in Hunts Point, BX
And Kids: Alexander, Omar, Alexis, Dawn, Many, Darius, Mora, and Athena!

Lots more about the Story Pirates on their website. They will also be performing this song on Thursday, January 26th at 92Y Tribeca. Special thanks to Lee Overtree, Eli Bolin and Sam Reiff Pasarew.

A message from the Story Pirates:

2012 is an election year, and a great opportunity to help kids learn about the political process! Story Pirates is proud to offer interactive civics assemblies and in-class workshops that cut through politicized arguments, engage kids in understanding how our system of government works and explore what it means to be a thoughtful, engaged citizen. Rooted in social studies standards, yet flexible enough to target specific academic goals of different schools and organizations, this very special Story Pirates program culminates in an exciting, election-themed show that brings students' words and ideas to life on stage. More at storypirates.org

George Wellington engineered this recording in WNYC's Studio 6.

Romney's Tax Rate, South Carolina, and Special Guest Ana Marie Cox

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:38:05 -0500

Episode #2: Mitt Romney revealed this week that he pays an effective tax rate of 15% — Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale, and Todd Zwillich discuss Romney's inability to shake the "Richie Rich" image. Plus, what White voters in South Carolina are looking for, and how Newt Gingrich may be using his conservative "dog whistle" on them. And special guest Ana Marie Cox of the Guardian brings a clip to the competition.

Brian, Anna and Todd Talk Mussolini, Moderates, and Beanbags

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:19:48 -0500

It's the day after a Romney sweep of Iowa and New Hampshire - and all eyes shift to South Carolina. Brian Lehrer, Anna Sale, and Todd Zwillich play their most revealing clips and talk about comparisons of Obama to fascists; why moderates feel left out; and how to play "cornhole."

Don't forget this week's twitter challenge: Update the phrase "Politics ain't beanbag" with a more modern activity Tweet #politicsisnot (See what others are saying)

Subscribe to It's A Free Country: The Podcast

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:29:47 -0500

Brian Lehrer and Caitlin Thompson welcome you to the podcast -- launching on January 11th.