The Jackpod: History, literature and politics with Jack Beatty

In this new weekly special podcast, On Point’s news analyst Jack Beatty offers his unique perspective and insight on aspects of current political life in the U.S.

An American flag flaps in the wind in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP)

The Jackpod: The uncertainty of existence

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on evidence the U.S. is failing at the fundamental mission of keeping its people alive, and the correlation between politics and life expectancy in...

32:24Dec 1, 2023

Donald Trump is surrounded by Army cadets. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The Jackpod: The 'F-word'

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the rise in Donald Trump’s use of rhetoric and imagery associated with 1930’s Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Two leading historians say the...

31:21Nov 17, 2023

The welcome sign on the Massachusetts state border with New Hampshire. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

The Jackpod: Last exit or 'Live free or die'

Jack Beatty tells us about the history of New Hampshire primary voters ending the candidacies of Democratic presidents seeking reelection, and asks whether President Biden could suffer the same fate...

32:53Nov 10, 2023

(Original Caption) 10/4/1965- New York, NY- Bright skies was the setting as United States President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the new, liberalized U.S. Immigration bill into law. Attending the ceremony on Liberty Island, which is the home of "Miss Liberty," was a host of New York City, State and National Officials. Here, surrounding the President (L-R) are: Vice President Hubert Humphrey; the First Lady; Mrs. Mike Mansfield (wife of the Senate Majority Leader); Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Robert Kennedy.

Unintended consequences: Jack Beatty on the political legacy of the 1965 Immigration Act

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty tells us why he thinks the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, and the subsequent rise in immigration, shapes today’s politics, and growing anti-democratic sentiment.

45:29Nov 3, 2023

In this Monday, July 7, 2014, file photo, Chicago police display some of the thousands of illegal firearms they have confiscated so far this year in their battle against gun violence in Chicago. The recent mass shooting at an Oregon community college has put the debate over gun violence and gun control into the center of the presidential race. At least some of the Republicans who are running have pointed to Chicago as proof that gun control laws don't work. (M. Spencer Green/ AP)

A republic of fear: Jack Beatty on America’s broken social contract

After a mass shooting in Maine, On Point news analyst Jack Beatty turns to 17th century philosopher Thomas Hobbes to try to understand why gun ownership is so prevalent in...

33:41Oct 27, 2023

Former U.S. President Donald Trump enters Erie Insurance Arena for a political rally while campaigning for the GOP nomination in the 2024 election on July 29, 2023 in Erie, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

'Pathologize': Jack Beatty on psychiatric name-calling in the 2024 campaign

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty tells us that accusing presidential candidates of being mentally unfit for office has a dubious history in American politics.

37:08Oct 20, 2023

An anti-war protestor holds an upside-down American Flag during a demonstration against war in Iraq and Iran outside the White House on January 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Alex Edelman/Getty Images)

Kakistocracy: Jack Beatty on government by the worst

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty tells us how a second Trump administration could drastically weaken federal agencies and increase the power of the president.

29:00Oct 13, 2023

Newly-elected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks to reporters after a contentious battle to lead the GOP majority in the 118th Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

'I voted my district': Jack Beatty on who the McCarthy ousters represent

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty tells us what stands to him out about the districts of the eight representatives who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the...

28:06Oct 6, 2023

(Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd via Getty Images)

The line: Jack Beatty on the sources of white working-class anxiety

On Point News analyst Jack Beatty explores Donald Trump's appeal to voters who see their dignity affronted daily. Plus, a searing message for Democrats and President Biden from one Black...

23:47Sep 29, 2023

Simon Denby, a 49 year old apprentice instructor, helps a student at Ironworkers local 29 steel work in Dayton, Ohio, on October 24, 2022. - In the face of the rising prices that are crushing this election campaign, Joe Biden is hammering home his message: the tens of billions of dollars voted on by the Democrats will revive American manufacturing and its "good-paying jobs." He is trying to reconnect with the white working class, which has been largely lost to a Democratic Party that has long supported free trade. But in Ohio, where Donald Trump came out on top in the last two presidential elections, inflation and a deep sense of disenfranchisement are hampering this strategy. (Photo by Megan JELINGER / AFP) (Photo by MEGAN JELINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Captured: Jack Beatty on the fall in Black and Hispanic working-class support for Democrats

Jack Beatty offers his unique perspective and insight on aspects of current political life in the U.S. In this episode, what’s behind a raft of polls showing a deterioration in...

31:05Sep 21, 2023

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a political rally while campaigning for the GOP nomination in the 2024 election at Erie Insurance Arena on July 29, 2023 in Erie, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Sacrifice: Jack Beatty on the sunk moral cost of the Trump supporter

In this weekly podcast, Jack Beatty offers his unique perspective and insight on aspects of current political life in the U.S. In this episode, the tenacity of Donald Trump's most...

18:16Sep 15, 2023

An American flag waves. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

'Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?': Jack Beatty on the 2024 election

In this new weekly special podcast, On Point’s news analyst Jack Beatty offers his unique perspective and insight on aspects of current political life in the U.S. Today, the leading...

26:26Sep 8, 2023