Inside Political Science #040 – Power, Primaries and the President

Between the recent U.S. Senate primary elections and the developing conflict with Iran, tensions are rising in Washington, D.C. That begs the question: what power does President Trump hold, and does he have the support of the American people? Kirby and Todd agree that U.S. citizens do not seem to be backing the President’s choice to ignite war in the same way they have in the past. The two argue that presidents seem to face less constraint in foreign relations than in domestic affairs. At the same time, recent U.S. Senate primaries suggest that the President’s endorsements seem to be the predictor of who wins within the party. Kirby and Todd question whether Texas has the potential to turn blue as U.S. Senate Democratic candidate James Talarico gains popularity. Does he pose a threat to the Texas Republican Party? The hosts also discuss the pros and cons of presidential appointments and the interests of each political party when selecting politicians for those roles. Tune in to hear how power, primaries, and the politics of war will continue to shape the U.S. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.