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. Sr. Political Commentator

@CNN

. Author, Believer: My Forty Years in Politics. Host of The Axe Files & Hacks on Tap podcasts.

Joined January 2011

1,184 Following

1.4M Followers

David Axelrod’s Tweets

48m

As the battle rages over what can be read in public schools, Inaugural poet

@AmandaGorman

speaks out about "the naysayers against representation in literature," and the cost she sees of book banning to students. On the #AxeFiles! Pod here👉link.chtbl.com/dmhdXoXN

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Dems should challenge Rs to lay out in detail the cuts they are asking.

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The debt ceiling standoff is shaping up alot like the failed attempt to "repeal and replace" the ACA. Rs never could come up with the "replace." Now spending cuts is the mantra. Everyone likes THAT...until you say what it means. That's why the @GOP hasn't spelled their cuts out!

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This is one that will play, in different ways. to the bases of BOTH parties. Dems hail

@RepAdamSchiff

for the heroic role he played at a dark time in our history. It also made him a prime target of Trump & Far RIght, to whom

@SpeakerMcCarthy

, by his own admission, owes so much.

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Kevin McCarthy

@SpeakerMcCarthy

Jan 25

I have rejected the appointments of Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell for the House Intelligence Committee. I am committed to returning the @HouseIntel Committee to one of genuine honesty and credibility that regains the trust of the American people.

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@GOP

hasn't spelled their cuts out!

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No There There (with Bill Kristol) — Hacks on Tap

Jan 25

The Docudrama in Washington continues! Hot takes on the classified docs firestorm w@murphymike &

@BillKristol

(and we got together BEFORE

@Mike_Pence

jumped in the mix. That, and lots of other stuff that will make you laugh...& cry!

@HacksonTap

is back!

hacksontap.com

Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the ongoing classified documents probe and the impact it could have on 2024, Ron Klain’s departure from the White House,...

via

Opinion | A Tale of Two Jewish Leaders

Zelensky and Netanyahu differ when it comes to crooks and government.

Don't know how this plays out but message clarity and discipline tend to cut through. No one is firing at

@PaulVallas

yet in the Chicago mayoral primary but he is undoubtedly gaining ground by focusing monomanicaly on the runaway top issue: crime and public safety.

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Paul Vallas

@PaulVallas

I’m running for Mayor to make Chicago safer for every resident. Having the support of people throughout our great city is what will make that possible.

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When, at 22,

was named Inaugural poet, she was thrilled. Then came the insurrection. "I wrote the majority of the poem the night of 1/6. I was like, 'This has to be part of the heartbeat of this poem,'" she says on #AxeFiles. Pod👉https:// link.chtbl.com/dmhdXoXN

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8.8K views

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Beyond the gun debate per se, what is happening in our society that encourages people to think that the way to deal with petty differences is to use them? It happens on the streets of our cities every day.

‘Tragedy Upon Tragedy’: January Brings Dozens of Mass Shootings So Far

In the first three weeks of 2023, at least 67 people have been killed in mass shootings across the country, including two within days of each other in California.

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Now ⁦

⁩? Man, we're going to be lousy with special counsels!!

washingtonpost.com

Classified documents discovered at home of former VP Mike Pence

A lawyer for Pence, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, found the documents during a search of the former vice president’s Carmel, Ind., home, according to letters to the National Archives....

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.⁦

⁩ is serious, thoughtful lawmaker. But he's going to have his hands full as new Rules chair paying off ⁦

@SpeakerMcCarthy

⁩'s debts to some of the nihilist right who exacted membership on this key panel as price for their support.

politico.com

Rule makers, rule breakers

As a past Mark Twain award-winner, which of your fellow comics do YOU enjoy, Congressman? I know, I know, folks. Too easy. And kind of sad to watch a disturbed young man embarrass himself on a global stage. Sadder, still, for the people of his district who he brazenly defrauded.

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George Santos

@Santos4Congress

Jan 23

I have now been enshrined in late night TV history with all these impersonations, but they are all TERRIBLE so far. Jon Lovitz is supposed to be one of the greatest comedians of all time and that was embarrassing— for him not me! These comedians need to step their game up.

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Already Sparking Outrage, the Right’s Plan To Trample the Judiciary Is Only in Phase One

As one of his first acts since returning to power, a prime minister who is under criminal indictment is-perhaps predictably-setting out to destroy one of the bedrocks of Israeli democracy: her judicial system. What a disgrace! A shanda!

haaretz.com

268

Amid the aftermath of 1/6,

uplifted our country w/her stirring Inaugural poem on the Capitol steps. On #AxeFiles, she speaks about the link between her poetry & passion for democracy--& why it may lead her to other forms of service. Pod👉link.chtbl.com/dmhdXoXN

0:36

13.1K views

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

Jan 23

How about the side effects of COVID?!? My God, more than a million Americans have died from it? Seven million worldwide.

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@RepMTG

Jan 23

Many took the vaccine because they thought it was the right thing to do or just had to to keep their jobs, military positions, education pursuits, or other scenarios. The side effects are real. This is a time for compassion and helping one another, not political fighting.

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On #AxeFiles, Inaugural poet

speaks about the organizing power of poetry and song. "A lot of those Negro spirituals are gorgeous. They are immaculate. But if you look at them structurally, they're coded messages about how to escape." Pod👉link.chtbl.com/dmhdXoXN

0:52

13.5K views

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Whoever takes on the WHCOS job post-Klain had better be battle-tested. With the

@GOP

House subpoena factory and a presumed campaign looming, that corner office will have more than usual the feel of a bunker. Not for the faint of heart!

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This is a MADE IN AMERICAN crisis! We have nearly half the privately owned guns in the world and, guess what? Exponentially more gun violence! And each time, we go through the ritual lamentations and get trapped in the same reflexive debates. Until the next one, and the next one.

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The New York Times

@nytimes

Breaking News: At least 10 people were killed in a shooting late Saturday in Monterey Park, California, just east of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that the gunman was still at large. nyti.ms/3XuO7DS

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Interesting to hear '21 Inaugural poet

, a Harvard grad, talk about the pending SCOTUS decision on affirmative action."I pray and hope that there is a decision that respects the importance of diversity in our institutions." Pod👉link.chtbl.com/dmhdXoXN

0:56

23.3K views

605

Jan 21

There's a half life in these jobs, but one thing is for sure:

@WHCOS

⁩ Ron Klain is a tough, savvy & experienced hand who has the president's confidence & has steered the Biden administration through big challenges in 2 productive years. He'll be missed.

Ron Klain Expected to Step Down as Biden’s White House Chief of Staff

Mr. Klain’s departure would mark a rare moment of high-level turnover in an administration that has been remarkably stable through two years of crises and political battles.

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Thank you,

, for all of your many contributions to the success of

! And, yes, with

@HeidiHeitkamp

at the helm, the IOP's future is bright!!

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Amy Walter

@amyewalter

Jan 21

Had a great time yesterday celebrating 10th anniversary of @UChiPolitics . What an amazing institution @davidaxelrod has built. It will only get bigger and better w/ @HeidiHeitkamp at the helm and @zeenat behind the wheel!

Can't wait to welcome

@SecBlinken

, a former Pritzker IOP Fellow, back to

UChicago Institute of Politics (IOP)

TOMORROW to help us mark our first 10 years! And a terrific day chat with him on what also will be the 2d anniversary of the Biden Adminstration. (#AxeFiles to follow!)

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Jan 18

We are delighted that @SecBlinken will be joining us at @UChicago this Friday to help celebrate our 10-year anniversary. Watch along with us: youtu.be/nZ35P1eBx2Y

No one who watched the brilliant t young poet,

, deliver her powerful reading at

@POTUS

's inauguration would have guessed that she's battled a lifelong speech impediment. She discusses that challenge in a new, can't miss #AxeFiles! Pod👉link.chtbl.com/dmhdXoXN

0:59

10.6K views

360

If they're willing to risk tipping the country into default to get what they want, shouldn't House Republicans SAY what they want and release a detailed list of the spending cuts they are demanding?

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What a joy to spend an hour with the inspiring young Inaugural poet/activist

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

, 2 yrs after she lifted us from the steps of a violence-torn Capitol. Clips to follow but I urge you to listen to this episode of the #AxeFiles. She is special!

link.chtbl.com

David Axelrod, the founder and director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and CNN bring you The Axe Files, a series of revealing interviews with key figures in the political world....

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The ransom is paid.

Right-Wing Trump Allies Win Seats on Oversight, Reflecting G.O.P. Priorities

Some of the former president’s most outspoken defenders will sit on the House’s main investigative committee, underscoring their high-profile roles in the new Republican majority.

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, one of the world's most impressive leaders, is stepping down as PM of NZ. "...Leading a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have. You cannot and should not do it unless you have a full tank plus a bit in reserve."

washingtonpost.com

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resigns ahead of election

Jacinda Ardern, who won global acclaim for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic, will step down after her center-left Labour Party votes on a new leader.

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George Santos accused of stealing funds for veteran's dying dog as accusations pile up

Of all the blatant lies and twisted schemes, cheating a vet out of money to help save his beloved dog may be the one that finally sinks Santos. I mean, how creepy is THAT??* *Asked for a four-legged friend!

cbsnews.com

The Republican is facing growing calls to resign as stories about his past continue to surface.

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911

Jan 18

This week is the 2d anniversary of the inauguration at which the remarkable ⁦

WATCH: Amanda Gorman reads inauguration poem, 'The Hill We Climb'

⁩, 22, electrified w/the poem below. I sat down w/her this week to talk about that day & her extraordinary life. New #AxeFiles TOMORROW! Hope you'll listen!

youtube.com

Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old poet, read an original work at President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.After Biden was sworn in as the nation’s 46th presi...

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Jan 18

Folks who are threatening default as a political strategy should sober up. It would be a catastrophe, not just on Wall Street but Main Street and for every American. And those who light the fuse will pay the price!

As Debt Limit Threat Looms, Wall Street and Washington Have Only Rough Plans

A default would most likely rattle markets and carry big risks, no matter how the Federal Reserve and Treasury try to curb the fallout.

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Jan 17

The election denial that Trump unleashed is a deadly virus that can lead to potentially tragic results. This is just the latest case of it. As we saw on 1/6, it becomes a rationale in the minds of the infected for lawlessness and violence.

Republican Ex-Candidate Arrested in Shootings Targeting New Mexico Democrats

The authorities in Albuquerque said that Solomon Peña, who lost his bid for a State House seat in November, was behind a series of recent shootings targeting Democratic elected officials.

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Life on Delay by John Hendrickson: 9780593319130 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

Jan 17

Just read an advance copy of Life on Delay: Making Peace with a Stutter, a tremendously moving memoir by the gifted

@JohnGHendy

@TheAtlantic

. I highly, highly recommend it! Goes on sale today!

penguinrandomhouse.com

An intimate, candid memoir about a lifelong struggle to speak. • “Soulful...Hendrickson provides a raw, intimate look at his life with a stutter. It’s a profoundly moving book...

Ok, time's up. For

too?

Still a lot of time, though.

Also never seen

so flat and ineffective in a win-or-go-home game. Looks like he's 45 yrs old out there!

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Never seen a pro kicker miss FOUR extra points in a game before. In the PLAYOFFS, no less!!

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Jan 17

WH is trapped in the classic bind between lawyers prudently urging "no comment" while Special Counsel probe is underway, and the political imperative for full transparency. Lawyers usually win.

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Jan 16

Relieved that he used quotation marks.

Quote Tweet

George Santos

@Santos4Congress

Jan 16

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Today we remember the immeasurable contributions, life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. #MartinLutherKingJrDay

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