Love new longer format with jack and dasha 🤩

On the whole, Politico remains one of the better and more in-depth news outlets out there. This podcast does still contain flashes of that serious and informative reporting, but has been declining in quality over the past year or so. This podcast, along with much of the media, is still clearly floundering with how to report on the Trump administration. For all the recent negative reviews complaining of left-wing bias, you won’t find much here. Instead you will find palace intrigue and little else of substance. Perhaps leaning into the gossip is how this podcast plans to handle the next four (or more) years, but it is unsatisfactory. When put into context palace intrigue and gossip do have their place and can be crucial in understanding the inner workings of a political regime but this podcast has leaned too heavily into these for their own sake. The reporting now feels like socialites recounting the most recent faux pas at a cocktail party and not professional journalists. It is becoming increasingly divorced from the consequences of political action outside of the few square miles of the Mall. I do not lay blame for this solely on the hosts, it is an editorial decision that starts from the top. As an aside (or maybe a symptomatic consequence of the journalistic direction of the podcast), we all know you are Washington insiders and it’s clear this podcast is designed specifically for that audience in mind. But for someone on the periphery of that world it reminds me of what is insufferable about it. It is exhausting to hear the near daily humble bragging about the exclusive parties you were invited to or how tired you always are because it appears that being a Washington reporter requires the stamina of an ultra marathoner. I’m all for the hosts having fun and showing personality, they do not need to be aloof, but the personality on display is tedious for the listener.

So much better now without Daniels’ odd tone-deaf and unprofessional constant joviality.

John is doing a great job. Fantastic that his podcast is early

I love this podcast to start my day and find out what I need to know in this crazy political climate. Best of luck, Eugene! I truly will miss your voice in the mornings as I get ready for my day. 💙

Funded by USAID. Can I give less than zero stars as a rating?

I have listened to the playbook daily briefing for almost 10 years. It was amazing during the original hosts. Ever since they left it’s just gotten more liberal and annoying. I voted for Clinton/Biden/Harris but I don’t tune into this podcast for media slant. Just report the news.

Sad that your hosts cannot be objective overall.

The host said, “You don't see that with other presidents, where they're willing to do something that they know is going to go to court, and as a matter of fact, may know is going to be struck down by one court or another, right?” (Jan 21 2025) — That’s patently false. It’s exactly what Biden did with student loan forgiveness multiple times. He even admitted it may not be legal or be struck down.

Eugene Daniels is not a serious man. This is beneath Politico. News is serious business, especially these days. Let’s get professionals, not silly juveniles.

I love this podcast. It’s quick and to the point. This is usually the first podcast I listen in the morning. It gets me ready to hear all the others that really pale in comparison. Eugene Daniels is my favorite host. He’s funny and really smart. Keep up the good work

Uneven Washington insight. Eugene Daniels is the worst. Adds absolutely nothing to the conversation about Wepublicans, Democwats, and Pwesident Bi-Din.

Excellent content of what’s going on in DC, but trashed by all the snarky comments and useless cursing by Eugene Daniels. Finally had to turn to another option when the noise got to be too much.

Unfortunately Politico’s rightward turn had led to this podcast no longer being about what’s driving the day in Washington, but all about what’s happening in Trumpworld.

Do not rely on the Hamas Health Ministry regarding how many people have been killed or gone hungry. Do better, Politico.

I’m a daily listener. Great content, great concision. And great hosts, but particularly Eugene Daniels, who is so smart and such a pleasure to listen to.

The immigration bill that trump quashed? That’s an important detail and would be helpful to you in your evaluations and podcast

When I follow this show, all the episodes disappear from its feed. When I unfollow they come back. This only happens on the apple podcast app.

you said hope hicks helped trump defense saying trump was worried about melania rather than winning the presidency but you are wrong. you should go back and read the transcripts because that was minor. the major testimony of hicks was that trump was worried about winning the pres race and wanted stories killed for that reason. get it right politico hacks.

But what’s up with having Ankush Khardori on to give the commentary on the Trump trials? He couldn’t have been any more biased and his ignorance about the subject given his single focus showed. Definitely impacted my opinion of this show as I looked for balanced reporting. Thank goodness Ryan Lizza and Rachel Bade offset segments like this one!

Biased coverage of student protests. Clear pro Israel influence.

This is the place the pros go to get their quick informative coverage. Solid work to the whole team; your efforts are obvious and appreciated.

Wow. Thank you SO MUCH for minimizing ads and placing them at end of episodes! And for delivering such excellent coverage in this and your Deep Dive podcast, also new to me. Both so smart and helpful. Thank you!

Some interesting tidbits but super low production value and the host can’t seem to stop giggling and injecting partisan bias. Very unprofessional.

I find the jaunty tone offensive when reporting on grave matters of state like the potential far right take over of the speakership. You have allowed your delight as a jaded reporter watching political maneuvering to overshadow the gravity of the moment . Grow up .

It’s impossible to get past the American Petroleum Institute ad at the top of the show when we are in the throes of the climate crisis. Begging journalists and publications to draw a line in the sand.

As soon as I heard the podcast was sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute. Do better politico.

I enjoy your rundown on my morning walks. Good concise and informative. Thank you! And it’s my birthday today too! Happy happy!

new show isn’t as good. anyway to get rahgu back?

Not sure what happened but this used to be a quick great way to get headline news for me in the mornings. Now it’s bad jokes and bad interviews with reporters that goes to in depth. Just tell me the news quickly please. I also miss the old reporter from last summer he was great

This used to be a slick little 5 minute podcast each day, simple, but well produced. Recently they dropped all of the polish.

I could not understand a word the male host was saying today. Something about Biden disobeying Covid and Idaho people. Did they tie together?

Production value seems like it’s recorded on a phone. The new guy can’t help himself form adding in a partisan spin.

The show used to have some level of production value now it’s just feels like they’re reading. Even some. Basic production like Politico’s energy podcast snippets would be better.

The content and usefulness of this “playbook” has suffered a precipitous decline. No objective coverage , no breakdown of Washington power players - it feels like the Washington version of a supermarket gossip rag.

The first two minutes of April 27ths podcast was so laughably partisan I think I’ve officially given up on playbook. Y’all used to at least pretend to be bipartisan. On to Punchbowl.

I looked to this in the am for a quick truthful update on what’s happening. Looking for gossip? Keep it anonymous? What? Might be time to look elsewhere.

Todays episode on the “ethics” issue of Justice Thomas was so dishonest. No mention of Thomas’ responses and they insinuated he is stonewalling. Also the show has really gone down hill since the last host left.

OMG! Where’s the production?! No music?! No character! #BringBackRaghu!!!!

Annoying reader. Can’t listen.

My man needs a breathing treatment, once you hear the wheezy inhale at the start of every sentences… it’s hard to hear anything else.

I’ve always liked this show very much but I’m VERY excited to learn that the great Alex Keeney a/k/a Keendawg is joining the team. Fantastic decision, Political Playbookers.

Basically the title, no need for idiotic horoscopes on a daily news podcast. Also the cadence of the presenter’s voice is awful.

The content is usually great, but this host is difficult to listen to. His voice fluctuates and I find him hard to understand. Also speaks too fast. PS: why horoscopes?

Dislike the new long form interviews tacked on at the end of playbook. It’s unnecessary in my option, playbook is a quick dive into what’s happen in the beltway. The addition is giving knock off “Daily” podcast. Please go back to the old format.

Can you just report the news and leave the horoscope chat out? It’s a waste of time!

Please stop with the horoscopes, it’s nonsense that doesn’t belong in a show where people seek news. Might as well go full Pop-Start and give a daily Kardashian update. Do better, assume the audience aren’t all idiots that believe in astrology.

This used to be a great daily rundown of what’s happening in DC, now it’s a gossipy show that has somehow spent more time on horoscopes and birthdays than on Congress the past couple of weeks.

Next time I hear a horoscope I’m unsubscribing.

I just started this podcast and the narrator’s speaking cadence is so slow, it’s hard to listen to. I listen at 1 1/4 speed which helps a little, but please speak faster. No one naturally speaks that way! Especially when reading.