There’s no dearth of podcasts discussing the imminent US presidential election where the current president Joe Biden competes against the prior officeholder Donald Trump. Renowned platforms like Pod Save America, Hacks on Tap, Americast, and our own Inside Politics are all deeply engaged in the political discourse. Intriguingly, the New York Times has a podcast dedicated to this ever-revolving political carnival, The Run-Up.
Initially commenced in 2016, The Run-Up has relentlessly covered the presidential race. Returning to the airwaves in September 2022, this podcast is honing its focus on the final stages of an increasingly tangled election.
An outstanding aspect of the podcast is its host, Astead W Herndon. This young, black host residing in Chicago’s suburbs brilliantly differs from the traditional format of panel discussions with experts elaborating on policy minutiae. Instead, Herndon actively seeks out the real decision-makers of the election, the voters themselves.
Indeed, The Run-Up offers a distinctive perspective. Eschewing mere opinion for credible reporting, Herndon explores arenas unlikely to be frequented by the likes of Jon Favreau or Dan Pfeiffer from Pod Save America. A powerful example was his Thanksgiving visit where he gathered insights from his family, friends, church members and childhood acquaintances to understand if African-American voters were becoming disillusioned with the Democratic Party. Furthermore, he has engaged with common folk who disrupted a Biden campaign rally seeking peace in Palestine. Albeit interactions with prominent figures like vice-president Kamala Harris, Robert Kennedy (the independent candidate), and various influential political elites, Herndon excels when he converses with ordinary citizens.
In summary, you’ll find The Run-Up’s approach, prioritising dialogue with regular people rather than mere election talk, greatly refreshing.
In contrast to a condescending outlook, Herndon adopts a respectful, inquisitive approach towards his audience, engaging with those living in a distinctly disparate America than his own. His knack lies in his unique method to probe electoral matters from the grassroots level, marking The Run-Up as a compelling listen.
The podcast has delved into many subjects such as abortion, Middle-East conflicts, Biden’s pressure to call a ceasefire, and the repercussions of Trump’s criminal verdict. A distinctive episode was also released shedding light on Biden’s candidacy and age in response to the recent incumbent versus Trump debate.
So indeed, while you are gratified by expert opinions elucidating complex political jargon, this podcast serves as a heartbeat monitor of the people; less sermonising and more centred on personal perspectives. Its success rests on its focus on the individual nuances amongst voters rather than the collective political arena, understanding the emotions that would sway their decisions, and gauging the direction a diverse array of Americans might tilt towards, come November 5th.