Former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton plans to pick up the podcast mic to break down November’s midterm elections.
New books, podcasts, and high-profile speeches can pose political risks before elections, giving opponents fresh material for attacks. Former President Joe Biden’s new memoir, “Promise Me, America,” was originally scheduled to come out before the midterm elections but will now be released two weeks afterward.
However, media appearances can also help candidates reach voters, as Trump sought to do with his podcast appearances during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Clinton will launch her new podcast series, “High Stakes,” alongside longtime tech journalist and New York magazine editor-at-large Kara Swisher.
“On Nov. 3, every seat in the House is on the ballot, along with 35 Senate seats and 36 governors,” said Clinton. “What you pay for groceries, rent and healthcare is on the line. So I’m teaming up with Kara Swisher to dig into the issues that matter most before the country heads to the polls.”
The podcast will launch through Vox Media, which will share advertising revenue from the episodes with Clinton and Swisher.
Swisher, who currently hosts “On with Kara Swisher” and “Pivot,” came up with the idea after interviewing Clinton at the home of former Atlantic owner David Bradley. Swisher told The New York Times that Clinton’s answers to questions ranging from the midterms to the war in Ukraine convinced her it was time for Clinton to take another swing at podcasting.
Swisher said she wanted to give listeners the version of Hillary Clinton she saw that evening—intelligent and funny.
“There’s a thing about the secretary, where it’s like, ‘Oh, if you knew her in the room, she’s so funny,’” Swisher said. “We’re going to try to show you that room.”
Vox Media sent Clinton podcasting equipment so she could record the new show from her home in Chappaqua, New York. If the podcast draws a large audience, Clinton said she might continue it after the midterms. She also said she hopes the podcast will help Democrats win.
“I don’t think the stakes for the country and the world could be any higher,” Clinton said, referencing the podcast’s name ‘High Stakes.’ “If we don’t reverse this chaos and corruption and cruelty that is being visited upon us by this administration, we won’t recognize our country.”
Clinton isn’t the first high-profile Democrat to launch a podcast. California Gov. Gavin Newsom hosts two podcasts, including “This Is Gavin Newsom,” where he discusses current events with guests. He also co-hosts the weekly “Politickin” with former NFL star Marshawn Lynch and sports agent Doug Hendrickson.
Former President Barack Obama hosted an eight-episode series with Bruce Springsteen in 2021. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg launched “The Deciding Decade” in 2020.
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