NPR: It's All Politics Podcast

Ken Rudin and Ron Elving discuss whether Edward Snowden, the self-identified source who released top-secret U.S. government data, is a traitor or hero. They also weigh in on Newark Mayor Cory Booker's chances of winning a New Jersey special election to fill the late Senator Frank Lautenberg's seat. Plus a remembrance of civil rights icon Medgar Evers who was assassinated 50 years ago this week.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's political future is affected by the death of Senator Frank Lautenberg, President Obama dares Republicans to stop his court nominees, and Michigan's John Dingell makes history in Congress. NPR's Ron Elving and Ken Rudin review it all in the latest episode of the "It's All Politics" podcast.

Ron Elving and Ken Rudin look back at the political career and presidential run of Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. She announced this week she's retiring from Congress in 2014.  They also weigh in on President Obama and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's renewed "bromance." Plus Rhode Island's Independent Governor, Lincoln Chafee, who was once a Republican, announced this week he's switching parties again, this time becoming a Democrat.

Ken Rudin and Ron Elving review the week in politics. President Obama performs a balancing act, functioning as both "Uniter-in-Chief" in the wake of the deadly tornado in Oklahoma and "Commander-in-Chief" as he defends the use of drones. The guys also weigh in on Lois Lerner, the IRS official who pleads the 5th, but only after giving an opening statement. And former Rep. Anthony Weiner makes it official — he's running for mayor of New York.

Ron Elving and National Political Correspondent Mara Liasson, sitting in for Ken Rudin, look back at the week of scandals rocking the Obama Administration. The President says he's "angry" and fires the IRS chief for the agency's targeting of groups with "Tea Party" and "patriot" in the names. And Attorney General Eric Holder is back on Capitol Hill, this time testifying on the Justice Department's seizing of phone records of journalists.  

Ron Elving and Ken Rudin review the latest political news best summed up as: "the week of the comeback." In South Carolina, former Governor Mark Sanford wins back his old seat in the U.S. House. Hearings on the aftermath of the Benghazi attacks again take center stage. And New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pushes back critics, saying his lap-band surgery is about his health — not a run for the White House in 2016.

Ken Rudin and Ron Elving discuss President Obama's press conference this week where he talked about a range of topics including closing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and the ongoing civil war in Syria. They also weigh in on the race for the open Senate seat in Massachusetts, plus GOP Senators feeling the heat for voting against stricter gun measures.

Ron Elving and Ken Rudin discuss how last week's deadly bombings in Boston changed the political mood in Washington. They also preview upcoming special elections in South Carolina and in Massachusetts. Plus, they weigh in on why former First Lady Barbara Bush doesn't want her son Jeb to run for president in 2016.

Ken Rudin and Ron Elving review the somber week highlighted by the deadly bombing at the Boston Marathon. They discuss the defeat of the Manchin-Toomey gun amendment in the Senate on Wednesday and why immigration reform will have a better chance of passing in the divided Congress. Plus the latest fallout in the comeback story of former South Carolina Governor and current U.S. House candidate, Mark Sanford.

Ken Rudin is joined by NPR National Political Correspondent Mara Liasson this week. They discuss lawmakers in Washington hinting at some level of bipartisanship on the issues of guns and immigration. They also weigh in on Kentucky Senator Rand Paul's outreach to students at the predominantly black Howard University this week. And disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner is mulling a run for mayor of New York.