The Odd Years

Join Amy Walter, the celebrated editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, every other Tuesday, for conversations on the surprising — and often odd — times we live in. Amy brings her smart and sought-after insights on politics to a podcast that covers a range of subjects.What makes this moment interesting, unpredictable, and surprising? Amy will talk to people who live and breathe politics (like ourselves) and plenty who do not. We think you can learn stuff — and have fun at the same time. So be sure to follow and listen in.To learn more about The Cook Political Report, go to www.cookpolitical.com/subscribe.

"This will get done, the question is how painful it is to get there." Puck's Leigh Ann Caldwell on the politics of the "Big Beautiful Bill."
Jun 10, 2025 – 43:45
"We've become the crossing guard party." A Conversation with Pod Save America's Dan Pfeiffer.
May 27, 2025 – 39:30
Episode 13: Can Republicans Build a Multiracial Populist Coalition in 2024 and Beyond, With Republican Pollster Patrick Ruffini
Dec 15, 2023 – 35:28
Rahm Emanuel Has a Message for Democrats
May 20, 2025 – 47:02
Episode 12: Science and (Political) Fiction with Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert of 'For All Mankind'
Nov 14, 2023 – 52:38
Republican Strategist and Podcaster Josh Holmes on the Midterms, Tariffs and Why Authenticity Matters
May 13, 2025 – 48:08
Episode 11: Diversity, Diaspora, Density and the Politics of the West, With Mark Z. Barabak
Oct 13, 2023 – 35:59
Season 2, Episode 10: Why Presidential Elections Are Razor Thin in Wisconsin
Oct 15, 2024 – 39:34
Episode 10: What Voters Want Vs. What They Are Getting with The New York Times’ Astead Herndon
Sep 15, 2023 – 42:14
"Trump voters are starting to ask questions." Pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson on 100 days.
Apr 29, 2025 – 46:34
By this measure, America is actually a little less polarized these days
Apr 15, 2025 – 36:06
Episode 9: Has Trump Locked Up The GOP Nomination? With The Focus Group Podcast Host Sarah Longwell
Aug 11, 2023 – 48:17
Episode 8: Diving into Delegate Math with Josh Putnam
Jul 14, 2023 – 37:34
Trump's Top Ad Man Pulls Back the Curtain On 2024
Apr 8, 2025 – 48:36
Episode 7: Will AI Upend the 2024 Election with Kara Swisher
Jun 16, 2023 – 40:37
Season 2, Episode 6: David Axelrod, Amy Walter and David Wasserman at the RNC
Jul 17, 2024 – 18:43
Season 2, Episode 5: What Polls Miss — and What We Should Focus on Instead
Jul 11, 2024 – 41:41
Data Analytics Was Supposed To Be How Dems Dominated Politics. That Didn't Happen in 2024.
Mar 20, 2025 – 54:31
Why Men of Color Might Be the New Swing Voters
Mar 17, 2025 – 39:49
Mailbag: How Will Trump's Conviction Impact Downballot Races?
Jun 11, 2024 – 22:08
Season 2, Episode 3: What Coverage of Rural Voters Is Not Getting Right with Dan Shea and Nick Jacobs
May 28, 2024 – 47:00
Episode 5: Trailblazer Judy Woodruff Digs Deep Into America’s Political Divides (And Still Stays Optimistic)
Apr 21, 2023 – 39:30
Mailbag: Which Biden District Republicans Are the Most Endangered?
May 10, 2024 – 20:40
Season 2, Episode 4: How The Diploma Divide Is Reshaping American Politics
Jun 25, 2024 – 51:54
Episode 4: Republican Pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson on Trump vs. DeSantis, Millennial Voters and GOP Messaging in 2024
Apr 14, 2023 – 43:24
From Title IX to Caitlin Clark
Mar 4, 2025 – 61:46
Editors Roundtable: 2026 House Races We Couldn't Agree On And Why Our Ratings Will Change
Feb 20, 2025 – 29:33
Season 2, Episode 2: On the Campaign Trail with Melissa Benoist, Amy Chozick and Julie Plec of 'The Girls on the Bus'
Apr 30, 2024 – 42:39
Episode 3: Democratic Pollster Anna Greenberg on Why Dems Beat Expectations in 2022 and What They're Missing on Crime
Mar 16, 2023 – 46:53
Episode 2: What’s Happening In the States — And What It Could Mean for Federal Policy and Politics.
Feb 22, 2023 – 30:36
"This is not chaos for chaos's sake." Molly Ball on Trump 2.0.
Feb 3, 2025 – 55:23
Season 2, Episode 1: The Defining House Races of the Last 40 Years
Apr 16, 2024 – 33:39
Get ready for a new season of The Odd Years!
Jan 16, 2025 – 1:12
Gen Z's Gender Divide Goes Beyond Politics
Jan 21, 2025 – 41:34
Season 2, Episode 12: A Deeper Understanding of Swing State Voters
Dec 19, 2024 – 35:02
Chuck Todd on Political Journalism and Why He's Passionate About Local News
Feb 18, 2025 – 52:10
Season 2, Episode 11: If Americans Are Unhappy With Politics, Why Didn't They Vote For Electoral Reform?
Nov 22, 2024 – 43:11
Mailbag: Do Third-Party Candidates Hurt or Help Trump or Biden More?
Mar 27, 2024 – 14:53
Episode 6: Why Our Politics Feel Angrier Than Ever (And Why It’s Unlikely To Change Anytime Soon)
May 12, 2023 – 53:42
Season 2, Episode 9: Why Pennsylvania is the Swingiest of Swing States
Sep 30, 2024 – 27:03
Season 2, Episode 8: Can Democrats Finally Win North Carolina this November?
Sep 19, 2024 – 46:21
Season 2, Episode 7: How Kamala Harris Changed the Presidential Race in Georgia
Aug 2, 2024 – 32:02
Episode 1: The Impact of Narrow Margins & Divided Government on the 118th Congress
Feb 22, 2023 – 34:31
The Odd Years Trailer
Feb 14, 2023 – 1:00
Bonus Episode: Policy & Politics: The White House, Congress & 2024
Apr 6, 2023 – 45:52
Bonus Episode: David Wasserman on the Release of the Historic Cook PVI and the Incredible Shrinking Swing Seat
Apr 5, 2023 – 14:05