The Back Room with Andy Ostroy

Mark McKinnon is a political advisor, reform advocate, columnist, and television producer. He was the creator and co-host of Showtime's Emmy-nominated hit documentary series "The Circus”. He’s worked for many causes, companies, and candidates, including President George W. Bush, Senator John McCain, late Governor Ann Richards, and Bono. He was the chief media advisor for five winning presidential primary and general election campaigns. Dedicated to bipartisanship, McKinnon helped start No Labels. He’s been a regular columnist for The Daily Beast, The London Daily Telegraph, and Vanity Fair, and was a consultant to the HBO show “The Newsroom” and Netflix’s “House of Cards.” Mark and I reflect back on 9/11 on this 25th anniversary, and the impact the horrific attacks have had on America since. We also discuss Trump's disastrous MAGA convention and his $5000 bribe; Paxton v Talarico and Texas politics overall; the midterms and whether Democrats will take the House and Senate; George W. Bush's 'silence'; and more. But first, Andy and The Back Room crew share their own 9/11 remembrances and thoughts on 'TrumpCon', and dish up the week's winners and losers. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jessica Tarlov is a liberal co-host of The Five on FOX News, the most watched show in cable news. In addition to co-hosting The Five, Jessica plays an integral role in special coverage for the network and is a fixture on election nights and for breaking news. She also co-hosts the podcast Raging Moderates with NYU Professor Scott Galloway and previously worked as a Democratic pollster and researcher specializing in GenZ and Millennial trends. She holds a PhD in political science from the London School of Economics. Her debut book is I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends, which is on sale September 15th. Jess and I discuss the book, her role on The Five, and whether it's still possible to engage in civil discourse in Donald Trump's America. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Michelle Kinney is co-founder of The Mayday Network and a democratic strategist. Prior to that she was at The Seneca Project, which she co-founded.She previously served as the Creative Director at The Lincoln Project. She's also a photojournalist, previously served as Vice President of WestSide Democrats in NYC, and was publicly elected to the New York County Democratic Committee. Will the Postal Service end up controlling mail-in ballots? Will Democrats take back the House and Senate? Will democracy prevail? Michelle and I discuss the drama, chaos, and danger of Trump 2.0 as we head towards the November midterms. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Michael Steele is the co-anchor of MS NOW’s The Weeknight and previous co-host of The Weekend. Prior to joining MS NOW as a political analyst, he was elected Lt. Governor of Maryland in 2003 and served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2009 to 2011. He was the first African-American to hold either office. Michael has appeared on Meet the Press, Face the Nation, Real Time with Bill Maher, and The Daily Show and is the author of two books, “Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda” and “The Recovering Politician’s Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis”. He also hosted “The Michael Steele Podcast.” Will Donald Trump spend any of his $400-million war chest to help Republicans get elected or just spend it on himself? Will his efforts to stop mail-in voting hurt the GOP by turning off rural Republicans and keep them from voting? Will the Supreme Court ultimately help him steal the midterms? Will Texas' redistricting scam backfire? Will the Lone Star State finally flip with a James Talarico victory over Ken Paxton? How much impact will DSA have this November? Will Democrats win back the House AND Senate? Michael addresses these critical questions and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

ulie Roginsky is the co-founder of the Mayday Media Network on YouTube and the author of the Salty Politics newsletter on Substack. She has nearly three decades of public and private sector experience as an adviser on strategic communications, political strategy and public relations…working on behalf of corporate and political clients which include Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, non-profits and dozens of politicians. She is also the co-founder of Lift Our Voices, a national non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the American workplace by banning forced arbitration clauses and non-disclosure agreements for toxic workplace issues. And she is a former contributor at Fox News Channel, where she was a frequent co-host of Outnumbered and The Five. Prior to that, she was a contributor at CNBC, the financial news network. Can a Democratic Socialist like Angie Nixon win a U.S. Senate seat in a ruby-red Southern state like Florida? Can progressive/capitalist Abdul El-Sayed win in the critical Midwest swing state of Michigan. Is there a blue tidal wave coming? Lastly, does Natalie Harp see Donald Trump as her Jesus? Julie shares her thoughts on all this and more as we head towards the November midterms. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Cisco Aguilar serves as Nevada’s Secretary of State, as well as chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State. As Secretary, he is focused on three major principles: modernization, innovation, and transparency. Under the Secretary’s leadership and vision, the office undertook two major projects to modernize the state’s elections and business licensing infrastructure. He is the first Latino to serve as Nevada Secretary of State. The Secretary and I discuss Trump's relentless assault on our election system, the complicit Republican Party, and the legal fight he and other secretaries of state and state attorneys general are successfully waging to ensure a free and fair election in the November midterms. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Dana Nessel has served as Attorney General for the state of Michigan since 2019. Prior to that she served as a Wayne County Prosecutor for over a decade. In her private practice, she was lead attorney for the plaintiffs in DeBoer v. Snyder, a precursor to the landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which codified same-sex marriage and granted adoption rights to same-sex couples nationwide. Against the backdrop of Trump's relentless assault on our electoral system, the Attorney General and I discuss election integrity and what to expect in Michigan and elsewhere in the 58 days between now and the November midterms. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Adrienne Elrod is a political strategist, government affairs expert and communicator with over 25 years of experience working on Capitol Hill, the executive branch and advising corporate, political and non-profit organizations. She most recently served as Sr. Advisor and Sr Spokesperson to Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. She held this same position for President Biden’s re-election campaign. A veteran of the Biden Administration, she served as Director of External and Government Affairs for the CHIPS Program Office. During the 2020 general election, she served as a top aide to Biden's general election campaign. A native of Arkansas, she began her political career in President Bill Clinton’s Administration, serving in both the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. On the 2016 presidential campaign, she served as Hillary for America’s Director of Strategic Communications. She was a senior communications aide to Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. She’s also a frequent contributor to NBC News and MS NOW. Adrienne and I discuss the democrats' establishment vs progressive/DSA rift and It's impact on the November midterms. We also discuss the possible reasons behind White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's sudden announcement that she'll be leaving her job at month's end. But first, The Back Room gang discusses how significant the subject of Israel may be on the campaign trail these next 2 1/2 months. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Lee Kirk is a filmmaker and playwright whose feature films as writer/director include Ordinary World, starring Billie Joe Armstrong, Selma Blair, Judy Greer, and Fred Armisen, and The Giant Mechanical Man, starring Jenna Fischer, Chris Messina, Topher Grace, and Bob Odenkirk. His award-winning play Ashland Avenue had its world premiere in October 2025 at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. He has directed numerous music videos, as well as episodes of the NBC comedy The Office. Lee joins me to discuss his terrific new film NIMRODS, which opens in theaters this Friday, August 14th. It’s a '90s-inspired coming-of-age road trip movie inspired by the band Green Day’s early days. The band is heavily involved and in the film, alongside a killer cast including Mason Thames, Mckenna Grace, Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Fred Armisen, Bobby Lee, and Sean Gunn. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Tom Nichols is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a contributor to the Atlantic Daily newsletter. In this episode, Tom and I discuss Trump 2.0, the status of the Iran war, the midterms, Abdul El-Sayed and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Amy Littlefield has reported on abortion rights for over a decade. She is the abortion access correspondent for The Nation. She has contributed to The New York Times Opinion and wrote the Times’ Sunday Review cover story “Where the Pro-Choice Movement Went Wrong.” She is a frequent commentator on abortion for TV and radio news outlets and podcasts, including MS NOW and Democracy Now! She was a lead reporter and narrator on shows for Reveal, the national investigative journalism show. Amy joins me to discuss her latest book Killers of Roe: My Investigation into the Mysterious Death of Abortion Rights. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Dr. Annie Andrews is a pediatrician who in May of 2025 launched her campaign to flip the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina held by the late Lindsey Graham. She won the democratic nomination last month.She’s running to address the affordability pressures from healthcare and housing to the price of everyday necessities including groceries and gas. She will face Graham’s sister Darlene Graham Nardone in the November midterms after being appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of her brother’s term. Annie and I discuss her campaign and this critical race overall following Graham's sudden death. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Miles Taylor is a national security expert, NYT bestselling author, and co-founder of defiance.org. He previously served as chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland Security, where he published a bombshell “Anonymous” essay in The New York Times, blowing the whistle on presidential misconduct. He later published the #1 national bestseller A Warning, revealed himself to be the author, and launched a campaign of ex-officials to oppose Donald Trump’s reelection. He’s worked as an advisor in the George W. Bush administration, on Capitol Hill, as a CNN contributor, and is the co-founder of a DC-based charter school and multiple democracy-reform groups. He is also the author of The New York Times best-selling book Blowback and the host of the iHeartRadio podcast “The Whistleblowers”. Miles and I discuss Lindsey Graham's legacy and funeral; Trump, the Iran war, Israel and Netanyahu; Ukraine and Russia; the Midterms and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

S.E. Cupp is a nationally syndicated columnist, author, podcaster and TV commentator. She hosts Off the Cupp, a podcast which focuses on mental health, and which features interviews with celebrities and newsmakers. She is a columnist at the New York Daily News and has also been published in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Washington Post and many other publications. She is currently a political commentator at CNN. She regularly interviews authors for CSPAN's BookTV, and is a regular guest on The View, Real Time w/Bill Maher, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Watch What Happens Live and others. SE has also consulted on Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom and AppleTV's The Morning Show, and has made cameos on House of Cards and SNL. As an author SE has written two books, Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media's Attack on Christianity, and co-authored Why You're Wrong About the RIght. She is on the Advisory Board of Cornell University's Institute of Politics and Global Affairs and INARA.org, and is a No Kid Hungry ambassador. S.E.'s back, and as always it's super fun! After a little chat about the joys of coffee vs tea, we discuss the latest with Trump 2.0, the Iran War, Pete Hegseth, MAGA, the midterms and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Joe Walsh is a former Republican Congressman from Illinois elected to Congress in the TEA Party wave of 2010. Following his service in Congress, Joe became one of the most popular syndicated conservative talk radio hosts in the country. In August of 2019 he became a candidate for President of the United States, waging a Republican primary challenge against Donald Trump. He is the author of F*CK SILENCE: Calling Trump Out for the Cultish, Moronic, Authoritarian Con Man He Is. He's currently the Director of The Social Contract and the host of “The Social Contract With Joe Walsh,” podcast. He appears regularly on CNN, MSNOW, News Nation and The BBC. Sometimes I feel that Joe and I were separated at birth, and while he headed right and I went left, here we are 60 years later on the same side! Which is why it's always a blast when he brings his inimitable wit, wisdom and fire-in-the-belly into The Back Room to discuss Trump, the political parties, MAGA, and the future of our democracy. Don't miss this super-fun and insightful chat! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jocelyn Benson is Michigan's 43rd Secretary of State and is running for governor. She has become one of the nation’s most prominent leaders in ensuring elections are secure and accessible. Her work overseeing Michigan’s 2020 and 2022 general elections earned her national recognition, including the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award and the Presidential Citizens Medal. She also implemented new voting rights for all eligible Michiganders prior to the 2020 election, including the right to vote absentee, and oversaw more than 250 audits after the election, all of which affirmed its integrity and accuracy. At 36 Jocelyn was appointed dean of Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, becoming the youngest woman in U.S. history to lead a top-100, accredited law school, and continues to serve as vice chair of the advisory board for the Levin Center at Wayne Law, which she founded with former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin. She is the author of the books “State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process”, and last year’s “The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High”. She is also a frequent tv news commentator. And she's back in The Back Room to discuss the campaign, election integrity, and the upcoming midterms. But first, Matty and I discuss Trump's desperate, bizarre address to the nation last night. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Dan Osborn is a former union leader who gained national attention leading the 77-day Kellogg's strike in Omaha in 2021. A U.S. Navy veteran and father of three, he's spent the last 20 years punching a clock as a steamfitter and industrial mechanic. He is running for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska as an independent candidate focused on economic issues affecting working families. Dan and I discuss the campaign and end with some pretty funny impressions of Donald Trump, Jimmy Stewart and Bernie Sanders...but you'll have to listen to find out who does who! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Cait Conley is a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native, daughter of a postal worker and a construction worker, a decorated combat veteran and national security expert. And she’s running for the House in NY’s 17th Congressional district. She recently won the Democratic Party's nomination to face-off against incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Lawlor in New York's 17th Congressional district in the November midterms. Cait and I discuss her campaign, the broken promises and failures of Trump 2.0 and the Republican Party, and her plan to address the affordability crisis facing the working and middle classes. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Brian Tyler Cohen is a progressive YouTuber, podcaster, and host of the No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen podcast. He’s built an audience of millions across platforms and billions of views on YouTube. His first book, Shameless, was a #1 New York Times bestseller. His new book, THE DAY AFTER: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World, goes on sale July 14th. Brian and I discuss the book and the current threats to our democracy from Trump 2.0; his prediction for the upcoming midterm elections; expanding the Supreme Court; and his thoughts on the Graham Platner fiasco, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's performance, and the Iran war horizon. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Emily Suttle-Braun is the founder and CEO of Doodle Mom Strategies, a growth and sales partner for political tech companies, agencies, and data platforms. She has over 15 years of experience in campaigns, advocacy, and political tech highlighted by her work on the 2016 Hillary Clinton and 2020 Biden-Harris campaigns. About a decade ago Emily dated embattled former Maine U.S. Senate democratic nominee Graham Platner. She joins me to discuss their time together, how he treated her, and the terrific Newsweek op-ed she just wrote about believing his accusers Jenny Racicot and Lindsey Fifield. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel