Hawthorn's Across the Aisle Podcast

Inside California's Political Tremors w/Kelly Calkin

California is often viewed as politically unique, but its elections can reveal trends that eventually reach the rest of the country. In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford is joined by veteran California political strategist and public affairs expert Kelly Calkin to unpack one of the most unpredictable and consequential California primaries in recent memory. From the emergence of Javier Becerra as the Democratic frontrunner to the collapse of several high-profile campaigns, they explore how a chaotic election season reshaped the race for governor and what it may signal for the future of politics in the nation's most populous state. The conversation examines California's deep Democratic advantage, voter turnout challenges, the rise and fall of major candidates, the increasingly anti-establishment mood among voters, and the battles that will define November's elections. Along the way, Ashford and Calkin discuss Los Angeles politics, the influence of Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom's national ambitions, and why political observers across the country should be paying close attention to California. Whether you're a political professional, policy watcher, or simply interested in understanding where American politics may be headed next, this episode provides an insider's look at the forces shaping the Golden State. Topics discussed: * California's 2026 gubernatorial race * Javier Becerra vs. Steve Hilton * The collapse of several major Democratic campaigns * Voter turnout and enthusiasm trends * Los Angeles mayoral politics * The future of Gavin Newsom and national Democratic politics * What California's elections may tell us about the country Across the Aisle is produced by The Hawthorn Group and features conversations with policymakers, strategists, journalists, and thought leaders examining the issues shaping public affairs and American politics.

Small Margins, Big Consequences w/Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook returns to Across the Aisle to cut through the daily headlines and focus on the political fundamentals shaping the road to 2026. One of the nation’s most respected nonpartisan election analysts and founder of the Cook Political Report, Charlie joins John Ashford for a wide-ranging conversation on today’s closely divided electorate, the growing role of turnout over persuasion, and why many of the stories dominating the news cycle may matter less than they appear. The discussion explores the structural realities facing both parties in the House and Senate, how changes in media consumption are influencing public opinion, and why small shifts among a narrow band of voters can have outsized consequences in modern elections. Grounded in data, history, and decades of experience, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at where American politics stands—and where it may be headed next.

The Big D: Data Centers and America’s Power Challenge w/Jimmy Glotfelty

Data center demand is no longer theoretical. It is reshaping grid planning, infrastructure investment, and energy policy across the country. In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford speaks with former Texas Public Utility Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty — founder of the Office of Electricity at the U.S. Department of Energy and a leader in transmission expansion and grid reliability. They discuss: • The difference between cloud data centers and AI training loads • Why ERCOT could see tens of gigawatts of new demand by 2030 • How battery storage is changing reliability dynamics • Whether nuclear can meet near-term demand • The reality of supply chain constraints in gas and nuclear technologies • Affordability pressures and what consumers should expect • Why Texas remains committed to grid independence As AI-driven load growth accelerates and markets debate reliability, transmission, and permitting reform, this conversation offers a grounded look at what is realistic — and what is not — for the next phase of American energy development.

Polling 2.0 - The Evolution of Political Intelligence w/Christopher S. Wilson

The podcast episode features a conversation between John Ashford and Chris Wilson, CEO of Eyes Over, discussing social media monitoring, artificial intelligence, and its impact on politics and corporate decision-making. Takeaways * Social media monitoring provides real-time opinion-based analysis, capturing dynamics and momentum rather than just attitudes. * AI-driven conversational persuasion outperforms traditional political advertising, focusing on relatability and emotional mirroring. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Across the Isle Podcast * 06:07 Advantages of Social Monitoring * 12:21 Process of Social Media Monitoring * 18:50 Impact of AI on Politics * 24:35 Recent Findings and Surprises

Geopolitical Risk, Rivalry, and Restraint w/Graham Allison, Ph.D.

Looking more internationally than our usual domestic political junkies’ views, this episode wraps up 2025 and looks – however dimly – into 2026 with one of the genuine experts on international relations, China and Russia. Graham Allison, Ph.D [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Allison]., is the Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at Harvard University where for years he was Dean of the Kennedy School of Government, with time off to serve as Assistant Secretary of State. Author of the seminal work on presidential decision making, Essence of a Decision, he has more recently authored – and briefed the Premier of China and the President of the United States – Destined for War, analyzing the threat of an emerging power to an established and dominant power. In this episode, we talk about China and Russia, as well as everything from the prospects of war in Venezuela to the prospects of peace in Gaza. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Political Uncertainty 03:08 International Developments and Their Impact 05:54 The Situation in Venezuela and Potential Conflict 09:02 The Role of Congress in Foreign Policy 12:10 Reassessing U.S.-China Relations 14:51 Trump's Approach to China and Global Dynamics 18:05 The Complexity of U.S.-China Rivalry 20:59 The Ukraine Conflict and Diplomatic Challenges 24:00 Final Thoughts on Global Security and Future Prospects