The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

When Republicans Defend Spending and Democrats Attack Cuts - Politics Gets Complicated

Just dropped a new episode of "PracticallyPolitical" with Dave Spencer and Kurt Bardella.

We tackled the House spending bill that has everyone talking.

The fascinating part?
Watching traditional party lines blur in real time.

Trump endorsed tax increases to provide political cover - brilliant messaging move for him personally, but it left House Republicans exposed on their core "no tax increases" brand.

Meanwhile, Republicans voted for Medicaid changes they believe are necessary, knowing Democrats will turn it into "they cut your healthcare" attack ads by tomorrow.

The political reality is harsh: facts don't matter as much as messaging.

Even if the policy makes sense, vulnerable House members just handed their opponents campaign ammunition.

What struck me most was my conversation with budget hawk senators like Ron Johnson and Rick Scott.

Their strategy isn't perfect deficit reduction - it's getting back to pre-COVID spending levels first, then tackling the bigger picture.

Sometimes the path forward isn't ideologically pure.
It's strategically practical.

This is exactly why Dave, Kurt and I started this podcast.

Politics is messier and more nuanced than the anger-filled discourse suggests.

You can disagree without demonizing.
You can find practical solutions without abandoning principles.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or subscribe on YouTube.