Will the Blue Wave Be Bigger Than 2018?

Pod Save America's September 2026 episode examines whether Democrats can achieve a blue wave larger than 2018's midterm success. The hosts—Jon, Dan, and Alex—analyze recent polling data showing a political environment increasingly favorable to Democrats, while JD Vance appeals to voters to give the Trump administration another chance. The episode covers several distinct topics: new campaign advertising, including a notable spot from a Florida Republican distancing himself from Trump on immigration; unexpectedly competitive Senate races in Minnesota and New Hampshire that could concern Democrats; and JD Vance's comments about AI companies and Trump's unusual fixation on renaming the Kennedy Center. Alex discusses her new book, "The Steal," which investigates the conservative movement's systematic effort to reshape the American judiciary through strategic appointments and legal strategy. The episode features an in-studio interview with Dan Osborn, an independent Senate candidate in Nebraska running against Pete Ricketts, who discusses his campaign strategy and positioning. Throughout, the hosts appear to blend analysis of polling data with commentary on campaign developments, though the show notes don't specify the depth of polling analysis or the specific numbers cited. The episode balances political analysis with personality-driven commentary, touching on both substantive policy issues (judicial appointments, immigration) and more colorful political theater (the Kennedy Center naming dispute). The structure moves between multiple topics and guests, suggesting a magazine-style format rather than deep-dive analysis of any single subject.

Verdict: A solid political news episode with timely polling analysis and relevant guest interviews, but the rapid topic-switching and lack of sourcing detail prevent it from being essential listening.

News rubric

• Accuracy and sourcing 3/5 20%

  Show notes reference 'new polls' and 'series of new polls' but don't specify sources, methodology, or exact figures; Alex's book appears to be a real published work providing some sourcing credibility.

• Balance and context 3/5 20%

  Episode includes both Democratic optimism (favorable polling) and Democratic concerns (close races in Minnesota/New Hampshire), plus a Republican guest perspective via the Florida ad; however, no indication of Republican voices explaining t

• Timeliness and relevance 5/5 15%

  Published September 2026 during what appears to be an active election cycle with current polling, recent campaign developments, and timely Senate races making it clearly relevant to immediate political moment.

• Substance 3/5 15%

  Episode covers multiple substantive topics (polling analysis, judicial appointments via book discussion, Senate races, campaign ads) but show notes suggest rapid topic-switching rather than deep exploration of any single issue.

• Delivers on its title 4/5 15%

  Title promises analysis of blue wave potential; episode directly addresses this through polling discussion and Senate race analysis, though show notes suggest significant time spent on tangential topics like Kennedy Center naming.

• Value for time 3/5 15%

  At 86 minutes with multiple guests and topics, the episode offers varied content but show notes suggest some potentially tangential segments (Trump's Kennedy Center fixation) that may dilute focus from the central premise.

How we score News

Worth it if you're closely following 2026 midterm politics and want Democratic-leaning commentary on polling trends and Senate races.

Content flags

• Ad-heavy Show notes prominently feature subscription pitch for ad-free version, suggesting ads are significant enough to warrant paid removal.

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.