With the US mid-term elections coming up and the political landscape plummeting to new levels of toxicity, Newstalk has launched a weekly podcast hosted by Pat Kenny examining US politics and its implications for Ireland and the wider world.
Called “The Divided States of America with Pat Kenny” it launched today ( Friday, October 16) with former senior US diplomat Dr Richard Haass as its first guest.
Haass advised President George H.W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell and served as US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.
The series will feature journalists, academics, commentators and political figures from Ireland and the United States. Topics will include political division, economic pressures, international conflict and the issues influencing voters ahead of the US midterm elections.
The podcast will also examine how decisions made in Washington affect Ireland and other countries.
Kenny said the series would explore the divisions within American society and the country’s changing relationship with its allies.
“I have always loved America. I grew up on a television diet of American feelgood comedies and earnest cop shows. I completed my graduate studies in America. I saw the American Dream in action. Every generation better off, better housed, better educated than the one before,” he said.
“So, what went wrong? Why has the American Dream become the American Nightmare, not just for its own people, but for many of America’s former allies and friends? Or were we all looking at the United States through a distorting prism?”
Kenny said the podcast would continue through the midterm elections and beyond, exploring the forces shaping American politics and whether the country could regain international respect.
Eric Moylan, managing editor of Newstalk, said: “We’re incredibly excited to release this podcast. At a time when US politics is fragmented, divisive and loud, Pat’s skills will be unparalleled in dispelling the noise and getting to the heart of the matter.
“He’ll have the freedom of the platform to bring guests to heel, and as we approach a crucial midterm election, Pat will bring his unique perspective to proceedings. It will be essential listening.”
New episodes will be released every Friday on the GoLoud app, the GoLoud and major podcast platforms.
