NEW EPISODE · JULY 8, 2026 · EP 569
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Vol. V · No. 569Thursday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

The Michael Smerconish Program: Paul Rieckhoff on 3rd Party Candidates After New Hampshire

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Why Platner's exit was inevitable. and why he ducked every tough veteran interviewer

02

The Nazi tattoo, the online history, and two on-the-record r. The Nazi tattoo, the online history, and two on-the-record rape allegations

03

Paul's warning from day one. progressives chasing a candidate who looked the part

04

Why Maine. with 300,000 independents — deserved an actual independent on the ballot

Independent voters, like the two of us, played a powerful role in the New Hampshire primary, driving support for Nikki Haley and Dean Phillips. Neither won. But both overperformed and showed the challenges both Trump and Biden will face this November if they are indeed the Democratic and Republican nominees.

Could 2024–finally–be the year in which independent voters get some respect? Or will they continue to suffer the same fate as Rodney Dangerfield in a political culture driven by partisan actors with unlimited budgets and powerful algorithms?

Read the rest of Paul Rieckhoff’s exclusive Op-Ed on Smerconish.com, “Will Anyone Listen to Independents After New Hampshire?” The Michael Smerconish Program, 02/05/24.