Balloon Day
Contrary to speculation, all the balloon talk is not a podcast marketing ploy
Introducing Trial Balloon
Just in time for your weekend listening, I’m excited to announce Trial Balloon. It’s a new weekly podcast I’m doing with my friend, Chris Riback.
Trial Balloon is available as part of your Political Wire membership or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to just the podcast alone.
You can also get it if you subscribe to the must-read
.If you’re already a Political Wire member, add Trial Balloon to your podcast player.
If you’re not yet a member, check out the membership options.
Thanks for reading — and listening!
What You May Have Missed
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), a rising Republican star in just her second term, announced she will not seek reelection or any other office next year.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who will seek his 13th through 18th year in office in 2024, has reintroduced a bill to limit senators to 12 years of service. It’s an issue Republicans have embraced again.
Republican Kari Lake called herself “the duly-elected governor” of Arizona even though she lost.
Donald Trump’s support in early GOP presidential primary polls varies wildly between 25% and 55% — a huge range that could impact who else enters the race. That matters, because a crowded field could boost Trump as it did in 2016.
But maybe none of it matters if Trump is indeed insane. Or a mob boss.
One possible Trump challenger, Mike Pence, is floating Social Security reforms including private accounts.
Former Speaker Paul Ryan says Republicans are unlikely to nominate Trump in 2024, and if they do, the ticket will lose.
ChatGPT doesn’t want to talk about Trump, and even its creators aren’t sure why.
Meanwhile, President Biden is very happy to talk about the economy — which is almost certainly going to be a theme of his State of the Union speech next week.
Extra Links
Here are some interesting links that didn’t make it into Political Wire today:
How to build your own spy balloon.
There are fewer federal employees in 2023 than there were in 1993.
The White House Correspondents' Association announces The Daily Show's Roy Wood Jr. will host its dinner on April 29.
A majority of Americans support banning all tobacco products.
The number of Russian troops killed and wounded in Ukraine is approaching 200,000.
63% of educators consider leaving profession.
Israel says peace deal with Sudan to be signed by year’s end.
Nigeria’s presidential race goes down to the wire.
Members Only
In addition to a new podcast, here’s what Political Wire members got today:
If you’re not yet a member, join today.
Presented Without Comment

We need to grab that balloon, bring it down intact, and dissect it. Then we will know.
I know it's way up there, but don't tell me we can't do it.
It’s concerning that we need more federal workers or else we’re gonna to have more problems that need addressing not being addressed. & yes it’s disgusting that the House GOP act like Santos is fine over Omar. Especially considering the offense crap we keep learning about him nearly everyday.