Loved getting the update on where election issues stand in CA. Without a decent newspaper, it is hard to know where things are moving. The discussion of Gavin Newsom and his future prospects was excellent, also.

I really enjoy this podcast, but lately it has been produced with irritating background noise. Please fix this. Thank you for your informative podcast

Great

this show are always wrong, they all hate President Trump and lie though there teeth to support the lying, cheating democrats who support the corrupt joebiden . The big lie? Only big lie here are the two morons who couldn’t find there way out of closet. Particularly the smug arrogant lawyer. No more for me

I have listened to your podcast and conclude that you are doing a disservice to our country. Your podcasts focus primarily on collecting and counting ballots. However you seem to continually avoid the discussion of issues that may have significant effects on elections. First is election irregularities. Can you comment on the number of votes in key swing states that were cast that did not fit the state legislatures’ rules for voting? Specifically curious about the dramatic trend to early mail in voting and signature validation. May or may not have been justified by Covid. Also possible that the Trump team could’ve had more lawyers involved earlier before the election. But as an issue, how reasonable is it to be concerned about the irregularities question. Second is the effect of the mainstream media and social media. Even prior to Trump’s election there was strong messaging of Trump working with Russians. Then there was the obvious Russian collusion investigation. I have essentially lost friends because I could never agree with them that Trump was elected by the Russians. Then we have a summer of riots fomented and supported by Democrats. You might believe that was purely because they cared about black lives. Others might question their political motivations on sewing such discontent. Have you noticed those protests and riots have disappeared even though there are still white police shooting unarmed blacks. Last there was the clear obfuscating, hiding or downplaying the Hunter Biden laptop right before the election. Well in no way direct fraud, these actions no doubt seed distrust among many voters. Third is an almost complete disregard of the 2016 election and the many claiming of illegitimacy.

I am looking for answers to the doubts sewn by bad behaviors leading to distrust. This podcast lectured that all was fair, but still, the questions are not addressed. Hope this made speakers feel good but it did not answer my questions. I’m still looking for answers. Stop telling me to sit down and shut up. Listen to what we saw and address the real questions.

Have listened to two episodes (intro + first full) and suspect Bill Whalen is turning in his grave (sic). Podcast dedicated to the phenomenon of election denial? Ok … but ridicule and “Italian satellites” … seriously? I hear the commitment to “both sides” but no mention so far of the revelations of 200 Mules? Standing by for a serious discussion of those findings with the proponents as counterpoint to liberal academic navel-gazing. Thru early November, my finger remains poised over the “mark played” button!

Democrat my whole life but listening to this podcast has changed my views and made me more open to conservative viewpoint us. Highly recommend.

Excellent straightforward & intelligent discussion on policy/politics matters of yesterday, today & tomorrow

Whalen bleated on for weeks about discontented California voters….looking forward to your episode where you try to explain the result.

Debra Saunders? Complete waste and pretty out of touch. I used to listen consistently — but your hatred of Trump is getting boring — and some of your guests … ugh. We need your voice but please step out of your bubble!

Bill is a great interviewer, most conversations are rino’s lamenting about trump and tumpism.

I’ve been an avid listener of this podcast since the last couple years it was titled Area 45. Bill Whalen is a great interviewer, has on interesting guests, and always brings a lot to the conversations from his own experiences in journalism and politics. Although I am not a California resident, the dissenting views regularly offered on the podcast regarding the state’s one party rule are informative and valuable as the issues discussed often have national import. I discovered this podcast after listening to Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson. Fans of Matters of Policy & Politics will likely also be interested in Hoover’s Good Fellows podcast, which Whalen moderates.

What in the Hades is the Hoover Institutuion doing having on the idiot-leftist-statist-communist Terry Moe? Why are you giving this person *any* time? If I wanted leftist diatribe, I would subscribe to the New York Times. I was subscribed to this podcast......now I'm not. Very dissapointed.

Hopefully this episode is the outlier. Moe adds nothing of intellectual value, knowledge or utility. The first Hoover podcast that I found to be an utter waste of time. Even an excellent, well prepared and knowledgeable interviewer could not compensate for the guest’s failures on so many levels.

Terry Moe is a never Trumper who seems incapable of rational thought when ever he thinks about Trump. In the process he feels it necessary to denigrate anyone who doesn’t hate Trump as much as he does.

These are some of the best podcasts anywhere. Amazing! They actually cite real data and cite real studies that can be statistically verified. None of that mushy, feelings-based babble you hear on CNN and MSNBC. if everyone in America heard this information, we have a very different government. Spread the word to you friends to give a listen. Just wish they made more podcasts. It’s like getting a Stanford education without spending $60,000 a year!

If you like to hear conventional thinking expounded on by establishment Republicans then this is the podcast for you. If you think these are not conventional times and that conventional thinking has a little utility, then I would look elsewhere for insightful information.

If you think politics is the “ important stuff” you have learned nothing the last four years. That is exactly what we are sick of. Government policy and promises need to go away and let people determine their own direction.

Thought out, logical, and needed. Especially now that Hoover is under fire at Stanford.

I listen to most of the Hoover podcasts. When I saw this one was titled “45” for the 45th President, I wasn’t sure I’d like it because, while I am a Conservative, I’m not the biggest Trump fan. But I gave it a try and was pleased to discover this really has little to do with the President himself, it is discussion of recent political issues in the typical thoughtful, smart style we expect from Hoover Institute podcasts. Thanks!

As with all of the Hoover podcasts... simply great! The depths of knowledge and insight coupled with longevity in the fields of study, provides a perfect balanced conversation. Regardless of topic.

An outstanding podcast consisting of the most incisive and comprehensive analysis of the impeachment and acquittal of President Trump to date. Well done indeed. Keep up the great work.

Very informative!

A little too “pro-trump at all costs” but overall a good, sometimes balanced discussion of big topics.

Oh, goodie! My favorite podcasters in the same podcast! Bill Whalen and John Batchelor, the most intelligent gentlemen in the business; this will be a treat to be savored more than once.

Dip in and be amazed at how thoughtful and interesting each interview is. Like grad school compressed into a podcast. You want to take notes and share immediately.

I was looking for another politics based podcast to look at issues when I came across Area 51. I have listened to multiple episodes now and feel I can write an accurate review on how they approach political discourse and topical issues. I have found the topics as stated to be interesting but many times the hosts always place a liberal bend into how they approach the presidency. They might disagree but take the impeachment episode. Every single podcast member sees an open and shut impeachment and a tide of republican support. This seems to indicate a more moderate understanding of how politics is used today in the world. They have very little understanding of the role media and perception have played in propping up minuscule situations and take leaps of logic when it comes to broad sweeping actions regarding conservative ideologies. I wanted to enjoy this podcast but found myself questioning whether these guys actually understand the issues they discuss at all.

Excellent episode!

Content mostly outstanding. Colleagues in studio are rarely heard well and takes away from show. 50% of podcasts seem to suffer this issue

Nice job avoiding the show title, as you did not cover the US/UK relationship as history or in current context. Hey I guess it’s difficult for the right wing twit to reconcile that Trump is systematically destroying the alliance system that WC helped create and steadfastly supported. How someone who spent a lifetime studying WC and is now a Neo fascist apologist is beyond incredible. I’ll guess this is why AR got hammered in the panel discussion this week.

Chew on interviews more substantial than merely entertaining.

I always looked forward to Bill Whalen’s insightful political analysis every Monday night on the John Batchelor Show. So, I was thrilled when I found out about Area 45 - and, needless to say, I have not been disappointed. Mr. Whalen is as terrific an interviewer as he is an analyst, and his choice of guests and topics are brilliant.

Kounalakis glosses over the Socialist dictatorship reality faster than a Democrat on his way to a pot dispensary. What’s blowhard. If all podcasts here at Area 45 are this lame I’m gone.

Great show, insightful, well thought. RECORDED BY AN 8 YEAR OLD WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER. Seriously, is mix placement that difficult? Can Hoover afford a second mic??

Whalen interviews guests really well and gets into the meat of whatever issue in a fun manner that does not ignore gravity of the issue.

If you want to listen to a group of people who have been wrong on policy for their entire career still being wrong the this podcast is a perfect one. These guys didn’t understand, see or predict the Trump Presidency and yet they continue using the same set of standards or lens’ to bloviate amongst themselves all their great wisdom and knowledge of the political world which consists of 90 square miles of the United States. It’s to bad the Hoover Institute doesn’t have the ability to use intellectual experience from history and find people who actually FEEL this wave and the importance of it. If you hate President Trump this is a great podcast.

Bill Whalen does an excellent job interviewing his guests. All are brilliant people who explain their positions very clearly. Learn so much every time I listen. I hope Michael Auslyn will get to finish his. Please keep this podcast going. It is my favorite one of all because it is consistently great!

A unique and always relevant perspective!

Great show. Full of thoughtful insights that you should have had, but missed doing.

Hoover fellow Bill Whalen is a fantastic interviewer with insightful guests and meaningful issues and topics. I think the policy recommendations that emanate from Area 45 are highly valuable. The Trump administration should be listening to Area 45! Keep up the great work, Bill.

Bill, your interview with Jeff Barker provided a unique perspective on the political life of John McCain via his hometown beat reporter, Jeff Barker. It was all Straight Talk, fascinating, and an appropriate homage. Congratulations. Keep this up.

If you’re sick of the noise, listen to some smart people talk about politics without raising their voice, respecting themselves, listeners, and even those on the other side of the aisle!

I find most of these podcast to be excellent in content. I do, however, have a really difficult time understanding the host. His voice is low and does not seem to project well and even when I listen to him on other podcasts his voice appears muddy.

Really a terrific pod cast. Relevant timely discussions of key issues.

I listen to many Hoover Inst. podcasts and am happy to have found this one as well. Great well informed discourse by constructive and critical people this time with an emphasis on California.

Especially enjoyed Bill Whalen's podcast with Hugh Hewitt. Great topics and interviews.

Area 45 podcasts are always informative and entertaining. Bill Whalen does a terrific job by asking good questions that keep guests, all of whom are deeply knowledgeable about their subjects, focused on topics that are interesting and relevant to the pressing issues of the day. I've heard not a single dull podcast and enjoy them all.

Richly informative deep dives into news and policy.

Area 45 never fails to deliver. The topics and guests cover an extraordinary breadth at a level of detail that respects the listener. While obviously leaning conservative, I have found both guests and interviewer follow the facts and give me a lot of fodder for thinking. This is not the usual stuff hashed, rehashed and worse -- it's solid, challenging information discussed by knowledgable and interesting people.