If there is someone who knows more about American politics than Jonathan Martin, I don’t know of him. Neither does anyone else, frankly. “J-Mart” is a writer at Politico and the host of On the Road, an interview show in which Jonathan meets prominent politicians at famed local eateries.
In our Q&A, we pick through the midterms, but we begin with Stephen Miller, whom President Trump has just named his chief of staff. What does this mean? J-Mart has a pretty good idea.
As we talk, we cover JD Vance, who is doing some fast political dancing. We turn our eyes to Texas, Maine, and other interesting states. We discuss the “blacklash,” and a historic election in Georgia. We’ve got “The Big Dog,” a.k.a. Bill Clinton. “Hurricane Abdul,” i.e., the new senator from Michigan. The late Lindsey Graham. LBJ (even). A host of characters.
Jonathan Martin makes politics absolutely alive. He eats, sleeps, and breathes this stuff, and knows it cold (or hot). His fund of stories is inexhaustible. His insights are keen.
At the end of our conversation, I make a confession to him (and you): I, who had always loved politics, fell out of love with it some years ago. J-Mart helps me get it back.
