Battleground Politics With Lauren Mayk

NBC Philadelphia

From voters to politicians, NBC10's Lauren Mayk explores the dynamics and decisions happening in one of the country’s key political battlegrounds - Pennsylvania - along with New Jersey and Delaware.

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GOP VP nominee JD Vance talks immigration, IVF, Mark Robinson allegations
5d ago
GOP VP nominee JD Vance talks immigration, IVF, Mark Robinson allegations
Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance and Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz were both in Pennsylvania for campaign rallies over the weekend. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke with Vance at his rally in Leesport about Donald Trump’s controversial statements on Haitian immigrants, how a Trump presidency would handle healthcare and IVF treatments and a recent report alleging that Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina, referred to himself as a “Black Nazi” in an online post.Lauren also spoke with Trump supporters at the Leesport rally as well as Kamala Harris supporters at Walz’s rally in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, including a Kenyan native and US citizen who spoke out against Trump’s comments on immigrants.Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:JD Vance interview :44 – The Mark Robinson allegations2:03 – How healthcare and IVF would work under a Trump presidency4:28 – What Vance would say to immigrants who are upset about Trump’s rhetoricInterview with voters at Tim Walz rally 6:29 –US citizen from Kenya on Trump’s comments on immigrants6:53 – Harris supporter on why she’s ‘desperate’ to keep Trump out of the White House7:45 – Harris supporter explains why Tim Walz appeals to her and how she feels about the presidential raceInterview with voters at JD Vance rally 10:30 – Pa. voters explain why they support Donald Trump and JD Vance12:00 – Trump supporters discuss the issues that matter to them the most14:44 – Trump supporter discusses racial division and how to solve it See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What voters want to hear from Harris, Trump during the presidential debate in Philly
Sep 9 2024
What voters want to hear from Harris, Trump during the presidential debate in Philly
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to face off at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for the presidential debate on Tuesday, Sept. 10. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk speaks with National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen about the preparations being made. She also speaks with Pennsylvania voters about what they want to hear from both Trump and Harris during the debate and the rest of the presidential race. Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:Jeffrey Rosen, National Constitution Center President and CEO :33 – The significance of having the presidential debate in Philadelphia1:08 – How the National Constitution Center is preparing for the debate1:49 – The stakes of Tuesday’s presidential debate2:27 – How the rules impact the dynamics of the presidential debate3:18 – The importance of watching the entire presidential debate 4:07 – Appearance vs. substance in presidential debates5:34 – The impact of the 2008 debate between Obama and Clinton at the National Constitution Center6:31 – Things to watch for during Tuesday’s debateMajesty Moreland, voter 7:50 – How she feels about the presidential race8:09 – What she’s looking for in Tuesday’s debate9:00 – How she feels about Kamala Harris and her policies10:35 – Whether or not she will vote in November11:20 – Issues she hopes Harris, Trump address in the debateNeil Stolar, voter 11:53 – Keeping an open mind as the presidential race continues12:40 – Whether or not the debate will influence who he votes forIrma Fralic, voter14:10 – What she wants to hear during the debate14:35 – Whether or not she has an idea of what both candidates would do with foreign policyPam Barnes, voter15:17 – What she hopes to hear from Harris, Trump during the debate16:33 – Who she will vote for and why  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
DNC Recap: On the floor at the convention as Pres. Biden passes the torch to VP Kamala Harris
Aug 24 2024
DNC Recap: On the floor at the convention as Pres. Biden passes the torch to VP Kamala Harris
NBC10 political reporter Lauren Mayk was on the floor with delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In this episode, hear her conversations with lawmakers (Philadelphia Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean and Senator Chris Coons) - and an unexpected appearance by Delaware Governor John Carney - on the night Hillary Clinton and President Biden took the stage at the DNC. She also spoke with former Congressman Patrick Murphy from Bucks County about his friendship with Gov. Tim Walz and his family. 1:06 – Philadelphia Council member Katherine Gilmore Richardson reflects on Hillary Clinton’s run in 20161:34 – Richardson on chants of “Lock Him Up” during Hillary Clinton’s speech2:44 – Pennsylvania Congresswoman Madeleine Dean how she’s feeling being at the DNC for the first time4:47 – Rep. Dean on President Joe Biden stepping aside and not running again5:55 – Delaware Gov. John Carney joins the conversation to reflect on President Biden’s life in politics8:30 – Delaware Senator Chris Coons on the historic nature of the DNC9:21 – Sen. Coons shares the advice Pres. Biden shared with him10:07 – Coons talks about Biden’s decision to step aside for Vice President Kamala Harris to run for the White House11:05 – Coons discusses Biden’s potential impact on VP Harris’ campaign and possible administration13:20 – Coons on protests regarding the Israel-Hamas War and the election14:55 – Former Congressman Patrick Murphy from Bucks County shares insight into knowing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz17:02 – Murphy shares his thoughts on former President Donald Trump’s criticism of Walz’s military service18:33 – Murphy how Bucks County voters will view Walz’s record as governor in MinnesotaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker talks inspiration, Pete Buttigieg speaks on the presidential race
Aug 22 2024
Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker talks inspiration, Pete Buttigieg speaks on the presidential race
Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker’s spirited statements during the ceremonial roll call has made him one of the breakout stars of the Democratic National Convention. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Lauren Mayk spoke with Mayor Walker about his late sister and how she inspired him. She also spoke with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg about Harris and the importance of Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election. Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:Interview with Pete Buttigieg:38 – The importance of Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election1:18 – Kamala Harris’ stance on fracking2:05 – Whether or not a Harris administration would be similar to Biden’s administration3:02 – What the VP nomination process was like4:05 – Attacks on Tim Walz’s military service4:21 – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.5:16 – Whether or not Buttigieg would serve in a Harris administration5:31 – Whether or not Buttigieg would run for president againInterview with Mayor Dwan B. Walker6:15 – Mayor Walker introduces himself and Aliquippa6:30 – What the roll call was like at the DNC7:03 – How Walker’s late sister inspired him9:43 – What it’s like to nominate a Black woman as president11:08 – What made Walker attend the DNC11:34 – What Walker represents12:33 – Speaking with voters about the economy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Local Pa. Republican committee member under fire for push against Donald Trump
Aug 14 2024
Local Pa. Republican committee member under fire for push against Donald Trump
There has been some political drama in Montgomery County connected to the presidential race. A local Republican Committee official says he will not vote for the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, and has encouraged others to join him. Matthew McCaffery said that led to a formal complaint against him and talk of a disciplinary hearing if he didn't resign. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10's Lauren Mayk sat down with both McCaffery and the chair of the Montgomery County Republican Committee to ask about what happens now as well as talk of ticket-splitting and winning over voters. Here's a full breakdown of the episode: 0:44 – Matthew McCaffery discusses being a lifelong Republican and why he’s not supporting candidate Donald Trump2:15 – McCaffery explains his previous votes3:12 – McCaffery talks about why choosing Joe Biden or Kamala Harris is a better choice in his eyes4:40 – Why he voted for Nikki Halley in PA’s primary5:20 – Reflecting on Nikki Haley supporting Donald Trump6:42 – Going against his own party8:20 – McCaffery discusses where any disciplinary actions stand against him9:37 – McCaffery explains why he thinks he should still hold his seat despite breaking the bylaws10:22 – The fight for the Republicans who are pushing back against Donald Trump and his supporters11:43 – McCaffery discusses other candidates and who he supports in the upcoming election12:43 – McCaffery looks ahead at what his future looks like in the Republican party and as a voter14:14 – Christian Nascimento explains Montgomery County Republican Committee bylaws16:11 – Nascimento on the difference between being a voter, being part of party leadership16:30 – November election17:44 – Nascimento on fighting for every vote19:40 – Impact of change at the top of the Democratic ticket20:32 – Potential impact on down-ballot races21:32 – The excitement of voters on the ground in Montgomery County22:52 – If having a woman on the top of the Democratic ticket changes Republican’s strategy22:37 – How Montgomery County’s committee works with nearby counties24:17 – Nascimento shares his thoughts on the possibility of voters ticket-splitting24:55 – How rare is a situation like the one with McCaffery26:45 – If Matthew McCaffery would be kicked out in the event he doesn’t resignSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Delegates at the RNC react to assassination attempt on Donald Trump
Jul 19 2024
Delegates at the RNC react to assassination attempt on Donald Trump
The Republican National Convention took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, only days after former President and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania that also left two people – including the gunman – dead and two others injured. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, delegates at the RNC share their reactions to the shooting as well as their thoughts on Trump and the current state of the GOP. Here's a full breakdown of the episode: 1st interview: James Hutchison of Lackawanna County, Pa. :41 -- Reaction to the assassination attempt 1:10 -- Concerns over Trump’s safety going forward 2:15 – Changes to the Republican party platform 3:50 – Reaction to Project 2025 2nd interview: Leslie Morgan of Delaware County, Pa.5:00 – Staying focused on the RNC platform after assassination attempt on Trump6:02 – Abortion and the current GOP platform 3rd interview: Michael Giannetta and Michael Giannetta Jr. of Lackawanna County, Pa.8:04 – Why Michael Jr. wanted to attend the RNC 8:24 – Reaction to assassination attempt on Trump 10:04 – Impact of assassination attempt on political rhetoric 4th interview: Patrick and Eve Cubbage of Northampton County, Pa. 11:08 – Overall feeling after assassination attempt on Trump See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Republican National Convention preview and what to know about battleground Wisconsin
Jul 13 2024
Republican National Convention preview and what to know about battleground Wisconsin
Republicans will formally nominate Donald Trump for president for a third straight time at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk speaks with a panel of political insiders about what people can expect from the 2024 RNC. That panel includes Jim Worthington, the Chair of the Pennsylvania Delegation to the RNC, Guy Ciarrocchi of the Commonwealth Foundation, and Mustafa Rashed of Bellevue Strategies. Then Lauren speaks with University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Michael Wagner who compares the two swing states Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Here’s a full breakdown of the episode: Jim Worthington, Guy Ciarrocchi, Mustafa Rashed preview the Republican National convention :48 – How the 2024 RNC will be different from past conventions 2:00 – Whether or not everyone at the 2024 RNC will be “all in” on Trump 2:45 – Unity among Republicans 4:15 – Democrats during the RNC5:28 – Appealing to independent voters 7:00 – The current GOP platform 8:45 – What Democrats are watching for at the RNC 10:51 – Potential impact of Trump’s criminal sentencing 13:00 – GOP strategies after the RNC Professor Michael Wagner compares Wisconsin to Pennsylvania as swing states 15:00 – Why Wisconsin is a swing state 15:40 – The current political state of Wisconsin 17:20 – The political geography of Wisconsin 18:22 – The politics of the Wisconsin suburbs 19:20 – Key counties in Wisconsin 20:09 – The impact of demographic changes in Wisconsin 21:04 – What people don’t realize about Wisconsin that could make a difference in the election22:07 – How Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are similar as swing statesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Voters in Philly, Pa. suburbs, South Jersey weigh in on the presidential debate
Jul 2 2024
Voters in Philly, Pa. suburbs, South Jersey weigh in on the presidential debate
In the hours after the presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk caught up with a Philly resident, a Montgomery County resident and a South Jersey resident to get their reactions. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, the three voters shared their thoughts on the debate and whether or not they’re closer to making a decision. Here’s a full breakdown of the episode: 1st voter: Majesty Moreland of North Philadelphia :45 – Thoughts on the presidential debate 1:10 – Lack of confidence after debate 2:02 – Thoughts on Biden and Trump 2:36 – Whether or not Biden’s age impacts her vote 3:30 – Whether or not she will vote for Trump 4:00 – Where the debate leaves her as a voter 4:47 – Why she voted for Biden in 2020 5:30 – Whether or not Democrats should change their candidate 6:13 – Thoughts on Vice President Kamala Harris 2nd voter: Irma Fralic of Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania 6:58 – Thoughts on the presidential debate 8:11 – Unanswered questions during the debate 11:20 – Whether or not she wants Biden and Trump to debate again 11:55 – Changing the party system 13:52 – Deciding who to vote for  3rd voter: Bill Schmidt of East Greenwich, New Jersey 15:36 – Thoughts on the presidential debate 16:52 – Thoughts on Trump’s answers during the debate 18:37 – Thoughts on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 20:45 – Who he would vote for today 21:13 – What he’s hoping comes out of the debate See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Philly Managing Director Adam Thiel talks Kensington, the city’s challenges and more
Jun 21 2024
Philly Managing Director Adam Thiel talks Kensington, the city’s challenges and more
In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke with Philadelphia Managing Director Adam Thiel about the challenges the city faces, the future of Kensington and the status of an investigation into overspending by the Office of Homeless Services during the city’s previous administration. Thiel also spoke with Lauren about whether or not he would ever consider running for office.Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:1:05 – The transition from fire commissioner to managing director2:04 – The differences between Mayor Kenney and Mayor Parker3:13 – Thiel’s thoughts on his successor, Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson3:53 – The next steps for Kensington7:00 – The status of the people who were in Kensington’s homeless encampment8:32 – How housing works for the previously unhoused10:28 – Current timeline of the Riverview Wellness Village12:30 – City’s involvement with treatment centers13:41 – Status of homeless shelter in Fairmount after city council votes to block renewal of lease16:14 – Pushback from city residents on homeless shelters18:11 – The city budget proposal process19:57 – The investigation of overspending in the Office of Homeless Services24:00 – Fixing staffing issues at city prisons26:44 – Expectations for full-time return to office for city employees29:30 – Thiel on whether or not he would ever run for officeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pa. voters speak on Biden, Trump, abortion, economy, immigration, Israel-Hamas War and more
May 3 2024
Pa. voters speak on Biden, Trump, abortion, economy, immigration, Israel-Hamas War and more
During a weeklong stretch in mid-April, former President Donald Trump came to the Lehigh Valley two days before his criminal trial began while President Joe Biden made three stops in Pennsylvania, including in Philadelphia.In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Lauren Mayk spoke with Pennsylvania voters as the candidates came to town. They spoke about abortion, the economy, immigration, Trump’s criminal trial, the Israel-Hamas War and who they plan to vote for. Lauren also spoke with Villanova University political science professor David Barrett about the presidential race and visits in the swing state. Here's a full breakdown of the episode:1:21 – Pennsylvania voters on what motivates them2:02 – Pa. voters speak on abortion4:12 – Pa. voters speak on economy, immigration, inflation and corruption5:25 – Pa. voters speak on his criminal trial6:29 – Philly voters speak on President Biden8:37 – Getting focused on issues and policies this election year9:37 -- Philly voter on what it means for President Biden to come to their neighborhood12:30 -- Voter speaks on Trump and criminal charges13:20 -- Protester speaks on Biden, Trump and Israel-Hamas War16:24 -- David Barrett, Professor of political science at Villanova, joins Lauren16:32 -- The impact of in-person visits in a campaign and the value in swing states17:28 -- How the type of event matters in a campaign19:00 – Does not having a running mate place Trump at a disadvantage?19:54 -- The dynamics of campaigning post-pandemicSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.