The Revolution with Steve Kornacki

2,051

To understand the partisanship and bitterness of American politics today, you have to consider what happened in 1994. Steve Kornacki, National Political Correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, steps back from the Big Board to tell the origin story of the 1994 Republican “revolution,” the midterm election when the GOP took the House majority for the first time in four decades. It was set in motion by Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich, who — over the course of 15 years — pushed Republicans in a direction of confrontation and conservatism. Steve talks with Newt’s allies and adversaries about backroom strategy sessions and dramatic battles on the House floor. As yet another midterm threatens to upend the political landscape, Kornacki hears echoes of 1994 everywhere. Follow now and join Steve Kornacki through all six episodes, out October 31st.

Recent Episodes

Episodes loading...

Recent Reviews

Sheenwas

Steve is The Man U Want…

…in times like these. I could listen to Steve read the phone book. When it comes to politics, I always want to hear what he has to say.
Jeff from South St Paul

Fair and Balanced!

So good. So informative.
Sandozmom

FASCINATING!!

I learned a TON and was totally entertained at the same time. I’m a huge fan of Steve K. and geek out for politics, but had no knowledge whatsoever about the genesis of today’s brand of politics. Thanks for the education! And I’m telling anyone who will listen to check this out!! I’m anxious to see what’s next!! Please do another series!!
juanr1115

Steve is fantastic!

Great look back at a very interesting time in America. Steve is a fantastic story teller.
253aaron

Steve is amazing

What a great pod cast. Can’t wait to see what Steve does next!
PMCorky

Excellent in-depth coverage!

Well-written and researched podcast that gives all who listen ( & all should listen) a much deeper insight into the past 40 years, when many of us were seldom immersed in daily political happenings. Thank you, Steve, for your hard work & stellar presentation in piecing together the puzzle of how we got to today’s state of affairs.
Anyi Li

This is great! Clear and fascinating!

Steve Kornacki is as expected, always explains these things with enthusiasm and clarity. Something about his voice and his style, logical and fun. Can’t stop listening!
delivery is not working

Outstanding!! A must listen.

I couldn’t stop listening to the next espisode.
Aaron Marcizzle

Fascinating

Well researched and well reported.
Faithfai

Outstanding podcast!

Please do more of these podcast. So helpful to understand historical context of what’s happening today.
Bhilhg

Nagging a few things at a

Bieber and the other three men who have a long relationship have a history in politics that is a
Ksspheller

Missing Health Care Reform

I love Steve Kornacki, and think what’s here is excellent. But I’m very disappointed that he couldn’t incorporate the failed Clinton health reform effort in this story, and Hillary Clinton’s role in it. It was so over engineered, and the Administration was so inflexible about its provisions, that Democrat as well as Republican opposition was a key factor in the Gingrich takeover.
Adriana in DC

Fascinating

I thought I knew the story— I was so wrong. Thank you so much.
R_N_F

“IMPRESSIVE”

The only time I’ve ever agreed with Gingrich is when he remarks that this Podcast “was a remarkably useful contribution to history.” Thanks for such an great effort.
Gettingthinr

Informative

Helped me understand events that I lived through, plus their impact on the country today. Intelligently written and well presented.
Voter1066

Thorough and In-depth

This felt very balanced to this average voter.
Bead Weasel

So good!

This special podcast is so good and smart. I miss Kornacki’s podcast and want more! He is brilliant and he makes concepts accessible and understandable.
JoeCirin

Outstanding history!

I worked in the House of Representatives for most of the time covered in this podcast. It is dead on. I really can’t believe how well it covers the politics, policies and the personalities. This podcast should be required listening for anyone who wants to understand how the Republican Party became what it is today.
Pete’s App Store stuff

Great show with fantastic inside and historical perspective!

I am a political history, junkie, and found this to be one of the best and most balanced assessments of the Gingrich revolution. Not only did the show discuss the facts, but it took a reason and review of the reasons behind what happened, and the implications thereof. This podcast was exceptionally well done!
Jason Hoj

Very Well Done!

I first took an interest in politics during the Bill Clinton era so I remember most of these events pretty clearly. Kornacki does a great job of presenting that era in a clear, unbiased, and informative style. I enjoyed the podcast immensely!
Kevin OSU

Steve Kornacki

He is simply one of the best on politics. He loves it, studies it, and can speak on the history of it. He takes an open mind and learns the story. Then becomes the teacher. He is the best on election night
Linkin Steff

Interestingly, brings us up to date

By providing the “Republican Revolution” story as a long-term disciplined partisan rhetorical and programmatic struggle, we get some clearer understanding of the Republican siege mentality we live with every day.
GrmBet

Kornacki being Kornacki

Always informative and he has way to say stories in a very simplistic way’
asr1492

How and Why Things Happen

With the same rare combination of detailed information and insightful analysis that we political junkies have learned to expect on MSNBC election coverage, Steve Kornacki demonstrates his mastery of the podcast format. It is enjoyable, and I always learn something from listening.
Triedalotofnicknames

The history lesson all Americans should hear

Kornacki, as always, presents the facts in a non-judgmental way and unfolds the story of the key events that led America to the toxic land of right wing grievance politics. The final interview with Gingrich validates.... Gingrich still is focused on dividing us by espousing hate on his targeted enemies.... The Democrats - every one of them, Soros (read = Jews) Welfare recipients (read=The Blacks, despite the fact that Whites in red states are the biggest recipients of entitlements) The Media.... without his targeted enemies he is revealed to be weak. Gingrich was and is incapable of effectively having any power without his rhetoric encouraging Americans to hate one another. Gingrich is, in the end, The antithesis of a leader.
Critna

The Revolution - A definite must listen!

Impressive!!!! Brilliantly done!
Michael3930

Revolution

Fantastic! The best series available. Steve is wonderful.
Butte Valley Independent

Up To Speed

This podcast will get you up to speed if you haven’t followed politics no matter what party you are aligned with. Definitely has historic value and insight.
Sm19876

Well researched and balanced

I will be using this to teach about political parties! Detailed and well researched.
FrancoBidd

Refreshingly balanced and smart

So good. I listened to all 7 episodes in a weekend. As someone who had just begun to vote around this time, it was fascinating and enlightening to revisit this era, and to learn more about what was going on politically then. Thank you for just laying out the details and the history and allowing us to form our own opinions. Feels like a sort of authentic (and respectful) journalism that is rare these days.
Kbc610

Enlightening and entertaining

Steve Kornacki and his team make content that is both enlightening and entertaining. It’s nice to hear politics discussed in an informed and impartial manner.
ricky128

Great podcast!

Thoroughly enjoyed it, thanks Steve!
TomTom Sims

5 Stars

Speaker Gingrich gave his own assessment of the podcast, stating was direct and not partisan. This podcast is, I feel, an accurate accounting of the shift in GOP policy with Gingrich’s take no prisoners approach. Unfortunately for him, his leadership and dedication was rebuffed by Donald Trump and his ascendency to power. Like Alexander Kerensky, Gingrich was the driving force of the revolution, only to be cast aside by his Lenin. There’s no honor among revolutionaries. Great work- including the interview with the man himself!
Bob12345!

Totally worth the time to listen

Because of the association with MSNBC I was expecting this podcast to be slanted in it’s recounting of this period in time. I was wrong. This podcast is extremely well done and told in a factual, fair and balanced manner. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Needham1533

Informative and Interesting

Kornacki did an excellent job of telling the history of how the Democrats lost their 40 year majority in the House of Representatives and the repercussions that that loss had on politics today. The first five episodes were super interesting and while I did see value in the final two episodes they were not as interesting to me as the historical outline of the first five. I think that it speaks volumes about Kornacki’s journalistic abilities that Gingrich set up a time to speak with Kornacki after the podcast aired.
love my noles

The Revolution

Great podcast!
A Southerner

Integrity with detail, intellectual acuity, cultural wars identified

“Revolution” is infused with journalistic integrity, intellectual acuity and depth, and ended appropriately looking with curiosity toward the viewing resolution of the decades long cultural wars. Thank you. I learned much from this excellent podcast.
lawdiva56

Liberal media

I found it curious that Gingrich thought your first 5 episodes were excellent but still named you as a part of the media that he criticizes. I thought your podcast was representative of MSNBC reporting as a whole - truth and reality-based. Maybe he should listen to more! You did a great job with this project.
Linda L Forsyth MT

Revolution

Excellent Steve Kornacki!!! I’m on Episode 7 where Newt decided to participate after hearing the six episodes. This rates right up there with Ultra, the Bagman, etc. My understanding of Newt Gingrich’s role historically and his influence on the evolution of the Republican Party today. I learned the Democrats control of the House for 40 years until 1994….clearly overlooking and allowing ethical issues to grow under their watch of their own party. Newt brought that to light…I appreciate learning how much I did not know. BTW…your enthusiasm providing us with election night projections, stats amazing!
DemoMP

A Bonus of a Bonas

Although I cannot agree with many of Newt’s observations and criticisms of the Democratic Party and the media, I found the head to head discussion exhilarating and quite thought provoking. I only hope all sides of the political establishment can hear both sides as clearly as the podcast provided, especially the bonus segment. Well done and thanks to both you and Mr Gingrich.
Espoboi21

Great!

Steve is so smart and explains everything very well. Love this podcast and look forward to more from him!
Dad-

Well done!

Kornacki is great and sets the bar for serious, well-researched journalism on US politics. Gingrich has important insights no matter your party.
nemichman

Excellent Coverage

Steve is concise and has a good voice to listen to. The subject is complex but Steve presents everything in a clear and understandable manner. Kudos!
I'llnamethisprofilelater

Great work for the most part

I love how thorough and balanced this podcast was. My only issue is how Steve didn’t push back when Gingrich tried to frame the left in ludicrous terms
no-lea

Great presentation

News everyone in America needs to know
Larry, former civics teacher

The Revolution - Masterful

This podcast is an absolutely captivating portrayal of the last quarter century of American politics. It provides an outstanding review of the underpinnings of the current polarization facing us by refreshing our collective memories of the events of the last 25 years. Hopefully, more will be forthcoming from Steve and his associates on other political topics!
Jendette

Fantastic podcast!

Thorough, engaging, and well-balanced. I learned so much, and hope there’s another podcast on other historical periods in Congress.
88mra

5 star series

Very comprehensive and enlightening series! Chapter 7 brought out the true character of the topic. Pls do it again.
;5()666

Even Newt Thinks it’s Great

Very in depth. Coverage of both sides. Newt said it was a great job until the final episode of the round table. Helps you understand why we are here in politics.
LoveTheMoon

Informative

Very well done and informative podcast. I’m deleting a star because having to listen to Newt spoiled it for me. He has no clue about Democrats. Plus his party didn’t just win. They gerrymandered, disenfranchised voters, and offer lies instead of honestly telling voters they are corporate supporters over people.