Michael sits down with Mark Halperin to break down two of the biggest stories shaping American politics right now: the explosive Texas Senate race and the escalating conflict with Iran. Is Democrat James Talarico the candidate who can finally break Republicans’ decades-long statewide winning streak in Texas? Could a Trump endorsement seal the deal for John Cornyn — or shake up the GOP runoff against Ken Paxton? Halperin assesses whether Democrats are getting ahead of themselves and what the scrutiny phase could mean for Talarico’s rising profile. Then, the focus shifts overseas. As tensions rise and questions swirl about America’s strategy in Iran, Halperin weighs whether the administration’s gamble is paying off and what risks still lie ahead. From Texas politics to Middle East brinkmanship, this is a wide-ranging, high-stakes conversation you won’t want to miss. Original air date 4 March 2025.