Best Political Podcasts of 2008

With the use of mp3 players growing more and more widespread, and commuters relying less on their personal cars and more on public transportation, radio is out and podcasts are in! With the vast variety of political podcasts now available online, missing your favorite radio show is no longer a big deal-you can easily subscribe to your favorite podcast and listen at your own leisure-whether while commuting to work, working out at the gym, or just hanging out with friends. By subscribing to these podcasts, you'll gain a unique and diverse understanding of the multi-faceted political issues facing the United States.

With the abundance of political podcasts now flooding the internet, choosing a podcast can sometimes be difficult. Here is a list of my recommendations of the best political podcasts of 2008, in no particular order.

1) Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared is an intellectually stimulating podcast broadcasted by National Public Radio. Intelligence Squared features "Oxford Style" debates about a variety of controversial topics. Some of the most interesting debates I've heard on recent Intelligence Squared podcasts present motions on whether "tough interrogations" are necessary, whether guns reduce crime, and if reducing carbon emissions is worth the cost. These topics and more are vigorously debated between 6 panelists (representing two sides of a given issue). For you intellectuals out there who enjoy debating and enthusiastic discussion on controversial issues, give this political podcast a try.

2) Meet the Press

Meet the Press podcast is presented by National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and features riveting interviews with political leaders and other newsworthy characters across the United States and the world. This podcast presents a vast array of interviews with different interesting people that have an effect on the United States everyday. If you'd like to get into the mind of politicians and newsmakers, give this podcast a try.

3) Talk of the Nation

Talk of the Nation is yet another terrific podcast presented by NPR. Talk of the Nation presents various sides of political, economic, religious, and educational issues (to name a few) in the United States by inviting knowledgeable guest speakers and engaging them in fruitful discussion and debate. This podcast also presents the views of listeners by accepting their questions and opinions. Some of the best recent Talk of the Nation podcasts I've heard discussed the closing of Guantanamo Bay, new embryonic stem cell therapy trials, and the current relevancy of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program. If you want to stay current on all sorts of topics affecting the United States, listen to Talk of the Nation podcast.

4) 60 Minutes Podcast

60 Minutes Podcast is presented by CBS Broadcasting Inc. If you've heard of 60 Minutes, this is the radio podcast version of the Emmy Award winning television show broadcasted on Sunday evenings. 60 Minutes presents different stories on a variety of political and non-political issues. Some of the most interesting recent stories have been about the new spin on the prosecution of drunk driving in New York, a discussion with Saudi oil Minister, and an interview with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on energy policy. These interesting stories and more are available through the 60 minutes political podcast.

5) Story of the Day

Story of the Day Podcast is a compilation of National Public Radio's (NPR) best stories each day. These stories are compiled from the radio shows All Things Considered and Morning Edition, as well as some other shows such as shows about the environment, music, and movies. Story of the Day podcast always airs new and interesting stories about the United States-from interesting interviews to riveting discussions on global warming to hilarious narratives about life. Although Story of the Day podcast does not always present political issues, this podcast is too great to pass up. If you like NPR's Story of the Day, consider trying World Story of the Day for a global look at the world.