“We still can’t get his name right.”

On this week’s Defense Nerds Podcast, Military Times Deputy Editor Leo Shane and Defense News Capitol Hill Bureau Chief Joe Gould talk about the paper’s recent interview with Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind., and an Afghanistan war veteran. Despite being a relative unknown in April, he has risen near the top of a crowded field of challengers to President Donald Trump.

The pair also discuss House Democrats passing their draft of the annual defense authorization bill over Republican objections and the upcoming confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper this week.

They also debate ideas for new naming rules of military bases following a move to block future installations from getting monikers connected to the Confederacy.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Subscribe to the podcast on Google Play.

Subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher.

Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.

Joe Gould was the senior Pentagon reporter for Defense News, covering the intersection of national security policy, politics and the defense industry. He had previously served as Congress reporter.

Share:
More In Podcasts