How does history create a Presidential image?  We try to answer this with a look at how Lincoln became an image.  Not only were historians involved but the family, a sculptor, some oddballs and some really good Lincoln friends.  ...

In this episode, we go ‘across the pond’ and think about politics, with our special guest Stephen Byrne from WhatAmPolitics Podcast, a listener to the program and someone that Bruce has spoken to whenever UK events happen. We discuss: Why is...

With all  the tariff talk recently, it's worth noting where former Presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan stood, for free trade - though not out of a concern for business.

The textualism of conservative Justice Scalia and liberal Justice Hugo Black is contrasted and compared as we anticipate the arrival of Neil Gorsuch to the Court.  Gorsuch is a committed textualist.  What does that mean?  We look at that, we look at al

Presidents and Intelligence, from Kennedy to Trump.  With a particular focus on the PDB or the Presidents Daily Briefing with Dr. David Priess, the Author of The President’s Book of Secrets. We discuss: Tension Presidents and The CIA, In History a

…and probably for a good reason. 1968 and an announcement of a bombing halt over Vietnam by LBJ in the last week of the election has all sides moving in many directions. Evidence points to Nixon campaign involvement in scuttling talks through a thi

Further conversation brought about from my interview with Daily Beast's John Avlon about his Washington's Farewell book. More specifically, how does one use George Washington in a debate? Then and now.

George Washington is a distant figure.  Sometimes, because of the distance in time, he appears too ancient to influence America’s debates today.  But he was a real person, and he was involved in politics and dealt with partisanship.  He also left

Not everyone can be an FDR, but everyone tries. A look at the American tradition of 100 days – the period in which the President, supposedly, must get everything done.  A White House mastering it, and another White House, besieged by the press, not

The concept of a President earning a right to govern and direct the agenda on behalf of the People is, in historical terms, a new concept.   No such concept is present in Constitution, nor does it appear, was imagined by Constitutional supporters or o

Despite a tendency towards state action and small actions at the general level, even the early American government knew that data - seeking would have a role.  and they put a man in charge of it up to the task - Thomas Jefferson.  From the...

From Roger Taney to Charles Warren (pictured) to John Tower, the few and the not so proud perhaps.  It is rare for the choice of a President not to get their choice.  But there have been a few rejections.  And why?  Were they rejected for great reas

Emerson Ethridge - The Man Who Tried to Steal Congress

it's complicated, but evidence weighs on the right.  Though we caution- Godwin's rule should apply and smart debaters shouldn't reverse and call right wingers Nazis.  On one hand 'socialism' is in the party name, which pre-dates Hitler's...

Russians, spying, Putin, Soviets, American responses.

Based on a new book by Bruce, a look at the myth that the President creates jobs, from Monroe to Kennedy to Trump

Kamala Harris is the 49th Vice President, Biden the 46th President? Why is this - I looked at this in 2016, along with other listener questions.

A look at the election of 1916, also a surprise to supposed-President Hughes.  And about 2016, how close all of us were and how far away, and what happens now.  

Pre-Election Discussion

Truman Surprise and Pollster Failure

Attack ads and other negative politics aren't new. Here we read some, set to jazz music to get us in mood for campaign season.

The history of 2nd debates in American History.  Often this is where the action happens. In 1960, it changed the election campaign even if no one noticed.  

Two candidates.  Both disliked by their parties.  Not loved by voters.  One maybe slightly better than the other.  Until a scandal breaks, making the election a squeaker.  

The October Surprise scandal that could have been, but almost brought down LBJ.  What it says about history and today.