My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates.  "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review

History
News
Politics
26
14 POINTS About the 2024 ELECTION and Biden, Tr...
We look at the current situation, rich with historical questions, if not historical precedents. We look at brokered conventions, VP choices, incapacity, the 12th Amendment, good faith and bad faith debates going on, if 1892 can say anything about the race, and other thoughts. We talk about Punk Biden - meaning the defiant Biden now placing himself on the other side of George Clooney and the NY Times, and Grover Cleveland Trump, the well-known challenger in a race that will be about the incumbent party for some time.
34 min
27
"IT LOOKED LIKE HELL" - The Story of The 1980 D...
The Democratic Convention in New York City in 1980 was not the example to follow for how to run a convention. With the help of "Reaganland" author and historian Rick Perlstein, we look at one of the most frustrating modern conventions. The fight...
77 min
28
THIRTY-POINT BOUNCE - The 1976 DNC Convention
With the help of people who were there, we take you to the 1976 Convention. The convention that nominated then-unknown Jimmy Carter in 1976 convention was worth 30 percentage points in the polls, and is seen as one of the best organized events by many who study politics. We look at what happened - from a strict chairman's...
96 min
29
That "OTHER Part" of The DECLARATION of INDEPEN...
We know about the first half of the Declaration of Independence and life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But the Declaration also contains a listing of facts submitted to a "candid world" detailing what was wrong in the American colonies and...
29 min
30
BIDEN DEBATE Performance, History, 25th Amendme...
While there is a thing about first debates by incumbent presidents, clearly a pattern of not doing well, we may have had a trend-defyingly bad performance. But it still deserves a little context. We talk about everything - DNC Options, Biden's decisions from here on out, VP Harris, and debate clunkers. in 2004, 1984 and 2012.
29 min
31
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT w/ Richard Lim of "This Ame...
We are pleased to be joined by Richard Lim of This American President Podcast (www.thisamericanpresidentpodcast.com). He discusses William Howard Taft, his considerable accomplishments, his Presidency, his position as governor of the Philippines, and the considerable respect many had for him. We'll also discuss why more than just his weight should be remembered about him. Check out This American Presidents Podcast if you are not subscribed already. As for us, we are part of Airwave Media Network.
47 min
32
Show Update and a Few Book/Podcast Recommendations
We talk about what's happening on MHCBUYP, the Patreon, and some show recs.
17 min
33
The UK GENERAL ELECTION 2024, w/Steve Byrne
The UK has a surprisingly early general election this year, one that will rap up on July 4th, oddly. We talk to former host of What Am Politics Podcast Steve Byrne to give us all the insights of what's going on. Plus, the UK's surprising historical election, 1992
64 min
34
THE MARSHALL PLAN AND ELECTION 48
1948 is the classic comeback political story. And anytime you talk about it, you are talking about the possibility that an incumbent on the ropes come back. That's why MHCBUYP discussed this topic in 2020. But there is another angle to 1948. It's often forgotten that the year featured a sweeping bi-partisan legislative and foreign policy victory and that also factored into the result. We talk with author A.J. Baime about his then new book on the election.
72 min
35
PATTY HEARST Story, The Child Reporter Who Scoo...
A collection of random stories - a child reporter gets the scoop of the lifetime in 1976. A look at the Patty Hearst story and the central question, did she know it. The Potsdam Conference. And a little poetry.
49 min
36
Now on our Patreon: 7 More Stories About the 19...
If you like My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, you'll love the Patreon, where you can get all kinds of additional episodes. Right now, at www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp you can get our episode on 7 More Stories About the 1988 Election. That's free - but if you want more, like Grover Clevelands last letters or Texas Annexation, or FDR during D-Day, join the Patreon for as little as $3 a month.
7 min
37
THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING - 1968 Chicago Conv...
From 2011 where I discussed the 1968 Chicago Convention, with an added note about today's events and the 2024 election and a bit about Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley's broadcast during the '68 convention.
44 min
38
NIXON VERSUS PLYWOOD INFLATION, AND OTHER Presi...
Stories of Presidential inflation fighting and fund-raising that seem to have a similar ring to today's events, in this episode. Nixon's plans to cut housing costs by reducing prices on the key element of housing inspires timber companies but riles environmentalist. Johnson uses his air fleet to shuttle the right people around to get the price of electrical wiring down. Eisenhower, Reagan, Hoover and Clinton raise the gas tax.
26 min
39
HIGH NOON IN TRENTON - John Adams Takes a Stand...
With Jerry Landry of The Presidencies of The United States Podcast [https://www.presidenciespodcast.com/] we talk about a decisive point in John Adam's presidency where the capital moved to Trenton, and Adams had gone to Massachusetts. He comes back to take a decisive stand that will mean a lot for the history of the U.S. Presidency. Jerry's show can be found at - https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. The episode following this one is called "Some Awful Crisis" and it is at - https://www.presidenciespodcast.com/217-some-awful-crisis/ We are part of Airwave Media Network - www.airwavemedia.com
53 min
40
Why Do NEBRASKA AND MAINE Vote for President Th...
It started with one guy's idea.  And nothing happened with it until after he died.  We look at the Maine and Nebraska congressional district system of Presidential elector assignment and its history as both the NE2 and ME2 went for different...
36 min
41
GROVER CLEVELAND'S NON-CONSECUTIVE SECOND TERM:...
Only one person has been elected President twice in non-consecutive terms. But it was not easy. To do it Grover Cleveland had to pass a few difficult tests. From Goody-Goodies to Anti-Snappers, to Anti-Egoists and Scarecrow Festivals; from entering opposing party contests in secret ways to placing bets for your own candidate, to pretending to run in states and letting a third party win, to taking forceful honest stands, 1892 had everything. It was a triumph of navigating complex steampower politics. The first being, did he really want to run again? We are part of Airwave Media Network. www.airwavemedia.com Our sponsor is Money Pickle. Try out their FREE financial advisor service today at MoneyPIckle.com Do you wish to advertise - contact advertising@airwavemedia.com Donate- www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp
66 min
42
THE ELECTION OF 1916 - Part Three; Not a Man To...
84 min
43
THE ELECTION OF 1916: Part Two - He Kept Us Out...
Both major parties have their conventions. The Democratic swashbucklers are at the podium, firing up a party to get excited about Wilson by linking him to a cause. One he didn't ask to be linked to. The Republicans get their party united, and toastmaster Warren G. Harding is fierce as he makes the case to dump Wilson. The Socialists also pick new candidates, a decision which may be as impactful as anything on Election Day.
67 min
44
THE ELECTION OF 1916 - Part One: Everything is ...
America decides whether or not to re-elect a President and it's close. Bruce does his best 1916 version of Steve Kornacki going through the returns as they come in and as the nation awaits a verdict. A President that hadn't been elected with a majority, a re-election that happens while Europe is at war. Early results show that America will get a new President. But those pesky precincts. Why can't they count the vote faster? We talk about the factors behind the election and Wilson's Presidency.
65 min
45
NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT:: Part Three - Aaron ...
Did Aaron Burr try to run for President on the sly, while claiming he didn't? What about that dinner with Jefferson? Did Stephen Douglas stump when he said he was "just visiting his mom?" Did President Monroe actually have a campaign for President in 1820? More to the point did he actually get a vote cast against him? (This one is different from what you may have learned in history class). This, and other stories of that American tradition of not running for President.
56 min
46
NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT: Part Two - The Case ...
They called him the "Hamlet on the Hudson." What series on people not running for President in American history would be complete without the former governor of New York Mario Cuomo. He was famous for coming ever-so-close to running for President. And then, not running. In one case, he left a plane on a tarmac for reporters to watch for hours. Was it politics? Was it bad timing? Was it preference for state government? What about those mob ties [real or imagined] that were talked about? And was it, just maybe, a kind a weird psychological thing? We examine it all, in detail, on this episode..
32 min
47
NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT: Part One - Horatio S...
One thing Horatio Seymour made clear was that he was not running for President. He made it clear by saying not only he would not run but that he "must not be President." His party simply didn't care. And so, there he was on the ballot. In this three-part series we look at people not running for President, not knowing they were running, or in the case of Greeley unable to finish the run because, well, they were not alive. You'll find that not running for President (but announcing it) is almost as much a part of American political history as running for the office.
53 min
48
BROWN V. BOARD OF ED OF TOPEKA, Swain, PICS and...
The Supreme Court said in 1954 that segregated schools were inherently illegal. It took decades to fully address the problem. While events in the South are often discussed, events North also are important to focus on to understand the history. This cast blends modern events with a cast from 2007 talking about Brown, Brown III, Swain, PIC and the associated decisions.
51 min
49
STUDENT LOANS; A History of Ed Financing in th...
College costs have been an issue since the founding of the Republic, as we discuss in this issue, And equally, the desire to provide education to young minds has been strong. What's different about the era we live in is that college is closely associated with debt. Debt that cannot be removed by bankruptcy, and debt that is now considered a national problem. We look at student loans, their history, and on the way a bit of a history of American education. How Harvard isn't Harvard, in a manner of speaking. How Jefferson and Wilson got seriously involved in dorms. How Nixon created a monster, though we can say on purpose. How even education for GIs has been controversial, and how Senator Joe Biden played a role in the problem that President Joe Biden seeks to solve (or ameliorate). Thankful to Brian Stolk and Chris Novembrino who made contributions to research for this episode. We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising - sales@advertisecast.com
87 min
50
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION and America with Will Cla...
In this episode, I talk to fellow Airwave Media podcaster Will Clark of Grey History about the French Revolution and how it shaped American history, how American politicians reacted to it at the time, 100 years ago, and today. We also get into 'grey areas' of the French Revolution: things that we think about it that may be wrong, exaggerated, or even right on target. ABOUT GREY HISTORY Grey History is a podcast dedicated to exploring the ambiguities of the past. Too often history is presented as black and white, and Grey History seeks to examine the area in between those two extremes. Why? Because it’s in the grey that history has its beauty, its intrigue, and, most importantly, its lessons. In order to explore history’s ambiguities, the podcast makes a deliberate point of comparing differing experiences, perspectives, and conclusions. By incorporating testimonies from a wide variety of participants, contemporaries, and historians, we can better understand the lessons of the past. https://greyhistory.com/ Both of our shows are members of the Airwave Media Network www.airwavemedia.com
79 min