One reaction to the inflation stagnation and interest rates of the 1970's was to loosen up on a particular 'harmless' form of banking. It didn't work out so well.

In the past 100 years, over 80% of the first term midterms went badly for Presidents, and their party lost seats. But in a few cases they did not. And a few times when they did, the result was very little real change or even a kind of win. A look at first term midterms during the Presidencies of Chester Arthur, Harding, FDR, GW Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. A combo of new and previously recorded MHCBUYP episodes reveals that while many first term midterms have devastated the President's plans, Presidents don't always do badly, there are 'stave' elections where Presidents have lost so little it's almost a win. And sometimes, a defeat has positive effects. Music by Josh Woodward and Lee Rosevere in this episode. Find them on the Free Music Archive website

The American system is one of divided and concurrent power. Where state starts and federal ends has not always been easy to clarify. A heat wave and a rebellion are among the many incidents that filled in the gaps. Most importantly, The Whiskey Rebellion went a long way to define federal and state powers. The actions taken by President Washington to enforce Federal tax authority, his behavior in regards to contentions of the Pennsylvania governor asserting state power, as well as the large size of the operation, all set important standards that help to define politics today. We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network Advertise on this podcast: sales@advertisecast.com Support us on Patrion - patreon.com/mhcbuyp Make a one=time donation - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KCK98X972XWWU

In 1956 JFK made his first attempt for an Executive Branch office.  Thank God he didn't win it, many thought afterward.

Among other things, we owe the word 'Veep' to Alben Barkley. But more than that. The stumper, legislator and hog caller was a bridge between the 19th century and the 20th. Alben Barkley was an energetic if older Vice President and his actions, along with those of Truman, made the office of VP stronger than it was.

The way Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. approached civil rights was not passive - it was in your face, give no "Fs" style as might be said today. He made some enemies but also got a lot done. In telling the story of Congress's seating powers we tell two stories. One of Emerson Etheridge, the Clerk of the House who during the Civil War attempted to use his powers to take over the House for him and his more conservative Unionist party and to steer policy away from Lincoln administration policy. It almost worked, was it not for a timely tip-off and quick thinking from Lincoln himself. Also the story of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. African-American Congressman whose flamboyant style as well as lingering scandals saw him not seated for Congress - until he took his case to the Supreme Court.

A trip to DC inspires me. I try to talk about just about everything going on in this episode from midterms to J6 to Mara Lago to the Republic as it stands, to third parties in US politics, to former Presidents running to a town name in New York that I butchered. And in case we think things are crazy today, we look a bit at how a poet and a writer viewed Washington in 1963 and 1964.

1876 is the key historical example of an election in American history so bitterly contested, with wrong committed on both sides: Democrats intimidated voters, Republicans responded by ignoring vote returns and merely claiming they won the states. It might have meant a return to rifles, at least in some areas of the country. It definitely was getting hot in D.C. But the reaction of one candidate, Samuel Tilden made it different. And a reporter, William C. Hudson was able to witness the actions of that candidate when urged by partisans to start an extra-constitutional movement. We go to that moment. Also a meeting between Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt witnessed by the same reporter. It finds T.R. not so happy with the result. From political reporter of the 19th century William C Hudson comes too stories with resonant power today. We are part of Airwave Media Network Want to advertise? sales@advertisecast.com

Harry S. Truman thought a congressional committee ideally should be like a 'benevolent policeman' Not changing the facts but investigating them. He should know as he headed up one. Yet he was also critical of committees during his time that he felt did not meet the criteria. Since an investigation of a U.S. army defeat by a Native American tribe in the 1790's, to a look at an attack on the Capitol today, there is a voluminous history of Congressional committees. That makes even this hour and one half plus episode an incomplete history. We take a look at some of the committees, including HUAC the House Un-American Activities Committee, not only in the 1940's but it in it's earlies form under Martin Dies in the 1930, we take a look at Kefauver's crime commission that became a TV sensation and a Civil War era committee that is viewed by historians to have hurt the Union effort in that war. We are part of Airwave Media Network.

The Elvis before Elvis. Making stores out of jukebox technology. World human rights. What a concept? From sending simian astronauts (read monkeys) into space, to the writing of Jack Kerouac - his roadtrip to Cassidy which will beget On the Road begins this year. And of course, there's Truman's election surprise.. We scour the My History Can Beat Up Your Politics archives to look at post war America in the year 1948. Knowing the atmosphere around 1948 in culture and in economics can shed light on Truman's surprise win. We are part of Airwave Media Network Want to advertise - sales@advertisecast.com

Last week we looked at Thomas Hendricks as part of our summer look at Vice Presidents. Today we look at his Indiana political opposite, Schuyler Colfax, GOP Vice President under Grant for his first term and [notably] not for Grant's second. Hero, smiler, progressive-minded politician, crook, orator, storyteller, friend to Lincoln. These are the labels that have been put on this forgotten Vice President of the United States.

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As part of our summer series on obscure Vice Presidents, About Grover Cleveland's first vice President, Thomas A. Hendricks. The Indiana Democratic partisan, stumper, soft money ticket balancer and sometimes issue-straddler is the only Vice President who didn't become President who had his image on the currency. His views were moderate at his time and disturbing in modern times. He opposed the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments but also opposed the Confederacy in the Civil War. And he was the highest American official to speak for independence for Ireland.

We will be on C-SPAN - check out Bruce Carlson live on C-SPAN on Saturday, July 30th at 9:15 AM. Bruce Carlson will be interviewed about his podcast and of course history and politics. Thanks to CSPAN for featuring us. We talk a bit on this quick update episode about midterms and inflation.

We are a month beyond of the 50th anniversary of the Watergate break-in, but it does seem appropriate to note an obscure player in the story. Frank Wills discovered a door had been deliberately held unlocked in the basement of The Watergate Office Complex. The rest became history. But for Wills it was bittersweet. His intersection with history also became a story of race and the choppy waters of a "proto-reality TV" 1970's America. We also tell the story of an intern in the wrong place at the wrong time, though it was perhaps the right time who played a completely accidental role in thwarting a burglary. We are part of Airwave Media Network www.airwavemedia.com Interesting in advertising? sales@airwavemedia.com Music by Lee Rosevere - he's on bandcamp - https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/

George B. McClellan Junior, son of the Union general and Mayor of New York City for two turn-of-the century terms is not history's usual voice, his takes are different. He saw Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson at their most base and political. He became mayor of the nation's largest city and talked about for its highest office, only to earn the displeasure of his sponsors for acting independently (and probably, prudently). He thinks at least one story about Lincoln was overplayed, he was against the United State's entry into World War I. Let's speak to McClellan Jr [ by reviewing his memoirs! ]. About turn of the century politics, political machines, being New York City major and son of famous Civil War General and Democratic candidate for President. . He also speaks to race relations in Congress in the 1890's, being a Northern Congressman in a Southern-dominated party, what it's like to fight the 'tiger' of Tammany Hall and other things.

We are just a few days shy of the 210th anniversary of the War of 1812, the declaration of war by Congress was June 17th, 1812. And you know it because there are celebrations and events all across America.., Oh wait, there's not. The War of 1812 is a little understood war, known mostly for its ending battle in New Orleans and the song that originated from one of its battles. We look at the War of 1812 and one of the battles that was critical, but little talked about today. We talk about what happened that brought us to war? What were the significant battles? What don't people know about it? and what does it all mean for America today including direct influences on today's politics. From a previous episode, aired 10 years ago on the 200th anniversary, and worth revisiting.

Pleased to introduce History is US. It is a 6-part documentary podcast from C13Originals Studios and Jon Meacham, the team behind the 2021 Webby Award-Winning Best Podcast Series It Was Said. Written and narrated by Dr. Eddie Glaude, award-winning author and professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, History is US journeys back to face the truths about race at the heart of the American story. From the aftermath of the Civil War to the mid-twentieth century struggle for freedom to the election of Barack Obama to the current day racial reckoning, History is US asks questions about who we are as a nation, what race might reveal about our current crisis and where we go from here. Through the voices of distinguished historians and scholars, this limited series gives listeners the background and education to understand how we got here … and how we can all use history to clarify the choices before us. As you enjoy this preview, please be sure to search for … History is US … available now for free wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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.

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! When Henry said it, he might have been committing treason. Yet the words also made him famous and indicated his superior bravery and patriotism to his country. The trouble is, that's often all he's remembered for. But without Henry the Revolution may not have succeeded and the Constitution may not look like it does. We get into why. From a 2017 interview - a bit about Patrick Henry and his times. Why the forgotten American "founder," one who was often too busy in his home state of Virginia to get nationally famous can provide us with American Revolutionary war stories and government founding narratives more interesting than just the Franklin, Jefferson and Washington stories we are accustomed to.

It's the classic story of the 1920 election, but it's probably not true, not in the way it's told at least - that Warren Harding was chosen in a smoke-filled room. Sure, there was probably smoking in a Chicago hotel room in 1920, Sure, there was some Presidential -picking chatter going on. But the story of a single, smoke-filled room that picked a President appears to be more of a legend. Not only that it may be a legend on purpose, or as we now say, fake news. And that may be on purpose, as it originated from a tall tale told to a reporter to make a candidate look good. This and how another fake news story was created to bring down Martin Van Buren's Presidency and other stories of politics, leftovers from a 2020 cast.

The Union threatened by legislative fiat, a Senator rose to reply to another. For Daniel Webster, it was a real comeback, What we might call a "zinger" today. "Not Liberty First and Union Afterwards! ...but Liberty and Union now and Forever One and Inseparable," Though since it was a 19th century zinger, it took 4 hours to deliver the line. Still it would become some of the most famous oratory in Senate history. When South Carolina's Senator Robert Hayne spoke in the Senate in 1830 to criticize Massachusetts and its Senator Daniel Webster, his comments were governmental but his intentions were personal. Haynes was an ally of John Calhoun, and he sought to reduce that Senator's reputation and the New England influence in federal government with a stunning interpretation of how the Constitution should work. A state could interpret any law the way it wished, he argued. . And although several friends told him not to, Haynes aimed his remarks purposefully at the Senate's best Speaker. Then Webster replied, He defended the patriotism of his home state, attacked the logical points Hayne and made about a state's right to veto a federal law, and called for the Union to be cherished. Although he and Andrew Jackson were not allies, Daniel Webster's speech set the stage for the Jackson administration's position in the upcoming South Carolina tariff nullification crisis. His speech, and the resulting consensus of agreement in Congress with his side, also set standards for federal and state roles in government, and that still has lots of relevance today. We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network Advertise on this podcast: sales@advertisecast.com Support us on Patreon - patreon.com/mhcbuyp Make a one=time donation - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KCK98X972XWWU