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.

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

From 2020 - A look at the first South Carolina primary in 1980 and its intended role at the time as a firewall for conservative politics. We also look at how disco sucked, Dylan went Christian and some events that happened at the same time, all unrelated but in...

In the third year of the Presidency, Jimmy Carter wrestles with combining the principles of his first term with realities of the American economy amid myriad domestic struggles, two hostage-taking incidents, and a intraparty political rival. He attempts to make a speech that will reconnect him with the American people. We are part of Airwave Media Network To advertise, email advertising@airwavemedia.com

Can the Presidency be done differently? Can a President be less Imperial, more of a citizen, turning the thermostat down in the White House and carrying his own bags? In many ways, Jimmy Carter approached 1977 seeing himself in this light. We look at the first year of Carter's Presidency.

With Edward Segal, author of Whistle-Stop Politics, we talk about the unique method of campaigning for President - by train. And why it's not just a thing of the past. See more about Edward's book here: https://edwardsegal.com/whistle-stop-politics/ We are part of Airwave Media Network For more train politics stories, more 1988 election stories, and other things, join our Patreon - http://www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp

In his first and second years as an improbable GOP Governor in the South in the 1960's Kirk, tries out a new type of politics, at least new to the Sunshine State: confrontation. Equally with protestors, strikers, and polluters, he confronts them straight on. He also makes a miscalculation that will hurt his rep while he's winning a political victory.

In the late 1960's the first GOP governor of Florida since Reconstruction found himself elected with no support in the legislature. He had only a microphone and so he used direct confrontation, insults, press-bashing and other tactics to get elected and get his way. Rather than let things be he took on left-wing hippies and right wing segregationists alike in the early part of his term. He aimed his cannons at communists, but also at good old boy political machines. And what do you know, he also is the governor to bring in a large amusement park to the state. Move that Earth he said! This will be part 1 of a 3 part series.

NOTE - if you haven't listened to Part I of our series on Black Hawk you'll want to listen. This is a two-parter. In the second episode. Chief Black Hawk has an improbable victory, and it sets the stage for all-out conflict.

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.

A look at Reagan's intervention in Lebanon in 1983, from a podcast back in 2009. We also look at Wilson' intervention in Mexico in 1913 We are part of airwave media newtork want to advertise? advertising@airwavemedia.com

With Bob Crawford, co-host of Road to Now Podcast and bassist for The Avett Brothers, we talk about the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. Bob's knowledge of this not well-known President shines through in the interview. He's recently completed a series FORTUNATE SON on JQA. We discuss not only his Presidency, but his post-Presidency. We also discuss Bob and Bruce's college experiences and New Jersey and national politics.

The story of Eugene Debs and another case where a Presidential candidate ran from prison and compare - as well as contrast - with the current politics. Also a bit about experimental TV.

Learn something new about major news events from the people there. We talk to Joshua Cohen of Eyewitness History Podcast (https://www.parthenonpodcast.com/eyewitness-history/). The excerpts from his interviews manage to knock down some of the myths about major historical events and news stories. We start with the principal of Columbine High School, there on that terrible day, and we go to the newsman covering The Lake Placid Olympics in 1980. We also talk to a Jonestown Massacre survivor, a member of the rock band Queen, and the so-called father of podcasting.

Before Prohibition could be repealed but after many Americans had grown tired of it, a novel political trick was tried - declaring beer was OK. Well a certain kind of beer, called 3.2. It only lasted eight months, though in many states it lasted longer and in one American state, is still law. We look at this forgotten part of the New Deal and how it provides an example of the role of science in American politics.

Will the real JFK please stand up.   What image should we have today of the 35th President.  Our interview with author and Boston Globe reporter Thomas Oliphant, about his book Road to Camelot Inside JFKs Five Year Campaign.  We talk about how we shoul