My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

A look at 100 years ago, when quite a bit happened. from packages to taxes to senators to great buildings and music. A New President and agenda, and a Cracker Jack box surprise..

Because of his iconic status, we don't always see Washington the President, politician and policy creator. In this cast we will. The first U.S. President was influential in many ways, not only in securing a military victory, but also in insisting on changes to the Articles, providing cover for a convention creating a national American government, and acting as President to maintain a relevant and strong national government. His words of wisdom on stepping out from parties, and his insistence on an American Union at all costs, are worthy of a day of celebration and contemplation.

With very early talk about the future career hopes of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden, age and the Presidency has entered the discussion. A look at the age of Presidents, William Henry Harrison's coatless show, Old Rough and Ready, Ike's hamburger scare, Reagan's record-setting Presidency and what the Constitutional Convention had to say about age.

The power to reject the President's Cabinet nominees is a direct Constitutional power of the U.S. Senate, but it is rarely used. The President, even the most zealous Senate partisans normally feel, gets to pick who he wants to be on his team. But a few times in history, that theory has been discarded. And when the Senate does unsheath it's constitutional power, it means that things have gotten quite ugly between the two branches of government. Perhaps it means the President has overreached. The party controlling the Senate is showing off. Or, there could be no reason at all.

What would politics be like today if TR did not reach the Presidency on the death of McKinley? In this "Son of Big Ol' Hodgepodcast" we explore what might have been, as best can be done. Also we talk about immigration and voting demographics and a bit more about the 2nd amendment.

The truth behind Kennedy's Berlin Speech and Teddy Roosevelt's place on the ticket, A not-so-fun 2013 anniversary, a fiscal cliff of the past and more. It's a big ol' hodge podcast of listener questions.

In the wake of a national tragedy, some on both sides of the debate over guns may be misinterpreting the 2nd amendment to serve their proposed solution. The idea of a 2nd goes back to history, common understood rights and state ratification conventions. There are things that the 2nd does and does not do, and its important to note these. As we discuss in this cast, the 2nd is an individual right but not one without limits. we talk about the history of the amendment and the recent Supreme Court decisions, how some of the proposed solutions measure up to constitutionality, and how today's usage relates to the early American understanding of the concept.

Campaign finance from Lincoln to Obama as we look at the 19th century as compared to the very expensive 2012 election.

As we put together some end of year episodes, a rerun or two. This from 2011. Despite their appearance, rights are not easy. Rerun of the "Dark Side of Rights"

The Electoral College puts a group of people between American voters and their choice for President, which has lead to some interesting quirks over our history. Some key framers thought it was a great idea, as Wilson said the same as popular vote with just 'one remove.' We discuss a few interesting points: Why there is no Popular Vote and never has been How, in addition to Al Gore, Samuel Tilden and his protege Grover Cleveland, one more 20th century candidate may have been cheated by the electoral college. The Electoral College has not been all bad, and the popular vote may not be all good.

Packing, Cracking and Kidnapping are all legal processes in American politics, though they may be frowned on. We look at the history of gerrymandering, from the election 200 years ago that created the term, to today's election. Is it bad? Is it justifiable? Can anything be done?

2012's results shed light, possibly on a past election and the notion of the pocketbook factor in elections. Politics beats up history this time,as we ponder some unanswered questions of the 1992 election, now 20 years old. We discuss the last minute moves by the Clinton, Bush and Perot campaigns in that election.

Virginia was one part of the President's surprisingly strong electoral college win in his 2012 re-election. We look at Virginia and the fact that in three swing elections it seemed to go for the incumbent. anything too that or just trend-fishing? Should we look at this state differently since it's so easy for an incumbent in the White House to cross the Francis Scott Key Bridge and make an appearance, because many residents live so close to the President and indeed many work for him. In the course of it we discuss John Kennedy's not often discussed contribution to civil rights, and ponder if Virginia will follow its history of not being a swing state for very long.

No debate has ever reached the 1960 ratings in terms of number of households. Why? Is it because they don't matter. Hard to say that now. 2012 if anything showed that a debate can change the race. but also that the number of debates can reduce the impact of any one. We look at historical TV ratings for debates. We look at poll impact of debates in history, and we look at possible changes - especially including 3rd party candidates into debates.

A look at one election's final days,(this is of course a repeat from 2008.) so not sure if political discussion will apply much.