My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

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 opponents.  Instead it is the result of Andrew Jackson’s Presidency.  A President that has […]

In the eight part of our series on the Presidency of Ronald Reagan, we look at the scandal that engulfed his administration, and management style mistakes that may have led to it.  In the course of doing this we peel back a few layers, including the Walsh investigation and the critical, laid-back investigation style of […]

One of the President’s greatest and least checked powers is designed to overcome unfortunate guilt, legal error, or to take some action for national good.  A look at what Alexander Hamilton called “the benign prerogative,” and its history. http://www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com/pardon2.mp3 Recorded at the time of President Bush’s last days, it makes sense again.

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 reasons?  Not often.  Politics sometimes very insider and even petty lead […]

As President Obama offers his farewell commentary, a look at our 2012 cast on George Washington‘s Farewell Address and a few other timely thoughts. http://www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com/farewell.mp3

For the final cast of 2016 we look at Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, and their period of estrangement and renewed correspondence. Their story is very well known, but a few less commonly known points -such as Abigal Adams’s role in the story  – are discussed.  Also, a somewhat critical look at social media and its effect on […]

Christmastime, New Years are upon us, and so a fun-little episode I enjoyed recording on the history of radio from the start as geek fare to big business  The history of radio and Herbert Hoover’s role in speaks a bit to the debate over ‘fake news’ today, though I wouldn’t have had the foresight to make direct […]

The disputed election between Hayes and Tilden in 1876 is an infamous part of American history.  It created a tense environment where both sides talked of a return to war.  While war didn’t come, and perhaps was not going to come in an environment of post-Civil War aversion to war, there was a deal made to avoid bloodshed.   […]

Where do both parties go from here?  Maybe nowhere, Bruce Carlson suggests.  Everybody to your corners and be who you are.   Also What will Trump be like as President?  John Edwards as a damaged prophet?  Snippets of a conversation with Bruce Carlson and Chris Novembrino, host of Don’t Worry About the Government. (This is […]

In the first debate of the election, the first question was how either candidate would create jobs. As this podcast argues, the idea that the President creates jobs, popular as it is,  is a myth that is invalidated with a look at history.  A snipet from Bruce Carlson’s book on The Five Biggest Fibs in American […]

The reasoning behind America’s mediated Presidential election.  A look at the history of this institution, along with a story of the last time it was nearly discarded.

A look at the Lincoln, FDR, Carter and Clinton transitions.  The lesson.  How you transition determines how you govern.  From 2008 but applicable, and few good stories.

The surprise election of 1916 is now matched 100 years later by its 2016 cousin.   Bruce discusses that Wilson-Hughes contest that appeared to shock everyone, including the winner.  The podcast then gets into those election results in 2016 and the election of Donald Trump to the Presidency.  What led to the result, how does it […]

Commentary on the 2016 Election and the surprise victory of Donald Trump for the Presidency is on it’s way – I promise.  But first here is an  interview with Ben and Bob (who turned out to be a fellow college grad of mine) of the excellent Road to Now podcast we discuss all sorts of […]

The hard pill of American politics, from William Jennings Bryan’s telegram to today’s TV events.  With a brief jump-back to the concession that wasn’t in the very first contested election in the United States.  A brief history.