My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

Lyndon Johnson and his choice to become VP nominee in 1960   In answering a question about JFK’s health and its role in Lyndon Johnson’s decision to accept the Vice Presidency, Bruce takes a look at the people and factors surrounding Johnson’s decision, Kennedy’s motivations, Eisenhower’s indirect role, and the confusing hours in a Los […]

We take a look at the only American War named after a year, how its 200 year anniversary was handled compared to 100 years ago, and the impact of the War of 1812 on today’s political system. We also take you live, sorta, to the Battle of Lake Champlain.

What is the proper federal and state relationship?  Is there a right of rebellion?  How should protests be handled in a democracy on both sides?  Who should own what weapons?  How do we treat our veterans?  These are among the questions where    Shays Rebellion of 1786-7 helps clarify, or at least adds depth.   Along the […]

We look at the  short history – of the opposition response to The State of the Union.  This is from back in 2011.

Bruce seeks to answer every question thrown at him, almost.  What were the craziest Speaker elections?  Will Jeb Bush’s last name hurt him?  Could Ford have beat Carter if he didn’t pardon Nixon?   What would Boston Tea Party ‘protest signs’ say?  Should there be a constitutional amendment protecting recreational drug use?   And other […]

A look at one of America’s earliest blockbusters, the little book that changed American minds Common Sense, its author Thomas Paine, the impact it had at the time and what it might mean today. We also examine the creative differences Paine had with his printers, and how much it might have cost to advertise for […]

 A look at President Nixon, his life and his tarnished and changing legacy.   Has Watergate eclipsed accomplishments that serious historians should rescue?  Or are they getting it just right given criminal conduct in the White House?  Did Nixon just do what other presidents have done?  Was he a liberal?  We jump in the copter and delve […]

A look at past VPs compared to Biden and Cheney. Obama's executive enforcement powers, and a strategy Romney may have left on the table. Part of a late year hodge-podcast of listener questions and Quora questions. note -- I got my Quora URL wrong in the episode, but too late to change. apparently, I"m the only BruceCarlson-3. http://www.quora.com/Bruce-Carlson-3

Republicans capture the Senate from President Obama, and we look at how this midterm defeat measures up to others. We also look at a reason why this midterm creates problems for President Obama and his party, including a long-term consequence not much focused on in the media. Also, a look at some political defeats in history including Al Smith's loss, Bill Cinton's 1994 midterm and Wilson's World War I Midterm. .

In the streets of Philadelphia, a group of citizens would change American politics and in the process, set up a trend. a look at past six year midterms from a range of Presidents, and historic Senate losses. A small snippet of a past episode recorded in 2006 is featured, and Bruce offers best guess on the 2014 Senate situation.

A mysterious fever strikes the nation’s capital five years after the Constitution is ratified.  Doors are shut, citizens flee, a President exits.     Yet a doctor believes he knows the answer.  

A mysterious fever strikes the nation's capital five years after the Constitution is ratified. Doors are shut, citizens flee, a President exits. Yet a doctor believes he knows the answer.

A look at President Nixon, his life and his tarnished and changing legacy. Has Watergate eclipsed accomplishments that serious historians should rescue? Or are they getting it just right given criminal conduct in the White House? Did Nixon just do what other presidents have done? Was he a liberal? We jump in the copter and delve into every aspect we can find of Nixon. Plus, Elvis and Johnny Cash.

A little nod to new mother Chelsea Clinton and a re-run as we deal with some technical issues. we look at Presidential Sons and Daughters. Rerun from way back.

Spying Zeppelins and Fighter Plane Duels...a Fainting Leader and a Final Stand A third and final look at Neville Chamberlain and the Munich analogy. In part one, we've used WWI to 'beat up' on the Munich analogy, in part two we used the events of Munich itself. In Part Three, we hopefully show how the events of 1939 and 1940, including the post-Munich diplomacy and war and the Battle of Britain put Chamberlain's actions in context.