Reagan Ford 1980 – How Would That Have Worked?
More thoughts on a potential ‘dream ticket’ in 1980. What happens when a President and former President enter the White House.
Leftovers from The D.C. Representation Cast
Some more cranky characters from Washington D.C. in the 1880s, clarifications of what I got wrong about license plates on the cast [the DC motto established in 2000 v. 1991], and other stories.
Leftovers from Black Monday and Terrible Tuesday Casts
A cabbie’s view of the stock crashes, a tragedy in the news, and Donald Trump’s Black Monday, all left overs from the podcast
Civil War Cotton Bonds and The Financial War
While cannons fired and infantry charged, a battle in the Civil War was fought on another front – the world financial markets – with implications for the war. A section we recorded for the Ark of Commerce Part b but no … Continued
Sneak Preview of The Ark of Commerce Part Six – A Risk
For members only, sneak preview of the first installment of the final Ark of Commerce, our series on the commercial history of the United States. In this episode we discuss Black Monday 1987, and the exchange systems that led up … Continued
No, Not That Winston Churchill – A 1890’s Scrapbook, Part II
Continuing on our look at the 1890’s – many flying machines, Jack London goes from pirate to lawman, William Taft seeks gold, a cookie company and a cough drop company get their names, chicago and Southern California bloom, a city … Continued
Special Preview of “The Presidential Race of 1995”
Early rough cut of an upcoming episode on the 1996 election, and how events in 1995 all but foretold the outcome. Dick Morris and Clinton, Powell and Dole accusations that the media was biased against Clinton and lot of fundraising.
The Egg – Sherwood Anderson’s 1921 Short Story
From one hundred years ago, a simple story that is highly political. Sherwood Anderson’s tale of a son talking about his father’s egg farm and restaurant dreams is a criticism of the intensity and negative side of the American Dream.
Leftovers From the Events of 1921 Cast
US in Haiti, Fatty Arbuckle and Virginia Rappe, Tony Jackson dies but not his influence on jazz singers, Hitler meets Luddendorf. And other items that didn’t fit in the episode.
Leftovers from ‘1866 Mechanics Institute Attack’ Episode
A little bit more about Mayor Monroe and Lt Governor Oscar Dunn, players in the episode about the Mechanics Institute attack in new Orleans. From the legal pad leftovers.
“There Must Be Some Trick In It!” How Madison, Wilson, “Mr Union” and Other Federalists Handled Objections to the Constitution
Many of the attacks on the Constitution lacked specific detail, so Federalists had to fight straw men and conspiracy theories. In this episode we look at how James Wilson and Madison did, and how they explained the Constitution’s benefits. We … Continued
Congress in the 1890’s, Leftovers from the Obscure Facts Episode and More
We get the perspective of George B. McClellan Jr, son of the Union general, about Congress in the 1890’s as a Democrat from the North. Dealing with his Southern colleagues and avoiding duels was on his list of activities. Also … Continued
Vice President “Buttermilk” Charlie Fairbanks
A look at the vice president under Theodore Roosevelt (1905-1909), who was overshadowed by his boss but kept the ‘stand pat’ conservatives happy while his boss ran the White House.
Mauve Decade: An 1890’s Scrapbook
The 1890’s was dubbed The Mauve Decade because of the popularity of that color in fashion. It was also a time of depression and boom, populist politics, attempts to fly, dead poets schoolyard games, automobiles that looked like bikes, and … Continued
Leftovers from ‘The Lincoln Train’ Episode – Lincoln’s Letter to Seward, Springfield’s Rain, More About Republicans, Secessionists and Compromises
Additional notes about Lincoln’s Inaugural train ride. Including Whitman’s description of him. More Train stop speeches. A curse of Congress by Benjamin Wade, Lincoln’s true opinion on Seward’s New Mexico idea (more complex I must admit than my comments in … Continued
Disorder, Disunion and Other Thoughts: Bonus Army, Coxeys Army, 1861 Baltimore Plot
We look at the Bonus Army of 1932 and 1933 and how two different Presidents reached to marches on Washington. In the wake of tragic events at the Capitol this week, we discuss Coxey’s Populist ‘army’ and the first real … Continued
Adlai Stevenson, The Original
About Vice President Adlai Stevenson, the grandfather of the Democratic candidate for President in 1952 and 1956. We include some stories from his memoir and the political events of his time. This was run on the Vice Presidents of the … Continued
FDR and Hoover’s Transition and Other Leftovers from the Presidential Transition Episode
We touched on FDR and Hoover’s touchy transition in the episode about LBJ and Nixon. In this premium episode, I go into the telegrams Hoover sent FDR and what he wanted from FDR – and what FDR refused to do.
Arthur Accepts The Vice Presidential Nomination
The relationship between Roscoe Conkling, Senator and New York State political boss of the post-Civil War era, and Chester Arthur, future President is explored in this episode. We look at the key moment of Arthur’s defiance at the 1880 Convention, … Continued
What If There Was No 22nd Amendment? Harry S. Truman and the S., and Other Questions
We discuss a variety of topics based on questions I’ve been asked. who might be President a third time if there was no prohibition on it? And what’s up with Harry Truman’s middle name?
Grover Cleveland’s First Inaugural
Bruce reads Cleveland’s first Inaugural address, with some analysis.
Even More Esoteric Notes About The 2020 Election
More things to consider about the results of the 2020 Election, besides the big result, that didn’t make it into the main cast.
Transcript for Did Nixon Win the Popular Vote and Other Stories Episode.
On the evening of June 18th, 1954, Albert Love Patterson walked out of his law office in Phoenix City, Alabama. Former state senator soldier in France in World War One was aware of how bad the situation the town he … Continued
Disputed Elections (from 2007)
Disputed Election, from 2007. Some interesting nuggets.
Rivals and Friends: Blaine and William Sherman, McKinley and Dewey
Two GOP Candidates reckon with potential military rivals. One susses, the other waits their potential rival out. And other stories of the 1884 and 1896 election that couldn’t fit in the episode of DONT RUN FOR PRESIDENT